Today, more than 80% of global shipping involves containers. They're packed with everything from personal storage items in dry containers to heavy machinery on flat rack containers. For business owners shipping products, getting a container from point A to point B requires precise planning and high-level tracking. But that's easier said than done when global supply chains become over-congested, leading to loading time issues and delays.
That's bad news for business owners who are already under a massive amount of stress. The truth is that container storage delays can cripple a business, but there's a viable solution: drayage brokers in Kansas City, MO like RelyEx. Drayage companies provide unique solutions to minimize demurrage and help ensure the successful delivery of your freight.
With more than 30 combined years of experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx has quickly become the first choice for streamlined, efficient drayage services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's offerings in the global logistics industry, it helps to understand first what drayage is and why it's used.
If you're a seasoned business owner who uses port drayage to transport your products, you know exactly how important the service can be. But if you were to poll a group of random people, you may get five different definitions of the term "drayage." That begs the question, how is one of the most crucial steps in the supply chain and most vital components of global trade such a confusing concept? When you break it down, it's not too difficult to grasp.
Drayage, by definition, means the transportation of freight from an ocean port to another destination. Today, drayage is also used to describe the process of transporting products and goods over short distances or over "the first mile."
While drayage often means short-distance movements during the supply chain process, it's primarily used in the container shipping space. Drayage loads usually have arrival and departure points in the same city and don't include long-haul, national transportation.
Because a drayage load can mean a few different things, confusion among carriers is common. Many carriers link drayage with going into a port, but that isn't always true. While all drayage loads typically originate from a port of entry, there are often several legs of a drayage journey before a container turns up at its final stop. Legs of a drayage load may include:
You may be thinking, what's so important about drayage? It's such a small step in the container storage transport process. In reality, it's an integral piece needed in the logistics industry and a crucial part of U.S. supply chain management.
To truly understand the importance of drayage, let's use flowers as an example. Most cut flower shipments enter the market from areas in South America until they end up at Dutch auction houses. Once there, wholesalers purchase flowers in bulk and send those products to retail outlets worldwide. Because flowers are perishable, they typically need to be refrigerated and are often shipped in reefer containers. These refrigerated vessels must maintain a certain temp to prevent loss.
Drayage companies like RelyEx allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services. Drayage companies allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind, because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services.
If port drayage is compromised, it can cause delays and even fines. You know the packages you get delivered to your front door from apps like Amazon? Without drayage and drayage brokers, one or two-day shipping times wouldn't even be possible.
As a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, it seems like drayage shipping issues shouldn't exist. But the fact is inefficiencies and congestion are still major problems at ports. Whether it's a lack of carriers, absent chassis, or overburdened terminals, delays lead to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and worse.
But anytime challenges exist, so too do innovative solutions.
QUOTE REQUESTRelyEx was created because our founders saw a need in the logistics space for more reliability and efficiency. The reality of the shipping and logistics industry is that it has become very transactional. It's an odd evolution, because most businesses seek a third-party logistics partner that is accessible, transparent, and committed to providing solutions.
As the logistics space continues to grow, it creates newfound expenses and complexities. Clients like ours know that and need a supply chain partner who is genuinely interested in their business. By understanding the needs of our customers and carriers, we can provide the most reliable, effective drayage services possible.
Unlike some drayage companies in Kansas City, MO, we begin managing your containers before they ever hit the ports by mapping out the most efficient pathways of delivery. That way, our team can discover the best drayage pathways to expedite delivery time and reduce fees that cut into profits.
Our valued drayage customers choose RelyEx because:
At RelyEx, we like to consider ourselves problem solvers. The nature of the container drayage industry presents new challenges every day, but we're firm believers that there's a solution to every hurdle we encounter. And while some drayage businesses implement a reactive approach, RelyEx customers choose us for our proactive mindset. We take pride in solving your company's drayage challenges to help you avoid frustrating fees, missed expectations, and delayed shipments. We strive to make every transaction successful and streamlined by partnering with shippers who prioritize transparent, prompt, and accurate communication.
RelyEx approaches your business from the customer's perspective - a unique approach that helps us provide high-quality, effective drayage services. We've been in the customers' shoes, know their pain points, and because of that, provide first-hand solutions to stressful supply chain issues. With over 30 years of collective knowledge, our team excels in:
Our varied, high-level drayage shipping experience helps us achieve our overarching goal: expertly managing your freight movement needs. That way, you can direct your time and focus on growing the core aspects of your business while we handle the heavy lifting. Throw in proactive planning to avoid bottleneck situations and strong communication for transparent customer relations, and you can see why so many companies trust RelyEx.
When it comes to shipping logistics, it only takes one mistake by a mediocre worker to disrupt your business. That's why, at RelyEx, we pride ourselves on forming and nurturing relationships with carriers who match our standards of care. Our founding partner started his career transporting freight for companies as an on-demand carrier. He uses that knowledge to maximize the resources of our carriers so that our customer's expectations aren't just met - they're exceeded.
Based in the port city of Kansas City, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Customers choose RelyEx because:
Some drayage brokers don't care how customers feel about their service as long as they sign a contract and get paid. As a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx takes the opposite approach. We're motivated by the opportunity to overachieve for our customers and to provide them with the best logistics experience possible. With professional experience as carriers and shippers ourselves, we know the roadblocks and challenges you're facing. We excel at mapping out the best plans of action to solve those problems. But that's just the start.
Our tracking experts monitor and manage every aspect of your drayage shipment from booking to delivery, 24/7. Once booked, we look for the availability of your containers hourly once they're at port. When they arrive, our team acts quickly to access your storage containers when they're available.
Plus, RelyEx ensures your company's requirements are met by the carrier during loading and delivery and provide necessary documentation as fast as possible. With real-time tracking updates and access to our customer service professionals, your team has complete visibility throughout the shipping process.
Over the years, RelyEx has built a strong network of drayage carriers, transloading locations, and container storage spaces to provide you with the best possible options to match your drayage service needs. We know that searching for quality service presents an added layer of complexity and stress to our customers. That's why we work hard to take that off your plate by connecting you with our reliable shipping partners.
With a background moving freight as an on-demand carrier, our founding partner understands how to maximize the resources and equipment of our carriers to match your needs.
Like other industries, the global logistics space is complex. Mistakes will be made, and problems will happen. With those truths in mind, RelyEx has built its reputation as problem solvers. Unlike other drayage companies, we don't shy away from this industry's complexities because we take pride in solving problems. Even better, we aim to do what's needed to avoid those problems altogether.
As your logistics partner, we will provide your company with accurate, transparent, and prompt communication. If there are unexpected issues, we'll notify you immediately and will provide several options to remedy the problem. We even offer custom reporting for large clients who need at-the-moment updates and quick access to shipment documentation.
Why let the unpredictability of your industry dictate your success? With a background working in manufacturing, our founders are familiar with the demands of managing production schedules and sales orders. That experience makes it abundantly clear to us that every business and industry is different. If you struggle with seasonal surges or other factors, our team supports your business with a mapped-out plan and schedule, so you stay ahead of the game.
QUOTE REQUESTBased in the port city of Kansas City, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Demurrage is a charge issued by a port, carrier, or railroad company for storing containers that do not load and unload their cargo promptly. Once the daily limit of free time is exceeded, shippers are charged daily demurrage fees until their cargo is shipped. Though different ports have different policies, charges can range from $75 to $150 per container, per day, for a set number of days. Additional demurrage fees are incurred if a shipper exceeds the port's parameters.
Even when shippers maintain a tight schedule for unloading freight, external factors can play an uncontrollable part. Typically, shipping mistakes caused by human error trigger the most demurrage charges. Some of the most common causes of demurrage include:
Typically, shippers need four specific documents to clear shipments through customs: A Bill of Lading (or BOL), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and an arrival notice. Seasoned drayage brokers like RelyEx are used to preparing these documents, but new shippers tend to miss this step due to inexperience.
If a shipper only pays for part of their shipment, a vessel operator may refuse to release their freight until their bill is fully paid. Payment delays lead to cargo detention at the port of entry, which triggers demurrage charges.
QUOTE REQUESTPaperwork is needed when you're shipping goods with a drayage company. When documents like the Certificate of Origin or Bill of Lading arrive at their destination late, you can expect demurrage fees. RelyEx avoids this situation entirely by being proactive when submitting paperwork.
Additional causes for demurrage fees can include:
At RelyEx, we know first-hand how stressful supply chain problems can be for business owners. Though drayage shipping might seem minor on the surface, it affects every stage of your shipping process. And when inevitable hurdles manifest, RelyEx propels you over the proverbial roadblocks with a proactive mindset and a passion for challenging projects. We believe that all problems have a solution, and our unique vantage point allows us to provide first-hand solutions to customers in a wide array of industries.
When it comes to your business, don't settle for anything less than RelyEx. Contact our office today to learn more about how we make your shipping experience streamlined and stress-free.
Vending machines have become one of the latest tools in the fight against the opioid crisis.Free naloxone vending machines will be placed in several counties across Kansas by the end of the year.The machines will be in Douglas, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in northeast Kansas. They’ll also be placed in Crawford County in the southeast part of the state, and Reno and Sedgwick counties in south-central Kansas.“Our goal is really to eliminate as many barriers as possible to getting naloxone in the hands of p...
Free naloxone vending machines will be placed in several counties across Kansas by the end of the year.
The machines will be in Douglas, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in northeast Kansas. They’ll also be placed in Crawford County in the southeast part of the state, and Reno and Sedgwick counties in south-central Kansas.
“Our goal is really to eliminate as many barriers as possible to getting naloxone in the hands of people,” said Chrissy Mayer with DCCCA, a nonprofit that helps distribute naloxone. “So this is just … one more way to equip people with a lifesaving drug essentially.”
Vending machines have become one of the latest tools in the fight against the opioid crisis.
Residents can access the naloxone by simply putting in their ZIP codes. Fentanyl test strips will also be available for free in the machines.
“What we're hearing is if people go to purchase [naloxone] over the counter, they're paying anywhere from $40 to $50 for a kit, which makes it very difficult to purchase if you're choosing between gas for the week or Naloxone,” Mayer said.
“It's a tough choice.”
The machines are part of DCCCA’s statewide naloxone access program. The agency also mails naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips to any Kansas resident for free.
Mayer said some of the counties were chosen because they were the biggest utilizers of the naloxone program.
From there, the agency said it would rely on data and its local partners on where the vending machine should be placed outdoors. The locations have yet to be announced, but Mayer said the machines will be outside for 24-hour access.
“We really are trying to focus on areas of high need and where our local partners think it will be most utilized best,” Mayer said.
Funding for the vending machines comes from several different means, including a donation from the Healthy Blue initiative and state and local opioid settlement funds.
A vending machine in Wyandotte County, which has seen a steep increase in overdose deaths since 2018 like several other parts of the state, was recently awarded funding through the state opioid settlement grants.
“This is something that can immediately save a life,” said Pat George, the chair of the board allocating money from the state’s opioid settlement funds.
Discussion for the vending machine has been ongoing with Douglas County’s local government and will be funded with its share of opioid settlement grants, The Lawrence Times reports.
Healthy Blue, an initiative from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, will fund the rest of the machines through DCCCA and help continue supplying the machines with naloxone.
“With the funding from Healthy Blue, it really was just to determine, are the machines being utilized? Are people receptive to them? Does that help reduce things like stigma? Does it normalize Naloxone usage?” Mayer said. “We're really just waiting to see, kind of, how it's received in Kansas.”
Once the machines are placed, residents can find their locations at dccca.org/naloxone-program.
Providence New American Kitchen closed in March 2020 as Covid-19 lockdowns swept the country. But instead of reopening as restrictions lifted, the restaurant inside the historic Hilton President Kansas City remained dark.But at the end of September — more than three years after being closed — the Providence made its comeback. It’s akin to opening a new restaurant, Food and Beverage Director Matt McCormack said.“We were just trying to figure out what we wanted and what our next step was going to be,&rdquo...
Providence New American Kitchen closed in March 2020 as Covid-19 lockdowns swept the country. But instead of reopening as restrictions lifted, the restaurant inside the historic Hilton President Kansas City remained dark.
But at the end of September — more than three years after being closed — the Providence made its comeback. It’s akin to opening a new restaurant, Food and Beverage Director Matt McCormack said.
“We were just trying to figure out what we wanted and what our next step was going to be,” he said.
The biggest challenge in reopening was finding staff.
“Since the pandemic, I think a lot of people who were in the industry got out of it, and the ones that are still in it are often fatigued. The work ethic has definitely changed,” McCormack said.
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant started looking for employees early this year but had a “couple of false starts.” Now, it has a solid staff.
“We’re starting over, so it’s been a bit of a challenge, but we’re lucky enough to have the right people,” he said. “In the last year, we’ve noticed things are coming back to normal. People are wanting to have a dine-in experience.”
It was a sign it was time to reopen. There have been advantages in waiting, including paying attention to the local restaurant scene to see what’s resonating and what isn’t.
The new menu features staples like steaks and seafood, but it’s also leaning more into the backgrounds of its executive chef, who’s from Mexico, and its kitchen supervisor, who’s from El Salvador. The menu is eclectic and features more Latin American influences as well as fall-inspired dishes, such as butternut squash gnocchi. Providence also is revamping its cocktail menu and has put its spin on the trending espresso martini.
“We’re going with whatever is trending now,” McCormack said, “and what we think people are looking for.”
He said the restaurant now needs to get out word of its return and offerings.
“It can be challenging, especially for a restaurant inside a hotel," he said. "I think sometimes those kind of get lost in the shuffle. People just don’t think to go to a hotel to eat, so you have to highlight it and do more marketing to get the word out, which is what we’re working on right now.”
OPINION AND COMMENTARYEditorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters.Only have a minute? Listen insteadIn a perfect world, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority wouldn’t need a dedicated sales tax to provide public transportation in the metropolitan area. But operating a mass transit s...
OPINION AND COMMENTARY
Editorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters.
Only have a minute? Listen instead
In a perfect world, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority wouldn’t need a dedicated sales tax to provide public transportation in the metropolitan area. But operating a mass transit system comes with a cost to taxpayers.
Kansas City voters in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties could decide the future of public transportation in the region. On Tuesday’s ballot is Question 1. If approved, the measure would renew for 10 years a 3/8-cent sales tax that pays for bus service in Kansas City.
We encourage voters to say yes to Question 1.
If the measure passes, the sales tax could generate more than $421 million over the next decade for KCATA to maintain and operate RideKC and other public transportation services, according to transit officials. The money would not be used for other projects such as the KC Streetcar extension, officials said.
About 30% of KCATA’s annual operating budget — about $117 million this year — comes from the sales tax. The agency is also funded by a separate half-cent retail sales tax collected in Kansas City. That money is allocated during yearly contract negotiations between the KCATA and Kansas City.
Federal dollars also supplement the transit agency’s budget.
Critics rightfully contend the tax is regressive and disproportionately affects low-income residents, like all sales taxes. But if voters say no to renewing it, the KCATA’s annual budget could be cut deeply. Jobs would be lost and some routes would be reduced or eliminated altogether, according to KCATA officials. Thousands of Kansas Citians who depend on RideKC would be affected as well.
Public transportation is essential for some of Kansas City’s most vulnerable residents: hardworking, middle- and low-income families. More than 1 million trips are made on RideKC every month, according to the agency. Even in a car-centric city like ours, not everyone owns a vehicle. Countless low-wage earners without access to reliable transportation depend on bus service to get them to and from work and other important appointments.
A robust public transportation system is also beneficial to the environment. According to KCATA officials, even people with vehicles regularly ride the bus in Kansas City, leaving fewer automobiles on the road to pollute the air.
First enacted in 2004, voters renewed the tax for 15 years in 2008. It sunsets in March. Since 2010, it has generated $371 million, according to KCATA officials.
Eliminating this important funding mechanism would have a direct impact on KCATA’s planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City. To host a successful event, a viable public transportation system in our city is vital, KCATA president and CEO Frank White III said.
“If 30% of your budget disappears, it impacts your ability to even provide basic level service,” White said. “When the World Cup comes, we still have to maintain our level of service for the people that use it every day. It is imperative that we maintain this funding.”
Jerry Nolte is presiding commissioner of the Clay County Commission. Scott Fricker is his counterpart in Platte County. In October, Nolte and Fricker released a statement that could sway some in those counties to vote no on Question 1. And that would be unfortunate.
Yes, bus service north of the Missouri River and other areas must improve. But a no vote would most likely make it even more difficult for Northlanders who use RideKC to get around.
Nolte and Fricker have an issue with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Nolte told a member of our board in a recent interview. Lucas ignored the commissioners’ pool of candidates for open seats on the KCATA’s 10-member governing board. By law, Lucas must choose at least one person from a three-person list approved by the respective commissions in Clay and Platte counties, Nolte said.
Lucas didn’t follow the law as prescribed — valid claims that must be investigated further — but hasn’t said why, according to Nolte. As a result, Nolte and Fricker asked Northland voters to consider a no vote.
“They are being asked to vote for a tax but they are not getting the representation as outlined in the law,” Nolte said. “To say it’s taxation without representation might be overstating it, but not much. That’s not too far off base.”
In the statement, Nolte and Frocker wrote: “Clay and Platte voters should ask, ‘Without proper representation, will Northland taxpayers get their fair share of tax revenue and KCATA services?’ On November 7, Clay and Platte Kansas Citians should consider whether or not to support this taxation without the legitimate representation as guaranteed to us by law.”
Aside from objections from these commissioners in their individual capacity, we’ve seen little organized opposition to renewing the 3/8-cent sales tax.
Considering the overall benefit, Kansas City voters should say yes to Question 1.
Editor’s note: Our next local elections are next week, Tuesday, Nov. 7, and average voter turnout across the Kansas City area has been low. This week in Opinion, we’ll have editorials and columns on several elections across the metropolitan area. We can’t cover each one, but we’ll highlight a few that are hotly contested.
The Kansas City Star has published a Voter Guide for several areas in our metro to help voters keep informed. Before you cast your vote, use the guide at kansascity.com/election to research what’s on the ballot. Stay tuned this week for more on the elections on these Opinion pages.
Your Johnson County voter guide for city council & mayor candidates
Who’s running for school boards in Wyandotte County?
Who’s running for school boards in Johnson County?
This story was originally published November 1, 2023, 5:02 AM.
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KANSAS CITY, Mo — The German duo behind Affäre, located in Kansas City’s Crossroads District, say metro residents have stopped by the restaurant in the days leading up to this week’s Chiefs game in Frankfurt, Germany.
VOICE FOR EVERYONE | Share your voice with KSHB 41’s Abby Dodge
Katrin and Martin Heuser were born in Germany and met at a local bar.
They have worked alongside each other in restaurants ever since.
In their 30-year-marriage, they've lived and worked in three countries and a handful of cities.
They've called Kansas City, Missouri, home for the last 16 years.
“In Kanas City, we have beautiful friends, so it feels like home. It feels like home now,” Katrin said. “And Kansas City has a way of sucking you in. It really does.”
It wasn’t the sports teams that pulled the Heusers in, but they’ve found a way to embrace the now world famous Kansas City Chiefs.
“It was a new sport to learn, but a lot of our friends were into it so it’s contagious a little bit,” she said.
Martin and Katrin are experts in their respective fields.
Martin is a Master Chef who worked in Michelin Starred restaurants, while Katrin is a sommelier.
Aside from traditional dishes passed down through his family, Chef Martin has other modern German interpretations on the menu.
“They’re getting the traditional dishes, but also getting Chef Martin Heuser dishes, which I gained over the years being in Canada, Sweden and Germany. Different restaurant and hotels,” Heuser said.
Martin uses their rotating menu to experiment with an ode to his home country.
“That’s what I like on German culture. They really celebrate seasons of something,” he said. “Don’t have it all year available, you know, which makes it so special.”
If you are looking for a taste of tradition, the Heusers keep the classics all year round.
“When you eat [the brats] here and you have had one in Germany, you really taste it. It’s absolute the same,” Chef Martin said. “I am proud of that and have a lot of fun doing that.”
The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Editor’s note: Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email tips@kcstar.comFacing fierce pushback from defenders of Kansas City’s parks system, Mayor Quinton Lucas shelved ...
Editor’s note: Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email tips@kcstar.com
Facing fierce pushback from defenders of Kansas City’s parks system, Mayor Quinton Lucas shelved a plan last spring that would have stripped the parks board of the special status it has enjoyed for more than a century.
Almost every other city board or commission is toothless when compared to the parks board, which uniquely has the power to hire and fire the parks director and decide where most parks funds are spent.
That has lead to friction over the years with mayors, city managers and others in city hall who would rather make those decisions.
But Lucas did not give up. While he failed in that first attempt to reduce the board’s power, he’s now taken another approach to possibly rein in the board’s independence by appointing an almost entirely new roster of board members.
He did that in October by replacing two commissioners and filling two seats that he had left open for months on the five-member board. Those vacancies had made it difficult for the board to conduct business. If someone was absent, meetings would have to be canceled because there wouldn’t be a quorum.
The new members took office this week. The only holdover from the previous board was the one who had the least experience, having only served since February.
Most notably, Lucas removed the board’s president, financial executive Jack Holland, who had hoped to keep the unpaid, volunteer job that Lucas appointed him four years ago.
Holland’s sin: he’d spoken out against the mayor’s proposed charter change that would have lessened the board’s power.
Some former parks board members saw the manner in which Holland was dismissed an insult. He learned second hand that he’d been let go because he claims to have never gotten the dismissal letter that the mayor’s office says it sent him.
“The way Jack was treated, and not even having a passing of the gavel ceremony in the parks department, that is another de-emphasis of the importance of the board,” said former parks board member David Mecklenberg, who got a similar, terse letter from the mayor’s office 18 months ago.
He thinks he, too, was removed for pushing back on issues, particularly the city administration’s growing habit of spending parks levy revenues on central administrative functions while questioning the parks department’s spending priorities.
“Over a good deal of my tenure on the board, having the funds to be able to do what was being expected was difficult to do,” said Scott Wagner, a former city councilman who served on the parks board from late 2019 until early this year when he took office as a Clay County commissioner.
Holland declined to comment on his removal other than to say “I just wish the best for the new board of parks and rec commissioners.”
Was his ouster political payback? Or was it merely time for some fresh faces on the board at the beginning of the mayor’s second term, as Lucas maintained through his press secretary?
Either way, it wouldn’t be the first time that Lucas was accused of using board appointments to exert more influence on an arm of government that receives city funds but is not under the director control of Lucas and City Manager Brian Platt.
In October, Lucas faced criticism in a joint statement issued by the presiding commissioners of Clay and Platte counties for his reliance on a loophole in state law that they say disenfranchised their constituents. Lucas ignored their lists of nominees in choosing members to fill seats on the commission that runs the bi-state Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
“Without proper representation, will Northland taxpayers get their fair share of tax revenue and KCATA services?” asked Jerry Nolte, the presiding commissioner in Clay County, and Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker.
Half of the KCATA’s 10 board members represent Kansas and half Missouri with the mayor of Kansas City picking three of those appointees. One he picks directly and the two others are supposed to come from lists of nominees forwarded to him by the county commissions in Clay and Platte counties.
But the statute does not specifically compel him to choose from the names on the lists, and Lucas ignored the nomination lists and picked people who weren’t on them. Clay County’s new representative on the KCATA board is Kansas City deputy aviation director Jade Liska, which Nolte and Fricker said “raises concerns about the independence of the KCATA Board and the undue influence of the Kansas City Mayor.”
That makes it two city employees on the KCATA board, as two years ago Lucas appointed Michael Shaw, public works director and husband of Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw as Kansas City’s representative.
Nolte and Fricker went on to say their constituents might want to take into account the way Lucas ignored their nominees for the KCATA when deciding how to vote next week on the proposed extension of the 3/8th-cent sales tax supporting KCATA bus service.
“Before Northlanders vote to extend this tax, Kansas City should comply with the law and appoint members to the KCATA Board of Commissioners as required by Missouri Statute. On November 7, Clay and Platte Kansas Citians should consider whether or not to support this taxation without the legitimate representation as guaranteed to us by law.”
Fricker said he did not hear from the mayor after issuing that statement on Oct. 17. On Thursday morning of week, his press secretary, Jazzlyn Johnson, responded to the concerns raised by Fricker and Nolte in an email that addressed questions posed by The Star this week.
“As the statute requires, the mayor appointed members of the KCATA Board of Commissioners from Platte, Clay, and Jackson Counties,” Johnson said. “The plain language of the statute does not dictate the nominees need come from the county commissioners’ list. The Platte County Commission has previously recommended a City employee—Kansas City Water Services Director Wes Minder—to serve on the board, so he also finds surprising the new-found concern with commissioners who also serve in other government positions, including with the City of Kansas City.”
According to the emailed statement, Lucas further said the dispute should not be a reason for voters to cast ballots against the bus tax extension.
Ahead of the statement from the mayor’s office, Fricker said that he will ask the Missouri General Assembly to pass legislation that would remove any ambiguity in what he believes was the law’s original intent that the mayor pick from the nominees that the counties have chosen.
As for her boss’ handling of the parks board appointments and why he had kept two seats empty since April, Johnson had this to say:
“Given both an upcoming election and a new Council term starting in August 2023, the mayor elected to wait until the new Council term to name new members to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and other City boards and commissions, which are currently all being evaluated after the expiration of a commissioner’s four year term.”
She said the mayor advised all members serving on Kansas City boards and commissions in early July 2023 that he may be replacing them.
“With Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, and several other boards, he followed up directly informing commissioners several months later that he would appoint new members,” she said in that email.
Beth Haden, a partner at the law firm Lathrop GPM, was sworn in Tuesday afternoon as the new president. Joining her and recent appointee Stephenie Smith on the board are construction company executive Pat Contreras, investor Tom Gorenc and DePrice Taylor, executive director of community relations for the Kansas City Current soccer team.
Holland, Mecklenberg and Wagner say they will be happy to help the new members learn the board’s history and provide background on current issues in order to provide the continuity that was lost.
“At the end of the day, the City Council of Kansas City tells the Parks Department what budget it has. They have the power of the purse,” Wagner said.
But what he would tell new members is that it’s the duty of the parks board to advocate on behalf of the parks system, even if that means taking positions that make city hall unhappy at times. It’s a tradition, he said, that goes back to the formation of the board and the Kessler plan that was the basis for the city’s system of parks and boulevard.
“That board has always depended on its advocates,” he said. “Almost 130 years later now, someone may say these advocates for our parks department are too loud, well then I guess they’re performing a function that has been necessary for 130 years.”
This story was updated to include a comment from the mayor’s office that was sent after publication.
This story was originally published November 2, 2023, 6:00 AM.
November 01, 2023 1:20 PM