OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting September 26, 2024

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, September 26, 2024
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, September 26, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

The meeting will come to order.

0:02

Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Trivet Senior, Victory Temple Christian Life Church.

0:08

Would all who are able, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

Let's bow our heads.

0:19

Father, we thank you.

0:20

We thank you for your goodness, your grace, your mercy toward us and this city.

0:27

We pray now, Father, that you would continue to bless this city, continue to bless the leaders and those that make decisions for this city.

0:36

We thank you, Father, that you are giving them synergy in Jesus' name, and we pray, Father, that you would continue to enhance the business and the things that uh take place in this chamber, and we give you all the praise.

0:53

Amen.

0:56

I pledge you allegiance to the flag in the streets of America.

1:01

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:29

The clerk will call the roll.

1:30

French.

1:32

Present.

1:32

Rogers.

1:34

Patterson Hasley.

1:36

Robinson.

1:37

Raya.

1:39

Bunch.

1:44

Here.

1:45

Or exhell.

1:46

Present.

1:46

Boom.

1:47

Yes.

1:48

Duncan.

1:49

Oh, Neil.

1:50

Here.

1:50

Willie.

1:51

Present.

1:53

11 members present.

1:55

Well, the clerk call the special actions.

1:57

Yes, ma'am.

1:58

240870.

2:00

Recognized September 21824 as National Good Neighbor Day, which highlights the fostering strong supportive relationships between neighbors.

2:08

Promotes human understanding and helps build vibrant, thriving communities in Kansas City and beyond.

2:21

Yes.

2:35

Thank you.

2:44

Thank you so much.

2:51

Oh, I think you missed it.

2:53

No, that's a good thing.

2:55

Thank God.

3:03

Hey, how are you?

3:08

That's how we are.

3:38

All right, do we have everybody?

3:40

You can come on up.

3:48

Well, this is my special treat today.

3:50

When I talked to Director Forrest Decker about uh recognizing Good Neighbor Day, I didn't realize I actually would be presiding over the meeting today, so this is a special treat for me.

4:02

Um, as you all know, um, because I've spoken with many of you about how important our neighborhoods are to Kansas City.

4:10

We know that when we have strong neighborhoods, we have a strong city.

4:14

And it's my honor to present this special action today to all of those strong neighbors who are leading our neighborhoods across Kansas City.

4:23

Uh, if my number is correct, I think we have about 51 neighborhoods that um RSVP'd and said that they would come here today.

4:32

Uh so you know, I was going to read the neighborhoods, but then I'll mess up and miss somebody and skip somebody.

4:42

Uh, but I just really want to acknowledge you all for the work that you all do every day across our city.

4:48

Uh we have accomplished many great things together uh in terms of um redesigning our public engagement process.

5:00

And one of the things I'm most proud of, you all brought to me and the city manager and to this council, and it was the neighborhood empowerment fund that we have been able to fund in our first year 260,000.

5:12

And this council supported now $600,000 in its six second year, which allows us to really strengthen our city, our neighborhoods and our city even more.

5:23

So with that, I just wanted to acknowledge you all.

5:26

September 28th is good neighbor day, and just want to ask you to encourage uh additional neighborhoods and additional neighbors to continue to join in and lend themselves to the great works of Kansas City.

5:40

So with that, is there anyone else who would like to speak in regards to this special action?

5:47

Councilman Raya.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Land Use Planning█████████████13%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Public Transportation████4%
Miscellaneous████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting September 26, 2024

The Kansas City Council met on September 26, 2024, at 9:15 AM. The meeting included special recognitions, a consent calendar, and a debate docket covering a range of topics from 911 dispatch consolidation to gas station regulations. Key decisions included unanimous passage of a resolution directing the city manager to propose a unified 911 dispatch system, approval of a major redevelopment plan for the Parade Park site (over 1,000 units), and adoption of new zoning standards for gasoline and fuel sales with one dissenting vote.

Consent Calendar

  • 240847 – Appointing John Cosantino, Kelly Stylie Stock, and Josephine Norge as succession directors to the Brookside Community Improvement District. Passed unanimously.
  • 240852 – Accepting a $390,303 federal grant for a food systems coordinator position. Passed unanimously.
  • 240840 – Approving the plat for "The Townhomes" addition (8 lots) at 36th and Wanna. Passed unanimously.
  • 240841 – Approving the plat for "TTA Addition" (10 acres, single-unit residential) in Jackson County. Passed unanimously.
  • 240846 – Approving the plat for "Highland Plaza West Second Plat" (30.5 acres, commercial development) in Clay County. Passed unanimously.
  • 240844 – Authorizing a design contract amendment for Birmingham wastewater improvements ($842,600). Passed unanimously.
  • 240838 – Authorizing a construction contract for water main replacement ($4.6M). Passed unanimously.
  • 240837 – Authorizing a parking management services contract (with MBE/WBE goals). Passed unanimously.
  • 240716 – Accepting a $300,000 USDA grant for the Neighborhood Compost Program. Passed unanimously.
  • 240825 – Accepting a $52,292 grant for waste diversion at city events. Passed unanimously.
  • 240845 was removed from the consent calendar for discussion (legal settlement).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Neighborhood advocates thanked the council for the Good Neighbor Day recognition and for funding the Neighborhood Empowerment Fund (increased to $600,000 in its second year). One speaker noted that neighborhood associations are the backbone of the community.
  • Michael Kelly, a Fifth District resident, spoke in support of the Week Without Driving resolution. He requested a moment of silence for a pedestrian who was struck and killed earlier that day at 51st and Troost, highlighting the dangers of insufficient investment in non-driver infrastructure. The council observed a moment of silence.

Discussion Items and Key Outcomes

  • 240870 (Special Action) – Recognized September 28, 2024, as National Good Neighbor Day. The resolution celebrated the work of 51 neighborhood associations. Passed unanimously.
  • 240873 (Special Action) – Designated the week of September 30 – October 6, 2024, as "Week Without Driving" in Kansas City. Councilmembers spoke in support of improving walkability and transit access. A moment of silence was held for a pedestrian fatality. Passed unanimously.
  • 240874 (Special Action) – Honored the life of Austin Brooks, a Kansas City Aviation Department employee who passed away at age 31. The council observed a moment of silence. Passed unanimously.
  • 240627 – Directed the city manager to propose to the Board of Police Commissioners the creation of a unified 911 dispatch system for police and fire, with a report back in 45 days. Councilmember Bunch noted that current response times fall below national standards and that a resolution from the police board was insufficient. The ordinance passed 11-0.
  • 240626 – Directed the city manager to reevaluate hiring policies regarding degree requirements for city employment. Passed unanimously.
  • 240599 – Vacated approximately 130 feet of street on Fremont Avenue. Held for one week due to pending MPD plan.
  • 240824 – Amended the Hard River City Area Plan to change land use designation on 30.68 acres for a major residential development (Parade Park site). Passed unanimously.
  • 240856 – Directed the city manager to establish the "KC Connect" jersey and uniform grant program for high school basketball teams, funded from appropriate sources. Passed unanimously.
  • 240744 – Authorized a $2.825 million contract for elevator modernization at the Convention Center (five of ten elevators). Passed unanimously.
  • 240812 – Set the fiscal year 2024-2025 property tax levy rates (1.52% total, with allocations). Passed unanimously.
  • 240855 – Terminated the TIF for Project A of the Hotel Phillips TIF plan after 23 years, appropriated $1.7 million from the special allocation fund for Southwest Boulevard streetscape improvements. Passed unanimously.
  • 240721 – Vacated unimproved right-of-way at 4815 Gardner Avenue related to the Chouteau Traffic Bridge. Passed unanimously.
  • 240808 – Accepted $400,000 in additional CCED funds for the Urbanity project. Passed unanimously.
  • 240813 – Approved a development plan for 120 multi-unit residential units at N. Wyandotte and NW 85th Terrace. Passed unanimously.
  • 240822 – Approved the development plan and rezoning for the Parade Park redevelopment (1,084 units, commercial space, mixed-use). The project was described as transformational for the 18th and Vine District, including various AMI levels and for-sale townhomes. Passed unanimously.
  • 240833 – Approved a major amendment to the development plan for the Berkley Riverfront (80 acres) to allow a mixed-use neighborhood with hundreds of residential units at multiple AMIs, restaurants, and activation of Berkley Riverfront Park. Passed unanimously.
  • 240842 – Rezoned approximately 1 acre at US 40 and Manchester to M1-5 (light industrial), consistent with the area plan. Passed unanimously.
  • 240851 – Rezoning at NE Barry Road and Maplewoods College Road – held for one week at the request of Metropolitan Community College.
  • 240853 – Vacated approximately 18,000 sq ft of unimproved street near Lydia Avenue and Berkley Parkway (riverfront area). Passed unanimously.
  • 240861 – Amended Chapter 88 of the city code to establish new use standards for gasoline and fuel sales, including separation requirements and a special use permit process. An amendment was adopted to exempt previously approved gas stations. Councilmembers Curls and Bunch explained the rationale: addressing density in the 3rd and 5th districts, environmental and public safety concerns (crime risk terrain modeling). Councilmember Willett expressed concerns about unintended consequences for the Northland but supported the public engagement aspects. The ordinance passed 11-1 (Councilmember Willie dissenting).
  • 240845 (Legal settlement) – Approved a $1.3 million settlement in the case of Rebecca Miller vs. City of Kansas City. Discussed in closed session and then passed unanimously upon return (roll call: 11 ayes).

First Readings and Referrals

  • 240884 – Authorized the negotiation of an option to purchase agreement with Jackson County for land for a future municipal rehabilitation and detention center. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • 240885 – Recognized completion of the Southwest Boulevard Transportation Plan and directed the city manager to begin implementation. Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.

Note: All votes noted as unanimous were 11-0 unless otherwise stated.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Bishop Keith Trivet Senior, Victory Temple Christian Life Church. Would all who are able, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Let's bow our heads. Father, we thank you. We thank you for your goodness, your grace, your mercy toward us and this city. We pray now, Father, that you would continue to bless this city, continue to bless the leaders and those that make decisions for this city. We thank you, Father, that you are giving them synergy in Jesus' name, and we pray, Father, that you would continue to enhance the business and the things that uh take place in this chamber, and we give you all the praise. Amen. I pledge you allegiance to the flag in the streets of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. The clerk will call the roll. French. Present. Rogers. Patterson Hasley. Robinson. Raya. Bunch. Here. Or exhell. Present. Boom. Yes. Duncan. Oh, Neil. Here. Willie. Present. 11 members present. Well, the clerk call the special actions. Yes, ma'am. 240870. Recognized September 21824 as National Good Neighbor Day, which highlights the fostering strong supportive relationships between neighbors. Promotes human understanding and helps build vibrant, thriving communities in Kansas City and beyond. Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much. Oh, I think you missed it. No, that's a good thing. Thank God. Hey, how are you? That's how we are. All right, do we have everybody? You can come on up. Well, this is my special treat today. When I talked to Director Forrest Decker about uh recognizing Good Neighbor Day, I didn't realize I actually would be presiding over the meeting today, so this is a special treat for me. Um, as you all know, um, because I've spoken with many of you about how important our neighborhoods are to Kansas City. We know that when we have strong neighborhoods, we have a strong city. And it's my honor to present this special action today to all of those strong neighbors who are leading our neighborhoods across Kansas City.

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