OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City City Council Meeting - June 5, 2025

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, June 5, 2025
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, June 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Our guest chaplain is John Sheen of Capital Ministries.

0:04

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

0:11

Thank you, Mr.

0:12

Mayor.

0:12

Would you bow with me?

0:14

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that all wisdom comes from above.

0:19

We pray that you'll send that wisdom today to preside over this meeting, to be with every council member, to be with the mayor and all of the staff, Father.

0:31

Protect all of our city employees as they go about their business.

0:36

And Father, I pray a special prayer of energy, enthusiasm, and blessedness over our summer interns, Father.

0:47

Bless them in this new and exciting experience for them.

0:50

Preside now over our meeting.

0:52

I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

0:57

Amen.

0:59

I pleasure to the United States of America.

1:07

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty.

1:12

Thank you, sir.

1:15

The clerk will call the role.

1:17

Yes, sir.

1:17

Patterson Hasley.

1:19

Robinson.

1:20

Where's that?

1:21

Her pearls.

1:25

Present.

1:26

Parkshaw.

1:27

Present.

1:27

Boo.

1:28

Duncan?

1:30

O'Neal.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Will it?

1:32

Present.

1:32

Frank?

1:33

Here.

1:34

Rogers.

1:34

Here.

1:35

Lucas.

1:36

Here.

1:36

13 members present.

1:38

The clerk will call the special actions.

1:39

Yes, sir.

1:40

250441.

1:43

Declaring June 15, 2025 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Kansas City, Missouri.

1:48

Tina Olders and others are present to receive the special action.

1:59

Yes, it is.

2:00

Great to be with you.

2:01

Halloween.

2:05

I think West Rogers wants you just to replace it.

2:13

Who's Councilman Rogers?

2:15

Don't point to me.

2:16

I saw you.

2:18

So today we declare June the 15th, World Elder Abuse Day in the city of Kansas City, Missouri.

2:24

Older adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity to enable them to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers, and vital participating members of our communities.

2:34

In 2006, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action proclaimed today to recognize the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

2:45

And I just want to say, and I and Debbie and I have had this conversation publicly a few times, but it will never be enough.

2:52

When I was a brand new prosecutor, 25 years old, didn't know what to do other than do our best to keep people safe.

2:58

Uh Debbie Gwynn was elected public administrator in Clay County, and she'd already been keeping people, particularly elder people safe, for a really long time.

3:06

So I thank you for what you did then.

3:08

What you've done for the last almost 20 years, which seems impossible to believe we've been friends for that long.

3:13

During that time, I've gotten to know Tina as well, who's done tremendous work for our elder population.

3:18

As always, when I get up and say this, my grandmother and my grandpa watch channel two fairly regularly.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Closed Session████████████12%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Education████4%
Economic Development████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City City Council Meeting - June 5, 2025

The Kansas City City Council met on June 5, 2025, beginning with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call confirming 13 members present. The council adopted several special actions recognizing community members and organizations, then proceeded to final readings and votes on a range of ordinances addressing housing, public safety, economic development, childcare, and infrastructure. Notable discussion centered on the allocation of Housing Trust Fund dollars for the Olive Street/Promise Place housing project.

Special Actions (Proclamations & Recognitions)

  • World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (Resolution 250441): Councilmember Rogers declared June 15, 2025 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Tina Olders and representatives cited that 1 in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected and only 1 in 14 cases are reported; in Jackson, Platte, and Clay counties, there were nearly 5,000 reports of elder abuse in 2024. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Community Engagement University Graduates (Resolution 250460): Mayor Pro Tem recognized the 2025 spring graduates of the nine-week Community Engagement University (CEU) program. Councilmember Patterson noted the generational impact. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Jack Unsell - Debate State Champion (Resolution 250461): Councilmember French and intern Grace Adams recognized Park Hill High School senior Jack Unsell for winning the Missouri Class 2 Lincoln-Douglas debate state championship with a 3-0 victory, and placing third in international extemporaneous speaking. Unsell will attend Truman State University. Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Carter Broadcast Group 75th Anniversary (Resolution 250480): Councilmember Robinson recognized the Carter Broadcast Group, founded in 1950 as the oldest continuously Black-owned and family-operated radio broadcast company in the U.S., operating KPRS, Hot 103 Jams, and other stations. Michael Carter spoke about the station's community role and a past "Put Down the Damn Guns" campaign. Resolution adopted unanimously.

Discussion Items (Ordinances and Resolutions)

  • Ordinance 250413 - Prospect Corridor Advisory Group: Councilmember Boo introduced a resolution directing the City Manager to negotiate with the Economic Development Corporation to create a community advisory group and fund a full-time staff position for the Prospect Corridor, following adoption of the Prospect Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Plan on February 27, 2025. Passed 13-0.
  • Ordinance 250405 - Steady Blue Cruising Lights on Police Vehicles: Councilmember Boo introduced a resolution directing KCPD to activate steady blue cruising lights on marked police vehicles to increase visibility and deter crime, based on studies from Charlotte, NC. Funding could come from the public safety sales tax or violence prevention fund. Passed 12-0 with one abstention.
  • Ordinance 250402 - Olive Street and Promise Place Housing Project: This ordinance appropriates $1.5 million from the Housing Trust Fund for a 100% affordable housing project. A floor amendment conditioned the funding on application and award of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by December 31, 2025. Councilmember Duncan expressed concerns about circumventing the Housing Trust Fund board process and lacking capital stack review; Councilmember Robinson defended the project as initiated prior to the board's creation. The amendment passed 13-0; the amended ordinance passed 11 ayes, 1 nay, 1 abstention.
  • Ordinance 250432 - Berkeley Riverfront Levee Improvements: Councilmember Boo introduced an ordinance authorizing a cooperative agreement with Ballard Development LLC for public improvements along the Missouri River levee at no cost to the city. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250434 - Downtown Economic Entertainment District Boundary Adjustment: Adjusted boundaries and added a promotional association subzone in the Berkeley Riverfront area. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250436 - World Cup Storefront Revitalization Pilot Program: Authorizes up to $1.4 million for a pilot program to support small businesses and artists in preparing for the 2026 World Cup. The mayor clarified it supports businesses, not just posters. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250437 - Impoundment of Illegal Vehicles (ATVs, Dirt Bikes): Amends code to allow impoundment of non-street-legal vehicles when operated on public streets, without requiring a performative act as in the street racing ordinance. Fines remain at $500. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250438 - Chronic Nuisances for Vehicular Activities: Amends Chapter 48 to classify certain vehicular activities as chronic nuisances, giving neighborhoods additional enforcement tools. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250300 - Rezoning at S Road and Lee Summit Road: Rezones 75 acres from R-7.5 to R-80, consistent with the future land use plan. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250419 - Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program for First Responders: Directs the City Manager to develop a pilot program with the State of Missouri for first responders, with income-based benefits. Kansas City is the only city participating in this state pilot. Passed 11-0 (some members not recorded).
  • Ordinance 250431 - Ryan White HIV Grant: Accepts $1,213,653 from the Department of Health and Human Services for HIV emergency relief part A. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250439 - Starlight Theater Tax Credits: Authorizes city assistance for up to $3 million in state tax credits to leverage $6 million in contributions for improvements. No fiscal impact on the city. Passed 12-0.
  • Ordinance 250427 - Streetcar Main Street Extension Consulting Services: Authorizes an agreement with ETC Institute for a federally required before-and-after study. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 250428 - Streetcar Vehicle Procurement and Engineering Amendments: Approves $1,335,000 amendment for design oversight and $944,431 for resident engineering for the Main Street Extension. Passed 11-0.
  • Ordinance 250430 - Dr. Jeremiah Cameron Park Stormwater Improvements: Authorizes a $20,670,469 amendment for stormwater improvements to alleviate flooding in Westport, with MBE/WBE goals. Passed 11-0.
  • Late File Ordinances: Councilmember Curls introduced a resolution (250481) approving an area plan amendment for Hickory Mills (referred to committee). Councilmember Boo introduced an ordinance (250482) adjusting a salary grade (referred to Finance Committee).

Key Outcomes

  • All special actions were adopted unanimously.
  • All ordinances on final reading passed with large majorities; one ordinance (250402) passed with 11 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 abstention.
  • The council voted 11-1 to go into closed session pursuant to RSMo 610.021(1),(3),(13) for litigation, employment, and contract matters.

Meeting Transcript

Our guest chaplain is John Sheen of Capital Ministries. Would all who are able, please stand for the invitation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Would you bow with me? Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that all wisdom comes from above. We pray that you'll send that wisdom today to preside over this meeting, to be with every council member, to be with the mayor and all of the staff, Father. Protect all of our city employees as they go about their business. And Father, I pray a special prayer of energy, enthusiasm, and blessedness over our summer interns, Father. Bless them in this new and exciting experience for them. Preside now over our meeting. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. I pleasure to the United States of America. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty. Thank you, sir. The clerk will call the role. Yes, sir. Patterson Hasley. Robinson. Where's that? Her pearls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Boo. Duncan? O'Neal. Here. Will it? Present. Frank? Here. Rogers. Here. Lucas. Here. 13 members present. The clerk will call the special actions. Yes, sir. 250441. Declaring June 15, 2025 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Kansas City, Missouri. Tina Olders and others are present to receive the special action. Yes, it is. Great to be with you. Halloween. I think West Rogers wants you just to replace it. Who's Councilman Rogers? Don't point to me. I saw you.

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