General Information Archives - Page 30 of 58

Smart Flower Garden

August 13, 2020/in General Information/by KMEA

Solar Flower Power

We thought this video was interesting and wanted to share with all of you!

2020 American Business Awards Honor BPU for Corporate Social Responsibility efforts

August 13, 2020/in General Information/by KMEA

(KANSAS CITY, Ks.) — The Kansas City Kansas Board of Public Utilities (BPU) was recently named a “Bronze Stevie” Award Winner for Best Corporate Communications Program – Corporate Responsibility in the 2020 American Business Awards (ABA). The ABA’s, also known as the Stevie Awards, are the nation’s premier business awards program with a panel of judges recognizing BPU for its continued efforts to better the community and the environment.
A not-for-profit municipally-owned utility, BPU is committed to maintaining, investing in, and protecting the local community, its customers, and the environment. In efforts to be a socially responsible organization, BPU supports and gives back to Wyandotte County thru three core areas – Community Giving, Volunteerism, and Environmental Education/Advocacy.

BPU Named 2020 Bronze Stevie Award Winner – CSR 7.24.20

City of Washington, Electric Lineman Position

August 11, 2020/in General Information/by KMEA

The City of Washington, Kansas, is accepting applications for Electric Lineman. The applicant must possess a valid Kansas Class B CDL; HS Diploma/GED; and, if certified, must submit a transcript of completion of technical training in line maintenance, construction and safety a line apprentice program certificate. Knowledge in overhead and underground distribution and transmission lines…

Garden City to Install Smart Flower Solar System at Lee Richardson Zoo

August 10, 2020/in General Information/by KMEA

A solar flower will soon be planted in the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City. The project is an effort of the City of Garden City Electric Department along with in-kind donations made by 3G Electric, Robert Dunlap Construction, and Hutton Construction, who are working together to provide the underground electric requirements and the concrete foundation necessary for the Smart Flower solar system.
Nicknamed the Solar Flower, the device provides approximately 2,500 watts of power to help offset some of the zoo’s energy needs. The life expectancy of the Solar Flower is 25 years and will generate a total of 125,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) during that time, or 5,000 kWh per year.
Mimicking a blooming flower, it automatically opens its circular array of solar panels and tracks the sun throughout the day for maximum exposure. It is designed to close in case of threatening weather to protect the solar panels, such as wind speeds over 30 miles-per-hour. When closed, small brushes clean the panels to ensure dust and other particles don’t decrease efficiency.
It is believed that Garden City will be the first to have a Solar Flower in the state of Kansas. In addition to providing a renewable energy source, the Lee Richardson Zoo will be sharing with guests what solar power can do and how it can look thanks to the Solar Flower.

Virtual Meetings! What is the Proper Way to Attend?

August 6, 2020/in General Information/by KMEA

It appears virtual meetings will continue to be the norm even though all of us at KMEA would much rather meet with our membership face to face. As an agency we want to make sure you continue to receive all of the information you need or desire during our meetings no matter how they are presented. That being said, we have put together this guide for attending virtual meetings that may be helpful for you and your staff moving forward. This is most important when you attend large meetings, such as a full board meeting.

Meeting Etiquette:

Turn off all other technology.
- Other programs that are open and running can interfere with tech quality and performance during the meeting.
- It’s easy to lose attention and take a quick look at Facebook or email when at a distance. Eliminate the distractions.
Keep your video on.
- It’s easier to keep everyone’s attention with live faces on the screen.
- Video-on helps keep everyone accountable for their attention and decorum.
Mute your microphone, unmute to talk, and then mute again. During large meetings – All attendees will be muted during presentations. You can unmute yourself at any time you need to speak or use the chat function to be que’d for a question.
- The audio technology can amplify background noises and even override voices.
Take turns speaking.
- The technology can cancel out two or more voices at once.
State your name each time you speak. “This is ….”
When something goes wrong, take a breath and let the tech moderator give prompts.
- Even the best technology sometimes goes wrong.
- Even the most skilled remote participants make mistakes.
- Be kind. Next time it might be you.