July 31, 2009
Dear Folks,
This Week's City Business
The Mayor was asked to be part of a conference call with Vice President, Joe Biden, and three other Mayors to talk about stimulus funding and how the federal government can do a better job in serving city governments with the funds. All three Mayors were asked for their advice on the subject. Our Mayor felt that the Vice President was sincere in trying to help cities get their fair share of stimulus funding.
Speaking of funds, Police Chief, Jim Corwin, applied for stimulus funding and was one of the few big cities to not only receive the funding, but to receive the full amount applied for. The Mayor is thrilled to have a professional Police Chief who is a partner with him in looking after his constituent's highest concern -- feeling safe in one's own home and city. The funding will allow the current training academy class, which will graduate on August 6, to be hired by our city instead of by neighboring communities. The current class also happens to be the most diverse class that the Chief has ever had, so this is good news all around. The grant will also allow the next candidate class to begin on time in September. The Mayor is still trying to restore cop funding so that the January cadet class can begin on time as well. The reason this is so important is that if we don't keep the classes going as scheduled, then we lose too many officers on the street for our protection.
The Mayor spent most of his time this week talking in-depth with council members about current initiatives they're working on. While a lot of the news in the media has been focused on hype, the work of city government has been proceeding at a very nice pace.
One area that has been proceeding quite well is the Mayor's City That Works program, which meets on a weekly basis. The program is designed to find ways to strategically target a small amount of money to make a big impact on basic city services. One of the areas that the Mayor has been focusing on is the city's 311-complaint system. He was distressed to learn that over 600,000 calls went unanswered last year; therefore, he is working hard with that department to insure that calls are answered in a timely and professional manner. The Mayor feels that much progress has been made in reaching this important goal.
On a More Personal Note
The judge ruled in the Mayor's favor this week regarding the "volunteer" ordinance. Funk is grateful for the decision of the court. The judge's decision protects the authority of the Mayor's office, but not only for his term, but for future Mayors as well. Funk is glad to have this issue behind him so that he and the City Council can fully focus on the significant challenges that face our city.
The next Town Hall Meeting: Where: Wexford Place, 6500 N. Crosby Ave. When: September 9, 6:30 pm; Who: Wexford Place.
The Mayor's Public Appearances next week: Monday, Aug. 3, 4:00 pm, New Tools Task Force Meeting, St. Marks Church, 1101 Euclid Ave.; Tuesday, August 4, 3:30 City That Works Public Meeting, 414 E. 12th St. 10th Floor; August 4, 5:30 Ivanhoe Neighborhood Night Out Against Crime - Speech, Ivanhoe Park, 43rd and Brooklyn; Thursday, August 6, 3:00, Council Business Session, 414 E. 12th St. 26th Floor; Thursday, August 6, 6:00pm, Speech, Police Academy Entrant Officer Class Graduation; Friday, August 7, 7:40 am, Friday's With Funk, 710 KCMO; Friday, August 7, 8:00am Speech, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, Downtown Marriott.
In faith,
Gloria & Mark
You can respond to this newsletter at funksfrontporch@gmail.com. If you'd like daily news updates, please check the Mayor's blog site at www.funksfrontporch.com.
The Mayor's top ten priorities
1. Establishing a good working relationship with the Council
2. Getting the City's finances in order
3. Making downtown work
4. Tending to our neighborhoods
5. Implementing the Housing Policy task force recommendations
6. Improving the perception and the reality of public education in Kansas City
7. Reducing Crime
8. Repairing our sewer systems
9. Establishing an excellent regional transit system, which includes
light rail10. Improving citizen satisfaction with City services