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Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting - October 27, 2023

City Council Legislative Session — Friday, October 27, 2023
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateFriday, October 27, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:08

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

The meeting will come to order.

0:01

Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Tribbett Sr.

0:04

of Victoria Victory Temple Christian Life Center.

0:08

We're all who were able to please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:19

Father, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy.

0:23

Your grace has been extended to this city, to this council, and to the citizens of our city.

0:32

We pray now, Father, that your continued blessings would uh overshadow us as we do the work of this city.

0:43

I pray now in your name.

0:47

Thank God.

0:48

Amen.

0:50

Amen.

0:51

Pledge allegiance.

0:58

For which it stands.

1:00

One nation under God.

1:02

Indivisible.

1:04

Liberty and justice for all.

1:06

Thank you, sir.

1:06

Clerk called the role.

1:08

Appreciate it.

1:09

Here.

1:10

President French.

1:12

Here.

1:13

Rogers.

1:14

Patterson has the Robinson.

1:17

Shakespeare.

1:18

Raya.

1:19

President Bunch.

1:21

Curves.

1:23

Oh.

1:25

Boo.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Duncan.

1:29

Here.

1:30

Tim Minute's president.

1:31

Thanks.

1:32

I'm sorry.

1:34

All right.

1:35

We're playing it close today.

1:36

Will the clerk please call the special actions?

1:39

230871.

1:41

Honoring the life of Carl DeCapo.

1:45

Sorry.

1:46

Thank you.

2:16

I'll let these thank you, Mayor.

2:22

Gentleman's gonna say.

2:23

Councilman Ray.

2:25

Thank you, Mr.

2:25

Mayor.

2:26

Um, there have been a lot of great folks who have built this beautiful city of ours.

2:31

Um their names adorn our monuments, our streets, our boulevards, and many other places, and Carl DiCapo is one of those men who contributed so much to the fabric of this city.

2:42

Um recognizes his um immense level of generosity and gravit gratitude as a philanthropist and and not just financially, but in the time he contributed to many community organizations, including, and this is a condensed version of the list, but the Don Bosco Community Center, the University of Missouri Advisory Board, um, Toys for Tots, Rotary Club No.

3:05

15, Land Clearance Commission, um, organizations both on the government side, on the private side and the public side, just an incredibly generous man.

3:13

I actually had some firsthand experience with with the work that he had done, particularly with with youth uh in in the urban core and inner city.

3:21

Uh, when I was in high school, I was in some youth programming under the umbrella of a program called Project AIM, and they developed a youth advisory board to help guide some of the uh youth programming.

3:33

And Carl was the chair of the board, and I was the youth appointee of the board in high school.

3:38

And uh it was my my first interaction with him at a very young age, and uh I I um really enjoyed the the time we got to spend together and the mentorship that he provided many many years ago.

3:49

Um in addition to that um Mr.

3:54

Capo had been honored with a number of of awards, the Spirit of Life Award, the Air Force Sergeant Command uh Commendation Award, uh Project AIM Campfire Girl Scouts uh of the Heartland Award and many, many others uh for his incredible contributions, not just to uh the Italian-American community in Kansas City, not just through uh the Italian Gardens Restaurant, which many of us are familiar with, uh, but to every segment of this community.

4:20

Um I have been presented with a box of Italian cookies as well by John DiCapo.

4:26

Um, if you haven't had these, they are very, very good.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████████24%
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Land Use Planning████████████████16%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Public Health███████7%
Health██████6%
Public Works██████6%
Tourism Promotion████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting - October 27, 2023

The Kansas City City Council met on October 27, 2023, at 6:15 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The council adopted four special actions honoring individuals and organizations, and passed numerous ordinances on consent and after debate. Key actions included approval of a $14.75 million aquatics repair package, a $2 million revolving loan fund for economic development, and a rezoning for a transit-oriented development near the streetcar line. All votes were recorded with tallies.

Special Actions

  • 230871 – Honoring Carl DeCapo: Councilman Ray and family members spoke about DeCapo’s contributions to Kansas City, including his philanthropy, mentorship, and role in the Italian-American community. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • 230872 – 50th Anniversary of Sister City Day with Morelia, Mexico: Councilwoman Boo and Councilman Ray celebrated the golden anniversary, noting cultural and economic ties. Gloria Bessenbacher, chair of the Morelia Sister City Committee, expressed appreciation. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • 230873 – Recognizing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for 85 Years: Mayor Lucas praised the organization’s community investments and support for zero-fare transit. Councilman O’Neill noted its labor-friendly history. Representatives accepted the resolution. Adopted unanimously.
  • Fire Prevention Week Proclamation: Councilman O’Neill presented statistics: every 23 seconds a fire department responds, with 1.3 million fires reported in 2021, causing 3,800 deaths, 14,700 injuries, and $15.9 billion in property damage. The proclamation designated October 8, 2023, as the 101st anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week. Adopted unanimously.

Consent Calendar

The council suspended rules for three readings and voted en bloc on the following items (all passed with 10 ayes):

  • 230846: Approving a workers’ compensation settlement for Gregory Schultz.
  • 230845: Authorizing a $900,000 contract with the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission for re-entry services.
  • 230848: Approving the Tiffany Meadows subdivision (58 lots, 8 tracts) for residential development.
  • 230860: Accepting a $2 million federal grant for the Municipal Drug Court.

Discussion Items

  • 230744 – Aquatics Repair Ordinance: Councilwoman Boo introduced a $14.75 million appropriation for repairs to aquatic facilities. A committee substitute added $100,000 at Councilman O’Neill’s request. The ordinance passed 10-0.
  • 230847 – Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF): Councilwoman Boo reported that 44 applications were received for the third quarter cycle, totaling $634,400. The committee recommendation was approved. Passed 10-0.
  • 230863 – Amending NTDF to Allow Major Events and City-Sponsored Events: Councilwoman Boo explained the amendment would set aside 10% for major events (e.g., Chiefs parade) and 20% for city-sponsored events. Councilman Rogers offered a floor amendment requiring quarterly reports from the city manager on expenditures. The amendment passed 9-1, and the ordinance as amended passed 10-0.
  • 230865 – Revolving Loan Fund with EDC: Councilwoman Boo described a $2 million program to provide startup capital for projects, administered by the Economic Development Corporation. Passed 10-0.
  • 230747 – Historic Northeast PIEA Plan: Councilman Bunch presented a 22-acre mixed-use development with affordable housing and solar power. The plan was approved. Passed 10-0.
  • 230836 – UMKC Violence Prevention Evaluation: Councilman Bunch noted a five-year sole-source contract with UMKC to evaluate crime prevention initiatives using scientific methods. Passed 10-0.
  • 230855 – Westport Road Community Improvement District: Councilman Bunch described the CID covering 43rd Street to State Line Road for graffiti removal, security, and improvements. Passed 10-0.
  • 230856 – Relocation of Volleyball Courts at Riverfront Park: Councilman Bunch explained that the sand volleyball courts must be moved west to accommodate the new stadium, at Port KC’s expense. Passed 10-0.
  • 230857 – Rezoning at 2936 Cherry Street: Councilman Bunch noted a conversion of an existing building into a tiny hotel, with neighborhood support. Passed 10-0.
  • 230858 – Development at 18th and Main Street: Councilman Bunch highlighted a 12-story, 100-unit apartment building with a garage entrance away from the streetcar line. Passed 10-0.
  • 230861 – Rezoning for Auto Body Shop near Barry Road and Brighton: Councilman Bunch noted the companion to the area plan amendment. Passed 10-0.
  • 230829 – Water Main Replacement Contract: Councilman O’Neill authorized a $4.28 million contract with Justice Environmental Solutions. Passed 10-0.
  • 230831 – Contract Amendment with Advantage Project Management: Councilman O’Neill approved a $455,670 increase for project management services. Passed 10-0.
  • 230833 – Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant: Councilman O’Neill accepted an $880,000 federal grant for the Vision Zero Action Plan. Passed 9-0 (one absent).
  • 230850 – Pipe Cleaning Contract Renewal: Councilman O’Neill authorized a $9 million one-year renewal with Ace Pipe Cleaning, with MBE/WBE goals. Passed 9-0.
  • 230851 – Construction Contract Change Order for Asphalt Restoration: Councilman O’Neill approved a $2.3 million change order with Superior Bowen Asphalt, reducing water services costs by 50%. Passed 10-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolutions adopted: 230871, 230872, 230873, and Fire Prevention Week proclamation (all unanimous).
  • Consent ordinances passed: 230846, 230845, 230848, 230860 (10-0 each).
  • Ordinances passed after debate: 230744 (10-0), 230847 (10-0), 230863 as amended (10-0 after amendment passed 9-1), 230865 (10-0), 230747 (10-0), 230836 (10-0), 230855 (10-0), 230856 (10-0), 230857 (10-0), 230858 (10-0), 230861 (10-0), 230829 (10-0), 230831 (10-0), 230833 (9-0), 230850 (9-0), 230851 (10-0).
  • First readings referred: Ordinance 230896 (property sale to Tiffany Spring Logistics) referred to Transportation Infrastructure and Operations.
  • Motion to suspend rules for three readings passed (10-0) for both committee advances and first readings.
  • Councilman O’Neill announced the Mizzou Caucus would attend the Mizzou vs. LSU football game.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Tribbett Sr. of Victoria Victory Temple Christian Life Center. We're all who were able to please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Father, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy. Your grace has been extended to this city, to this council, and to the citizens of our city. We pray now, Father, that your continued blessings would uh overshadow us as we do the work of this city. I pray now in your name. Thank God. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance. For which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible. Liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. Clerk called the role. Appreciate it. Here. President French. Here. Rogers. Patterson has the Robinson. Shakespeare. Raya. President Bunch. Curves. Oh. Boo. Here. Duncan. Here. Tim Minute's president. Thanks. I'm sorry. All right. We're playing it close today. Will the clerk please call the special actions? 230871. Honoring the life of Carl DeCapo. Sorry. Thank you. I'll let these thank you, Mayor. Gentleman's gonna say. Councilman Ray. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, there have been a lot of great folks who have built this beautiful city of ours. Um their names adorn our monuments, our streets, our boulevards, and many other places, and Carl DiCapo is one of those men who contributed so much to the fabric of this city.

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