UG Commission to consider Downtown Improvement District at tonight’s meeting

The Unified Government Commission will consider establishing a Downtown Improvement District at the 7 p.m. June 30 meeting.

Also on the agenda is an amendment to the UG’s human resources guide that would allow employees to conceal carry a firearm outside UG buildings, a rule that has been mandated by a change in the state law.

An ordinance amending the UG rental licensing ordinance also is on the agenda, and the change was prompted by a change in state law.

The commission also is scheduled to consider funding for a Juvenile Detention Facility and improvements.

Several planning and zoning items are on the agenda for the 7 p.m. UG Commission meeting.

The meeting is at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.

There will be a special session before the 7 p.m. meeting.

Among the items on the 7 p.m. agenda:

• Change of zone from single-family district to agriculture district for farming with one barn and two greenhouses at 2931 S. 78th St., Laura Christensen and Katherine Kelly.
• Special use permit for substation and dirt removal at 1130 Ray Ave., Board of Public Utilities.
• Special use permit for auto repair shop with used car sales at 6863 State Ave., Jeffrey Zimmerman.
• Special use permit for continuation of a rooming house at 616 S. 10th St., Christopher McCall.
• Special use permit for a farmers’ market at 2220 Central Ave., Rachel Pollock with KCK Farmers Market.
• Special use permit for a farmers’ market at 7240 State Ave., Rachel Pollock with KCK Farmers Market.
• Preliminary plan review for renovation of an existing building for a church at 1315 N. 139th St., Mark Curfman with Urban Architecture Studio.
• An ordinance replacing and amending the sign regulations of the Unified Government.
• An ordinance rezoning property at 1403 Metropolitan Ave. from single-family district to planned non-retail business district.
• An ordinance vacating property at France Family Drive and 98th Street.
• An ordinance vacating property at 1403 Metropolitan Ave.
• An ordinance vacating an alley at 334 S. Mill St.
• Change of zone application from Mobile Home Park District to General Industrial District for a warehouse with small office and fenced gravel product storage lot at 350 S. 59th Lane, Powell Minnis with Davidson Architecture-Engineering.
• Renewal of a special use permit for a kennel for six dogs at 2610 S. 27th St., Susan Prucka.
• Revocation of the special use permit for a drinking establishment with live entertainment at 16 N. James St. and a special use permit for parking at 2, 4 and 12 N. James Street, for the business at 16 N. James St., Willie Fields Jr.
• An ordinance amending the UG rental licensing ordinance to reflect new state statutory restrictions on the UG’s ability to periodically inspect residential rental dwellings.
• An ordinance authorizing the issuance of industrial revenue bonds and a PILOT of $55 million for Building 2 at the Central Industrial Park in Fairfax.
• A plat of Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, 2nd Plat, at 98th and Parallel Parkway, being developed by Schlitterbahn Waterparks.
• Reappointment of Alvin Sykes to the Wyandotte County Library Board, submitted by Commissioner Harold Johnson.
• Reappointment of Beatrice Lee to the UG Board of Park Commissioners, submitted by Commissioner Johnson.
• Reappointment of Paul Soptic to the Wyandotte County Library Board, submitted by Commissioner Johnson.
• Amending the UG’s human resources guide to allow employees to conceal carry a firearm while engaged in the duties of employment, outside UG buildings, including while in a vehicle, in accordance with state law.
• An ordinance establishing a downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (the Downtown Improvement District).
• A resolution authorizing capital expenditures in connection with the Juvenile Detention Facility and jail improvements, and reimbursing from proceeds of any bonds, temporary notes or lease agreements issued, not to exceed $1 million.
• Designating Emerick Cross as the voting delegate for the UG at the National Association of Counties 81st annual Conference in Los Angeles County, Calif.
• Land Bank applications:
2756 N. 22nd St. – Bobby Ewing, yard extension
1218 Ann Ave. – Jessica Zieg, yard extension
1222 Ann Ave. – Jessica Zieg, property acquisition
(Working to put a community garden on these lots for the Nepali community that live in
the Waterway neighborhood.)
Transfers from the Land Bank:
1955 N. 13th St. – Mt. Carmel Church of God in Christ
(Request to go back to the ownership of the church.)
1944 N. 11th St. – Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation, Inc.
1948 N. 11th St. – Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation, Inc.
(Building a single-family home on each lot with HOME funds in partnership with the
Community Development Department.)
Land Bank hold agreement with Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation, Inc.

A special session of the UG Commission will be held immediately after the Sheriff’s graduation ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. The commission will recess from the commission chambers to the ninth floor conference room for a closed executive session on land acquisition, litigation and labor, and reconvene to the commission chambers, lobby level, at 7 p.m. for a planning and zoning and full commission meeting.

Thunderstorms possible today and on the weekend, weather service says

It might be a wet Fourth of July weekend. From four to six inches of rain is possible through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.  (National Weather Service graphic)
It might be a wet Fourth of July weekend. From four to six inches of rain is possible through Monday, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service graphic)

Scattered thunderstorms are possible across much of the area today, according to the National Weather Service.

Isolated strong to severe storms are possible with large hail and damaging winds the primary threats, the weather service said.

Numerous rounds of thunderstorms are expected across much of the region Friday night through Sunday night, according to the weather service. These thunderstorms will likely produce several rounds of heavy rain, with the potential for one to three inches of rain Saturday and Saturday night, and another one to three inches of rain on Sunday and Sunday night. Total rainfall amounts could be in the four to six-inch range for some locations.

Excessive rainfall this weekend could lead to numerous areas of flash flooding, including areas that don’t typically flood, the weather service said.

Widespread river flooding is also possible, according to the weather service. A flash flood watch is in effect for much of northern Kansas and western and central Missouri Friday night through Sunday night.

This flash flood watch area includes Wyandotte County, and it is in effect from 7 p.m. July 1 until 4 a.m. July 4, the weather service said.

Residents are advised to monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Today, expect a high of 89 with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 a.m., the weather service said.

Tonight, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 68, and a north wind of 5 mph becoming east northeast after midnight, according to the weather service.

Friday, the high will be 82 with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, the weather service said. There will be an east wind of 6 to 9 mph.

Friday night, the low will be around 64 with a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to the weather service. Between three-quarters and one inch of rain is possible.

Saturday, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high of 77, the weather service said. There will be an east wind of 8 to 11 mph. New rainfall amounts of between 1 and 2 inches are possible.

Saturday night, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 65, according to the weather service. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain are possible.

Sunday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 79, the weather service said.

Sunday night, the chance of precipitation is 40 percent, with a low of 67, the weather service said.

On Monday, Independence Day, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 82, according to the weather service.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov or listen to a weather radio.

There is a flash flood watch from Friday night through Sunday night. (National Weather Service graphic)
There is a flash flood watch from Friday night through Sunday night. (National Weather Service graphic)

KCK man sentenced to 25 years in large meth conspiracy case

A Kansas City, Kan., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a large-scale conspiracy that distributed more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in St. Joseph, Mo., and in a four-state region, according to federal prosecutors.

Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, stated that Anselmo Salazar, also known as “Crazy Eyes,” 49, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 2, 2015, Salazar was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2009, to Nov. 12, 2013. Salazar was also found guilty of participating in a money-laundering conspiracy that involved financial transactions of the proceeds of illegal drug-trafficking.

In 2010, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine in northwest Missouri, northeast Kansas, southern Iowa and Nebraska.

Salazar is among 24 defendants charged in a Nov. 15, 2013, federal indictment. Salazar, along with co-defendants Carlos Alberto Yanez, 33, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Marvin Carl Rogers, 54, of Gladstone, Mo. were the primary sources of supply for methamphetamine for the entire organization. Yanez has been sentenced to four years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Rogers has been sentenced to 16 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

Yanez and Salazar obtained methamphetamine in up to pound quantities and then delivered the methamphetamine to co-defendant Shannon Martinez (also known as “Big Homie”), 38, of St. Joseph, and another man charged in a separate case. Martinez, in turn, sold the methamphetamine to others to distribute. Martinez has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 11, 2011, Salazar was arrested after a traffic stop in Platte County, Mo. Salazar, who was driving Yanez’s vehicle, was in possession of 42 one-pound bundles of marijuana, 25 grams of cocaine and 80 grams of methamphetamine. Salazar was on his way to deliver the methamphetamine to St. Joseph for Yanez, and to pick up cash payment for the delivered methamphetamine.

Salazar was ordered to forfeit to the government a money judgment of $680,800, which was received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, based on a conservative purchase price of $1,850 an ounce (for 50 percent pure methamphetamine) and the distribution of 23 pounds of methamphetamine by Salazar and others.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.