January 2014 – Page 37 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Obama schedules meeting with Pope Francis

Posted on January 21, 2014

(AP) — President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican as part of a European trip scheduled for March.

The White House says Obama “looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality” during their March 27 meeting. Obama also plans to meet in Rome with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

Obama’s trip begins March 24-25 in The Hague, Netherlands, where he will participate in a nuclear security summit hosted by the Dutch government and meet with Dutch leaders.

On March 26, Obama will travel to Brussels for an U.S.-European Union summit with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as meetings with Belgian leaders and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Benefit for family of man who died at Arrowhead

Posted on January 21, 2014January 21, 2014

(AP) — A spring golf tournament is being planned to help the family of a Smithville man who died after an altercation at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Kyle Van Winkle golf classic will be held May 5 at Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan.

The 30-year-old Van Winkle died Dec. 1 after he was beaten in an Arrowhead parking lot during a Chiefs game. Court documents say Van Winkle was injured after he was found in a stranger’s vehicle. Van Winkle apparently got into a vehicle that looked like the one he rode to the game in.

He left behind a widow and 7-week-old son.

His death was ruled a homicide but no one has been charged.

Nixon prepares to offer sixth State of the State (Watch the address LIVE here)

Posted on January 21, 2014

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon prepares to deliver the 2013 State of the State address in the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri on January 28, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

By Mike Lear

Governor Jay Nixon (D) is revealing a few clues, but only a few, about what he will say to Missourians in his State of the State Address tonight. (Watch the address LIVE here on St. JosephPost.com Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. and it will be rebroacast on 680 KFEQ following the MWSU basketball game sponsored by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

In the address, the governor will lay out legislative priorities and release his proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Asked about what he will include in that speech on Monday, Nixon says he will make a, “strong case for maintaining fiscal discipline, a very strong case for how the best economic development tool we have in the state is education, and how that at this defining moment for our state we should not miss the opportunity to make the strategic investments that will pay dividends for our state for generations to come.”
Nixon and Republican legislative leaders in the House and Senate did not reach agreement over an estimate of how much money will be available for the new budget year. Nixon says the time for the two sides to come to such agreement has, “come and gone.” This means some of Nixon’s spending proposals won’t be included by lawmakers when they draft a budget.
Nixon says he is, “convinced that the economy continues to move forward … but if the revenues don’t come in at the level that I think then we’ll make the necessary restrictions through the year to deal with it.”
Nixon has proposed some priorities already. He has called for more money for public schools en route to fully funding the foundation formula for K-12 schools by 2017, as well as additional money for higher education, and the Missouri Children’s Division. Other priorities carry over from last year, such as the acceptance of federal money to expand eligibility for Medicaid and overhauling tax credits.
House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) will deliver the Republican response, five minutes after the State of the State Address.

Water vision

Posted on January 21, 2014January 20, 2014

By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau

You never miss the water till the well runs dry.

No truer words have been spoken about Kansas water needs. Mired in the midst of a four-year drought, the Ogallala Aquifer continues to decline. Reservoirs –critical water storage structures for much of the state – fill with sediment.

At the current pace throughout the next 50 years, the Ogallala Aquifer could be 70 percent depleted while Kansas reservoirs may be 40 percent filled with sediment.

What does this bode for the future of the Sunflower State? How do we sustain the lifestyle we enjoy? How do we grow the economy? How do we ensure life in Kansas will continue to be desirable?

These questions are relevant to all Kansans. And while the Ogallala Aquifer is often viewed through the nozzle of a center pivot system, this topic is far more than that.

Irrigation stimulates higher land values, greater crop production and increased production inputs that result in enhanced county, regional and state prosperity. It has supported the world’s largest animal industry whose feed yards and packing plants grow and sustain Kansas communities and the people who live there.

Water usage in Kansas is not just an irrigation issue. It affects citizens whether they live in western or eastern Kansas.

Nearly two thirds of this state’s population depends upon water stored in our reservoirs. Each and every day this water supply dwindles as sediment slowly creeps downstream settling in and diminishing valuable reservoir storage space.

To address these issues, Gov. Brownback recently called for the development of a 50-year vision for the future of water in Kansas. The Ogallala Aquifer and Kansas reservoirs will receive top priority in this plan.

Key players include the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Water Authority. Throughout a one-year period, this team will seek input from water users, compile data, conduct research and chart a path for future water use.

All Kansans have a stake in this issue. Every citizen of our state will be impacted by the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer and sedimentation of our reservoirs.

It does not matter if you are rural or urban, young or old, a student or working, everyone needs water in their lives.

As farmers, ranchers and landowners of Farm Bureau in Kansas, each and every member will have an opportunity to provide grass root’s input in creating this water plan for the Sunflower State. Through educational materials and district issue surfacing meetings, farmer and rancher members will have the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions on the future of water in Kansas.

Plan to attend these meetings and voice your opinions and concerns.

“This is a defining moment in our state’s history and with each member’s input, we intend to help establish a water legacy that is good for agriculture and generations to come,” says Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and Kansas Farm Bureau president. “We must engage in this process and help define the vision for these precious water supplies, or others will do so for us.”

John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.

Local college students to lead March for Life

Posted on January 21, 2014

(AP) — Representatives of a college in northeast Kansas will lead the thousands of marchers expected to participate in the March of Life in Washington D.C. this week.

More than 400 students from Benedictine College in Atchison are attending the annual anti-abortion march in Wednesday. Several dozen members of that group will carry a banner in front of the marchers. Benedictine monks, faculty and alumni are with the students.

The Benedictine group will be joined by about 30 students from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., and Newman University in Wichita.

Kathryn Brown, a Benedictine junior, contacted the president of the March for Life last year to ask if her group could lead this year’s event.

School Delays And Closings

Posted on January 21, 2014

Heads up to parents and students in the Breckenridge, Missouri school district.

They are delaying the start of classes for two hours because of bitter cold temperatures.

Velveeta Cheesy Skillet dinners recall

Posted on January 21, 2014

(AP) — A food maker is recalling some Kraft Velveeta pasta and ground beef products because some labels left off soy, an allergen, as an ingredient.

About 1.77 million pounds of Kraft Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Singles Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac are being recalled. They contain hydrolyzed soy protein and dried soy sauce. Those ingredients were not listed on some labels.

The products, made by Truitt Brothers Inc. in East Bernstadt, Ky., have expiration dates of March 2 to Oct. 23 on them. They were sent to Kraft Foods distribution centers and retailers worldwide between May 2013 and January.

No other Velveeta or Kraft products are affected. No illness has been reported. Consumers with questions can call the Kraft Foods consumer relations center at 1-800-396-5512.

Parking and Police contract on City Council Agenda

Posted on January 21, 2014January 18, 2014

St. Joseph City Council meeting agenda for Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 PM @ City Hall – Council Chamber

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

ROLL CALL:

CALL TO ORDER:

MINUTES:

1. Approval of the minutes of the special meeting held January 6, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. and the regular meeting held January 6, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., as transcribed in the office of the City Clerk.

January 6 Meeting Minutes

January 6 Special Meeting Minutes

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS: None.

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:

CONSENT AGENDA:

Bills for Passage:

2. A Bill (#1448-10) amending Section 28-1591 “Parking prohibited during specific times on certain streets” and Section 28-1593 “Stopping, standing or parking prohibited” of the Code of Ordinances to increase the length of a school bus loading/unloading zone on the west side of 23rd Street between Mulberry and Clay Streets for Edison Elementary School.

3. A Bill (#1447-10) accepting a Permanent Sewer Easement from Tucker’s Bowl, Inc. for the sanitary sewer main extension to serve Lots 1, 2 and 3 in the Tucker Bowl Subdivision located on the west side of North Belt Highway just south of Faraon Street.

4. A Bill (#1446-10) calling for a General Election to be held in the City of St. Joseph, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, to nominate candidates for certain city offices.

5. A Bill (#1442-10) amending the General Fund budget in the amount of $56,990.00 to provide the 20% City match for the Transportation Planning Grant Agreement.

6. A Bill (#1449-10) creating a FY2013/2014 budget for the new Public Safety Tax Fund and amending the budget for the General Fund in order to implement the changes approved by the voters with passage of the Public Safety Tax both in the amount of $1,468,725.00.

7. A Bill (#1450-10) to amend the budget to transfer the amount of $33,439.00 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund and to authorize a contract with E.L. Crawford Construction for renovations to the Patee Market Health Center in the amount of $559,600.00.

8. A Bill (#1452-10) amending the Capital Projects Fund budget in the amount of $34,428.00 to purchase Dell Appassure Backup and Replication Software and three year maintenance and support for Windows Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, SQL Server and Hyper-V.

9. A Bill (#1455-10) approving Attachments A and B to the Employment Contract between the City of St. Joseph, Missouri and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Lodge #3.

10. A Bill (#1456-10) approving Attachment C-1 and Attachment C-2 to the Employment Contract between the City of St. Joseph, Missouri and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 77 (IAFF or Local 77) and extending said contract for an additional one-year period through December 31, 2014.

Resolutions for Adoption:

11. A Resolution (#1460-10) authorizing a Master Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. for on-call design services for the City’s wastewater treatment facility.

12. A Resolution (#1461-10) authorizing a Master Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. for on-call design services for the City’s wastewater treatment facility.

13. A Resolution (#1462-10) authorizing a Master Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Snyder & Associates, Inc., for on-call design services for the City’s wastewater treatment facility.

14. A Resolution (#1463-10) authorizing a Master Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Black & Veatch Corporation for on-call design services for the City’s wastewater treatment facility.

15. A Resolution (#1464-10) authorizing a Master Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with George Butler Associates, Incorporated for on-call design services for the City’s wastewater treatment facility.

16. A Resolution (#1470-10) authorizing renewal of the agreement with CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Kansas City to provide employee benefit consulting services.

17. A Resolution (#1472-10) to authorize the renewal of the Agreement for Professional Title Services with First American Title to provide title services for an additional one-year period.

* * * * * * * * * * * * END OF CONSENT AGENDA * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BILLS FOR PASSAGE:

18. A Bill (#1418-10) amending Section 6-41 entitled “Airport t-hanger rental contract, form” of the Code of Ordinances to modify the method of adjusting hangar lease rental rates for all hangars; to allow the inclusion of various terms in the Hangar Lease Agreement, provided the form of the agreement has been approved by the City Council; and to clarify that other agreements may be negotiated.

Ordinance

Memorandum regarding recommendation

19. A Bill (#1419-10) establishing lease rates for hangar space rental at Rosecrans Memorial Airport and approving a Hangar Lease Agreement form in accordance with Section 6-41 of the Code of Ordinances.

Ordinance

Attachment

Memorandum regarding recommendation

20. A Bill (#1458-10) approving a final plat entitled “The Quarters, Plat 1”, a major subdivision consisting of nineteen (19) lots located at an area generally bound by Robidoux Street on the north, Faraon Street on the south, North 7th Street on the west and North 9th Street on the east as requested by Pioneer Investment Uptown Inc. by Ross R. Freeman, agent.

Ordinance

Postponement Memo

21. A Bill (#1453-10) submitting a proposition to the voters of the City of St. Joseph, Missouri providing for an amendment to Chapter 17 of the Code of Ordinances entitled “Health and sanitation” to add a new Article XI entitled “Smoke-free indoor air workplaces and public places” for purposes of providing for the adoption of provisions to prohibit smoking in indoor workplaces and public places at an election to be held April 8, 2014.

Ordinance

To be Substituted

EMERGENCY BILLS FOR PASSAGE: None.

RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION:

22. A Resolution (#1473-10) to recognize the “Withdrawal of Initiative Petition” from the Petitioners’ Committee of Smoke-Free St. Joseph.

Resolution

BILLS FOR FIRST READING:

23. A Bill (#1465-10) repealing Section 7-359 titled “Duty to report dangerous building” of the Code of Ordinances.

Ordinance

24. A Bill (#1466-10) to amend the Public Health Department budget in the General Fund and enter in a contract with the National Association of County and City Health officials (NACCHO) both in the amount of $3,500.00 for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) capacity building.

Ordinance

Attachment

25. A Bill (#1467-10) to amend the Public Health Department budget in the General Fund and enter into a contract with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) both in the amount of $20,000.00 for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) training.

Ordinance

Attachment

26. A Bill (#1468-10) approving Appendix A and Appendix B to the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of St. Joseph, Missouri and the Laborers’ Public Service Employees (LPSE) Local 1290PE.

Ordinance

Attachment

27. A Bill (#1469-10) authorizing a contract for the sale of real estate between the City of St. Joseph, Missouri (seller) and Jason Redmond, d/b/a St. Joseph Metro Boxing Club (purchaser) to transfer real estate located at 2204 South 5th Street (more commonly known as Muchenberger Center) for the amount of $2,500.00.

Ordinance

Attachment

28. A Bill (#1471-10) amending the budget to transfer the amount of $3,183.00 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund and to appropriate the amount of $3,947.00 from the Capital Projects Fund fund balance for a total amount of $7,130.00 to be used to purchase furniture for two conference rooms at City Hall.

Ordinance

REPORTS OF BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:

29. Filed 1/3/14: Minutes of the Museum Oversight Board meeting held December 11, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

30. Filed 1/6/14: Minutes of the Aviation Board meeting held December 4, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

31. Filed 1/9/14: Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting held December 19, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.

32. Filed 1/14/14: Minutes of the Aviation Board meeting held January 8, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

WORK SESSION MINUTES – CITY CLERK’S OFFICE: None.

REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER:

33. Filed 1/8/14: Memorandum in re: Acting City Manager (January 10, 2014).

DELEGATIONS, PETITIONS: None.

None.

COMMUNICATIONS:

34. Filed 1/2/14: City Weekly, January 2, 2014.

35. Filed 1/6/14: Municipal Division Reporting Form, December 2013.

36. Filed 1/6/13: Article from the Missouri Lawyers Weekly entitled “Eastern District overturns Arnold’s red light cameral law” by Melissa Meinzer.

37. Filed 1/6/14: Article from the Kansas City Business Journal, January 3, 2014, entitled “Throw brick, fire mortar at online tax policy” by Brian Kaberline, Editor in Chief.

38. Filed 1/6/14: Federal Reserve Bank working paper regarding Casino Revenue and the Illinois Smoking Ban filed by Jerry Riffel, Lathrop and Gage.

39. Filed 1/7/14: Memorandum from Paula Heyde, City Clerk, in re: Citizens Public Service Activities Committee.

40. Filed 1/8/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Programming Committee meeting held November 5, 2013, at 1:15 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

41. Filed 1/8/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Programming Committee meeting held January 7, 2014, at 1:12 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

42. Filed 1/9/14: City Weekly, January 9, 2014.

43. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Membership Committee meeting held July 17, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

44. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Bi-Monthly Board meeting held July 18, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

45. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Programming Committee meeting held July 30, 2013, at 12:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

46. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Audit Committee meeting held August 26, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

47. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Programming Committee meeting held September 3, 2013, at 1:10 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

48. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Bi-Monthly Board meeting held September 19, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

49. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Programming Committee meeting held October 1, 2013, at 1:10 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

50. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Audit Committee meeting held October 11, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

51. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Executive Committee meeting held October 17, 2013, at 12:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

52. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Bi-Monthly Board meeting held November 21, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

53. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Collections Committee meeting held December 10, 2013, at 8:00 a.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

54. Filed 1/10/14: Minutes of the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. Executive Committee meeting held December 19, 2013, at 12:05 p.m., at 3406 Frederick Blvd.

55. Filed 1/13/14: Commendations regarding Police Department Staff.

56. Filed 1/14/14: Memorandum from Mayor Falkner in re: Absent from the City (January 22, 2014).

57. Filed 1/14/14: Memorandum from Mayor Falkner in re: Absent from the City (February 3-5, 2014).

58. Filed 1/14/14: 2014 Strategic Plan of the St. Joseph Museums.

OTHER BUSINESS:

59. City Manager’s Report

PUBLIC COMMENT:

60. Sheila Gilbert with Food for Kids wishes to speak to the City Council about this organization.

Food for Kids

ADJOURN:

Bayer: St. Joseph will continue to be an important part of our strategy

Posted on January 21, 2014

Bayer HealthCare LLC has announced that the company will be improving efficiency and investing in its manufacturing operations in Missouri. The company will combine and transfer operations from three locations in the St. Joseph area to one beginning this year. Additionally, Bayer will be transferring their regulatory and development activity to their U.S. headquarters based in Shawnee, Kan. by early 2015. The company will invest an estimated $10 million dollars between its Kansas and Missouri sites located in the greater Kansas City region, which is part of the Animal Health Corridor.

“One year post-acquisition, this is the next logical step in the integration process,” said Steve Meeker, vice president, Product Supply, U.S. Animal Health. “The employees of the St. Joseph Product Supply Manufacturing site have done an excellent job in delivering quality products on a timely basis for support of our commercial requirements. We have completed the analysis of the business and identified overlaps in technology and operating processes with the Shawnee Supply Center that, once optimized, will provide Bayer with a sustainable, cost-competitive, long-term manufacturing operation. The St. Joseph Supply Center will continue to be an important part of Bayer’s supply strategy and, as such, we have decided to invest an estimated $6.5 million in upgrades to our St. Joseph campus.”

Bayer acquired the St. Joseph facilities in January 2013 following its acquisition of the U.S.-based animal health business of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries that strengthened the company’s food animal business with a range of anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories and reproductive hormones. It also enabled Bayer to build its companion animal veterinary business by expanding its portfolio with dermatological, pet wellness and nutraceutical products.

“Bayer’s U.S. Animal Health business is vital to the overall attainment of the company’s global animal health success,” said John Koelink, head of Product Supply, Animal Health. “This strategic decision to optimize operations will ensure the long-term vitality of the business and our U.S. operations, including both the St. Joseph and Shawnee facilities.”

Bayer will also invest an estimated $3.5 million in its Shawnee site to consolidate and build R&D capabilities. The overall manufacturing operations optimization is expected to be completed early next year. These changes may result in some personnel changes over the next one to two years; however, it is too soon to determine the individual impact, according to Meeker

Using 3-D printers to make ideas come to life

Posted on January 21, 2014January 21, 2014

ric Wagner, research technician for the mechanical and nuclear engineering department, looks over a pencil holder created by the College of Engineering's 3-D printer. Several puzzles, tools and other 3-D printed items are featured in the foreground. — Eric Wagner, research technician for the mechanical and nuclear engineering department, looks over a pencil holder created by the College of Engineering’s 3-D printer. Several puzzles, tools and other 3-D printed items are featured in the foreground.-Photo KSU

(AP) — Kansas State University students are using 3-D printers to make their ideas come to life.

Two architecture professors are using the printers to help students explore the limits of gravity and to challenge themselves as designers. Engineering students create parts, tools and prototypes for research and student projects. They even use the printers to design robots.

Eric Wagner is a research technician for the department of mechanical and nuclear engineering and manages a large printer. He says the printer helps researchers check their design and make sure it is going to work before they invest the time and money to make the final product.

He says the larger printer runs nearly 24 hours a day. When classes aren’t in session, it generates revenue by creating pieces for companies and industry.