A federal prison residential re-entry facility in the Fairfax industrial area and a T-Bones agreement with the Unified Government are on Thursday night’s UG Commission agenda.
Also on the agenda are the de-annexation of a small area near Lake Quivira, the UG-Hollywood Casino-SVV charitable grants, and several other items.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
The federal prison re-entry facility is recommended for approval, and the Fairfax Industrial Association is on record as opposing it because of safety reasons.
The Fairfax group, which has a petition against it, stated at an earlier zoning meeting that police patrols have been reduced in the Fairfax area during the past year.
The project, which would house about 85 male inmates on work-release programs, is a private facility, according to the company that is developing it. To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/federal-prison-re-entry-facility-in-fairfax-moves-forward-with-planning-commission-approval/.
The T-Bones management agreement, termination of lease, and amendment also is on the agenda. A copy of the proposed agreement is included in the agenda. The T-Bones’ bailout could be an issue in the mayoral campaign this year.
According to UG agenda information, the T-Bones generate $4.2 million a year directly and indirectly for the Wyandotte County economy. The UG took over ownership of the stadium where the T-Bones play in 2014. The new contract being proposed through 2022 changes the arrangement from the team leasing the stadium to the team being the manager of the stadium.
It restructures payments from the T-Bones to the UG. According to the UG agenda, the UG may save about $240,000 a year in property taxes which the state of Kansas requires to be paid on the stadium.
In May, the Board of Public Utilities board refused to waive the T-Bones’ utility payments at the request of the UG, and would not forgive $172,700 on the T-Bones’ bill from the past few years. David Alvey, a BPU member running for mayor, spoke out against the bailout.
The T-Bones owed the BPU $314,000, according to BPU officials. The BPU board also refused to let the T-Bones have a lower rate for electricity and water. (Earlier story at https://wyandotteonline.com/bpu-says-it-wont-waive-t-bones-utility-payments/)
Under this proposed UG agreement, the utility bill will be in the name of the stadium owner, which is the UG, and the T-Bones would have to pay a portion of the utility bills to the UG, according to the UG agenda. The T-Bones would have to pay the UG a flat rate of 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity, and $1.77 per CCF for water, under the proposed agreement. The 6.5 cents per kilowatt rate is the lower amount that the BPU would not approve.
Also on the agenda June 29 is a de-annexation petition for property currently in Kansas City, Kansas, which may be joining Lake Quivira city in the future.
These properties include 3025 S. 78th St., 7910 Holliday Drive and 7909 Holliday Drive.
Another item on the Thursday agenda are recommendations of grants to groups from the UG – Hollywood Casino- SVV grant fund.
Other items on the agenda include:
• 10128 Nelson Lane, change of zone from single-family to agriculture.
• 2000 N. 67th St., change of zone from single-family to planned garden apartment district for four multi-family units in one building.
• 733-735 Minnesota Avenue, renewal of special use permit for an event hall, specialty dress shop and office space.
• 419 S. 81st St., special use permit for an urban farm.
• 21 S. 18th St., renewal of a special use permit for a parking lot in conjhunction with Advance Auto Parts store.
• 2932 S. 8th Terrance, special use permit for the temporary use of land to park a food truck.
• 4300 Brenner Drive, special use permit for the temporary use of land for a storage trailer.
• 4620 Mission Road, renewal of a special use permit revising a previously approved application to lease parking to a neighboring business.
• 17 N. James St., vacation of an alley.
• 1101 S. 9th St., vacation of a street and alley.
• 2000 N. 67th St., master plan amendment from low density residential to medium density residential.
• 925 S. 89th St., master plan amendment from rural residential to low desnity residential.
• 925 S. 89th St., change of zone from agriculture to single-family for one agricultural lot and three residential lots.
• Nomination of Racheal Jefferson to the Kansas City Housing authority, submitted by Commissioner Gayle Townsend.
• An ordinance amending the buildings and building regulations, intended to improve the appearance and safety of vacant properties.
• An ordinance amending the fine for violations of the seat belt ordinance, which would bring it into compliance with state law. The fine will go from $10 to $30.
• A resolution for an agreement between the UG and the city of Mission for the enforcement of zoning regulations and building codes for 3140 S. 28th St.
For more information, visit the UG agenda at www.wycokck.org.
If the T Bones go under we lose 4 million dollars. I’m no economist but that’s no good. So how do we keep it from happening? It will take more than asking people to buy more beer at the stadium, which is all Mr Alvey has suggested.
How is this a bailout? I read the article and the agenda and this looks like a restructuring of the current agreement and the T-Bones will have to pay all past debts.
Given how important the stadium is to the Legends I would think we would want them to succeed.
I don’t think Mr. Alvey understands the situation. This isn’t about the T-Bones failing, it’s about the Unified Government failing. The U.G. owns the ballpark. As someone who wants to be mayor does Alvey really want to be on the hook for an empty baseball stadium?
We can argue whether it’s a good idea for the U.G. to own a baseball field, but let’s be clear that it was Joe Reardon who bought the stadium – as the Pitch has reported.
If people want to turn this into a political stunt, fine, but at least be up front with the facts.
Am I reading this right… a bit over a dollar per WYCO resident and we won’t lose the T-Bones? As a primary tenant for The Legends, this seems like a no-brainer. I have a tenner in my pocket, so I will cover 4 other people. #SaveTheTBones