Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

Charlie Franklin (3rd) Chairman,

Office of

Theresa Cass Galvin (6th) Vice Chairman,

Mary Jo Spino

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Crystal Williams (2nd AL), Tony Miller (3rd AL),

Scott Burnett (1st), Ronald E. Finley (2nd), Dan Tarwater III (4th),

Jeanie Lauer (5th)

Clerk of the County Legislature

Monday, January 31, 2022

10:00 AM

Fifth Regular Meeting

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

Charlie Franklin, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, announced if anyone had a child or

grandchild in attendance, he would invite them to lead the pledge.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Dan Tarwater III, seconded by Theresa Cass Galvin

to approve the journal of the previous meeting held on January 24, 2022.

The motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

None.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

None.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

20853

20855

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

20853

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Director of Parks + Rec to execute a

one-year Facility Usage Agreement with four one-year options to extend with

the City of Lee’s Summit to provide for recreation activities for use by the

Parks + Rec Department's Special Population Services Division, at no cost

to the County.

(ADOPTED)

20855

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute extensions to

the Legal Services Agreements with certain lawyers and/or law firms, at no

additional cost to the County.

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #20853 and #20855 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

adoption.

A motion was made by Dan Tarwater III, seconded by Theresa Cass Galvin,

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

Yes: 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5592

A motion was made by Theresa Cass Galvin, seconded by Dan Tarwater III

to perfect Ordinance #5592. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

5592

A motion was made by Theresa Cass Galvin, seconded by Dan Tarwater III,

to adopt Ordinance #5592, appropriating $15,000.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2022 Grant Fund in acceptance of funding

provided by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force for use by

the Jackson County Drug Task Force for “Operation Bad Cookie.”. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

5593

Appropriating $271,785.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2022

General Fund and authorizing the issuance of payment in the amount of

$271,784.38 to the Missouri State Auditor for services rendered for the

audit of Jackson County.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

The Finance and Audit Committee will have a public hearing regarding

Ordinance #5593 on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in the Kansas

City Legislative Assembly Area.

5594

Authorizing the County Executive to execute an Emergency Rental

Assistance Sub-Agreement with the Missouri Housing Development

Commission relating to emergency rental assistance funds authorized by the

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, appropriating $25,000,000.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2022 Grant Fund, and authorizing the

County Executive to execute an Addendum to the Cooperative Agreement

with the Community Services League of Independence, MO, to administer

the rental assistance funding on behalf of Jackson County.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

Doug Cowan, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Services League

(CSL), gave an update on the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)

program. Jim MacDonald, Chief Impact Officer for the United Way, was

also present. A copy of Mr. Cowan’s presentation is available under the

Meeting Details for the January 31, 2022, Legislative Meeting located at

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

ID=927477&GUID=D16A4323-15DD-4FAB-AF79-B0E7BE9B9407&Opti

ons

Mr. Cowan thanked the Legislature, County Administration, Legislative

Auditor, the Finance Department and Communications staff for their

assistance with the ERA program. This program has helped more than

5,000 children avoid a harmful disruption to their housing. As the County

moves into additional allocations of ERA funds, CSL is working with

regulators to determine spending deadlines. Jackson County had an

original ERA allocation of over $11 million and is expecting an additional

allocation of $25 million. CSL recommends this pool of money be divided

to allow 20 percent to go toward eviction cases filed in the circuit court, 20

percent to “level up” previous ERA #1 applicants, and 60 percent to go to

new applications. The level up of previous applicants will be used for a

specific group of prior applicants who have had additional challenges and

had not reached the limits of the program allocation. The ERA program is

a win-win for landlords, tenants, and the court system.

Mr. Cowan said, the City of Kansas City, Missouri is also expected to

receive an additional $25 million in funding for ERA. Community Services

League hopes to coordinate with the city in the spring to make sure all

families with a need are addressed in our community. When the program

started in April 2021, there was a pent up demand for assistance. The calls

for assistance have slowed. These are “use it or lose it” funds so it will be

necessary to use community outreach efforts in conjunction with Kansas

City to reach everyone in need of assistance.

Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, asked about the role of the United

Way. Mr. Cowan said the United Way is CSL’s partner on the program.

The United Way handles all tenant-landlord eviction cases that have been

filed in circuit court.

Tony Miller, County Legislator, asked about landlords that fail to

cooperate with the ERA program. Mr. Cowan said Federal Treasury

Department guidelines allow direct payments to tenants, but local

jurisdictions may restrict such payments. There are few cases that fall into

this category, but those have ended up in the court system and CSL was

able to make payments to the court to resolve those issues. Jim

MacDonald with the United Way said many of these are cases in which a

landlord wants a tenant evicted more than they want payment for back rent.

Tony Miller asked about residents having challenges accessing

technology. Mr. Cowan said they have 12 dedicated application sites

ready to assist anyone who is unable to use a computer.

Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, asked if the people CSL has assisted

have been able to find employment. Mr. Cowan said they have provided

assistance to many people but will conduct a survey to determine if the

ERA was useful to the recipients.

Ronald E. Finley, County Legislator, said he did not understand

information about the outreach services. He requested that Mr. Cowan

send him additional information detailing the locations and services

provided. He also asked about the City of Kansas City’s ERA program.

Mr. MacDonald said Kansas City is managing its ERA program differently

than Jackson County as they have contracted with 16 organizations to

disburse the monies. The City of Kansas City received $14 million for

ERA #1 and is awaiting the second allotment from the State of Missouri.

Ronald E. Finley asked for information on where we have helped people

stay in housing. Jim MacDonald said he will provide the report.

Mr. Cowan said he will return next Monday to answer any additional

questions regarding Ordinance #5594 when it is considered by the

Finance and Audit Committee.

5595

Repealing section 1803., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to County

municipal court and enacting, in lieu thereof, one new section relating to the

same subject.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

20857

Transferring $2,264,778.00 within the 2022 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund and

authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute agreements with certain

outside agencies which are engaged in anti-crime, anti-violence, and

anti-drug prevention, treatment, and law enforcement school-based initiative

activities and purposes, at a cost to the County not to exceed

$12,542,580.00.

(Assigned to the Anti-Crime Committee.)

20858

A motion was made by Ronald E. Finley, seconded by Theresa Cass

Galvin, to adopt Resolution #20858, awarding a ten-month term and supply

contract with one twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of

ammunition for use by various County law enforcement agencies to Gulf

States Distributors of Montgomery, AL, under the terms and conditions of

State of Missouri Contract No. CC220604001, an existing, competitively bid

government contract. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

20859

20860

Awarding twelve-month term and supply contracts with one twelve-month

option to extend for the furnishing of towing services for use county-wide to

Lazer-Pipes Services, Inc., of Grandview, MO, and Fleming Auto Center,

Inc., d/b/a Jackson County Tow Service of Blue Springs, MO, under the

terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 78-21.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

Authorizing the County Executive to execute an Intergovernmental

Cooperative Agreement with the Mid-America Regional Council Solid

Waste Management District to provide access to the Regional Household

Hazardous Waste Centers for the residents of the unincorporated county, at

an actual cost to the County in the amount of $25,193.00.

(Assigned to the Health and Environment Committee.)

20861

A motion was made by Tony Miller, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to adopt

Resolution #20861, awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with

one twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of parking lot snow

removal services for use by the Public Works Department to Martin

Underground Construction of Lee’s Summit, MO, under the terms and

conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 39-21. The motion passed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said this resolution is a renewal of an

existing County vendor. He said six to 12 inches of snow is expected this

week. Barb Casamento, Purchasing Administrator, said the previous

contract is expired. The County reached out to several businesses and

this vendor was the only respondent. This vendor is also used by the City

of Kansas City and the City of Independence. Goals were waived on the

contract because the vendor made a good faith effort to be in compliance.

The County will be moving to a software bidding system and she hopes

the County will receive more responses to bidding opportunities under this

new system. The pandemic has made some vendors unwilling to enter

into a long-term contract.

20862

A motion was made by Dan Tarwater III, seconded by Theresa Cass Galvin,

to adopt Resolution #20862, authorizing the County Executive to execute

cooperative agreements with certain organizations which provide

assistance to homeless persons, at an aggregate cost to the County not to

exceed $648,875.00. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

Charlie Franklin, Theresa Cass Galvin, Jalen Anderson, Crystal

Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Dan Tarwater

III and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

Dan Tarwater III, County Legislator, said that this funding went out to bid

last year. The Housing Resources Commission met to consider these

applicants. He would like to approve this measure to get these funds

distributed to assist homelessness in our community.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Theresa Cass Galvin, County Legislator, said she had received the

postcard to file her personal property declaration. This must be completed

by March 1 to avoid a penalty. In previous years the full form was sent to

residents. A postcard is easy to miss or may be confused with junk mail.

Some residents do not have access to a computer to complete the

declaration online. Residents report waiting over an hour on hold when they

call for assistance. Troy Schulte said the County had problems with its mail

vendor and the pandemic has created staffing shortages. They hope to go

back to a paper form in 2023.

Theresa Cass Galvin said she received an email from an associate that the

300 or so unvaccinated associates will have to pay $50 per week for their

COVID test as required by the County. In some cases the unions may cover

that cost, but other non-union employees will have to pay that amount out of

pocket. Mr. Schulte said the County spent $175,000 to cover the COVID

testing costs through the end of 2021. They are negotiating with the unions

and may allow associates to obtain an outside test from approved sources.

The County has tried to provide incentives getting vaccinated, but they have

found penalty measures have gotten the best response.

Ronald E. Finley said he wondered if the County needed an updated policy.

Theresa Cass Galvin said the letter she received included information that

both unvaccinated and vaccinated associates are getting COVID. Crystal

Williams, County Legislator, said there are also costs to the County when

departments have to shut down or associates are absent because of

COVID. Some people are trying to be cautious to protect vulnerable family

members. Theresa Cass Galvin said she thinks if the County is going to

require testing, then the County should pay for testing.

Ronald E. Finley congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs for their successful

season.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Dan Tarwater III, seconded by Theresa Cass Galvin,

to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.

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

7, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th

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