City program helps residents better connect with their government

Register for Community Engagement University City program helps residents better connect with their government Curious about how the City of Kansas City, Mo., government works? Want to learn from City staff how to improve your community? Sign up for Community Engagement University: a free program designed to connect residents with government to build a better Kansas City.  Community Engagement University is a free, hands-on, interactive program for Kansas City residents 18 years of age and older. The sessions cover basic knowledge of the City’s functions and operations. The eight-week program begins on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St. Community Engagement University sessions will continue for seven additional Tuesdays. Residents must register to participate by enrolling online at kcmo.gov/ceu or by calling 816-513-1313. Registration for the fall 2016 sessions opens on Aug. 29 at 9 a.m., but space is limited. If you miss the cutoff, go ahead and complete the registration so your name can be added to the waiting list. WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE UNIVERSITY? Gain a better understanding of how local government functions Participate and interact with knowledgeable staff to better learn and understand how City finances, operations, projects and services are developed, distributed and executed Serve as role model for community and neighborhood residents Help improve the quality of life for Kansas City residents Build a livable, sustainable community Learn about volunteer opportunities in city government SESSIONS Local Government 101 We Keep this City Clean We Keep This City Safe Dollars and Sense We Keep This City Healthy and Active We Build and Improve This City We Are in Your Neighborhood Part I We Are in Your Neighborhood Part II For more information, contact 311 at 816-513-1313, ceu@kcmo.org or Javon Davis, City Manager’s Office, at 816-513-3605 or Javon.Davis@kcmo.org.

Road Closure On Rockhill

News from the Nelson-Atkins:

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is achieving another key milestone in the Bloch Galleries renovation project with the installation of a new rooftop air handling unit. On Monday, June 13, the museum will place this unit on the eastern portion of the roof of the Nelson Building via crane hoist from Rockhill Road. During this time, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the southbound lane of Rockhill Road will be closed to accommodate the crane. The northbound lane will remain unaffected.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue this major project. As a reminder, we will open these new galleries in March 2017 and look forward to seeing you at the museum.

City Hall and 311 closed Monday

In observance of Memorial Day, City offices and 311 will be closed Monday, May 30, 2016. In addition, residents who usually have Monday trash collection will receive this service on Tuesday, May 31. Residents who usually have Friday trash collection will receive this service Saturday, June 4.

Spring 2016 Southmoreland Voice

We have created our Spring 2016 Southmoreland Newsletter! You probably saw it delivered to your door, but if not, you can grab a copy here.

Spring 2016 Southmoreland Voice

Have a Happy Spring!

Apply now to request Home Repair Program funding!

The City of Kansas City, Missouri is now accepting applications Home Repair Programs, which include the Targeted Home Repair Program, the City Home Repair Program and the Paint Program. The programs assist homeowners with repairs such as roof replacement, plumbing, electrical, barrier removal, and other health and safety improvements. 

Program requirements include: applicants are owner-occupants, own only one single-family property, have not received assistance from this program within the past five years, and meet the household income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Applications will be accepted starting May 1, 2016 continuing until September 31, 2016, or until funds are committed.

Application forms for this program are available online by visiting http://kcmo.gov/neighborhoods/grants-and-assistance/ and clicking “Home Repair” tab. Applications may also be requested at the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department, Housing Section on the 4th floor of City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., or by calling 816-513-3025.

The Community Development Block Grant, established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, funds these programs. With this grant the Housing Section estimates that at least 275 homeowners will be assisted in 2016-17 program year.

America’s PrepareAthon! 2016

Each year, emergencies and natural disasters test our readiness and challenge our resolve.  However, with careful planning and preparedness you can significantly improve you and your family’s chances for staying safe in an emergency.

During April and May 2016, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and USDA invite you to participate in America’s PrepareAthon! to better prepare for emergencies that could strike in our communities.  This year’s PrepareAthon! highlights flood, tornado, and wildfire preparedness along with awareness for hurricanes and extreme heat.  On Saturday, April 30, 2016, individuals and communities are encouraged to participate in the National Day of Action by building a disaster supply kit, practicing their family communication plans, and talking with neighbors about preparedness.
    
For information on the PrepareAthon! go to FEMA’s website: https://www.ready.gov/prepare

For information on how to build a disaster supply kit go to FEMA’s website: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
          
Later this year, in September, we will continue to encourage preparedness by highlighting readiness procedures and by testing and exercising of emergency plans during National Preparedness Month.  While we formally recognize preparedness in April and September, we urge all employees to remain current in their preparedness plans.  Let us honor the strength we show in times of adversity by preparing ourselves, our neighbors, our schools, and our workplaces before disaster strikes.

Kansas City Streetcar grand opening celebration!

Public invited to street parties to celebrate the opening of the KC Streetcar May 6 & 7

The City of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Streetcar Authority invite the public to celebrate the start of KC Streetcar operations while visiting downtown Kansas City neighborhoods to witness the transformative effect the streetcar is having on our city. The public celebration starts at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, outside of Union Station with a grand opening ceremony featuring Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Federal Transit Administration members, Kansas City Streetcar Authority Chairman Mike Hagedorn and other local dignitaries and elected officials.  The ceremony will be followed by an inaugural first ride for those dignitaries and the opening of public streetcar service and community-wide parties and activities. Mayor Sly James said the grand opening of the KC Streetcar is more than a celebration of a new transit option for Kansas Citians.  “This is the first step of what I believe will be a truly historic transformation of the entire city,” James said. “Building owners and developers have completed, started or announced more than $1.7 billion in construction in the downtown KC Streetcar district since the route was announced. I’m confident the entire city will find new momentum as the KC Streetcar energizes the heart of our community.” The KC Streetcar grand opening ceremony kicks off a weekend long celebration along the entire two-mile streetcar route. Many special streetcar-related events are planned in downtown Kansas City, in conjunction with other festivities such as First Friday (and Saturday this time) in the Crossroads Arts District, a family-friendly festival with carnival rides at Union Station, fireworks both Friday and Saturday nights from Liberty Memorial, Smart City Village in the downtown business district, Middle of the Map Fest in the KC Power & Light District, movie in the park in the City Market, and a busy spring weekend in the River Market. The public is encouraged to enjoy and explore the many restaurants, boutique shops and other retail business along the streetcar route. There will also be a stationary streetcar parked at Union Station near Pershing Road for your chance to take a selfie with the streetcar. For complete information about KC Streetcar grand opening activities, including transit options and parking, please go to www.timetoridekc.org.  An endeavor of this magnitude would not be possible without the involvement and support of so many partners”, said Tom Gerend, executive director of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority. “For a project to go from the drawing board to completion in this timeframe is record setting and only possible with the strong and visionary leadership from the City of Kansas City, and tremendous support from the Federal Transit Administration, the KC Area Transportation Authority, downtown businesses, our contract operator, Herzog Transit, and many others. This milestone represents years of effort by many and a new and exciting era for the region’s RideKC public transit partnership.” Many thanks to the Grand Opening Celebration sponsors: The City of Kansas City, Missouri, The Kansas City Streetcar Authority, KC Streetcar Constructors, Sprint, CAF, UMB, HDR, Burns & McDonnell, KCATA, Port KC, Lewis Rice, Dimensional Innovations, KCP&L, SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit, BNIM, Commerce Tower on Main, Central States, J. Reiger Co, Boulevard Brewing Company,  HINT, HNTB, Thomas McGee, LTK, Centric Projects, Sprint Center, Commerce Bank, JE Dunn, Jackson County, Mark One Electric and the KC Chamber of Commerce. The KC Streetcar grand opening celebration planning team was led by the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and O'Neill Marketing & Events Management, with assistance from many City of Kansas City departments, including Public Works, Kansas City Police Department, Kansas City Fire Department, and the City Manager’s Office. We’d also like to thank our downtown partners including the Downtown Council, the City Market, Union Station, Kansas City Power & Light District, Visit KC, KC Crossroads Community Association, and the River Market neighborhood association. Celebration Information: Watch the ceremony in front of Union Station. Then enjoy activities in all downtown neighborhoods along the route. Please do not expect to ride the streetcar’s entire route continuously. Plan to exit at stops along the way to explore neighborhood activities. Transportation & Parking: FREE RideKC bus service is being offered on all local, express and shuttle service that connects to downtown. There will also be additional RideKC Max bus service on Main Street the weekend of May 6 & 7. Main Street between 20th and Pershing Road will be closed to traffic. Union Station parking and Crown Center parking via Grand Blvd. will remain accessible. A full map of local parking locations is posted onwww.timetoridekc.org Main Street north of 20th will remain open to traffic, however, no street parking will be allowed on Main Street or on the south side of 5th Street between Main and Walnut on May 6 & 7.  Streetcar information: The KC Streetcar will operate seven days a week, with service running from 6 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays; 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays; 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, and it is free to ride.