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

Monday, April 3, 2023

3:00 PM

Thirteenth 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 Sean E. Smith to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on March 27, 2023. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Resolution #21214, #21222 and #21223 were adopted at this time. See

pages 4 and 7 for details.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, thanked the Finance and Audit Committee

for its recommendation to perfect the Our Healthy Jackson County

program. He said it is fitting to have the students from Ruskin High School

present on a day when Jackson County is considering a proposal to deal

with health disparity and health issues in which sixteen out of every

thousand children are dying in many of our communities. The County is

moving forward on essential funding that is making a difference. On behalf

of the County Executive and on behalf of the members of the community

who came to testify today, the Administration is grateful for the

Legislature’s consideration. These community members have, at every

stage of this program, over delivered and done so under budget. The

Administration is confident that the continuation of this program will make

a difference in the lives of our community. There is no need to delay any

longer. This must be done for the children of Jackson County.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked for an update on the situation

in Independence. Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said they will likely

have a request for legislative action ready for next week to deal with the

repairs and clean up costs. The Independence offices continue to remain

open without working restrooms and with port-a-potties in place. In an effort

to deal with the property tax declaration deadline, the Assessment

Department will have Saturday hours available during the third and fourth

Saturdays in April. They will not have extended hours this Saturday due to

the Easter holiday. Last Saturday, only 44 people took advantage of the

expanded hours.

Mr. Abarca said his office has received a number of complaints about the

Assessment Department. Mr. Schulte said the department continues to

struggle with full staffing as well as the ability to handle high traffic at the

Historic Truman Courthouse. The facility is not designed to handle the

high number of people wanting to do business in Independence. The

Downtown Courthouse is better able to handle more customers. Sean E.

Smith, County Legislator, asked if it is possible, through the queueing

software system to let customers know that the wait time may be long in

Independence, but will be much shorter in Kansas City. Mr. Schulte

agreed that such a system might be a worthwhile solution. Mr. Schulte said

they are encouraging people to go online. Mr. Smith said he would like to

have a follow up conversation with Mr. Schulte about some specific

complaints regarding Tyler Technology. Mr. Schulte said he is open to

that meeting.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5718

Finance and Audit Committee moved to Perfect. Consent Agenda.

Megan L. Marshall objected to the Consent Agenda.

5718

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

to hold Ordinance #5718.

Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, requested a conversation about the

reasoning for the motion to hold. Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator, said

she wants the Legislature to be able to have a discussion with

representatives from the public hearing. Sean E. Smith said he does have

questions, so if it is put on hold does that mean they cannot ask questions.

DaRon McGee, County Legislator, said they will hold it for the next meeting.

Jeanie Lauer said she is confused. Her understanding from the Finance and

Audit Committee meeting was that members of the Legislature will be given

the opportunity to ask questions during the full meeting. DaRon McGee said

the matter will be up for next week. Megan L. Marshall said if questions are

acceptable now, she is fine with that. The purpose of the hold is to have the

appropriate amount of time to answer those questions. DaRon McGee said

the ordinance will be held this week and give members additional time to

ask their questions next week. Jeanie Lauer asked if the Legislature would

have that discussion as a hearing. Mr. McGee responded yes. Jeanie Lauer

said, so the representatives will be invited back next week under Item 4.

Hearings? Mr. McGee said that is correct. Caleb Clifford said the

representatives have taken off work this week and it may not be feasible to

have everyone back next week to fully respond to questions. Charlie

Franklin, County Legislator, asked Jay Haden, Chief Deputy County

Counselor, what is needed to have the discussion now. Mr. Haden said a

vote on the motion to hold is required. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 5 -

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

IV and Venessa Huskey

No: 4 - Jalen Anderson, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

(APPROVED)

5718

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.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

5726

Enacting sections 667. and 5575., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to

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

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR JALEN ANDERSON. CONCURRED BY

MANUEL ABARCA IV AND DONNA PEYTON.)

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

to waive the reading of Ordinance #5727. The motion passed by a voice

vote.

5727

AN ORDINANCE establishing the New Detention Center Capital Project

Fund as a dedicated special revenue fund within the County’s financial

system, appropriating $99,017,979.00 from the Undesignated Fund

Balance of the 2023 New Detention Center Capital Project Fund,

authorizing the County Executive to execute three contract amendments to

the contract with J.E. Dunn-Axiom of Kansas City, MO, for the construction of

the new Jackson County Detention Center to cover the guaranteed

maximum price, Component 2 (Site Demolition, Site Development, and

Earthwork), and Component 2a (Engineering, Detailing, Mockups, and Early

Procurement) at an aggregate cost to the County not to exceed

$99,017,979.00, and declaring the intent of the County to reimburse itself for

this expense from future bond proceeds.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5728

Enacting sections 667. and 5575., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to

a ban on conversion therapy for minors, with a penalty provision and an

effective date.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR MANUEL ABARCA IV. CONCURRED BY

JALEN ANDERSON AND DONNA PEYTON.)

Ordinance #5731 and Resolution #21227 were adopted at this time. See

pages 6 and 8 for details.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

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

adopt Resolution #21214, congratulating the Ruskin Eagles High School

boys basketball team on winning the Greater Kansas City Suburban District

Championship. 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)

21215

A RESOLUTION congratulating Melodie Chrisman on the occasion of her

retirement after more than fifteen years of service to the Community

Services League.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting)

CONSENT AGENDA

21209

21210

21211

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of annual software

maintenance for use by the Finance and Purchasing Department to Mitchell

Humphrey of St. Louis, MO, as a sole-source purchase, at an actual cost to

the County in the amount of $87,310.00.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an

Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with the City of Independence,

MO, for the use of certain County property for a civic event, at no cost to the

County.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of a backhoe for use

by the Public Works Department to CSTK of Kansas City, KS, under the

terms and conditions set forth in the Sourcewell Contract No. 040319-JCB,

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

County in the amount $130,194.00.

(ADOPTED)

21212

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract on Bid 23-011 for the 2023 Pavement

Maintenance Program (Surface Treatments), Project No. 3273, to Vance

Brothers, Inc., of Kansas City, MO, at an actual cost to the County not to

exceed $470,400.00.

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #21209, #21210, #21211, and #21212 were moved to the

Consent Agenda for adoption.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

approve the Consent Agenda. 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

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5729

Accepting $430,593.00 as a reimbursement from the State of Missouri for

certain costs of the 2022 general election and appropriating $50,000.00

from the undesignated fund balance of the 2022 General Fund to be used

for salary increases for the staff of the Jackson County Board of Election

Commissioners.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

5730

Appropriating $280,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2022

American Rescue Plan Fund to acquire building cleaning supplies,

disposable kitchen and dining supplies, and COVID-19 test kits for use by

the Department of Corrections in the continued safe operation of the

Jackson County Detention Center.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

5731

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

perfect Ordinance #5731. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

adopt Ordinance #5731, enacting sections 667. and 5575., Jackson County

Code, 1984, relating to a ban on conversion therapy for minors, with a

penalty provision. 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)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21216

Transferring $150,000.00 within the 2023 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund to

cover funding for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s 2023 Law

Enforcement School-Based Initiative.

(Assigned to the Anti-Crime Committee.)

21217

Congratulating Dr. Jennifer Collier on her appointment as Superintendent of

the Kansas City Public School District.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

21218

21219

Transferring $16,545.00 within the 2023 Sheriff’s Revolving Fund for the

purchase and installation of emergency equipment on a DWI Traffic Unit

vehicle for use by the Sheriff’s Office, through an existing County term and

supply vendor.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of ten full-size SUVs for use by the

Sheriff’s Office to Landmark Dodge of Independence, MO, under the terms

and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No. CC222374008, an existing

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

amount of $396,280.00.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

21220

21221

Transferring $24,864.00 within the 2023 Sheriff’s Revolving Fund for the

purchase of safety equipment for use by the Sheriff’s Office.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

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

adopt Resolution #21221, appointing DaRon McGee as a member and

Megan L. Marshall as an alternate member to the Mid-America Regional

Council Board of Directors. 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)

21222

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

adopt Resolution #21222, recognizing the 2023 inductees to the Starr

Women’s Hall of Fame. 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)

21223

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

adopt Resolution #21223, recognizing the first Wednesday of each April as

the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault’s “Start by

Believing Day” in Jackson County. 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)

21224

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

adopt Resolution #21224, recognizing Deborah Mann and her life-long

contributions to the Southeast Kansas City community and dedication to

meeting the needs of children and families. 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)

21225

Recognizing the risk and negative impacts of overreliance on property taxes

to fund critical governmental functions.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

21226

21227

Expressing support for equitable property taxes.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

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

adopt Resolution #21227, transferring $4,000.00 within the 2023 General

Fund and requesting the Director of Communications to contract for the

publication of notice of the adoption of the County’s ban on conversion

therapy. 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 Sean E.

Smith

No: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Jeanie Lauer said Wednesday evening, April 5, 2023, is the last

Assessment Department community meeting. It is at the Mid-Continent

Public Library on 23rd Street in Independence at 5:30 p.m. She reminded

everyone that tomorrow is election day. Every election day is an important

day. There are many council races and other measures on the ballot in each

jurisdiction throughout the County.

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, expressed his most sincere thanks to

the legislative body for passing the conversion therapy ban ordinance. He

appreciates all of the work that was done. He sent out a press release and

email apologizing for his actions on March 20th. He wants to publicly

acknowledge that the Legislature has shown great strength. They have

saved many children through this action. The Legislature may have public

disagreements, but their aides get great credit for their hard work behind the

scenes, especially by the Legislative Aides for his office, Manuel Abarca’s

office, and Donna Peyton’s office.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

The next legislative meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, April 10,

2023 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.