Jackson County Courthouse  
415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor  
Kansas City, Missouri 64106  
(816)881-3242  
Jackson County Missouri  
JOURNAL  
County Legislature  
Jeanie Lauer (5th) Chairman,  
Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,  
Office of  
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 29, 2024  
3:00 PM  
Fifteenth Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
Megan L. Marshall, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to  
order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 8 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee  
and Sean E. Smith  
Absent 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
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THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV  
to approve the journal of the previous meeting held on April 22, 2024.  
The motion passed by a voice vote.  
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HEARINGS  
None.  
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Frank White, Jr., County Executive, reported that the County hosted the  
Associate Appreciation Day at the Kansas City Zoo. During the morning,  
670 associates and their families came early for breakfast and many  
more came to the zoo later in the day. The weather cooperated to make it  
a successful event.  
Manuel Abarca, IV, County Legislator, asked about an associate who was  
stuck in the elevator at the jail. Mr. White said issues related to security at  
the jail need to be discussed in a closed session. Mr. Abarca asked if  
there is anything that precludes the County Executive from discussing  
elevator maintenance issues in open session. Bryan Covinsky, County  
Counselor, said this relates to security issues and cannot be discussed in  
open session. Mr. White said these specific elevators are no longer  
manufactured. The plan is to maintain the current jail well enough until  
the new detention center is completed. The elevator parts are hard to  
find. Building a new elevator would take the County up to the time the  
new jail will open.  
Mr. Abarca asked about the sports teams. Information was released that  
the State of Kansas has moved forward on Star Bonds to make a move  
to Kansas an attractive option. Mr. White said the Chiefs made a  
statement and the County will issue a statement in response this  
afternoon. Mr. White said the goal is to get things on the right page with  
the right people with negotiating. Many of the goals of the Administration  
were circumvented, causing delays. He said he has not had any  
conversations with the teams.  
Mr. Abarca asked about data on the outcomes of the assessment  
process, specifically comparisons of assessed values vs. values set by  
the Board of Equalization (BOE) and the effectiveness of the assessment  
process. Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said certain information has been  
shared. They need more specific questions in order to compile the  
information. Mr. Abarca said he requested comparisons of the assessed  
valuations compared to valuations set by the Board of Equalization  
(BOE), including differences and percentages. Mr. Clifford said the BOE  
valuations are the result of an administrative process. Mr. White said the  
Administration needs a list of specific questions for a response. He  
requested an email itemizing the questions.  
Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said she appreciates the County  
Executive's opinion about negotiations and what he believes went wrong.  
She said the teams have a different opinion according to what has been  
published.  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, asked specific questions about the  
County Executive Order making an appointment to the BOE and  
appointee’s qualifications. Mr. Clifford said he did not have that  
information but would get the answers to Mr. Smith's questions. Mr. Smith  
asked how many days the Legislature has to consider the Executive  
Order. Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, said the County Legislature  
has fifteen days from today to consider the appointment. Mary Jo Spino,  
Clerk of the County Legislature, said it is actually fifteen days from the  
date it was filed in her office which was April 23, 2024.  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, said he appreciates the annual zoo  
event. Associates expressed to him how much they enjoyed the event.  
Resolutions #21604 through #21608, and #21610 were adopted at this  
time. See pages 4 - 6 for details.  
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PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
None.  
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FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
21562  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to discharge Resolution #21562 to the Legislature As A Whole. The  
motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 - Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 2 - Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(APPROVED)  
21562  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey,  
to adopt Resolution #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. The  
motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 - Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 2 - Megan L. Marshall and Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(ADOPTED)  
21572  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey,  
to discharge Resolution #21572 to the Legislature As A Whole. The  
motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 - Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 2 - Megan L. Marshall and Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(APPROVED)  
21572  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to adopt Resolution #21572, 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. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 5 - Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 2 - Megan L. Marshall and Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(ADOPTED)  
Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy County Counselor, said Resolutions #21562  
and #21572 were adopted. Because these resolutions were not  
recommended by the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee, under  
Chapter 2 of the Jackson County Code, they do not have the power to  
direct the lobbyist, but rather state the Legislature's intent to support  
these specific topics.  
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CONSENT AGENDA  
None.  
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11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
None.  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
21604  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to adopt Resolution #21604, recognizing the Kansas City American  
Institute of Architects (AIA) Chapter on the 35th anniversary of  
development of the Critical Planet Rescue, a plan of action for  
environmentally responsible building and urban design. The motion  
passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 7 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 2 - Jeanie Lauer and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
21605  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to adopt Resolution #21605, celebrating Earth Day 2024 and recognizing  
the importance of protecting our environment. The motion passed by a  
roll call vote:  
Yes: 7 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 2 - Jeanie Lauer and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
21606  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to adopt Resolution #21606, recognizing the Jackson County Parks +  
Rec Department for providing sustainable natural parks and open spaces  
for the enjoyment of our community. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 7 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 2 - Jeanie Lauer and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
21607  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,  
to adopt Resolution #21607, recognizing the Metropolitan Organization to  
Counter Sexual Assault’s Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month  
campaign. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 7 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 2 - Jeanie Lauer and DaRon McGee  
(ADOPTED)  
21608  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
adopt Resolution #21608, recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness  
Month in Jackson County. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee  
and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(ADOPTED)  
21609  
Awarding a contract for the furnishing of nine full size SUVs and one truck  
for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Reed Motors STJ, LLC, dba Reed  
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Saint Joseph, MO, under the terms and  
conditions of State of Missouri Contract No. CC240138010, an existing  
competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in  
the amount of $410,389.00.  
(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)  
21610  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson,  
to adopt Resolution #21610, honoring the life and achievements of radio  
DJ Brian “Slacker” Adams who passed away April 16, 2024. The motion  
passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee  
and Sean E. Smith  
Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer  
(ADOPTED)  
12  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
24-08  
By the authority vested in me by the Constitutional Home Rule Charter of  
Jackson County, Missouri, I hereby make the following appointment to  
the Jackson County Board of Equalization:  
Nathaniel Petty is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the  
resignation of the previous appointee, V. Edwin Stoll, whose term expired  
on December 31, 2023. Mr. Petty is appointed for a term to commence  
immediately and to expire on December 31, 2027.  
A copy of Mr. Petty's resume is attached.  
.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Manuel Abarca IV asked if the County is still in a state of emergency.  
Caleb Clifford said the state of emergency continues, specifically as  
related to contractual needs in response to the ransomware attack. Bryan  
Covinsky said the County is still dealing with the ransomware attack. The  
emergency declaration requires that the contracts must be related to the  
ransomware issue. Mr. Covinsky said the Code requires notification to the  
Legislature of any contract over $25,000.00.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
Meeting adjourned until Monday, May 6, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at the  
Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri,  
2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.