Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

Manuel Abarca IV (1st) Chairman, Sean E. Smith (6th) Vice Chairman,

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL), Megan L. Smith (3rd AL),

Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),

Office of

Mary Jo Spino

Clerk of the County Legislature

DaRon McGee (4th), Jeanie Lauer (5th)

Monday, April 20, 2026

3:00 PM

Twelfth Regular Meeting

K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri

Manuel Abarca IV, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused 1 - Megan L. Smith

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 April 13, 2026. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

Resolution #22243 was adopted at this time. See page 7 for details.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Phil LeVota, County Executive, said reporting of budget and financial

resources of Jackson County per Jackson County Code Section 555, first

quarter reporting per Jackson County Code Section 556 and the monthly

financials will be reported to the County Legislature at the 4th legislative

meeting each month beginning on April 27, 2026. If the meeting is

cancelled or not scheduled the report will be given at the next legislative

meeting.

The County Executive said Ordinance #6073 regarding watercraft

horsepower at Lake Jacomo will be withdrawn by the sponsor next week.

The County Legislature and County Executive have received input from

constituents and they are listening. He said the last time horsepower was

discussed for Lake Jacomo was 1984.

Manuel Abarca IV asked about having a Parks Board. Phil LeVota said this

will be considered moving forward.

Manuel Abarca IV asked about preparations for 2027 property taxes. Phil

LeVota said in the next couple of months he will be discussing the idea of a

property tax freeze. He said currently Jackson County has a Deputy Director

of Assessment but in 2028 the Assessor will be elected in Jackson County,

Missouri.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

6050

AN ORDINANCE prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their

faces or badges during performance of their official duties and establishing

penalties and exemptions.

(Legislature As A Whole - 10th Perfection)

6074

AN ORDINANCE implementing a 120-day moratorium on the processing of

data center land use applications and Battery Energy Storage System land

use applications by Jackson County for the purpose of developing a

long-term policy and accompanying County Code provisions related to such

applications, including the direction of regulatory standards and enhanced

public notification requirements.

(Health & Environment Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

6075

6076

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 126± acre tract from

District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).

(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE transferring and appropriating $27,260.00 from the

undesignated balance of the 2026 Park Fund and authorizing the County

Executive to execute a contract with She Digs It, LLC of Blue Springs, MO to

cover construction and installation of a drinking fountain at Fleming Park at a

cost to the County not to exceed $27,260.00.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6077

AN ORDINANCE enacting section 6004., of the Jackson County Code,

1984, relating to standards for care and treatment in Jackson County

residential facilities with a severability clause.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)

The County Legislature will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6077 on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 3 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6078

AN ORDINANCE transferring and appropriating $378,162.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2026 Park Fund and authorizing the

County Executive to execute a contract with Tarkett Sports

Construction-Central, LLC, of Lee’s Summit, MO to cover construction and

planning of pickleball courts at Fleming Park at a cost to the County not to

exceed $378,162.00.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

6049

AN ORDINANCE establishing a third-party monitoring program for Jackson

County projects and authorizing access for qualified contracted third parties

to conduct site visits.

Jeanie Lauer objected to placing Ordinance #6049 on the Consent Agenda

for adoption. There was no other action, so this ordinance will remain

PERFECTED.

6071

6072

6073

Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 5055., 5056., and 5057., of the

Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to watercraft horsepower, and

enacting, in lieu thereof, four new sections relating to the same subject.

(PERFECTED)

The County Legislature will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6073 on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 3 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

22207

A RESOLUTION transferring $42,857.00 within the 2026 General Fund and

awarding a contract for the purchase of communication equipment for use

by the Sheriff’s Office to MRA International, Inc., of Long Branch, NJ under

the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 25-057, at an actual cost to

the County in the amount of $42,857.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 4th. Meeting)

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

waive the reading of Resolutions #22211, #22212, #22213, #22225,

#22228, #22232, #22233, #22234, #22235, #22236 and #22237 since the

committees did not meet. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 - Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

22211

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of mobile radios for

use by the Sheriff’s Office to Motorola Solutions, Inc., of Chicago, IL, under

the terms and conditions of MARC/KCRPC Contract No. 113, an existing

competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the

amount of $109,568.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

22212

22213

A RESOLUTION declaring certain vehicles assigned to the Jackson County

Sheriff’s Office as surplus property and authorizing their transfer to the

Jackson County Department of Civil Process.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute Cooperative

Agreements with certain agencies that provide services and assistance to

victims of domestic violence, at an aggregate cost to the County not to

exceed $152,400.00.

(Health & Environment Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

22225

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of fifteen (15) new

2026 Dodge Durango vehicles for use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s

Office to Corwin Motors of Springfield, LLC, of Springfield, MO, under the

terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No. MC250182004, an

existing competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the

County in the amount of $645,420.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

22228

A RESOLUTION awarding a seven month term and supply contract, with two

(2) twelve month options to extend, for the furnishing of law enforcement

public safety gear for use by various County departments to G.T.

Distributors, Inc., of Pflugerville, TX under the terms and conditions of State

of Missouri Contract No. CC250070 (007), an existing competitively bid

government contract.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

22232

22233

22234

A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract,

with one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of rental vehicle

services for use by various County Departments to Enterprise Mobility dba

Enterprise Leasing of Kansas of Lee’s Summit, MO, under the terms and

conditions of Request for Proposals No. 25-052.

(Finance & Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting )

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Jackson County Finance and Purchasing

Department to draft and present an ACH (Automated Clearing House)

payment policy so that ACH payments, or otherwise commercially

advantageous electronic transactions, may be paid and accepted on behalf

of the county.

(Finance & Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting )

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of a Bobcat S64 Skid

Steer, a UW 56 Toolcat, a Swing Arm Brush Cutter with seven pin wiring

harness, a 72” Landplane, two (2) 80” Vibratory Rollers with Smoother

Drums, a Snow Blade and an 80” Combination Bucket with Port Relief for

use by the Parks + Rec Department to K.C. Bobcat dba Berry Companies,

Inc. of Blue Springs, MO under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell

Contract No. 020223-CEC, an existing, competitively bid government

contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $175,899.00.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22235

22236

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute an

agreement with the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners for

anti-drug and anti-crime law enforcement activities and programs at a cost

to the County not to exceed $3,657,651.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )

A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus

property and authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson

County Code, 1984.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22237

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the replacement of HVAC systems

at two radio communication tower sites for use by the Sheriff’s Office to

Motorola Solutions, Inc., of Chicago, IL, under the terms and conditions of

State of Missouri Contract No. MT250038001, an existing competitively bid

government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of

$76,002.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22242

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #22242, recognition of twenty years of unwavering

dedicated service to the Housing Authority of Kansas City, where Gerald

Douglas has served as Resident Service Director, helping support families

and strengthening the community. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

6071

AN ORDINANCE transferring and appropriating $4,164,475.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2026 Park Enterprise Fund and awarding

a contract for the replacement of the irrigation system at the Fred Arbanas

Golf Course and the Frank White, Jr. Sports Complex to Verde Sports

Construction, LLC., of Langley, WA, under the terms and conditions of

Invitation to Bid 25-047, at a cost to the County not to exceed

$4,164,475.00.

(ADOPTED)

6072

AN ORDINANCE transferring $233,100.00 within the 2026 Grant Fund and

appropriating $233,100.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026

Grant Fund in acceptance of a supplemental grant and authorizing the

Director of Parks + Rec to execute an agreement received from the

Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks Land

and Water Conservation Fund Program for use by the Parks + Rec

Department.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinance #6071 and #6072 were placed on the Consent Agenda for

adoption.

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22243

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

adopt Resolution #22243, honoring Rosilyn Temple during National Crime

Victims’ Rights Week. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 2 - Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22244

Awarding a contract for the purchase of a John Deere TruFinish Utility Rake

for use by the Parks + Rec Department to John Deere & Company of Cary,

NC under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell Contract No.

112624-DAC, an existing, competitively bid government contract, at an

actual cost to the County in the amount of $21,714.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22245

22246

Declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus property and

authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson County Code,

1984.

(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)

Authorizing the County Executive to execute a Management Agreement with

the Downtown Community Improvement District for the furnishing of

maintenance and safety-related services at the Oppenstein Brothers

Memorial Park in the Central Business District of downtown Kansas City,

MO, at an annual cost to the County not to exceed $75,000.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22247

22248

22249

Transferring $150,000.00 within the 2025 County Improvement Fund to

cover costs for inmate clothing and costs associated with relocating items

from the Detention Center at 1300 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri, to

the East Campus at 7000 E. U.S. 40 Highway.

(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)

Authorizing the Jackson County Executive to execute a Professional

Services Agreement with KC Digital Drive of Kansas City, MO, for Jackson

County Broadband and Digital Equity Plan Phase 1 services, at a cost to the

County not to exceed $100,000.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #22249, honoring James Staab for his accomplishments.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22250

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #22250, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, 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: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Absent: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Report from County Executive regarding number of taxpayers who have

issues pending before the Board of Equalization for real and commercial

properties as well as those who have overpaid and are awaiting refunds.

Phil LeVota, County Executive, said he has the information and he

would bring it to the legislative meeting on April 27, 2026.

NEW BUSINESS

The County Executive distributed a one page list of suggestions to the

County Legislature and the Clerk of the County Legislature. He said the

suggestions are for spending $11 million of ARPA funds for infrastructure.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, asked about the audit the County

Legislature requested from the State Auditor. Resolution #22147 directing

this be done was adopted on February 9, 2026. The County Executive

responded.

Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, asked for details of funding for each

agency. The County Executive agreed to email details to the County

Legislature.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, asked how the County Executive received

these funding requests. She asked if this is grant money and if the agencies

will be required to report to Jackson County compliance office. The County

Executive responded yes to both questions.

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, said he hopes the Legislature can have

more conversations about repair and maintenance of county owned

properties.

Manuel Abarca IV, Chairman, asked Donna Peyton, Chairman of the Budget

Committee to work on this issue of infrastructure funding.

Closed meeting per Resolution #22250. 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 recessed to go into closed session.

The County Legislature reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Meeting adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson

County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor,

Legislative Assembly Area.