point of view

Imagine building a new city from the ground up. A group backed by some of California's richest has purchased some 60,000 acres of farmland in Northern California, as part of an ambitious plan to build a brand-new, walkable city in the nation's most car-centric state, for as many as 400,000 residents. It turns out this is a controversial proposal, Jan Sramek, a former Goldman Sachs trader-turned-city builder talks about the "California Forever" initiative, and why the idea is facing some resistance.

Monday, noon - Hospital Board of Trustees; 6pm - City Council Meeting

Tuesday, 6pm - Clay County Compass Recommendations

Thursday, 11:30 - MML Westgate Meeting

Friday, 2-4pm - Scott O'Dell Retirement

Memorial Day weekend

Hospital Board will hear reports from CEO, CNO, CFO, Home Health & Hospice Report, Policy & Procedure Approvals, & ES Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament.

City Council will proclaim Mental Health Month; hear Parks & Recreation 2023 Annual Report presentation; consider Liquor License for Firefly events; rezoning of 1112 Tracy Ave from C3 to R4; amendment to Chapter 403 Sign Regulations; April Revenue & Financials for Review.

Final Clay County Compass Stakeholders & Technical Committee to review draft plan recommendations. Join to gain on understanding of the plan recommendations & frameworks.

MML West Gate Regional Meeting featured presentation: Blue Springs New Rec Complex & successful Park Sales Tax Renewal.

Retirement reception in honor of Deputy Fire Chief Scott O'Dell following nearly 37 years of faithful & honorable service to the ESFD

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Kurtis Willimetz, PT Firefighter/Paramedic - 15 years; Bret Rider, PT Police Sergeant - 12 years; Jaylenn Hudlemeyer, Fitness Attendant & Megan Sams, Child Watch Attendant - 2 years.

Highlighting community leaders serving on Board of Zoning Adjustment - Tray Harkins, Dr. Nick Houk, Rocky McLaughlin, Dr. Kent Powell & Stephen Stubbs & alternates Cindy Spellman & Brent McElwee. Thank you for your leadership & good judgement in deciding matters of practical difficulties or hardships in applying zoning regulations.

• We received 303 vehicles for the special bulky item drop off last weekend, filled all 6 rolloffs & need 3 more to haul away everthing.
• Garland Bridge funding for replacement has been secured, we are under design & anticipate we will be ready to seek construction bids in the spring 2025. MoDOT just completed annual inspections, and based on conditions, we have closed the bridge until it can be replaced.
• We are working with a couple of homeowners that cannot afford expensive repairs needed for their homes; one is replacement of a sewerline that is polluting the neighbors property & the other is a retaining wall below the home that is undermining. We have looked at all of the assistance programs we work with & have not found a match.
• Kick-off meeting with Army Corps of Engineers coming up to discuss sewer lining project that was funded. Funding was increased to $2.5M, we anticipate we will be able to complete the Wilson Acres, Golf Hill, Lover's Lane & Wildwood neighborhoods plus more.
• Market assessment of the old hospital site is underway.
• Fire Training Facility that is under construction is attracting interest from neighboring fire departments that would like to use the facility to meet their training needs. We are excited to use the facility for a variety of rescue & fire fighting techniques.
• Lifeguard certification & refresher courses were held, & the trainer was phenomenal. Kearney & Lawson school districts just held their incentive day at the Community Center. Lawson brought 80 middle schoolers & Kearney brought 200 6th graders for the day. Center held a last day of school summer bash for Excelsior students with food trucks, yard games and intro to summer programming.
• The county is working toward implementing the Senior Tax Relief Credit Program approved by the state legislators. Software changes will be needed to start accepting applications in January 2025.

Spend the night on the town at The Atlas Saloon. Known for originality & great drinks, The Atlas Saloon is a hometown bar crafting some of the area's best beer. All beer is brewed in-house. Located here since 1894, it is the 3rd oldest tavern in MO. To learn more about ESMO businesses, watch "Eat Play Stay" streaming on KMBC's Very Local.