OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting - January 29, 2026: Retirements, Proclamations, and Ordinances

City Council Legislative Session — Thursday, January 29, 2026
BodyKansas City, Missouri
SessionCity Council Legislative Session
DateThursday, January 29, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

The meeting will come to order.

0:02

Our guest chaplain is Bishop Steve Haupt from Harvest Church.

0:06

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

0:14

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

0:16

Let us pray.

0:17

Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning thanking you for your goodness, your mercy, and your grace.

0:22

We thank you for this momentous occasion where we're honoring 30 years of service to our city of the Fire Chief and an attorney who will be retiring.

0:32

We thank you for all the council people who are serving our city.

0:36

We pray that they'll be encouraged and strengthened.

0:40

We pray for protection over their families, that you'll watch over their spouses, watch over their children.

0:46

God, we thank you how you have blessed our city.

0:49

We thank you for the leadership of our city.

0:52

We pray God that this year, 2026 will be the greatest year in the history of Kansas City and this metropolitan area.

1:01

God, we give you praise and we thank you that your perfect will always be done in this edifice.

1:08

We give you praise and honor in Jesus Christ's name.

1:11

Let us all say amen.

1:15

Thank you.

1:18

Of the United States of America.

1:21

For which is standing one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice.

1:28

Justice for all.

1:29

Amen.

1:33

Thank you.

1:36

The clerk will call the role.

1:37

Raya.

1:39

President Pearls.

1:42

Present.

1:42

Parkshaw.

1:43

Present.

1:44

Whoa.

1:46

Donc O'Neill.

1:49

Will it?

1:50

President.

1:51

Franch.

1:52

Rogers.

1:54

Patterson Hasley.

1:55

Robinson.

1:57

Present.

1:58

Lucas.

1:59

10 members present.

2:02

Well, the clerk called a special actions.

2:03

Yes, sir.

2:04

260093, honoring and recognizing Lana Torzin upon her retirement from the law department after more than 32 distinguished years in dedicated service to the city.

2:14

Lana's present to receive this fresh work.

2:42

Okay, that's the first time I've heard that.

2:46

There was something special for her today.

2:48

Go ahead, Councilwoman French.

2:50

Yes, um, absolutely.

2:51

That's the first time I think I've ever heard walk-up music.

2:53

Yes.

2:54

For a special action, but is so well deserved, and it's so you, absolutely so you as well.

3:00

So I'm so incredibly proud to sponsor this resolution, honoring Lana today for more than 32 years of outstanding service to Kansas City.

3:11

32 years, everyone.

3:12

32 years.

3:14

She began her career with the city in 1994 as an assistant city attorney, handling complex litigation and earning a reputation early for being very smart, steady, and deeply committed to doing things the right way.

3:28

Over the years, she rose to become a senior associate city attorney and later a managing attorney in corporate legal services, where she has served as a trusted advisor to the mayor, city manager, city council, and many city departments.

3:44

In recent years, she has been an invaluable legal partner to the Parks and Recreation Department and Parks Board.

3:51

Always accessible, responsive, and focused on helping projects move forward from the zoo and Starlight Theater to the Museum of Kansas City and the public library.

4:03

Colleagues consistently describe Lana as someone who offers proactive, thoughtful advice.

4:09

This is extremely true.

4:11

With professionalism, kindness, and that made working with her a pleasure, an absolute pleasure.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters██████████████████████████26%
Economic Development███████████████████19%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Racial Equity███3%
Historic Preservation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kansas City Council Meeting - January 29, 2026

This regular meeting of the Kansas City Council began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by special actions honoring two retiring city employees: Lana Torzin (Law Department, 32 years) and Fire Chief Ross Gunderson (nearly 30 years). The council also adopted proclamations declaring Black History Month and Wetlands Day, and passed several ordinances including funding for a workforce housing project, a new grocery store lease, and amendments to the housing trust fund and sidewalk closure rules.

Consent Calendar

  • 260047: Accepted a one-year grant award ($28,235) from Nurture KC for the Nurse Family Partnership home visiting program.
  • 260048: Accepted a $300,000, 12-month grant from the Health Forward Foundation for continuation of the Nurse Family Partnership Program.
  • 260049: Approved the plat of Bungalows at Maplewoods (Clay County, ~16 acres) for residential development.
  • 260050: Approved the plat of Parker Addition (Jackson County, ~1.009 acres).
  • All consent items were approved unanimously (10 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments or testimony were recorded during this meeting.

Discussion Items

  • 260138 – Black History Month Proclamation: Councilman Curls introduced a resolution authorizing the city manager to fly the pan-African flag on City Hall at the beginning of Black History Month (February 2026), noting that last year the flag was not raised until the end of the month. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • 260141 – Wetlands Day Proclamation: Councilman Bunch declared February 2, 2026 as Kansas City Wetlands Day, highlighting the role of wetlands in improving water quality and supporting biodiversity. He also noted that K.C. Water Services received a $363,000 EPA grant to update the city's wetland inventory, making Kansas City the first community in Missouri to undertake such a sophisticated mapping project. Passed unanimously.
  • 260062 – Costco Resolution: Councilwoman Boo presented a resolution directing the city manager to negotiate with Costco Wholesale Corporation to retain its store at 241 Linwood Boulevard in substantial form or with increased offerings. The resolution passed 9-0.
  • 251060 – Rezoning at Eastern Ave & Raytown Road: Councilman Willett explained the rezoning of ~441 acres from MPD to NPD, and approval of an amendment to allow non-accessory parking. Passed 9-0.
  • 260060 – Greater Downtown Area Plan Amendment: Councilman Willett presented a rezoning request at 2561 Home Street (0.11 acres) from medium density residential to downtown mixed use (B3-2), consistent with the area plan amendment. Passed 9-0 (one nay).
  • 260070 – 18th & Vine Jazz District Redevelopment Authority: Councilman Willett introduced a resolution directing the city manager to evaluate the reconstitution of a redevelopment authority for the historic 18th and Vine district to support investment and leasing. Passed 10-0.
  • 260075 – Data Center Development Impact Review: Councilman Willett presented a resolution directing the city manager to review chapters 17 and 78 of the code and economic incentive policies to evaluate impacts of data center development on water/electricity rates, environmental quality, and economic growth. Councilman Bunch and Councilwoman French were added as co-sponsors. Passed 10-0 (with one added as co-sponsor).
  • 260027 – Pre-Development Funding for United Believers Housing: Councilwoman Boo presented an ordinance authorizing up to $1.8 million in pre-development funding for a 57-unit workforce housing project (30-60% AMI) adjacent to United Believers Community Baptist Church at 1101 US 71 Highway. Passed 10-0.
  • 260052 – Housing Trust Fund Affordability Period Amendment: Councilwoman Boo presented an ordinance reducing the affordability period for minor home repair projects from 30 years to 3 years, to remove barriers for low-income homeowners. Councilman Robinson added as co-sponsor. Passed 11-0.
  • 260069 – Linwood Shopping Center Grocery Store Lease: Councilwoman Boo presented an ordinance authorizing a 10-year lease (with two 5-year renewal options) with United Market KC LLC for a grocery store at 3110 Prospect Avenue, addressing a food desert after the previous store vacated in August 2025. The city previously invested over $50 million in the shopping center. Passed 10-1 (one nay).
  • 260059 – Rezoning at 2561 Home Street: Councilman Willett presented a rezoning from R-2.5 to B3-2 (~0.21 acres) to allow limited auto repair, noting the property had a history of non-conforming use. Passed 11-0.
  • 260055 – Sidewalk Closure Authority: Councilman Bunch presented an ordinance clarifying authority of the public works director to close sidewalks for construction and to enforce provisions for alternative access. Passed 11-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Retirement Honors: Two special actions were adopted unanimously: honoring Lana Torzin (Law Department, 32 years) and Fire Chief Ross Gunderson (nearly 30 years).
  • Proclamations: Black History Month (February 2026) and Wetlands Day (February 2, 2026) were both declared unanimously.
  • Costco Resolution: Passed 9-0, directing negotiation to retain the Linwood Boulevard store.
  • Workforce Housing Pre-Development: $1.8 million approved for a 57-unit project (30-60% AMI).
  • Grocery Store Lease: 10-year lease with United Market KC LLC approved (10-1).
  • Housing Trust Fund Amendment: Affordability period for minor home repair reduced from 30 to 3 years (11-0).
  • Data Center Impact Review: Resolution passed (10-0) with sponsors added.
  • Committee Referrals: Several new ordinances were introduced and referred to committees, including:
    • 260142: Response to MO Department of Revenue RFP for licensed office operations.
    • 260143: $3.2 million cooperative agreement with American Jazz Museum for phase one redevelopment (referred to Finance, Governance & Public Safety).
    • 260144: Amendments to energy conservation code (referred to Neighborhood Planning & Development).
  • The council waived charter requirements for readings of ordinances on consent, first readings, and second readings, all by unanimous votes (11-0).
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after all business was completed.

Meeting Transcript

The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Bishop Steve Haupt from Harvest Church. Would all who are able please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning thanking you for your goodness, your mercy, and your grace. We thank you for this momentous occasion where we're honoring 30 years of service to our city of the Fire Chief and an attorney who will be retiring. We thank you for all the council people who are serving our city. We pray that they'll be encouraged and strengthened. We pray for protection over their families, that you'll watch over their spouses, watch over their children. God, we thank you how you have blessed our city. We thank you for the leadership of our city. We pray God that this year, 2026 will be the greatest year in the history of Kansas City and this metropolitan area. God, we give you praise and we thank you that your perfect will always be done in this edifice. We give you praise and honor in Jesus Christ's name. Let us all say amen. Thank you. Of the United States of America. For which is standing one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. Justice for all. Amen. Thank you. The clerk will call the role. Raya. President Pearls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Whoa. Donc O'Neill. Will it? President. Franch. Rogers. Patterson Hasley. Robinson. Present. Lucas. 10 members present. Well, the clerk called a special actions. Yes, sir. 260093, honoring and recognizing Lana Torzin upon her retirement from the law department after more than 32 distinguished years in dedicated service to the city. Lana's present to receive this fresh work. Okay, that's the first time I've heard that. There was something special for her today. Go ahead, Councilwoman French. Yes, um, absolutely. That's the first time I think I've ever heard walk-up music. Yes. For a special action, but is so well deserved, and it's so you, absolutely so you as well.

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