Kansas City Council Meeting - May 23, 2024: Proclamations, Political Resolutions, and Ordinances on Infrastructure and Solid Waste
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Kansas City Council Meeting - May 23, 2024
The Kansas City Council convened on May 23, 2024, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting included several unanimous proclamations and special recognitions, followed by extensive debate and votes on two politically charged resolutions. The council then passed a series of ordinances related to illegal dumping, the South Loop Link project, a Broadway license agreement, Swope Health redevelopment, and solid waste collection policies.
Consent Calendar
- Recognition of Delois Cole Brown's 75th Birthday – Resolution adopted unanimously with a presentation and remarks from the honoree.
- National Public Works Week Proclamation – Councilmembers praised Public Works employees; resolution adopted unanimously.
- Recognition of Cookingham-Knoll Management Fellows – Resolution adopted unanimously; fellows were honored for their service.
- Raising KC Month Proclamation – Resolution adopted unanimously; June designated as Raising KC Month to promote healthy child-adult relationships.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 240470 (Recognizing anti-semitism) – Sponsor Councilman Willett introduced the resolution as a response to earlier ceasefire resolutions. After a motion to hold it off docket initially passed (11-2), Councilwoman Boo moved to reconsider, which succeeded (7-6? The roll call showed: French no, Rogers no, Patterson Hasley aye, Robinson aye, Raya aye, Bunch aye, Curls aye, Park Shaw aye, Boo aye, Duncan aye, O'Neill aye, Willett no, Lucas aye – motion passed). The item was then brought back. Councilman Willett moved for immediate failure. Debate included Councilman Duncan arguing for a moral imperative to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Councilman O'Neill cautioning against divisiveness. The motion for immediate failure passed (votes: French present, Rogers not audible, Patterson Hasley yes, Robinson aye, Raya present, Bunch aye, Curls aye, Park Shaw aye, Boo aye, Duncan aye, O'Neill aye, Willett present, Lucas aye – effectively 11 in favor, 2 present). The resolution failed and was removed from the docket.
- Resolution 240471 (Apologizing to Harrison Butker) – Councilman Willett moved for immediate adoption. Extensive debate: Councilman O'Neill and Councilwoman Robinson opposed, citing Butker's remarks about women; Councilman Bunch apologized to city staff who faced harassment; Councilman Raya voted present citing jurisdictional limits; Councilman Curls called the resolution grandstanding. The resolution failed on a roll call (13 votes: all no or present? Actual roll call: French no, Rogers no, Patterson Hasley no, Robinson no, Raya no, Bunch no, Curls no, Park Shaw no, Boo no, Duncan no, O'Neill no, Willett aye, Lucas no – 12 no, 1 aye, failed).
- Ordinance 240455 (Swope Health redevelopment) – Councilwoman Boo introduced; Mayor Pro Tem offered a committee substitute amendment increasing health fund appropriation from $2.5M to $5M and reserving 10 mental health beds for municipal court referrals. The amendment and the amended ordinance passed unanimously (13-0).
- Ordinances on Illegal Dumping – Two ordinances passed: 240456 (directing city manager to develop administrative regulation and public campaign on illegal dumping) and 240458 (enhancing penalties for illegal dumping in vulnerable areas, adding possible incarceration). Both passed (240456: 12-0; 240458: 11-0).
- Other Ordinances Passed Unanimously – 240449 and 240450 (South Loop Link funding agreements, $28.6M each), 240452 (Broadway shows license renewal), 240445 (solid waste collection changes, effective Nov 1, 2024). All passed 13-0.
Key Outcomes
- Failed Resolutions: Resolution 240470 (anti-semitism) and Resolution 240471 (apology to Harrison Butker) both failed; the former was voted down via motion for immediate failure, the latter lost on a roll call.
- Swope Health Amendment Approved: City's contribution increased to $5M; 10 behavioral health beds reserved for municipal court referrals; development agreement authorized for a $100M+ project including housing and jobs.
- Illegal Dumping Package Passed: Two ordinances strengthen enforcement, increase fines, and mandate city manager reports. New bulky item pickup timeline set (12 days).
- South Loop Link Progress: Two ordinances accepted $28.6M each from federal and state sources for the 5.5-acre park over I-670.
- Solid Waste Code Changes: Effective November 1, 2024, residents must tag extra trash bags; 12-day response for bulky item pickup.
- Broadway Contract Extended: License agreement with John Gore Theatrical Group extended through 2034 with a three-year renewal option.
- Starlight Theatre Funding Introduced: Late ordinance (240477) authorizing $3.5M for improvements, read for first time and referred to committee.
Meeting Transcript
Will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Pastor Craig Gates of the Greater Life Church. But all who are able, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor. If you would, will you bow your heads with me? Heavenly Father, our Almighty Creator, we are thankful, Lord, that you have given us this day. We have been blessed beyond measure, beyond what we deserve. Lord, I know that today this council is here to do the good work of this city. I pray, Lord, that you bless our city leaders. I pray that you give them great wisdom, strength, and courage. Bless them today in all of their deliberations. I pray that you give us, Lord, the wisdom to know the right things, the courage to do the right things, and the compassion, Lord, that we would do those right things in a spirit of love and kindness. And ask for that you continue to bless this great city. Grant us good favor, bring peace to our city, to this council, to these offices. May this city become a light to other cities. And in that regard, Gordon, we ask for your divine favor over this city. Bless our workers, bless our police and our fire departments, our businesses, the houses of worship, the families, the individuals that make this city such a great place to call home. Lord, I pray that you would bless everyone that is gathered here today. We ask for your protection over the city that there would be an end to all violence and hurt, that this city would be a place of harmony. According to your will and purpose, Lord, we ask all of these things in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Under law, indivisible with every justice for all. Thank you. The clerk will call the role. French. Rogers Patterson Hasley. Pierre. Robinson. Thank you very much. Raya. Present. Bunch. Girls. President. Who? Here. Duncan. Oh, Neil. Here. Woolley. Here. Lucas. Here. Four members present. Will the clerk proceed with the special actions? Yes, sir. Thank you. 240462. Congratulating Delois Colclear Brown on her 75th birthday. Thanks, Chester.
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