Month: August 2017

Commissioner concerned about Argentine flooding

Sunday’s heavy rainstorm flooded the Argentine area. This truck drove through the water on Strong Avenue, in this picture from a video by Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia.

Unified Government Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia is looking into the cause of flooding in the Argentine area of Kansas City, Kansas, on Sunday.

Flash flooding in the area on Sunday caused high water in several places, including on Strong Avenue, she said.

She said she was concerned because Argentine has flooded more than once in recent weeks, and she was told the pump there wasn’t on. Water was coming up from a storm sewer and flowing into the street, she said. Once a city worker turned the pump station on, the water receded quickly, she added.

She will be trying to arrange a meeting with the community residents and the staff members who handle it.

Another view of the flooding on Strong Avenue on Sunday, from a video by Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia.

Impressive KCKCC volleyball start; home opener Wednesday

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

For the record, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young volleyball team came away with a 2-2 split in the star-studded 22-team “Battle of the Dells” tournament in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Friday and Saturday.

For head coach Mary Bruno, however, it was an outstanding start for the fledgling Lady Blue Devils, who open their home season Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. against Labette.

Both Wisconsin Dells losses were to ranked teams – No. 8 Sauk Valley of Dixon, Ill., 3-2 and No. 3 Owens Community College of Toledo, Ohio, 3-0. The wins were over Carl Sandburg of Galesburg, Ill., 3-2 and South Suburban of South Holland, Ill., 3-0.

“I was very impressed with the way we started the season and anxious to see how we can build from competing in one of the most competitive early season tournaments in the country,” said Bruno, who used seven freshmen and three sophomores in the tourney.

Playing in their opening match, the Blue Devils spotted Sauk Valley a 25-15, 25-21 lead Friday before winning the next two sets 25-17, 25-22. Sauk then took the decisive fifth set 15-12.

“We may have had a few first-game jitters,” Bruno said.

KCKCC jumped in front of Carl Sandburg 25-15, 25-16 but needed a decisive 15-7 fifth game win after dropping 25-20, 25-22 decisions.

The Blue Devils swept South Suburban 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 in Saturday’s first match before falling to No. 3 Owens 25-21, 25-18, 25-20.

“Owens is ranked No. 3 in Division II for a reason; they’re very well balanced,” Bruno said. “We competed very well against them and if we can learn as a group to eliminate errors instead of just competing we can win.”

Led by 6-0 freshman middle blocker Randi Johnson of Lee’s Summit and 5-10 sophomore co-captain Katie Heeter of Shawnee Mission South on the outside, the Blue Devils got outstanding front-line play. Johnson had 48 kills, a 3.0 per set average and a hitting percentage of .438 which is seventh nationally while Heeter averaged 2.94 kills per set. In addition, sophomore Alissia Nevarez of Turner and freshman Brittney Winter of Belton averaged two kills per set.

Defensively, freshman Libero Kelli Sleefe of Andover Central averaged more than five digs per set.

“Offensively, we were very balanced with a setter rotation of sophomore Erin Reilly of Belton and freshmen Kelsey Rankin of Omaha and Paige Dresslaer of Diamond, Mo.,” Bruno said.

UG committees to meet tonight

The Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee is scheduled tonight to discuss procedures for placing children who are in police protective custody at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.

This is one of several items on the Public Works and Safety agenda. The committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Also on the agenda is a presentation about the storm water rate transition analysis. The presentation is expected to discuss the purpose of the study, its approach and the anticipated timeline. The current fee structure may be changed.

The committee also will consider amending local ordinances on domestic battery, drugs, and protection orders to bring them in line with changes in state statutes.

The committee also will consider property acquisition for the Board of Public Utilities’ water distribution project, South Bethany-Muncie site improvements.

In addition, an amendment to the bicycle lamp ordinance will be considered, to reflect changes in state laws.

The committee also will consider donating a 2007 Dodge Charger Sheriff’s vehicle to Kansas City Kansas Community College for training.

Also on the agenda is approval of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $106,411. Grant funding would be used for leadership training and software updates.

The Public Works and Safety Committee meeting will be followed by the Administration and Human Services Committee meeting tonight. Agendas are posted at www.wycokck.org.

The Administration and Human Services Committee will discuss a new transit service for lower-cost mobility for able-bodied persons ages 16 to 64 who are not eligible for existing services and don’t have other access to services.

Also on the Administration and Human Services agenda is a discussion about the current Air B&B in Kansas City, Kansas, including information on codes, legal issues, complaints and a plan on enforcement.

They fall under short-term rentals and, according to UG agenda information, they require special use permits and a business license. While Kansas City, Kansas, has two special use permits for bed and breakfast operations, there are more than 45 of them from Kansas City, Kansas, listed on Air B&B, according to agenda documents. To be discussed at the meeting are requirements for B&B operations.