Updates and outcomes from MARC's May Board meetings

Jun 23, 2023
| Posted in
Local Government
Sun shines on a pond and walkway in Overland Park's arboretum.

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on May 23. 

We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations.

  • Mobile crisis response: Last year, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) awarded a grant to MARC to enhance mobile crisis response across Jackson, Clay, Platte and Ray counties. Seven months into the four-year project, the effort has found early successes with data collection and improved response times. SAMSA representative Kim Priest presented the project update to the Board and emphasized MARC’s high performance as a grantee.
     
  • Financial report: With MARC’s 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report nearing completion, RubinBrown partner Kaleb Lilly presented an update to the Board. The accounting firm expects to issue a clean opinion on MARC's financial statements.
     
  • Metropolitan planning area expansion: Ray County submitted a request to join MARC’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area. Ray County’s inclusion would bring the final MARC county into the MPO area. MARC transportation staff will research the request and determine the impact of adding Ray County, though no issues are anticipated.

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  • Unfunded transportation needs: The region’s unfunded transportation needs list is undergoing an update with a target completion date of June 30. The list will categorize projects across three tiers: tier one to be completed within five years, tier two in five to 10 years and tier three projects falling outside the scope of 10 years. These needs include pavement reconstruction, corridor and interchange improvements, and transit operations and projects.
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  • Community forest grant: The USDA is accepting applications for a grant program that would aid tree planting efforts, which intersects and supports many of MARC’s regional focus areas. Staff reported that MARC will provide assistance to local jurisdictions applying for the grant funding and will not pursue an independent application. 

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on May 23, attendees took the following actions:

  • Quality places: Committee members voted to approve consultant agreements for four Planning Sustainable Places projects in Kansas City, Missouri; North Kansas City, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; and Bonner Springs, Kansas. Each project will support improved transportation and land use by addressing community-specific needs.
     
  • KC Fresh Rx: To help provide fresh produce to qualifying residents, the committee OK’d a contract with Balls Food Stores to assist in the implementation of the KC Fresh Rx produce prescription program. The contract will provide $102,186 for the continued implementation of this program through 2025.
     
  • Dispatch feasibility study: Committee members authorized a $200,000 contract with Jackson County for MARC to facilitate a Jackson County regional dispatch feasibility study. The study will evaluate current processes and create recommendations to help address 911 dispatcher workforce challenges.
     
  • Grant writing: An amended contract with Assel Grant Writing Services was approved by the committee, helping to connect the region to grant opportunities. The amendment turned the $40,000 originally agreed upon into a $135,000 contract to allow the continuance of Assel’s support on other 2023 grant applications. To date, their assistance has resulted in $9.7 million in grant funding in the region.
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