Kansas City Council Meeting - February 29, 2024

The Kansas City Council convened on February 29, 2024, at 9:30 AM. The meeting began with an invocation by Bishop Frank Douglas of Beth Judah Ministries, which included political advocacy regarding immigration policies. The council then proceeded through a full agenda, including a same-day adoption for PFAS litigation, debate on restructuring permits and land development divisions, creation of an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and a Port Improvement District for Starlight Theatre. A moment of silence was observed for an Independence Police officer killed in the line of duty earlier that day.

Consent Calendar

• Advanced Consent Docket (Items 240158, 240194, 240205, 240206, 240207, 240211): Unanimously approved routine items including:
  • $82,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program (with a $4,100 city match).
  • $10,000 grant from the Hartford Fire Safety Grant Junior Fire Marshal Program.
  • Workers' compensation settlement for injuries sustained on November 23, 2021.
  • Three plat approvals for industrial, mixed-use, and single-family residential developments (East Campus Phase 1, Maple Park Plaza, and Rock Creek First Plat).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Invocation by Bishop Frank Douglas: The guest chaplain led a prayer that included a call for the city to prioritize law-abiding citizens and avoid rushed immigration policies like New York's. The Mayor later noted that the prayer contained political advocacy and stated that future participants would be reminded to avoid such content.

Discussion Items

• Same-Day Adoption: Resolution 240254 (PFAS Litigation): The council authorized the city attorney to participate in multi-district litigation consolidated in federal court in South Carolina related to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in public drinking water systems. The resolution was adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240190 (Ninth and Van Soccer Renovations): A resolution to fund $3 million in renovations was held on the legislative docket until March 21, 2024, with no objection.
• Item 240196 (Land Acquisition for Detention Center): A resolution directing the city manager to engage in discussions with Jackson County on land acquisition opportunities for a new rehabilitation and detention center. Adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240197 (Non-Verbal Language Access Plan): A resolution directing the city manager to develop a plan within 180 days to improve communications access for residents and visitors with non-verbal language barriers or other impairments, including a budgetary cost estimate and funding sources. Adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Committee Substitute for Ordinance 230741 (Permits Division Restructuring): This ordinance moved the permits division and the Land Development Division (LDD) from the City Planning Department to the Public Works and Water departments, reverting to the structure before 2004/2005. An amendment was adopted to require weekly progress reports to the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations (TINO) Committee. After debate, the ordinance passed 9-2, with Councilmembers Boo and Duncan voting no. Councilmember Boo argued the restructuring did not address the underlying issues from a philosophical standpoint, while Councilmember Duncan expressed concern about leaving a department piecemeal and dysfunctional. Councilmember Ray voted yes but called for a future separate Department of Economic Development. Councilmember Lucas also voted yes, hoping for continued work on efficiency.
• Advanced Debate Docket - Item 240??? (Fire Grant): A grant of $1,677,279 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (with a 20% city match of $167,627) for the purchase of fire attack hoses, nozzles, 82 automated external defibrillators, and online training platform. Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240220 (General Obligation Bonds Series 2024A): Authorized issuance of up to $80 million in general obligation bonds for road, sidewalk, and bridge improvements ($600M authorized in 2017) and parks, recreation, and entertainment ($125M authorized in 2022). Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240221 (Trash Cards Contract): Authorized a contract for trash cards not to exceed $8,500 from previously appropriated general fund. Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240222 (Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs): Established a new Division 24 in Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances to create an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, directing the city manager to develop a comprehensive plan within 120 days. Passed 10-1, with Councilmember Willard voting no, citing concerns about compliance with state statutes and potential loss of state funding for services to undocumented immigrants.
• Item 240227 (Taxable General Obligation Bonds Series 2024B for Affordable Housing): Authorized issuance of up to $15 million in taxable GO bonds for rehabilitation, renovation, and construction of housing for low- to moderate-income households, including blight removal. This was the first issuance under the 2022 affordable housing bond authorization. Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240087 (Port Improvement District at Starlight Theatre): Consented to the creation of a Port Improvement District (PID) at Starlight Theatre, imposing a 1% sales and use tax on taxable revenue (food, beverage, merchandise) estimated to generate $45,000 annually. The measure directs the city manager to cast the city's sole vote in favor of the PID in a future court-ordered election. Passed 10-1, with Councilmember Willett voting no. Councilmember Willett expressed opposition to the tax but offered a personal donation. Councilmember Duncan questioned why a PID was used instead of a Community Improvement District (CID), citing the Port Authority's jurisdiction beyond the port. Councilmember Boo explained the governance structure differences.
• Item 240202 (Maternal Child Health Services Grant): Accepted a $203,579 grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for a program targeting adolescents (ages 10-19) and their influencers (parents, teachers, youth leaders) with curricula on social skills, healthy relationships, and violence/suicide prevention. Passed unanimously (11-0).
• First Readings: Two ordinances were introduced by Councilmember Rogers for tax increment financing (TIF) redevelopment projects: 240263 (I-29 and 435 TIF Plan, Project 2) and 240264 (I-29 and 435 TIF Plan, Project 1). Both were referred to the Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 240254 (PFAS Litigation): Adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240190 (Soccer Renovations): Held to March 21, 2024.
• Item 240196 (Detention Center Land Talks): Adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Item 240197 (Non-Verbal Language Access Plan): Adopted unanimously (11-0).
• Ordinance 230741 (Permits Restructuring): Passed 9-2 (Councilmembers Boo and Duncan voting no).
• Fire Grant: Passed unanimously (11-0).
• GO Bonds Series 2024A: Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Trash Cards Contract: Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs: Passed 10-1 (Councilmember Willard voting no).
• GO Bonds Series 2024B (Affordable Housing): Passed unanimously (11-0).
• Starlight PID: Passed 10-1 (Councilmember Willett voting no).
• Maternal Child Health Grant: Passed unanimously (11-0).
• First Readings (TIF Projects): Referred to committee.
• Moment of Silence: Observed for Independence Police officer killed in the line of duty.
• Community Healing Event: Announced for Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2:00 PM at St. James United Methodist Church.