Category: News

BPU recognized for excellence in financial reporting

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities was recently presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

This national award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and it represents a significant accomplishment by the utility and its management team.

The award was presented to Lori Austin, manager of accounting and finance and chief financial officer of BPU, and her entire department, for the utility’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Judged by an impartial panel of experts, the utility’s CAFR demonstrated a “spirit of full disclosure” and met the highest standards of this program.  This is the 32nd year in a row BPU has received this distinguished recognition.

“BPU is honored to be recognized by government finance officers for its professional and transparent financial reporting,” stated Don Gray, general manager of BPU.  “This award speaks to the hard work, commitment, and expertise of BPU’s finance team and staff, and we’re all very proud of their accomplishment.”

GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, Ill., and Washington, D.C.

Several zoning projects to be reviewed at UG Commission meeting Thursday

The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday, March 27, at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.

A special session is scheduled at 5 p.m. March 27 in the ninth floor conference room at City Hall for a closed meeting on litigation.

At 6 p.m. is the Police Department’s service awards in the Commission Chambers, lobby level of City Hall.

The 7 p.m. meeting also is scheduled in the Commission Chambers.

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

They include a special use permit to provide emergency shelter for children at 6005 Nogard Ave., in a new building proposed by PACES.

A new 113-unit Residence Inn at 1875 Village West Parkway, at The Legends, is on the agenda for a plan review. The new hotel, in an area of more than 25,000 square feet, would be built on existing parking areas at the shopping center.

Also on the agenda for the 7 p.m. meeting:

  • 4458 State Line Road, change of zone from C-1 limited business district to TND traditional neighborhood design district for a mixed use development.
  • 11501 Parallel Parkway, change of zone from agriculture district to R-5 apartment district for a 309-unit apartment complex.
  • 2102 Metropolitan Ave., special use permit for an electronic message sign for Save-A-Lot grocery store.
  • 99 N. 61st St., special use permit for a dirt fill.
  • 735 Walker Ave., special use permit renewal for temporary storage shed.
  • 9 N. Cherokee St., special use permit for temporary use of land for a construction trailer.
  • 4752 State Ave., El Portrero Bar and Grill, special use permit for live entertainment on weekends and holidays.
  • 1333 S. 27th and 1324-2334 S. 26th, preliminary and final plan review for garden-style senior living apartment complex.
  • 5340 Oak Grove Road, preliminary and final plan review for a new school building.
  • 1703 and 1801 Village West Parkway, preliminary and final plan review for a retail development.
  • 1333 S. 27th St., master plan amendment from low-density residential to medium-density residential.
  • 11501 Parallel Parkway, master plan amendment from planned mixed business park-commercial to high-density residential.
  • 4116 Metropolitan Ave., an ordinance rezoning property from limited business district to planned general business district.
  • 10118 Hutton Road from agriculture district to single-family district.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for law firm’s office

A ribbon-cutting was held today for the McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips law offices, 10 E. Cambridge Circle Drive, Kansas City, Kan. At the event were, left to right, former mayor Joe Reardon, Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James, and Unified Government Mayor Mark Holland. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Today there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Mc Anany, Van Cleave and Phillips law firm, 10 E. Cambridge Circle Drive, in Kansas City, Kan.

Dignitaries from both Kansas and Missouri were on hand at the event.

This law firm is one of the largest in the Kansas City metropolitan area, handling a lot of legal work for both Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.

Recently it went through a major expansion at its offices, which are on the border between Kansas and Missouri.

Mayor Mark Holland, CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, former mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Joe Reardon and Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James were on hand to celebrate this occasion. Reardon has rejoined the MVP law firm after his years as mayor.

Former Mayor Joe Reardon and Rolland Love, local author, looked on while chatting with Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James at today’s ribbon-cutting at McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips. (Photo by William Crum)