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Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – December 14, 2023: Special Actions, Ordinances, and Voucher Incentive Resolution

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, December 14, 2023
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, December 14, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:34:44

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

The meeting will come to order.

0:02

Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Tribbett Sr.

0:05

of Victory Temple Christian Life Center.

0:07

We want to say Bishop Tribut, thank you for your help this year, this month.

0:11

We wish you well in the new year.

0:13

Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:22

Let us bow our heads.

0:31

The government shall be upon its shoulders.

0:34

They shall call his name, wonderful counselor, mighty God, the Prince of Peace.

0:41

Father, we thank you for this advanced season and for those that are in this chamber that are still seeking you for clear direction for our city, for the success of our communities.

0:58

We pray, Father, that you would still give us the insight that is needed to do your will.

1:07

This we ask in your son's name.

1:10

Amen.

1:13

I pledge allegiance to the flag in the United States.

1:18

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:21

One nation under God.

1:23

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:27

Thank you, sir.

1:28

God bless you.

1:31

Call the role.

1:32

O'Neal.

1:33

Here.

1:34

Will it?

1:34

President Franch.

1:36

Here.

1:36

Rogers.

1:38

Anderson Hasley.

1:39

Robinson.

1:40

President.

1:41

Raya.

1:42

Here.

1:42

Butch.

1:43

Here.

1:44

Pearls.

1:45

Parkshaw.

1:46

Here.

1:47

Boom.

1:47

Here.

1:48

Duncan.

1:49

Lucas.

1:50

Here.

1:50

13 members present.

1:53

That is wonderful.

1:54

Will the clerk please call the special action?

1:56

Yes, sir.

1:57

231042, honoring the 2023 Launch KC Grant Cohort, as he finished the program along with the startups of over 100 Launch KC alumni companies are helping building build the next generation of great businesses, brands, and technology in Kansas City, Missouri.

2:13

Gio Erickson is present to receive the special action.

2:23

Thank you.

2:25

All right, one insurance.

2:32

All right.

2:34

This is a special action that's brought by my office today.

2:37

We are proud to recognize Launch KC.

2:40

Launch KC is an initiative of both the Economic Development Corporation and the Downtown Council that is designed to propel entrepreneurship in Kansas City while retaining and attracting innovative startups and technologies.

2:52

The initiative won a 2022 Excellence and Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council.

2:59

Launch KC companies have created close to 1,000 jobs, attracted over 400 million dollars of follow-on investment and generated important for us, city manager, over a million dollars of tax revenue annually for the city of Kansas City.

3:14

Over two-thirds of Launch KC companies are also led by women and people of color.

3:19

In November 2022, Bright Labs Data Appraisal EB Systems Invent XYZ MatchRight and C in Me were the six companies that won the Launch KC grants competition, where over 200 startups had applied.

3:33

Each of these six companies were identified as having an innovative technology, and all have the potential to be future job creators and economic engines in Kansas City.

3:42

Today we express our appreciation of Mr.

3:44

Erickson and the EDC and of course the many entrepreneurs behind me who help Kansas City grow, boom, and be the great city that we enjoy living in.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████████38%
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████25%
Sports and Recreation█████████████13%
Public Works████4%
Economic Development███3%
Cannabis Regulation███3%
Land Use Planning███3%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Disability Rights██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – December 14, 2023

The Kansas City Council met on December 14, 2023, at 9:15 AM with 13 members present. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge, followed by special recognitions, approval of ordinances, and extended debate on a resolution directing a study of voucher incentive programs for landlords accepting federal rental vouchers.

Special Actions (Recognitions)

  • Launch KC Grant Cohort (Resolution 231042): Honored the 2023 Launch KC cohort. Councilmember noted the program has created close to 1,000 jobs, attracted over $400 million in follow-on investment, and generated over $1 million in annual tax revenue for the city. More than two-thirds of Launch KC companies are led by women and people of color. The cohort includes Bright Labs, Data Appraisal, EB Systems, Invent XYZ, MatchRight, and C in Me. Mr. Jim Erickson (EDC) and entrepreneur John Ruiz (EB Systems) spoke in support of the program. Adopted unanimously.
  • Liberty North High School Football Team (Resolution 231043): Recognized the team for winning the Class 6 state championship. Councilmembers praised the team’s 13–1 season, noting it was the first Class 6 title for a Northland school and the first state championship in Liberty Public Schools history. Players and Coach Learman accepted the honor. Adopted unanimously.

Consent & Advanced Ordinances (Unanimous Votes)

  • Central City Economic Development Sales Tax Board appointments (231036): Appointed Stephen Anthony, Michael Oates, and Anthony Williams. Adopted (10 ayes).
  • Metro North Crossing CID appointments (231040): Appointed Janae Nazar and Jamie Belouis. Adopted (10 ayes).
  • Change order for balcony lighting at Municipal Auditorium (231028): $9,774 change order with Brown & Root. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • 22nd & Main TIF Plan amendment (231008): Extended development schedule to July 1, 2025. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • General Obligation Bond fund reallocation (231029): Moved funds from music hall freight elevator replacement to purchase new dance floor and tables, saving ~$20,000 annually in linen costs. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Marijuana sales tax appropriation (231033): $42,000 for client advocates to support non-fatal shooting victims and families of homicide victims. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Music Hall capital improvements (231035): $142,332 from ticket fees for capital repairs. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Council expense account clarification (230937): Amended code to clarify uses of council budget. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Reasonable accommodation zoning process (230936): Codified a process for disability accommodations under federal law. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Rezoning at MO-150 and Box Road (231041): 250 acres from M2-2/35 to MPD for office, administrative, commercial, and manufacturing uses; expected to yield 10,000 jobs. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Parade Park Homes redevelopment (231042): Authorized city to accept deeds from HUD and sell to developer Flaherty & Collins for $10 down payment (down from $10 million loan). Councilmember Robinson noted Parade Park’s history as one of the first Black-owned housing co-ops. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • 23rd Street Improvements design amendment (230963): $65,695 amendment with McClure Engineering for right-of-way acquisition. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Hunt Midwest TIF funding for 48th Street widening (231026): $1.29M from Clay County Road & Bridge and $1.297M from GO bonds. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Citywide asphalt and concrete contract (231024): $7.5M contract with Superior Boon and Bowen Asphalt, plus $15M option. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Water main replacement – East 27th to 63rd (231025): $4.09M contract with Rodriguez Mechanical. Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Stormwater engineering services (231026): $324,490 amendment with Water Resources Solutions for 2D hydrology work (100% FEMA reimbursable). Adopted (13 ayes).
  • Water main replacement – Truman Rd to 24th St (231027): $6.52M contract with Rodriguez Mechanical. Adopted (13 ayes).

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 231039 – Voucher Incentive Study: Councilmember Willett moved for immediate adoption of a resolution directing the city manager to study voucher incentive programs and engage stakeholders within 30 days. Debate centered on the timeline (30 vs. 45 vs. 60 days) and its relationship to the separately held Source of Income Discrimination Ordinance (231019, held until January 25, 2024). Amendments were offered: Mayor proposed 60 days (passed 7–6), then Councilman O’Neill proposed 45 days (passed 7–6). The resolution as amended with a 45-day reporting deadline was then adopted by immediate vote of 7–6.

Key Outcomes

  • Parade Park Homes redevelopment: Authorized city to accept HUD deeds and transfer to Flaherty & Collins with $10 down payment. Adopted unanimously (13–0).
  • Rezoning for NNSA expansion: Approved development plan for up to 10,000 jobs. Adopted (13–0).
  • Source of Income Ordinance (231019): Held from the docket until January 25, 2024.
  • Voucher Incentive Study Resolution (231039): Adopted with 45-day deadline for city manager to report back (7–6).
  • Detention Center Study Contract (231051): Authorized $27,500 sole-source contract with Politzer Bogard & Associates to update the 2020 jail study. First reading waived; adopted unanimously (13–0).
  • All other ordinances and resolutions: Passed unanimously as noted above.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Tribbett Sr. of Victory Temple Christian Life Center. We want to say Bishop Tribut, thank you for your help this year, this month. We wish you well in the new year. Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Let us bow our heads. The government shall be upon its shoulders. They shall call his name, wonderful counselor, mighty God, the Prince of Peace. Father, we thank you for this advanced season and for those that are in this chamber that are still seeking you for clear direction for our city, for the success of our communities. We pray, Father, that you would still give us the insight that is needed to do your will. This we ask in your son's name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag in the United States. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. God bless you. Call the role. O'Neal. Here. Will it? President Franch. Here. Rogers. Anderson Hasley. Robinson. President. Raya. Here. Butch. Here. Pearls. Parkshaw. Here. Boom. Here. Duncan. Lucas. Here. 13 members present. That is wonderful. Will the clerk please call the special action? Yes, sir. 231042, honoring the 2023 Launch KC Grant Cohort, as he finished the program along with the startups of over 100 Launch KC alumni companies are helping building build the next generation of great businesses, brands, and technology in Kansas City, Missouri. Gio Erickson is present to receive the special action. Thank you. All right, one insurance. All right.

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