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 15, 2024

3:00 PM

Thirteenth 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 7 -

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

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on April 08, 2024. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Frank White, Jr., County Executive, recognized the Information Technology

Department and its director, Michael Erickson, for their efforts to recover the

County systems from the ransomware attack. He acknowledged the hard

work, dedication, and around-the-clock efforts of the department’s staff.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said she received calls from constituents

about the County’s soft launch tomorrow and later saw it reported on the

news. She asked what is meant by a “soft launch” for Jackson County with

departments down. Mr. White said soft launch means the County is not

100% operational but it is enough to extend some services to taxpayers. He

said services will reopen by appointment only for the rest of this week. The

Collection and Assessment Departments will have Saturday hours from 8:00

a.m. until noon. Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said the Administration will put

out an announcement this afternoon and daily throughout the week on the

county's website, by press release, on social media and posting signs to

provide more details to the residents of Jackson County about what offices

are reopened and what services are available. The County is trying to

reopen in a responsible manner, to avoid overwhelming the departments but

at the same time improving customer service. There will be some limitations

because the IT Department is restoring a large system based on a criminal

attack on the County through a ransomware agent. He said they will reach

out directly to those customers who were in line when the attack happened

so they can come back to the office this week to conduct their business. Ms.

Peyton said she appreciated the effort to improve customer service.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, echoed Ms. Peyton’s sentiments. He

asked about residents that received citations for expired tags or those who

needed property tax receipts in order to file their taxes by the deadline

today. Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said they will work with taxpayers but

are limited by the reality of the situation. They will prioritize taxpayers that

have deadline situations and work with the departments and the County

Counselor's office. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis

and they will do everything they can to assist them. Mr. Abarca asked if

these inquiries should be referred to the Chief of Staff. Mr. Clifford

responded yes.

Mr. Abarca asked for an update on the health insurance bid. Sylvya

Stevenson, Chief Administrative Officer, said this bid will close in 2 weeks in

Bonfire. Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said there will be at least two

responses. He said there is a tight turn around with the procurement process

and open enrollment but it is workable. Mr. Abarca said he saw a response

from CBIZ regarding weight loss participation and asked if it will be

considered as a potential rider. Troy Schulte said it will be evaluated.

Mr. Abarca asked the County Executive about communication with the

sports teams. Mr. White said there has not been any communication to date.

Mr. White said he expects it will take some time for the owners and Jackson

County to determine next steps. He said there is still time to have a

conversation with the teams. He said his focus is on the ransomware issue

at the moment. Manny Abarca IV asked if there is an understanding from

municipalities regarding the economic impact of losing both sports teams.

Frank White Jr. said he does not have an understanding of this as an

organization. He said he heard from the City of Independence indicating a

$10 million annual impact. His focus is to do what is best for the County. Mr.

White said he will send letters to the teams.

Resolutions #21600, #21601, #21602 and #21603 were adopted at this

time. See page 7 for details.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5842

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to perfect. Consent

Agenda.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5839

5840

5841

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21537

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

discharge Resolution #21537 to the Legislature As A Whole, 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. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 -

Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

No: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(FAILED)

21538

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

discharge Resolution #21538 to the Legislature As A Whole, expressing the

intent of the Legislature to direct the Chief Lobbyist to advocate in support of

trans rights to the Missouri General Assembly. The motion failed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 4 -

Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

No: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(FAILED)

21540

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

discharge Resolution #21540 to the Legislature As A Whole, 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. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 -

Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

No: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(FAILED)

21546

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

discharge Resolution #21546 to the Legislature As A Whole, 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. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 -

Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon

McGee

No: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(FAILED)

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 - 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 the

County Assessor being an elected position in Jackson County.

(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 the

Missouri Nondiscrimination Act in Jackson County.

(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

reproductive rights and funding for family planning clinics.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 6th. Meeting)

21572

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 - 5th. Meeting)

21597

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt.

Manuel Abarca IV objected to the Consent Agenda.

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

adopt Resolution #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. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 5 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, DaRon McGee

and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Manuel Abarca IV and Venessa Huskey

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

21598

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt.

Manuel Abarca IV objected to the Consent Agenda.

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

adopt Resolution #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. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 5 -

Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, DaRon McGee

and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Manuel Abarca IV and Venessa Huskey

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

5842

AN ORDINANCE 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.

(PERFECTED)

5839

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.

(ADOPTED)

5840

5841

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.

(ADOPTED)

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.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinance #5842 was moved to the Consent Agenda for perfection.

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

for adoption.

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Donna Peyton, 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, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5843

Renewing a conditional use permit (CUP) in District AG (Agricultural) for a

period of fifteen years to operate a 126-foot monopole of wireless

communications, subject to specified conditions, as to a 585 square foot

tract.

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

5844

5845

Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified

Development Code by rezoning a certain 3.51± acre tract from District AG

(Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified

Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.41± acre tract from District AG

(Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

5846

Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified

Development Code by rezoning a certain 1.75± acre tract from District AG

(Agricultural) to District RS (Residential Suburban).

(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21600

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

adopt Resolution #21600, congratulating Carson Ross on the occasion of

his retirement after 16 years of service as the Mayor of Blue Springs,

Missouri. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

21601

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

adopt Resolution #21601, recognizing the City of Oak Grove upon the

election of its first all-female Board of Aldermen. The motion passed by a roll

call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

21602

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

adopt Resolution #21602, congratulating the Kansas City Public Library on

the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

21603

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

adopt Resolution #21603, recognizing public safety communications

workers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14

through 20, 2024. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

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

Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Charlie Franklin

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Donna Peyton asked the County Counselor’s Office to reiterate to the

County Legislature the response to the question she asked last week

regarding legislation held in committee even though the committee does not

meet. Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy County Counselor, said Rule 9F of the

Rules of the Legislature,states "The chair of the committee shall call and

preside at all meetings of the committee." She said there is nothing

mandating how often a committee meets. She did say best practice is to

have open communication between members of the committee. Ms. Peyton

asked what other options are available to committee members. Ms. Miller

said Rule 21 used today allows the sponsor of an item to discharge

legislation from committee to the Legislature As A Whole with five

affirmative votes. She also mentioned Rule 19 as another option which

pertains to resolutions assigned by the Chair to a committee. It states "If a

sponsor of a resolution objects to the committee assignment, that member

may move for reassignment to some other designated committee. Passage

of such a motion requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting."

She said the specific resolutions from today’s meeting have a requirement

to go through the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

The next legislative meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, April 22,

2024 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street,

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