OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – November 9, 2023

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, November 9, 2023
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, November 9, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

To order our guest chaplain exhibiting the patience of Job is Bishop Keith Triblett, Senior of the Victoria Victory Temple Christian Life Center.

0:08

Well, all who are able, please stand for the invocation to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

Let us bow our heads, Father.

0:19

We thank you for the opportunity to be in your presence.

0:24

And then the accompaniment of these, your leaders of the city.

0:28

We pray God, your blessings on this session.

0:32

Pray for our city.

0:34

And for the leaders that lead our city, you will give them the graces that is necessary to do what is admirable for all the citizens of our city.

0:47

This we ask in your son's name.

0:50

Amen.

0:51

Amen.

0:57

To the Republicans.

1:00

One nation under God and all liberty and justice.

1:05

Thank you, Patrick.

1:08

Welcome to call the role.

1:10

O'Neill.

1:11

Will it?

1:12

Present.

1:14

Franch.

1:15

Present.

1:16

Eric Patterson Hasley.

1:19

Robinson.

1:20

Present.

1:21

Raya.

1:23

Bunch.

1:24

Carls.

1:25

Present.

1:26

Parkshaw.

1:27

Present.

1:27

Boo.

1:28

Duncan.

1:30

Lucas.

1:31

Here.

1:32

Members present.

1:33

Well, the clerk please call the special actions.

1:35

Yes, sir.

1:36

230955.

1:37

Acknowledging October 2023 is Breast Cancer and Boris Month in Kansas City.

1:41

Recognize the efforts of the store named stuff to raise funds in the fight against cancer and celebrating those that have overcome it.

1:47

Cassie Simmons and others are present who received a special action.

1:57

Good to see you all.

2:00

Thank you.

2:01

Thank you to see you all.

2:02

Thank you.

2:05

Councilwoman Boo.

2:07

Um, Honorable Mayor, I it is my honor today to stand.

2:10

And although we are late not only in our starting of our session, we are slightly late in recognizing October as breast cancer awareness month.

2:19

Um, but it is truly something that we should think about, consider throughout the year, not just in the month of October.

2:26

Um, I also want to recognize my good friends Sloan and Casey and uh store named staff in Brookside in the 6th district, and celebrate those that have overcome cancer, those who are survivors, friends, family members of those who have um suffered from this debilitating and deadly disease.

2:47

The discovery that breast cancer, which affects both men and women, is not one disease but many, makes it imperative that we increase funding for genetic research and treatment.

2:56

A sharp decline in breast and cervical cancer screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown through the CDC's National Early Detection Program, which threatens to delay diagnosis and increase cancer disparities in women that are already experiencing health inequities.

3:12

In her lifetime, one of out of every eight women will develop breast cancer, making it the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 15 to 54, affecting roughly 240,000 women, 2,600 men each year, and over 40,000 deaths deaths annually.

3:29

Every person's support is needed in the fight against breast cancer.

3:33

We celebrate the research advancements in the treatment of breast cancer and the lives saved as we continue to learn how to combat breast cancer.

3:41

Sloane and Casey Simmons annually host a holiday open house called Wings of Hope to be held uh they held it this year, last weekend, November 3rd through 5th, at a store named Stuff, where they donate 50% of all sales to the Simmons Family Cancer Research Foundation or Fund.

4:02

Um, I too delayed my annual mammogram uh when I had back surgery last year, and um I went in October to make sure that I got my regular uh mammogram.

4:16

I encourage everyone here, and I know some of my colleagues here.

4:20

I have my pink pen, but I know my two of my colleagues uh will want to speak to this for their personal experiences with um moms who have um suffers of this disease and as they wear pink.

4:34

I want to thank you for all you do, not only in our community.

4:37

Um you touched so many things, but one of the things that you do is give back to cancer research.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning████████████████████20%
Arts And Culture██████████████14%
Trail Development██████████████14%
Procedural███████████11%
Health█████████9%
Public Health███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City City Council Meeting – November 9, 2023

The Kansas City Council convened on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM. The meeting included several special recognitions, a consent docket, and a lengthy debate docket covering land use changes, public health measures, infrastructure projects, and a controversial vehicle storage facility. Two late ordinances were also introduced.

Consent Calendar

  • 230934 – Appointed Jeffrey Turk and Troy Valibo as successor directors for the 51st and OCID. Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Cassie Simmons (owner, store named stuff) spoke in support of the breast cancer resolution, sharing her family’s experience and describing the annual Wings of Hope event that raised funds for the KU Cancer Center. She noted that their fund is endowed at the KU Endowment and supports research at the NCI-designated cancer center.
  • Carlotta Halpern (chair, Municipal Arts Commission) thanked the council and highlighted that 75% of selected artists at the new KCI Airport are KC-based or affiliated, and 75% are women and people of color.
  • A representative from Children’s Mercy (not named) spoke in support of the injury prevention resolution, noting the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and that several landmarks would be lit green on November 18.
  • During the debate on 230941, a neighborhood resident testified in opposition regarding tree removal and lighting, as noted by Councilman Bunch.

Discussion Items

  • Special Action 230955 – Acknowledged October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Councilwoman Boo, Robinson, and others shared personal stories. Statistics cited: 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer; 240,000 women and 2,600 men affected annually; over 40,000 deaths per year. Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Special Action 230956 – Recognized the Municipal Arts Commission for their work since January 2020. Council members praised the commission for developing the first bylaws, overseeing public art at KCI, and ensuring 75% of artists are women and people of color. Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Special Action 230957 – Designated November 18, 2023 as National Injury Prevention Day. Councilman Rogers noted that injuries are the leading cause of death for children ages 1–18. Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 230940 – Amended health code to require reporting of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Councilwoman Boo cited that overdoses nearly doubled from 2017 to 2021 and synthetic opioid (fentanyl) deaths increased 940% in the same period. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230920 – Established the Palestine Community Improvement District (CID) along Prospect Avenue between Linwood and 36th Street. Councilman Bunch noted support from property owners and the need for extra security and cleaning. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230930 – Rezoned 2.59 acres at Leeds Traffic Way for Highland Dairy expansion. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230931 – Rezoned approximately 9.7 acres in Martin City from R-80 to R-7.5 for single-family residential development. This was the implementation of the earlier land use plan amendment. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230941 – Approved a major amendment to the Master Plan Development to allow vehicle storage (up to 3,169 parking spaces) on ~36 acres for Ford Motor Company vehicles. Extensive debate focused on sidewalk requirements and trail contributions. An amendment was adopted (11-2) requiring the developer to contribute $55,000 to a future trail along Searcy Creek Parkway in lieu of extending sidewalks on North Brighton Avenue. Final passage was 11-2, with Councilmen Bunch and Duncan voting no.
  • Ordinance 230915 – Authorized a fifth amendment to the tenant reimbursement agreement with Southwest Airlines, extending the contract to June 30, 2024 to support post-construction operations of the new terminal and demolition of Terminals B and C. Passed 10-0 (Councilman O’Neill absent).
  • Ordinance 230924 – Authorized a $2.53 million construction contract with Genesis Environmental Solutions for water main replacement in the Truman Road/27th Street area (replacing 5,116 linear feet of pipe). MBE/WBE goals set at 11% each. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230925 – Established sewer revenue bond fund 8194 with $107.198 million for citywide sewer rehabilitation, green infrastructure projects (e.g., Pell Sale Gateway, 75th and Warnell, Mill Creek, Streetcar Expansion), and other improvements. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 230926 – Updated Chapter 28 floodplain management code to comply with FEMA requirements, removing 556 structures from the floodplain and partially removing 128 more, while adding 105 newly identified structures. Passed 11-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All three special actions adopted unanimously.
  • Consent docket (230934) passed 11-0.
  • Advanced consent docket items (230919, 230921, 230922, 230914) passed 11-0.
  • Most advanced debate items passed unanimously; 230941 passed with an amendment and two dissenting votes (Bunch, Duncan).
  • The waiver of three readings for ordinances on the advanced debate docket was approved 11-0.
  • Two late ordinances were introduced and referred:
    • 230977 – Authorizing lease agreement with Community Builders for office space at Overlook; referred to Finance, Governance & Public Safety.
    • 230978 – Amending the KCIA area plan land use designation for a ~30-acre tract from mixed use to commercial/industrial; referred to Neighborhood Planning & Development.
  • Councilman Willett recognized Veterans Day and thanked Councilman Duncan and other veterans for their service.

Meeting Transcript

To order our guest chaplain exhibiting the patience of Job is Bishop Keith Triblett, Senior of the Victoria Victory Temple Christian Life Center. Well, all who are able, please stand for the invocation to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us bow our heads, Father. We thank you for the opportunity to be in your presence. And then the accompaniment of these, your leaders of the city. We pray God, your blessings on this session. Pray for our city. And for the leaders that lead our city, you will give them the graces that is necessary to do what is admirable for all the citizens of our city. This we ask in your son's name. Amen. Amen. To the Republicans. One nation under God and all liberty and justice. Thank you, Patrick. Welcome to call the role. O'Neill. Will it? Present. Franch. Present. Eric Patterson Hasley. Robinson. Present. Raya. Bunch. Carls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Boo. Duncan. Lucas. Here. Members present. Well, the clerk please call the special actions. Yes, sir. 230955. Acknowledging October 2023 is Breast Cancer and Boris Month in Kansas City. Recognize the efforts of the store named stuff to raise funds in the fight against cancer and celebrating those that have overcome it. Cassie Simmons and others are present who received a special action. Good to see you all. Thank you. Thank you to see you all. Thank you. Councilwoman Boo. Um, Honorable Mayor, I it is my honor today to stand. And although we are late not only in our starting of our session, we are slightly late in recognizing October as breast cancer awareness month. Um, but it is truly something that we should think about, consider throughout the year, not just in the month of October. Um, I also want to recognize my good friends Sloan and Casey and uh store named staff in Brookside in the 6th district, and celebrate those that have overcome cancer, those who are survivors, friends, family members of those who have um suffered from this debilitating and deadly disease. The discovery that breast cancer, which affects both men and women, is not one disease but many, makes it imperative that we increase funding for genetic research and treatment.

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