Green Roofing Seminar TODAY

Filed under: Communications — debora at 7:56 am on Thursday, April 24, 2008

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal News & Events

Green Roofing Seminar
:

April 24, 2008 - 8 am - 5 pm
Screenland Theater - 1656 Washington, Kansas City, MO
Topics - What are green roofs? How do you choose the appropriate roofing assembly? How do these types of roofs address CO2 emissions, heat island effect, water conservation, energy savings, and natural resources?

Classroom and showroom demonstrations of green roof assembly.
Earn AIA continuing education credits.

No charge, includes continental breakfast and lunch. Seating is limited to the first 125 persons.
Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Company
Joyce Beach, Joyce@cornellroofing.com
Mary McNamara, Mary@cornellroofing.com
(816) 252-8300

Schedule of Events:
8:00am - 8:45am
8:45am - 9:45am
9:45am - 10:45am
10:45am - 11:45am11:45am - 12:00 pm
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm

2:00pm - 2:45pm
2:45pm - 3:45pm

3:45pm - 4:00pm
4:00pm - 4:30pm

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Registration & Visit Manufacturer’s Booths
Vegetated Roof Presentation, Ralph Velasquez - Tremco, Inc.
Questions & Answers -Break- Visit Manufacturer’s Booths
Reflective Roof Presentation, Craig Isaacson
Performance Roof Systems
Questions & Answers
Lunch - Visit Manufacturer’s Booths
Photovoltaic Roof Presentation, Riaz Hasan
Firestone Building Products Co.
Questions & Answers -Break- Visit Manufacturer’s Booths
Sustainable Roofing Presentation, Helene Hardy Pierce
GAF Materials Corp.
Questions & Answers
Highlights of Local Vegetated Roofs, Doug Stockman &
David Dowell - el dorado Architects
Manufacturers Prize Give Away - Visit Manufacturers Booths
Manufacturer’s Demonstrations:
Tremco, Inc.
Performance Roof Systems
GAF Materials Corporation
Rehbein Environmental Solutions
Firestone Building Products Co.
US Gypsum
Star Fire (Photovoltaic)

City Council Committee Members - Updated List

Filed under: Communications — debora at 7:42 am on Thursday, April 24, 2008

Kansas City Council Committees: 4/18/08

Orange: Indicates Reassignments

Finance and Audit
Deb Hermann, Chair
Jan Marcason, Vice Chair
Sharon Sanders-Brooks
Beth Gottstein
Russ Johnson

Legislative
John Sharp, Chair
Terry Riley, Vice Chair
Sharon Sanders-Brooks
Melba Curls
Bill Skaggs

Public Safety and Neighborhoods
Cathy Jolly, Chair
Sharon Sanders-Brooks, Vice Chair
Cindy Circo
Melba Curls
John Sharp

Housing
Cindy Circo, Chair
Melba Curls, Vice Chair
Ed Ford
John Sharp
Bill Skaggs

Planning and Zoning
Terry Riley, Chair
Cindy Circo, Vice Chair
Beth Gottstein
John Sharp
Ed Ford

Transportation and Infrastructure
Russ Johnson, Chair
Melba Curls, Vice Chair
Terry Riley
Jan Marcason
Bill Skaggs

Invitation to Proposed Vitagraph Renovation/TIF informational meeting

Filed under: Communications — debora at 3:32 pm on Monday, April 21, 2008

There’s a renovation and TIF being proposed in the Crossroads. We are posting the invitation below, from developer Shirley Helzberg, to give everyone a chance to find out information about what’s being proposed. 

“Dear Neighbor,

By now you’ve probably read the article in the Kansas City Star about our efforts to renovate another historic building in the Crossroads neighborhood. We would appreciate the opportunity to personally present to you our exciting new development for the Vitagraph Building, 1703 Wyandotte, and our long term plans for 17th Street. In May, we plan to present to the TIF Commission the same plans, but first we’d like to show our neighbors. The renovation of the Vitagraph Building will serve as the new office headquarters for the Kansas City Symphony.

Please join us on Tuesday, April 29th at 5:00 at the Webster House,  1644 Wyandotte, so that we can share the facts of our project with you. Refreshments will be provided.We look forward to meeting with you. So that we know how many people to expect, please RSVP to Carla Corkran at Crcorkran@aol.com to let us know if you can attend.

Thank you very much,

Shirley Bush Helzberg”

 

 

Update on Recent Quarterly Meeting and Vote

Filed under: Communications — debora at 7:21 am on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

We had a large turnout to our Quarterly Members’ Meeting on April 10th. As many of you know, the Board asked the membership to vote on whether to remove Bill Drummond from the Board. After the Board’s and Bill Drummond’s positions were given and community members responded, a vote was taken. The situation was resolved with a vote of 61 to 3 to remove Bill Drummond from the Board. The Board now looks forward to continuing with the great projects we are working on for and with this community.

Proposed “For Cause” Removal of Board Member

Filed under: Communications — debora at 6:04 am on Thursday, April 10, 2008

Crossroads Community Association
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
 

April 1, 2008
 

To: The Members of Crossroads Community Association
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF

CROSSROADS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008
6:00 p.m.
 
at
  The Arts Incubator
115 West 18th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
 A Regular Meeting of the Members of Crossroads Community Association, a Missouri nonprofit public benefit corporation (the “Association”), will be held on the above date and at the above time and location.
The purposes of the meeting are to vote on the removal of Bill Drummond from the Board of Directors for cause, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.
              �
                                                                                                 By order of the Board of Directors

                                                                Bill Steeb, Secretary

Date:  March 31, 2008To:  Crossroads Community Association Board of Directors and Crossroads Community Association Membership

From:  Crossroads Community Association Executive Committee

Subject:  Recommended removal of Bill Drummond from the Board of Directors for cause.

As the culmination of several Executive Committee meetings, many hours of conversation and deliberation, and following discussions with CCA’s legal counsel, the Executive Committee believes it is in the best interests of the Crossroads Community Association, and is hereby recommending to the Board of Directors and to the Membership, that Bill Drummond be removed from his position on the Board of Directors for cause, by a vote of the Members at the next Regular Meeting of the Members on April 10, 2008.  In addition, the Executive Committee is recommending that the Board of Directors endorse this recommendation at its April 1, 2008 Meeting.  The results of the Board’s deliberation on this matter will be announced following the Board Meeting.

It is with deep regret following lengthy investigation, analysis and deliberation that the Executive Committee makes this recommendation.  The Executive Committee understands that this proposed action is without precedent for our Association, and this decision has not been entered into lightly.

The Mission Statement of the Association (Bylaws, Article III) states the following:

The mission of this association shall be to support, promote, advance, and encourage the revitalization of the community as a thriving, safe and attractive center of art, history, enterprise, commerce, culture, residence, entertainment, education and other activity; to inform and educate the members of this association and the public about community issues; to provide a forum to address community objectives and issues; to build a strong community through communication, cooperation, planning and leadership; to build a strong partnership between business owners, property owners, tenants and residents to ensure community involvement; and to enhance the quality of life within the community.
 

The Executive Committee strongly believes that Bill Drummond has failed to act in accord with the Mission of the CCA.  Bill Drummond’s actions have undermined our Association’s goals “to build a strong community through communication, cooperation, planning and leadership and to build a strong partnership between business owners, property owners, tenants and residents to ensure community involvement”.  Bill Drummond refuses to accept the decisions of the Board of Directors on critical issues and has instead acted to advance his personal agenda while holding himself out to be speaking for the Association; his statements have undermined key initiatives of the CCA; his actions have driven Members from attending Quarterly Meetings; his actions have alienated and driven Members from attending Committee Meetings; his actions have alienated and caused the majority of other Board Members to consider resignation; he has mislead community leaders, city staff and elected city officials by implying that he is speaking for the Board of the CCA when he clearly is not; he has repeatedly used an aggressive and bullying approach in attempts to force his opinions on Committee Members and on the Board; and he has wasted countless hours of Board time and Committee time.

In summary, the Executive Committee strongly believes that the Board cannot operate effectively with Bill Drummond on the Board.  The Membership needs to understand that many Board Members have stated that they will resign if Bill Drummond is not removed from the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee of the Crossroads Community Association is recommending that Bill Drummond be removed from the Board of Directors for cause (as detailed below):�
  

 

  1. Planning & Zoning Committee, 3/26/08 Meeting, Ordinance #080274, Greater Downtown Area Plan, $498,600 contract with BNIM:  Bill Drummond stated, in part, at this meeting that “I am on the Board of Directors of the Crossroads Association . . . I would like to accentuate that I am only 1/17 of the Board and I am pre-President”.  Bill Drummond also requested the Planning & Zoning Committee to “shelve this matter”.  Issues:  1) Bill Drummond is not the “pre-President” of the Crossroads, nor does he hold any office; 2)  He implied that he was, in some way, speaking for the CCA Board, which he was not; 3) He did not indicate that these were his personal views, nor did he indicate that these views were contrary to the position of the CCA; 4) He did not indicate that the CCA Board was in favor of the Greater Downtown Area Plan; 5) He did not indicate that the CCA Infrastructure Committee and the Neighborhood Plan Sub-Committee had worked long and hard with Planning and had received great support from Planning on this important issue; 6) By requesting that this matter be “shelved”, he undermined the extensive efforts of the CCA Board, CCA committees and the CCA Membership.  This example of Bill Drummond’s behavior is not unique and Bill Drummond has been reprimanded and warned on numerous prior occasions of the impropriety of such behavior in relation to his representative role and duties as a director of the CCA.  
  2. Greater Downtown Area Plan:  On 11/14/07, Bill Drummond sent an email to the Mayor and to the Members of the City Council stating, in part, that “I am only a single person on the neighborhood’s 17-person board of directors . . . I am concerned because the planning department, under Tom Coyle, has not implemented the Crossroads’ requests for a stand-alone Crossroads plan . . . Coyle has conducted the consultant selection process by his own method, (disregarding the well-thought-out process that was advanced in our first meeting on this subject that the Crossroads had).”  This email prompted an email from Ed Wolf to Tom Coyle that, in part, stated “we are familiar with the success on the Hickman Mills Area Plan and it’s acceptance by area businesses and residents . . . I get the impression that Bill Drummond and others in the Crossroads, do not believe that the Downtown Area Plan study is going to be similar.”  Issues: 1) Bill Drummond implied that he was, in some way, speaking for the CCA Board; 2) He did not indicate that these were his personal views only; 3) He did not indicate that the CCA Board was in favor of the Greater Downtown Area Plan; 4) He did not indicate that the CCA Infrastructure Committee and the Neighborhood Plan Sub-Committee had worked long and hard with Planning and had received great support from Planning on this important issue; 5) He undermined the extensive efforts of the CCA Board, CCA committees and the CCA Membership; 6)  He undermined relationships with the Planning Department that the CCA Board, CCA committees and the CCA Membership have worked long and hard to build and to protect.  
  3. 11/04/07 email from Bill Drummond to the CCA Board and other Community Leaders:  Bill Drummond stated the following:  “The Arts PIEA now needs a serious amendment to realize the original intent of the ordinance for the Crossroads.  I have the support of Porter Arneill, the City Municipal Arts Commission director, who is on the Arts PIEA board, to amend this PIEA.”  In an 11/5/07 email, Porter Arneill responded stating, in part, the following:  “Bill Drummond visited my office several days ago and introduced himself as a representative of the Crossroads Board and a local artist.  We spoke informally about the arts and arts advocacy in Kansas City.  I did not agree to support an amendment to the Crossroads Arts District PIEA.”   Issues:  1) Bill Drummond represented himself to Porter Arneill as representing the Crossroads Board.  2)  Bill Drummond was not representing the CCA Board, the CCA Board did not request Bill Drummond to have a conversation with Porter Arneill and the CCA Board is not in favor of, and did not vote on, supporting an amendment to the Crossroads Arts District PIEA.
  4. Westside:  On 2/5/08, Shaul Jolles received two calls from Alice Gomez (from the Westside) saying that there is a rumor out there that the CCA does not recognize that the Westside boundaries go to Broadway (that the Crossroads boundary goes to I-35) and that Bill Drummond was walking around the Westside spreading this word.  Issues: 1) This issue was never discussed by the CCA Board and Bill Drummond was not authorized to speak for the Board or the Association on this issue; 2) Bill Drummond’s actions have undermined relationships with the Westside (relationships that the CCA Board has spent many hours to build and to protect).

The above four documented examples of misconduct by Bill Drummond are illustrative, but numerous additional reports of other similar incidents have been received by various officers and directors of the CCA, and reported to the Executive Committee.  The volume of such incidents alone is remarkable in light of the short five month tenure that Bill Drummond has been a director.
 

  1. Disrespectful and Degrading:  On numerous occasions the members of the Executive Committee have observed Bill Drummond being disrespectful and degrading to Public Officials and to City Staff.  Many additional reports from other Members of the Board, Committee Members and the Membership at large have also been received.  Issues: 1) The CCA Board, Committee Chairs and Committee Members have worked long and hard on a voluntary basis to build and to protect these relationships and the reputation of the CCA.  Bill Drummond has and continues to undermine this work by attacking the work of these individuals and bringing into question their motivation.  We are concerned that these repeated attacks by Bill Drummond will undermine critical CCA priorities; 2) Board Members and Committee Members have spent considerable time in “fence mending” which has taken time away from other key CCA priorities.

4 Meetings on Light Rail - Starting Tonight!

Filed under: Communications — debora at 1:09 pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Please come to a series of 4 workshops on KC’s light rail project

You are invited to participate! The KCATA and the City need your input on how light rail will operate downtown. The first of a series of 4 workshops is tonight. The meetings build on each other and you are encouraged to come to all. The meetings are sponsored by the Downtown Council, Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Kansas City Design Center. Information is available on the Crossroads Community Association’s online calendar at kccrossroads.org, as well as below:
March 5, 5:30-7:30 pm Town Pavilion Conference Center, Marquis Room 1100 Walnut (take low-rise elevators in lobby to 4th floor) Parking available at Town Center Garage

March 26th, 5:30-7:30 pm Kansas City Design Center 1018 Baltimore Parking available at Downtown Library Garage

April 9, 5:30-7:30 pm (Location to be announced)

April 23, 5:30-7:30 pm (Location to be announced)

Lecture 12/6 at Central Library About Green Urban Development

Filed under: Infrastructure, Development — debora at 5:26 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Majora Carter will be speaking Thursday December 6th at 8 a.m. in the Helzberg Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library Central branch, 14 West 10th Street in Downtown Kansas City. There will be a continental breakfast and conversation. The description from the library’s website follows:


Conversations on the Environment at Central Library (816-701-3400)
Come hear Majora Carter as she inspires us with her insights on how Sustainable South Bronx has empowered community groups, developers, and city and state governments to create a green, equitable and prosperous community in the urban core. The result has been economic development, environmental justice and entrepreneurial opportunities. Newsweek, Vibe magazine and others have reported on this successful model she helped create. Learn more at the Web site: www.ssbx.org. Join Kansas City’s business, civic and community leaders as we learn how we can transform our community through untapped resources and create a more sustainable approach to infrastructure and development.The Central Library parking lot is located directly west of the Central Library building on the NW corner of 10th & Baltimore. It is open 7 days a week and cost to park in the Library parking lot is free for the first hour with validation from Library staff. Cost is $1 every 20 minutes (or portion thereof) after the first validated hour. Parking after 5:00 p.m. in the garage is $2.One hour metered parking is available on adjacent streets and is free on the evenings and weekends.

Please comment about Area Plan Public Participation Proposals

Filed under: Infrastructure — debora at 7:42 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2007

GouldEvans and COR Team (BNIM) are the finalist candidates that may be chosen to create the Greater Downtown Area Plan. The community has had two meetings with the candidate teams. In the first meeting the teams solicited information from the public, and in the second  they presented their approaches for how they propose to interact with the public if chosen to create the Plan. We want your input on these proposals. Please go to to the City Planning website and read each team’s proposal.

http://www.kcmo.org/planning.nsf/plnpres/GDTareaplan_documents?opendocument

After you have read both, please comment below no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2007. The CCA board will have a special meeting on Monday, Nov 26th to discuss this issue and will consider your input. The deadline for feedback about this to the City Planning Department is November 30th.

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale, 10 being the best, for
comprehensiveness in process and scope. BNIM(   )  GouldEvans (   )

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale for engaging the
community in the planning process. GouldEvans (   ) BNIM(   ) 

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale for innovation to address
the diverse needs of the community. BNIM(   )  GouldEvans (   )

Please rate each proposal overall on a 1 - 10 scale. GouldEvans(  ) BNIM(  )

In what way are you most likely to participate in the planning
process? A.Email B. Website C. Charrettes/meetings D. Progressive
community gatherings/dinners E. Other, (explain)

We also would appreciate comments about what you do or do not like in each plan, especially specific components in each proposal.

Thank you.

Call for Artists - Deadline Nov. 30th

Filed under: Community Enrichment, Arts — debora at 8:10 am on Thursday, November 15, 2007

HARRAH’S ART CONTEST
Harrah’s is providing the opportunity for artists to submit works for a chance to receive $10,000 and to have their work displayed very large on the side of a building in the Crossroads.  To enter, go here:

http://kccrossroads.org/harrahs/

Rules and FAQ are below:
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
1. HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: To register, between 12:01 a.m. CST on 9/01/07 and 11:59 p.m. CST on 11/30/07 go online to www.onenightatharrahs.com and complete the registration form. Create a design that is enlargeable to 90′x90′ that expresses the following theme: “One Night at Harrahs.” Upload a photo of the art piece on the website’s FTP site, or deliver on CD to Sponsor’s address. The actual art must be square and be no smaller than 2′x2′ and no larger than 4′x4′. The actual art must be able to be digitally photographed and replicated on a flat mesh vinyl measuring 90′ X 90′ without losing its original specifications and maintaining the integrity of the original art piece. All entrants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for technical, electronic, hardware, software or network, computer or data transmission errors, malfunctions or difficulties of any kind or for late, lost, misdirected, incomplete, or delayed entries. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

2. PRIZES: GRAND PRIZE: One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded, consisting of a cash award of $10,000 paid out in the form of a check. Grand Prize winner’s art will also be blown up (at Sponsor’s expense) to a 90′x90′ vinyl mesh and will be displayed on the side of a building selected by Sponsor for up to seven months with an artist credit. FINALIST PRIZES: The Nine remaining finalist will have the opportunity for their art to be displayed in the Harrah’s Kansas City hotel lobby with artist credits.

By participating in this contest, winners agree to fully transfer all right, title and interest to the submitted art to Sponsor without compensation (including but not limited to publicity rights and copyrights). No royalties, copyright fees, license fees, talent fees, or any other compensation will be paid for any reason relating to any aspect or part the submitted artwork, even if reproduced, distributed, and/or sold by Sponsor. Sponsor shall have the right to use any aspect or part of the submitted artwork, including winners name, likeness and image, for any commercial or marketing purposes without additional compensation, in perpetuity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein requires that Sponsor use the winning art, except as specified.

3. SELECTION: Ten (10) Finalists will be chosen by judges from all eligible entries received. Judging will be conducted on or about December 15, 2007. The winning art will be the entries that the Judges, in their sole and absolute discretion, deem to best meet the judging criteria and the spirit of the contest. Each eligible entry will be judged based on attributes deemed to be relevant by the judges in their discretion, including but not limited to: creativity, adherence to the theme, ability of the art, in the judges’ opinions, to adapt to the 90′x90′ final scale. The Judges reserve the right to select fewer than ten Finalists if, in their sole discretion, they believe that there are insufficient entries that meet the judging criteria. The judging panel will be composed of various local representatives. The Grand Prize winner will be announced at a Grand Prize Event held in the Crossroads District on 12/15/2007 (date subject to change based on availability of venue). Finalists must be in attendance in order to be considered for the Grand Prize. Transportation to and from the Grand Prize Event is solely the responsibility of each Finalist.

4. ELIGIBILITY and GENERAL CONDITIONS: Contest is only open to legal US residents of the metropolitan Kansas City, MO area (as determined by Sponsor), 21 years and older only. Employees of Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors and advertising, promotional or judging agencies and immediate family members or persons living in the same household of such employees are not eligible to win. All prizes are non-transferable. If any prize or any aspect thereof is unavailable for any reason, the Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to substitute another prize or cash of approximate equal value, as determined by Sponsor. No cash redemption or substitutions except by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor may require the winner to execute waiver and release documents with respect to any aspect of any prize. Failure to execute such documents will result in ineligibility and disqualification. Prizes will only be delivered to addresses within the Kansas City, MO metropolitan area. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Prize recipients will be solely responsible for paying all applicable federal, state and local taxes on prizes; if applicable, winner may receive an IRS Form 1099 for the retail value of the prize. All persons, by participating in this contest and submitting artwork, agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and its authorized judging agencies (the “Judges”) whose decisions in all aspects of this promotion shall be final and binding.

5. WINNER NOTIFICATION/RELEASES: Potential Finalists will be notified by phone or mail within day of the selection. Finalists will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release with a publicity release within seven (7) days of the date on the notification letter. If (i) any required documents are not returned within seven (7) days, (ii) a telephone notification is not confirmed to sponsor within forty-eight hours or (iii) the mail is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable mail without a forwarding address, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Finalist may be selected from among all remaining entries. Grand Prize winner may also be required to sign and return additional prize-related documents before the prize will be awarded. All winners, by participation in the contest and acceptance of a prize, agree to release Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and each of their parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, suppliers, distributors and advertising, promotional or judging agencies from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the prize or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to any prize-related activity. Except where prohibited by law, winners must consent to the use of their name, voice, picture or other likeness without compensation for promotional purposes as determined by Sponsor.

6. WINNERS’ LIST: For a list of the major prize winners, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope before February 28, 2008 to “Harrah’s Art Contest Winners” [Attn: Marketing Dept., Harrah’s Casino, 1 Riverboat Dr., Kansas City, MO 64116]

7. SPONSOR: Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, 1 Riverboat Dr., Kansas City, MO 64116

FAQ

1. How will my submission be turned in to a 90′x90′ posting?
  - The Grand Prize Winner’s submission will be digitally photographed and replicated on a flat mesh vinyl measuring 90′x90′ without losing its original specifications and maintaining the integrity of the original art piece. 2. Who will be on the judging panel?
  - The judging panel will be composed of various individuals that are an integral part in the art community in Kansas City.

3. What are the judging criteria?
  - Each eligible entry will be judged based on attributes deemed to be relevant by the judges in their discretion, including but not limited to: creativity, adherence to the theme and the ability of the art, in the judges’ opinions, to adapt to the 90′x90′ final scale.

4. Why is the contest only open to local artists?
  - The intent of this contest is to encourage the revitalization of the Crossroads District and to promote local artists. In order to protect the integrity of the contest, all submissions must come from local artists who live in Kansas City and the surrounding areas.

Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-888-BETSOFF. Must be 21 or older to gamble or to obtain Total Rewards® card. ©2007, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.

Updated Information for PIEA Owners

Filed under: Infrastructure, PIEA — debora at 12:01 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The PIEA staff would like to meet with the Owners of the 31 Projects during the week of November 12 and has provided the following information.   PIEA staff would like to handle all of the Ehinger Estate projects in one day and limiting other days to 5 or so projects each day.   Please contact PIEA staff at (816) 474-2227 in order to schedule an appointment .�
We (PIEA staff) will the review information with them to make sure they understand.  We will have prepared the Paperwork, and will ask them to review and confirm legal descriptions and make sure they understand the process for processing and recording the Paperwork.  We will have prepared the DRAFT Development Agreement (”Agreement”) associated with each project the Owners have submitted and we will tailor each Agreement to the Owners’ proposal.  To do this, we will pull information from the proposal or otherwise ascertain from the Owens certain information that will become part of the Agreement which will be the CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE TAX ABATEMENT AND THE FREEZING OF PROPERTY VALUES ARE PREDICATED .  Specifically , we will:
A.      Establish a time frame for curing blight – In their Proposal, each Owner said they would spend money on their property to cure the blight.  We will establish a deadline in the Agreement for the completion of those improvements and provide alternatives in the contract in the event the work is not completed by that time ( i.e: “clawbacks” of benefits received by Owners; or renegotiation of contract terms; or other remedies and alternatives).
B.      Billboards - The Plan prohibits awarding tax abatements on properties containing Billboards.  There are remedies that will allow tax abatement to be awarded provided that Billboards are removed at the expiration of Contracts relating to the same or otherwise, within some other specified term.  If Billboards exist on any of the 31 Projects, the Owners will be asked to bring copies of any such contracts with them to the meeting.  Otherwise the PIEA will ask each party to assure them that no Billboards exist and if so, the Owners and the PIEA will come to agreement on provisions in the Agreement governing removal of Billboards.�
C.      The 51% Rule – the Agreement will clearly state that the tax abatement and the freezing of assessed values at 2006 levels is contingent upon continued certification by the Crossroads Arts Advisory Committee on an annual basis (COMMENCING ON OR BEFORE MAY 1, 2009 and every thereafter through the 10 year abatement/freeze period) that 51% or more of the property continues to be used for arts related purposes as specified in the plan.  If not, tax abatement will be terminated  and property will go on the tax rolls at the assessed value in affect at that time and be subject to future reassessment by the County Assessor.  THE PIEA WILL NOTIFY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR EACH YEAR ON MAY 1 OR BEFORE THEIR NOTICE OF ASSESSMENTS GOES OUT (GENERALLY MAY 30 TH OF EACH YEAR) OF ANY PROPERTIES THAT WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX ABATEMENT.�
D.      Establishment of the Affordable “Base Rent”  - The Plan specifically requires that the 31 Projects be deemed affordable and that a base rent be established.  To assure the continued affordability of these properties throughout the 10 year term that the assessed values are frozen on these 31 Projects, the Agreement will establish a “base rent” (rent including taxes but no other components ( i.e. not to include utilities, insurance, etc) and prohibit increases in the base rent during the term of the abatement/freeze.  This limitation will be imposed in a manner consistent with Missouri’s Landlord/Tenant laws (which allow for increases in rents in the event of default by the lessee/renter and under other circumstances) and consistent with  other civil or criminal proceedings or matters of contract between the lessor and lessee.  The base rent will be subject to the annual certification process by the Cross Roads Arts Advisory Committee and subject to audit by the PIEA. �
E.       Waiver of URD Zoning Requirements – Each project will be reviewed to determine if it meets the requirements for waiver of URD Zoning requirements (waver can be granted for projects that do not result in “…..new construction of a residential project of 5 or more units, but excluding any new residential units that are to be constructed within an existing building” or “…..any project that does not involve construction of new buildings greater than 10% or 1000 sq. ft. of the existing building (whichever is less)”.  There are a few other exceptions that will be reviewed with owners).  If it meets the requirements for waiver of URD zoning requirements, then THE PIEA WILL RECOMMEND TO THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT THAT THE URD ZONING REQUIREMENTS BE WAIVED.�
F.       Payment of PILOTS – the Agreement will specify the Owners responsibility for payment of PILOTS so that taxing jurisdictions are kept whole.  The Agreement will specify the amount of the payment and details about billing and collecting the PILOTS by the City or the County.
G.      Calculation and Payment to PIEA for “Plan Approval Fee” and “Tax Abatement Fee” – the PIEA will need to be reimbursed for the costs it incurred in advertising for Proposals for the 31 Projects ($734.20).  In addition, the PIEA will calculate its Plan Approval Fee (Per PIEA Resolution #450) and it’s “Tax Abatement Fee (Flat $500 for each of the 31 Project).  PIEA will provide Bob Long a copy of the PIEA Resolution #450 so that Owners can get a sense of how the fee is calculated and can get a sense of what their fee might be.   PIEA will discuss payment arrangements with individual Owners , if necessary.  PLAN APPROVAL FEES, ADVERTISING EXPENSES AND TAX ABATEMENT FEES MUST BE PAID OR ARRANGED TO BE PAID BEFORE PIEA WILL PROCESS THE PAPERWORK IMPLEMENTING THE ABATEMENT /FREEZING OF ASSESSED VALUES .
I hope this helps you prepare for the completion of this process.
Bob Long
Development Services Specialist
Economic Development Corporation
  of Kansas City, Missouri
1100 Walnut Street, Suite 1700
Kansas City, MO 64106
direct (816) 691-2104
fax (816) 691-2154
rlong@edckc.com
www.edckc.com

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