Category: News

With a winter storm predicted, Unified Government offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23.

The UG will continue to support the needs of the community by continuing many services remotely while maintaining essential operations throughout the storm.

Some additional updates on specific services:

• KCK Municipal Court: Any scheduled hearings for Thursday and Friday will be continued to a later date and time and persons will receive notification of their new court date in the mail. Payments can still be made by using the MyWyco App or by visiting the UG webpage. Also, for persons in jail, bonds can be posted at the jail; otherwise, bonds cannot be posted during this closure.

• Meals on Wheels: Delivery of food will be suspended Thursday and Friday. The Area Agency on Aging will be providing alternatives to get food to seniors.

• Public Health Clinic: The Public Health Department will be keeping their clinic open until 6 p.m. Wednesday. All patients for Thursday and Friday have been contacted to reschedule appointments.

• Recreation Centers: The Parks and Recreation Department will be opening the recreation centers as warming centers. Find location and time information on the website. The cold weather overnight shelter will also be available evenings.

• Trash Pickup: As previously announced, trash pickup will start at 5 a.m. on Thursday and run for as long as conditions will allow. If you are scheduled for trash pickup on Thursday, Dec. 22, please bring your trash to the curb Wednesday night.

• Treasury and Motor Vehicles offices will be closed as well. Please use the MyWyCo app for any payments.

• WIC Appointments:
Appointments will be held by telephone for Thursday and Friday. There will be no disruption of service because we are able to switch to remote operations.

Snow emergency: parking restrictions
The Department of Public Works has also declared a snow emergency effectiveWednesday night at 10 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 23, at 11:59 p.m. which means there are parking restrictions to allow for snow removal.

In anticipation of the upcoming extreme winter weather conditions all Unified Government offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec 22, and Friday, Dec. 23. The Unified Government will continue to support the needs of the community by continuing many services remotely while maintaining essential operations throughout the storm, a spokesman stated.

As additional updates are available, the UG will continue to update its website at www.wycokck.org.

A snow and parking emergency will be in effect in Kansas City, Kansas, starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, according to a Unified Government announcement.

The declaration will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, unless extended.

During a snow emergency:

• No person shall drive a motor vehicle that doesn’t have tire chains, snow tires, or radial tires in a way that will cause the vehicle to get stalled due to its lack of snow equipment.
• Vehicles that become stalled on public roadways may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.
• No vehicles shall be parked on any streets designated as snow routes by appropriate signs. Vehicles parked on designated snow routes must be removed within two hours after 10 p.m. Dec. 21.
• Vehicles parked on designated snow routes may be towed at the owner’s expense.

The last Snow Emergency declared in Kansas City, Kansas, was Nov. 25, 2018.

“The Snow Emergency is meant to increase safety for motorists, pedestrians, and plow drivers,” said Dave Reno, Public Works public information officer. “Extremely low temperatures and high winds will make this storm especially challenging and dangerous for everyone. The public is strongly encouraged to remain home during this storm. Regular updates about winter weather operations will be posted on the Unified Government’s website and social media over the next several days.”

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm and wind chill warnings for Wyandotte County. Temperatures will hover around freezing on Dec. 21. Snow (2”-4”) and strong winds are expected to develop across the area tonight into Thursday, Dec. 22, creating near-blizzard conditions.

Extremely low temperatures and gusting winds make this storm especially challenging and dangerous. Salt treatments, including magnesium chloride, are exponentially less effective when temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning local roads risk becoming extremely slick. When coupled with the potential for blizzard-like conditions, Public Works has reason to believe this storm poses an uncommon safety hazard for the public and snowplow drivers, a spokesman stated.

If you must travel, please remember to slow down, drive with extreme caution, and give teams plenty of room to work safely.

Unified Government Ordinance Section 35-648 permits the UG Public Works director to declare a Snow or Parking Emergency.

To learn more about winter weather operations, view frequently asked questions, and read Public Works’ Snow and Ice Removal policy, visit wycokck.org/Snow.

To report service issues, dial 3-1-1 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org.

• Information from Unified Government