Kansas City Council Meeting - December 12, 2024

The Kansas City Council met on December 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM (20:15 UTC) to consider a range of ordinances and resolutions. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Dr. Sarita Wright and the Pledge of Allegiance. Eleven members were present. The council approved a consent agenda, debated several items, and adopted both state and federal legislative priority lists.

Consent Calendar

• 241038: Unanimously approved appointing Tim Harris, Matthew Iway, Cheryl Gambiambo, Blake Fulton, and Shelley K. Stephanie Harris Klein as successor directors of the Winnes Plaza Community Improvement District.

Discussion Items

• Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grants (241046): Councilwoman Boo presented a resolution approving grant awards for the Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program, which supports small businesses in expanding outdoor dining. The finance committee recommended passage, and the ordinance passed unanimously (11 ayes).
• 39th Maine General Development Plan Amendment (240922): Councilman Bunch introduced a resolution to rebooting an old PIEA plan by amending the estimated completion time to 20 years. Councilman Duncan requested to hold the item to review a memorandum from PIEA. The council agreed and later passed it 11-1.
• In-Sourcing Animal Control (241043): Councilman Bunch explained a resolution directing the city manager to develop a plan within 30 days to bring animal control operations in-house. The current contract with KC Pet Project expires May 1, 2025, and the RFP process resulted in no contractor selected. Councilman Curls asked about budget implications; Councilman Bunch confirmed the plan will include costs. Councilman Duncan inquired about the reasons for not renewing with KC Pet Project; Councilwoman Patterson Hasley cited procurement scoring (67/100 points) and negative feedback. Councilman Willett noted it is a resolution, not a final decision. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Prohibiting Employee Testimony (240902): Councilwoman Robinson (and Patterson Hasley) introduced an ordinance codifying a policy that staff cannot testify before city boards on matters outside their work authority while on the clock, preserving First Amendment rights. The legal review committee recommended passage. It passed 11-1.
• State Legislative Priorities (241022): The resolution outlines Kansas City's priorities for the 2025 Missouri General Assembly. Councilman Willett expressed concern about lack of consultation with council and requested a briefing from government affairs staff. He voted no. The resolution passed 8-4.
• Federal Legislative Priorities (241024): Similar to the state priorities, this resolution covers positions for the 119th U.S. Congress (2025-26). Amendments were made for transit and brownfield remediation. The vote was 9-3.
• Job Classifications (21103): Councilwoman Boo presented an ordinance adding, removing, and re-titling several city job classifications, including deputy fire chief and equity manager. Passed unanimously.
• Settlement of Daniel McGrath Case (241034): Approving a $850,000 settlement (Case No. 2316-CB-13431). Councilman Duncan requested a future presentation on risk assessment and legal exposure. Councilman O'Neill suggested a running tally of settlements. Councilwoman Robinson highlighted the need for improved workplace discrimination prevention and commended HR's EEOC training. Passed 11-0.
• Women in the Workplace Audit (241047): Councilwoman Boo introduced an ordinance requiring the city auditor to report on practices relating to women, including key performance indicators, to the human rights commission and council. Councilman Duncan questioned how the auditor would report on his own staff; Councilwoman Boo explained the auditor would act as a director subject to the same obligation. Passed 11-0.
• Accept Property (241035): Accepting a sliver of property from the school district adjacent to existing parks near Central High School. Passed 10-0.
• Rezoning (241042): Rezoning 19 acres from B3-3 to B4-3 near North Ambassador Drive and North Polo to allow commercial uses, including self-storage. Passed 11-0.
• Permanent Outdoor Dining Expansion (241045): Making permanent the COVID-era allowance for restaurants to expand outdoor dining into parking lots and green spaces. Councilman Willett praised the policy. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Animal control: The council voted to direct the city manager to develop an in-sourcing plan within 30 days.
• Settlement: Authorized $850,000 settlement; council members called for more transparency on legal liabilities.
• Legislative priorities: Adopted state (8-4) and federal (9-3) priority lists for 2025.
• First readings referred to committees:
  • 241073: Moratorium until July 16, 2025 on manufacturing zoning amendments within the KCI area plan update. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development.
  • 241074: Amending city codes to include persons with criminal histories as a protected class against discrimination. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety.
• All other items on the debate docket passed, with votes noted above.

Committee Advances

• Plats and subdivisions (241031, 241032) approved unanimously.
• Various ordinances on the advance debate docket passed with unanimous or near-unanimous support.