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,

Office of

Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,

Mary Jo Spino

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL),

Manuel Abarca IV (1st), Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),

Jeanie Lauer (5th), Sean E. Smith (6th)

Clerk of the County Legislature

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

3:00 PM

Tenth Regular Meeting

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

DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on March 07, 2023. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

Resolutions #21170, #21197, and #21201 were adopted at this time.

Please see pages 7, 11, and 12 for details.

HEARINGS

Fred Dreiling, Chief Legislative Lobbyist, presented an update on

legislative issues before the Missouri General Assembly in Jefferson City,

Missouri. A copy of Mr. Dreiling’s presentation is available under the

Meeting Details for the March 14, 2023, Legislative Meeting located at

https://jacksonco.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?

ID=1087372&GUID=BEEE6644-1015-4839-A3E0-863A56F1BC4F&Opti

ons=info|notes|&Search=

DaRon McGee, County Legislator, asked about the amount of the

increase to the prisoner per diem. Mr. Dreiling said Missouri statues cap

that amount at $36. The Missouri Association of Counties and the St.

Louis lobbyists are also working on increasing the per diem.

Mr. Dreiling said the state offered some American Rescue Plan Act

funding to be used for jail construction. Megan Marshall, County

Legislator, asked for additional information regarding this grant. Troy

Schulte, County Administrator, said the County applied for these funds,

but has not yet heard if we were approved. The fund is $10 million

statewide.

Mr. Dreiling addressed various tax legislation pending that will limit

personal and/or residential property taxes. It is too early to determine if

any of the proposed measures will pass. Mr. Dreiling said every level of

government would be impacted by these reductions to tax assessment,

including fire districts, and municipalities. Jeanie Lauer, County

Legislator, said multiple lobbyists for various government entities

throughout the state are working on the tax assessment issue.

Mr. Dreiling said he and his staff are working on the landfill issue. Noel

Torpey, Assistant Lobbyist, said there is push back from house leadership

on passing the measure which is to oppose the landfill. Mr. Dreiling and

his team will be working in favor of the bill in opposition to the project on

behalf of Jackson County.

Other major issues include sports betting, which is linked to video lottery

terminals (VLT). It is unclear if sports betting will pass without the VLT

passing as well. Transgender issues at the Missouri Capitol have been

tied to dysfunction within the Missouri Senate. The Senate leadership

decided to adjourn early last week after heated debate in the Senate.

Republicans in the Senate want to pass legislation related to transgender

issues. The Democrats have compromised on the issue. Manuel Abarca

IV, County Legislator, asked why the transgender issue has become the

largest issue under consideration when there are so few people impacted.

He asked if this is political fodder since there are far greater issues like

gun reform and improving education that impacts residents statewide.

Fred Dreiling said many of the fights in Jefferson City are between super

conservative Republicans and moderate Republicans. If this issue is put

before the Republicans, they feel compelled to vote for it. Senator Greg

Razor has tried to reach the middle ground, knowing that if they do not

compromise, what is adopted could be much harsher. Mr. Dreiling does

not think this issue will be addressed until after the budget is complete,

much later in session.

Mr. Dreiling said the other issue is SJR 13, the election of an assessor.

Jackson County is the only charter county in Missouri where the assessor

is not elected. If this were to pass it would require a statewide vote. There

will be a hearing on this issue in a few weeks.

Noel Torpey said the proposed changes to the initiative petition process is

one of the Missouri House Speaker’s priorities. It will require an

amendment to the Missouri Constitution to make it more difficult to get an

initiative petition on the ballot and increase the threshold to 60% to pass

an initiative petition item. It will require a vote of the people.

The Missouri Governor Mike Parsons proposed funding to widen I-70. The

Springfield coalition has opposed this, and the Governor’s proposal has

been paired down.

Mr. Dreiling introduced Rodney Bland, the newest member of their team,

as well as Cara Hoover who is on spring break this week.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Sylvya Stevenson, Chief Administrative Officer, gave a report from the

Pension Plan investment consultants, ACG, on the impact of the Silicon

Valley Bank failure last week. ACG does not expect the SVB failure to

have a material, direct, impact on the equity management of the Pension

Plan. They are confirming this information and will supply confirmation

later. However, because SVB is in the S&P 500 Index, ACG has identified

some small exposure of approximately .05% or 5 basis points with the

S&P 500 Index through the U.S. large cap equity. That is a small

percentage and was on our account prior to the collapse of SVB. The

exposure has not grown since then. All deposits at Silicon Valley Bank

have been guaranteed, to stabilize the impact on the banking industry.

Some banks may continue to see pressure on their stock prices and this

may continue until people begin to have more confidence in system.

DaRon McGee requested an update from Troy Schulte on the

Independence Historic Truman Courthouse repairs. Mr. Schulte said the

building reopened yesterday. They do not have working restrooms on the

lower level. They have brought in two port-a-potties. They are working on

securing estimates on the repairs. They are back in operation and will be

opening on Saturdays in April for the Assessment Department to handle

the personal property tax declarations. All non-essential staff not needed

in Independence have been moved downtown. The Recorder of Deeds

has moved up to the first floor. Assessment and Collections are back in

operation.

Megan L. Marshall said she has received several complaints from

residents regarding obtaining a waiver for personal property tax. When

they call first thing in the morning, all appointment times are already

booked by 8:00 a.m. If residents are not able to obtain a waiver, is the

County imposing penalties on those residents? Troy Schulte said early in

the pandemic the County had gone to the Qless appointment system.

They determined that many people were making appointments and

locking up all of the time slots, but then not showing up for their scheduled

appointment. They have turned off the Qless system in Independence,

though it is still available downtown where the wait times are shorter. In

Independence they have gone to a first come first served system. There

are no penalties on tax declarations until the first of May. Ms. Marshall

said she has concerns with the phone line and the frustration by residents

in getting through to a person for assistance. Mr. Schulte said, the County

has been working to recruit more staff and phone bank workers. Ms.

Marshall asked if a system can be put in place to avoid penalties. Mr.

Schulte said a reminder notification will go out soon to anyone who has not

yet filed their tax declaration.

Manuel Abarca IV asked for an update on the annual reassessment and if

an increase in values is expected. Mr. Schulte said they will start their

pre-media process tomorrow. Normally notices go out in May, but they

plan to have the parcel by parcel reassessment information out by the end

of March. These are a statements of value, not a statement of tax. They

are seeing about a 30% increase in residential property values

countywide. While that sounds significant, it is in line with increases in

Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas, which reassess properties

every year, as opposed to the Jackson County, which reassess every two

years. We are seeing consistent growth. DaRon McGee asked if there are

any differences in the trends in eastern Jackson County versus the inner

city. Mr. Schulte said they are seeing consistent numbers throughout the

County.

Manuel Abarca IV asked about the process for dispersing the American

Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations. Mr. Schulte said they have put

forward appropriations when they have a consensus on an approach. The

previous Legislature had approved $5 million for the Our Healthy KC

Eastside. That was incorporated in the budget and there is an

appropriation for this before the Legislature. The Legislature will see a

proposal soon to continue the work of the Jackson County Health

Department. That was an allocation of $3.5 million in the budget to

continue the staffing and testing efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. They

have legislation related to abortion counseling. The approach has been, if

they can reach consensus on how to spend those dollars, we have brought

forth legislation which allowed the staff to move forward with implementing

the process. There are recommendations on large line items in the budget

such as the Administration building and Courthouse improvements.

Those are unallocated at this point and are subject to further

conversations between the County Executive and the Legislature. Mr.

Abarca asked for clarification about the process. Mr. Schulte said they are

open to conversations. Under the federal requirements for the ARPA

funds, unless the funds are going to another public sector entity such as a

city or the UMKC allocation (as a state entity), they do not have to go

through a procurement process. But any non-profit allocation requires

some sort of RFP (request for proposals) process. In that case the

Administration would put out an RFP and bring the findings back to the

Legislature for consideration.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5711

AN ORDINANCE enacting section 5575., Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to a ban on conversion therapy for minors, with a penalty provision.

(Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee - 6th. Perfection)

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee will have a public hearing on

Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at The Paseo Academy of Fine &

Performing Arts, 4747 Flora Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110.

5718

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $5,000,000.00 from the Undesignated Fund

Balance of the American Rescue Plan Fund and authorizing the County

Executive to execute an agreement with the University of Missouri - Kansas

City (UMKC) for the purpose of continuing the Our Healthy KC Eastside

program for COVID-19 vaccination and minority health outreach for the

calendar year 2023, at a cost to the County not to exceed $5,000,000.00.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

5721

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to perfect.

DaRon McGee objected to the Consent Agenda.

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Megan L. Marshall to

perfect Ordinance #5721. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

5721

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,

to adopt Ordinance #5721 repealing section 4301., 4308., 4312., and

4316., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to adult use entertainment and

adult entertainment businesses, and enacting, in lieu thereof, four new

sections relating to the same subject, with a penalty provision. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

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

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

5722

5723

Budget Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $8,377.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Health Fund and authorizing the Director of Finance

and Purchasing to issue a check to the Mid-America Regional Council in the

amount of $46,377.00 relating to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

(Budget Committee - 1st. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

waive the reading of Ordinance #5717. The motion passed by a voice

vote.

5717

5719

Consent Agenda.

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

waive the reading of Ordinance #5720. The motion passed by a voice

vote.

5720

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21170

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,

to amend Resolution #21170 to delete the time "4:00" and insert the time

"3:00" in the first WHEREAS, and to delete the time "10:00 A.M." and insert

the time "3:00 P.M." after the words "the meeting shall be at" in two places

under the heading RULE TWELVE and to insert the words "and/or place"

after the words "The exact time" in the last line under the heading RULE

TWELVE. The motion passed by a voice vote.

21170

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,

to adopt the Rules Committee Amendment dated March 14, 2023, for

Resolution #21170 amending Rule 12 of the Rules of the Jackson County

Legislature. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

21175

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a grant

agreement with the City of Greenwood, Missouri, and the Mid-America

Regional Council, as part of a Planning Sustainable Places project, at an

actual cost to the County in the amount of $5,000.00.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting)

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent

utility easement in favor of the Kansas City, Missouri Water Department

across certain County-owned property for a fee payable to the County.

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Meeting)

21184

21185

Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

5722

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 8200. and 8205., Jackson County

Code, 1984, relating to the Community Children’s Services Fund, with an

effective date.

(PERFECTED)

5717

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 4403., 4440., 4441., 4442., 4443.,

4450., 4451., 4452., 4454., 4455., 4460., 4461., 4462., and 4463., Jackson

County Code, 1984, relating to nuisances, and enacting, in lieu thereof,

fourteen new sections relating to the same subject.

(ADOPTED)

5719

5720

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $4,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund in acceptance of funds awarded to the

Family Court Division by the Family and Community Trust for the “No Kid

Hungry Missouri Breakfast Grant” project.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $467,177.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund and awarding a contract for the design and

construction of a new bridge in connection with Federal Project No.

BRO-B048(58), East Haines Road Bridge Replacement, County Project No.

3242, to Cale Seymour Construction, LLC, of Knob Knoster, MO, at an

actual cost to the County in the amount $467,177.00, under the terms and

conditions of Invitation to Bid 79-22.

(ADOPTED)

21176

21177

A RESOLUTION declaring certain county-owned vehicles property as

surplus and authorizing their disposal pursuant to chapter 11 of the Jackson

County Code.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Director of Parks + Rec to execute a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Cave Spring Association for the

daily management, operation, maintenance, programming, and

improvement of the William M. Klein Park, also known as the Cave Spring

Park and Historic Site, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of

$30,000.00.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for annual software maintenance for

use by the Recorder of Deeds Department to Aumentum Technologies of

Niagara Falls, NY, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of

$87,980.00, as a sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for annual software maintenance for

use by the Collection Department to Aumentum Technologies of Niagara

Falls, NY, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $384,774.00, as a

sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

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 $125,000.00.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a contract with

the Jackson County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled to

provide for partial funding of various programs of the Parks + Rec

Department's Special Population Services Division.

(ADOPTED)

21182

21184

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the leasing of golf cars for use by

the Parks + Rec Department to M & M Golf Cars of Lee’s Summit, MO, at

an actual cost to the County in the amount of $3,500.00

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for annual software maintenance for

use by the Sheriff’s Office and Department of Corrections to Lexipol, LLC, of

Frisco, TX, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $50,542.00, as a

sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

21185

A RESOLUTION transferring $220,000.00 within the 2023 Health Fund to

cover the contracted locum tenens services of Dr. Tracy Dyer.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinance #5722 was moved to the Consent Agenda for perfection.

Ordinances #5717, #5719, and #5720, and Resolutions #21175, #21176,

#21177, #21178, #21179, #21180, #21181, #21182, #21184, and #21185

were moved to the Consent Agenda for adoption.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall,

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

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

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

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5725

Appropriating $502,501.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2023

General Fund and authorizing payments in the aggregate amount of

$502,501.00 to cover costs to be incurred in connection with the April 4,

2023, special election.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Jay Haden, Chief Deputy County Counselor, said Ordinance #5725 will

require a public hearing.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21192

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. 84-22.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

21193

Authorizing the County Executive to execute a Memorandum of

Understanding with the Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

member agencies relating to the sharing of electronic data information in

support of law enforcement and public safety, at no cost to the County.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

21194

21195

Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with one twelve-month

option to extend for the furnishing of paint and painting supplies for use by

various County departments to the Sherwin Williams Company of Cleveland,

OH, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-006.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

Authorizing the County Executive to execute an Intergovernmental

Agreement with the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste

Management District to provide access to the regional household hazardous

waste centers for the residents of the unincorporated County, at an actual

cost to the County in the amount of $26,093.10.

(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)

21196

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall,

to adopt Resolution #21196, recognizing and celebrating the unparalleled

contributions of Alise Martiny to the organized labor community of Jackson

County, Missouri. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

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

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21197

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

adopt Resolution #21197, recognizing and celebrating the Kansas City

Chiefs Wheelchair Football Team for its achievements in the USA

Wheelchair Football League. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

21198

Transferring $502,501.00 within the 2023 General Fund and authorizing

payments in the aggregate amount of $502,501.00 to cover costs incurred

in connection with the April 4, 2023, special election.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR MARSHALL. CONCURRED BY SMITH

AND ABARCA.)

21199

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

adopt Resolution #21199, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the purpose of

conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and

the Jackson County Counselor under sections 610.021(3) and (13) 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, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

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

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21200

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

adopt Resolution #21200, recognizing and celebrating the life of Gregory

Alan Patterson who passed away on March 8, 2023. The motion passed by

a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

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

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21201

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

adopt Resolution #21201, recognizing and celebrating the life of former

Kansas City Councilman Mike Burke. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, said a Memorandum has been

distributed to the Legislature regarding the County Counselor's opinion that

the Legislature does not have the authority to disapprove the Executive

Order No. 23-08 titled "Amendment to the Personnel Rules."

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan Marshall, to

disapprove Executive Order #23-08 titled Amendment to the Personnel

Rules. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 5 - DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

IV, and Venessa Huskey

No: 3 - Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jalen Anderson

NEW BUSINESS

Closed meeting per Resolution #21199.

The Legislature went into recess. The Legislature reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall,

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

Meeting adjourned until Monday, March 20, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at the

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

2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.