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This Week at City Hall (August 11 – 15, 2025)

August 15, 2025
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All Posts, Latest News + Events, This Week at City Hall

Bus funding secured until December, conflict over closure of the Winchester TIF Plan, and billboard removals across town.

49/63 Coalition
Beacon Hill – McFeders
Boston Heights and Mount Hope
Center City
Coleman Highlands
Country Side
Crossroads
Downtown
East 23^rd Street PAC
Forgotten Homes
Hyde Park
Independence Plaza
Ivanhoe
Key Coalition
Lea Manor
Little Blue Valley
Longfellow
Longfellow
Lykins
Manheim Park
Morningside

Northland
Osage Trail Station
Parade Park Homes
Raytown
Red Bridge
River Market
Santa Fe
South KC
South Roundtop
Squier Park
S.P.E.N.A.
Swope Ridge
Town Fork Creek
Union Hill
Waldo Tower
Ward Parkway Homes
Washington Wheatley
Wendell Phillips
Wendell Phillips
West Plaza
Westside

Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee

Tuesday, August 12th at 9am

The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Operations Committee is headed by Chairperson Kevin O’Neill and Vice Chair Melissa Robinson, along with Councilmembers Eric Bunch, Johnathan Duncan, and Lindsay French.

Ordinance 250629 requested to authorize a $5,160,000.00 construction contract with Haines and Associates Construction Co., Inc., for the Water Main Replacement in the Area of College Avenue to Norton Avenue, E. 21st St to E. 31st St project, in the East 23rd St PAC, Washington Wheatley, Santa Fe, and South Roundtop neighborhoods, with a maximum expenditure of $5,676,000.00. David Poirier, Division Manager of Water Distribution with KC Water, presented this ordinance to the Committee.

The project replaces approximately 11,375 linear feet of 8-inch and 12-inch existing, deteriorated and break-prone water mains, among other improvements to the areas noted above. A detailed list of the specific mains to be replaced and other distribution system improvements within the project limits can be found here. The project is slated to start in the next 60 to 90 days, and will take approximately eight months to complete.

The Committee moved to advance and recommend approval of this ordinance to City Council, where it was later passed this Thursday.

Ordinance 250630 requested to authorize a $3,673,700.00 design professional services contract with CDM Smith, Inc., for the Turkey Creek Pump Station Rehabilitation project, located at Fairmount Ave and Allen Terrace in the Westside neighborhood. David Poirer, along with Blake Anderson, Facilities Engineering Division Head with KC Water, also presented this ordinance to the Committee.

This contract is projected to last for about two years and will include conceptual design and site investigations in the first six months, followed by a drafted preliminary design by one year. In the succeeding year, an amendment to the contract will be drafted that will provide funds to CDM Smith to complete designs with the building’s maintenance in mind, with a goal of twenty-year durability.

The Committee moved to recommend approval of this ordinance. It was later continued at the City Council after they adjourned their meeting this Thursday.

Ordinance 250638 requested to amend Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commissions and Committees,” by:

Repealing Division 16, entitled “Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee,” including Sections 2-970.11 and 2-970.12.
Repealing and replacing Division 18, entitled “Parking and Transportation Committee,” including Sections 2-970.16, 2-970.17, 2-970.18, 2-970.19, 2-970.20, and 2-970.21.
Creating a new Division 18, entitled “Multi-Modal Transportation Commission,” including Sections 2-970.16, 2-970.17, 2-970.18, 2-970.19, 2-970.20, and 2-970.21, for the purpose of establishing the Multi-Modal Transportation Commission and Parking Policy Review Board to coordinate comprehensive multi-modal transportation planning, policy development, and parking management within the City.

The Committee moved to hold this ordinance for one week, ahead of the meeting.

Ordinance 250604 requested authorization for the Director of Public Works to appropriate $218,000.00 to be added to the 2025-26 Cooperative Agreement with Bike Share KC for a total contract amount of $632,960.00. Associate Director of Transportation in Public Works, Angie Laurie, and Lead Division Mobility Planner, Regan Tokos, presented this ordinance to the Committee.

This amendment allows for the purchase of 100 new bikes, bringing the fleet total to 347. It will also fund the purchase of 80 new bike batteries, as part of the Carbon Reduction Program. Additional funds will go towards operations and maintenance of the existing 247 bikes. This is important, as bikeshare usage has been increasing year over year, especially as more e-bikes have been added to the fleet.

Ms. Tokos also noted the Bike Share Equity Program, which includes $10 annual memberships for low-income individuals (regularly $149 for one year). Partner organizations where one can go and receive this membership include:

Hope Faith Assistance Campus
Healing House KC
Westside Housing Org
Jerusalem Farm
Midtown KC Now
Rosedale Development Association

Councilmember O’Neill asked about plans to expand the program to partners in the Northland. Eric Vaugh, Director of Bikeshare and Business Services for RideKC Bike, gave public testimony clarifying this. He explained that RideKC Bike partners with established organizations to distribute these memberships. Preferred partnership organizations tend to be those with good relationships in their neighborhoods. He also noted that RideKC does outreach, but that communication from City Councilmembers or Staff to bring other organizations in as partners is welcome.

Councilmember Duncan also inquired about expanding service to areas like the Northland or areas like the 3rd District with low car ownership. Ms. Tokos explained that Public Works is studying about twenty new hub locations across the City. These include Maple Park and 37th and Woodland, both in the 3rd District; the latter of which was requested by the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association. Additionally, the Berkeley Riverfront is also being looked at for expansion, though there already is a hub there. Line Creek Trail in the Northland is yet another being studied.

The Committee moved to recommend approval of this ordinance. It was later continued at the City Council after they adjourned their meeting this Thursday.

Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee

Tuesday, August 12th at 10:30am

The Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee is headed by Chairperson Andrea Bough and Vice Chair Quinton Lucas, along with Councilmembers Crispin Rea, Darrell Curls, and Wes Rogers.

Ordinance 250623 requested approval to decommission the Winchester Center Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan, in the Swope Ridge neighborhood, and to terminate the designation of the related Redevelopment Areas. David Leader, Development Incentives and Program Manager for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), presented this ordinance to the Committee.

The TIF area is generally bounded by 63rd St Tfwy on the north, Interstate 435 and Manchester Ave on the east, 64th and 67th St on the south, and Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks on the west.

This TIF was set to expire, but two remaining housing applications remained as of last December. The City moved to enter into a Contribution Agreement with EDCKC on December 19, 2024 to fund these, and on July 17, 2025 appropriated an additional $127,000 in surplus funds to certain other economic development projects. Mr. Leader reported that EDCKC and City Staff recommend termination of this TIF, now that it has exceeded the 23-year expiration date, and remaining projects have been completed or supplied with funds.

Patricia Losiewicz, the President of the Swope Ridge Neighborhood Association, gave public testimony on this ordinance. Ms. Losiewicz explained that neighbors were promised that this TIF fund could be used to repair sewers and sidewalks. In the meantime, she reported, money from the fund was allocated to build a major commercial development in the neighborhood, which brought increased traffic and crime. Other than maintenance to Bennington Ave, Ms. Losiewicz claimed that sewer and sidewalk repair otherwise never materialized, and that the only other use of this fund that supported neighbors was the housing program. Instead of supplying the neighborhood with the requested improvements, TIF funds were then used to build the Swope Soccer Village.

She went on to explain that the housing program had incurred several setbacks, and that it didn’t adequately solve an issue many residents faced: septic tank remediation. This was one of the primary reasons why Swope Ridge had advocated that funds be used for sewage improvements. Adding sewer lines would allow for residents to remove those septic tanks, and no longer incur the costs that come with maintaining them. Losiewicz went on to say how she feels the neighborhood shouldn’t have to apply for new funds/grants when there is surplus money generated from the TIF remaining.

The Committee moved to advance this ordinance and recommend it be approved by City Council. At that meeting, however, the ordinance received some deliberation. Councilmember Curls, among others, inquired as to where the remaining $127,000 worth of funds from the TIF would go, requesting that they remain, at least, in the fifth district. The funds would normally be returned to the general fund, but City Manager Mario Vasquez reported that they had already been reappropriated for 5th District Blight Removal. Due to the many aspects of the case yet to be resolved or clarified, the Council moved to hold the ordinance for one week.

Ordinance 250632 requested to authorize the Manager of Procurement Services to execute a term and supply contract (EV3960) that will exceed $1,000,000.00 with Weis Fire and Safety, LLC to provide Personal Protective Equipment for the Fire Department. The ordinance also requested to authorize amending and extending the contract and authorize the Fire Chief to expend $1,016,675.00 from previously appropriated funds. Keely Golden, Assistant Chief Procurement Officer, and Steve Shaumeyer, Deputy Fire Chief for Professional Development, presented this ordinance to the Committee.

With little deliberation, the Committee moved to recommend approval of this ordinance. City Council later followed this recommendation and approved the ordinance on Thursday.

Ordinance 250636 requested to amend the Heart of the City Neighborhood Stabilization Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan. David Leader also presented this ordinance to the Committee.

The Heart of the City Redevelopment area is generally bounded by 27th St on the north, 47th St on the south, Harrison St on the west, and 71 Highway on the east, and includes the Hyde Park, Manheim Park, Ivanhoe, Squier Park, Key Coalition, Boston Heights and Mount Hope, Center City, Osage Trail Station, Longfellow, Beacon Hill – McFeders, and Wendell Phillips neighborhoods.

Amendments to this plan include increasing the available total amount for a TIF Loan/Grant for single-family owner-occupied home improvements from up to $10,000 to up to $20,000. In addition, the amendment adds the following language to the requirements for applications to receive these funds:

Applications must provide a schedule of development which will include an estimated start and end date, and comply with the 3-year maximum timeline described in City Code 74-12.

The Committee moved to recommend approval of this ordinance by City Council, which then passed it this Thursday.

Ordinance 250640 requested to authorize the City Manager to appropriate $72,570.00 to the Illuminate KC initiative (for a total contract amount of $1,072,560.00) for the purposes of installing decorative lighting on the KCTV Tower in the Union Hill neighborhood. Phinney Sachs, who works in legislative affairs in the Office of the Mayor, presented this ordinance to the Committee.

Mr. Sachs explained that this ordinance is in response to unanticipated costs for removing dead equipment on the tower that prevented installation of lighting equipment.

The Committee moved to advance and recommend approval of this ordinance to City Council, where it was later passed this Thursday.

Ordinance 250614 requested authorization for the Manager of Procurement Services to renew a $1,000,000.00 contract with Vernon County, Missouri and its Sheriff to house and transport City inmates and detainees, and to execute a separate $830,375.00 contract with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to house City inmates and detainees. Megan Case, the Administrator of Corrections in the City Manager’s Office, presented this ordinance to the Committee.

Before 2019, the City had a similar contract with Jackson County. The original contract with Vernon County was for 20 beds at $47.50 per day per bed. In 2020, the count was increased to 70 beds. Currently, the city is paying $60 per day per bed. Medications are also paid for detainees, and transportation is now paid at $25,500.00 per month (twice a day, each day of the week).

The original contract with Johnson County was for 50 beds at a rate of $50 per day per bed, which was lowered during COVID to 35. That count remains the same today at a rate of $65 per day per bed. Medications are also paid for detainees, but City Corrections transports inmates to Johnson County.

The Committee moved to advance and recommend approval of this ordinance to City Council, where it was later passed this Thursday.

Resolution 250621 requested that the City Council recognize the value and importance of Kansas City’s commitment to sustainable development and direct the City Manager to work with Creative City KC, Inc. to further incorporate Sustainable Development Goals into city policies to benefit and grow local businesses, including the music economy.

This resolution was held for an additional week, ahead of the meeting Tuesday.

Board of Zoning Adjustment

Wednesday, August 13th at 9am

The Board of Zoning Adjustment was attended this week by Chairperson Mark Ebbitts and Members Tom Gorenc, Emerson “Jaz” Hays, Michael Meier, and Randi Mixdorf.

CD-BZA-2025-00096 requested approval of a variance to relocate a nonconforming billboard sign (per 88-445-15-C) at a site owned by Kansas City Terminal Railway City Pin 11574 (about 500 feet south of the intersection of Truman Rd and Indiana Ave) in the Lykins Neighborhood. Staff Planner Ahnna Nanoski and representatives from the applicant team: David Hyatt, along with attorneys Roxel Koch and James McClure, presented this case to the Board.

Ms. Koch explained that this sign is requested to be moved about 60 feet from the subject site, immediately to the northeast of its present location. This would be in order to accommodate the construction on I-70 at the Benton Curve, which the sign is close by. Public policy for relocation requires, in this case, that the property owner must remove other signs totalling 125% of the face area of the sign to be relocated. The eight signs the applicant team proposed for removal are much closer to neighborhoods than the I-70 sign. They are located at the following addresses:

I-435, WS N/O 24 Hwy., 457 Tullis
4346 Prospect
7817 Troost
5546 Prospect
5239 Prospect
2112 E. 31st St / 2110 E 31st St
4221 E 27th St / 2700 Spruce

After further details were presented and discussed about all the proposed locations, the Board moved to approve the requested variance.

CD-BZA-2025-00048 requested approval of a special exception to allow an existing front-yard fence located at 3725 Tracy Ave (zoned R-5) in the Squier Park neighborhood, to exceed the allowed 4 foot height per 27-27-10 (b) of the code of ordinances. Staff Planner Connor Tomlin and Rosalie Burger, the owner and applicant, presented this case to the Board.

Mr. Tomlin explained that the fence in question was on a side yard and extended out past the front-facing wall of the house, almost to the sidewalk. Because the definition of a front-yard fence includes anything past the front-facing wall, it was out of compliance. Ms. Burger had been given the option at her last hearing to remove the first two fence panels (those closest to the sidewalk), and she reported that she had done so, providing pictures.

The Board moved to approve the variance.

CD-BZA-2025-00087 requested that the Board rehear the case CD-BZA-2025-00058; one of the variances therein requesting approval of mascot wall sign for Raytown Middle School located at 4900 Pittman Rd just north of Raytown. This variance was previously not approved. Staff Planner Ahnna Nanoski and the applicant team presented this case to the Board.

The team argued the case be reheard to allow the construction of the mascot sign, because it is meant to evoke school spirit and not to advertise anything, it won’t be garish, and it won’t have a significant impact on the neighborhood. The school’s neighbors include a golf course and a few houses, though these are separated from the wall the sign would be on by a large parking lot. The applicant team also provided similar precedent for such signs in the KC Metro Area.

While the Board sympathized with the applicant team, they recognized that these arguments did not provide any new evidence that could have been highlighted in the previous hearing. Some Board members agreed with the applicants that it might be warranted to differentiate between schools and commercial businesses when it comes to signage, but argued that since they do not write the zoning code, this is a matter that would need to be taken up with City Council.

Ultimately, the Board moved to deny approval of this request to rehear the case.

CD-BZA-2025-00094 requested approval of a variance to the minimum amount of parking required for the site located at 258 W 3rd St in the River Market, zoned M1-5. Staff Planner Connor Tomlin and representatives from the applicant team, Scott Genter and Craig Shaw, presented this case to the Board.

Mr. Tomlin explained that the site in question is part of the Streetcar Transportation Development District (TDD), but is not within the area of that TDD that exempts parking minimums. The building, however, takes up the entire parcel it is on, and was built before the minimums were in place, making it legal nonconforming. However, any change in use or occupancy requires that the building be code-conforming, which includes the parking minimums.

Mr. Shaw, the architect for the applicant team, explained that this space is intended to be renovated into a gallery. He continued, stating that the owners and design team were given the impression by related maps that it fell under the area of parking exemption. The property is therefore still being taxed as part of the TDD but does not receive the benefits of exemption from parking.

The Board moved to approve this variance.

CD-BZA-2025-00100 requested to approve a variance to the maximum size of a monument sign at 1001 Locust St, in the Downtown Loop. Staff Planner Connor Tomlin and the applicants, Austin Panko and Lee Moore from JE Dunn, presented this case to the Board.

The site is the location of the offices of JE Dunn, and the sign in question would replace the existing one outside the 10th St entrance to that building. Mr. Panko explained the current sign lacks visibility, and the proposed size increase was addressing that issue.

Some Board members expressed that they would like to see the applicant team experiment with some other options that would bring the sign closer to compliance, such as moving it elsewhere or reducing the proposed size increase. Given this, they suggested that the team request the case be continued. The team concurred, and the Board moved to continue this case to September 10.

CD-BZA-2025-00089 requested approval of a special exception to allow an existing front-yard fence at 817 E Linwood Blvd (zoned R-0.5) in the Hyde Park neighborhood, to exceed the allowed 4 foot height per 27-27-10 (b) of the code of ordinances. Staff Planner Stephanie Saldari along with Jason and Kevin Sadler, representatives for the applicant, UrbanLux Living KC, presented this case to the Board.

Jason Sadler explained that he had constructed this fence to deter people from coming onto the property and inside the house, which had been a problem during construction. The fence is now six feet tall and wraps around the entire perimeter of the property, including a gate for pedestrians as well as one for cars into the driveway.

The Board then gave the applicants two options to bring the fence closer to compliance. The first was to reduce the height of the front yard portion of the fence to 4 feet, which had previously been approved for similar properties in the area. The second was to improve transparency so that passersby could still see the front yard through the fence. This could be achieved by removing every other slat, by changing the material to something like wrought iron.

Kris Koch, the president of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, gave public testimony on the case. He explained that the Neighborhood’s position was that they preferred fences of this type to follow code compliance, but that they would be willing to work with Mr. Sadler to achieve one of the compromises the Board supplied.

Mr. Sadler was unsatisfied with the options the Board had provided. A four foot fence was unsatisfactory, he explained, because it was still scaleable, but allowing for greater transparency defeated the purpose of the privacy fence to deter interested strangers from exploring the property.

Board Member Mixdorf stated that she was in support of enforcing code compliance, in response to a growing trend of similar fences being constructed without permits, and then being approved after the fact, the code noncompliance forgiven.

The Board gave Mr. Sadler the option to review his options and have the case continued, but he declined, and asked that a motion be taken at this week’s meeting. The Board then moved to deny this special exception.

CD-BZA-2025-00097 requested approval of a variance to the residential accessory building standards to permit an accessory structure in the front yard at 8527 N Pomona Avenue, in the Northland (zoned R-6). Staff Planner Stephanie Saldari along with Shelby and Celia Sumner, the owners/applicants, presented this case to the Board.

The Sumners had built a patio in front of their front porch, and had enclosed it with drapes in order to block light from their neighbors’ security lights (one installed in front and one in back yards). Under code, this enclosed patio counts as an accessory structure, and is not permitted in the front yard, under R-6 zoning. The Sumners argued hardship from the security lights their neighbors had installed, reducing enjoyment of their front and back porches.

A great deal of other conflicts had arisen between the two households, and these contributed much to the Sumners’ testimony. Several Board members noted, however, that while the BZA can do many things, it cannot force neighbors to get along.

The case laid out before them regarded the accessory structure, and whether or not it should be allowed. They explained that any variance sets a precedent for similar cases, which can lead to further code noncompliance. In the case of accessory structures, they gave examples such as sheds in front yards as things that could be allowed should they approve this variance. In order for the enclosed patio to no longer be considered an accessory structure, and therefore in code compliance, Ms. Saldari explained that it would either need to be an attached extension of the front porch, or brought down to a 4 foot height with the drapes removed.

The Board moved to deny this variance, and the Sumners agreed to continue working with Staff to bring the patio enclosure down to 4 feet.

CD-BZA-2025-00102 requested approval of a variance to the Boulevard and Parkway Standards related to setback requirements, applied to the site at 11029 N Euclid Ave in the Northland.

This case was continued to September 10 in advance of the meeting, at the request of the applicant.

CD-BZA-2025-00095 requested approval of a variance to permit a smaller rear setback and a variance to permit an increased driveway width in an R-1.5 zoning district, for the property at 4911 Hocker Rd, in the Little Blue Valley neighborhood. Staff Planner Stephanie Saldari and the applicant, Michele Dawson, presented this case to the Board.

Ms. Dawson’s property is on an irregularly-shaped parcel, where no rear property line naturally exists. However, if no rear property line exists, Ms. Saldari explained, one can be created by drawing a line parallel to the front property line that is no less than ten feet wide. An example can be seen in the graphic below:

The line perpendicular to that rear property line, drawn from the closest edge of the primary structure (in this case the house), is the rear setback. Ms. Dawson was requesting that she be allowed to build a house on the subject site which would encroach on the allowed rear setback, because of the irregular shape of the lot.

Regarding the second requested variance, the approved width of driveways for R-6 zoning is 22 feet, however other similar properties in the area had been granted similar variances. One nearby had a driveway with a width of 25 feet. Because this is a corner lot, the entrance to the driveway hits at an angle, and makes a narrower width more difficult to enter.

The Board moved to approve the requested variances.

CD-BZA-2025-00099 requested approval of a variance to permit gravel on the site located at 3820 E 55th St in the Swope Parkway/Elmwood (S.P.E.N.A.) neighborhood. Staff Planner Stephanie Saldari and representatives from the applicant team, Michael McIntire and Christina Lewis, presented this case to the Board.

This variance requested to permit a gravel vehicular use area on part of the subject site. The approved site plan includes an area for fiber regeneration huts (for internet), and would be expected to have utility vehicles coming and going about once per week for maintenance purposes. Other options stated could include using pavement or grass instead.

Mr. McIntire reported that the applicant team intends to build a paved driveway to prevent gravel runoff into the street or other properties. He also argued its use as a drainage and water quality element. The gravel used would be ¾ inch clean gravel with no particulates or dust.

The Board moved to grant the requested variance.

CD-BZA-2025-00098 requested approval of a special exception to the maximum height of a fence (per 27-27-10 (b) of the code of ordinances) at 9700 Grandview Rd in South KC. Staff Planner Connor Tomlin, along with representatives for the applicant team, Katie Martinovik, Justin Thompson, and Sean Handy presented this case to the Board.

The subject site is an extension of the Oakwood Golf Course. It includes accessory buildings for the course, along with residential cottages. Mr. Thompson explained that there have been break-ins and theft on the site, and that the increased fence height would be to deter or prevent more from occurring. The material of the fence would also be wrought iron, which would allow for transparency, while also preventing access.

Ms. Theresa Eaton, representing the Southern Communities Coalition, voiced her opposition to the fence. She and the organization were opposed to the development of the cottages, and are now opposed to the fence because of displacement of wildlife and disruption of the quiet natural environment in the neighborhood.

The Board deliberated shortly, and eventually moved to approve the requested special exception.

CD-BZA-2025-00101 requested approval of a special exception to the maximum height of a fence in the side and rear yards (per 27-27-10 (b) of the code of ordinances) in an R-6 zoning district at 7201 Washington St in the Ward Parkway Homes neighborhood. Staff Planner Alec Gustafson and Mitchell Hucke, the owner and applicant, presented this case to the Board.

The side yard on the subject property fronts 72nd street, which is the higher-traffic street than Washington, which the front of the house faces. Mr. Hucke explained that there is a water spigot on the side of the property fronting 72nd. People coming from Wornall Rd or the Quiktrip nearby have come onto the property and used the spigot, sometimes leaving it running. He was therefore requesting permission to build a taller fence to prevent this.

Some Board members asked about alternatives Mr. Hucke has considered including different materials than the proposed opaque cedar, as well as planting larger bushes than the ones currently in place. Mr. Hucke said he was open to a different material to allow for better transparency, but that the reason he had chosen wood was the expense of a metal fence. Board Member Mixdorf asked if he was also willing to set the fence further back from the sidewalk, which he was. Chairman Ebbitts voiced his concern about the height, asking it be reduced to 5 feet instead of 6, to which other Board members appeared to be supportive of.

Ultimately, the Board moved to approve the requested variances, with the amendment that the allowed height be 5 feet on the side yard portion.

CD-BZA-2025-00091 requested approval of several variances to accessory structures and gravel standards in an R-6 zoning district for the site at 5106 N Brighton Place in the Northland.

This case was continued to September 10 in advance of the meeting, at the request of the applicant.

Legislative Session (Full Council)

Thursday, August 14th at 2pm

Resolution 250656 requested to recognize the first anniversary of Forever Smiles Foundation and to honor Dr. Robert Weiss and Dr. Patrick Christopher. Councilmember O’Neill spoke to honor the foundation, which provides comprehensive cleft and craniofacial care. The Council moved to approve this resolution.

Resolution 250676 requested to honor the Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Men’s Volleyball Team for their historic 2025 season, during which they captured the

school’s first-ever district championship in men’s volleyball, representing Kansas

City Public Schools with excellence on and off the court. The Council moved to approve this resolution.

Resolution 250677 requested to honor the Rockhurst High School Men’s Track Team for excellence in athletic and academic performance. The Council moved to approve this resolution.

Resolution 250678 honored and recognized the retirement of Heather Fryers, who has worked in the City’s Communications Department since 2019. The Council moved to approve this resolution.

Ordinance 250560 requested to rezone the site at the southeast corner of Northwest Barry Rd and Interstate 29 in the Northland from AG-R/B3-3 to only B3-3 and to approve a development plan to allow for the construction of a car wash.

The Council moved to approve this ordinance.

Ordinance 250679 requested to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) in an amount not to exceed $77,892,519.00 until April 30, 2026, to direct the City Manager to report back to Council with an evaluation of KCATA performance relative to this contract, and to provide a plan within 120 days to fund the KCATA in the amount of $93,435,252.00.

The ordinance passed unanimously. Discussion continued on the details of the situation moving forward.

City Manager Mario Vasquez noted several changes in this agreement which were not present in the previous version of the contract. They include:

Providing service for the entire year, instead of until October 31st.
Procurement of remaining funds to meet the $93 million total by December 2025.
Requesting KCATA to work with local, state and federal officials to secure additional funding and ensure seamless access/use of bus service.
Implementing a “functionally free fare” system.
Negotiating a contract for IRIS service separately, wherein service will be limited to those areas of Kansas City that fall within Platte and Clay Counties.

Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw also asked about reduction in service and/or routes: Mr. Vasquez reported that service is expected to remain the same, but that savings will be reexamined by December. She recalled that Wyandotte County had decided not to continue contracting KCATA, and asked what would become of KCK commuters from KCMO. KCATA President/CEO Frank White III testified, and reported that only one route will be discontinued in Wyandotte County, but that service will otherwise continue there.

Council also inquired about the status of the KCATA regional summit. Mayor Lucas supplied that that event is still expected to continue on October 1st.

Councilmember Melissa Patterson-Hazley asked about how often Council would receive reports from KCATA. Councilmember Eric Bunch, who was recently appointed to Michael Shaw’s position on the KCATA Board of Commissioners, said that there would be intermittent formal reports, and that these are laid out in the full contract with Dec 15 being one of the most significant dates of report.

Ordinance 250643 requested to amend Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Administration” by enacting a new section (2-1972) entitled “Surplus TIF Revenue Policy”.