Kansas City Council Meeting - January 16, 2025

The Kansas City Council met on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Council Chambers. All 13 council members were present. The meeting included a consent docket, debate on several ordinances, and multiple infrastructure and grant approvals. Key debates centered on adding criminal history as a protected class (Ordinance 241074) and a Vision Zero funding ordinance (Ordinance 240987). The semi-annual docket was also addressed.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 250001 – Appointing successor directors to the Kansas City International Airport Community Improvement District. Adopted unanimously (11 ayes, 2 out).
• Ordinance 250013 – Settlement of William Johnson v. City of Kansas City for $363,570.01. Passed (11 ayes, 2 out).
• Ordinance 250031 – Accepting a $195,903.49 cybersecurity subgrant from Missouri Department of Public Safety. Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250034 – Ethics rules updating travel expenses and audit authority. Held on docket (no objection).
• Ordinance 240919 – Development plan on 7 acres at 12940 Wornall Road for 133 residential units and commercial space. Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250008 – Reducing separation distance for detention/correctional facilities from 1,000 to 400 feet when separated by a river. Passed (11 ayes, 1 abstain).
• Ordinance 250009 – Rezoning 1.5 acres for animal services (veterinary clinic). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250014 – Cooperative grant with Missouri Department of Conservation for North Terrace Lake project ($300,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250032 – Accepting $608,615 Byrne JAG grant and authorizing subagreements with Jackson County and other cities. Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 240985 – Change order for Water Services ADA compliance project ($4,788,455.31). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250002 – Front Street improvements contract ($9,836,072.85). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250003 – Water main replacement contract ($8,223,720). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250004 – Aviation design services contract at Downtown Airport ($4,100,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250005 – Aviation design services at KCI ($6,000,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250006 – On-call tenant modification contract with Structure Incorporated ($1,500,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250007 – On-call tenant modification contract with Vazquez Commercial Contracting ($1,500,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250012 – Rehab Terminal B and C bridges at KCI ($2,967,762.15). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250015 – Arterial Street Impact Fee District B appropriation ($1,000,000). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250016 – KCI runway project contract with Ideker, Inc. ($45,015,198.80). Passed (12 ayes).
• Ordinance 250017 – Amendment No. 14 with HNTB for runway project ($1,883,549.50). Passed (12 ayes).

Discussion Items

1. Resolution 250033 – RAISE Grant Application for Troost Corridor

• Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
• Summary: The resolution directs the City Manager to submit a RAISE grant application for safety and mobility improvements on Troost Avenue from Truman Rd to Bannister Rd, totaling approximately $21 million. Councilmember Lindsay French emphasized the corridor's high crash rate and pedestrian fatality. Councilmember Melissa Robinson praised the workforce development component and noted disproportionate traffic fatalities in her district. The resolution was adopted unanimously (11 ayes, 2 out).

2. Resolution 250036 – Health Sciences CID Housing Improvements Fund Program

• Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson
• Summary: Accepts recommendations from the Health Sciences Community Improvement District Advisory Committee to fund housing improvements in two owner-occupied homes with children under age 6, using $53,263 from existing EATS/CID revenue. Improvements address lead paint, duct cleaning, smoke/CO detectors, and ventilation. Passed unanimously (11 ayes, 2 out).

3. Ordinance 241074 – Adding Criminal History as a Protected Class

• Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson
• Summary: This ordinance amends Chapters 2 and 38 of the Code of Ordinances to include persons with criminal histories in protected classes against discrimination. Councilmember Robinson stated that someone with a criminal record is five times less likely to receive a job callback, and that employment and housing are key to reducing recidivism. Several council members spoke in favor, including Andrea Bough, Crispin Rea, and Johnathan Duncan. Councilmembers Kevin O'Neill, Nathan Willett, and Wes Rogers voiced opposition, citing concerns about arbitrary implementation and potential negative impacts on businesses. Amendments were made to include safe harbor language based on existing local, state, and federal laws, protective orders, and job-relatedness. The ordinance passed 9 ayes to 3 nays (O'Neill, Willett, Rogers voting nay; Lucas out).

4. Ordinance 250018 – Longfellow Park Removal for Ronald McDonald House

• Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
• Summary: Calls for an April 8, 2025 election to remove 3.42 acres of Longfellow Park for the purpose of expanding free housing for families of ill/injured children near pediatric hospitals. The land would be used for a Ronald McDonald House. Passed unanimously (12 ayes).

5. Ordinance 250031 – Cybersecurity Grant (Consented earlier, but held briefly? Actually passed on consent.)*

6. Ordinance 240987 – Vision Zero Funding and Consultant

• Sponsor: Councilmember Eric Bunch
• Summary: Appropriates $500,000 from the Public Mass Transportation Fund to hire a consultant to review the top 10 high-injury streets and intersections and develop countermeasures, plus a crosswalk compliance campaign. Councilmember Bunch noted 97 traffic fatalities in 2024. Councilmember Kevin O'Neill objected to the timing outside the budget process. Councilmember Melissa Robinson asked about prioritizing the 5th District. An amendment was offered to require a report back to Council within 180 days and prior to implementation. The amendment passed (11 ayes, 1 nay – O'Neill). The ordinance as amended then passed (11 ayes, 1 nay – O'Neill).

7. First Readings (introduced and referred to committees)

• Resolution 250040 – Directing City Manager to develop a policy on surplus TIF revenue. Referred to Finance Committee.
• Ordinance 250043 – Second quarter FY2024-25 budget adjustments. Referred.
• Ordinance 250044 – Funding for security services in entertainment districts ($1,000,000). Referred.
• Ordinance 250038 – HOPWA grant ($2,196,300) and contracts. Referred.
• Ordinance 250041 – Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant design-build contract ($12,722,536). Referred.
• Ordinance 250042 – Water main replacement contract ($9,381,950). Referred.
• Ordinance 250046 – Floor introduction by Councilmember Nathan Willett: Rezoning 56 acres at N. Line Creek Parkway for 283 residential units. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 250033 (RAISE Grant) – Adopted.
• Resolution 250036 (Health Sciences CID Housing) – Adopted.
• Ordinance 241074 (Criminal History Protected Class) – Passed 9-3.
• Ordinance 250018 (Longfellow Park ballot measure) – Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 240987 (Vision Zero funding) – Passed as amended (report back in 180 days before implementation) 11-1.
• All consent and debate items on the consent docket were passed.
• Semi-Annual Docket: All ordinances and resolutions older than six months were released as lost, except ordinance 240524 which was held in committee at the request of Councilmember Willett.
• Closed Session: The council moved to closed session for legal, real estate, personnel, and other matters per state statute.