Tag: Unified Government

Politics

UG suspends discrimination provisions to ensure federal funding

In a sometimes-contentious meeting that stretched past midnight, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to suspend enforcement of local anti-discrimination provisions to comply with the current federal administration’s interpretation of anti-discrimination law, in order to to protect nearly $81 million in federal grants. The 6-2 vote came after […]

Politics

Watson to lead new-look commission

Christal Watson will be the new mayor/CEO of the Unified Government after Wyandotte County voters went to the polls Tuesday. Three other newcomers will join Watson on the UG commission dais: Jermaine Howard (District 1), Carlos Pacheco III (District 5), and Andrew Kump (At-Large 2). Howard will replace Gayle Townsend, […]

Politics

Wyandot tribe land bank transfer highlights committee meetings

In a potentially historic move, the Unified Government’s Neighborhood and Community Development Committee unanimously approved transferring three parcels of land to the Wyandot Nation of Kansas at its meeting Monday evening, a decision commissioners described as an opportunity to “help make history.” The land transfer, which passed 4-0, will provide […]

Politics

UG Commission approves Buc-ee’s incentives, reviews beautification effort

The Unified Government commissioners held their regular October meeting on Thursday evening, hearing about community cleanup efforts by UG staff, addressing zoning applications and approving incentives for the highly anticipated Buc-ee’s development next to Kansas Speedway. Community cleanup moves mountains of trash The commission recognized a recent initiative, launched Sep. […]

Politics

UG committee rejects discrimination code changes, tables residency debate

In a lengthy meeting that stretched over four hours Monday night, the Unified Government’s Administration and Human Services standing committee denied a proposal to repeal code sections that enforce local anti-discrimination protections and put off a decision on employee residency requirements to next month’s meeting. Discrimination code proposal defeated The […]

Politics

UG Commission rejects homeless camping ban after opposition testimony

The Wyandotte County Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted 7-1 early Thursday morning to reject a proposed ordinance that would have banned “unlawful camping” on public property, following more than four hours of impassioned testimony from residents, service providers, and business owners. The ordinance, which emerged with unanimous approval from […]

Politics

Jenkins, Roberson appointed new UG ethics commissioners

The Unified Government has two new ethics commissioners after the Ad Hoc Ethics Commission Appointment Panel selected Martha Jenkins and Adrion C. Roberson to join the Unified Government Ethics Commission. Jenkins and Roberson were sworn in on Aug. 14. The Ethics Commission is charged with reviewing violations of the UG’s […]