TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! SHOCK!!! 170 MORE KANSAS CITY STOPLIGHTS SCHEDULED TO GO DOWN!!! MEANWHILE, COUNCIL BEATS UP ON PUBLIC WORKS & CITY STAFF OVER "SENSITIVITY AND COMMUNICATION" OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PROCESS SO FAR!!!
Today that Council discussed Kansas City stoplight removal that has evoked rage from neighborhoods in the urban core.
The discussion mostly entailed Public Works Director Sherri McIntyre taking a beating from politicos who have been inspired into action by outraged neighbors.
The discussion was also related to a resolution from Councilman Jermaine Reed that would not only slow the process down but offer more feedback from neighbors.
However . . . It's important to know: While Council wants to ram through the resolution this afternoon . . . It's still not even written yet.
Here are a few highlights from the Biz Session discussion . . .
Councilman Ed Ford asked about the 9 criteria used to make these stoplight removal decisions.
Director McIntyre read off the list that is soon to be posed to the City's website so that we can all pretend to be transit experts!!!
Councilman John Sharp said: "170 lights are in question. If we think we're getting concern from the neighborhoods now. Just wait until people respond to those numbers."
City Manager Troy Schulte noted that the process for removing those lights would be over 3-5 years but would mostly take place in the 3rd, 5th and 6th Districts.
And then . . .
BY FAR THE REACTION CONCERNING "INSENSITIVITY" SEEMED TO SUM UP THE MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL TO CITY STAFF!!!
After chiding Public Works Director McIntyre for her insensitivity. 5th District Councilman Brooks said . . .
"I have a crossing guard who says he can't get kids across the street. I don't care what a study says. I'm going to listen to the crossing guard. "
Pastor Brooks also noted objections to Public Works mandates on local Churches dealing with their own traffic problems during discussion about Church Traffic consequences in stoplight removal that might have been overlooked.
"Do we mandate what the churches are doing or listen to what they have to say?"
Northland Councilman Dick Davis spoke to Public Works rigidity in following Federal Guidelines when it comes to stoplight removal.
Councilman Davis said: "I have some concerns about this manual and it might not require us to do anything . . . I prefer to look at that manual as a guideline."
"Who elected the manual? Why don't we go home?"
Northland Councilman Councilman Russ Johnson stated that he has already objected to removal of downtown stoplight.
Johnson said: "Before we remove the signal we need to identify appropriate modifications."
Johnson also said: "The resolution Mr. Reed has sponsored says we need to think this through." To Public works, Johnson offered this insight: "You've started that but I think you're not done yet."
Even more interestingly, Councilman Johnson cited a bit of previous City Council failed decisions.
"Decisions made on data might not always work out," Johnson said. "Like bringing MAST into the city . . . We all know the data was correct but didn't accurately reflect the situation. At the end of this we'll have a model and manage the change."
Later in the discussion Councilman Ed Ford objected to the tactics for stoplight removal.
"The note on this said it was inevitable . . . And it advised us to "sell" this decision. This is a PR campaign, we don't want a PR campaign, we want a listening campaign. In many cases we'll want to remove those stoplights, in some cases we won't. We need to listen to those people in these neighborhoods. I know staff is well intentioned . . . But we've got people in neighborhoods who are familiar with the special conditions that might not meet with the manual."
As always, Councilman Wagner had something to say . . .
Wagner . . . "We have got to get out in front and communicate. It has to be two ways."
"I hate hiding behind 'the manual' when common sense dictates something else."
Still . . . In the end, The Public Works director was smart to stay quiet and meekly offer a bit of financial consideration . . .
McIntyre noted that it costs about $3k to maintain a traffic signal. And as the Council really got going with their posturing . . . The Public Works Director spoke to budget issues:
McIntyre: "If we leave these (stoplight) intersections there, we need to have a long term plan on how to finance their upgrade."
The resolution is being rushed through as we speak . . . No budget accommodations about maintaining stoplights will be put forward.
Luckily, we'll all be riding the $100 MILLION 2mi. Toy Train so stoplights won't matter in Kansas City's future.
DEVELOPING . . .
Can't stop in KC.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's only 170/3/4 street lights OR about 14 intersections. Maybe one of the muck-a-de-mucks will be driving through and someone will T-Bone their ignorant asses!
ReplyDeleteWHITE TRASH CRIME - DONE IN THE DARK!
ReplyDeleteNaylor admitted he used Craigslist to connect with dog owners who would consider offering their pet canines to perform sexual acts with him.
Arpaio said this appears to be a growing crime.
In August, Shane and Sarah Dae Walker, of San Tan Valley, were sentenced to probation and ordered to stay away from animals after trying to use Craigslist to find a dog for the woman to have sex with.
In July 2011, a former Phoenix middle school music teacher and a Mesa handyman were sentenced to two years of probation in a similar case.
I'm really agnostic about this whole deal, living in JOCO, but the one we drive through regularly, Gregory and Main, is much better as a four way stop. Much, much better. BTW, it's on the way between our house and the Zoo. Can't comment on any of the others.
ReplyDeleteAt least they're doing something.
ReplyDeleteIn the private sector, incompetence or insensitivity will get you FIRED. Apparently not in the public sector?
ReplyDeleteSOLUTION: Don't even visit KC. Find a church somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess half the PD will now have to retrain on stop sign cams?
ReplyDeleteMcintyre is not interested in listening. All window dressing.
ReplyDeleteIt was always about the money. What happened to Sly being so transparent that didnt last long.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Sly, but I'm beginning to think I made a mistake. Kind of like when I voted for Funky the first time.
ReplyDeleteThing is Sly is doing actual serious damage to the city. Funk didn't damage anything but egos.
ReplyDeleteCity Hall has flown over the cuckoos nest.
ReplyDeleteYou think the city is going down the tubes now? Just wait till you get a look at our next budget.
ReplyDeleteAsk about my red light special.
ReplyDeleteHey @4:30, In the PUBLIC sector, incompetence or insensitivity will get you PROMOTED!!!
ReplyDeleteExhibit 1: all those clowns sitting at the table for Public Works.
Exhibit 2: all the assistant City Managers promoted/hired since 2007 when Mayor Sausage Fingers took control
If George Carlin was still alive he would say you think politicians are stupid in your city you should check out the ones in Kansas City.
ReplyDelete"Luckily, we'll all be riding the $100 MILLION 2mi. Toy Train so stoplights won't matter in Kansas City's future."
ReplyDeleteThat kinda says it all.
Recall Sly!
ReplyDelete3K per light. Save half-a-million if we shut down 150 lights. How about suspending until further notce 1% for art? how much does that silly ass program net? or add a surcharge for each time a developer wants to change a TIF plan. That could add up fast.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fucking stupid I cannot even imagine it.
ReplyDelete1. The stop lights are being replaced with four way stops or, if there is only light traffic on one of the streets, stops signs on the less traveled street.
2. Four way stop sign intersections are still taught in drivers' ed.
3. Four way stops are used successfully around the country (and other parts of the world).
Solutions:
1. If you get caught fucking up at a four way, put a $1,000 fine on it. That will teach people how to negotiate an intersection relatively quickly. Most folks aren't going to want to pay the thousand bucks more than a few times.
2. Make Spanish and Somali language videos that explain how four way intersections work. Give them to community leaders that these people follow and have them shown to these folks.
Now, as for the crossing guard that can't seem to figure out their fucking job... When I was in sixth grade I was a crossing guard at my school on a street as busy as Independence Blvd. We were taught to look for a break in traffic in one direction and get the god damned flag out there. The others will stop. In our case, if they didn't stop, we took license plate numbers and they got a visit from the cops. Not many repeat offenders.
The guy who invented stop lights has got to be looking down on all this shit and laughing his ass off at all the drama.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat.
ReplyDeleteWhy are stop lights put at certain intersections in the beginning? I always thought because the intersections were demmed dangerous without lights and that someone died or there were mulitple severe accidents.
ReplyDeleteJust wait for the snow and ice. It ought to be fun with the stop and go this winter.
ReplyDeleteThe only time Wagner is "out in front" is when he's getting fucked in the ass by his sleazy handlers...definitely not out in front to lead anything.
ReplyDelete