OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Session on Redistricting, Housing, and Zoning - September 11, 2025

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, September 11, 2025
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, September 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:14:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Buenas tardes, bienvenida a todos.

0:04

Welcome to the meeting.

0:05

Our meeting will come to order.

0:07

All who are present, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:19

Good afternoon.

0:20

It's an honor to be here with you on this day, September 11th.

0:25

We pause to remember one of the darkest days in our nation's history.

0:30

Twenty-four years ago, thousands of innocent lives were lost in a matter of hours.

0:36

Yet from that tragedy, we also saw remarkable courage.

0:41

First responders ran toward the danger.

0:45

Neighbors who cared for one another and a country that do strength from unity.

0:51

We honor their memory today, and we are reminded that each day is a gift.

0:57

As the psalmist says, teach us to number our days.

1:03

As we prepare our hearts to pray, remember at times like these.

1:12

Pray for unity and peace.

1:15

And hold fast to faith and love.

1:19

Let's bow.

1:21

Heavenly Father, on this solemn day of remembrance, we pray for those who still grieve the losses of September 11th.

1:30

And for all those impacted by recent tragedies.

1:34

We ask for your comfort, your healing, and your peace.

1:40

Lord, give wisdom to this council as they serve our city.

1:45

Please make them instruments of unity and compassion.

1:50

Teach us all to stand firm in faith, to love our neighbors and even our enemies, and to be peacemakers in a world that so desperately needs you.

2:01

I pray for each person here to receive your grace, mercy, and peace, while they offer their best for our city.

2:10

We pray this in your name.

2:12

Amen.

2:13

Amen.

2:36

Pastor, thanks for coming.

2:37

Appreciate it.

2:38

Please be seated.

2:38

The clerk will call the roll.

2:40

Yes, sir.

2:41

Raya.

2:43

Raya.

2:44

Bunch.

2:47

Present.

2:47

Parkshaw.

2:48

Here.

2:49

Who?

2:49

Here.

2:50

Duncan.

2:51

O'Neill?

2:52

Here.

2:52

Will it?

2:53

President.

2:54

Present.

2:55

Rogers.

2:55

Here.

2:56

Patterson Hasley.

2:58

Robinson.

3:00

Here.

3:01

Here.

3:02

Twelve members present.

3:03

Will the clerk please call the special actions?

3:05

Yes, sir.

3:06

250717, recognizing Vamos Casey Employee Resource Group during the Hispanic Herriages Month.

3:12

Karen Lopez and others who have present to receive special action.

3:39

Oh hey.

3:40

Councilman Duncan.

3:42

Thank you, Honorable Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning████████████████████20%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Racial Equity████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Agriculture and Food Security█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Session on Redistricting, Housing, and Zoning - September 11, 2025

The Kansas City Council met on September 11, 2025, beginning with an invocation by Pastor Troy Campbell marking the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Councilmembers Lucas, O'Neill, Willett, French, Rogers, Robinson, Rea, Bunch, Curls, Parks-Shaw, Bough, and Duncan were present (Councilmember Patterson Hazley was out). The meeting featured significant debate on a legislative priority opposing the state's congressional redistricting map, along with votes on affordable housing funding, zoning changes for used car lots, and a new fee structure for outdoor dining permits.

Special Actions & Recognitions

  • Vamos KC Employee Resource Group: Council adopted Resolution 250717 recognizing Vamos KC during Hispanic Heritage Month. Chair Karen Lopez spoke, emphasizing the city's strength in its diversity and supporting the immigrant community.
  • Municipal Employee Sports League (MESL): Resolution 250726 honored the MESL for its second successful year, fostering camaraderie and physical activity among city employees across departments.
  • Guadalajara Sister City Week: Resolution 250783 recognized September 12–17 as Guadalajara Days, celebrating the decades-long sister city relationship and welcoming a delegation. Speakers highlighted cultural and economic ties.
  • OHM Concession Group: Resolution 250810 recognized the group for winning the 2025 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Hospitality Awards, including the first-ever Global Award for an American airport restaurant (Kansas City Barbecue Experience).

Legislative Priority: Congressional Redistricting

  • Resolution 250807: The Council adopted, 11-1, a resolution establishing opposition to the proposed congressional redistricting map in the Missouri General Assembly's special session as a major city legislative priority. Councilmember Rea (sponsor) argued the map disenfranchises urban and minority voters. Councilmembers Bunch, Duncan, Curls, Rogers, and Parks-Shaw spoke in support, noting racial implications and the division of Kansas City along Troost Avenue. Councilmember Willett voted no, citing the need for the city to first address its own council district population imbalances.

Housing Trust Fund Allocation

  • Ordinance 250631 (Amended): Council approved an amendment and then passed (12-0) a $6,980,346 appropriation from the Housing Trust Fund. The amendment removed $2.8 million for the Benton Apartments project due to a large funding gap, added funding for the 9th and Central project, and recaptured funds from earlier rounds (Parade Park Homes, Prospect at 35th, Marlborough Townhomes). The City Manager was directed to reevaluate unawarded Round 5 applications with reprogrammed dollars.

Zoning and Development Code Changes

  • Used Motor Vehicle Sales Lots (250530): After extensive debate, the ordinance passed 10-1-1 (Councilmember Curls nay, Councilmember Willett abstain). It establishes special use permit requirements and operational standards for used car lots to curb blight, grandfathering existing operations.
  • Country Club Plaza Boundary (250639): Passed 12-0. Adjusted the boundary of the Country Club Plaza zoning area, updating definitions and regulating height and uses for a specific site.
  • Nuisance Code and Native Plants (250637): Passed 12-0. Codified allowances for managed natural landscapes (native plant yards), providing rules for boundaries and height while prohibiting encroachment and noxious weeds.

Business and Fee Regulations

  • Sidewalk Cafe Fee Moratorium (250673): Passed. Established a temporary three-year moratorium on the $850 annual permit fees for sidewalk cafes, parklets, and street cafes to support small businesses.
  • Tow Truck Regulations (250709): Passed. The "Tow 2.0" ordinance requires tow operators to provide a "bill of rights" to vehicle owners, display it publicly, report tows via an online platform, and prohibits towing from accident scenes unless called by law enforcement or public works.

Transportation and Infrastructure

  • Multi-Modal Transportation Commission (250638): Passed 12-0. Repealed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Parking and Transportation Committee, establishing a new Multi-Modal Transportation Commission.
  • Airport Parking Management (250702): Passed 12-0. Authorized a 5-year, $11.27 million contract with SP Plus LLC to manage airport parking operations.
  • Digital Kiosks (250680): Held on the docket for one week. A request for a hold on the agreement with Ike Smart City, LLC for digital kiosks was unopposed.
  • Infrastructure Projects: Passed appropriations for the NW Old Tiffany Springs Road traffic signal ($160,000), Stadium Drive streetscape ($1.5 million), Water Main Replacement ($4.38 million), and NW Waukomis Drive improvements ($335,039).
  • Housing and Community Development: Passed the acceptance of a $771,680 Central City Economic Development (CCED) Tax Board recommendation for two projects.

Committee Referrals (First Readings)

  • Multiple items were introduced and referred to committees for further review, including health grants (HIV, TB, public health preparedness), plats (KCI Logistics, Trails at Ambassador), a rezoning on Troost Avenue, the North Oak TIF plan, the tax levy, the Global Music Strategy, fire truck procurement, an airport lease, the Roy Blunt Luminary Park development, and opioid settlement agreements. Councilmember Willett introduced an ordinance modifying city policies on economic development areas and TIF (referred to Finance). Mayor Lucas and Councilmember Bunch introduced an ordinance reallocating funds for the Broadway Bike Lane and Southwest Blvd study (referred to Finance).

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted resolution opposing state congressional redistricting map (11-1).
  • Passed Housing Trust Fund ordinance with amendment (12-0).
  • Passed three-year moratorium on sidewalk/parklet/street cafe annual fees.
  • Passed new tow truck operator regulations (Tow 2.0).
  • Passed zoning ordinance regulating used motor vehicle sales lots (10-1-1).
  • Passed code update allowing native plant landscapes.
  • Passed Country Club Plaza boundary amendment.
  • Established the Multi-Modal Transportation Commission.
  • Accepted various grants and infrastructure contracts.
  • Held ordinance on digital kiosk contract for one week.
  • Referred multiple items to committees for further review.

Meeting Transcript

Buenas tardes, bienvenida a todos. Welcome to the meeting. Our meeting will come to order. All who are present, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good afternoon. It's an honor to be here with you on this day, September 11th. We pause to remember one of the darkest days in our nation's history. Twenty-four years ago, thousands of innocent lives were lost in a matter of hours. Yet from that tragedy, we also saw remarkable courage. First responders ran toward the danger. Neighbors who cared for one another and a country that do strength from unity. We honor their memory today, and we are reminded that each day is a gift. As the psalmist says, teach us to number our days. As we prepare our hearts to pray, remember at times like these. Pray for unity and peace. And hold fast to faith and love. Let's bow. Heavenly Father, on this solemn day of remembrance, we pray for those who still grieve the losses of September 11th. And for all those impacted by recent tragedies. We ask for your comfort, your healing, and your peace. Lord, give wisdom to this council as they serve our city. Please make them instruments of unity and compassion. Teach us all to stand firm in faith, to love our neighbors and even our enemies, and to be peacemakers in a world that so desperately needs you. I pray for each person here to receive your grace, mercy, and peace, while they offer their best for our city. We pray this in your name. Amen. Amen. Pastor, thanks for coming. Appreciate it. Please be seated. The clerk will call the roll. Yes, sir. Raya. Raya. Bunch. Present. Parkshaw. Here. Who? Here. Duncan. O'Neill? Here. Will it? President. Present. Rogers. Here. Patterson Hasley. Robinson.

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