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, July 10, 2023

3:00 PM

Twenty-sixth 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 8 -

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

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E.

Smith

Absent 1 - Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Megan L. Marshall to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on June 26, 2023. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator, introduced Colonel (Retired) Paul

Kirchhoff, Executive Director for the Missouri Veterans Commission

(MVC), to present information regarding the organization’s services. Col. is

a highly experienced leader with an extensive background in resource

management with an emphasis in public service. He formerly served as

the Director of Missouri Emergency Response Commission. He also

formerly served as the Director of the Missouri National Guard’s Warrior

Support Program as well as Director of the Guard’s Missouri Military

Funeral Honors Program. MVC is not affiliated with the Veterans

Administration, but is a department of the state of Missouri. They operate

seven long-term care facilities known as veterans’ homes, the closest of

which are in Warrensburg and Cameron. The homes provide physician

services and 24 hours nursing care and medication at a cost of about

$2,500 per month. The MVC also operates five cemeteries throughout the

state, the closest of which is located in Higginsville. These cemeteries

provide burial services to veterans and their spouses at no cost.

The third area of emphasis of the MVC is to provide the Veterans Service

Officer Program. The staff of the Veterans Service Officers are state

employees who act as a liaison with veterans to apply for VA benefits. He

encourages all veterans to apply for the benefits they are due. All veterans

have earned these benefits, and these are funded off of the number of

veterans who apply. The Veterans Service Program has a $1.6 million

grant program that provides funds for local entities hiring veterans. These

funds are appropriated by the state of Missouri. It is a competition for that

$1.6 million. The more veterans funded by an organization; the more

funding is available for that organization.

Megan L. Marshall asked about data tracking for homelessness related to

veterans. Col. Kirchhoff said they rely on the VA to provide tracking data.

They provide a web portal to guide veterans to services provided for

veterans. There are many federal, state, local, and non-profit organizations

assisting veterans. The web portal is located at:

https://veteranbenefits.mo.gov/ and will direct veterans to a variety of

resources. Kansas City has good organizations that are active in assisting

veterans including Tiny Houses which does a great job of providing

housing and assisting with benefits. Ms. Marshall asked if there were any

challenges in working with County government. Col. Kirchhoff said there is

a greater need for veterans’ service officers in the Kansas City area than

elsewhere in the state. MVC will work with the County to start that program

in the County. Col. Kirchhoff distributed the Missouri Benefits and

Resource Guide, a copy of which is available at:

https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/docs/veterans-benefits-guide.pdf

Fred Dreiling, Noel Torpey, Rodney Bland, and Cara Hoover, of Fred

Dreiling and Associates, LLC gave an update on the status of enacted and

vetoed legislation. A copy of their presentation is available under the

Meeting Details for the July 10, 2023, Legislative Meeting located at:

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

ID=1111881&GUID=6288F67A-39FA-4F99-9779-96A62E1F7D02&Optio

ns=info|notes|&Search=

Mr. Dreiling reported that Governor Parsons signed into law SB190 related

to property tax for state residents receiving Social Security. He said there

are problems with the bill, including that retired teachers are not eligible for

Social Security and would not be included in this tax program, problems

implementing the program and identifying those eligible. The bill will not

go into effect until August 28. It will require local jurisdictions to enact

ordinances to participate in the program. The hope is the problems with

the law will be fixed in the next legislative session.

Governor Parsons also line-item vetoed some portions of the budget.

There will be a veto session in September and there is strong belief the

legislature will override the veto because the state has nearly an $8 billion

surplus.

Mr. Dreiling said he expects in the next session there will be a bi-partisan

bill to require the Jackson County Assessor to be elected.

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, asked about funds cut from one of the

rural Jackson County Fire Districts. Troy Schulte, County Administrator,

said the Governor cut $450,000.00 from the Lone Jack Fire Protection

District. It is not clear why these funds were cut.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said there was no report from the County

Executive.

DaRon McGee, County Legislator, thanked Gail McCann Beatty, Director

of Assessment, for assisting with the townhalls sponsored by Mr. McGee

and Vice Chair Megan L. Marshall.

Manual Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked for an update on

Assessment. Caleb Clifford said both the Director and Deputy Director of

Assessment were available. The Board of Equalization voted to extend the

deadline for filing appeals until July 31, 2023. Ms. Beatty said they

stopped accepting walk ins because the available slots for informal

appeals were filling quickly. The staff wanted to make sure appointments

were held for senior citizens who would not be able to stand in line.

Taxpayers have until July 31, 2023, to file their appeal. They do not have

to have a resolution or a hearing by that date. All appeals will be heard, no

matter how long the process takes. Troy Schulte said the aggregate

assessed values will be sent to taxing jurisdictions by September 1 so the

entities can set their tax levy rates by October 1. Those rates are then

used to set the tax bill.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said she wanted to clarify the terms

being used. Ms. Beatty said, the Board refers to the Board of Equalization.

The Board of Equalization is an independent, appointed body that hears

evidence and decides the values for appealed properties. An informal

appeal is a way of setting the value as a settlement between the taxpayer

and Assessment staff. The BOE still must sign off on these settlements,

but the informal appeals lessen the load on the BOE. Any appeals that are

filed in the system will automatically become formal BOE appeals if they

are not settled prior to hearing before the BOE. Presently, there have been

33,000 appeals filed and 4,000 have been resolved. The Assessment

Department is holding about 400 appointments for senior citizens who

may prefer a phone call appointment rather than a zoom or in person

appointment. They have evening hours set for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5749

5763

Budget Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

Budget Committee moved to perfect.

Jalen Anderson objected to the Consent Agenda.

5763

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

approve the Budget Committee Amendment to Schedule I dated July 10,

2023 for Ordinance #5763. The motion passed by a voice vote.

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

perfect Ordinance #5763. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

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

IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(PERFECTED)

5763

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

adopt Ordinance #5763, repealing schedule I to chapter 2, Jackson County

Code, 1984, relating to County associates not within the Merit System, and

enacting, in lieu thereof, one new schedule relating to the same subject. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith

No: 1 - Jalen Anderson

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

5764

Budget Committee moved to perfect.

Jalen Anderson objected to the Consent Agenda.

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

to perfect Ordinance #5764. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

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

IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(PERFECTED)

5764

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Venessa Huskey,

to adopt Ordinance #5764, submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson

County, Missouri, at a special election to be held on November 7, 2023, a

question authorizing Jackson County to impose a local use tax at the rate

authorized by law. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

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

IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5751

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21310

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

approve the Budget Committee Amendment dated July 10, 2023, to insert

the second paragraph on page two to read: "WHEREAS, in

acknowledgment of the previous vote on a similar matter by Jackson County

voters in November 2020, the County Legislature intends to recommend an

ordinance to place this matter up for vote in the November 2024 election;

now therefore,". The motion passed by a voice vote.

21310

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

adopt Resolution #21310, expressing the intent of the Legislature that the

County award contracts for the removal and storage of the Andrew Jackson

statues on the grounds of the Downtown and Historic Truman Courthouses,

for the installation of a statue of Harry S. Truman at the Downtown

Courthouse, and for site repairs of any damages occasioned by the removal

and installation. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION expressing support of the Legislature for Missouri State

Bill 190 for potential real property tax relief and overall support for equitable

property taxes.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 1st. Meeting)

Discussion regarding Resolution #21324. Manuel Abarca IV offered a

floor amendment.

Due to the floor amendment, Megan Marshall recommended holding the

Resolution in committee.

After much discussion Manuel Abarca IV withdrew the floor amendment

and Megan Marshall withdrew her recommendation to hold in committee.

21324

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

approve the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated July 10, 2023

for Resolution #21324, to delete the word "task" and insert the word

"request" after the word "and", to insert the phrase "to use his authority" after

the word "Executive" all in the second paragraph on page one; to delete the

third paragraph on page one and insert a new paragraph to read:

"WHEREAS, because the current statutory authority to limit property

assessment increases resides with the County Executive, we are requesting

that Frank White Jr. use his authority, as has been exercised by previous

County Executives with the support of the State Tax Commission, to halt the

enormous challenges being placed on county residents by the current

valuations; now therefore,", to insert the word "Executive" after the word

"County" in the BE IT RESOLVED paragraph on page two. The motion

passed by a voice vote.

Gail McCann Beatty asked to address the issues raised by Resolution

#21324. She said raising everyone’s taxes by 15% from the 2019 values will

further inequities in the valuation of properties in the County. She urged the

Legislature to not pass something that will violate state law. The County

Executive can fix clerical errors, but he does not have the authority to set all

values at a 15% increase.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said his constituents brought to his

attention that identical properties were not assessed the same and he

believes this is clearly an error. He believes something has gone wrong with

the assessment process and he does not believe this process can go

forward.

Ms. Beatty said she looked at neighborhoods where one house may sell for

a vastly different amount than a nearby property. It is not possible to tell what

improvements have been made to the interior of a property. They tried to pull

out investment properties for this reason. She encourages everyone to allow

the appeals process to work.

21324

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

adopt the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated July 10, 2023

for Resolution #21324, expressing the intent of the Legislature to

recommend setting aside the current 2023 valuations and utilize a flat real

property tax rate increase of 15% of the 2019 tax valuations. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and Sean E. Smith

Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

5749

5751

21314

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $400,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 County Improvement Fund for the purpose of providing

additional project management services for the ongoing Workday

implementation project.

(PERFECTED)

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 4510., 4525., 4531., 4532., 4538.,

4541., 4542., 4546., and 4547., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to

animal control and enacting, in lieu thereof, nine new sections relating to the

same subject, with a penalty provision.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding twelve-month term and supply contracts, with two

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of safety equipment and

supplies for use by various County departments to Anixter, Inc., of Overland

Park, KS, RJ Kool Company of Missouri dba Controlled Environmental

Products of North Kansas City, MO, and Medline Industries, LP, of

Northfield, IL, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-030.

(ADOPTED)

21315

A RESOLUTION transferring $13,618.00 within the 2023 County

Improvement Fund and authorizing three change orders to the contract with

CentralSquare Technology LLC of Lake Mary, FL, for additional services for

the Jail Information and Computer-Aided Dispatch Project at an additional

cost to the County in the amount of $13,617.49 and a new total cost of

$1,559,423.45.

(ADOPTED)

21316

21317

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

with two twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of on-call

geotechnical testing services for use by the Public Works and Parks + Rec

Departments to Olsson, Inc., of Olathe, KS, under the terms and conditions

of Request for Qualifications No. 23-021.

(ADOPTED)

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

with one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of roofing services

for use by various County departments to Delta Innovative Services of

Kansas City, KS, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No.

23-016.

(ADOPTED)

21318

21320

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for an upgrade of hardware and

software maintenance for use by the Office of the Clerk of the County

Legislature to Granicus of St. Paul, MN, at an actual cost to the County in the

amount of $6,844.00, as a sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION transferring $13,670.00 within the 2023 Inmate Security

Fund and awarding a contract to TimeKeeping Systems, Inc., of Solon, OH,

for the annual support and hosting fee for software maintenance services for

the electronic inmate movement tracking system for use by the County’s

Detention Center, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of

$35,670.00, as a sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinance #5749 was moved to the Consent Agenda for perfection.

Ordinance #5751 and Resolutions #21314, #21315, #21316, #21317,

#21318, and #21320 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: 7 -

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

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

Abstain: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5765

5766

5767

Repealing sections 5400. and 5410., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating

to the building code, and enacting, in lieu thereof, two new sections relating

to the same subject.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Transferring to and appropriating from the undesignated fund balance of the

2023 Grant Fund $10,000.00 for reimbursement of overtime expenses

associated with a joint drug investigation “Operation Twisted Tiger.”

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

Appropriating $23,000,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the

2022 ARPA Fund for the purpose of construction improvements and

furnishings of the 1300 Washington Administration Building at a cost of

$17,000,000.00, and for improvements to the second floor of the Downtown

Courthouse at a cost of $4,000,000.00 and the Historic Truman Courthouse

at a cost of $2,000,000.00.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21325

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of ten Stalker DSR 2- Antenna dash

mount radar units for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Applied Concepts, Inc. of

Richardson, TX, under the terms and conditions of State of Missouri

Contract No. CC191825006, an existing competitively bid government

contract, at an actual cost to the County in the total amount of $29,950.00.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

21326

21327

Authorizing the County Executive to execute an agreement with the

Mid-America Regional Council of Kansas City, MO, for the purpose of

conducting a County 911 System Needs Assessment, at a cost to the

County not to exceed $200,000.00.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Transferring $20,754.00 within the 2023 Parks Enterprise Fund and

awarding a contract to purchase an aerator to John Deere & Company of

Cary, NC under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell Contract

031121-DAC, an existing competitively bid government contract for use by

the Parks + Rec Department.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

21328

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

options to extend, for the furnishing of HVAC services for use by various

County departments to U.S. Engineering Service, LLC of Kansas City, MO

and Emcor Services Fagan of Kansas City, KS, under the terms and

conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-015.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

21329

21330

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of appointment management software

for use by the Office of the Clerk of the County Legislature to Q-Less

Software of Pasadena, CA, as a sole source purchase, at an actual cost to

the County in the amount of $9,450.00.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

Amending Rules of the Jackson County Legislature 16, 19, and 22 relating

to sponsorship.

(Assigned to the Rules Committee.)

21331

Awarding twelve-month term and supply contracts, with two twelve-month

options to extend, for the furnishing of batteries for boats, turf equipment,

auto, and heavy equipment for use by various County departments to

Factory Motor Parts of Kansas City, MO, DSR Partners dba Batteries Plus

Bulbs of Independence, MO and RKJ Batteries, Inc. of Agency, MO, under

the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-040.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

21332

Awarding a contract for the purchase of thirty-eight boats and two boat

trailers for use by the Parks + Rec Department to LSK Lebanon, Inc., of

Lebanon, MO under the terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract

No. CC232078005, an existing, competitively bid government contract, at

an actual cost to the County in the amount of $1,270,618.00.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

21333

21334

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of software maintenance services for

the COMBAT website to CivicPlus of Manhattan, KS, at an actual cost to the

County in the amount of $10,554.00, as a sole source purchase.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

Expressing the intent of the Legislature to request that the Board of

Equalization extend the appeals deadline for real property valuation to allow

taxpayers adequate time to file their appeals and to allow time for the taxing

jurisdictions to consider rolling back their respective levies.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

21335

21336

Transferring $11,357.00 within the 2023 Inmate Security Fund and

awarding a contract to Precision Dynamics Corp, DBA PDC IDenticard of

Valencia, CA, for the clincher identification wristbands and supportive

equipment for use by the Detention Center, at an actual cost to the County

in the amount of $11,357.00, as a sole source purchase.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

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

adopt Resolution #21336, expressing the intent of the Legislature to request

that the County Executive issue a request for proposals awarding contracts

to help constituents find their fair market value. 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

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

21337

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

option to extend, for the furnishing of car wash and detailing services for use

by various County departments to Cable Dahmer Automotive of Lee’s

Summit, MO, Rynse Inc. of Santa Monica, CA, and Tidal Wave Auto Spa of

Thomaston, GA under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No.

23-001.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

21338

21339

Authorizing the County Executive to execute a Memorandum of

Understanding and Declaration of Restrictive Covenant with University

Health relating to the construction of a new exterior canopy, at no cost to the

County.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

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

to adopt Resolution #21339, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, for the purpose of

conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and

the Jackson County Counselor under section 610.021(18) 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, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E.

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

23-16

I hereby appoint Anthony Mitts as Acting Director of Collections, effective

July 1, 2023, until a permanent Director is selected. A copy of Mr. Mitts’

resume is attached.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Manual Abarca IV asked the County Counselor if there is a time limit for

interim directors appointed by the County Executive and if the Legislature

has the authority to disapprove interim appointments. Bryan Covinsky,

County Counselor, said he would research the issue.

Donna Peyton requested to read into the record the amendment to

Resolution #21310, regarding the Andrew Jackson statue. The amendment

states: In acknowledgment of the previous vote on a similar matter by

Jackson County voters in November of 2020, the County Legislature intends

to recommend an ordinance to place this matter up for vote in the November

2024 election.

NEW BUSINESS

The County Legislature recessed and went into closed session.