Kansas City Council Meeting - August 1, 2024

The Kansas City Council met on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers. The session opened with an invocation by Associate Pastor Gavin Cole of Refuge Church, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call (11 members present). The meeting covered special recognitions, final readings, committee advances, second readings, first readings, and a floor introduction. Key debates focused on amendments to marijuana facility zoning, financing for the South Loop Link project, and a home efficiency program.

Special Actions

• Honoring Bar K: Recognized as USA Today’s 2024 Best Dog Bar. Council members expressed support for the business and its role in the riverfront development. Resolution 240650 adopted unanimously.
• Honoring Michael Gray: Recognized for 26 years and 10 months of service in Water Services and Public Works. Resolution 240654 adopted unanimously.
• Honoring Leroy Stewart: Recognized for 24 years and 11 months of service in Parks and Recreation and Public Works. Resolution 240665 adopted unanimously.

Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals)

• 240632 (Final Reading): Resolution directing the City Manager to create a business data dashboard and small business support programs. Passed unanimously.
• 240566 (Final Reading): Rezoning 23.40 acres at 4520 Benton Boulevard from R-2.5 to UR with a development plan. Passed 12-0.
• 240614 (Final Reading): Amendment to the Heart of the City Area Plan for residential development (approx. 280 units) on the same 23.40 acres. Passed 12-0.
• 240599 (Final Reading): Street vacation on Fremont Avenue - held until August 15 to align with a related master plan process.
• 240625 (Committee Advance): Workers’ compensation settlement of $74,929.38 for Jeffrey Hursman. Passed 11-0.
• 240621, 240622, 240626, 240634: Various amendments to the Arlington Road and Barry Towne Tax Increment Financing Plans, including designating new project areas. All passed 12-0.
• 240638: Ordinance prohibiting City deposits in institutions engaged in predatory lending or abusive financial practices. Passed 12-0.
• 240642: Contribution agreement with DTC Community Development ($1 million) and contract amendment with HNTB ($11,203,000) for South Loop Link design. Passed 11-1 (Councilmember Curls voted no).
• 240647: Establishing a bond fund ($14,850,000) and authorizing a construction contract ($14,771,134) for West Bottoms Phase I. Passed 12-0.
• 240648: Funding the Grand Avenue Bike/Pedestrian Bridge ($3,591,162 from PortKC contributions plus $7,300,000 in bond proceeds). Passed 12-0.
• 240564: Development plan for a 109-room hotel at NW Tiffany Springs Parkway and I-29. Passed 11-0.
• 240619: Clawback of $422,354 from a withdrawn CCED project. Passed 11-0.
• 240633: Reprogramming CDBG and HOME funds ($900,478 in HOME, $1.5M for Jazz District III/Prospect Summit, $300K for Amethyst Place). Passed 10-0.
• 240640 and 240641: Amendments to the liquor control code regarding neighborhood input and definitions. Passed 11-1 and 10-1 (Councilmember Rogers voted no on both).
• 240443, 240550, 240551, 240563, 240618, 240628, 240629, 240630, 240631: Various Water Services and Public Works contracts for sewer projects, leak stoppers, low-income assistance, bill printing, green infrastructure maintenance, sidewalk inspections, and repair contracts. All passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• 240411 (Marijuana Facilities Zoning): Committee substitute to amend Chapter 88, requiring 2,000 feet between dispensaries and increasing the distance from schools. Councilmember Willett proposed an amendment to also set the school distance at 2,000 feet (previously the committee had reported it as 300 feet with a desire for 2,000). Discussion raised concerns about grandfathering existing dispensaries, consistency with liquor store distances, and the need for further study. The item was re-referred to the Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee without objection.
• 240602 (South Loop Link TIFIA Loan): Authorized the City Manager to apply for up to $65 million in credit assistance through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for the South Loop Link project. Council debate focused on the impact on the city’s credit rating, the amount of private fundraising, and the total project cost ($214 million). Councilmembers O’Neill and Bunch raised concerns about city debt and private fundraising efforts. The Finance Director explained the loan would require future council approval of a finance plan. Passed 12-0.
• 240572 (Home Efficiency Program): Originally an ordinance directing the City Manager to negotiate a contract with a nonprofit to improve home efficiency in disinvested neighborhoods. Councilmembers raised procedural concerns about entering into a contract without an RFB or council review. After discussion, the sponsor (Councilmember Patterson Hazley) agreed to hold the item and introduce a resolution instead. Subsequently, a floor-introduced resolution (240668) was read and immediately adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• 240411: Re-referred to committee for further discussion on school distance consistency.
• 240572: Held; replaced by Resolution 240668 (directing City Manager to negotiate with nonprofit organizations for a home efficiency program), which passed unanimously.
• 240602: Approved; City Manager authorized to apply for TIFIA loan; a future finance plan will be presented to council.
• All other items on the debate and consent dockets were approved as noted.
• The meeting concluded with councilmember announcements, including a reminder of primary elections on August 6 and an invitation to Mayor Pro Tem Parks-Shaw’s Operation Backpack event on August 3.