OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – April 17, 2025: Budget, Workforce Center, & Grocery Store Debate

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, April 17, 2025
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, April 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:32:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Our guest chaplain had to depart given the delay.

0:08

And so usually this is when we call on Councilman O'Neil, unless he defers to Councilman Willett to give us a brief moment.

0:16

Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:23

Councilman O'Neill.

0:26

Oh, Councilman Willard.

0:28

All right.

0:30

Dear Lord, thank you for another day of bringing us together.

0:34

I pray for all parts of our city from the Northland to South of the River, East and West.

0:39

I pray for our first responders in our city and all that they do for us.

0:45

I pray for a safe uh spring, a safe summer, and coming up on the reason for the spring of renewed hope.

0:55

Um, I pray for the safety of all of my colleagues and wisdom in the decisions we make today.

1:01

In Jesus' name.

1:02

Amen.

1:03

Amen.

1:04

I pledge to the flag of the United States.

1:10

For which it stands one nation under God and visible with liberty and justice.

1:18

The clerk will call the role.

1:20

Yes, sir.

1:21

Patterson Hasley, present Robinson, present Raya.

1:26

Yes.

1:26

But Willett.

1:37

President Prent.

1:39

Rogers.

1:40

Lucas.

1:41

Here.

1:42

13 members present.

1:44

Will the clerk please call the special actions?

1:46

Yes, sir.

1:47

250251.

1:48

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.

2:00

Janet Baker and others are present to receive special actions.

2:26

Council.

2:27

Hey everybody.

2:28

I need Millet.

2:29

Councilman Curl.

2:31

Thank you, Mr.

2:31

Mayor.

2:32

Um today I want to recognize uh KC Shepherd Center.

2:39

This has been a overdue recognition because this was uh should have been recognized during the week of March 17th through the 21st.

2:53

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.

3:04

But we are here today, and we are going to recognize KC Shepherds for the work that they do.

3:09

Shepherd Center for the work that they do.

3:12

Uh to kind of share a little bit about Casey Shepherd Center.

3:16

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.

3:27

And it is also the organization that brought meals on wheels to Kansas City in 1972.

3:33

Since its inception in 1972, Casey Shepherd Center has provided over 694,000 meals to Kansas City's homebooks.

3:44

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.

4:05

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.

4:18

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.

4:36

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.

4:48

Although funding for meals on wheels has been dramatically cut, KC Shepherd Center's vision is to provide three meals a day, 365 days a year to meet the nutritional and the social connection needs of older adults in Kansas City.

5:05

With that, I'm just going to say uh want to applaud you for the work that you do.

5:10

I stand to commend you for the work that you do.

5:14

I appreciate the work that you do.

5:16

It is very much needed in our community, and I'm sure all those senior citizens appreciate the work that you do.

5:22

So, with that being said, this honor is in recognition of the work that you do.

5:27

Thank you.

5:28

Thank you.

5:28

Thank you, Councilman Curls.

5:29

Are there others who wish to speak to the resolution?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Economic Development███████████████15%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Maternal Health██████6%
Land Use Planning██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Public Works████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting – April 17, 2025

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.

Consent Calendar

  • Special Actions (Unanimous):
    • Declared March 17–21, 2025 as Community Champions Week and honored KC Shepherd’s Center (250251).
    • Declared April 13–19, 2025 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (250291).
    • Declared April 21–28, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week (250293).
    • Recognized April as Second Chance Month (250294) – held on docket.
  • Final Readings (Consent Docket): Appointed successor directors to seven Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) – all passed unanimously.
  • Committee Advances (Unanimous):
    • Approved plan of finance for City’s contribution to Northland Workforce Development Center, authorizing $25,000,000 in bonds (250250).
    • Adopted FY2024-25 third quarter budget analysis and unexpended balance rollovers (250277).
    • Ratified collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 3808 (250280).
    • Rezoned 10.75 acres near I-29 and Prairie View Road for industrial use (240967).
    • Established Blue Ridge Crossing CID (250261).
    • Rezoned 0.4 acres at 47th & Belleview for event venue expansion (250265).
    • Rezoned 16.3 acres for 116‑unit residential development (29 fourplexes) (250276).
    • Approved $3,223,310 in Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund contracts (250278).
    • Amended zoning code to allow duplexes on corner lots in R‑6 districts (250285).
    • Accepted $4M HUD grant and appropriated $5M for 18th Street Pedestrian Mall, authorizing $7.7M construction contract (250287).
    • Extended construction timeline for Promise Place affordable housing project (250289).
    • Authorized CCED funding agreement with Santa Fe Area Council for home rehab (250290).
    • Approved multiple water, sewer, and infrastructure contracts (250252, 250254, 250256, 250257, 250258, 250260, 250263).
    • Consented to creation of port improvement district with 1% sales tax (250271).
    • Enacted ordinance authorizing transit-only lanes (250275) – Councilmember Willett abstained.
    • Rezoned 4.71 acres at East Truman Road for mixed uses at former Kansas City Star building (250274).

Public Comments & Testimony

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.

Discussion Items

  • Northland Workforce Development Center Finance Plan (250250): Councilmember Willett praised the bipartisan effort and noted the center will train the next generation of workers. The plan uses $25 million in bonds and directs the City Manager to evaluate skill gaps and partner with KC schools.
  • Safe Haven Baby Box Study (250279): Councilmember Willett’s resolution directs staff to research installing Safe Haven Baby Boxes in fire stations; passed unanimously.
  • Linwood Shopping Center CID Subsidy (250342): Councilmember Robinson moved to amend the cooperative agreement to allow the CID to release $1.2 million (already appropriated) to the grocery operator without requiring a 36‑month minimum operation period. Opponents (Mayor Lucas, Councilmembers O’Neill, Bough, French, Rogers) raised concerns about no time commitment and broad operational spending. Proponents (Councilmembers Robinson, Raya, Parks‑Shaw, Curls, Bunch, Patterson Hazley) argued the store faces an emergency and needs immediate flexibility. The motion to waive charter requirements and advance for immediate adoption failed 7‑5 (9 ayes required). The ordinance was referred to the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • Floor Introductions: Resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week and honoring local transgender/LGBTQ+ leaders (250340, 250341) were adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: All consent docket items; debate docket items; committee advances; second reading ordinance 250274; first readings referred to committees; floor resolutions 250340 and 250341.
  • Failed: Motion to waive charter requirements and immediately adopt ordinance 250342 (Linwood CID) – vote 7‑5.
  • Referred: Ordinance 250342 to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee, due back April 22, 2025.
  • Appointments: Successor directors confirmed for multiple CIDs.
  • Next Steps: City Manager to report on Safe Haven Baby Box feasibility; staff to finalize workforce center agreements; Linwood grocery store subsidy conditions to be revisited in committee.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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