Kansas City Council Meeting – October 10, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Kansas City Council Meeting – October 10, 2024
The Kansas City Council met on October 10, 2024, with 11 members present. The meeting included special action proclamations, final readings of ordinances, and the introduction of new items. Key actions included adopting resolutions recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Digital Inclusion Week, passing ordinances to fund a future detention center land purchase and a firefighters' pay scale, and re-referring a flavored tobacco ban for further review.
Consent Calendar
- 240904: Appointing Sydney Smith as a member of the police retirement board. Passed with 12 ayes.
Special Actions (Proclamations)
- 240915: Councilwoman French presented a proclamation declaring October 2024 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She noted that one in eight people are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and highlighted early detection. Several council members shared personal stories of family survivors. The resolution was adopted.
- 240906: Councilman Curls commemorated October 7–11 as National Digital Inclusion Week, recognizing organizations like Goodwill, Kansas City Public Library, and Literacy KC for closing the digital divide. Council members expressed support, noting that over 118,000 people in the region lost connectivity support when the Affordable Connectivity Program ended. The resolution was adopted.
- Pure Pitch Rally Day: Mayor Pro Tem recognized the ninth annual Pure Pitch Rally on October 21, which provides free training to over 72 startups since 2017. The proclamation was adopted.
Discussion Items
- 240894: Directing the city manager to study the feasibility of a city-operated DMV office. Councilman Raya noted only one DMV office exists within city limits. Others cited similar city-operated offices in other Missouri municipalities. Passed with 12 ayes.
- 240892: Directing the city manager to analyze city-owned property for a community resource center supporting housing and mental health services. Passed with 11 ayes.
- 240893: Expressing support for a $7 million HUD grant to remove barriers to affordable housing. Passed.
- 240596: Amending the code to move municipal judges from the elected officials money purchase plan to the employees' retirement system. Passed 11-1.
- 240884: Authorizing an option to purchase 23 acres from Jackson County for $2.3 million for a future detention center, contingent on a public safety sales tax. Passed 11-1.
- 240891: Enacting a new pay scale per the collective bargaining agreement with firefighters (IAFF Local 42) and appropriating $16,052,914 from general fund balance. Passed unanimously.
- 240900: Approving the 15th amendment to the Parvin Road Corridor TIF plan. Passed 11-1.
- 240723: Authorizing the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to administer the Central City Economic Development Sales Tax. Passed 11-1.
- 240889: Rezoning 2.29 acres at 5005 North Brighton Avenue to allow a mobile vendor park. Passed unanimously.
- 240890: Rezoning about three acres at East U.S. 40 Highway and Phelps Road for vehicle sales. Passed unanimously.
- 240895: Approving $796,400 in neighborhood source development funds for 72 nonprofit projects. Passed unanimously.
- 240897: A proposal to ban flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products. Mayor Pro Tem moved to re-refer to committee for further review; the motion passed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved ordinances: All final reading items on the debate docket passed as noted above, with most receiving near-unanimous support.
- Re-referred: The flavored tobacco ban (240897) was sent back to the Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee due to potential amendments.
- New introductions: Four ordinances were introduced as first readings and referred to committees:
- 240920: $300,000 for violence prevention software (Police Foundation).
- 240921: Capital repairs plan for 18th and Vine Museum and Mohart Center.
- 240923: Amending Westport Main General Development Plan timeline.
- 240924: Directing a home ownership assistance program report.
- Charter requirement waived: A motion to waive three-reading requirements for ordinances on committee advances passed unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Pastor Dale Schwartzler of the Day Spring Pentecostal Church. Would all who are able, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Father, we come before you today with thanksgiving and gratitude in our heart for your blessing for the men and women that are here today that have given their lives and their time to serve the city. Lord, we seek your guidance and your wisdom for your concern, Lord, in your holy scripture with justice and truth, with righteousness, caring for the poor and the oppressed father. I pray let your wisdom and your truth and your guidance, Lord God, come and prevail in this meeting. I let there be a spirit of unity and purpose, a single hearted mind in this, to conduct a business, to do what's right, Lord. We look to you for guidance. We look to you for justice. We seek you for answers, Lord. We need your guidance, Lord. We thank you for this. I praise you and thank you, Lord, for the fair city that you've given to us this beautiful day, Lord, and we thank you, Lord, for your grace that's upon us with your wisdom bestowed. We thank you, Lord, as Scripture says in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. I believe you're glad to be not looking forward. One nation with liberty and justice for our call roll. French present. Rogers. Patterson has me. Present. Robinson. Here, pray. Bunch. Here. Currels. Thank you for present. Thank you, Mr. Duncan. Oh Neil. Willie. President. Lucas. 11 members present. Well, the clerk please proceed with the special action starting with 240915. Yes, sir. 240915. Acknowledging that October 2024 breast cancer Wordness Month in Kansas City recognizing our family members and friends that have been affected by this disease. Andrea Wells and others are presents who receive the special action. Thank you. We started with 240915. Great to see you. How are you? Councilwoman French. Yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you. We are gathered here today and thank you all for gathering to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each October, we come together to not only remember those who have fought this battle, but also though to empower those and one another with knowledge and hope. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women and men around the world.
openpublica.com