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 27, 2026  
3:00 PM  
Thirteenth Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
Manuel Abarca IV, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 6 -  
Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
Excused 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and DaRon McGee  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jeanie Lauer to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on April 20, 2026. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
HEARINGS  
The County Legislature held a public hearing on Ordinance #6077 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.  
Tyler Collins, Maurice Harris and Jill Hanlin were present to speak in favor of  
the ordinance.  
With no further testimony, the public hearing was closed.  
5
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and gave the following report:  
The Jackson County Volunteer Banquet was held last weekend, for those  
who support the Parks + Rec Department. He attended the event with  
Legislator Venessa Huskey. He stated there are over 500 volunteers who  
last year, donated over 35,000 hours of service which equates to over  
$500,000 in service to the County.  
The 43rd Annual Kids Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at  
Lake Jacomo at 8:00 AM. The Derby is open to kids age 2-15. Gifts and  
prizes will be distributed to attendees.  
The Sheep Shindig at Missouri Town will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from  
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. There will be sheep sheering and a host of other family  
activities.  
The County Executive will be at Clinton's Soda Fountain in Independence on  
Saturday, May 2nd at noon, to celebrate Truman's birthday. The community  
is invited to celebrate with free birthday cake, take pictures, sign a birthday  
card as well as join in on a host of other related activities and events over  
the weekend.  
Phil LeVota made a presentation regarding Oppenstein Brothers Memorial  
Park for the placement of the WWII Monument with a funding request for  
$25,000 to be paid from Jackson County's General Fund. There was  
additional discussion with Chairman Abarca regarding County Veteran's  
issues.  
The Administration distributed to the Legislature, by email via the Clerk of  
the Legislature, the monthly financial information requested at previous  
meetings.  
He announced Chairman Abarca's Town Hall meeting scheduled to be held  
on Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 NE  
Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, regarding watercraft horsepower (Ordinance  
#6073).  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, asked about taxpayers who paid under  
protest and when they would receive their refund. The County Executive  
replied all the recalculations and repayments to taxpayers should be done by  
the end of May.  
Manuel Abarca IV asked about taxpayers with escrows. Mr. LeVota said  
those accounts are being recalculated. He said the Assessment  
Department is prioritizing these accounts and no penalties or interest will be  
charged.  
Mr. Abarca asked about his request to appoint the Legislative Auditor to the  
Pension Plan Board. Mr. LeVota said he is not familiar with the Jackson  
County Code pertaining to this Board but it seems to be a reasonable  
request.  
To view details from this section of the journal, click on the link below and  
select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated Monday, April 27,  
2026.  
https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
6
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Charlie Franklin to  
waive the reading of Ordinance #6050, #6074 - #6078. The motion passed  
by a voice vote.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson to hold  
the above-named ordinances in committee. The motion passed by a voice  
vote.  
6050  
6074  
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 - 11th Perfection)  
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 - 3rd. Perfection)  
6075  
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 - 3rd. Perfection)  
The Land Use Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 18,  
2026 at 1:00 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area regarding  
Ordinance #6075.  
6076  
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 - 2nd. Perfection)  
6077  
6078  
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 - 2nd. Perfection)  
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 - 2nd. Perfection)  
7
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.  
(PERFECTED)  
6073  
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.  
(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR CHARLIE FRANKLIN. CONCURRED BY  
JALEN ANDERSON AND SEAN E. SMITH.)  
8
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson to  
waive the reading of Resolutions #22207, #22211 - #22213, #22225,  
#22228, #22232 - #22237, and #22244 - #22248. The motion passed by a  
voice vote.  
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 - 5th. Meeting)  
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 - 4th. 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 - 4th. 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 - 4th. Meeting)  
22225  
22228  
22232  
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 - 3rd. Meeting)  
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 - 3rd. Meeting)  
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 - 2nd. Meeting)  
22233  
22234  
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 - 2nd. 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 - 2nd. Meeting)  
22235  
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 - 2nd. Meeting)  
22236  
22237  
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 - 2nd. Meeting)  
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 - 2nd. Meeting)  
22244  
A RESOLUTION 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.  
(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
22245  
22246  
A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus  
property and authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson  
County Code, 1984.  
(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
A RESOLUTION 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.  
(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
22247  
22248  
A RESOLUTION 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.  
(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
A RESOLUTION 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.  
(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
None.  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
6079  
6080  
Appropriating $5,250.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026  
Grant Fund in acceptance of the OSCA Domestic Relations Resolution  
Fund Mediation grant received from the Missouri Office of State Courts  
Administrator.  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
Appropriating $60,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026  
General Fund and awarding a contract for the purchase of a new fire  
notification and alarm system for use by the Public Works Department for  
the Historic Truman Courthouse to Johnson Controls Inc., of Lenexa, KS, at  
a cost to the County not to exceed $60,000.00.  
(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
22251  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Resolution #22251, declaring April 27th as Start by Believing Day in  
Jackson County, Missouri and recognizing the Metropolitan Organization  
Countering Sexual Assault for fifty years of combating sexual offenses and  
supporting victims. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
Excused: 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
22252  
Awarding a twelve month term and supply contract, with two (2) twelve month  
options to extend, for the furnishing of end user computing, peripherals,  
device lifecycle management solutions and associated services at  
discounted rates for use by various County departments to Dell Marketing,  
LP of Round Rock, TX under the terms and conditions of Midwestern Higher  
Education Compact Contract No. MHEC-04152022 an existing  
competitively bid government contract.  
(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)  
22253  
Transferring $305,509.00 within the County Improvement Fund and  
awarding a contract for the purchase of mobile radios to include software  
licenses, programming, and chargers for use by the Sheriff’s Office  
Detention Center to Motorola Solutions, Inc., of Chicago, IL, under the terms  
and conditions of KC/RPC Contract No. 34733, an existing competitively  
bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of  
$305,509.00.  
(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)  
22254  
22255  
Awarding a contract for the purchase of two Kubota utility vehicles for use by  
the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center to Coleman Equipment, Inc., of Lee’s  
Summit, MO under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell Contract No.  
112624, an existing, competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost  
to the County in the amount of $57,751.00.  
(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute a lease agreement with the  
State of Missouri for parking spaces at the County-owned parking garage  
located at 14th and Locust in Kansas City, MO at no cost to the County.  
(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)  
22256  
22257  
Declaring certain County-owned land as surplus real property and  
authorizing the Administration to solicit bids for selling the surplus parcels.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
adopt Resolution #22257, transferring $80,000.00 within the General Fund  
and authorizing the Jackson County Executive to execute a Professional  
Services Agreement with OMNI Recruiting of Kansas City, MO, for human  
resources recruitment at a cost to the County not to exceed $80,000.00 as a  
sole source purchase. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
Excused: 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
Comments made by Whitney Miller, Deputy County Counselor, Phil LeVota,  
County Executive and Stephen Arbo, County Administrator.  
22258  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Resolution #22258, for the 100TH celebration of Guadalupe Centers’  
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
Excused: 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
22259  
22260  
Recognizing personnel that attended Professional Development Training.  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
Regarding Proposed Ordinance 6050, as amended by Proposed  
Ordinance 6050A, known as the Renee Nicole Macklin Good Transparency  
and Accountability Ordinance (the “Good Ordinance”).  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
12  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
26-16  
I hereby make the following appointment to the Community Mental Health  
Fund Board:  
Bobby Hines is hereby appointed to a new term as a Board Member set to  
expire 4/30/2029. Mr. Hines’ resume is attached.  
26-17  
I hereby make the following appointment to the Pension Plan Board of  
Trustees:  
Stephen Arbo, Jackson County Administrator, is hereby appointed to a new  
term. Mr. Arbo’s resume is attached.  
Robin Wheeler-Sanders, Jackson County Assistant County Administrator, is  
hereby appointed to a new term. Mr. Wheeler-Sanders’ resume is attached.  
26-18  
Pursuant to Jackson County Charter, Section 7, Paragraph 3, I hereby  
appoint Brandi Lancaster, as the Interim Jackson County Municipal Court  
Administrator to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mackenzie  
Smith. A copy of Ms. Lancaster’s resume is attached.  
13  
14  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Manuel Abarca IV announced that due to the withdrawal of the incumbent  
County Executive and according to Missouri State statute, candidate filing  
for the August Primary Election will reopen for five days on Wednesday,  
April 29 through Tuesday, May 5, 2026. For additional information see the  
Clerk of the County Legislature's webpage at www.jacksongov.org/clerk  
Phil LeVota explained that due to the withdrawal of the incumbent candidate  
for Jackson County Executive (Democratic) and the withdrawal of the only  
candidate for the 1st District At Large (Republican) for the August 4, 2026  
Primary Election, and in accordance with Missouri Election Law, Section  
115.361, filing for these offices must be reopened.  
Section 115.361 states that when an incumbent or only candidate for  
nomination withdraws before 5:00 p.m. on the eighth Tuesday prior to a  
primary election, “filing for the office or position shall be reopened for a  
period of five working days, excluding holidays and weekends, following the  
withdrawal, during which period new candidates may file declarations of  
candidacy.”  
Manuel Abarca IV suggested scheduling a legislative meeting on  
Wednesday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. as well as a closed session.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson that  
the County Legislature have a regular meeting with a closed session on  
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative  
Assembly Area. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 - Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
Excused: 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and DaRon McGee  
To view details from this section of the journal, click on the link below and  
select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated Monday, April 27,  
2026  
https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
Meeting adjourned until Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the  
Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd  
Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.