The Kansas City Council convened on April 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM with 13 members present. The meeting featured special recognitions, approval of a $25 million bond plan for the Northland Workforce Development Center, adoption of the FY2024-25 third quarter budget adjustments, and a contentious debate over relaxing conditions for a $1.2 million subsidy to the Linwood Shopping Center grocery store. Several resolutions and ordinances were passed, while one floor introduction failed.
No public comments were recorded on the agenda. Several individuals spoke during special action presentations, including Janet Baker (KC Shepherd Center) who noted that Meals on Wheels funding is threatened and that 20,000 food‑insecure older adults need support. Chief James Kelly (KCFD) reported the dispatch center fields about 365,000 calls annually, with 165,000 emergency dispatches. Dean Gregory (Dark Sky Missouri) thanked the council for advancing safe street lighting. Representatives from maternal health and LGBTQ+ organizations also addressed the council.
Our guest chaplain had to depart given the delay. And so usually this is when we call on Councilman O'Neil, unless he defers to Councilman Willett to give us a brief moment. Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman O'Neill. Oh, Councilman Willard. All right. Dear Lord, thank you for another day of bringing us together. I pray for all parts of our city from the Northland to South of the River, East and West. I pray for our first responders in our city and all that they do for us. I pray for a safe uh spring, a safe summer, and coming up on the reason for the spring of renewed hope. Um, I pray for the safety of all of my colleagues and wisdom in the decisions we make today. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. I pledge to the flag of the United States. For which it stands one nation under God and visible with liberty and justice. The clerk will call the role. Yes, sir. Patterson Hasley, present Robinson, present Raya. Yes. But Willett. President Prent. Rogers. Lucas. Here. 13 members present. Will the clerk please call the special actions? Yes, sir. 250251. Declaring the week of March 17th through 21st, 2025 as national as community of champions week throughout the Kansas City, Missouri, and honoring the Kansas City Shepherd Center for his dedication to ending senior hunger and isolation. Janet Baker and others are present to receive special actions. Council. Hey everybody. I need Millet. Councilman Curl. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um today I want to recognize uh KC Shepherd Center. This has been a overdue recognition because this was uh should have been recognized during the week of March 17th through the 21st. Uh there had been some difficulties in regards to getting this together due to the fact that the council had been in and out of session, and then there were some other hiccups. But we are here today, and we are going to recognize KC Shepherds for the work that they do. Shepherd Center for the work that they do. Uh to kind of share a little bit about Casey Shepherd Center. Casey Shepherd Center was founded in 1972 as the original Shepherd Center and serves as the model for a national movement of now 57 Shepherd Centers in 17 states. And it is also the organization that brought meals on wheels to Kansas City in 1972. Since its inception in 1972, Casey Shepherd Center has provided over 694,000 meals to Kansas City's homebooks. In 2024, Casey Shepherd Center delivered meals to more than 900 homebound seniors five days a week, totaling 143,000 frozen meals and 45,000 hot meals delivered by 52 dedicated volunteers and KCSC staff drivers. Each visit provides not only a meal but a life-saving well check and a social connection, which are crucial to an older adult living independently in the place they call home. When Casey Shepherd Center learned that some meals on wheels clients were sharing their small meals with their beloved pets, Casey Shepherd Center began providing pet food to over 59 home delivered meal clients in partnership with area animal welfare organizations. Providing meals is only one part of the many wraparound services that our older adults deserve as we continue to honor them by celebrating, empowering and serving older adults.