Kansas City City Council Meeting – February 27, 2025

The Kansas City, Missouri City Council convened on February 27, 2025, with 13 members present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Alden Jones and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council honored Black History Month, adopted multiple special actions, and passed a series of ordinances, including a controversial CDBG funding amendment requiring community engagement. Acting City Auditor Mark Shaw was introduced.

Special Actions

• Resolution 250178: Honoring the life and legacy of Carolyn Mitchell, one of the city’s first female firefighters and first Black female captain in suppression. Councilwoman Patterson Hasley sponsored. Adopted unanimously (voice vote). A family member thanked the council.
• Resolution 250189: Declaring February 24–March 2, 2025 as Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Councilwoman Boo shared personal family experience and statistics (30 million Americans affected; 1 in 5 children have mental health diagnosis). A Children’s Mercy representative detailed the Illuminate initiative: $125 million raised of $150 million goal; Eating Disorder Center expansion to care for 50% more patients. Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 250149: Declaring February 13, 2025 and forevermore as Bloodstone Day, honoring the R&B/soul/funk group. Councilwoman Robinson sponsored. Members shared memories. Adopted unanimously. Larry Durham, brother of original member, spoke and presented a gold record to Alvin Brooks.
• Motion to suspend Rule 4.01 limiting special actions to three per meeting: Passed 9–0 (roll call).
• Resolution 250209: Honoring Kansas City Black employees and residents, declaring Black History Month, and authorizing the city manager to fly the Pan-African flag. Councilman Curls sponsored. Discussions highlighted the flag’s symbolism and the work of the ASSET employee resource group. Adopted unanimously. Robert Woods of Public Works spoke.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A family member of Carolyn Mitchell expressed gratitude for the resolution and praised her legacy.
• A Children’s Mercy representative presented statistics on mental health and the Illuminate initiative.
• Larry Durham spoke about Bloodstone’s legacy and presented a gold album to Alvin Brooks.
• Robert Woods (Public Works) spoke on behalf of ASSET, thanking the council.

Discussion Items

• 250176 Economic Mobility Strategy: Councilwoman Boo presented the resolution adopting a strategy for residents at or below 400% federal poverty level, directing an RFP and $250,000 in FY26 and FY27. Passed 13–0.
• 250148 Prospect Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan: Mayor Pro Tem described the plan along Prospect Avenue and 12th Street. A committee substitute required the city manager to present a one-year implementation plan with public-private partnerships and community benefits agreements. The amendment passed 11–0, and the ordinance passed 11–0.
• 241073 KCI Area Plan Moratorium: Councilman Willett explained the moratorium on manufacturing rezoning until July 16, 2025, during the KCI Area Plan update. Passed 13–0.
• 250150 CDBG Reprogramming (major debate): Ordinance to reprogram CDBG and CDBG-CV funds totaling $5,181,166, plus $650,000, and authorize contracts. Councilwoman Robinson’s committee substitute required Hope Faith and restart contracts to return to council for approval. After lengthy debate about $2 million for a restart homeless services center in the 5th District, councilmembers Curls and the Mayor insisted on community engagement. An amendment required substantial community engagement within 30 days for the two contracts. The amendment passed 12–0; the amended ordinance passed 13–0.
• 250164 ParkMobile contract: Parking services contract; passed 11–2 with two nays (unexplained).
• First readings introduced: Resolution 250210 directing expedited hiring of qualified federal employees; Ordinance 250211 proposing to rename an avenue (transcript references "Truth Avenue," likely "Troost Avenue") and establish an archival program for the "Truce Quarter." Both were advanced with a waiver of three-day reading and referred to committees.

Consent Calendar

The following ordinances were approved unanimously without substantial debate:

• 250165: Authorizing city manager to sign petition to establish Crossroads Community Improvement District.
• 250166: Union Hill Special Business District front-foot assessment, $65,000.
• 241054: Rezoning 0.37 acres at 629 West 39th Street from UR to B32 for a marijuana dispensary parking/drive-through.
• 241061: Terminating Country Club Plaza TIF plan, distributing ~$2.9 million surplus funds.
• 251046: Development plan for ~36 acres at N. Indiana Avenue and NE Perry Road, including residential and commercial (McDonald’s).
• Lien waiver on property at 4263 60th Terrace for $11,029 in boarding and trash/weed abatements.
• 250168: Preliminary development plan for five townhomes at West 49th Street and Sunset Drive.
• 250143: Accepting deed for Todd Creek facility from Hunt Midwest; $188,448 appropriation; lease with Martin Marietta.
• 250144: Design contract amendment with Burns & McDonnell for Todd Creek; total contract $9,493,116.
• 250145: Parking services contract with PayByPhone.
• 250163: Five-year parking lease with Aladdin Hotel, 80 spaces; $150,000 to housing trust fund; 10% units at 60% AMI.

Key Outcomes

• All special actions adopted; Black History Month celebrated.
• Economic mobility strategy adopted with $500,000 total funding.
• Prospect TOD plan approved with implementation plan requirement.
• CDBG amendment passed with community engagement mandate; Hope Faith and restart contracts require council approval.
• Several contracts and development approvals granted.
• Two first-reading items introduced and referred to committees.
• Councilman Willett announced the "Casey Connectors" high school basketball program.

Note: The transcript contains some unclear references (e.g., "Truth Avenue" vs. "Troost Avenue") and no agenda/minutes were available; the summary relies solely on the transcription.