Kansas City Council Meeting – March 5, 2026

The Kansas City Council met on March 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Council Chambers, 414 E. 12th Street, with 12 members present (Councilmember Bough absent for part of the meeting). The meeting included special actions, final readings, debate docket items, first readings, and a closed session. Key actions included the issuance of over $221 million in bonds, approval of a 152-unit residential development, a lease for a restaurant in the government district, and recognition of Ghana’s Independence Day with a sister city resolution.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 260240 – Approved the plat of Indiana Commons on approximately 2 acres in Clay County for commercial development (two lots). Passed unanimously (12 ayes, Parks-Shaw out).
• Ordinance 260241 – Vacated an approximately 4-acre plat and right-of-way at Highway 9 and Northwest Briarcliff Parkway to facilitate a 32-unit townhome development. Passed 12 ayes (Robinson out).
• Ordinance 260246 – Amended Chapter 88 (Shoal Creek District) to align with the updated Shoal Creek Community Master Plan, removing redundant standards. Passed 11 ayes (Duncan nay, Robinson out).
• Ordinance 260252 – Reduced the Health Commission voting membership from 17 to 11 to address quorum challenges. Passed 12 ayes (Robinson out).
• Ordinance 260245 – Authorized a $3,000,000 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with Custom Lighting Services (dba Black & McDonald) for traffic signal construction and repairs. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Benefits Fair (Special Action 260256): The Director of Human Resources spoke about the city’s rich benefit package and the challenge of communicating with nearly 5,000 employees. He reported that 30 pre-open enrollment meetings had been held, with 15 more scheduled, and encouraged employees to attend the “Scoring Big with Your Benefits” fair on March 13, 2026.
• Ghana Independence Day (Special Action 260260): A member of the Ghanaian community, an educator with 20 years experience in the U.S. and 10 in Ghana, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted Ghana’s natural resources and the potential for a sister city partnership. He noted Ghana is the “center of the world” (zero-zero on the world map) and emphasized the contributions of Ghanaians in Kansas City.

Discussion Items

• Digital Signs in Residential Districts (Ordinance 250876): A committee substitute to allow digital signs for institutional and office uses in residential districts was referred back to the Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee without objection. Councilmember O’Neill noted the item needed further review.
• General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026A (Ordinance 260235): Authorized $56,000,000 in GO bonds for various capital projects. Councilwoman Bough explained the bonds would fund infrastructure and affordable housing. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
• Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026B (Ordinance 260237): Authorized $15,000,000 in taxable GO bonds for rehabilitation and construction of housing for very low- and moderate-income households, as approved by voters in November 2022. This was the third issuance. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
• Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2026 (Ordinance 260238): Authorized up to $150,000,000 in special obligation bonds in multiple series to fund infrastructure including Barney Allis Plaza, Roy Blunt Elementary Park, detention center design, enterprise resource planning, a Northland workforce center, and Phase 2 of the West Bottoms project. Passed 12 ayes, 1 nay (Councilmember Curls voted nay).
• Lease for Charlie D’s Express (Ordinance 260239): Authorized a 5-year lease (with two 5-year renewal options) with Wolfe Garage LLC for a restaurant at 1124 Oak Street, with $20,000 for tenant improvements. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
• Multi-Unit Residential Development at 32 E. 46th Street (Ordinance 260212): Approved a development plan for a 152-unit residential building with 207 parking spaces, varying from 4 to 8 stories, on 1.3 acres. The project received a variance to the required lot area per unit (350 sq ft instead of 500 sq ft). Passed 12 ayes (Robinson out).
• Bridge Inspection Contract (Ordinance 260243): Authorized a $445,000 professional services agreement with Alfred Benesch & Company for the 2026 Citywide Biennial Bridge Inspection Program. Councilmember Bunch initially questioned whether only 8 bridges would be inspected, but Mayor Pro Tem Parks-Shaw later clarified the scope covers 286 structures. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
• Northeast 104th Street Improvements (Ordinance 260244): Authorized a cooperative agreement with the City of Liberty for joint construction of roadway, sidewalk, and trail improvements along NE 104th Street. Total project cost $5,358,920; KCMO’s share approximately $2.3 million. Councilmember Willett co-sponsored and noted the road serves a school route. Passed unanimously (13 ayes).
• First Readings:
  • Resolution 260254 (Patterson Hazley and Rogers) – Directing the City Manager to assess a centralized “one-stop shop” for fee and tax collection. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • Ordinance 260255 – Terminating the Hickman Mills Tax Increment Financing Plan after statutory periods expired. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • Ordinance 260258 – Lease with Pathway Financial Education for office space at 1520 East 18th Street. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • Ordinance 260262 (Mayor Lucas) – Declaring a moratorium on detention facility approvals until January 15, 2031. Referred to Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
  • Resolution 260257 (Councilmember Duncan) – Adopting the Health Commission’s 2026-2029 Kansas City Community Health Improvement Plan. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee.
  • Ordinance 260261 (Willett and O’Neill) – Rezoning 12.72 acres at North Shoal Creek Parkway and North Oak Trafficway for commercial retail including a grocery store. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee.
  • Resolution 260263 – Supporting MARC 2026 Suballocated Call for Projects grant applications. Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.
• Floor Introductions:
  • Resolution 260264 (Councilmember Willett) – Directing the City Manager to report on regulating unauthorized advertising signs on private and public property. Referred to Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee.
  • Ordinance 260265 (Mayor Lucas) – Appointing Marc Shaw as City Auditor and establishing annual compensation. Passed 12 ayes (Bough out) after a motion to introduce and advance.

Key Outcomes

• Bond Issuances: Three bond ordinances were passed, authorizing a combined total of up to $221,000,000 in general obligation and special obligation bonds for infrastructure, housing, and economic development. (GO 2026A: $56M; GO 2026B: $15M; Special Obligation: up to $150M)
• Development Approvals: Approved a 152-unit residential building at 32 E. 46th Street and a commercial plat (Indiana Commons). Also approved a plat vacation for a 32-unit townhome development.
• Contract Awards: Awarded a $445,000 bridge inspection contract (covering 286 structures) and a $3,000,000 traffic signal construction contract.
• Intergovernmental Agreement: Approved a cooperative agreement with Liberty, Missouri for NE 104th Street improvements, with KCMO contributing $2.3 million.
• Health Commission: Reduced voting membership from 17 to 11 to improve quorum.
• City Auditor: Appointed Marc Shaw as City Auditor.
• Referrals: Several items were referred to committees for further review, including the digital signs ordinance, the one-stop shop feasibility study, Hickman Mills TIF termination, a detention facility moratorium, and a rezoning for a grocery store.
• Closed Session: The Council voted unanimously (13 ayes) to enter closed session under Missouri statutes for legal, real estate, personnel, and other privileged matters.