Jackson County Missouri  
JOURNAL  
Jackson County Courthouse  
415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor  
Kansas City, Missouri 64106  
(816)881-3242  
County Legislature  
DaRon McGee (4th) Chairman,  
Donna Peyton (2nd AL) Vice Chairman,  
Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Megan L. Smith (3rd AL),  
Manuel Abarca IV (1st), Venessa Huskey (2nd),  
Charlie Franklin (3rd), Jeanie Lauer (5th)  
Sean E. Smith (6th)  
Office of  
Mary Jo Spino  
Clerk of the County Legislature  
Monday, November 3, 2025  
3:00 PM  
Forty-third Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused 1 - Jalen Anderson  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on October 27, 2025. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
HEARINGS  
Presentation regarding use of unlicensed gambling devices. (Ordinance  
#6007)  
The following people were present to offer testimony regarding Ordinance  
#6007:  
Laura Birdsong, Independence Avenue Community Improvement District  
(CID), gave a presentation and spoke in favor of the ordinance.  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, offered statements regarding the issue of  
unlicensed smoke shops and dispensaries that may also have gambling  
devices.  
Murray Woodard II, Director of COMBAT, agreed with the testimony given by  
Laura Birdsong.  
Mark Berry, attorney representing convenience store owners in the  
Northeast area, stated the businesses he represents would be in favor of an  
application process to have gambling devices in their establishments.  
Thomas Gardman, CFO of the Kansas Capital Group, stated his  
organization, along with the businesses they work with, favor establishing  
rules for operating gambling devices in Jackson County and other  
jurisdictions in the state.  
Discussion ensued between the individuals listed above, and Legislators  
DaRon McGee, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Jeanie Lauer, Donna  
Peyton, Sean E. Smith and Megan L. Smith.  
For a copy of the Independence Avenue CID presentation, please see the  
attachment under Meeting Details for the November 3, 2025 legislative  
meeting at https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
It can also be found as an attachment to Ordinance #6007. To view the  
hearing, click on the video link for the same meeting.  
5
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and gave the following report:  
He announced Oscar Gudino, from the Collection Department, as the winner  
of the Halloween Memories Contest. Oscar received a $25 Gift card.  
Chris Whiting is the new Chief Policy Officer in the Executive's Office. He is  
currently reviewing applications to fill over 50 vacancies on the various  
Jackson County Boards and Commissions.  
Mr. LeVota signed the Legislature's Outside Agency funding contracts. He  
requested that future contracts have a fiscal note attached so that he can  
see the impact of funding on the overall budget.  
The County Executive's Office is working on the 2026 budget. Steve Arbo,  
County Administrator/Manager, is meeting with department heads and  
others to get input. Mr. LeVota intends to get his budget recommendations  
to the Legislature prior to the official deadline, to allow time for discussion.  
He explained how his office will be implementing the policy regarding the  
15% cap on commercial property assessments.  
Steve Arbo, County Administrator/Manager, presented the new  
organizational chart to the legislature. For a copy of the organizational chart,  
please see the attachment under Meeting Details for the November 3, 2025  
legislative meeting at https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
Theresa Garza, Chief of Staff, commented on the steps taken to create the  
organizational chart.  
Legislators Sean E. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV, Megan L. Smith, and Donna  
Peyton had discussions with the County Executive and his staff. To view the  
full discussion please click on the video for County Legislature meeting  
dated Monday, November 3, 2025.  
https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
6
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
Resolutions #22099 and #22100 were adopted at this time. See page 9 for  
details.  
5967  
AN ORDINANCE repealing subsections 7401.2., 7405.4., and 7406.5.,  
Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to protections against retaliation for  
complaints, cooperating with complaint investigations, and amending the  
discretionary authority to decline a complaint and enacting, in lieu thereof,  
three new subsections relating to the same subject.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 26th Perfection)  
6007  
6026  
AN ORDINANCE enacting section 5542., of Jackson County Code, 1984,  
related to the use of unlicensed gambling devices with severability clause.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 11th Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the  
Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 17.68± acre tract from  
District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).  
(Land Use Committee - 5th. Perfection)  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey to  
waive the reading of Ordinances #6027 and #6028. The motion passed by  
a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin  
and Sean E. Smith  
No: 2 - Megan L. Smith and Jeanie Lauer  
Absent: 1- Manuel Abarca IV  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
6027  
AN ORDINANCE vacating a portion of an unnamed and unimproved right of  
way within Breezy Meadows, a subdivision in Jackson County.  
(Land Use Committee - 5th. Perfection)  
6028  
AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the  
Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.13± acre tract from  
District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).  
(Land Use Committee - 5th. Perfection)  
The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinances  
#6026, #6027, and #6028 on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the  
Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area  
6034  
6034  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Sean E. Smith to  
perfect Ordinance #6034. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Ordinance #6034, repealing Schedule I, Chapter 50, Jackson County  
Code, 1984, relating to park fees and charges and enacting, in lieu thereof,  
one new schedule relating to the same subject. The motion passed by a roll  
call vote:  
Yes: 7 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey,  
Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
6035  
6035  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey to  
perfect Ordinance #6035. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Ordinance #6035, appropriating $320,484.00 from the undesignated  
fund balance of the 2025 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Grant Fund, in acceptance  
of the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant awarded to  
the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
7
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
8
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
21992  
22014  
22078  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with  
two twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of broker and  
consulting services for the County’s employee group health, life, and dental  
insurances for use countywide to CBIZ Benefits & Insurance, Inc. of Kansas  
City, MO, under terms and conditions of Request for Proposals No. 25-019,  
at a cost to the County not to exceed $250,000.00.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 7th. Meeting)  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with  
one twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of disaster recovery  
services for use countywide to 21st Enterprise, LLC aka ServPro of Lee’s  
Summit, Missouri, under the terms and conditions of the Junior College  
District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri (MCC) Contract No.  
19-7242-C3R2.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 2nd. Meeting)  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
accept the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated November 3,  
2025, to to insert the phrase "rescinding Resolution 21978 dated August 18,  
2025 and" after the words "A RESOLUTION", to insert the vendors "DLL  
Finance of Johnston, IA and Club Car LLC of Evans, GA" after the words  
"Lee's Summit, MO" in the heading and paragraph three; to insert  
paragraph one "WHEREAS, by Resolution 21978, dated August 18, 2025,  
the Legislature did pass and awarded a term and supply contract to M&M  
Golf Cars of Lee's Summit, MO, however due to change in financing of the  
term and supply contract other vendors needed to be included to fulfill the  
contract need; and,"; to insert the word "continued" before the word "need"  
in paragraph two all on page one.  
The motion passed by a voice vote. Manuel Abarca IV voted no.  
22078  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated November 3,  
2025 for Resolution #22078, rescinding Resolution 21978 dated August 18,  
2025 and awarding a fourteen-month contract with four twelve-month options  
to extend for the leasing of golf carts, beverage cars, a six passenger car,  
and a range picker for use by the Parks + Rec Department to M&M Golf  
Cars LLC of Lee’s Summit, MO, DLL Finance of Johnston, IA, and Club Car  
LLC of Evans, GA at a cost not to exceed $21,838.00, under the terms and  
conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract No. EV2671.1, an existing  
government contract. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin,  
Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
No: 2 - Donna Peyton and Manuel Abarca IV  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
22085  
22086  
22087  
Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of a Flex Wing rotary  
cutter for use by the Parks + Rec Department to Van Wall Equipment of  
Lenexa, KS under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell Ag Tractors  
Contract No. 082923-DAC, an existing competitively bid government  
contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $32,487.00.  
(Land Use Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
22085  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-one-month term and supply contract for  
the furnishing of dry goods, paper products, refrigerated and frozen foods,  
and beverages for use by the Parks + Rec Department to U.S. Foods of  
Lenexa, KS, under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Contract No. 42356  
an existing competitively bid government contract.  
(ADOPTED)  
22086  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract,  
with one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of shredding  
services for use by various County departments to Midwest Shredding  
Service, LLC of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of  
Invitation to Bid No. 25-035.  
(ADOPTED)  
Resolutions #22085 and #22086 were moved to the Consent Agenda for  
adoption.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Charlie Franklin, to  
approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
6036  
6037  
6038  
6039  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.00± acre tract from District AG  
(Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 36.68± acre tract from District AG  
(Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Requesting a renewal of a conditional use permit (CUP) in District RE  
(Residential Estates) for continuous operation of a bed and breakfast  
subject to specified conditions, as to a 0.48± acre tract.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 20.00± acre tract from District AG  
(Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinances  
#6036, #6037, #6038, and #6039 on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 1 p.m.  
in the Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area.  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
22092  
Awarding a contract for the purchase of desk consoles for use by the  
Sheriff’s Office to Watson Furniture of Poulsbo, WA, under the terms and  
conditions set forth in Houston Galveston Area Council Contract No.  
EC07-23, an existing government contract, at an actual cost to the County  
not to exceed $169,807.00.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
22093  
22094  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of  
employee group dental and vision insurance for use countywide to Ameritas  
Life Insurance Corporation of Lincoln, NE.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with three twelve-month  
options to extend, for the furnishing of printed stationery, envelopes,  
business cards, and specialty or miscellaneous printing services for use by  
various County departments to Almar Printing, Inc., of Kansas City, MO,  
under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 25-037.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
22095  
Awarding a ten-month term and supply contract, with five twelve-month  
options to extend, for the furnishing of pest management services for use by  
various County Departments to National Exterminating Company dba  
Smithereen Pest Management, of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and  
conditions of the City of Kansas City, MO Contract No. EV3996, an existing  
competitively bid government contract.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Murray Woodard II, Director of COMBAT, explained Resolution #22097,  
requesting the County Legislature to adopt it. Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy  
County Counselor, explained why it was not done timely.  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jeanie Lauer to  
hold Resolution #22097, so KCPD could present to the County Legislature  
regarding this legislation. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 - Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie  
Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
No: 2 - Donna Peyton and DaRon McGee  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
The Chairman then assigned this to committee. See above.  
22096  
Awarding a two-month term and supply contract, with three twelve-month  
options to extend, for the furnishing of mailing services for use by various  
County departments to Lineage Mailing Services (formerly Strahm  
Automation and Mailing Services) of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and  
conditions of Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas Contract  
No. R36488, an existing competitively bid government contract.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
22098  
Awarding a contract for a lease of three Wide-Area Mowers, two Zero-Turn  
Mowers, a utility tractor, and brush cutter for use by the Parks + Rec  
Department to Van Wall Equipment of Lenexa, KS under the terms and  
conditions of Sourcewell Ag Tractors Contract No. 082923-DAC and  
Sourcewell Grounds Maintenance Contract No. 112624-DAC, existing  
competitively bid government contracts, at an actual cost to the County in the  
amount of $115,585.00.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Manuel Abarca IV recommended placing tracking devices on the Parks +  
Rec equipment leased as cited in Resolution #22098. Phil LeVota agreed.  
22099  
Honoring the Northeast High School Vikings Boys’ Soccer Team.  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
22100  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Resolution #22100, celebrating La Mega KC’s 10th Anniversary. The  
motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
22101  
A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
adopt Resolution #22101, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to  
hold a closed meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025, for the purpose of  
conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and  
the Jackson County Counselor under section 610.021(1) of the Revised  
Statutes of Missouri and closing all records prepared for discussion at said  
meeting. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
22102  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
adopt Resolution #22102, approving the settlement for the claim of Phillip  
Dunning v. County of Jackson, Missouri Case No. 2216-CV20811, for a  
total payment by the County of $40,000.00. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 2 - DaRon McGee and Charlie Franklin  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(ADOPTED)  
No objection to the consideration of Resolution #22102 - not on printed  
agenda.  
12  
13  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
None.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
Discussion regarding the reconsideration of Ordinance #6011. Phil LeVota  
asked for time to work on current issues like assessment relief. He said he  
will implement a plan for the Board of Equalization in approximately a month.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
reconsider Ordinance #6011. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 7 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey,  
Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Ordinance #6011, repealing sections 9103. and 9104., Jackson  
County Code, 1984, relating to the Board of Equalization, and enacting, in  
lieu thereof, two new sections relating to the same subject, with an effective  
date. The motion failed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 1 - Venessa Huskey  
No: 6 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Charlie Franklin,  
Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(DEFEATED)  
Discussion regarding the reconsideration of Ordinance #6016. Phil LeVota  
commented and said he would like to do this by County Executive Order  
instead.  
A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
reconsider Ordinance #6016. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
adopt Ordinance #6016, prohibiting County employees from knowingly  
making false material statements to the County Legislature by amending  
Chapter 74 and incorporating such prohibition into the Jackson County  
Code of Conduct.The motion failed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 0  
No: 8 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
(DEFEATED)  
14  
NEW BUSINESS  
A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
cancel the legislative meetings scheduled to be held on November 10 and  
November 23, 2025. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,  
Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
Megan L. Smith announced that the Land Use Committee will have a public  
hearing on Ordinances #6026, #6027, #6028, #6036, #6037, #6038, and  
#6039 on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. in the Kansas City  
Legislative Assembly Area.  
Charlie Franklin, Chairman of the Budget Committee, requested any 2026  
budget updates be provided to him by the end of the day.  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Megan L. Smith, to  
recess to go into closed session. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
Closed meeting per Resolution #22101. The closed meeting may be  
followed by the introduction and adoption of a Resolution in open session to  
authorize the settlement of a legal action, cause of action, or litigation  
matter.  
The County Legislature reconvened.  
Resolution #22102 was adopted at this time. See page 9 for details.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
PLEASE NOTE: THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN  
INDEPENDENCE SINCE THE KANSAS CITY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY  
AREA WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE.  
Meeting adjourned until Monday, November 17, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at the  
Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence,  
Missouri, Ground Floor, Legislative Chambers.