Four open houses planned on changes to stormwater fees in KCK

Four open houses are planned starting next week on changes in the stormwater fees in Kansas City, Kansas.

An earlier Unified Government stormwater proposal was sent back for more work after businesses in the community commented that the increases were too high and needed to be phased in more gradually.

The Unified Government is continuing to study the change to the stormwater fee, and is seeking public comments.

The current stormwater fee structure is to charge $4.50 per month to all users, without regard to the size of the property. The proposed stormwater fee charged more for larger properties.

The new fee does not change the $4.50 monthly fee for the majority of residential property owners in Kansas City, Kansas, during the first year of the fee. The new fees are based on the size of hard surfaces on the property, which generates runoff.

The open house dates include:

• Sept. 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 4953 State Ave.
• Oct. 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Patricia “Diane” Kane Community Center, 3130 N.122nd.
• Oct. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Joe E. Amayo Argentine Community Center, 2810 Metropolitan.
• Nov. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Beatrice L. Lee Community Center, 1310 N. 10th St.

According to the UG, the official notification about the open houses was in the August-September edition of The Citizen, a UG newsletter that was mailed to about 65,000 addresses, and they plan to send out more information later.

For more information, see https://www.wycokck.org/Stormwater/Rate.aspx.

Democratic breakfast scheduled Saturday

Barry Grisson, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Helena Buchmann, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee field manager, will be the guest speakers Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast.

The event begins with a buffet at 8:15 a.m. followed by a program at 9 a.m. at Las Islas Marias, 7516 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Grissom is the former U.S. attorney for Kansas.

The meeting is open to all Democrats. The cost of the buffet is $10; or $6 for students and those on limited incomes. Those attending do not have to purchase a breakfast.

Those who plan to purchase a breakfast are asked to make reservations to [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 20. Reservations are encouraged but not required. A sponsor will pay the costs of students attending the breakfast for the first time.

Candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot have been invited to speak at the October breakfast.

Another event planned on Saturday, Sept. 21 is the Wyandotte County Democratic Central Committee WyCo Amateur Barbecue Cookoff, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Shelter C, Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs.

Tickets for the cookoff are $20 for adults, and $10 for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. The Jones Sisters will provide the dinner. Those attending may bring blankets and chairs. For more information about how to get admission tickets, tickets for contestants in the barbecue, or contest judges, contact [email protected] or call Jacques Barber at 913-514-4605 or Linda Barber at 913-563-8578.

Winning rookie driver to make appearance in Ignition Garage

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver William Byron will participate in a question-and-answer session on Sunday, Oct. 20, in Ignition Garage at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

Byron, who is in his second season at Hendrick Motorsports, won his first NASCAR Gander Outdoors Series race at Kansas Speedway in 2016.

The 21-year-old has captured the Rookie of the Year award in all three of NASCAR’s national series, and won the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. Earlier this season, Byron started on the pole for the Daytona 500, his first career pole in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Byron is currently ninth in the point standings heading into this weekend’s race.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver Clint Bowyer will also participate in a question-and-answer session in Ignition Garage.

In addition to the question-and-answer sessions, fans with an Ignition Garage hospitality ticket will get a tour of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage, a souvenir gift, food and beverage, and more. Ignition Garage tickets must be accompanied by a grandstand ticket or RV wristband.

Tickets for Ignition Garage hospitality are currently on sale by calling 866-460-RACE (7223), online at www.kansasspeedway.com/tickets and at the Kansas Speedway Ticket Office Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.