OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City City Council Meeting - May 22, 2025

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, May 22, 2025
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, May 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

The meeting will come to order.

0:05

The guest chaplain is Terina Smith, Northland Cathedral.

0:17

Please stand and bow your heads in prayer.

0:23

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and the opportunity to gather in service to our city and its people.

0:32

As we begin the city council session, we acknowledge our need for your wisdom and guidance.

0:39

You are the source of truth and justice, and we seek your direction in every discussion and decision.

0:47

Lord, we look to your promise in James 1 5, which reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask you, and you give generously.

0:58

So we ask now, grant those here wisdom beyond their understanding.

1:04

Please help them discern what is right, speak with grace, and act with courage.

1:10

Let this space be marked by respect, clarity, and collaboration.

1:16

Quiet any voices of division or pride, and replace them with humility and purpose.

1:24

Strengthen them to lead with compassion and to consider the needs of all who call this community home.

1:32

We offer this time to you, trusting that you are at work in and through us.

1:39

May all that we do today bring about peace, justice, and the good of our city in your holy name.

1:47

Amen.

1:49

And now for the pledge.

2:20

Robinson.

2:25

Park Shaw.

2:27

Present.

2:27

Boo.

2:28

Duncan.

2:30

O'Neal.

2:31

Willie.

2:33

French.

2:34

Present.

2:34

Rogers.

2:36

Lucas.

2:39

Ms.

2:39

President.

2:40

Nine members present.

2:41

Thank you.

2:42

Present.

2:44

Well, the clerk call the special actions.

2:46

Yes, ma'am.

2:47

250425, honoring the 18th and Vine Arts Festival for his contribution to the arts, culture, and community in Kansas City.

2:54

Quez Beasley and others are present to receive the special action.

3:47

Councilwoman Patterson Hasley.

3:49

Thank you, Honorable Mayor Pro Tim.

3:52

First of all, let me say just a few words about Quez Beasley.

3:57

So Quez has started a number of activities in the 18th and Vine area.

4:04

And I first met him when I was running for office, and he invited me to a panel discussion at his brunch.

4:18

And then the next thing I knew, he was doing this arts festival.

4:23

And as you can see from the artwork behind you, that he has really been able to shine a light on the fantastic diversity of artists that we have in Kansas City that often do not get the proper platform to showcase what they do and offer.

4:42

And so I would like to acknowledge all of you that are standing there and the hundreds of people that I got to see at the first arts festival.

4:52

So I'll read a bit from the resolution.

5:00

Honoring the 18th and Vine Arts Festival for its contributions to arts, culture, and community in Kansas City.

5:04

The 18th and Vine Arts Festival, founded by Quez Beasley, is a premier celebration of black art, culture, and heritage in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine District.

5:19

The annual Month High Day Festival Festival showcases black artists in visual arts, music, dance, fashion, literacy, arts, and film, drawing over 10,000 attendees and creating economic opportunities while fostering cultural pride.

5:36

The 2025 theme, celebrating black cinema, will highlight the contributions of black filmmakers and storytellers through exhibitions, performances, and educational programming.

5:51

We do congratulate you on the work that you are doing in the 18th and Vine District and the connectivity as well.

5:59

We just recently celebrated the ground breaking of the boom theater that will be opening, which will have the uh Black Black Film Hall of Fame amongst some other things that that center around film.

6:11

And so your thing this year ties right in to the momentum in the 18th Divine area, and we really count on you to help us um live up to what the 18th and Vine District is.

6:23

Whenever we go somewhere around the world, if we don't see any see any other mural or any other picture about Kansas City, you see 18th and Vine.

6:31

I teach at Maplewood Community College, and I was driving the park.

6:36

I saw 18 divine mural on one of the buildings.

6:39

So uh you helped keep us on the map.

6:41

You put us on the map, so thank you for everything that you do, and congratulations.

6:52

Councilwoman Robinson.

6:54

Thank you so much.

6:55

I would be remiss uh to not seeing this say thank you for all that you all are doing uh in the 18th Divine Jazz District, but amongst our artists across the city.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Homelessness██████████████████████22%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Arts And Culture████████████12%
Land Use Planning██████████10%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Data Management██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
World Cup 2026 Planning██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City City Council Meeting - May 22, 2025

The Kansas City City Council met on May 22, 2025, with nine members present. The session began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by special recognitions and a lengthy debate over a proposed loitering ordinance (250395) before approving a series of routine measures and introducing new legislation.

Special Recognitions

  • 18th and Vine Arts Festival: Honored with Resolution 250425 for its contributions to arts, culture, and community. Councilmembers highlighted the festival's growth from 50 artists in 2022 to 80 in 2023, and 70 planned for 2025, with over 10,000 attendees. Founder Quez Beasley spoke, noting the festival's role in supporting artists with bank accounts, LLCs, and restaurant placements.
  • Cedric Rowan Retirement: Honored with Resolution 250426 for 18+ years of service, most recently as Deputy Director of General Services. Rowan expressed gratitude to colleagues.

Key Discussion: Loitering Ordinance (250395)

The council considered an ordinance amending Chapter 50 to provide more specific definitions for loitering, particularly targeting obstruction of traffic along the Prospect and Troost corridors. The ordinance had been held the previous week for further review.

Debate Highlights:

  • Supporters argued the ordinance was needed to address complaints from businesses and churches affected by loitering and would provide a tool for police, with a progression from warning to citation.
  • Opponents raised concerns about potential misuse against homeless individuals and peaceful protesters, noting the lack of local control over KCPD training and insufficient evidentiary safeguards.
  • Councilmember Duncan requested more time to narrow language and ensure protections against unjust application, but a motion to hold the item one week failed (3 ayes, 8 nays).
  • Councilmember Robinson introduced a floor amendment requiring a 30, 60, and 120-day look-back report from the city manager on citations, charges, dispositions, and OCC complaints, with data broken down by police division. The amendment passed (9 ayes, 2 nays).
  • After waiving the rule for written distribution (9 ayes, 2 nays), the amended ordinance passed (9 ayes, 2 nays).

Other Final Reading Ordinances (Unanimously Passed)

  • 250418: Approved amendment to Minttown and Plaza area plan to change future land use designation on 0.9 acres at 4420 Madison Avenue.
  • 250423: Directed city manager to establish a citywide workforce development pipeline initiative with a 120-day needs assessment and 180-day implementation plan.
  • 250424: Directed city manager to review federal tariff impacts on Kansas City businesses, convene a trade and economic resilience summit within 90 days, and report within six months.
  • 241040: Approved development plan for 12 lots and two commercial tracts on 43 acres in District B (NW Old Tiffany Springs Road and Skyview Drive).
  • 41041: Vacated approximately 83,000 square feet of unimproved right-of-way related to the development.
  • 250394: Authorized second amendment to Port KC agreement for river market development, adjusting parking requirements.
  • 250407: Authorized $1,255,175 solar source contract with Justice Systems Partners for violence prevention evaluation services.
  • 250415: Vacated about 112 square feet of right-of-way at 1804-1812 Mercer Street to resolve a building permit issue.
  • 250416: Terminated the Grand Reserve TIF plan with no funds recovered, as no development occurred.
  • 250417: Rezoned 1 acre at 4420 Madison Avenue from R-1.5 to B1-2 to match existing office use.
  • 250412 & 250414: Authorized construction contracts for improvements at Kansas City International Airport (mold remediation, office renovation, etc.).

New Legislation Introduced (First Readings)

  • 250436: Establishing a small business storefront vacancy revitalization program for 2026 World Cup, with $1.4 million funding. Referred to Finance, Governance, and Public Safety.
  • 250437 & 250438: Amending ordinances on vehicle impoundment and chronic nuisance related to off-road vehicles and nuisance properties. Referred to Finance, Governance, and Public Safety.
  • 250439: Authorizing support for Starlight Theater project seeking up to $3 million in state tax credits. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development.
  • 250440: Amending sign regulations to allow relocation of signs during condemnation actions. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development.

The meeting adjourned with wishes for a safe Memorial Day holiday.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. The guest chaplain is Terina Smith, Northland Cathedral. Please stand and bow your heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and the opportunity to gather in service to our city and its people. As we begin the city council session, we acknowledge our need for your wisdom and guidance. You are the source of truth and justice, and we seek your direction in every discussion and decision. Lord, we look to your promise in James 1 5, which reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask you, and you give generously. So we ask now, grant those here wisdom beyond their understanding. Please help them discern what is right, speak with grace, and act with courage. Let this space be marked by respect, clarity, and collaboration. Quiet any voices of division or pride, and replace them with humility and purpose. Strengthen them to lead with compassion and to consider the needs of all who call this community home. We offer this time to you, trusting that you are at work in and through us. May all that we do today bring about peace, justice, and the good of our city in your holy name. Amen. And now for the pledge. Robinson. Park Shaw. Present. Boo. Duncan. O'Neal. Willie. French. Present. Rogers. Lucas. Ms. President. Nine members present. Thank you. Present. Well, the clerk call the special actions. Yes, ma'am. 250425, honoring the 18th and Vine Arts Festival for his contribution to the arts, culture, and community in Kansas City. Quez Beasley and others are present to receive the special action. Councilwoman Patterson Hasley. Thank you, Honorable Mayor Pro Tim. First of all, let me say just a few words about Quez Beasley. So Quez has started a number of activities in the 18th and Vine area. And I first met him when I was running for office, and he invited me to a panel discussion at his brunch. And then the next thing I knew, he was doing this arts festival. And as you can see from the artwork behind you, that he has really been able to shine a light on the fantastic diversity of artists that we have in Kansas City that often do not get the proper platform to showcase what they do and offer. And so I would like to acknowledge all of you that are standing there and the hundreds of people that I got to see at the first arts festival. So I'll read a bit from the resolution. Honoring the 18th and Vine Arts Festival for its contributions to arts, culture, and community in Kansas City. The 18th and Vine Arts Festival, founded by Quez Beasley, is a premier celebration of black art, culture, and heritage in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine District. The annual Month High Day Festival Festival showcases black artists in visual arts, music, dance, fashion, literacy, arts, and film, drawing over 10,000 attendees and creating economic opportunities while fostering cultural pride. The 2025 theme, celebrating black cinema, will highlight the contributions of black filmmakers and storytellers through exhibitions, performances, and educational programming. We do congratulate you on the work that you are doing in the 18th and Vine District and the connectivity as well.

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