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, September 8, 2025

3:00 PM

Thirty-fifth Regular Meeting

Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence, Missouri, Ground

Floor, Legislative Chambers

Donna Peyton, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused 1 - Megan L. Smith

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on August 25, 2025. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff said there were no reports.

Frank White Jr., County Executive, was not present.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked why the County Executive

chose not to inform all members of the Legislature regarding ARPA

opportunities put out in an RFP process by his office. Caleb Clifford, Chief

of Staff, said it was because of the ongoing litigation regarding the 2025

budget not yet settled with four members of the legislature. Legislator

Abarca asked Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, what law prohibits the

County Executive from speaking to the four members about other matters.

Mr. Covinsky reiterated what was stated by Mr. Clifford, and when asked

directly for an opinion from his office, Mr. Covinsky said he would be happy

to look into the matter and provide one.

Legislator Abarca asked about the timing of the RFP notices sent out. He

wanted to know why they were not sent out as soon as the 2025 budget was

adopted. Mr. Clifford stated it was to put a process in place and now the

time was urgent. Legislator Abarca disagreed and said he believed the

timing was calculated to coincide with the upcoming recall election and it is

an opportunity for the County Executive to try and save himself.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

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 - 18th Perfection)

5990

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

approve the Floor Amendment dated September 8, 2025 for Ordinance

#5990, to insert the paragraphs "BE IT ORDAINED that this cap shall be

limited to commercial properties valued at no more than five-million dollars

of market value in 2023; and, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this

ordinance shall hereby direct the County Executive, County Assessor, or

other appropriate officials to make said adjustments to the 2025

commercial market values." and to insert the word "FURTHER" after the

words "BE IT" in the fourth paragraph on page 2. The motion passed by a

roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey and Sean E. Smith

No: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

5990

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

perfect as amended Ordinance #5990, establishing a commercial property

assessment rate cap in Jackson County, Missouri The motion passed by a

roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey and Sean E. Smith

No: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(PERFECTED)

5996

AN ORDINANCE enacting sections of the Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to the establishment of fair property tax payment practices and

protections during appeals, providing for payment programs, appeal-based

payment extensions, and time limits on appeals resolution.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 6th. Perfection)

The Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee made no recommendation on

Ordinance #5997.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

hold Ordinance #5997. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Ordinance #5997 will be assigned to Legislature As A Whole.

6001

AN ORDINANCE enacting sections 7800., 7801., 7802., 7803., 7804., and

7805., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the establishment of the

Senior Citizens’ Services Fund, with an effective date.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 4th. Perfection)

6004

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

perfect Ordinance #6004, awarding a contract for construction service to

connect the Rock Island Trail and Little Blue Trace Trail under Federal

Project No. TAP 3453(404) to MegaKC Corporation Kansas City, MO,

under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 24-098 at a cost to

the County not to exceed $2,870,540.00. The motion passed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 6 -

DaRon McGee, Jalen Anderson, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin,

Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Abstain: 2 - Donna Peyton and Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(PERFECTED)

Discussion.

Michele Newman, Director of Parks + Rec and Richard Allen, Senior

Planner and Program Manager with Parks + Rec, distributed a handout to

legislators and were present to answer any questions regarding Ordinance

#6004.

6006

AN ORDINANCE enacting section 1598., of the Jackson County Code,

1984, related to revoking pension and benefit eligibility for any recalled

County elected official and their direct non-merit reports, and for other

purposes.

(Legislature As A Whole - 3rd. Perfection)

6007

6009

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 - 3rd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 117.00± acre tract from

District AG (Agricultural) to District RU (Residential Urban).

(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

6010

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the County Executive to execute a

Cooperative Agreement with the City of Kansas City, Missouri and MoDOT,

for replacement of Rock Island Bridge at 350 highway, at no cost to the

County.

(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

6011

AN ORDINANCE 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.

(Budget Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6012

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

perfect Ordinance #6012. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

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

approve Ordinance #6012, appropriating $108,000.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant

received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of the Kansas City

Monuments Coalition, for use by the Jackson County Parks + Rec

Department for improvements to the Fort Osage National Historic

Landmark. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(APPROVED)

6013

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $18,500.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the National Environmental

Health Association Food and Drug Administration grant awarded by the

Federal Drug Administration.

(Health and Environment Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Health and Environment Committee will have a public hearing on

Monday, September 22, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6014

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $10,315.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant from the Local

Records Preservation Grant - Missouri Secretary State, through the Local

Records Preservation program, for use by the Jackson County Recorder of

Deeds for local records preservation.

(Budget Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6015

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

perfect Ordinance #6015, appropriating $104,928.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant

received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of the Kansas City

Monuments Coalition, for use by the Jackson County Parks + Rec

Department for restoration and preservation improvements to Missouri

Town Living History Museum. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

6015

Jalen Anderson moved the passage of Ordinance #6015 as perfected,

appropriating $104,928.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2025

Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon

Foundation as part of the Kansas City Monuments Coalition, for use by the

Jackson County Parks + Rec Department for restoration and preservation

improvements to Missouri Town Living History Museum. Seconded by

Jeanie Lauer.

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

6016

AN ORDINANCE 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.

(Rules Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6017

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey to

perfect Ordinance #6017. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

adopt Ordinance #6017, authorizing the Jackson County Counselor's Office

to pursue litigation or other legal strategies on behalf of the Jackson County

Legislature in the event that redistricting of the 5th Congressional District

occurs, for the purpose of opposing such redistricting. The motion passed

by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

Abstain: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21992

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.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

21994

21995

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

approve the Budget Committee Amendment dated September 8, 2025 for

Resolution #21995, to delete the first paragraph "WHEREAS, the

Legislature has a continuting need for a consultant to assess policy and

communication services; and," and to insert the following paragraphs:

"WHEREAS, the Chairman of the Legislature had determined that the

Legislature has a need for a communications and policy consultant for

effective public communications and community engagement; and,

WHEREAS, this contract is requested for authorization under the

Legislature’s authority as stated in Article II, Section 16.13 of the county

charter and Chapter 10, Section 1000 of the purchasing code; and,

WHEREAS, the consultant will work at the direction of the Chairman of the

Legislature, the consultant will be responsible for developing a

comprehensive community engagement plan and providing support to the

Legislature to utilize Indigov constituent communication software, along with

other tasks assigned by the Chairman of the Legislature; and," all on page

one. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(ADOPTED)

21995

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

adopt Resolution #21995, authorizing the Chairman of the Legislature to

execute a Consulting Agreement with Heartland Communications, LLC, of

Kansas City, MO, to provide communication and policy services to the

Legislature, at a cost not to exceed $25,000.00. The motion passed by a roll

call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22003

22013

A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned boats as surplus property

and authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson County

Code, 1984.

(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION awarding a six-year term and supply contract for the

furnishing of planting and harvesting of hay and crops for use by the Parks +

Rec Agricultural Program to T. Bruce Mershon of Buckner, MO, under the

terms and conditions of Request for Proposal No. 25-020.

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22014

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.

(Budget Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22015

22016

Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

22018

A RESOLUTION declaring a certain County-owned vehicle as surplus

property and authorizing its disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Jackson

County Code.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting )

CONSENT AGENDA

21994

A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus

property and authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson

County Code, 1984.

(ADOPTED)

22015

A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with

one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of liquid asphalt for use

by the Public Works Department to Vance Brothers, Inc., of Kansas City,

MO, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 25-002.

(ADOPTED)

22016

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of sixteen new

vehicles for use by the 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 $688,448.00.

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #21994, #22015 and #22016 were moved to the Consent

Agenda for adoption.

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

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

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22020

Transferring $95,490.00 within the 2025 General Fund to cover the

purchase of bunk beds and linens for use by the Jackson County Detention

Center.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

22021

Awarding a thirty-nine-month term and supply contract, with three

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of HVAC parts and

services for use by the Facilities Management Division of the Public Works

Department to Johnson Controls, Inc. of Lenexa, KS, under the terms and

conditions of the Sourcewell Contract No. 080824-JHN, an existing,

competitively bid government contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

22022

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

adopt Resolution #22022, authorizing the Director of Finance and

Purchasing to issue a check in the amount of $129,120.00 for the purchase

of portable and vehicle radios for use by the Greenwood Police Department.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa

Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

Discussion.

22023

Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with five

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of HVAC products,

installation, and service for use by the Facilities Management Division of

Public Works Department to Trane US Inc., of Davidson, NC, under the

terms and conditions set forth in Racine County, Wisconsin/OMNIA Partners

Contract No. 3341, an existing government contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

22024

22025

Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with two twelve-month

options to extend, for the furnishing of unmanned aircraft systems, supplies,

and equipment for use by various County departments to Vehicle

Technologies, LLC, of Fayetteville, AR, under the terms and conditions of

Invitation to Bid No. 25-031.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

Authorizing the County Executive to execute two permanent utility

easements in favor of the City of Kansas City Water Department.

(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)

22026

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

adopt Resolution #22026, authorizing the County Executive to execute a

Cooperative Agreement with a certain outside agency that provides public

health related and other public services to citizens of Jackson County, at an

aggregate cost to the County not to exceed $24,000.00. The motion passed

by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Venessa Huskey,

Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22027

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #22027, transferring $48,443.00 within the 2025 General

Fund to cover the costs of salary adjustments for legislative aides. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Venessa Huskey,

Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22028

Awarding a contract for the purchase of a John Deere tractor and John

Deere Flex Wing Rotary mower for use by the Public Works Department to

Lawn and Leisure of Lee’s Summit, MO 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

$82,694.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22029

22030

Declaring certain County-owned equipment as surplus property and

authorizing its disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Jackson County Code.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

Awarding a contract for the purchase of a mobile communications command

vehicle for use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to Farber Specialty

Vehicles, Inc. of Reynoldsburg, OH, under the terms and conditions of

Henrico County, Virginia Contract No. 2578A, an existing competitively bid

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

$720,420.00.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

22031

22032

Awarding a contract for the purchase of three trailers for use by the Parks +

Rec Department to Rockland Cargo Equipment of Conyers, GA under the

terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 25-032, at an actual cost to the

County in the amount of $37,677.00.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

Authorizing Jackson County to execute a License with KC Bier Company of

Kansas City, MO for an event named KC Oktoberfest to be held at Crown

Center Square.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Discussion.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said a public hearing is required for

Resolution #22032. The paperwork for this application was submitted to the

Administration in June but just being introduced today. In order to meet the

statutory requirements a special meeting of the legislature is necessary in

order to have a timely public hearing.

The County Legislature will have a public hearing on Resolution #22032 on

Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chairman Peyton was informed by DaRon McGee, County Legislator, that

Megan L. Smith asked to be excused. With no objection, Megan L. Smith

will be excused for the September 8, 2025 legislative meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

DaRon McGee announced that the County Legislature will have a special

meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Kansas City

Legislative Assembly Area for the purpose of conducting a public hearing

and discussing Resolution #22032.

Manuel Abarca IV asked if Chairman McGee would also consider taking up

the courtesy resolution for Hispanic Heritage Month. DaRon McGee agreed

that courtesy resolutions can also be taken up at the special meeting.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

cancel the legislative meeting scheduled to be held on September 15, 2025

in Kansas City, Missouri. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 - Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon

McGee, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

cancel the legislative meeting scheduled to be held on September 29, 2025

in Kansas City, Missouri. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 - Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa

Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

Manuel Abarca IV asked the Administration if they had any staff changes to

report.

Caleb Clifford responded the Public Information Officer is no longer

employed with Jackson County, MO.

Mr. Abarca asked if Mr. Crutsinger was retiring. Mr. Clifford said he was not

aware.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

Meeting adjourned until Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the

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

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area. This is a special meeting to discuss

Resolution #22032 and any courtesy resolutions introduced.