Kansas City City Council Meeting - March 28, 2024

The Kansas City City Council met on March 28, 2024, at 6:15 PM. The meeting included an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call (13 members present), and consideration of numerous ordinances including the FY2024-25 budget, tax levies, utility rate increases, bond funds, and contractual matters. Council also addressed a late ordinance regarding the city manager's contract and a resolution on housing contract delays.

Consent Calendar

• 240301: Approved settlement claim for $62,553. (Unanimous)
• 240302: Approved workers' compensation settlement for $5,606. (Unanimous)
• 240309: Approved plat of Kelly Brook Seven, creating 106 lots for residential development. (Unanimous)
• 240318: Approved plat of Berkeley River Humphrey for a multipurpose sports stadium. (Unanimous)
• 240304: Authorized amendment to concession agreement with Smart Cart, estimated revenue of $680.29. (Unanimous)

Discussion Items

• 240320: Approved an amendment to the Midtown and Plaza Area Plan to rezone about one acre at 325 Ward Parkway from residential urban density to mixed-use community, aligning with a proposed rezoning ordinance. (Unanimous)
• 240317 (31017): Amended Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances to allow the Director of Civil Rights and Enforcement to accept certain documents after contract execution but before payment, aimed at accelerating housing and economic development contracts. Councilwoman Patterson Hasley explained it was a remedy for delays identified by the housing department and procurement. (Unanimous)
• 240228: Levied taxes for FY2024-25 at $1.4953 per $100 of assessed value. Councilwoman Boo presented it as the first budget item. (Unanimous)
• 240229: Set the traffic maintenance, parking boulevard maintenance, and boulevard parkway front foot assessments at zero dollars for FY2024-25, consistent with voter-approved park sales tax. (Unanimous)
• 240230: Adopted the annual budget for FY2024-25. Councilwoman Boo highlighted its impact citywide. Councilman Duncan voted no, stating he supported the budget but criticized the process as lacking ordinance-level debate for some projects, calling them "pork." Council members praised Boo for transparency and collaboration. Passed 12-1 (Duncan opposed).
• 240231: Established bond funds for parks and affordable housing ($12.5 million each from 2022 bond questions). (Unanimous)
• 240232: Established bond funds for streets, sidewalks, and bridges ($33.8 million), flight control ($5.6 million), and public buildings. (Unanimous)
• 240252: Increased water rates by 5% for FY2024-25. (Unanimous)
• 240253: Increased sewer rates by 6% for FY2024-25. (Unanimous)
• 240313: Authorized $90 million from restaurant taxes and gaming revenues to demolish and reconstruct the Barney Allis Plaza Garage, including at least 583 parking spaces, public spaces, and transportation amenities, with no impact on the general fund. (Unanimous)
• 240315: Authorized a contract with Zole Medical Corporation for eight defibrillators and accessories for the fire department, funded by existing fire sales tax appropriations. (Unanimous)
• 240314: Approved a $1,322,832 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for HIV/AIDS services in the Kansas City Transitional Grant Area. (Unanimous)
• 240317: Recaptured $2,600,770 in Central City Economic Development funds from three withdrawn projects via a clawback mechanism. Councilwoman Patterson Hasley commended staff for accountability. (Unanimous)
• 240321: Rezoned land at 325 Ward Parkway from R-0.5 to B3-5 to allow hotel use for the Raphael Hotel. (Unanimous)
• 240322: A conditional waiver for a development agreement was deferred for two weeks at Councilman O'Neill's request due to unresolved issues. (Held)
• 240323: Authorized a $135,000 contract with Angelou Economics for a comprehensive economic development policy and strategic plan. Councilwoman Boo introduced an amendment to add $10,000 from her council account as a contingency, which was adopted. The ordinance then passed unanimously.
• 240303: Authorized a $13,054,200 contract amendment for migration of the fire alarm system at Kansas City International Airport. (Unanimous)
• 240310: Authorized an $11,315,237 contract amendment for elevator maintenance at Kansas City International Airport, including spare parts and wage assurances. (Unanimous)
• 240311: Authorized a $1,300,000 design contract amendment for replacement of Upper Rush Creek and Weatherby Lake No. 2 pump stations. (Unanimous)
• 240312: Authorized an $11,300,000 construction contract for the wastewater SCADA system improvement phase 2, and a $2,043,121 design contract amendment. (Unanimous)
• 240347 (Late Ordinance): Authorized an amendment to the city manager's contract, including a $308,000 salary. Councilwoman Robinson requested a closed session to discuss amendments; the motion passed 8-5. After the closed session, the ordinance passed 12-1 (Robinson opposed).
• 240350 (Late Resolution): Directed the city manager to provide a status update on housing and community development department contracts within five days and a corrective action plan within 14 days. Councilwoman Robinson cited that several social service agencies had not been reimbursed for 12 months, creating a state of emergency. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• 240351 (Late Ordinance): Proposed requiring city council approval for renaming streets; referred to the Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee.

Key Outcomes

• FY2024-25 Budget (240230): Adopted 12-1 (Councilman Duncan dissenting).
• City Manager Contract (240347): Amended and passed 12-1 (Councilwoman Robinson dissenting).
• Resolution on Housing Contracts (240350): Adopted unanimously.
• Closed Session: Held on the city manager contract issue.
• Deferral: Item 240322 held for two weeks.
• All other items passed unanimously (13-0) unless noted.
• Council members made remarks: Councilwoman Boo presented a book to the mayor; Councilman Rogers shared a personal story about the Kansas City Royals; Councilman Wright invited colleagues to an Easter egg hunt.