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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Thursday, November 6, 2008  KCI Airport to Hold Flu Shot Clinic for Travelers KANSAS CITY, KS, (kansascityfrontpage.com), November 6, 2008 - The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department and Kansas City International Airport are partnering to provide a special flu shot clinic to protect travelers on Monday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flu vaccines will be available for those age 3 years and older for $10 per shot in all three terminals. Cash or credit cards will be accepted. The shots will be available on a first come first serve basis at:
Flu shot prices at the Health Department have been lowered to $10, cash or credit. For those who provide proof of coverage, the department will bill Medicare Part A or B or Missouri Medicaid on their behalf. Update: Voters Reject Light Rail Sales Tax KANSAS CITY, KS, (kansascityfrontpage.com), November 6, 2008 - Kansas City voters sent a strong message to the campaign supporting light rail by rejecting a proposition for an extra 3/8-cent sales tax for a 14-mile light-rail line. According to kclightrail.com, only 44 percent of voters back the plan. The North Kansas City City Council has approved a 1/2-cent light rail sales tax for the November ballot. It now awaits approval from a Clay County judge Ñ expected next month Ñ since it involves creation of a special transportation district. The 25-year tax is expected to generate $1.6 million a year. Voters to Decide on Light Rail Sales Tax KANSAS CITY, KS, (kansascityfrontpage.com), November 3, 2008 - As a result of a City Council ordinance, voters in Kansas City, Mo., will be asked Nov. 4, 2008, to vote on a 25-year, 3/8 percent sales tax devoted to a light rail system running from the area around the intersection of Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street on the south to the area around the intersection of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway on the north. Ordinance No. 080693: For the purpose of funding a light rail passenger system running from the area around the intersection of Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street on the south to the area around the intersection of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway on the north, which can ultimately connect to a regional public transportation system, shall the City of Kansas City impose a sales tax of 1/4 percent under the authority of Section 94.577, RSMo, for the purpose of funding capital improvements, and a sales tax of 1/8 percent under the authority of Section 94.605, RSMo, both for a period not to exceed 25 years, beginning April 1, 2009, and which may include the retirement of debt under authorized bonded indebtedness? Questions and Answers: Question: Will the sales tax cover the full cost of the proposed light rail system? Answer: No, additional funding from the federal government will be needed to complete the proposed system. The City of Kansas City, Mo., will pursue federal funding; the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has been working with the federal government to conduct the federally mandated alternatives analysis, which is the first stage of planning for light rail. On Nov. 4, North Kansas City, Mo., voters also will consider a ballot question to approve funding for the cost of the route through North Kansas City. Question: What is the route of the light rail system? Answer: The proposed 14-mile track will run along the area of Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street, west to the Country Club Plaza area, north through downtown and the River Market and across a dedicated bridge to the area of North Oak Trafficway and Northeast Vivion Road. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is currently conducting the federally mandated alternatives analysis, which evaluates the capacity of specific streets. This study is scheduled to be finished in spring 2009. The transportation authority already has determined the City can meet federal requirements for population density to support light rail. Question: Didn't voters already approve a light rail ballot measure? Answer: Yes, on Nov. 7, 2006, City of Kansas City, Mo., voters passed a 3/8 percent tax to implement a light rail system of a north/south light rail spine beginning at the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park and ending at Kansas City International Airport. The City Council repealed this tax as that plan could not be constructed, maintained and operated as approved. The plan called for the use of the tax then being used for the bus service to partially fund the light rail system, which would have compromised the City's bus service and jeopardized the ability to secure federal funding absent finding a new source of funds for the buses. At that time, the City Council indicated that another proposal would be put before voters by November 2008. Question: How will a light rail system impact existing bus service? Answer: Light rail will be constructed and operated using separate funds and tax revenue from the bus system; it will not reduce existing bus service. The light rail line will connect and coordinate with bus rapid transit routes and other bus routes to facilitate a multi-modal system. Park-and-ride lots will be available at the end points and at certain stops along the light rail route. Question: Will this tax be subject to Tax Increment Financing? Answer: No, this sales tax is not subject to tax increment financing. Tax revenue received by the City is dedicated to the construction and operation of light rail. Question: Will the City assume debt for this project and how would that affect the City's ability to finance other operations? Answer: No, plans call for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to assume the debt for this project. The sales tax will be collected by the City and passed through to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will issue the bonds needed for construction; therefore, the City's debt capacity and credit rating will be unaffected. Question: When would the tax go into effect? Answer: The tax would be effective April 1, 2009, and would apply to all sales made after March 31, 2009. Question: When would the light rail system be operational? Answer: The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority estimates that constrution will take three years once federal funding has been secured. Question: What happens if the City is denied federal funding? Answer: Regardless of federal funding, the sales tax can only be used for light rail purposes and cannot be used for other City expenses per the ballot language and state law. The City's plan assumes a level of federal funding based on previous federal decisions for cities comparable to Kansas City. If the City receives inadequate federal funding, it has several options. For example, the City could pursue other state and federal funding streams for public transit; consider alternate technologies and operations for the project in order to reduce costs; and examine the timeframe for construction to phase in stages as funding becomes available.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 - 2008 Moore Design Group. |
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