Indian Mound Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes from October 16th, 2017

Next Meeting: Monday, November 20th, 6:30pm at the North-East Branch Library (6000 Wilson Rd, KCMO 64123)

Officer Smith, KCPD

• Reminders, daylight savings time means replacing batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Suggests you get a CM detector if you don’t have one
    • If they are the plug-in type, unplug it and let it air-out a few times a year
• Chief asking for 30 more officers in upcoming budget
  • Resident asked how many would be dedicated to East Patrol, officer Smith said they would probably go to “urban” areas
• Gun Safety demonstration (using a fake gun)
  • Response to this year’s loss of 3 children to accidental gun deaths
  • Biometric safes that open with your fingerprint
  • Steps
    • Make sure finger is off the trigger
    • Always pointed in a safe direction (not at people or at surfaces that can ricochet)
    • Push magazine release button to eject magazine
    • Open port (if there’s a round in the chamber, it will pop out)
    • Visually check port and magazine to make sure it’s empty
    • Put in gun lock, secure, and take the key
  • Officer Smith handed out free gun locks for handguns
• Flyer with Halloween tips
• Spreadsheet with crime statistics

Amanda Wilson, Resident, Crime and Safety Report

• Update on N. Drury residents
  • Problematic neighbor was evicted from rental unit; the street is much quieter now
• From Indian Mound Crime Watch Facebook page
  • School bus, moved parking spots
    • Working on convincing bus owner to park it in the library parking lot as a solution
  • 500 Blk of Quincy
    • Tires slashed, neighbors getting yelled at
    • CID may use Avenue Angels to help address this
    • Also on KCPS property, so school district might help
  • St. John & Lawndale issues at bus stop with loiterers
    • Liquor store knows of people causing issues and doesn’t sell alcohol to them
    • Requesting trash can and bench at the bus stop by KCATA
      • If loitering happens on KCATA bench, KCPD can address the issue
• 100 Blk N Elmwood
  • One problematic house with lots of issues; landowner may seek eviction
• Juveniles causing a ruckus and escalating
  • Started with vandalism, now includes shooting BB guns and possibly breaking and entering
  • Neighborhood presidents will get an update from KCPS during the next NEAT meeting
• General gunfire near Indian Mound and Gate 4
  • IMNA trying to recruit nearby neighbors to install security cameras
  • How to do that in an ethical way??
  • Bryan generally encourages them because they aren’t expensive and can record a wide range of potential crimes, including speeding, burglary, etc
• St. John & Van Brunt
  • Abby Judah from Legal Aid of Western Missouri has an update
    • IMNA has temporary possession
    • UH family has 5 more months to fix it up and plans to move in when it’s ready
    • Graffiti is still up though, so neighbors would like to see that gone
  • Reporting things on the IM Crimewatch Page and Historic NE Crimewatch Page

Greg Lombardi is not here

Beth asking for volunteers for Fall Festival/Pumpkin Patch

• October 28th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm event (12:00pm to 6:00pm)
• Need volunteers for set up and tear down, also put yard signs out

Donna Miller-Brown, Treasurer’s Report

• September Income: $0
• September Expenses: $0
• Account Balance (as of September 30, 2017): $3,207.01

Bryan Stalder, 5415 Garden Update

• Volunteers from Cristo Rey worked on a lot of different projects, including picking up trash along St. John Ave and in the 5415 Garden
• Volunteers also mowed grass and built a fire pit at the garden

Questionnaire from North-East Branch Library

• Library wants to know how they can help relieve the challenges that residents face
• Questionnaire available at the front desk of the library
• Rebecca, libraries aren’t all about books anymore; how can the library adapt to meet people’s evolving needs (for example, the library is a post office now)

Kevin O’Neill is not here

Councilwoman Jolie Justus (4th District)

• Wants to address issues that were brought up earlier in the meeting
  • Things going on at City Hall relating to neighborhoods
    • Still seeking input on 5 year business plan (budget)
      • Wenesday, Oct. 18th, 6-8pm at Bruce R. Watkins
      • Thursday, Oct. 19th, noon – 2pm at Health Dept building
      • Online tool to see what it’s like to balance the budget
      • Input does impact the budget in noticeable ways
  • AirBnB and short-term rentals
    • In KCMO, it’s illegal, but it’s not really enforced (“sharing” economy)
      • City would like to regulate it in a responsible way
      • Keep neighborhoods safe without burdening residents wanting to engage in that commerce
      • 2 years of conversations have gone on with different stakeholders
      • City Planning Commission had a hearing recently and sent it to City Council
        • Next Hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 18th on 26th Floor of City Hall
    • Description of Ordinance as it now stands:
      • Widely disliked, which may mean that it’s a good compromise?
      • 2 types of licenses
        • Someone who owns a home and wants to rent out an extra room
          • $100 license first year, then $50/year after that
          • Must notify neighbors (but don’t need permission)
        • Someone who doesn’t live in the home while they rent it out
          • License will be $259 for first year, then $50/year
          • Notify and get consent from at least 55% of neighbors (but not sure out of how many people yet or proximity, or if it includes renters as well as owner occupied)
          • Limit to the number of nights per year that you can rent it out (just under 100 nights, maybe?)
    • Questions?
      • Enforcement, will it require new inspectors?
        • The City wants the platforms (e.g. AirBnB) to regulate, but they aren’t likely to do this unless there is a complaint
        • So, create enforcer positions through the fees
          • May include subscribing to a service that can monitor social media platforms to identify properties that need to be licensed
        • Also will require neighbors to enforce the rules
      • Is getting neighbors permission just one time, or annually?
        • Probably just one time, unless there are complaints
• General Questions
  • Will neighborhood associations be notified if a property owner applies for AirBnB license?
    • Probably not, just immediate neighbors
  • Where is the City at with the GO Bond?
    • List that was waiting has been approved by the Council
    • After the current backlog is addressed, a matrix will be used to prioritize new projects, and also prioritize historically under-served neighborhoods
    • Will cluster projects that are very close together to complete them together
    • Complete Streets is a new recommended ordinance
      • When streets are completely renovated, it will also include sidewalks, bike lanes, trees, etc.
  • When will they release the report cards chronicling the progress of GO Bond projects?
    • Councilwoman assumed that the annual report would come out in April, but would look into
  • Issues with gas infrastructure work leaving behind potholes and big messes?
    • Councilwoman plans on bringing it directly to attention of MGE (now Spire)
  • Is PIAC funding changing?
    • There was talk of that, but it is not changing.
  • Should residents report sidewalks in need of repair? Right now some people are afraid to because they might need to pay for it.
    • Yes, they should. The City has accepted responsibility for paying for it.
• KCI Update
  • Councilwoman Justus has been chair of airport committee since she was first elected
  • Only 45 years old (built in 1972)
    • But, does have major infrastructure issues that need to be dealt with
    • Has become clear to Councilwoman Justus that these need to be addressed
      • The design that people like so much about it has also caused problems
  • Input process
    • Initially only included residents, not airlines (they were waiting to see resident response)
      • Airport paid for through fees charged to people who use the facility through the airlines
    • Second round, included airlines
      • Focused on affordability, efficiency
      • Decided it needed to be single-terminal near A
      • Edgemoor company would design and build new KCI
  • Common Questions
    • Will KC residents end up paying for so much that it detracts from other city services?
      • No, because it is paid for through revenues generated at the airport
    • Won’t this make the airport more inconvenient?
      • No, it will become more convenient
        • Parking will be better
        • Will separate lanes for departures and arrivals
    • Economic impact concerns from City Council
      • Will focus on local workforce
        • Minority- and women-owned business focus
        • Childcare, transportation, on-site healthcare will be provided for workforce
      • Help meet the needs of city’s employers

Dan Moynihan from Edgemoor, handling financing, design and build of new KCI Airport

• Recognized it as a massive project, so put together all-star team
  • Also see it as local, so will source a local workforce
    • Website, kci-edgemoor.com
      • Looking for input from potential local partners
      • Willing to offer support to minority- and women-owned businesses wanting to get involved (hoping to leave a legacy behind for local workforce)
      • Pre-apprenticeship program for young people to try out different trades that they may be interested in pursuing
• Questions?
  • Partnership programs, will they certify businesses with the city?
    • Only certified businesses/contractors will be eligible for the partnership program, but there are aggressive efforts to get businesses certified
  • How many gates are there currently? How many will there be after the reconstruction?
    • 70+ currently, but layout not very suitable for modern planes or baggage systems
    • New airport will be 35 gates, with chance to expand to 42 gates, that can accommodate modern systems
  • What will the timeline be? Will it disrupt future plans?
    • No interruption in terminal B and C during construction, so won’t affect flights
  • What about cost overuns or delays?
    • Edgemoor will be directly responsible for that.
  • What if an airline leaves?
    • Other airlines will make up for it through the fee mechanism.
  • Has the design been finalized? How do we know if it will be more convenient?
    • No, design is not finalized, but foot print has been.
    • Will have town hall meetings for more input eventually.
    • Will include a lot of amenities.
• For more questions, reach out to Councilwoman Justus or visit the KCMO website