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, April 8, 2024

3:00 PM

Twelfth 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, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon

McGee

Absent 1 - Sean E. Smith

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Donna Peyton to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on April 01, 2024. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Dan Wehmuller, JCDC Partners, LLC, and Jeff Jenkins, J.E. Dunn, were

present to give an update on the Detention Center Project. A copy of the

JCDC Partners report is available under the Meeting Details for the April 8,

2024, Legislative meeting, located at

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

ID=1189789&GUID=3E667511-874E-4566-B94B-353736A99B87&Option

s=info|notes|captions|&Search=>

Mr. Wehmuller said they have a two day session with the transition team this

month. He said they are engaged in providing prevailing wage and the

fabrication of cells is a unionized effort. He announced that Thursday this

week there is an opportunity to visit the site coordinated by Ashley Burke.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, asked about the members of the

transition team. Mr. Wehmuller said they are user groups from the

Department of Corrections and the Circuit Court. This group has been

working with JCDC Partners throughout the project. They have met with the

design-build team. The group is working on the transition from a non-direct

to a direct model so when the detention center is completed, they will be

ready to proceed with a smooth transition. Ms Peyton asked if anyone from

quality control or members of the Legislature were on the team. Jeanie

Lauer, County Legislator, responded that she is a member of the Steering

Committee.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, expressed his appreciation for the

resolution of the prevailing wage issues. He asked if the compliance review

office has received all reports. Jeff Jenkins said Colleen White and her team

have access to all reports. He said they have not heard back from the

compliance office.

Gail McCann Beatty, Director of Assessment, said she had planned to

distribute a report, but because of the network outages, it is delayed. She

sent the Legislature an email outlining her plans to address the lines and

issues at the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence. The biggest

issue is with staffing. The staff has grown from about 13 to 21, eight of which

are new or in various stages of training. This year the department has seen

8,000 more people. Local police departments are cracking down on expired

tags. Additionally, the County continues to grow. They have two full time and

one part time person assigned to answering emails. They have a limit on the

amount of space to accommodate additional staff and additional customers.

Most people prefer the Independence location, and they have found the

department is more efficient when all of their staff are in the same building.

They need 20 to 25 additional windows to assist customers.

People arrive between 4 to 5 a.m. to get in line at the courthouse in

Independence, so customers are already in line for three or four hours

before the department opens. They are contemplating having extended

hours during the week or weekend hours. The staff is the lowest paid in her

department and many employees have children. They also need sheriff

deputies present to offer security.

Donna Peyton asked how many customer parking spaces are at 1300

Washington? Ms. Beatty said she does not know, but it is more spaces than

any other County location. There are two lots, one in front and one on the

side. Ms. Peyton asked if this surge in customers is monthly or seasonal.

Ms. Beatty said the increase in customers seems to be long term. Part of

the problem is that Missouri allows for a two-year car tag system. People

who do not pay their taxes or file a declaration will need to come to the office

to make updates to their accounts.

Manuel Abarca IV asked if there are other systems that could be used to

provide online options. Ms. Beatty said they have used the email option for

the past two years. They hope to bring a kiosk proposal to the Legislature. If

the kiosk works well, they can put those in multiple locations. Right now, the

staff must do double entry in the Ascend software and in the Tyler

Technology system. Mr. Abarca asked if Ms. Beatty is asking for 20 to 25

windows at 1300 Washington. She said yes, that was the original plan. She

would take any location with adequate space.

Mr. Abarca asked if Ms. Beatty had an opinion on an elected assessor. Ms.

Beatty said there are no requirements for an elected assessor. She has

over 30 years of experience in real estate. An elected assessor will have

complete control over the Assessment Fund. Right now, the Legislature

controls disbursements from the Assessment Fund. The assessor does not

set the tax rates. The taxing jurisdictions control setting the tax rate.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Frank White, Jr., County Executive, was present and had no report. Manuel

Abarca IV asked for a broad update to prevent future ransomware attacks.

Mr. White said this will be discussed in the closed session.

Mr. Abarca said there have been statements by the sports teams that they

will not work with Jackson County. He asked what the strategy is moving

forward. Mr. White said his strategy is to reach out to the teams and get

them back to the table. Mr. White said he has a strategy, but it is not willing

to share that information at this time.

Mr. Abarca asked about the emergency management position. Troy Schulte,

County Administrator, said he is the emergency manager. The position was

eliminated after the previous manager retired approximately 4 years ago.

Mr. Schulte said he has a background in emergency management, and he is

comfortable fulfilling the role. There will be requests for additional investment

in our cyber security systems. Software in this area becomes obsolete

quickly. This is an ongoing and recurring challenge. Mr. Schulte said they

can discuss this issue in the closed session. All of the cyber security

contractors were in place before this attack. The question is balancing

contract staff versus internal staff. The ability to maintain adequate pay for IT

staff is an ongoing challenge.

Mr. Abarca asked if there has been any communication with the Sheriff

regarding the elevators at the current jail. Mr. Schulte said $9 million had

been invested by the previous legislature in maintaining security at the

current jail while the new detention center is under construction. They need to

keep the jail running through 2025.He said a new contractor was approved

by the Legislature last week to help with the maintenance of county

buildings. They will be asking the Legislature for additional dollars.

Mr. Abarca asked if the County Executive has had conversations with area

mayors about a moratorium on citations for expired tags. He said there have

been conversations, but no decision has been made regarding next steps.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5839

5840

Finance and Audit Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to perfect. Consent

Agenda.

5841

Finance and Audit Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5837

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

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

waive the reading of Resolutions #21537, #21538, #21540, #21546,

#21552, #21553, #21554, #21562, and #21572. The motion passed by a

voice vote.

21537

21538

21540

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 - 7th. Meeting)

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 - 7th. 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 - 7th. 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 - 7th. 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 - 6th. 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 - 6th. 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 - 6th. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION 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.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 5th. Meeting)

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

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

Joint Resolution 135.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 4th. Meeting)

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

21594

21595

21596

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

5839

5840

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $291,598.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2024 Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2022 JAG Grant

awarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

(PERFECTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $6,000.00 from the undesignated fund

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

Family Court Division by the Family Court Committee of the Supreme Court

of Missouri for the Juvenile Justice Program Assistance Grant.

(PERFECTED)

5841

5837

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $726,157.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2024 Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2023 JAG Grant

awarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

(PERFECTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $24,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2024 Grant Fund in acceptance of the National Environmental

Health Association Food and Drug Administration grant awarded by the

Federal Drug Administration.

(ADOPTED)

21593

21594

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 $54,544.00, as a

sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing a three-month extension to a term and supply

contract for the furnishing of commercial tires, tubes, and related services for

use by various County departments to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of

Akron, OH, under the terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No.

CC191557003, an existing government contract.

(ADOPTED)

21595

21596

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

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

generators and repair services for use by the various County departments to

Central Power Systems and Services of Liberty, MO, under the terms and

conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 24-004.

(ADOPTED)

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

two twelve-month options to extend for the furnishing of concessions

products for resale for use by the Parks + Rec Department to St. Joseph

Distributing, of St. Joseph, MO, under the terms and conditions of Invitation

to Bid No. 24-009.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinances #5839, #5840 and #5841 were moved to the Consent Agenda

for perfection. Ordinance #5837 was moved to the Consent Agenda for

adoption. Resolutions #21593, #21594, #21595 and #21596 were moved

to the Consent Agenda for adoption.

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

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

Yes: 8 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon

McGee

Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5842

Appropriating $500,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2024

Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2023 Department of Mental Health grant

awarded to the Jackson County Detention Center.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21597

Awarding a forty-four-month contract, with two twelve-month options to

extend, for the furnishing of auction services for use by the Purchasing

Department to Purple Wave Auction of Manhattan, KS under the terms and

conditions of State of Kansas Contract No. 52954, an existing government

contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

21598

Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of

building, grounds, maintenance, repair and operations supplies for use by

various County departments to Lowes OMNIA Partners Cooperative

Program under the terms and conditions of Lowes OMNIA Partners

Cooperative Program Contract No. R192006, an existing government

contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

21599

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

adopt Resolution #21599, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024, for the purpose of

conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and

the Jackson County Counselor under section 610.021(3) and (21) 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: 7 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Abstain: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

24-07

WHEREAS, the secure operation of Jackson County’s information

technology infrastructure is vital to the administration of county services and

the welfare of our residents; and

WHEREAS, the Jackson County Information Technology Department has

identified a cybersecurity incident with characteristics indicative of a

ransomware attack, which has impacted numerous county systems that are

essential to our residents; and

WHEREAS, the full scope and potential impact of the cybersecurity incident

are being investigated and necessary measures are being undertaken to

ascertain the details and remediate the effects of the incident; and

WHEREAS, the occurrence of this event requires a prompt and coordinated

response that may necessitate the procurement of services and goods

outside the normal procurement procedures as permitted in times of

declared emergencies; and

WHEREAS, in compliance with the provisions of the Jackson County Code

of Regulations, including but not limited to Code Section 1030.3 concerning

Emergency Purchases, it is recognized that in this state of emergency, the

usual requirements of competitive bidding are waived to allow for the

immediate procurement of necessary resources; and

WHEREAS, purchases in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)

under these provisions will be duly reported to the County Legislature at its

next regularly scheduled meeting; and

WHEREAS, the potential significant budgetary impact of this incident may

require appropriations from the County’s emergency fund and, if these funds

are found to be insufficient, the enactment of additional budgetary

adjustments or cuts;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the

Jackson County Code of Regulations, and the powers vested in this office

by the Home Rule Charter of Jackson County,

IT IS DIRECTED that all county staff are to take whatever steps are

necessary to protect resident data, county assets, and continue essential

services, thereby mitigating the impact of this potential ransomware attack.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the County Administrator is directed to

evaluate the need for appropriations from the County’s emergency fund and,

if necessary, identify additional financial adjustments to address the fiscal

requirements imposed by this emergency. This Executive Order shall take

immediate effect and remain in place until it is amended or rescinded by

subsequent orders.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd of April,

2024, and committed to ensuring the security and continuity of services

essential to the residents of Jackson County.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Donna Peyton asked the County Counselor’s Office about the rules

regarding committees. She asked if a committee does not meet, how does

that committee make a recommendation. Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy

County Counselor, said if there is no meeting the previous recommendation

typically stands. Ms. Peyton asked what actions are available if a member of

a committee disagrees with not having a committee meeting. Ms. Miller said

this question has not come up before but it is up to the committee members

to have a committee meeting. She will research the issue further and get

back to Ms. Peyton regarding her concern.

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, recognized the efforts of the Information

Technology Department to manage the ransomware attack and minimize

the exposure to the County.

Manuel Abarca IV asked the County Counselor about the limitations of a

County Executive declaring a state of emergency. Bryan Covinsky, County

Counselor, said a state of emergency is declared to allow staff to act quickly

to manage an emergency situation. This is not the first time there has been

an emergency declaration. He said there is not a specific timeframe. Mr.

Abarca asked if the Legislature can move to the procurement process and

limit the emergency purchases. Mr. Covinsky said the County is currently in

the middle of the stated emergency. Mr. Abarca asked Mr. Covinsky to

explore when the state of emergency ends as he is trying to understand the

limitations. Bryan Covinsky said he will look into it.

Jeanie Lauer said since there will be nothing to vote on after the closed

session the legislative meeting can be adjourned.