UG Commission approves casino charitable grant plan

Nutrition and active living health programs will be the target of this year’s casino charitable grants. The $500,000 will be divided into smaller grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for nonprofits for use in in the community. The grants will be for one year. There was no discussion of the plan at tonight's meeting.

The UG expects the $500,000 to come into the local government in February from the casino. A grant application process has been set up to go through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for grant application screening. A local Selection Committee appointed by UG commissioners will pick the award winners. The UG Commission will then have the ability to vote yes or no on the entire package of grants.

The commission went over some details last week, deciding exactly who might qualify for the grants. For example, local governments and local school districts may not submit grants. Commissioners said they wanted the grants to become “seed money” for programs that would improve health. They also want the agencies to leverage the funds, and to show measurable results.

The details of the plan are contained in the agenda for the Jan. 17 UG meeting online at www.wycokck.org.

In the very quick meeting tonight, the UG Commission approved many items without discussion.

Other items approved:

-    Section 42 housing tax credits for the Buchanan’s Crossing project at 706 N. 65th St. The housing includes accessible single-family homes for disabled veterans and the mobility impaired.

-    Authorization for special obligation tax increment revenue bonds of $34.5 million and taxable special obligation sales tax revenue bonds in the amount of $10.5 million for the Plaza at the Speedway project near 106th and Parallel Parkway. Also approved was a third amendment to the redevelopment agreement for the project.

-    Approval of an application for Section 42 housing tax credits for the House to Home Escalade Heights project within the Escalade Heights TIF project. Mesner Development Corp. and CHWC made the application for the $4.8 million project, which will include site work, construction of five market-rate homes for sale and 16 lease-purchase homes. All homes will have two-car garages, three bedrooms and will be energy efficient.

-    Approval of a resolution to enter into an agreement with Argentine Betterment Corp. for the use of $13,650 of District 3 sales tax funds for the Metropolitan Avenue Redevelopment project.

-    A travel request from Commissioner Tarence Maddox was unanimously approved to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference – National Black Caucus – Local Elected Officials in Washington, D.C.

-    An agreement with the city of Westwood, Kan., to allow Westwood to provide building inspection services for Woodside Village, primarily in the Westwood city limits. The project will include some improvements in Kansas City, Kan.