Kansas City Council Business Session - February 26, 2026

The Kansas City Council held a business session on February 26, 2026, at 7:15 PM local time. The session included approval of minutes, a major presentation on creating a new Department of Community Safety (Ordinance 260076), a presentation on World Cup 2026 preparations under the "Match Ready KC" brand, and a motion to enter closed session. No final votes were taken on the two ordinances discussed; the council instead proceeded to closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (February 12, 2026): Moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Department of Community Safety (Ordinance 260076)

Lace Klein, Assistant City Manager for Public Safety, and Kelly Postalweight, Assistant City Manager, presented the proposal to create a new department consolidating corrections, rehabilitation, re-entry services, and the multidisciplinary public safety task force. The department is required to oversee the new detention facility opening June 1, 2026, and to coordinate public safety efforts across city departments.

Key details:

• Total budget: $26.3 million; staffing: $11.5 million.
• 148 full-time equivalent positions, with approximately 123 new hires (the rest transferred from the existing corrections division in the City Manager's Office).
• Funding sources: $19.1 million from the General Fund (including $6 million transferred from the City Manager's Office) and $7.2 million from the public safety sales tax (dedicated to correctional facility staff).
• Organizational structure: three pillars – operations (corrections officers), administration (fiscal, IT, PIO, deputy directors), and community intervention/public safety task force.

Council concerns and questions:

• Councilwoman Patterson-Hasley questioned duplication of administrative roles, the large number of new hires (123), and the rapid pace of creating a 148-person department. She suggested a phased approach.
• Councilman Curls echoed concerns about the FTE count and asked about reducing the size. He questioned the three-shift model vs. two 12-hour shifts.
• Councilwoman Robinson asked about the sustainability of using the public safety sales tax and the strain on the general fund, noting that the ordinance would authorize all positions and spending.
• Councilman Graham asked about policies on use of force and restraint, and whether they would be codified as administrative regulations. He also asked about union involvement (Local 500).
• Councilwoman French asked about prioritization of hiring and whether existing funds could start key positions.
• Councilman Bunch asked about the timeline for passing the ordinance relative to the budget.

Responses from administration:

• City Manager Basquez explained that the department is necessary to operate the facility by June 1 and that the full build-out is presented as a one-year plan, but hiring will be phased. Hiring priority: first operations pillar (corrections officers), then administration, then community intervention.
• Staff confirmed that Local 500 is being consulted and that a meeting is scheduled.
• Finance Deputy Director Brenton clarified that the public safety sales tax can fund operations and maintenance of a capital project, and that $7.2 million annually is dedicated.
• The city manager stated that if the ordinance is not passed, it would hinder hiring because there is no department to place positions in.

Outcome: Discussion held; no formal vote taken. The council moved to the next presentation.

World Cup 2026 – Match Ready KC and Open for Business

Sheree Honeycutt (Press Secretary), Jeff Martin (Assistant City Manager), and John Hildebrand (Website Manager) presented the unified communications brand "Match Ready KC" and the "Open for Business" initiative. The brand covers infrastructure, public safety, business activation, beautification, and operational planning. A special permit area was identified on a map covering key corridors (e.g., streetcar line, 31st/Linwood to the stadium) where street and sidewalk closures will be restricted from May to July 2026 to ensure access for pedestrians, vehicles, the streetcar, and buses. The "Open for Business" brand aims to allow construction to continue where possible and to provide clear policies.

Council questions and concerns:

• Councilwoman Robinson suggested a fourth campaign focusing on neighborhoods.
• Councilwoman Boo raised questions about event permitting (KC Event Hub vs. MARC calendar) and the ability of businesses outside the permit zone (e.g., Waldo) to host events.
• Councilman Duncan emphasized the need for family-friendly, kid-oriented events and clear communication. He expressed frustration with the city's handling of past major events (NFL draft) and urged making the World Cup additive for neighborhoods, not restrictive. He asked about construction work continuity and block party exceptions.
• Councilman Bunch suggested adding block parties to the list of exceptions in the special permit area.
• Councilman Rogers highlighted the opportunity for neighborhoods across the city to benefit.

Responses:

• Administration noted that open for business applies to construction permitting; events go through the KC Event Hub and are vetted for security. Block parties were acknowledged as possibly being added as an exception.
• Coordination with MoDOT and other jurisdictions is ongoing; most projects have clauses to keep thoroughfares open.
• The city is working with KC2026 and MARC on event calendars.

Outcome: No formal vote; presentation was informational.

Closed Session

Councilman Curls moved to go into closed session pursuant to Section 610.021(1), (2), (3), and (12) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The motion was seconded and approved by voice roll call, with all present council members voting "Aye" and Mayor Lucas voting "Aye." The council proceeded to closed session briefly.

Key Outcomes

• The minutes of the February 12, 2026, business session were approved.
• No vote was taken on Ordinance 260076 (Department of Community Safety) or any actions related to World Cup preparation.
• A motion to enter closed session was approved unanimously.

Note: The transcript does not contain a vote on Ordinance 260076 or the World Cup items; the meeting concluded with the closed session motion.