Kansas City City Council Meeting - February 6, 2025
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Kansas City City Council Meeting - February 6, 2025
Meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM with 13 council members present. The chaplain, Pastor Aldon Jones of City of Life KC, offered an invocation including a prayer for the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory. The meeting covered consent items, debate docket ordinances, first readings, and floor introductions.
Consent Calendar
- 250088: Accepted an additional $10,685.00 from a Victims of Crime Act grant for a 3-month extension to support the City Prosecutor's Office. Passed (12 ayes, 1 abstention – Willett).
- 250090: Approved the plat of Kinsley Forest Commercial – 2nd Plat, a 19-acre residential development in Clay County. Passed (12 ayes, 1 abstention – Willett).
Discussion Items
- 250048 (Local Emergency Operations Plan Update): Councilwoman Bough noted the update from the 2023 LEOP includes provisions for virtual coordination during emergencies like blizzards. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250091 (Chiefs Super Bowl Celebration Contract): Authorized a $905,000 contract with the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission for a postseason championship celebration if the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIX. Councilman Duncan expressed concern over public communications regarding the rally, urging a robust outreach strategy. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 241056 (Street Vacation – North Winchester Drive): Vacated a 30,000-square-foot section of street right-of-way. Mayor Pro Tem Parks-Shaw moved to amend requiring the applicant to remove and return street poles at their cost. Councilman Bunch supported the amendment and suggested codifying such requirements. Amendment passed unanimously; ordinance passed as amended (13 ayes).
- 250029 (De-annexation to Platte Woods): Detached approximately 3 acres to allow annexation by Platte Woods. Councilman French worked with the neighborhood to establish a deed restriction. Mayor Lucas recognized the Mayor of Platte Woods. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250083 (McKinsey Contract): Authorized a $410,000, 10-week contract with McKinsey & Company for process mapping of permit review to streamline development. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250084 (Rezoning – Mexico City Avenue): Rezoned about 7 acres from AG-R to MPD to incorporate a MoDOT-acquired tract into a larger 2,143-acre commercial/warehouse development. All prior conditions from 2022 ordinance remain. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250085 (Development Plan – 31st Street): Approved a major amendment for five multi-unit residential buildings totaling 234 units (1 parking space per unit) on 1.83 acres. The Union Hill Neighborhood Association supported the plan and signed a good neighbor agreement. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250089 (Cottage House Development): Approved a 6-unit cottage development on 0.68 acres in the historic northeast, including parking garden and rain garden. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250047 (Water Purchase Agreement): Authorized a 25-year agreement to sell up to 0.6 million gallons per day to the City of Mosby, Missouri. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250087 (Black & Veatch Contract): Authorized a $1,020,000 design professional services contract for updating operational procedures and implementing reliability-centered maintenance at water/wastewater facilities. MBE/WBE goals: 14% each. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
- 250134 (CDC Public Health Data Resolution): Councilman Rea introduced a resolution directing the city manager to preserve and publish CDC public health data on the Health Department website. Councilwoman Robinson expressed concern about the health director's autonomy to exclude data if it conflicts with science. An amendment adding “the director deems beneficial” was adopted (12 ayes, 0 nays, 1 out – Willett). The resolution as amended was adopted (12 ayes, 0 nays, 1 out – Willett).
- 250135 (Acting City Auditor Appointment): Resolution to ratify appointment of Marc Shaw as Acting City Auditor at a temporary salary of $13,750/month. Councilwoman Patterson Hazley suggested a national search and matching salary with the current auditor. The council voted unanimously (13 ayes) to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters. After closed session, the item was held until the next meeting without a vote.
- Floor Introductions: Several ordinances and resolutions were introduced and referred to committees: 250136 (Belmont Avenue plat amendment condition), 250137 (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design training program), 250138 (Public Safety Sales Tax intent), 250139 (Paramedic School Program in Fire Department). Also, 250132 (Northland Career Center finance plan) was redirected to the Finance Committee by Mayor Lucas.
Key Outcomes
- All debate docket ordinances passed (most unanimously; consent items with one abstention).
- The CDC data resolution passed with an amendment strengthening the health director's discretion.
- The acting auditor resolution was held over after closed session discussion.
- Community Improvement District budgets from 30 districts were received and filed.
Meeting Transcript
The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is the very patient Pastor Alden Jones of City of Life, Kansas City. Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Jones. Gracious God, a source of love, wisdom, and justice. We seek your guidance as our Kansas City City Council convenes this afternoon. May your spirit rest upon them. Grant them clarity, vision, and discernment in their deliberations today. Scriptures tells us that you are God, whoso love the world. Inspire our mayor and our city council members to engage in constructive dialogue and create policies that ensure fairness and opportunity for all. May their decisions reflect a commitment to an inclusive city where everyone belongs. Guide them in fostering a safer and more harmonious community where we can all experience human flourishing. Oh God, our God, there is one more request we must bring before you this day. Our beloved Kansas City Chiefs will be in a battle this Sunday to bring home for the third time in a row the Lombardi trophy. A three-peat championship. Oh God, we lift this up to you. The number three represents divine wholeness. So this afternoon, we pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We know you're a God for whom nothing shall be called impossible. We are bold enough to pray for victory in New Orleans for our Kansas City Chiefs. Dear God, as the naysayers have so much to say about the rest. We offer these prayers with faith, hope, love, and a three P. Amen, a man, and amen. Amen, amen, amen. Congratulations. Clerk will call the roll. Yes, sir. Patterson Hasley. Aye, Robinson. Rhea. Bunch. Earls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Boo. Here. Duncan. Here. O'Neill. Here. Present. Rent. Here. Rogers. Here. 13 members present. Please call the final readings, debate dockets. Yes, sir. 25034.
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