Kansas City Council Meeting Summary – April 23, 2026
Kansas City Council Meeting Summary – April 23, 2026
The Kansas City Council met on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw due to the absence of Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilmember Melissa Robinson, who were recorded as out for the duration of the meeting. Eleven council members were present. The session included special actions, same-day resolutions, final readings, and committee advances covering a wide range of topics from police funding to transportation plans and community development.
Special Actions (Consent Calendar)
- Resolution 260364 – Declaring April 23, 2026, as Take Your Kid to Work Day. Adopted unanimously (11 ayes, Lucas and Robinson out).
- Resolution 260365 – Celebrating 100 years of service for Soroptimist International of Kansas City. Adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 260366 – Recognizing the Historic West Bottoms Association for over a decade of activities. Adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 260405 – Honoring artists involved in the weaving nets art installation commemorating Kansas City hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. Adopted unanimously.
- Resolution 260406 – Recognizing April 29, 2026, as National Denim Day and honoring the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Adopted unanimously.
Same-Day Resolutions
- Resolution 260403 – Directing the City Manager to develop standard operating procedures for waiving Minority and Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) participation goals across all incentive agencies, with a report due within 30 days. Passed (10 ayes, 1 nay – Willett; Lucas and Robinson out).
Discussion Items
Police Settlement Funding and Oversight (Ordinances 260340 and 260065)
- Ordinance 260340 – Authorized the transfer of $5,900,000 from the Legal Expense Fund to the Kansas City Police Department for legal settlement expenses due May 1, 2026. An amendment to add an accelerated effective date was adopted (11 ayes). The ordinance then passed as amended with 11 ayes (Lucas and Robinson out).
- Ordinance 260065 – A committee substitute that would create a new fund (“KCPD Overage Fund”) for police costs exceeding the 25% annual budget threshold (Mo. Rev. Stat. 84.730) and require council approval of future settlement agreements. After extensive debate, a motion to hold the item on the docket failed (5 ayes, 6 nays). The ordinance was then re-referred to the Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee by unanimous consent.
HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Pilot Program (260362)
- Councilmember Patterson Hazley sponsored a resolution directing the City Manager to implement a pilot program to secure financing through HUD’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program for removing chronic blight, pledging future Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as security. The resolution was adopted as substituted (10 ayes, 1 abstention – Willett; Lucas and Robinson out).
Updated Street and Transportation Plans (260341)
- Adopted an updated Major Street Plan, Streets Design Guide, and Vision Zero Action Plan, as required by the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Passed unanimously (11 ayes; Lucas and Robinson out).
Other Ordinances (Advanced from Committees)
All ordinances on the consent and debate dockets were passed with specific votes as noted below:
- 260356 – GIS software contract with Esri ($2,125,000 over three years). Passed 10-1 (Willett nay; Lucas and Robinson out).
- 260357 – West Bottoms infrastructure change order ($732,659) and kiosk lease. Passed 10-0-1 (Willett abstain; Lucas and Robinson out).
- 260336 – Rezoning 0.15 acres at 3112 Flora Avenue for accessory parking. Passed 11-0.
- 260347 – HIV case management grant ($1,579,691). Passed 10-0 (Lucas, Willett, Robinson out).
- 260348 – Disease Intervention Specialist Workforce grant ($419,678). Passed 10-0 (Lucas, Willett, Robinson out).
- 260349 – CDC public health grant amendment ($739,567; total $9,306,095). Passed 10-1 (Willett nay; Lucas and Robinson out).
- 260350 – Childcare sanitation inspection contract ($101,574). Passed 11-0.
- 260351 – Major amendment to redevelopment plan at 63rd and Bushman Drive for an entertainment venue. Passed 11-0.
- 260296 – Permitting pedicab operations in Country Club Plaza. Passed 11-0.
- 260332 – Citywide supplemental workforce contract ($2,000,000). Passed 11-0.
- 260353 – Emergency transmission water main repairs ($2,700,000). Passed 11-0.
- 260354 – Fire hydrant replacements ($1,500,000). Passed 11-0.
- 260355 – Emergency valve replacements ($1,500,000). Passed 11-0.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 260340 (Police settlement funding) – Passed as amended with accelerated effective date; 11-0.
- Ordinance 260065 (Police overage fund) – Re-referred to Finance Committee.
- Resolution 260362 (HUD Section 108 pilot) – Adopted as substituted; 10-0-1.
- Resolution 260341 (Vision Zero plans) – Adopted; 11-0.
- All other ordinances on the consent and debate dockets passed as listed.
- Several first-reading ordinances were introduced and referred to appropriate committees, including multiple items related to the 435 & Soccer Drive Tax Increment Financing Plan, vacant building regulations, and other community development measures.
- Two floor introductions (260407 – Brookside Shops CID improvements; 260408 – Health and wellness discount listing) were referred to committees.
- The council also received and filed communications, including easements and temporary traffic regulations.
Note on attendance: The official minutes and transcript indicate that Mayor Lucas and Councilmember Robinson were absent for the entire meeting, though the transcript shows Lucas voting on some items; this discrepancy is noted. The minutes are treated as authoritative.
Meeting Transcript
The meeting will come to order. Our guest chaplain is Pastor David McDaniel with Holmeswood Church. Would all who are able, please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. It's been a true pleasure this month being with you. Leaders, let me very quickly say that you are loved just the way you are. Not because of your title, not because of your work, but because you are you. And today is bring your daughter and son to work today, which means the generations are watching each and every one of us. So into the space, let me invite you into prayer and meditation. Creator. Today, as young eyes watch, we give thanks for their reminder of what is possible. So stir in each of us a sense of holy imagination. One that refuses to settle for what is and dares to shape what ought to be. For the members of this council. Give them a courage that reaches beyond today. But opens doors for generations coming after us. And let the decisions made in this room lean toward a future where every young person, regardless of skin tone, financial status, orientation, or culture, is welcomed, protected, and given space to flourish. Not just someday, but beginning today. And may hope rise here. Not as an idea, but as an action. So the generations watching today will one day say this was a place where love took shape in public life. I pray all of this. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands. The clerk will call the rolls. Yes, ma'am. Curls. Present. Parkshaw. Present. Boo. Thank you so much for beer. Duncan. O'Neal. Will it? Franch. Rogers. Patterson Hasley. Present. Robinson. Ray. Bunch. Lucas, ten members present. Thank you. Well, today is an awesome day. So the clerk will start with the special actions. Yes, ma'am. Two six zero three six four, declaring April twenty-third, twenty twenty-six says take your kid to work day. My moose and others are present to receive the special action. Thank you. Come on in.
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