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Independence Today Your bi-weekly update from the City of Independence

And... it's roadwork season

The weather is warming, the birds are chirping, and the days are longer -- which can only mean one thing – it’s roadwork season! You’re likely to see several of our crew members out on the road in the coming months. Whether they are filling potholes, paving, or making other road repairs, always remember to slow down when driving through work zones.

Is there a pothole in our neighborhood? You can report your concerns to the City of Independence via the IndepNow app with just a few clicks. Download it now on your phone or visit indep.us/indepnow to get started. Our road crew members thank you for your patience!

Council Overview

Please find below an overview of some of the key items discussed and voted on during the May 15 City Council Meeting. You can watch this meeting here.

Adding funds to help with Dangerous Buildings and abatement

A contract was authorized with Monaco Property Services, which serves as the City’s contractor for abatements on properties with property maintenance violations. The scope of services has expanded to include dangerous building board-ups. The Council approved a change order for $162,885 to cover additional expenses for Abatement and Dangerous Building Board Ups for the Community Development Department. The newly revised amount will be $275,000.

Monaco Property Services was awarded a three-year contract approved by Council for Grounds Restoration & Abatement in December 2021. This change adds additional funding to enable this service to be continued without a pause from the contractor. Property maintenance abatements and dangerous building board-ups increase in volume during the spring, which is another reason for this change order.

You can read the full agenda item here.

Keeping power substations in working order

On Monday, the Council heard two items related to power substations in Independence.

The first item the Council approved was a contract to Toth & Associates, for $122,407.00, for Substation M Breaker replacement engineering services. Substation M is located near 23rd and McCoy Street and also serves as a hub for lines to other substations. IPL crews will provide the labor for the project which is a cost-effective approach as opposed to contracting the services. Construction work is planned for the fall of 2023.

The second item approved is a change order with Burns & McDonnell for $39,633 to cover additional requirements for the proposed Substation S site study. This project is in support of the anticipated demand associated with the Eastgate Commerce Center project and future growth in this area. The City and North Point were recently awarded a grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development which will partially offset the costs of this project. A Community Improvement District has been established for this project area which will fully reimburse the City for the costs of this substation and other infrastructure.

Ethics Reform Commission Update

The Council approved an amendment to the member terms of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Ethics Reform.

The City Council established the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Ethics Reform in July 2022, and appointed seven members to the Commission in August 2022, with terms to end on March 30, 2023. The Commission has been meeting regularly but has requested additional time to complete its work. Extending the Commission members’ terms until Council adopts an ordinance or adopts the Commission's recommendations, is expected to give the Commission the necessary time to finalize and report on its findings and recommendations.

You can read more about this item here.

Transportation funding

The Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve a change order to the contract with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide transit services for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

This would increase the total contract amount by $30,000 to $178,842. The increase is due to increased paratransit ridership. You can read the full agenda item here.

The City Council also authorized a Cost Share Agreement with MoDOT for Little Blue Parkway and Jackson Drive improvements. This project is being designed and constructed as part of the required infrastructure improvements associated with the Eastgate Commerce Center project. The scope of work for this project will tie into the recently approved MoDOT Cost Share project for improvements to the I-70 & Little Blue Parkway interchange Improvements include the addition of a southbound through lane from north of Jackson Drive to the north limits of the interchange project. This work will accommodate the addition of both northbound and southbound dual left turn lanes, ADA and pedestrian upgrades, and resurfacing through the 39th Street intersection.

The total project is $1.7M with MoDOT reimbursing the City for half of the project costs ($866,900). As part of the Eastgate Commerce Center Development Agreement, the City will be reimbursed by NorthPoint for its portion of the project costs.

Updating the Commission on Human Relations

The Council approved the reduction of members on the Commission on Human Relations from 13 to 9 members. This option was presented to the Council during the April 10 Study Session in response to issues with attendance and the ability of the commission to maintain a quorum. You can read the full agenda item here.

Moving forward on Streetscape updates thanks to grants

The Council approved an ordinance that will allow the City to enter into a grant agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive $3,000,000 in funding toward the Square Streetscape project.

This project will include narrowing lane widths, shifting some curb locations, and converting traffic around the historic courthouse to one-way traffic. The intersections will also be improved at all corners of the Square, providing bump-outs, plantings, and site amenities. The project complements the bi-directional cycle track along Lexington Avenue and Main Street to be constructed as part of the Truman Connected, Phase 1 improvements project.

You can read this full item here.

Looking at Breed Specific Language

The Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would place the repeal of breed-specific language on the August ballot. This follows the successful completion of a citizen initiative petition process. The Council must now act to either vote on an ordinance repealing the rules or place it on the August ballot before June 15. A Study Session will be held on May 22 to discuss the Breed Specific Language and Dangerous Dog Ordinances in the City. A Special Called Meeting will also occur that evening for a second reading of the ballot ordinance.

Curious about the rest of the agenda?

You can find the full agenda, including links to the items above and other items discussed, here.

Upcoming meetings

The Council will next meet on Monday, May 22, for a Study Session and Special Called Meeting.

Long term roadwork impact at Blue Ridge and I-70

Last week, MoDOT closed the ramp from U.S. 40 to eastbound I-70 and the ramp from Blue Ridge Blvd. to eastbound 1-70. Closures also extended to two lanes of eastbound I-70 in the area for traffic shifting work.

Follow the City's social media pages for updates on additional periodic closures in the area during this project.

These closures and lane shifts are expected to last until roughly mid-November 2023. Find more information here.

Changes coming to online bill payments with the City

On May 23, the City of Independence will transition to a new bill payment website, Invoice Cloud. After that date, you will no longer be able to access or pay your bills through Paymentus.

Invoice Cloud will offer lower convenience fees, a more user-friendly online portal and the ability for every customer to view and pay their bill online. It will also offer customers the ability to make secure payments via text, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo, in addition to the previously offered debit and credit card options.

As a result of the transition, customers will be asked to register on Invoice Cloud and re-enter their saved payment information.

While the City of Independence encourages everyone to register their accounts online, if customers pay their bill via mail or by auto bank drafting, they will be unaffected by this transition. The paper bill will remain the same whether customers register online or not, however, they will begin seeing a QR code. When scanned, the QR code will take them directly to the billing website.

The Independence City Council approved these changes in January 2023. For more information about this change, visit: indep.us/customerservicefaqs

Upcoming fun in Independence

Fun in the Park – May 20 and 27 – fb.me/e/2NqVg8gAU Join us for oodles of fun, unique, and engaging outdoor games and activities to be active and make connections with friends and neighbors! The fun-tivities begin at 10 am each Saturday in May at George Owens Nature Park.
I’m Just an Ordinary Girl: The Story of Sharon Kinne – May 22 – fb.me/e/JhzaqN9B Join Mike Calvert and discover the sordid tales that made newspaper headlines for fifteen years and still captivates audiences to this day. Was she an Independence woman gone bad or just misunderstood? Follow the historic, multiple murder trials of Sharon Kinne, charged with killing her husband, her lover’s wife, and a man in a Mexican hotel before she disappeared altogether. Listen to the story of Sharon Kinne presented against the backdrop of the sites that can still be visited in Independence today. Put yourself in the position of judge and jury and make your decision; guilty or innocent. This event is FREE to the public.
The City of Independence is hosting an Open House for the Truman Connected and Downtown Square Streetscape Projects on Tuesday, May 23 from 4-7 PM. Stop by the Independence Uptown Market to talk to project team members about the latest information and designs. For more information on the projects and open house, visit the website:indep.us/trumansquareprojects2023
Farmers Market - May 20 and 27 – fb.me/e/14ajjQ1e0 It’s time to start our Farmer’s Market! The Farmer’s Market happens Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm. Come support our local businesses and farmers!
Schools Out Scavenger Hunt – May 24 – fb.me/e/TkvLtbHq Celebrate summer break with a FREE School's Out Scavenger Hunt! Join us at the Independence Uptown Market for a scavenger hunt and earn some great prizes too! The fun begins at 5 PM on Wednesday, May 24. In order to join the scavenger hunt, you must take pictures and videos as you complete each task, but remember, only the top three teams earn a prize. Teams can be any size and all contestants must return to the Independence Uptown market by 7:45 PM.
Strawberry Festival – June 3 – Join us for the Annual Strawberry Festival at Vaile Mansion. Savor the taste of a variety of strawberry treats while listening to live music and exploring the mansion at this free event! The festivities take place June 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Independence News Room

We often hear the question - where do I find information on what is happening in Independence?

The City of Independence utilizes many communication methods to share information with our stakeholders, including residents, visitors, and business owners. We rely on our stakeholders to seek out the platform they prefer to use to get this information. We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletters, follow us on social media, check the city Calendar, and explore our website. You can find these resources and connections to our social media accounts at indep.us/newsroom.

We understand the importance of regularly updating these resources as well. The City is working on a new website and will share it with you later this year.

We strive to provide you with many resources and encourage you to use them to find the information you need when you need it. We are proud to tell the story of our community, and thank you for helping us share it!

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Find upcoming meetings, programs and events

Looking for upcoming public meetings and events? Visit indep.us/calendar to what is coming up next.

Request? Complaint? Concern? Report it via IndepNow

Report an issue or concern regarding codes, trash, streets or other city services via the IndepNow app or online at indep.us/actioncenter. Click the button above to get started now.

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City of Independence