Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

Jeanie Lauer (5th) 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), DaRon McGee (4th),

Sean E. Smith (6th)

Clerk of the County Legislature

Monday, March 4, 2024

3:00 PM

Seventh Regular Meeting

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

Jeanie Lauer, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused 1 - Jalen Anderson

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on February 26, 2024. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Frank White, Jr., County Executive, expressed condolences to everyone

affected by the recent gun violence in Jackson County. He encouraged

everyone to take care of themselves, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

He said the County associates have access to grief counseling services. He

recognized Jean Peters Baker, Prosecuting Attorney, for making counseling

services available to people in the community over the past few weeks.

Tragedy hit close to home last week when 16th Judicial Circuit Court

process server Drexel Mack was shot and killed. Independence Police

Officer, Cody Allen worked to try to save Mr. Mack’s life and lost his life in

the line of duty. Both men exemplified courage, dedication, and

selflessness. Their bravery will never be forgotten. Their memory will be a

source of strength and inspiration for us all. Visitation services for Officer

Allen will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Community

of Christ Auditorium, 101 West Walnut Street, Independence, MO 64050.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at the same

location. Both are open to the public. The County is working with Presiding

Judge Jalilah Otto to support Mr. Mack’s family and to celebrate his life. Mr.

White then called for a moment of silence in remembrance of both men and

to pray for a safer city and a safer state.

Resolution #21570 was adopted and presented at this time. See page 11

for details.

Resolutions #21563, #21564, #21565, #21566, #21567, #21568, and

#21569 were adopted at this time. See pages 9 through 11 for details.

Team members from the Our Healthy Jackson County program presented

an update. Dr. Stefanie R. Ellison, Professor of Emergency Medicine at

University Health - University of Missouri - Kansas City Health Sciences

District, reported on the sexual health program. This program has provided

346 sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests at seven events since August

in 2023 and will be holding 25 events in 2024. There have been 47 positive

tests. It is a goal to provide screening to more adolescent clients. They

educate far more than they test. They include medical students in the

program to encourage education among young people. They follow the talk,

test, treat model. They did one-on-one communication and five of these

adolescents came in for follow-up appointments and tested clean.

Bishop Eric Morrison, Pastor of Kingdom Word Ministries in Kansas City,

and his wife, Regina Morrison, provided information regarding partnership

events held in the community for engagement and outreach to expand

access to the Our Healthy Jackson County program.

Dr. Jannette Berkley-Patton, project leader for the Our Healthy Jackson

County program, gave an update on the program’s accomplishments and

on-going efforts. A copy of Dr. Berkley-Patton’s presentation is available

under the Meeting Details for the March 4, 2024 Legislative Meeting,

located at <https://jacksonco.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?

ID=1182048&GUID=9158EE80-1813-47FF-8D69-2B8967365D18&Option

s=info|notes|&Search=>

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, said it is a tremendous opportunity to

have this program in Jackson County. He was struck by the number of

people in the program’s survey who were exposed to gun violence. He

asked how many members of the program’s staff are bilingual. Dr.

Berkley-Patton said they have approximately 30 or more bilingual staff

members, across the four health professional schools. There is an additional

150 team members that are involved with the program. They are continually

expanding across demographics. Mr. Abarca asked about the

demographics data. Dr. Berkley-Patton referred him to the presentation

slides which indicated where clinic events were held. Most participants are

African American, but they see everyone. They are looking to expand the

racial mix and the urban mix of participants. Mr. Abarca asked about the

referral statistics. Dr. Berkley-Patton said referrals occur for those people

with non-normal results from the clinic visit. People with normal results from

the screenings would not typically receive a referral unless there is a specific

area of concern. They have physicians and pharmacy personnel on staff.

Additional blood tests may be needed, and those clients may have a referral

and those costs are covered. They will also cover well-women check-ups

and pap smears.

Scott Lakin, Director of Collection, Karey Schulz, Deputy Director of

Collection for Administration, and Anthony Mitts, Deputy Director of

Collection for Operations, presented an update on implementation of the

SB190 senior tax credit program. Mr. Lakin said the Collection Department

does not set tax policy; they enact the County’s policies. The department

deals with 80 different taxing authorities in Jackson County. These taxing

jurisdictions contract with the County to collect taxes, rather than setting up

processes to collect their own taxes. The County collects and distributes

taxes back to the taxing authority.

Mr. Lakin said the County Ordinance directs the department to create an

application process to enact the SB190 program. The Collection

Department rolled out that application on Friday, March 1, 2024. These

applications for the 2024 tax year will be due by December 31, 2024, for the

implementation of the Senior Property Tax Credit Program. During the

renewal period going forward, the renewal application will be due on August

31 for each year thereafter. The Collection staff will be verifying eligibility for

seniors who apply to the program. The County’s ordinance and Senate Bill

190 specify to qualify the applicant must be eligible for social security, the

owner of record of the property, the property must be their primary

residence, they must be current on their taxes owed to the County and the

property must have a value of less than $550,000.00. The applicant does not

have to be receiving social security, just eligible for social security.

Collection staff have put together a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs)

which are posted on the County’s website. As inquiries arise that may not be

included in the FAQs, the department will revise that list of commonly asked

questions. The Missouri General Assembly may revise the SB190 program,

to clean up some issues, such as people who worked as teachers or

railroad workers who are not eligible for social security but would otherwise

qualify. Education and communications are the key to making this a

successful roll out of the new program.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, asked about the deadlines. Ms. Peyton

said when the Legislature approved the SB190 program, she believed this

would freeze the 2023 taxes. Mr. Lakin said the application process opened

on time on March 1. This is the implementation year of SB190. This creates

a baseline year. The deadline to apply is December 31st. This will freeze the

taxes for those that qualify to the 2024 rate. The County, by state law,

reassesses in odd numbered years. The values of properties are not likely

to change, although the taxing jurisdictions may have changes to their tax

levy which may cause the tax bill to fluctuate.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said taxing jurisdictions may file for a

recoupment on their tax levy rates for 2024, which may cause a change in

tax bills. The value may stay the same, but the taxes may go up. He believed

the protection the Legislature passed should have been in effect for the tax

rate from 2023. He believes seniors should receive credit for the increase in

their taxes from last year. He believes seniors should be encouraged to

apply before December 31, 2024. Karey Schulz said 2024 would be the

initial baseline year, and that would be the rate going forward. It does not

contemplate going back to prior years.

Mr. Lakin said there cannot be a conflict between the state statute that was

passed and what the County implements.

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said they would review the presentations

regarding SB190 and have the County Counselor’s Office issue an opinion.

The law that was passed by the Missouri General Assembly states that the

first year of implementation of SB190 would be the baseline year, and rates

would be frozen going forward. If 2024 is the first year to apply, that would be

a baseline year. The County Counselor’s Office will put something in writing.

Manuel Abarca IV asked about people with a pending appeal before the

Board of Equalization and how does that impact those people. Mr. Lakin

said those are the kinds of questions the department needs to address in

the FAQs. Mr. Abarca said he had the same question about the quad pay

program. Caleb Clifford said anyone in the quad pay program is considered

up to date on their taxes. He said the senior quad payment program is still

available if the taxpayer is current on their payments and they will also qualify

for an SB190 application.

Karey Schulz requested that Legislators pass on to their department the

questions they receive so they can address those questions in the FAQs.

Manuel Abarca IV said he understands there was a problem that the leap

year affected the quad pay schedule and also he has received calls from

constituents who have paid their taxes but they are not being applied to their

accounts in a timely manner.

Sean E. Smith asked about property in a trust. Scott Lakin replied that a

person can qualify for SB190 if property is in a trust as long as they adhere

to the guidelines.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Caleb Clifford said the County Executive had no further comment other than

his statement regarding recent gun violence.

Manuel Abarca IV asked the Administration about the workforce issues at

the Detention Center Project. Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said the

Administration was able to follow up on the issues today. They do not

anticipate any additional costs at this point. Mr. Abarca asked about the

localized workforce. Mr. Schulte said he would follow up with the contractor.

Mr. Abarca asked about the Compliance Office staffing issues. Mr. Schulte

said to his knowledge all positions have been created, promotions have

been approved, and new positions are posted for recruitment. Troy Thomas,

Legislative Auditor, asked about the back pay issues. Mr. Schulte said

backpay should be on upcoming pay checks.

Mr. Abarca asked about the BOE letter they all received and how the

Administration plans to respond. Mr. Schulte said he disputes some of the

allegations. They are working through issues presented by the BOE. Some

have been resolved. The unresolved issues involve legal representation and

pay.

Mr. Abarca asked about the human resources policy on bilingual pay, the

certification process and how associates are grandfathered in. Troy Schulte

responded that several associates have been grandfathered into the

program, and he thought Mr. Abarca’s aide was included. Mr. Schulte said

the issue was brought to their attention last week regarding the certification

requirement. Certified bilingual employees will be able to translate for legal

matters, etc. To resolve the certification issue, they are allowing

self-certification in which the employee attests to being bilingual. If it is found

that the employee is not bilingual, they could be subject to termination.

Sean E. Smith asked about long wait times at the Historic Truman

Courthouse. Mr. Schulte said most people go to the Historic Truman

Courthouse to add vehicles to their individual personal property account.

Most people prefer the Independence location due to the ease of parking.

They have consolidated staff at the Truman Courthouse which has helped

maintain the crowds. They have added staff to help with the congestion.

They serve between 200 to 250 people per day. They are constrained by the

space at the Truman Courthouse. Mr. Smith said he does not think the issue

has improved since the staff has been consolidated.

Mr. Abarca asked for an updated organization chart for the Administration.

Mr. Abarca asked about the status of the health insurance rebid. He asked

for a work session regarding the benefits consultant before signing off on an

extended contract. Mr. Schulte said it is more effective to have the benefits

in a separate year from the health insurance contract.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5823

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.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 5th. Perfection)

5824

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $22,000,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the General Fund and authorizing the construction of two floors of

office space in the Health Sciences building for use by University Health.

(Budget Committee - 8th. Perfection)

Manuel Abarca IV objected to holding Ordinance #5824 in the Budget

Committee.

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

moved Ordinance #5824 from the Budget Committee to the Legislature as a

Whole. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 - Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

No: 4 - Megan Marshall, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21519

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive or the Chairman of the

Legislature to sell the County-owned property located at 1300 Washington

Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 via the competitive bidding process.

(Land Use Committee - 4th. Meeting)

21536

21537

A RESOLUTION approving the 2024-2025 Jackson County Assessment

and Equalization Maintenance Plan.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of greater

local controls for Jackson County.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

21538

21540

21546

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate in support of trans rights to the Missouri General

Assembly.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in opposition to

House Bills 2367, 2470, and 2523.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of

maintaining a fair and equitable citizen initiative petition process.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of Blair’s

Law and greater local gun control for Jackson County.

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

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of the

County Assessor being an elected position in Jackson County.

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

A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief

Lobbyist to advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of the

Missouri Nondiscrimination Act in Jackson County.

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

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

21556

21557

21559

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

21560

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Charlie Franklin, to

approve the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated March 4,

2024 for Resolution #21560,to delete the figure "$92,000.00" and insert the

figure "$142,000.00" in the heading on page one, next to the word "Total" in

the table on page two and the BE IT RESOLVED paragraph on page two; to

insert the following "Cheri Simpkins, Lee's Summit, MO, Merit Commission,

Board of Equalization, $50,000.00" in the table on page two. The motion

passed by a voice vote. Consent Agenda.

Manuel Abarca IV objected to the Consent Agenda.

21560

A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #21560, authorizing the County Counselor to execute a

Legal Services Agreement and Addendums to existing Legal Services

Agreements with certain lawyers and law firms at an aggregate cost to the

County not to exceed $142,000.00, for services to be performed in 2024.

The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Charlie Franklin

No: 4 -

Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(DEFEATED)

***After the legislative meeting, the Clerk of the County Legislature received

a request from Legislator Peyton to change her vote from "Yes" to "No" for

Resolution #21560 as reflected above.***

CONSENT AGENDA

21555

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of three new vehicles

for use by the Jackson County Drug Task Force to Corwin Motors of

Springfield, MO and Corwin Ford Lincoln Republic of Republic, MO, under

the terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No.

CC240138001-011, an existing competitively bid government contract, at

an actual cost to the County in the total amount of $146,134.00.

(ADOPTED)

21556

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent

utility easement in favor of Evergy across a portion of the Rock Island

Corridor, for a fee payable to the County.

(ADOPTED)

21557

A RESOLUTION awarding a sixty-month term and supply contract with two

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of grounds maintenance

equipment, parts, accessories, supplies, and related services for use by the

Parks + Rec Department to Professional Turf Products of Lenexa, KS,

under the terms and conditions of the City of Mesa, AZ/OMNIA Partners

Contract No. 2023261, an existing competitively bid government contract.

(ADOPTED)

21559

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for video closed captioning services

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 $25,278.75, as a

sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

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

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

Yes: 7 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21562

Expressing the intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief Lobbyist to

advocate to the Missouri General Assembly in support of reproductive rights

and funding for family planning clinics.

(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)

21563

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

adopt Resolution #21563, recognizing the heroic efforts of Mike Aciego to

assist Jenipher Cabrera, who was shot near Union Station on February 14,

2023, during the Kansas City Chiefs Championship Parade. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21564

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

adopt Resolution #21564, recognizing the heroic efforts of Sasha Gallardo

Krough to assist Jenipher Cabrera, who was shot near Union Station on

February 14, 2023, during the Kansas City Chiefs Championship Parade.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21565

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

adopt Resolution #21565, recognizing the heroic efforts of John Krough to

assist Jenipher Cabrera, who was shot near Union Station on February 14,

2023, during the Kansas City Chiefs Championship Parade. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21566

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #21566, recognizing the heroic actions of Trey Filter at the

Kansas City Chiefs’ Championship Parade and Rally on February 14, 2024.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21567

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by DaRon McGee, to

adopt Resolution #21567, recognizing the heroic actions of Paul Contreras

at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Championship Parade and Rally on February 14,

2024. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21568

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

adopt Resolution #21568, recognizing Heartland Women in Trades and the

contributions of all tradeswomen in the Kansas City metropolitan area during

National Women in Construction Week, March 4 - 10, 2024. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21569

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

adopt Resolution #21569, congratulating Vicki Turnbow on the occasion of

her retirement as the Executive Director of the Raytown Chamber of

Commerce. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

21570

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

adopt Resolution #21570, honoring the life and memory of Drexel Mack,

process server for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, who

was tragically killed February 29, 2024. The motion passed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.

Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Manuel Abarca IV said he hopes the Legislature will address the lobbyist

resolutions sooner rather than later. He believes that by holding these

resolutions, the County is missing out on important opportunities to lobby for

issues such as gun violence and local control. He said every day the County

Legislature does nothing the State Legislature moves forward.

NEW BUSINESS