Kansas City City Council Meeting – March 7, 2024

The Kansas City City Council convened at 10:15 AM on March 7, 2024, with 13 members present. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a series of special actions honoring individuals and organizations, then consideration of numerous ordinances, and concluded with a closed session. Key highlights included the proclamation of Terry Riley Day, recognition of the KC Tenants tenant union on its fifth anniversary, approval of the 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade resolution, and a contentious vote to authorize an amended employment agreement with City Manager Brian Platt.

Special Actions (Resolutions)

• Resolution 240274 – Terry Riley Day: Council members praised Terry Riley for his decades of service as a school board member, state representative, city councilman, and community leader. The resolution declared March 7, 2024, as Terry Riley Day in Kansas City. Riley thanked the council and family, and the resolution passed unanimously.
• Resolution 24023 – Honoring Nell Quinlan Donnelly Reeve: Recognized the legacy of Nellie Don, a pioneering dress manufacturer and philanthropist. Her grandnephew Terrence O'Malley spoke about her contributions. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 240267 – Honoring LaShawn Walker: Celebrated Walker's work through the Suburban Balance nonprofit and the Lift Her Up movement, which has recognized 150 women and supported 300 businesses. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 240269 – Honoring KC Tenants (5th Anniversary): KC Tenants, founded on February 17, 2019, has grown to over 10,000 members, becoming the largest tenant union in the country. Council members noted its role in preventing evictions, securing heat and AC, and winning $2.7 million for displaced mobile home residents. The resolution passed unanimously; a KC Tenants representative spoke about the power of organizing.
• Resolution 240288 – 50th Anniversary of Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade: The parade, which began in 1974, will be held on March 17, 2024, at 11 AM on Broadway. Councilman O'Neill shared the history. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 240289 – Celebrating KC Current and Authorizing Teal Flag: Authorized the city manager to fly the teal Kansas City Current flag over City Hall during Teal Tuesday in advance of the team's 2024 home opener. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 240290 – Honoring Fallen Independence Police Officer Cody Allen: Adopted unanimously; the resolution will be delivered to the funeral home.
• Resolution 240291 – Honoring Civil Process Server Drexel Mack: Adopted unanimously; a service will be held at the Jackson County Courthouse.

Committee Advances (Ordinances)

The council waived the three-reading requirement for multiple ordinances and voted on them collectively:

• 231047 – Zoning Code Amendments: Updated the Westport Overlay District and added standards for communications service establishments. Passed 12-0.
• 240198 – Major Amendment to Master Development Plan (500 acres): Approved a data center and office development near I-435 and Highway 169, including a parking deviation. Passed 12-0.
• 240216 – Rezoning (6.8 acres): Rezoned property at 7780 E. U.S. 40 Highway from B3-2 to M1-1. Passed 12-0.
• 240218 – Rezoning and Development Plan (160 acres): Approved 396 residential lots in nine phases (Botham Residential) with asphalt trails. Passed 12-0.
• 240224 – Rezoning and Development Plan (3.6 acres): Rezoned the historic LADS school to UR for mixed-use (25 residential units, restaurant, gym, retail). Passed 12-0.
• 240212 – Buckeye Creek Pump Station Rehabilitation: Authorized $833,455 contract amendment and extension. Passed 12-0.
• 240219 – Front Street Reconstruction: Approved condemnation tracts for the project. Passed 12-0.
• 240240 – Purchase of Three Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Vehicles: Authorized $4,700,252 for Oshkosh vehicles for KCI Airport. Passed 12-0.
• 240241 – Northland Secondary Pump Station Design: Authorized $975,000 contract with Black & Veatch. Passed 12-0.
• 240242 – Special Obligation Bonds (up to $75 million): Issued bonds for streetcar extension, public transportation, safety, and rental housing. Passed 12-0.

First Readings & Late Additions

• 240287 – Meeting Time Change: Changed the March 28, 2024, legislative session from 3 PM to 12 PM to avoid conflict with the Royals' Opening Day (game at 3:10 PM). Passed 13-0.
• 240293 – KCI Job Access Study: Directed the city manager to develop transportation and job access strategies for high-poverty neighborhoods near KCI, reporting back within 180 days. Referred to the Transportation Committee.
• 240294 – Street Renaming for KC Current Stadium: Changed a portion of Riverfront Drive to Kansas City Current Way; costs covered by the team. Passed after debate (Councilman Willett raised concerns about bypassing the street renaming committee, but the motion to waive rules passed 13-0 on a separate vote; the ordinance itself passed 13-0).
• 240295 – City Manager Employment Agreement: Authorized the mayor to negotiate an amended employment agreement with City Manager Brian Platt, contingent on Platt withdrawing his name from other governmental executive positions. Passed 9-4 (Council members Patterson Hasley, Robinson, Curls, and Parkshaw voted no).
• 240296 – Frontage Road Renaming: Changed 1.69 Frontage Road to Trailblazer Drive for Northland Christian Schools; funded by PIAC contingency. Passed 12-0.

Key Outcomes

• All special action resolutions were adopted unanimously.
• All committee advance ordinances passed with 12-0 votes (except one 11-0 for the resolution honoring Officer Allen).
• The meeting time for March 28 was changed to noon.
• The City Manager's amended employment agreement was approved 9-4, with the condition that he withdraw from other job pursuits.
• The council authorized a closed session to discuss personnel matters, which was approved 13-0.