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The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the board offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
There will be only one BPU meeting on Dec. 3.
On the agenda are a visitors’ time, “Everyday Hero” announcement, resolution to waive builder fees, October financial report, board comments and general manager comments.
Unified Government committees are scheduled to consider Land Bank changes, capital projects and other items on Monday, Dec. 1, at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.
The Neighborhood and Community Development Standing Committee meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the fifth floor conference room, Suite 515.
The agenda for the 5 p.m. meeting includes distribution of special drug and alcohol tax funds; an ordinance repealing the landlord training program and replacing it with a noncompulsory free online video seminar; several Land Bank applications; transferring 610 Minnesota Ave. and 620 Minnesota Ave. from the UG into the Land Bank, while an agreement is under negotiation with the owner of 626 Minnesota Ave. to improve the area as a parking lot, with the Land Bank retaining ownership; a review of Land Bank policy; a presentation on UG-controlled properties recommending they be transferred to the Land Bank for holding and further action; an update about transit operations and opportunities.
In the agenda documents for the UG-controlled properties possibly being transferred to the Land Bank, there were 2,107 UG properties identified as either improvements, vacants or right-of-way that could be eligible for the Land Bank. About 480 of these were listed as tax-delinquent.
At the scheduled 5:45 p.m. Economic Development and Finance Standing Committee meeting, to be held in the fifth-floor meeting room, on the agenda will be resolutions to finance construction, maintenance and improvement projects for 2015 temporary note and bond financing; another resolution to finance Commission Neighborhood Initiative Program projects; a resolution for a sale of about $80.5 million in temporary notes, and about $32 million in general obligation bonds; terminating four redevelopment districts, the Fremont Corp Center Redevelopment District, Tremont Redevelopment District, Turner Hills Redevelopment District, and Wolcott Redevelopment District; a lease-purchase agreement with Hewlett-Packard for an annual payment of about $76,386 on a 4.25-year lease for a storage area network; review of a development agreement for the Fairway North Shopping Center near 47th and Mission Road; updates on Cricket Wireless Amphitheater; and the appearance of a small business concerning redevelopment actions that caused the loss of a business that had recently moved into the Fairfax area.
The agendas for these meetings are posted online at www.wycokck.org.
by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
The holiday season is once again upon us. As we gather with our families to give thanks for our blessings over the past year, it is also the time of year we especially think of those in need.
Kansans are generous, giving people, with both their time and money. Whether it is volunteering time to serve your community or donating money to a worthy cause, these efforts make Kansas a great place to live.
Unfortunately, while there are many fine charitable organizations in our state worthy of our support, there are also scam artists who know that this is a tempting time of year to take advantage of Kansans’ giving spirit. Here are some helpful hints to make sure your donations go to support a good cause, not to a scammer’s pocket:
• Be cautious. Scammers often take advantage of recent tragedies to lure you into giving to a fake charity. Recently our office has received reports of solicitations for Ebola relief and help for areas hit by natural disasters. Instead of giving over the phone, ask them to send you information in writing so you can verify that the charity is legitimate.
• Plan your giving. Make a list of charitable organizations you want to support and a budget for how much you plan to give each organization. Do not wait for a solicitation to come by mail or the telephone and get pressured into making a donation.
• Do your homework. Take the time to research the organizations you are interested in. Most charitable organizations in the state are required by law to register with the Secretary of State’s Office. You can check a charity’s registration online at www.KsCharityCheck.org. On that website, you will also find helpful information about the organization, including how much of the money it raises goes to support the charitable purpose and how much is spent on fundraising expenses.
• Check with your tax preparer. If you’re planning on taking a tax deduction for your contribution, check with your tax preparer to make sure the organization qualifies to receive tax-deductible contributions.
• Document the transaction. Keep records of how much you donated and where you sent the check. Always give by check or credit card so the transaction can be traced. Never wire funds or send money on prepaid “cash cards.” Once money is sent by these methods, it is almost impossible to get it back.
For more safe giving tips, or to report a suspicious charity, visit the attorney general’s consumer protection website at www.InYourCornerKansas.org, or call 800-432-2310.