Month: January 2018

Homeless count being conducted this week

by Mary Rupert

Trained volunteers are out today counting the number of homeless persons in the annual Point in Time homeless count.

The survey, required by the federal government, is taking place Wednesday and Thursday in Wyandotte County, as well as across the state line in Jackson County, Mo., according to Evelyn E. Craig, president and CEO of reStart, an agency which offers services to the homeless.

Volunteers will be going to the Frank Williams Center, 1201 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas, today to conduct the survey, and to the Wilhelmina Gill Services Center, 645 Nebraska Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday, she said.

The volunteers, more than 150 in number, also will be at four locations in Kansas City, Mo., for the count, including at reStart’s Housing Solutions Center. In addition, the volunteers will visit camps where there might be homeless persons, she added.

Craig said every year, across the nation, the point in time homeless census is conducted.

“That is a one-day snapshot of who’s in our streets, emergency shelters and transitional programs,” Craig said.

Volunteers record information including the number of homeless persons, their age and whether they are veterans, Craig said.

The results are used over a period of time to determine if programs are making progress in reducing the homeless numbers, she said. The results, which will be taken electronically this year for the first time, also can be used to direct resources to specific solutions.

“We are making progress,” Craig said. “The numbers decreased slightly in the last three years.”

The number of veterans who are homeless has decreased significantly because of the efforts of more than 32 agencies, she added.

The Wyandotte County Point in Time statistics for last year showed a total of 150 households that were homeless in 2017, as compared to 179 in 2016, 161 in 2015, 170 in 2014 and 230 in 2013.

Of the 150 households, including 189 individuals, last year in Wyandotte County, 77 adults and children were in emergency shelters, 71 adults and children were in transitional housing programs, and 41 adults and children were unsheltered, the survey found.

Thirty-two of the total number of homeless in Wyandotte County were under 18 years old, 20 persons were age 18 to 24, and 137 persons were older than 24, according to the survey.

Brownback’s nomination squeaks through Senate; Kansas to have new governor

Gov. Sam Brownback (Photo from governor’s office)

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s nomination was confirmed today to be U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom.

A tiebreaker vote by Vice President Mike Pence, after a 49-49 vote in the U.S. Senate, made the difference.

The action by the U.S. Senate means Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will soon move up to the governor’s position.

Kansas’ two Republican senators, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, voted in favor of Brownback’s nomination. In Missouri, Republican Sen. Roy Blunt voted in favor of the nomination, while Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill voted against it.

According to The Hill, the vote split strictly along party lines.

Brownback served in the U.S. Senate from 1996 through 2010, when he ran for governor.

Sen. Roberts’ statement on the confirmation:

“Sam Brownback has always been called to fight for those of all faiths,” said Roberts. “I am glad he now has the opportunity to lead our nation’s efforts in promoting religious tolerance and fighting against religious prosecution and discrimination. His personal and professional commitment to fighting for religious freedom will make him an excellent Ambassador. I thank him for his service to Kansas, and I wish him the best in this next chapter of public service.”

Sen. Moran, who presided over the Senate on Monday when consideration of the nomination began, issued this statement:

“Governor Brownback has long demonstrated his commitment to promoting the freedom of all to practice the religion of their choice. He will now be in a position to continue this important work as our Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom. The governor has been a dedicated public servant for many years and it was a privilege to support his nomination today.”

For more information, visit https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=2&vote=00023.

UG Commission to meet Jan. 25

The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.

The 2018 SOAR (blight reduction) goals and the casino-SVV grant process will be on the agenda for the 5 p.m. special session, to be in the fifth floor conference room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Several planning and zoning items are on the 7 p.m. agenda, to be held in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

One of the items on the 7 p.m. agenda is a special use permit to temporarily use the Woodlands’ parking lot at 97th and Leavenworth Road to park UPS semi-truck trailers. That item is recommended for denial, according to the agenda. The former dog and horse racing track is on 56 acres. According to agenda information, trucks already are parking there, but the UG believes a special use permit is necessary.

Items on the 7 p.m. agenda include:

– 1300 Meadowlark Lane, change of zone from planned non-retail business district to commercial district for offices, warehouse of parts and appliances, appliance repair, carpentry shop and materials storage, minor auto repair-maintenance and night storage of vehicles inside the building, John Freshnock with WSKF Architects.

– 741 Washington Blvd., special use permit for an auto detail shop, Alma Mendoza with Arm and Hammer Contracting LLC.

– 7540 Armstrong Ave., special use permit for a restaurant and drinking establishment with live entertainment, 3,800 square feet of space in the West State Plaza, Adrian and Lynnette Jasper.

– 1615 N. 86th St., home occupation special use permit for an Air Bed and Breakfast, Anne and Roy Baugh.

– 4721 Canaan Lake Drive, special use permit for an Air Bed and Breakfast, Nga D. Le, recommended for denial.

– 10524 Augusta Drive, home occupation special use permit for a day care, Julia Ifticene.

– 3011 W. 44th, home occupation special use permit for an Air Bed and Breakfast, Robert C. Rice.

– 1700 S. 38th St., special use permit for four cows, four goats and 50 chickens, Trebor Ross.

– 9700 Leavenworth Road, special use permit for the temporary use of land to park UPS semi-truck trailers in the parking lot, BHC Rhodes for Ruffin Woodlands LLC, recommended for denial.

– 2824 N. 99th Terrace, home occupation special use permit for an Air Bed and Breakfast, Kathleen Lynch and Cristen Ryman.

– 1300 Meadowlark Lane, special use permit for offices, warehouse of parts and appliances, appliance repair, carpentry shop and materials storage, minor auto repair – maintenance, and night storage of vehicles inside the building, John Freshnock with WSKF Architects.

– 7th Street Trafficway and New Jersey Drive, plat of the New Bethel Church.

Nominations to boards and commission:
– Ashley M. Searcy to the Landmarks Commission, nominated by Commissioner Harold Johnson.
– Jim Jarsulic to the Library Board, nominated by Commissioner Angela Markley.
– Judy Anderson to the Library Board, nominated by Commissioner Jim Walters.
– Bob Frey to the Housing Authority Advisory Board, nominated by Commissioner Walters.
– Greg Ottinger to the Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Board, nominated by Commissioner Walters.
– Bob Hughes to the Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Board, nominated by Commissioner Jane Philbrook.
– Terry Brockman to the Law Enforcement Advisory Board, nominated by Sheriff Don Ash.