OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – November 21, 2024: Special Actions, Zoning, and Development Plans

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, November 21, 2024
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, November 21, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

The meeting will come to order.

0:02

Our guest chaplain is Bishop Stan Gleason of the Life Church, Kansas City.

0:07

Would all who can please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

Shall we pray?

0:18

Lord Jesus, we gather in your name.

0:21

We call down your blessing, your peace, your wisdom, and your guidance on all the proceedings of this meeting in this room today.

0:32

We thank you for our benevolent mayor, that you will reign your guidance and direction down upon him, his mind, his heart, his spirit.

0:40

We thank you, Lord, for these servants of our community, our city council.

0:46

And together, may this team unite for the greater good of our city.

0:52

We thank you for our constituents that have gathered, and there certainly is a buzz in this room today, so we know that there's a lot on the line.

1:01

And I just pray your kingdom come to our minds and our hearts as we make decisions today for the greater good of all concerned.

1:09

I speak this blessing, and I ask it in Jesus' name.

1:14

Amen.

1:16

I gladly of the United States of America.

1:34

The clerk will call the roll.

1:37

Present.

1:38

Rogers, Patterson Hasley, Robinson.

1:42

Raya.

1:44

Bunch.

1:45

Curls.

1:46

Present.

1:47

Parkshaw.

1:48

Present.

1:49

Boo.

1:50

Duncan.

1:51

Here.

1:52

O'Neal.

1:52

Here.

1:53

Will it?

1:54

Present.

1:54

Lucas.

1:56

Here.

1:56

Eleven members present.

1:58

Will the clerk please call the special action?

2:00

Yes, sir.

2:01

241001.

2:02

Recognizing graduates of community engagement university for the 2024 term for their hard work and determination.

2:09

Nabia and others are present to receive the special action.

2:28

Thank you.

2:29

Appreciate all that again.

2:32

Your patience.

2:34

How are you?

2:36

Hey everybody.

2:40

Thank you.

2:44

Good to see you.

2:45

Thank you so much.

2:46

All right.

2:47

Mayor Pro Tim.

2:50

Thank you, Honorable Mayor.

2:51

It is my honor today to rise to uh acknowledge the team here for the community engagement university and for their diligent work on the establishing the this year's term and all of the work that they did over the community engagement university.

3:15

Many of you know, many of us know that uh this is an opportunity to really engage civically with the city to learn more about city processes, and uh those individuals in front of you are our late our newest graduates, and I am honored to rise here to congratulate you all and thank you so much for your commitment uh to Kansas City, and we wish you all the best and want to acknowledge the work that you've done and request that you continue to stay engaged uh and assist us in improving our city.

3:49

But thank you so much, and it is my honor to thank each and every one of you.

3:53

Thank you.

3:54

Thank you so much, Mayor Pro Tim.

3:56

Are there others who wish to speak to the resolution?

3:58

I want to thank you for your interest and your concern in local government.

4:02

I hope it continues long after this.

4:05

This city is an exceptional place, and no matter what happens in the world, the country around us.

4:10

I know each day we're still filling potholes, building sidewalks, hiring people, making sure things work.

4:16

And thank you for taking the time to learn about your city and for being leaders in this city long term.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning██████████████████18%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Public Safety██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Disability Rights████████8%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – November 21, 2024

The Kansas City Council convened on November 21, 2024, at 20:30 UTC. The meeting opened with an invocation by Bishop Stan Gleason of Life Church and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call showing 11 members present. The council considered multiple special actions honoring community groups and individuals, debated zoning and development ordinances, and addressed late-added items including land bank lot transfers and construction contracts. Key votes included motions to send a rezoning proposal back to the City Plan Commission and approvals for several street vacations and TIFF plan progress determinations.

Special Actions

  • 241001: Recognizing Graduates of Community Engagement University (2024 term). The mayor, mayor pro tem, and a Cookingham Fellow acknowledged the graduates for their civic engagement. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • 241008: Recognizing Melissa Johnson for Public Service and as Jackson County Prosecutor-Elect. Numerous council members praised her work as Public Safety Director, including standing up the multidisciplinary public safety task force and her door-to-door violence prevention efforts. The resolution was adopted unanimously. Johnson thanked the council and emphasized her commitment to addressing root causes of violence.
  • 241025: Commending Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) for Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza. Introduced as a late addition after a procedural motion to suspend rule limiting special actions. Councilmember Duncan cited PAMA’s founding in Kansas City, its 18,000+ members (1,000 in KC metro), and medical missions into Gaza since 2018. A representative noted PAMA’s plans to take over cancer and dialysis care in Gaza and a winterization project. Adopted 11-0 (Councilmember Willett voted no on the motion to suspend rules but the resolution itself passed with ayes).
  • 241026: Honoring Soul of Santa Dugo Foundation. Councilwoman Robinson recognized the foundation’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities, including the Aria Campbell Empowerment Program (awarding $1,000 grants). Founders described tree lighting ceremonies (Nov 27 at Shops at Blue Parkway, Dec 6 at 18th & Vine), a new ice skating rink, and monthly food distributions (20,000–25,000 lbs). Resolution adopted unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • 240879 – Rezoning at 5500 Bennington Avenue (Urban Farm). Councilman Bunch introduced an ordinance to rezone approximately 13 acres from R-80 to MPD to expand urban agricultural uses. Councilmembers Patterson-Hasley and Robinson expressed concerns about composting proximity to residences and proposed sending the plan back to the City Plan Commission with conditions: move driveway 250 feet north and compost facility 500 feet from residences. After debate, the council voted 11-1 (Bunch opposed) to refer the item back to CPC.
  • 240997 – Anti-Displacement Plan Resolution. A resolution directing the city manager to develop a comprehensive anti-displacement plan and review municipally owned housing corporations. Councilmembers Duncan and Curls added as co-sponsors. Passed unanimously (11-0).
  • 240923 & 240924 – PIEA Plan Extensions for 39th & Main and Midtown Areas. Discussion centered on whether a 20-year extension of the PIEA plan (originally approved) would allow tax abatements to run beyond the plan period. Councilmembers Boo, O’Neill, and Lucas questioned the length and policy implications. The council decided to hold both items until the next regular meeting to obtain legal clarity from PIEA’s attorney.
  • 240988, 240989, 24091 – TIFF Plan Progress Determinations (19th Terrace Central, Bannister Corridor, 11th Street Corridor). The council found each plan making satisfactory progress. All passed unanimously.
  • 240995 – PIEA Plan for 49th & Montgall (4 acres). Declared the area blighted and approved a general development plan tied to a specific residential project. Passed unanimously.
  • Vacation Ordinances (240843, 240849, 240922, 240971, 240972) – Paper street vacations near the sports complex. These vacated approximately 84,000 sq ft, 5,400 sq ft, 2,000 sq ft, 4,500 sq ft, and 2,000 sq ft of unimproved rights-of-way. Public Works confirmed no future activation. All passed unanimously except 240879 (referred).
  • 241027 – Acceptance of 14 Land Bank Parcels (5th District). Mayor Pro Tem introduced a same-day adoption ordinance to allow the city manager to accept 14 vacant lots from the Land Bank for an affordable housing pilot. Council appropriated funds in May 2023. Adopted unanimously (12-0).
  • 241028, 241029, 241030 – Late-Added Ordinances (Barney Ellis construction amendment, South Loop Park design contract, Platte County trail improvements). Referred to the Transportation Infrastructure and Operations Committee.

Key Outcomes

  • The rezoning for the urban farm (240879) was sent back to the City Plan Commission with specific conditions (driveway relocation and compost setback), voting 11-1.
  • The anti-displacement resolution (240997) passed unanimously, directing the city manager to report back.
  • Two PIEA plan extensions (240923, 240924) were held for two weeks pending legal clarification on the 20-year extension’s effect on tax abatement duration.
  • All three TIFF plan progress resolutions (240988, 240989, 24091) passed without dissent.
  • Five street vacation ordinances were approved, all passing unanimously.
  • The City accepted 14 land bank lots (241027) via same-day adoption, 12-0, to expedite affordable housing construction.
  • Three late-added ordinances were referred to committee.
  • The meeting concluded with a birthday acknowledgment for the mayor pro tem and Thanksgiving wishes.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Bishop Stan Gleason of the Life Church, Kansas City. Would all who can please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Shall we pray? Lord Jesus, we gather in your name. We call down your blessing, your peace, your wisdom, and your guidance on all the proceedings of this meeting in this room today. We thank you for our benevolent mayor, that you will reign your guidance and direction down upon him, his mind, his heart, his spirit. We thank you, Lord, for these servants of our community, our city council. And together, may this team unite for the greater good of our city. We thank you for our constituents that have gathered, and there certainly is a buzz in this room today, so we know that there's a lot on the line. And I just pray your kingdom come to our minds and our hearts as we make decisions today for the greater good of all concerned. I speak this blessing, and I ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. I gladly of the United States of America. The clerk will call the roll. Present. Rogers, Patterson Hasley, Robinson. Raya. Bunch. Curls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Boo. Duncan. Here. O'Neal. Here. Will it? Present. Lucas. Here. Eleven members present. Will the clerk please call the special action? Yes, sir. 241001. Recognizing graduates of community engagement university for the 2024 term for their hard work and determination. Nabia and others are present to receive the special action. Thank you. Appreciate all that again. Your patience. How are you? Hey everybody. Thank you. Good to see you. Thank you so much. All right. Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you, Honorable Mayor. It is my honor today to rise to uh acknowledge the team here for the community engagement university and for their diligent work on the establishing the this year's term and all of the work that they did over the community engagement university.

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