Steppin' Back Into the Classroom

If you're raising your grandchild(ren) and need assistance with the 2023-24 school year, please contact the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging & Disability Resource Center. This program provides sneakers for grandchild(ren) whose grandparents qualify. Please contact Linda Ramirez at 913-573-8531 by September 15.

State Program Helps with School Costs. There are other resources available for students and their caregivers as school across Wyandotte. Check out the State's KEEP program with up to $1,000 for each eligible student to support purchase of school supplies, academic camps, tutoring, language classes, and music lessons.

Area Agency on Aging: Engaging with Our Older Americans

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging in partnership with UG elected officials and Kansas Legislature Representatives recently held a joint Public Hearing and Town Hall Meeting for Wyandotte County residents. Those who attended heard updates on programs, budget and ballot measures, and services related to seniors. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session and a hot lunch. Thanks to Commissioners Melissa Bynum, Tom Burroughs, Andrew Davis and Chuck Stites and Representatives Valdenia Winn, Melissa Oropeza, Timothy Johnson and Lynn Melton for attending. 

Clerk's Office: Meeting Deadlines and Improving Processes

The Clerk's Office coordinated the mailing of 65,711 notices to taxpayers regarding the governing body's intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Every real property owner should receive a notice via mail that sets out the hearing dates for ALL taxing entities that impact their real property tax bill. These hearings are the public's opportunity to appear and voice their concerns. Read more.

If your department has attempted to place an item on a Standing Committee agenda recently, you may have noticed some changes! The UG Clerk's Office is working on digitizing the entire process through CivicClerk with final tweaks being made. The current process, securing approval from the County Administrator in advance of an item being placed on the agenda, will remain in place until further notice.

Boards, Committees, Task Forces: If your department hosts any of these types of entities, the Clerk's Office will be reaching out to you to digitize this information. Stay tuned for more information, including board member training.

Community Development: Federal Funds Make an Impact on Parks

Stay cool at Clifton Park. The installation of a Splash Pad is underway at Clifton Park. Just a quick update on activity at new disc golf course at City Park.

Disc Golf is a Hit. UDISC estimates that 1,113 rounds played by 547 golfers, 1,684 hours on the course 528 played the course for the first time and 12 players played their first round ever at the new disc golf course at City Park -- and this only accounts for roughly 25% of disc golf players! The UDISC data shows us 54 players came from over 30 miles, 31 players visited from over 150 miles, and 21 players from over 300 miles. Players from 17 states visited the course. July stats are about the same with more rounds being played and more hours spent on the course. Check out our YouTube channel for a fun video with the ribbon cutting on this new facility.

District Attorney: Helping People with New Beginnings

The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office just wrapped up its Fifth Annual Expungement Fair with about 115 people participating in a process to positively change their lives. Additionally, more than 40 people signed up with our vendor, KC Scholars, to take part in paid job training. They are all on the path to bettering their lives. District Attorney Dupree believes when people do better, Wyandotte County does better! 

The effort was spearheaded in our office by Assistant District Attorney Claire Kebodeaux.  She was joined by ADA’s Frank Altamore, Rachel Steffen and Kirstyn Malloy and Administrative Assistant Vita Drew. The office partnered with Kansas Legal Services, Unite KC, UMKC and defense attorney Zack Anthony to make it a smooth and seamless process from beginning to end. A huge thank you also goes to Kansas City, Kansas Community College, who provides the space and resources to make this event happen, every year!

KCKFD Releases New Series: Putting Out Fires

Interim KCKFD Chief Dennis Rubin, along with several special guests, has been hosting important conversations about the future of our fire department, issues facing our community and so much more. You can follow along on our YouTube channel.

KCKPD Engages Youth While Making Progress with Violent Crimes

KCKPD has wrapped up its summer youth engagement initiatives which kicked off in June with Chief Oakman’s Tackling Conflict Together one-day football camp; two sessions of the Summer Youth Academy and Community Policing’ Summer Cadet program. As we head into fall, plans are underway in each division for more community engagement events – this time, we partnering with the UG’s Park & Recreation Department for a series of Saturday events at neighborhood parks.

The Department continues to make progress with its violent crime reduction plan. The most recent statistical report shows a 26% reduction in violent crime in KCK from the same time last year – most notably homicide and aggravated assault are both down 46%. Additionally, detectives in the Investigations Bureau have cleared 99% of the homicides committed this year.  Chief Oakman credits the Department’s strategic plan, the dedication of our officers and the support and willingness of residents to work with the Department.

Chief Oakman expects these trends to continue as Department moves forward in its efforts to make KCK one of the safest communities in the metro through new technology initiatives such as KCK Connect – a new community security camera registry – and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art CSI lab.

Citizens Police Academy for Spanish Speaker Starts Wednesday, August 30

Just like our traditional, long-running Citizens Police Academy, this FREE, eight-week class is designed for residents seeking better understanding of the basics of law enforcement and the policies and procedures of the KCKPD. The only difference is that this course is offered in Spanish.

The hope is that graduates will then share that knowledge with their neighbors in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the Hispanic community and police. Topics covered include Special Operations Unit, handgun safety, CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) and gang awareness. Applicants must be 18 years old with no criminal record. Resident status is not a factor. If you have questions about the academy, please contact Capt. Navarro at (913) 573-6277 or by email.

Contract Opportunities for Local Businesses

This week, there are several requests for bids on our Purchasing website. Help us share these opportunities with local businesses:

• Armored Car Courier Services for Treasurer's Office
• Assessment and Case Management for the Area Agency of Aging
• Bus Shelter Improvements for Transportation
• HUD Lead Based Paint Inspection/Risk Assessment Consultation Services for Wyandotte County Health

On Thursday, stay tuned for the re-release of the Request for Qualifications for the redevelopment of three UG-owned sites (former Indian Springs Mall site, Downtown site, and 18th/Quindaro) on Thursday. The RFQ will be open for two additional weeks before review. 

Additionally, the Community Development Department is issuing a request for proposals for the HOME-ARP funds. These opportunities are or will be available shortly at wycokck.org/purchasing.

UG Offers New Ways to Stay in Touch

Learn about various services, programs, upcoming events, and other topics of interest by subscribing to our email newsletters. We launched a new service earlier this year so anyone can subscribe to updates such as:

• Weekly DotteNews
• The Communicator - Newsletter from Area Agency on Aging
• Livable Neighborhoods Task Force
• Wyandotte County Museum

Staples Orders Now Thru Workday

ICYMI: Effective August 10, 2023, your Staples Business Advantage account will be integrated into Workday! You’ll be able to place orders directly through Workday and your StaplesAdvantage.com credentials will be discontinued. Check out this guide to learn how you can save personal shopping lists, order history, and more before your Staples account is closed.

Congratulations to Deasiray Bush on her recent appointment to Director of Transportation for the Unified Government. Ms. Bush has been with the UG for approximately 11 years with time spent in Community Development, Budget, and the Area Agency on Aging. She is thrilled to be a member of the Transportation Department and looks forward to the department's purpose of providing equitable, reliable, economical, and safe mobility services to Wyandotte County residents and the traveling public. Congratulations!

Recent Retirements

• After 15 years of service, Hattie Smith has retired. The Clerk's Office is currently interviewing for the Tax Levy Administrator and has three additional open positions. Anyone interested, please apply via Workday. The goal is to fill these positions by the end of August.
• On behalf of the District Attorney's Office, we say Godspeed on your next journey to investigator to Roger Villanueva, retiring after more than 40 years in law enforcement. Your professionalism and dedication to the job is truly appreciated! Wyandotte County thanks you!