Earlier last year our KICK-ASS blog community was FIRST to break the news of a Kansas City Zoo Aquarium as a SHAMELESS part of the GO BOND effort . . . Now . . .
IN MUCH GREATER DETAIL . . . A KICK-ASS INSIDER SHOWS US SPECIAL INTERESTS WORKING TO SECURE MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THIS NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLAR GO BOND SLUSH FUND IN THE MAKING!!!
Here's the word from the front lines and ongoing talk about the burden soon to be foist upon local residents . . .
Kansas City Insider: $800 Million Bond Issue
The Joint Finance & Governance and Transportation & Infrastructure committee meeting on Thursday, January,12 was interesting from the start. The committee immediately going into closed session for about half hour. Then Chairman Scott Wagner of the committee announcing that the renewal of 1 cent sales tax for capital improvements would not be on the ballot in April. So this only leaves the new $800 million bond issue to be on the ballot in April. Like we said last week they are in trouble the Mayor stating his proposal of $600 million (streets, bridges-$400 million and $200 sidewalks), $150 million for flood control, $50 million for animal shelter and public buildings is polling at 60 percent. They need 57 percent to pass this new bond proposal.
Councilman Lucas from 3rd District at Large presented a competing proposal. His proposal would have $550 million for streets, bridges and sidewalks, $25 million for the animal shelter, $225 million for flood control and neighborhood sidewalks.
The Mayor dismissed the Lucas plan because it didn't comply with the bonding agencies. The grouping of sidewalks and flood control is not compatible according to the Mayor. The important fact is that there is no consensus on what and how money should be spent.
Councilman Lucas should be commended for his discussion of paying for Starlight ADA improvements. The fact is probably hidden in the Mayors proposal in the government building and animal shelter is money for a zoo aquarium. Starlight is not run by the City and neither is the Zoo but they continue to think that Kansas City should fund them. They should be required to present their Federal 990's and lets see how they spend money and how many of their board members live in Kansas City.
The public testimony centered on sidewalks. When former Councilman John Sharp gets up and starts lobbying for sidewalks, when will someone ask him why after serving on the city council for 16 years in South Kansas City you now think sidewalks are important. The other issue with former Councilman John Sharp he is currently Councilman Kevin McManus's PIAC representative. Do they have a priority for neighborhood sidewalks? Councilman McManus we have term limits for a reason.
In reality neither proposal could pass. The focus on the animal shelter and sidewalks isn't the focus of the majority of people that are unable to attend city council meetings. They want a plan on fixing streets, flood control, they understand that Kansas City will have to pay for ADA sidewalk fixes and city hall ADA compliance. So far we have not seen any criteria of what projects should be a priority. One other issue is no matter if you live on the Eastside, the Northland or South Kansas City people are fed up with the focus on downtown so this $800 million bond issue should not be spending money on downtown.
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You decide . . .
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