City reduces pet licensing fees to increase compliance

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Neighborhood and Community Services Department reduced City pet licensing fees in January 2012 in an effort to encourage residents to license their pet dogs, cats and ferrets, as is required by Chapter 14 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. 

“It is our hope that residents take advantage of the discounted pet license fee to reduce the number of owned pets that enter the animal shelter,” said David Park, director of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. “Many of the animals that enter the shelter are owned pets, but without a license tag, there is no way to contact the owner.” 

The changes in City ordinance related to pet licensing are: 

• All one-year pet licenses are $10 (altered or unaltered pets).
• All three-year pet licenses are $27 (altered or unaltered pets).
• Free ride home program - “licensed” lost or stray pets will be taken home instead of to the shelter one time per year. No ticket will be issued for pets that run at large.
• No shelter fees will be assessed if the owner is home when the pet is returned; half fees will be assessed if the owner cannot be located, and the pet is reclaimed at the shelter.
• Amnesty granted on $25 late fees until May 1, 2012.
• All funds generated from license sales support improved care and treatment of animals at the shelter. 

Pet owners can license their pet at the City’s Animal Shelter at 4400 Raytown Road or electronically at www.petdata.com. They may also contact their veterinarian, who may be able to sell pet licenses directly.

The pet license fee changes were recommended by a pet licensing task force convened to identify barriers to pet licensing and develop strategies to increase licensing compliance. In March, the task force launched a new Pet Licensing Campaign: “Lost Pets Can’t Call Home.” The campaign promotes the benefits of licensing pets and provides information on how to license a pet. 

For more information or media inquiries, please contact David Park, director of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department, at 816-513-3231.

Spring Dumpster Day

Happy Spring! It’s time for a little spring cleaning!  The SNA Spring Dumpster Day will be Saturday, May 5th from 8am until noon.  The dumpsters will be located at the intersection of 42nd & Oak.  Two dumpsters will be available:  one for yard waste and the other for all other junk except hazardous materials such as tires, paint and oil.  Also, no plastic bags are allowed in the yard waste dumpsters.  While only current Southmoreland Neighborhood Association members can use the dumpsters, you will be able to join or renew (if you haven’t renewed since Jan. 1) on the spot.  Dues are $20 for individual households, $10 for seniors and $50 for businesses.  See you there!

Sign sweep beautified neighborhoods, removed 1,500 illegal signs

The City of Kansas City, Mo., conducted a sign sweep on Tuesday, April 17 to pick up and dispose of illegal signs in an effort to improve the appearance of the City's neighborhoods. The Public Works and Neighborhood and Community Services departments staffed this one-day effort in conjunction with neighborhood volunteers. They removed approximately 1,500 illegal signs all over the City.

"This is a great example of how the City can target our existing resources to help our neighborhoods. We look forward to more projects like this in the future," said Sixth District at-Large Councilman Scott Taylor.

"This really reflects a community effort to clean up our cities and make our neighborhoods more inviting," added First District at-Large Councilman Scott Wagner.

Neighborhoods and residents participated by canvassing their areas and removing illegal signs in the public right-of-way or on utility poles, such as old yard sale, garage sale, promotional and political signs. Residents unaware of the location of right-of-way boundaries were advised to not remove signs.

For more information about the sign sweep, please contact Lisa Sturgeon, aide to Councilman Taylor, at 816-513-6523.

City Council cracks down on illegal signs

The City of Kansas City, Mo., City Council has unanimously supported an ordinance to create a penalty for illegal signs in the public right of way. The ordinance was co-sponsored by Sixth District At-Large Councilman Scott Taylor and First District At-Large Councilman Scott Wagner.

 "This will give neighborhood leaders another tool to keep neighborhoods clean," said Councilman Taylor.

 "The beauty of our neighborhoods is critical to their vitality," added Councilman Wagner.  "The removal of these illegal signs is an important part of any strategy to remove blight from our community."

The City will perform a sweep of illegal signs on Tuesday April 17. Neighborhoods and residents are welcome to participate by canvassing their areas and removing illegal signs in the public right-of-way or on utility poles, such as old yard sale, garage sale, promotional and political signs. Residents unaware of the location of right-of-way boundaries are advised to not remove signs.

The City will provide up to five blue trash bags per requestor at three locations, available Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These locations are: Northland Neighborhoods Inc., 3015 Vivion Road; the City's Neighborhood Preservation Division, 4900 Swope Parkway, First Floor; and Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Road.

Residents can dispose of illegal signs in the blue bags and set them out on their regular trash day. Solid waste will pick up the blue bags at no additional charge. Please note that the blue bags are intended only for signs. Violation stickers will be placed on blue bags that contain items other than signs.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Lisa Sturgeon, aide to Councilman Taylor, at 816-513-6523.

Recycle old electronics during "Get Your Green On" April 14

The City of Kansas City, Mo., has partnered with City Market and Surplus Exchange to host the "Get Your Green On" recycling event Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Third and Walnut streets in the City Market.

Surplus Exchange will collect and properly recycle residents' old electronics. At last year's event, more than 9,800 pounds of electronics were recycled. There is a fee for particular items as outlined below. Please leave original packaging at home. Only cash and checks will be accepted.

$30: Projection televisions and CRT televisions with bulky/oversized cabinetry
$20: Console televisions
$15: CRT televisions 20 inches and larger
$25: Large printers
$10: CRT televisions 19 inches and smaller, computers, desktop printers, large fax machines, microwaves
$5: Small fax machines, personal printers, scanners, stereos, VCRs
FREE: Cell phones, CD players, computer CPUs, computer mouse devices, keyboards, hand held games, joysticks

A fee is charged to recycle these items because electronics, particularly televisions and computer monitors, contain lead and other hazardous materials. The electronics are transported to Midwest Electronics Recovery in Iowa for safe destruction and recycling. Costs cover shipping, labor, insurance and proper disposal. No materials are sent overseas. Surplus Exchange documents their recycling process and does not allow any e-waste to enter a landfill. Visit www.surplusexchange.com for further information on their electronics recycling practices.

For media inquiries or more information about this event, please contact Dennis Gagnon, City Communications Office, at 816-513-2659. To learn more about the City's green initiatives, visit the KC Green page at www.kcmo.org/kcgreen.

April SNA Board Meeting

The Southmoreland Neighborhood Association will be meeting Monday, April 9th at 7:00pm at All Souls' Unitarian Universalist Church.  Hope you can join us!  


1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Committee Reports – As needed
   a. Treasurer
   b. Safety
   c. Planning & Development
   d. Program/Events 
   e. Newsletter/Website/Blog/Facebook 
   f. Neighborhood Culture & Preservation
   g. Membership 
4. Old business
5. New Business 
6. Adjournment