City Administrator’s Report for 9/16/2011

City Administrator’s Report
09-16-2011
FROM: Mahesh Sharma, City Administrator

Community Development
The Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternative Analysis (JCCCAA) will meet on September 27th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Enovation Center located at 201 N. Forest in Independence. The JCCCAA is developing and reviewing alternative transit options for two corridors in Jackson County. One corridor extends from downtown Kansas City, east and then southeasterly along the Rock Island Rail line through Raytown, Lee’s Summit and ultimately to Pleasant Hill while the other corridor extends from downtown Kansas City, east through Independence, Blue Springs and into Grain Valley.

Different corridor alignments and modes of transit will be presented at the public meeting for review and comment. The ultimate purpose of the JCCCAA is to review the alternative transit options for the two corridors and then adopt a locally (regionally) preferred alternative (LPA) for the Kansas City region. Adoption of the LPA will then position the Kansas City region to submit applications to the Federal government for design and construction funding for these corridors. Additional information can be found at; http://kcsmartmoves.org/projects/jacksoncounty.aspx.

Information Technology
Data and voice network infrastructure has been enhanced by implementing VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) technology. This is vital to the City’s communication and network systems as data, voice, digital imaging and broadcasting are merged with the inception of IP based system application and processes. VLAN architecture benefits include; increased performance, improved manageability, network tuning and simplification of software configurations, physical topology independence, and increased security options.

Public Works
Staff continues to move items into the renovated building; the office staff has moved back in with functional communications and data. Several weeks will pass before the move will be complete. An open house to celebrate the completion of the project is in the planning stage.

The pavement marking contractor has completed a large portion of the paint restriping work within the city. Streets that will be overlaid this year will be marked with thermoplastic once the overlay is complete by mid-October.

The Blue Ridge Boulevard Bridge over Route 350 has reopened with one lane in each direction. Work on the concrete foundations of the bridge continues and as the outside lanes remain closed for placement of equipment.

The asphalt overlay pre-construction meeting with Superior Bowen, was Thursday, September 15th, and is tentatively scheduled to commence the last week of September. Work will start on Raytown Road / Raytown Traffic Way with the bonded asphalt overlay from 64th Street south to 350 Highway.

The salt barn has been staged with the addition of 707 tons of salt and is at its maximum storage capacity of 1,400 tons of salt.

Crews hit an unmarked abandoned gas service line Thursday, September 15th, just south of Raytown High School while in the process of repairing a storm sewer pipe at an entrance of the high school’s parking lot. 61st Street was closed for a short period of time while MGE capped the service line, while Public Works coordinated with the school district to ensure all students were safe during the completion of the repairs.

Board, Committee and Commission Meetings, and Events
Sept 19 – Park Board Meeting; Park Office, 7:00pm
Sept 20 – Chamber Morning Coffee Networking; First Federal Bank, 7:30am
Sept 20 – Board of Aldermen Work Session; Council Chambers, 6:00pm
Sept 20 – Board of Aldermen Meeting; Council Chambers, 7:00pm