City Council - Regular Meeting

Call meeting to order and pledge allegiance. Councilmember Thompson. Roll call, please.

Mayor Larkey.

Here.

Council Member White. Here. Council Member Thompson. Here. Council Member Davidson. Yes. Council Member Pryan. Here. Council Member Lawson. Here. Council Member Richardson. Council Member McCallum.

Here.

Council Member Johnson. Here.

We have quorum. We are going to have the presentations before personal appearances tonight. So, presentation number one, Dalton Chamber of Commerce. Red, white, and blue Old Glory flag sponsorship.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council. I'm Diane Huckshorn, the President of the Belton Chamber of Commerce, and this is Allie Schnelly, my assistant. It's our pleasure to be here with you tonight, and we want to thank you for allowing us this opportunity. On June 26th, the Belton Chamber proudly presented an event to the community that was completely free in honor and in celebration of the United States of America's 250th birthday. It was called the Red, White, and the Blues event. We had Blues Brothers tribute band. We had barbecue. We had contests. We had Red, White, and Blue, Fourth of July swag. And it was a wonderful evening where the community all just came together. We're very honored and humbled by the generous and patriotic sponsorships that we had from many people that you all know right here in our community. I'd like to thank MSE Hardscapes, Belton Parks and Rec, 816 Barbecue, LifeQuest Church, Chris Benjamin for Judge, Signed Gypsies, Belton Cinema 8, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, Dizzy Blender, and Belfonte Ice Cream. I'd also like to give a very special thank you out to Trent with Pyrotechnics for doing the fireworks for us. To Chris Hagan, our chamber chair, for all of the work that he did and helped us with the setup. Chief Sapp for all of the leadership and information that he shared with us on presenting the fireworks display. To Vanda Meehan for her help and her graciousness in helping us set up the event and secure the location. My family, Ali and her family, and Lori and David Kirkland. Through the sponsorships that we had at our event, we were able to secure 13 Old Glory sponsors. Through that sponsorship, we were able to purchase 10 flags of various sizes. We are very proud to say that we're donating one for City Hall, one for the Annex, five for Belton Parks and Rec, one for the Police Department, two for the Fire Department, and one for the VFW facility. In honor of those sponsorships, we'd like to thank the Belton Chamber of Commerce, Chris Hagan with 2A Marketing, Jack Bonden, our Cass County Auditor, Carrie Matthew, Vice President at Central Bank, CJ and Amanda with Battle Axis. Kurt and Diane Huckshorn. Cheryl Langham with First Onsite Property Restoration. Heather Shelton, Congressional Candidate. Cloud Minkler with Minkler Painting. Jenny Hall, who is donating one in honor of her daughter, who's in the service. Corey Morton, with Country Club Bank. Chris Richardson, Ward 3 Councilmember. And James Pryan, Ward 2 Councilmember. Thank you all very much. For those of you that are here who donated, thank you for your support. These gifts were made possible through the generosity of our Chamber members, local businesses, and community supporters who participated in our fundraiser. Their contributions reflect the strong partnership that exists between the business community and the Chamber, a partnership built on service, pride, and a shared commitment to making Belton an exceptional place to live, work, and do business. It's with great pride that we present these American flags to the City of Belton tonight. Thank you very much.

Mayor, would you like to accept these on behalf of the city?

Kevin, would you like to come up and accept yours on behalf of the Parks Department? Chief Lyons, and in place of Chief Sapp.

Let's take.

This one is for the Parks Department, and it's not the biggest one, but it is, I think it's 10 by 12, if I remember correctly. So, Kevin, thank you all so very much for all the help that you've given to us in providing such a wonderful amenity to the citizens here in our community. This is on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and all of the Old Glory sponsorships.

Thank you. one for Memorial Station and it's on that order.

For the VFW, thank you to all of those who've served. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. Thank you. This is for your facility on Vivian. We also have one for Peace Park.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you. I'm sorry, I don't know your name. Thank you so much. This is for the fire department. They wanted two three-by-fives for both stations. We're very honored to give this to you. For those of you who don't know, my husband retired after 43 years in the fire service. Fire department holds a very special place in my heart. Thank you so much. Be safe. Chief Lyons? Yeah, I did the math. Thank you so very much for all that you do keeping our citizens safe. I appreciate you more than you probably know. Thank you. Thank you so much. one for City Hall and one for the Annex. We're very proud to be here on Main Street, and we'll proudly watch those flags fly high above across the street from our office. Thank you all so very much. Thank you very much to you and all your sponsors.

Thank you. It is. Do you want to put yours back in?

Thank you.

All right. Get them all settled. Item E, personal appearances. Each person listed on the agenda to address City Council should step up to the microphone, state their name and address for the record, and limit their remarks to five minutes. Number one, Michelle Mattern.

Mattern.

Mattern. Okay. Sorry.

You're good. It's normal.

Pull that down if you're up, if you need it. Yeah.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I attended your last meeting and I left concern, not because people disagreed, but because of the level of disrespect that was shown during certain parts of the meeting. First, I want to address how Mr. Stephen Vaco was treated. If he made an effort to get on the agenda and receive no response, that is very disappointing. I understand that agendas and procedures are necessary to keep meetings organized and should never come at the expense of treating citizens with disrespect. There was an agenda item where the scheduled speaker did not appear. That seemed like a perfect opportunity to allow Mr. Vacant to address the council. I would also like to address the interaction between the city manager and my council representative. When she brought forward concerns raised by her constituents, I felt she was met with unnecessary resistance. Council members are elected by the citizens to represent us. They are our voice. And I felt, Sorry, I lost my spot. While it may be helpful for the city manager to receive advanced notices of certain topics, I do not believe council members should be expected or especially pressured to discuss constituent concerns privately before raising them in a public meeting. Our city does not provide a public comment period, and I understand that state law does not require that. However, when citizens do not have the opportunity to speak directly to council, it becomes even more important that our elected officials represent our voice. I would like to address the importance of respectful communicating among council members, staff, and the public. It is not necessary to immediately understand why someone is asking a certain question or making a request. What is necessary is to listen respectfully and ask questions when clarification is needed and engage in a professional matter. Even if there is disagreement afterwards, respect should always remain. As a taxpayer, I am concerned that the city did not get easements and property rights along Markey Road before the road was built. Now, you need to get easements and property. Now you need to get these easements and property rights. And I noticed that there was little discussion about the cost of obtaining the necessary easements and property rights. What is the budget for those expenses? And if additional costs arise, where does that funding come from? I also want to address the SAK contract. I respect the city's longstanding relationship with SAK and appreciate the work they have performed on the treatment plants over the past three years. However, if there is an annual service, it should already be included in the city's budget. Since the cost has increased, I was surprised that no one asked whether the increase was anticipated, what the approval budget was, or how the additional expenses would be funded. Those are important questions, and as a taxpayer, I believe they deserve to be asked. Fiscal responsibility means understanding not only what we're spending, but also where that money is coming from. I ask this council to remember that the people sitting here are the ones that have elected you guys. We expect professionalism, transparency, and mutual respect. Even when those opinions differ, those values should never be compromised. Now I'm going to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Maturne. I moved to Belton in April after the election when my term as Pleasant Hill City Council was over. During my time in public service, I learned that transparency and accountability are essential to earning and maintaining the public's trust. As a citizen, now sitting in the audience instead of on the dais, I understand how important it is for residents to know that their elected officials are listening and speaking on our behalf. When citizens do not have the opportunity to address the council directly, it becomes even more important that council members ask these questions, seek clarification, and openly discuss the concerns that the people they represent. While serving on the Pleasant Hill Council, I did sign that petition to request the state audit because I believe accountability should never, ever be feared. It should be embraced. Over the past few months, I have observed meetings here in Belton and I have become concerned that the council too often defers to city staff rather than exercising its role as the governing body. City staff are there to provide expertise and carry out the policies and priorities established by you guys. The council, not the staff, is ultimately responsible for setting the direction of the city. Please remember that each of you was elected by the citizens of Belton to represent us, ask the difficult questions, and to ensure that decisions are made openly, respectfully, and in the best interest of our community. It's been five minutes. One more sentence, and I'm done. Transparency, accountability, and respectful dialogue are not obstacles to a good government. They are the foundation of it. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your comments. Number two, Steven Vaca.

Hey, council. On May 26, I stood here and told this council that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had put in writing that your Endangered Species Act requirements were not complete. I told you that the city's own consultant wrote on page 58 of its own memo, consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will be required under Section 7 of the ESA. I told you that the field survey used to justify the clearing of the ground was conducted in February of 2025 and the trees came down in March of 2026. I said it on May 26th and I said it again on June 9th. Nobody in this room can say they weren't told. Here's what you did not know on July 14th. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has assigned an enforcement file to the North Cass Parkway Extension. NWK 2026-00350. The Corps has confirmed in writing that it is exercising enforcement discretion. I came here on July 14th to tell you all that before you voted, and I was not permitted to speak. That same night, this council voted to accept $500,000 from Cass County for a project carrying an open federal enforcement file. And not one member of this body knew that the file existed. And I'd note, the East Creek Watershed sits inside Cass County. The county's stormwater permit comment period is open through August 28th. And I am submitting the same documentation to them. The commissioners who handed the Belton that $500,000 are going to learn about that file from the Corps engineers. The only question is whether they hear it from the city first. Now, part of this council actually has the power to fix tonight. On July 14th, the mayor told me I could not speak, and I have since asked the city three separate times in writing one question. Where is the written policy? I've been told the procedure exists. I've been pointed towards Chapter 2. I've been sent case citations. What I have never been given, not once across three formal requests, is the actual document. Here's what I have been given in writing by the city clerk on July 21st. Quote, the city's procedures require prior approval from the mayor before a person may speak. Prior approval from the mayor. Not a deadline, not a form, not a neutral rule administered by staff. Approval from one man. So I'm asking this council directly, and I want an answer on the record. Where is the written standard that governs that approval? What criteria does the mayor apply? What happens when he says no? Is there an appeal? Is there anything in writing at all that limits that discretion, or is it simply whatever he feels on any given Tuesday? Because if it's the second one, it's not procedure, that's a permission slip. The United States Supreme Court has addressed this precise question with Forsyth County v. Nationalist Movement and City of Lakewood v. Plain Dealer Publishing. When a government grants one official unrevealable authority over who may speak in a public forum with no published standard limiting that discretion, the policy is unconstitutional on its face. Not as applied, but on its face. Does not matter whether it is used fairly, it matters that it cannot be checked. This council created the personal appearances section. You were never required to have one. But the moment you opened this microphone to the public, you took on the obligation to run it under the rules that were written down, published, and applied to everyone identically. So produce the policy. Tonight or at the next meeting, show me the document. Show me the standard. Show me where a resident can read it to where they walk through the door. If it exists, I'll retract every word of this publicly and in writing. But if it doesn't exist, then the city has been enforcing an unwritten rule that permits one elected official to decide who is allowed to criticize. And that is the textbook definition of prior restraint. I've been called a man with a vendetta from this dais, and the only documented vendetta in the city's recent history has cost the Belton taxpayers a $375,000 settlement, $10,000 of it straight out of the general fund over a campaign promise to remove a city manager. I don't have a grudge. I have federal case numbers. Five open federal and state files. One project. Not one of them has ever appeared in a staff report to this council. Two asked and I'm finished. One, pull item H1. Read what the July 14th minutes say about a resident being denied public comment before you make that permanent record on a non-debatable motion. And two, direct staff to produce documents at the next meeting. The completed section seven consultation record with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and written confirmation from the US Army Corps of Engineers that file NWK 2026-350 is closed. If those documents exist, this ends. I'll say so publicly, and I'll mean it. If they do not exist, then this council has now appropriated public money twice for a project they cannot legally proceed, and the second time, someone made sure you didn't hear about it first. And I would rather be wrong about this than right, so produce the policy, ask for the documents. Thank you.

I was just going to note for the council and members of the public that public comment and personal appearances is not a forum for back and forth discussion between members of the public and the city council. It is instead just a time for the city council to hear comments from the public.

Item F, unfinished business. One, motion to approve final reading of bill 2026-33.

An ordinance approving the vacation of the subdivision plat of Spanish Villas Lots 128 through 212 in the City of Belton, Missouri.

Present. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Roll call, please.

Council Member Lawson? Aye. Johnson? Aye. White?

Aye.

Davidson? Yes. Bryan?

Aye.

McCallum? Aye. Mayor Larkey?

Aye.

Thompson? Yes.

Motion passes. Item two, motion approving the final reading of Bill 2026-34.

An ordinance approving a final plat for Mill Valley, a two-track subdivision on 22.67 more or less acres, generally located south of Mill Street, west of Lacey Lane, and north of West Sunrise Drive in the city of Belton, Missouri.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Councilmember Bryan?

Aye.

Davidson? No. Thompson? Yes. White?

Aye.

Johnson? Aye. McCallum? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Mayor Larkey?

Aye. Motion passes. Item 3, motion approving final reading of Bill 2026-35.

An ordinance approving a rezoning from C2 General Commercial to M1 Light Industrial for a more or less .85 acre portion of a 5.04 acre lot and approval of preliminary development plan for Freedom Flex, a 63,750 square foot commercial flex space and many warehouse development at the southwest corner of East 171st Street, 58 Highway and South Prospect Avenue.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Mayor Larkey? Aye. Council Member Johnson? Aye. Prayan? Aye. White?

Aye.

McCallum?

Aye.

Lawson? Aye. Thompson? Yes. Davidson? No.

Motion passes. Item 4, motion to approve and final reading of Bill 2026-36.

And ordinance approving a special use permit for a self-storage mini warehouse use on a 5.04 acre lot at the southwest corner of East 171st Street, 58 Highway and South Prospect Avenue.

Present. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Councilmember Thompson? Yes. Prayan?

Aye.

Davidson? No. Johnson? Aye. White? Aye. Lawson? Aye. McCallum? Aye. Mayor Larkey?

Aye. Motion passes. Item 5, motion approving the final reading of Bill 2026-37.

An ordinance approving a special use permit to allow a vehicle repair minor land use in a C2 general commercial zoning district at 116 Wilbur Parish Circle.

Present. Second. A motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Council Member Thompson. Yes. Mayor Larkey.

Yes.

Davidson. Yes. Pratt. Aye. White. Aye. Lawson. Aye. McCallum. Aye. Johnson. Aye.

Motion passes. Item 6, motion approving final reading of Bill 2026-38.

An ordinance authorizing the appropriation and revision of the City of Belton fiscal year 2027 adopted city budget.

Present. Second. Motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Councilmember McCallum?

Aye.

Johnson? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Davidson? Yes. Prion?

Aye.

Thompson? Yes. White? Aye. Mayor Larkey?

Aye. Motion passes. Item 7, motion approving the final reading of Bill 2026-39.

An ordinance accepting a Mid-America Regional Council contract and grant for services to individuals at the Belton Senior Center.

Present. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Council Member Lawson. Aye. Johnson. Aye. White.

Aye.

Davidson. Yes. Bryan.

Aye.

McCallum. Aye. Mayor Larkey.

Aye.

Thompson. Yes.

Motion passes. Eight. Motion approving final reading of Bill 2026-40.

An ordinance determining and declaring the necessity of acquiring for public use temporary construction easements, permanent easements, and right of way for drainage, utilities, and roadway improvements for the construction and maintenance of certain improvements to the city street system generally located on Markey Road from North Scott Avenue to Guerra Road in the city of Belton, Missouri, authorizing the city and its designees to negotiate for the purpose of acquiring the easements and property acquisition by contract or condemnation. and authorizing the city attorney and his designees to institute condemnation proceedings if such interest in land that cannot be required by purchase through good faith negotiations.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Go ahead.

I know Casey's not currently here at the moment, so I'm not sure who would be the right person to answer, but in terms of budget, can you please remind us what's been set aside for this plan?

For the condemnation and acquiring property?

Yeah.

It's approximately $1.8 million.

Thank you. I would also note that $1.8 million applies to the additional easements that are required, not going back and condemning out over the roadway that already exists in the area.

Yeah. OK. I understand that. Thank you. Anybody else?

Hearing none, roll call.

Councilmember Bryan?

Aye.

Davidson? No. Thompson? Yes. White? Aye. Johnson? Aye. McCallum?

Aye.

Lawson? Aye. Mayor Larkey?

Aye. Motion passes. G, new business, one motion approving first reading of Bill 2026-41.

An ordinance approving a rezoning from PR, Parks, Recreation, and Public Use, to BPR, Business Park Restricted, for a more or less 12.16 acre property, and approval of a preliminary development plan for a 99,000 square foot warehouse development at the southwest corner of West Markey Road and CB Road.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. You're up, sir.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. Before this evening is a request for approval of a rezoning from PR, Parks, Recreation, and Public Use, to BPR, Business Park Restricted, for property at the southwest corner of West Markey Road and CB Road. The total site covers 12.16 acres, with the north six acres already being partially developed with Built Industries and KPI Solutions existing facilities. Built and KPI are requesting approval of a preliminary development plan for a 99,000 square foot warehouse building to the south of their existing facility. The proposed site plan meets all site design, parking, and building design standards. Primary access to the site will be provided through the existing drive off of West Marquee Road with a shared access easement serving both buildings. A secondary emergency access is provided from CB Road, which is a private drive. That emergency access will be gated and will include engineered grass pavers for visible separation from CB Drive, but will still be capable of supporting emergency vehicles. The existing stormwater detention area will be expanded, and a second stormwater detention area will be installed on the south side of the new building. Building elevations in the packet include metal panels in three colors, and tilt up concrete panels in two colors with storefront entrances and clear story windows for visual interest. The landscaping plan meets all landscaping requirements including street trees along CB Drive, parking lot islands and landscaping, landscaping around new and expanded storm water areas, foundation plantings and screening of the loading docks from CB Drive. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 7th at which no one spoke in favor or in opposition to this request. Staff did receive one email in opposition to the request which was included in the agenda packet. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning of the preliminary development plan and staff also recommends approval of requests and happy to answer any questions.

Go ahead.

Can you go over why this was originally zoned as the parks and rec and open area?

Yeah, I don't have the full history on that. It's been under this. It was previously owned by the city of Belton, likely provided the city of Belton back when land was transferred from the federal government back in the 1980s. Most of that was likely zoned parks and rec and then was all rezone to business park at some point. The parks and rec and public space or public use was just kind of the catch all category for city owned properties at that time. Um, the original, the property of the north was rezoned to business park along with the entire west area. Um, about 100 acres to the west for marquee business park. This piece of property was still owned by the city and was not initially included in that for some reason. However, the city did coordinate with the current developer on selling that property back in 2017 and the property was replanted to include that in their property. It just was not rezoned at that time.

So, and then I heard you say 2017 was when, is that when KPI became the owner of it?

That's when they bought the South six acres. Um, they acquired the North six acres, I believe in 2004. Okay. So,

Between 2004 and 2017 is when they became the owner of that property. And that's the current, that's KPI is the current owner of the current business that's already there. And they're just expanding, correct?

Correct. There's two businesses currently. One's the manufacturing side and one is the warehouse side. And they're both expanding on the site.

Go ahead. Not that I don't trust you, Matt. Kevin, that was never intended to be a park. You don't want it as a park?

No. It was now, especially since the public, the works service entrance is there. I mean, it kind of separates the park land from park land, so there's really no use. So we never maintained the land, and we just deemed it as unusable for anything in the future. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead.

And just to follow up on that, Kevin, and also to the city manager, when we designated parkland previously in this council by ordinance, this property was not included in that designation. Is that correct?

Correct.

All right. And then, Matt, I know there's housing around that new development or the new warehouse part of this, correct? I mean, there's the ballparks, but there's some stuff.

So to the south is the public works facility. So the nearest residential development is at least 850 feet south of the south property line of this development.

And there's no concerns about light, noise, additional traffic?

No.

And I think the representation was this will create some additional jobs for the community. Is there an estimate of how many additional jobs would be created?

The applicant is here. I don't know if they have an estimate or can speak the the development team is here I don't know if the they can speak for the actual business operation and if we can't I understand that just asking the question No, and I don't come up to them like Sorry, it's gonna get picked up on the video

And I am the architect, Will Dubois, and no, I don't have a specific number, but this is, you know, a similar size facility. It's going to really expand their capabilities. They're very excited about it. So I don't have a good number for you exactly, but I know that they are very excited.

Thank you.

Anybody else? Can you explain in 2017 when we replanted it why we didn't rezone it?

So typically when we don't rezone a property until we know what the actual use is, we don't want to rezone a property and then potentially have a development plan that comes forward that we don't have any way of weighing in on some of the conditions that come with a rezoning that are a little bit more specific than what comes along with a development plan.

Anybody else? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item 2, motion approving first reading of Bill 2026-42.

An ordinance approving a final plat for Built Industries and KPI Solutions Industrial Park, a two-lot subdivision on Moralesh 12.16 acres, located at the southwest corner of West Markey Road and CB Road in the city of Belton, Missouri.

Present. Second. I have a motion and a second. Anybody? You're up.

Yep. Before this evening is a final plat for Built Industries and KPI Solutions Industrial Park, which is a replat of two lots at the southwest corner of West Markey Road and CB Road covering 12.16 acres. This replat shifts the dividing lot line 130 feet to the north to increase the size of the south lot. It also dedicates the required drainage easements, access easements, and utility easements to serve both properties. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the final plat on July 7th, and staff also recommends approval.

Any questions? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Item three, motion approving first reading of Bill 2026-43.

An ordinance approving an amended development and maintenance agreement between the City of Belton and RPNT Autumn Woods Holding LLC for public and private improvements in the Autumn Woods subdivision.

Present. Second. We have a motion, a second. You're up.

Yep. Before you this evening is a request for approval of an amended development and maintenance agreement for the Autumn Woods subdivision, which is located north of West Markey Road and west of the Smoky Hill Railroad. Um, a red line copy of the requested amendments was included in the packet and for reference. So you can see exactly what was changed. Um, a new developer acquired the property after the previous developer made amendments to the previous development plan, plat and agreement in 2024. Uh, the new developer has requested to undo the previous amendment, uh, that required each unit to have an individual water meter rather than a shared meter for the entire development. The new developer would like to continue the development as originally approved with the single meter. However, we'll still follow the revised development plans that were approved in 2024 that made some improvements to landscaping, the amenity package, and driveway expansions. This agreement also adds a requirement to the developer will be responsible for payment of the monthly trash service for all units to ensure that that service fee is collected by all units. And if approved, a revised final plot will be required to recombine all the lots and tracks back into a single lot. Again, no modifications to the approved development plan have been proposed or being considered. There are currently five buildings that may still be permitted before infrastructure for the second phase is installed. To keep the project moving forward, staff recommends approval of the changes as requested and agreed to by the applicant.

Any questions? Go ahead.

I know that we use water bills for rental inspection. And if it's still a big one shoe fits all over there, how will that? how would that affect us knowing who's in and out of those apartments when it happens?

Um, so we, we will work with the developer on, on, on getting those registered and making sure that they are, um, being inspected. Uh, the bigger challenge that we've had with trash service is actually tied, is tied closely to the water bill. Um, and that's where we've been having the bigger challenges getting the trash bills paid.

I, okay. But that's still, I mean, we, we, think that they'll let us know when people have moved out of those apartments. We hope that we, they'll let us know.

I mean, that's kind of what we're, we're working off of right now. We're still trying to make improvements to tracking exactly when people are in and out of apartments. Um, and so there's some improvements that need to be made on that, but that's something that we are actively working with the landlords on and usually we've had better compliance with the larger complexes.

Okay. And we feel that all those apartments now are within our system so we know when they move out now?

Yes. I didn't pull that data before, but we'll definitely double check and follow up on that. Okay. Thank you.

Go ahead. Following up on that same train of thought there, kind of the idea behind the rental inspection program to begin with was to ensure that companies were doing as they were saying in regard regarding rentals right so we're kind of going backwards here from that perspective and that we're just you know saying oh where you think it's you know we'll take your word on it kind of a thing and can you talk a little bit about why we can't go a meter on each unit

The biggest challenge for the developer is the cost of going back and retrofitting. Both the cost and just the headache of trying to go in there and retrofit all those, extend the water, basically install all the water meters and retrofit those units to the single meters. I mean, that's their biggest concern is having to go back there and retrofit all those.

How many are there?

I believe that there are 39 that have been built so far, 39 units.

Out of?

Out of 101 that I believe were approved. So over a third, 40% completed.

Can you talk a little bit more about why it's problematic with the trash? getting that service lined up?

So, uh, typically the, the trash service is connected to the water bill. So when a customer comes in, um, opens up a new water account for service, they also open their trash account service. Um, and larger complexes, um, that have apartments, they're responsible for their own trash service, but under the code, anything with four or fewer, units in a building are required to have the city individual residential trash service.

Can you say that again?

So under the code, because the way that they have triplexes, they are required to have individual trash cans for each unit instead of a communal dumpster like an apartment complex would be. So we have to collect that trash service bill for each one of those units. And since it's all on one meter, it's easy for those to fall through the cracks.

So, so isn't that the same problem as with the rental inspection? How will we know if we're following the ordinance and getting collecting the revenue from the track?

Well, we, we have the same issue with the rental inspection in terms of water. There's a lot of larger complexes that, they don't have individual water service for each unit. So that's where we're relying on and we're working towards getting an agreement with Evergy to where Evergy will provide us reports of their turn on and turn off services because even though they may not have individual water accounts with the city, typically the landlord does require individual electricity accounts for each unit. And that's the easier way to track rental turnover in the larger complexes. But we don't have that agreement yet. We don't.

Yeah, thank you for the reminder because I forgot about that. How, I mean, what's the ETA on that?

So essentially what we need to do is we need to have a legal opinion on that before Evergy will accept that. So that's something that we'll just work with Patrick on putting together that we can then provide. They need essentially a judgment to of where we can ask for that information and we can base that off of our ordinance.

So I'm sorry if we can't obtain that information through Evergy, is there a backup plan to determine how we get that information?

Not at this time other than just monitoring move ins and move outs, but that's obviously very difficult to catch. Um, but between, I mean Evergy, is the best way to go for the complexes that aren't on individual water meters.

I would also note for the council in regards to Evergy's request for some sort of ordinance or other law stating that they can provide the city with that information, having won this development agreement also would buttress that argument when we go and take them the rental inspection program and say we need to, this is being done in furtherance of this legislatively adopted code section because of this unique situation with the one water meter. This development and maintenance agreement has provided an additional framework to ensure that all the properties are suitable under the rental inspection program. Go ahead.

We've talked about this a good bit ago, where we were going to talk to Evergy about this. I'm not at all comfortable with this. I think monitoring who moves in and out is something. But I would prefer to have the Evergy thing settled before we agree to put a one-meter thing in there. I just think that that's kind of a little bit too loose for me for rental inspection.

Go ahead. Go ahead, Councilman.

Just a follow-up to the city attorney. Is there any precedent or any other cities that have done something like this so that we know that this is solid ground for us?

There is no reported case law, but directly on point. But obviously, when it comes to public law, there is usually not reported case law directly on point. So instead, we have to utilize additional resources, specifically, for example, with Evergy. You also have a franchise agreement with them to put together the framework that will get them to the place that they are comfortable with ensuring that they provide us with the information we need to enforce our code.

Do you feel confident that you'll be able to obtain that?

I feel confident that I will be able to talk to their attorney and hopefully get them to the point that I need them to be. Go ahead.

Are they willing to accept any penalty? The developer? Penalty in... For if they don't follow the rules of the rental inspection by letting us know?

I mean, I would assume so. We can enforce our code. And if there's outstanding questions, the developer isn't here. So if there are additional questions, we can make sure that the developer is here at the next meeting to respond to those.

You got something else? No, that's it. Go ahead.

Let's keep in mind, if we go the other way and make them put in water meters, they're not going to be nice guys and just do that. They're going to pass it on to their renters. And rent's already high enough.

So someone asked why they don't want to do this and you said to refit those 32. Why can't we keep it to where the new ones have to be single meters and then 32 can stay on their own and we can just worry about those 32 and moving forward any rental property should have their own meter?

That is something that we can ask the developer and get their or thoughts on if that's something that they would be comfortable moving forward with.

I don't think this body feels comfortable with, with one meter and trying to keep the rental inspection program going for 101 units.

I was actually going to go the same place you were going there and suggest that is there not a way we can, you know, understand that retrofitting is a lot more expensive than as you're working forward. And you know, we do obviously have an interest in getting this completed, um, for various reasons. Um, And this may only apply to electricity, but I do have a question that might be probably a legal question. Is this, how would the billing take place then? Do they break it up or is it going to be included in the rent? I mean, legally, can't they not break it up if you don't know what each individual user is doing? For the trash service or for the water? No, for the water.

So again, that is a developer-based question and any legality of their billing practices is strictly and solely a private matter between them and the state of Missouri and their renters. But I would note that this practice of a joint billing practice for utilities is not uncommon. For example, my last apartment had it as well. So I do believe that based on the fact that this developer also owns additional other multifamily residences, I'm assuming at least a few of them also have a single meter that there is an internal practice that they have developed. I know in my case it was It was added on as essentially like an additional rent line item. Mine was gas, not water, but that was what was provided.

Well, and I think legally, to that point, I think legally you can do it. You just can't do it in a way in which you're trying to then predict which each unit uses, right? You say, oh, Unit A is using a lot more water than Unit B. I'm charging Unit A more. That's the legality. That's my understanding anyways.

Yeah, essentially it has to be based on some reasonable factors outside of just guesses. So, for example, if you have a one-bedroom unit instead of a two-bedroom unit, generally you would assume that the two-bedroom unit would end up using more water because there would be more people living in it and so on and so forth. But you are correct that just a blanket, everybody is paying the exact same regardless of unit size, unit location, lawn, services provided in the interior when it comes to bathrooms, laundry, all that sort of stuff, that is something that is generally frowned upon.

All right. And this is, I just want to make sure before I go to vote on this, this is an ordinance, correct? Which requires a second reading if we do pass tonight.

Yes. And then I would additionally state that as an ordinance, it has the effect of law and it would be placed onto this property and in all successors to the developer as well would be bound by its terms and it would be a running covenant that would show up in title reports.

I have an idea that might fix this. I make a motion to postpone this until the next meeting with the person here that can answer all these questions.

Second. Can I restate that motion for you?

I would like to postpone this motion until the next meeting that the owner can attend and answer all our questions.

So just again for the council's clarification, this is a motion to postpone, potentially not to the next meeting, but to the next meeting where the developer is available to come in and speak with the council.

Correct.

Second. That is my motion.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on a motion to postpone?

I was just going to say I didn't talk, but that's fine.

Any discussion on the motion to postpone?

I think postponing is a potentially good idea. I was thinking already that we kind of have a two-week buffer built in to potentially then that's why we have those second readings, but maybe even better is just a postponement, so I can get behind that.

I like the postponement as well, and I would like to have some of the rental inspection questions answered if we could too, please.

Anybody else on the motion to postpone? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Item 4, motion approving first reading of Bill 2026-44.

An ordinance readopting ordinance number 91-2073 as amended, establishing a procedure to disclose potential conflict of interest and substantial interest for certain municipal officials.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Yes, the Missouri Ethics Commission requires municipalities with an annual operating budget of more than $1 million to bi-annually readopt their conflict of interest ordinance. It's easiest to readopt this each year though. Belton's ordinance was adopted in 1991 and readopted each year. It's codified in Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances.

Any questions? Just as a reminder, could we get a definition of substantial personal or private interest from the legal perspective? Pulling up the statute right now. All right. Sorry.

It does say in our code that elected officials and all persons within the first degree of consanguinity of such person if they have a transaction with the city of $500 or more within the year.

It's a transaction of $500 or a cumulative total of $5,000 over multiple transactions.

And so that's what the quantifying of substantial is? Yes. And personal or private, essentially it It's what it's saying is if you're involved in a business or if you just personally have.

So again, with the business, it also depends on ownership, for example, or any rights that you might have to dividends or disbursements or other things like that. Because obviously, for example, there have been times where I've represented people that have had that. the City Council or the Board of Aldermen or the governing body has had an official that worked for Spire or Avergy or other regulated utilities. Then technically under that, if you're involved with the business, you have to step aside. Anytime we requested road work that involved them having to relocate, that would potentially be triggered. There is a more direct benefit than just working for.

I just think it's good to have that reminder put in front of us, that's all. Anybody else?

Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Item five, motion approving resolution 2026-71.

A resolution approving event street closure memorandums of understanding.

Present. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Yes.

At the July 14th work session, the revised MOUs for event street closures were discussed. These two MOUs in the packet tonight, one for the nonprofit, one for the for-profit, are the result of that conversation. They were revised according to that conversation last meeting.

Any discussion?

Go ahead. Just to confirm, if I'm recalling correctly, the MOU for nonprofits, did we state that police officers and security would not be waived or that the city council could vote to sponsor the event in total and not charge them for that?

For nonprofits, the cost of city services is included in The MOU. Fully waived. Yes, that's correct. In Exhibit B, it will show the value of all of those items.

So there's no question whether we are or whether we're not.

Correct.

I recalled that we had... No, that got brought up and we talked about it and I thought we agreed for her to change it to where we would waive even the security fee.

That's correct.

Yes, specifically, I'm just following up on that. Just specifically, we had talked about there was a long-standing agreement even prior to any fee discussion or whatever that those involved, the hosts were paying for specifically nighttime security, I believe it was identified as. That was also part of the waiver. That's correct.

Anybody else? Go ahead.

So if you're on a board, are you allowed to vote?

Because of the generalities of this, it is not so specifically designed. It affects all non-for-profits in a similar manner. It does not pull out one non-for-profit or non-for-profit for specific beneficiary treatment. So there is not an issue with potential conflicts of interest.

When we voted on the MOU for the ball fest, People just recuse themselves, so why would this be different?

Because this is less of a specific and more of a general, this is the new process for not-for-profits, period. It is not, this is the new process for not-for-profits that are downtown.

You want to say something?

I don't know. There's no harm in recusing, correct?

Again, there is never harm in recusing. Obviously, I would always suggest recusal if there is an appearance of impropriety or an appearance of conflict. So that is up to the council. But I would note that we do not, when it comes to recusals, Based on specifically contracts, because we are setting a policy or rule that applies to all entities that somebody might be a member of a board of, does not mean that you have to recuse yourself. I would hazard to guess that while we have specifically dealt with several here, Most members of the city council are probably involved in some sort of not-for-profit board, just period. Whether or not you are on a school board, whether or not you are involved in something like that, under that kind of interpretation where if you are a member of a not-for-profit, you have to recuse yourself, I believe we would be below even a quorum at that point. And then based on that, we could never change the rule. And so the rule would be based strictly and solely on what was already adopted until a quorum of council members resigned from positions related to not-for-profits.

I'm going to recuse myself based on being involved in the Belt and Railroad.

I'll recuse myself for basically being involved in the Belt and Railroad.

I'm involved with the coalition. I'm also on the Hope Haven Board of Directors, so I'll recuse myself as well.

I'm not on any. Anybody else? OK. Go ahead.

Go ahead. Never mind. Go ahead. This is about helping the nonprofits. do things to be able to host things downtown. Is that correct?

CHRIS RODGERS. Host things anywhere in the city. It's a general thing to cover everything. You either go the nonprofit route the way it's set up or you go the for-profit route the way it's set up. That way there's no question each and every time this comes to the council. Anybody else?

I would say just to clarify, if we approve these two separate MOUs and the city clerk gets an application from a nonprofit that meets all the criteria, fills out all the forms, the event street closure and city support will be done and it will not come back to the council, correct? No, the MOU will still be presented to the council for approval, but there won't be the cost for city services. Gotcha. So that would be the opportunity for anyone directly involved in nonprofit boards or the events themselves to recuse themselves?

Yes, those would be individually specific event MOUs versus, like Patrick said, this very general process that we're looking at tonight. Sure. Thank you.

Anybody else? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? No. Motion fails.

Can I ask a question?

Yes, you can.

So we just voted to charge nonprofits. Correct. So we hold nonprofits to all of the charges, the police, the security, all of that stuff. That's what we just voted to do. Okay. Just wanted to make sure that people understood that.

Yes, we did. H, consent agenda. One motion, none available to approve the recommendation noted. Any member of the council may ask for an item to be taken from the consent agenda for discussion and separate action. Present. Second. We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Reports and information, you have that. Communication from city council. We're going to start over here with Mr. White. Thank you. I'm used to being the last one.

So a Ward 4 meeting will be scheduled for next Monday at 6.30 at the Senior Citizens Center.

So do you want to say anything?

Oh, okay. So all Ward 4, please come. And if you want to come, just come anyway.

More the merrier. Council Member Thompson.

I had a wonderful vacation in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and I was very glad to be home.

Council Member Davidson.

I went to the car show. Very hot. Very, very hot. And I just want to ask Joe, I know you're going to not like this, but I looked on the garbage can website that we had toters. And they said their garbage cans were 100% recyclable. Can you find out?

Take this separate with him after the meeting or during the day.

I just wanted to know that.

I know, but this is not a question and answer. This is just for you to report on your award. Do you have anything else?

No.

You're up, sir. Nothing.

You're up. If you look at the reports and information agenda packet, you'll see travel training, economic development committee meeting minutes. At the next council meeting, you will see a proposed policy for travel training and economic development for the council. And we can get into it then, but I am excited to get everyone's thoughts and get that adopted. And then I'll just mention that the high blue hurricanes... in their inaugural season won the South Suburban Swim League Championship at Butler. And like I said, this is three coaches dealing with swimmers from ages six to 18. And it was just a really fantastic showing by our youth. Thanks.

Good. Council Member McCallum.

Yeah, just give a shout out to everyone that came out to the cruise night despite, I don't know, 100 plus degree weather that it was. I went down there and I was pleasantly surprised that at least half the street was filled up. update from the TDD board. Just wanted to give a reminder that while the road may look complete from the sides, it is not complete. There are still barriers up, and they are up for a reason. Not only are there barriers, Not only is there also a bridge involved and safety from that aspect, but of course people are still working there. Still anticipated to be done in the fall. And so please, please do not try to use the road until it's officially open. Okay, from a parks perspective, just a couple things. So I'm gonna try and do like kind of a park board update and then events. So from, I had previously mentioned that they were looking into selecting their financial chair. That has taken place. That was Dave Clark was selected. For the finance committee and their full list of the park board members and the committees that they are on is available through either the video or the minutes. Julie Collins is a employee that was honored for having worked there for 15 years. So congratulations, Julie. The Cleveland Lake parking lot was put out to bid. There were six companies that arrived and none of them ended up bidding on it, which is a unique situation to be in, whether they thought it was too small of a job or whatever the situation was. My understanding is Parks is now working with Public Works to try and get something tacked on to a different project, that kind of thing. So just an update there, because I know that gets asked frequently. And the other thing upcoming is Memorial Park parking lot is being scheduled for a crack and fill and sealing. So just be on the lookout for that. And there'll be work being done. So watch where you're driving over there. Okay, and then going into kind of some reminders, upcoming events, that kind of thing. The farmer's market is ongoing every Thursday from 4 to 7. The fall sports registration is ending soon, so if that's something you're interested in, make sure you go ahead and get registered. And then there are events coming up, but in the interest of not being too repetitive, I am not going to repeat any of them because I have already stated all of them. So more details on any of the events is on the website or on the Facebook. All right.

Council Member Johnson.

I hope everybody's seen the Facebook post from the police department and fire department about the school supply drive. There's a challenge with the police and fire in Raymoor. My understanding is that someone will be at Target on August 1st to help collect school supplies. Am I reading that correctly? So I would encourage everybody to make a donation for school supplies. It's hard to believe that school's about ready to start again. But those are very important so that we can have children have everything they need to start the school year And so I appreciate police and fire for putting that together And just hope everybody stayed safe during all this really hot weather because it was miserable I didn't want to go out and I feel sorry for anybody who had to be out because they were working or otherwise So hope everybody stayed safe and I didn't cleanse my 50th high school class reunion a couple of weeks ago in Sweet Springs, Missouri And we had 60% of our class attend, so I was really excited about that. And their main street is being redeveloped, and so saw a lot of really cool stuff, and it still has the original brick street from when the city was founded.

Just real quick, go back. Could we get a plug maybe on how to donate to the supplies and whatnot?

I'm glad you asked. We got flyers all over the place. You can give it the police department or the fire department, station one or station two. We're taking donations out in the field. I know we've got people in and out of Target on a regular basis. I think me and Deputy Chief Hallie Abdelgawad are going to be at Target on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And we're going to have a competition between the two of us who can raise the most school supplies. And I think I've got to jump on him.

Anybody else? All right. At the August 11th council meeting, a resolution was presented, and that copy of that resolution is proposed resolution is on your dios to establish a 2027-2028 charter review commission. Like I said, there's a draft on your dios. It's required every 10 years by the current charter, Section 15.8. There will be 12 members. That's what was on it 10 years ago. The proposal is each council person will pick one from their ward, and the mayor will pick one from each ward. Members will be appointed in September, and the first commission meeting will be in November. So that'll be on August 11th. Any questions? If you have now or you can call me later, either way. Moving forward, I don't know if you saw that Casey sent out the first quarter financial report with the new software for our budget, so take a look at that. It's a lot thinner than the budget because she took out all the charts and graphs. I know you won't like that, but but just to make it thinner to be able to read and understand. So that should be in your email. So that's all I have. Go ahead.

Yeah, just to double up on the financial reports, if there's something specifically you guys would like us to include that's not being included or a way of presenting that you think would be more helpful, please bring that to me so we can start, you know, we're willing to do a trial and error to get what you guys want and hope and expect out of these reports. So there's that. And then I just wanted to, um, there's been some public discussion about, um, either a camping ordinance or something to deal with, you know, folks that are that are living outside and they're allowed to buy a private property owner. Um, And we are working on an ordinance rather than doing it based on camping, which could encompass and kind of envelop folks that we wouldn't want to envelop in that. We're going to take a tact of trying to define habitation more closely and more stringently. And that would essentially bring, if we can define habitation in a more meaningful way to address some of these types of issues, then it will be contingent on the property owner to ensure that anybody living on their property has the proper things as required by code for any rental unit or any property. residential unit, essentially. So basic services, water, heat, four walls and a roof, those types of things. So that's how we're going to approach that. And so you can expect to have something to review for your next council meeting.

All right. Isn't it nothing else? I'll back up in that packet also is the draft of the application. and also is a current copy of the current charter, so he didn't see that. Item M, items for review and discussion. Number one, APCO, Emergency Medical Dispatch Agreement. You look a little younger, Chief Sapp.

Yeah, I've got nothing. Good evening. Yeah, I'm here, obviously, for Chief Sapp tonight to discuss the APCO and Telecom. It's an item that you guys are going to be seeing on a future agenda, hopefully in the next meeting or the one after very soon, to provide emergency medical dispatching services. It's a software. APCO and Telecom is a software guide card system, is what they call it, that integrates with the CAD system that we implemented about, man, I think we're going on two years now with it. And so it will upgrade the dispatcher's ability to provide pre-arrival instructions, medical information, or guidance to callers. The current system that we're using is outdated. It's old. It's literally a PDF file that they have to go through moving to a system that would be fully integrated. And it kind of moves with the questions that they answer and how they answer to give them guidance. It's not just medical information that it provides, though. It can be used for fire type incidents, law enforcement incidents to help allocate correct resources more efficiently than us making decisions on the fly. It is an agreement that will come before you. It is something that's coming from the ESB level. as part of a dispatch service. And so, yeah, given a heads up, an opportunity to ask questions about this prior to that. We're still waiting on some legal terminology to kind of get flushed out before it fully comes forward. So it does go to all PSAPs or dispatch centers. So it is a global system that integrates. Yeah, I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can any questions go ahead Do we know what the surrounding cities are doing then are they are we anticipating they're gonna be doing something similar So it is it's a it's the same agreement. So it's the same software and since it's a global CAD system It's a global guide card system. So it's not like one can plug in and one can can't. And so it's kind of coming, coming forward of this is historically the ESB has provided EMD through a system that is no longer able, one is antiquated and old, but it's no longer licensed to outside agencies. And so they had to come up with a new one. And this was one of three that was presented and the committee looked at them and recommended this one.

When you say the committee, the ESB committee?

The ESB committee, there's a subcommittee as well, a technical review committee, a PSAP committee, and so it's been recommended through them.

Who do we have on that committee?

We have several that attend, myself, Chief Sapp, Deputy Chief, a couple others that go down to it.

Anybody else? Thank you, sir. Item two, auto auction business license tax.

Mr. Mayor and Council, what I just passed out is a draft of a potential ordinance and I wanted to start this conversation about possibly putting a business license tax on the ballot in April. to capture the growing use of city infrastructure in use of large scale auto auctions and direct to consumer auto sales. We have a couple of users up on the north end of our community that Heck, they were given incentives and haven't even paid full property tax values since they started at the city. The hope is to help capture a fair amount from them to help us handle the infrastructure needs of the city. A lot of trucks from some of those types of facilities are going through our streets on a daily basis. The question is, do we want to pursue this or not? We don't have to answer that question today. I'm not planning to bring this back for an ordinance to go on the ballot next meeting. We have until January to put something on the ballot, so I just wanted to start the conversation. We can start it publicly, see if there's appetite for this. The potential for something like this would be huge. There are a lot of vehicles. It's our understanding that there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,300 vehicles per week. coming through our city streets. That's a lot of infrastructure wear and tear. And so if we could find a way to help allow those users to pay their fair share for our infrastructure needs, and it could provide the revenue necessary to ensure that everybody has up-to-date streets, sidewalks, those types of things. We could include parks. There's a lot of potential revenue here if we decided to pursue this route. Glad to answer any questions at this point. Again, this is the beginning of a conversation.

Go ahead.

So we would designate where things would go? Okay.

So from a From an authority and ballot language perspective, the city as a charter city has obviously all authority that the Missouri legislature can grant to cities. So from the business license kind of tax mindset, the city has actually already utilized that authority in its business license tax for hotel operators that is currently used to fund economic development. Hotel operators are not one of the enumerated businesses listed in 94, 110, and the statutes related to third and fourth class cities. So when it comes to determining, one, where the revenue goes, and also defining what is the base, defining what is the actual tax, and then defining who all you are capturing within this area purely up to you all as long as we obviously do not utilize it in a discriminatory manner. Go ahead.

And it would protect our local mom and pop car organization, correct? And it

We can craft it to do so, potentially. Now, the draft that you're looking at right now does not have any carve-outs. That's why, again, it's a draft. It's a working draft. And the draft is, I think, it asks for 5% of whatever the the sales eventually of that car that takes place or vehicle that takes place. We could put a restriction to where this affects any business that does this much commerce via these avenues. For instance, if we wanted to put a 500 minimum to where businesses that So fewer than 500 vehicles per month, you know are exempt from this tax And so it's only the users that are really putting a strain on the infrastructure And do you do you know Joe when they have been how long have they been tax exempt?

How long ago was were the incentives given to them? Do you have any idea?

Whenever they opened their business which was a I think we are, this was a Chapter 353, which was 15 years of 100%, 10 years of 100, and then you guys said 15 at 50. So they have, at this point, not paid an entire share of the property tax allocable to that property since they've moved to Belton.

Which is a significant amount of years, correct? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So anyhow, so that, I think that has, you know, I like the idea that we could protect our local mom and pop car dealers. I like that. I like the fact that we've certainly given this company, you know, plenty of grace and incentives. So I like the idea that we put into the question. I like the fact that we possibly could earmark what this revenue that we collect would be used for. I think that's a win-win for the citizens of Belton.

Go ahead. You use the term users for my maybe not as informed self. When we're talking users, what does that entail? Because when I look at this and read through this, I could easily see this question being misinterpreted to think that it's going to affect me in some way as a person who's going to live here in Belton and have an automobile. So can you define what you mean by users?

Well, just from a specific standpoint, the question as it's written right now relates only to agents and dealers that sell or cause to be sold automobiles. So if you are not in the business of selling automobiles, you are not subject to it. Also, additionally, a business license is a privilege to do business, so if you are just a member of the community that owns a car, you do not need a business license to own your car, so there would be no, the tax would not be effective at that point.

So this is only going, this is essentially only affecting those that sell automobiles at a at a high rate not if I sold mine to you know Joe well and again that would not be the business occupation that because I'm just a personal sale okay and How can we talk about how do we protect a small business on North Scott that sells cars? The one we just approved not too long ago, they're going to start selling cars very infrequently. How are they protected?

That's why I mentioned that we could put a minimum threshold that a business would have to meet before they're subjected to the business license tax. For instance, not to give away anybody's specifics, but I know that one of the larger car dealers in our area is not doing more than 200 to 300 cars a month. If we had a restriction that When above that, it wouldn't affect any of the mom and pops that are selling five, ten cars a week or a month or whatever. They would essentially be exempt from it.

Okay. To me, that's going to be very important to be included in this to make sure we're not adversely impacting small business.

In addition, there can even be, because there's no statute that directs us on how to impose a tax such as this, so it is truly up to your discretion in kind of crafting that but something that has been approved by courts is a kind of bracketing where it is, you know, X amount up to X. And then once you go above X from Y to Z, it is a different percentage. Um, that is done specifically the city of Lee summit has a business license tax on home builders. They're the only, uh, city I know of in the state that has that. And it is based on like the amount of, homes you are building with it bracketed towards as you build more homes, the tax does increase. That's an interesting side note. Yeah, that is one that I always have in my back pocket.

Go ahead.

The way I understand the way it's worded, it's wholesale agents and dealers that cause automobiles to be sold at wholesale and via online direct purchase. So that would most likely protect our local businesses unless they begin selling automobiles online. I think the intent is to cover the online, we're catching the online purchases primarily.

And again, the ballot language was just drafted so that you would have kind of an example in front of you. Obviously, wherever this ends up, that's up to your prerogative. Kind of the key about the online sales was that continued attempt to capture online sales post-Wayfair. That has been a bugaboo and a municipal area of interest since I've been in practice. And so obviously once we start doing anything that would regulate a brick and mortar, who obviously a brick and mortar is already in town, right? They're employing people in town. They own a business in town that then they're presumably would be property taxes paid unless they were in a similar circumstance as the large user up in the north. But we could make sure that our mom and pop businesses, while not being protective because we don't pass ordinances in a protective manner, we instead just want to make sure that the playing field is level for those entities in competing against the bigger entities that have the ability to get around some of the stuff that we would impose.

Yeah, I want to be abundantly clear there as well as on what you're saying. That's exactly the thought process of how are these mom and pops going to be able to compete, stay in business, and even continue to operate if this kind of thing. So anyways. Go ahead.

Is the 5%, is that standard? Is that pretty much what other cities do?

That is the standard for when you are a statutory city that has a specific statutory authorization. 5% is very common. Business license taxes, in most instances, the biggest ones are on our utilities and then telecommunications companies. Most other business license taxes do not generate the revenue to really be dealing with them in a significant amount. If you look at any litigation involving business license taxes, it is always one of the parties is going to be Laclede Gas, Spire, MGE, one of the telecommunications companies, Evergy, Ameren, KCPNL. But so 5% is the standard. I do believe that is the city's current standard. gross receipts business license tax on utilities at this point and is also what is currently imposed on hotels but again kind of like I said earlier where we have pretty much unencumbered freedom to draft how we want to do this we don't have to base it on 5% of gross receipts we don't have to base it On that, there are other methods that courts have upheld, and now my computer died. But specifically, they've looked at flat fees. They've looked at per transaction. There's a lot of different ways, as long as it is reasonable and is not the attempt to discriminate via business licensing.

CHRIS RODGERS. Anybody else? Go ahead. CHRIS RODGERS.

Fine.

We can't get this on the August ballot? I'm serious. Why not? CHRIS RODGERS.

Because it's next week?

MIKE BOYLE. Yeah. So there was a deadline, and we missed that deadline. So we have to wait till the next possible.

CHRIS RODGERS. So to put something on the ballot, it is 12 Tuesday notice is what is required to be sent to the election authority. Obviously, this is an idea and a concept that City staff has discussed, but we have not been to the point where something could be presented. Realistically, having this time to not only speak with members of the public, but also for the council to mull it over. There's also a privileged memorandum that you will receive from me that kind of explains this in a little bit more depth as towards our legal parameters. Giving council the time and staff the time and the public the time to digest it. is important, especially because this would be a unique, it would be a unique thing, just like Lee Summit, the place that builds the most homes, having a tax on home builders.

Thank you. I very much appreciate the fact that there's a, I know it's not the same, apples to apples, but at least similar model that we know is used not that far away. I think that's helpful to know, and I think the other thing that's going to be important besides just the, you know, making sure it's competitive for small businesses. But also, I think communication, like anything we've talked about before, is going to be key, right? Because it's easy to look at something and not fully understand it.

Yeah, and one of the reasons we're doing this right now and this far in advance from January and didn't try to rush it for August is we do think that this is a tax, right? I mean, and so the public needs to understand what that is. I mean, it's a big deal. Anytime you see the word tax, Rightfully so, the public says, okay, wait a minute, what's going on here? How's this going to work? How's this going to affect me? And so we need to provide as much transparency and time for folks to digest this as possible. And so I think that giving us that leeway is going to be helpful in that regard.

Yeah, exactly. It's a tax, but... I don't know if this is the right word and if it's not, but it's essentially like a, think of it more of like a corporate tax is how I'm thinking about it anyways.

So all business license taxes are corporate taxes. Every time you see on your bill that a telecommunications company has charged you a city tax, that is their decision to pass that on. Um, that is not the city's taxes based on purely their gross receipts and what they can use to pay for the operation of their business. In fact, there is ongoing litigation because when you calculate the, the base for gross receipts, the amount that the companies are charging the businesses or the customers, and then keeping that since that is not a tax collection, that should also be included in the base. So say they collect 5% of $100, their base is not 100, their base is 105. So for members of the public, that is a very key thing to make sure that everybody understands is that when a business passes that tax on, that is not coming from the city. That is the business's decision that they would rather have their customers pay it and increase their base that the tax is imposed against than pay the tax based off of what they already have.

Go ahead.

I like the idea that we can specifically say what this money could be used for when we're trying to tell the public that we're implementing this and this is what's going to benefit from us putting this in place. I like that.

Anybody else? All right.

Item three, code enforcement. Mr. Mayor and Council, on the dais before you, before the meeting there was a couple of areas of code that were printed out for specifically section 14 of our code of ordinances discussing things like, you know, penalties for issues for code enforcement violations. I just wanted to start this conversation with you all because I have had some push from some council members to increase our level of code enforcement in the community, um, to be more restrictive in terms of, you know, to the letter of what the code says. And, and that's okay. I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page here. Um, there's specific instances that we've noticed that I'd like to get your guys' feedback on, um, that there are a lot of issues in the community. Um, pushing on some of these issues or even rewriting the code a little bit to address some of these issues could create some some pushback from the community and so i want to make sure we're aware of this before we go into this then then just you know try to up this and then have the public you know, public feedback and then all of a sudden we're all caught off guard. Um, whatever new enforcement efforts that we undertake, I would like to take the approach that we, uh, you know, first of all, our neighborhood improvement officers, they're very communicative. They're very much, we'll give you a warning. Well, you know, you have an issue, we'll, we'll try to educate you on what's going on. Um, If you need an extension for a legitimate reason, we're going to give you, you know, an extension. I mean, we really want to have a compassionate level of code enforcement when it comes to that. We want to make sure that we don't, we aren't, you know, this isn't a heavy-handed government here. This is just trying to ensure that everybody has a safe and a protected property value environment for the properties that they own. So some of the instances I would like to see some feedback on, they're technically in the codes, things like driveways. There are a lot of properties in this city that they don't have a formal driveway. and maybe at some point they might have had a rock or a gravel driveway. Maybe the grass overgrowth has gone through and maybe the gravels eroded away. It's no longer there and I mean there are a number of properties that have an issue with this and so I'd like to see if Council would entertain or wants us to, I mean technically the drive is supposed to match the street and we don't allow gravel driveways. There was a grandfather in of gravel driveways that were already there when the code was adopted as long as they were maintained and a lot of them hadn't been maintained over the years. I want to see if that's still the standard we want to approach with or if we want to give folks the chance to re-entertain a place for them to park that isn't a paved parking space. I guess that's one thing I'd like to get some information on. Covered cars is another one. There are a lot of covered cars in the community. The way we've handled code enforcement on non-operable automobiles is that if they're not registered, they're not up-to-date with an up-to-date license plate, then we consider it inoperable. Of course, the way that residents have gotten around that is they put a car cover on it or some don't even use a real car cover, they use a tarp. And so that technically our code enforcement or neighborhood improvement officer can't see the license plate. And so it's hard for us to say, you know, with authority that that's an inoperable car because we don't know that for sure it's not registered. That's been one way that residents have gotten around that. I'd like us to talk about that. Tarps in general, some properties have items that they've collected and they cover it with tarps again to try and protect it, so to speak, and then screenings. Do we want to go as far as in the code it says we can abate or we can say if someone's got a nuisance issue or there's a bunch of junk in the yard and we issue a citation and they don't clean it up that the city can go out, has legal authority to go on the property, abate that nuisance and then send a bill to the property owner for that abatement. That's all existing code. We wouldn't have to change any code for that to be. In practice, we haven't done a lot of abatements in the past unless it was an extreme, you know, sensitive safety issue, but that doesn't mean that we don't have that in our code already. And so these are the things I'd like us to give staff some feedback on. So as we're approaching how we want to do this moving forward, we at least have an understanding of what the expectation level is from the elected officials.

Go ahead. How are you looking for that communication to occur?

Well, that was the...

In here?

In here or if you want to send it to me separately, but I would like to make sure I get enough feedback so it's not one or two or three. It's more of a consensus or at least a good majority of where we want to go. Go ahead. We...

I have used this word so many times, but consistency is my concern. Consistency that if we hold one house accountable to it, our business or whatever the fact may be, we need to hold all the rest of them, right? That's the fair and consistent way to operate instead of just operating on an extreme case and what defines an extreme case and what blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So maybe we need to potentially look at some of these I'm not necessarily opposed to the idea of something like a ribbon driveway, for example. I know ribbon driveways can be paved is what I'm getting at or using pavers instead of gravel because then you don't necessarily have to worry about dust and kick up from the gravel and that kind of thing, but that's a thought. I don't know. I think maybe we need to take a closer look at all of it than potentially just thinking out loud here.

I mean, I think we're going to... If you would like, I can bring one or two of these at a time, say, here's a potential code change if we decide we want to change, or if we decide we don't want to enforce at this level, maybe we can change the code a different way so we're not enforcing at that level so it's not technically in the code. And so we can at least have that public discussion that way.

I can do it that way if you'd prefer it that way. I think it'd be easier to digest.

It certainly would be easier to digest. I think so. I think so. I don't think our staff has been inconsistent in how they enforce this necessarily. I know that sometimes it might seem that way because you get a code enforcement violation or even a notice of a violation that's not an actual citation, and you might see, okay, well, I got three neighbors and they're way worse.

No matter. So a hundred percent agree that unfortunately the system is, we can't go out and look at every single house. I mean, that's just unrealistic. Um, the city is too large, but what we, you know, so we operate largely on violations that are submitted. I understand that. So there may appear to be inconsistencies from that standpoint. But what I'm getting at is what I consider to be extreme or problematic, you might not and vice versa, right? That's going to happen no matter what because we're just different people.

Yeah, I'm going to push back a little bit on that. We do have code enforcement officers whose job is to go out and survey. And so, I mean, we're not just relying on people to make a complaint. And where I was going with that is sometimes there might be a property in the process. they might have had a violation notice, they might have had a citation, they might have had an extension for some reason, they might be in the municipal court system. A lot of times that process takes a lot of time to work through. From the time of our initial, hey, you've got a violation, which isn't even a citation, it's just a hey, education, you've got a violation. What can we do to fix this until, okay, you didn't fix it. Here's a citation. Okay, you're still not fixing it. You're going to municipal court. Okay, you got to get on the docket. Oh, I'm going to go to the municipal court and I'm going to ask for an extension and then the court's going to generally grant that. That can take months for just one issue.

But I guess my point still stands that I think no matter what, unless it's clearly defined and we are holding anybody that is in violation of that clearly defined thing, there's going to automatically be inconsistency just based on what I consider to be extreme or unsafe versus what you do.

And even the code gives us a little bit of leeway, believe it or not. It says on some of these things that they may be cited. So it's not even a shall thing in some of the language. So that does give us the ability to say, yes, we want to try to work with you to get it fixed before we give you the citation.

Go ahead.

I have to agree with Alex on consistency. Having dug out of a very large hole that had plenty of codes very close to Main Street, I understand that the expectations are not always the same for I want consistency. But the most important fact to me is I want Belton to be attractive. I want possibly new developments and know when they decide that they want to make this a permanent home I want them to be able to come into neighborhoods and say that's the house I want and you know I we don't see cars under tarps in in three yards around it so I think that's a selling point for us that we can take seriously and that's what that's what I want our codes and community you know officers and all that stuff is to make Belton a place that people want to live

Anybody else?

Just one thing. Go ahead. There it goes. I think consistency is important too, but I think we also have to take into consideration, and perhaps we do, that there may be folks who, for whatever reason, can't maintain their yard or keep up their property the way we would like for them to. And I think we've discussed in board meetings a potential way to help solve those issues that don't cost the city in abatement issues. And I think if we could look at that using volunteers or reaching out to folks to help neighbors if they're elderly or disabled or whatever and can't afford to do the work that we would like for them to do, if we look at that, I think that's an important part of achieving what we would like for Belton to be as attractive and a great place to live. Anybody else? All right.

I'm still somewhat confused. I don't know. Confused might be an okay word. How we plan on accomplishing this, I would like small chunks of presentations here, review, feedback, small chunks, presentations here, feedback. Maybe not necessarily every conference, but not just reading it and then provide you feedback. Everyone provides feedback and we're still not in the same

I think we're committed to doing something more, and aggressive is probably not the right word, just more, community oriented more, you know, definitely a lot more education forced or faced a lot more Provide some resources. We've got GFL to commit to, you know, donating some some Receptacles if we need to do more neighborhood abatement, you know nuisance days where people can just bring their trash and throw it away rather than us having to say you have to do it so we can point out the violation and then have a community dumpster day and do more of those. Just, again, providing the means for them to do stuff like that.

I was mainly talking about us talking about the ones that we want to Doing it as a group rather than individually.

But small chunks. Chances are we'll start with nuisance stuff. Just because that's, to me, that's one you can see. It's easy for everybody to see and understand. And nuisance can generally be either junk or overgrowth or both. And, you know, when I say junk, it could be cars and yards. It could be stuff in yards. It could be tarps and stuff like that. And so we'll probably start with that.

Does our, oh, sorry. Go ahead.

On the code violations, some of the city property sometimes, I mean, is starting to look bad. I mean, down by where the new gas station is going to be built on Scott. I mean, I would hate to have a new business there, and it's a jungle next door. I think we need to lead by example, too.

I think it's fair to expect that if the city's going to ask the residents to up their game, that the city ups its game as well. It hasn't been... We haven't wanted to necessarily sink taxpayer dollars into some of those things too much if we can, and hopefully we can just get it redeveloped instead. But that one specifically is a really hard ask for anybody to develop anyway. So yeah, I mean, we're gonna have to up our game on especially maintaining that specific piece of property. We can own that one. Go ahead.

We're currently going through the UDC update. Should this be related to that? Is this related to that?

It can be to an extent, but again, most of our nuisance abatement is confined by state law, specifically 67398, which kind of outlines what the process is. So you can... put some things into the revised UDC related to nuisance abatement and code enforcement. But realistically, at the end of the day, we're pretty constrained. And my suggestion is always going to be pretty much if a statute says how you do something, we just copy and paste the statute into our code and say, OK. Really, the key, in my perspective, with nuisance, and you guys are not the only city that has had this discussion, every client I've ever had, has had the discussion of what we do with code enforcement. It really is, uh, understanding what are our kind of priorities when it comes to what sorts of nuisances are we, do we want to focus on? Um, there's two different mindsets that I've seen. The first one is, you know, what Joe has been talking about and I think works the best, which is get your, you know, tall grass and weeds, trash, junk, get that stuff first because that is the low-hanging fruit and then you build on from that. The other one is go after your biggest problems, which would be usually is related to businesses specifically. The city did do that probably like six years ago. We went after several large nuisance issues and I don't necessarily believe that that had the Attended intended effect just because we're still sitting here talking about it.

So Yeah, I just was thinking from the udd udc perspective from the you know that project is I wasn't sure if there was maybe outside guidance from the Contractors or other cities on how they may tackle something just for an example. I I lived in Overland Park and the way they tackle things is a little bit different. And I don't know that I want us to go fully down the route of what they do. We're not them, right? So just as having someone who's experienced that in a city not far away, That's why I brought up that project is just that maybe there's some similar sized cities that have suggestions.

Nobody has found the answer. I think every single year at the Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association there's a presentation on code enforcement and trying to figure out what is the best fit, what is the best process because most cities of your size are too big and there's too little staff to really be able to blanket and cover the city. So most of the stuff you hear about from because there is also a code enforcement officers professional group that has its own meetings but some of the best practice stuff that you will hear is like focus on a specific area if there is an if you can review your data for the past five years and it shows like this is where most of our nuisance issues are coming from okay we're gonna really make sure that that's where you know we're we're enforcing the other one is instead of looking at that do you look at What are our main areas? So for Belton, it would be along North Scott, downtown, along 58, along Y. Do we make sure that those areas are always maintained as well as they can be? And if anything gets out of line, it's an immediate notice. I think one of the key things that I've seen that is beneficial is reminding members of the public that that letter, that notice that you get, is just a notice to do something, please. It is not a ticket. It is not, you know, because you got that notice does not mean that, you know, you are going to get a fine. If you comply with the request of that notice within that reasonable timeframe, there is nothing that happens. That is literally the courtesy notice, essentially as required by Missouri law.

And for what it's worth, I've heard our staff does a pretty good job at, talking to people about that courtesy.

So it's, it has every, again, it's one of the biggest things is every city has to constantly inform people that it's like that noted, like, cause you'll see people once they get the notice really start to ramp up and there are significant issues. Um, you know, personally, the Kirksville situation with the mayor, uh, about a decade ago now, that was all based on a code enforcement notice. Again, it is informing people, but sometimes it'll fall through the cracks.

Anybody else? All right. Item four, hotel tier program.

I've got three presentations lined up, and they're all broken up by a slide that says questions. The first one's hotel and motel tier program. City Ordinance Chapter 15, Division 5, 168 through 169. It was passed by City Council in November of 2018. The ordinance established provisions by which lodging establishments will receive a tier rating. in the associated requirements for owners and operators of these establishments based on their tier rating and this was due to several problems with hotels in the community at the time. The ordinance mandates that the police department determine the number of calls for service. That's also referred to at times by us as CFS. as a designation calls for service that each establishment during the calendar year and then divide the number of calls for service for those by the number of rooms for those establishments to determine the call for service ratio and then that calculation must be done by January 31st. Obviously not every call for service that we have at hotels or establishments is crime related. Therefore, we actually go through the entire list of calls for establishment and we pull out some of those, especially if the hotel themselves called us trying to solve an issue. Obviously, they're on the front side trying to solve that issue. We don't count it against them as far as that ratio. So what we do count is Homicide, suicide, attempted suicide, suicidal parties, all sex crimes, robberies, burglaries, larcenies, narcotics violations, warrant arrest, arson, suspicious activity, whether it's vehicles or persons. Juvenile problems or arrests, runaways from hotels or if we recover them there, disturbances, noise violations disturbing the peace, vandalism, stolen autos, recovered stolen autos, protection order violations, child abuse and neglect. We also look at assist calls, whether it's with Division of Family Services, harassment. We look at trespass, unless it's reported by the management, like I just previously said. Disorderly conduct, fighting in the public, resisting and hindering police. Abandoned autos, weapons offenses, threats, bomb calls. That's a pretty extensive list. I think I'm tired right now. When we look at calls for service, like I said, we try not to discourage the lodge establishment owners or managers from calling us. And that's one of the reasons that we eliminate those that they alert us to. The tier system. Once the call for service ratio has been determined, each establishment is classified into tier based on the number of calls for service per room. Tier one is less than 0.5 calls for service per room per year. Tier two is 0.5 to one call for service per room per year. And tier three is more than. And so I got good news at the very end of this. And so one of the calls for service ratio and the tier rating has been determined for the previous year. The police department notifies the owner and the operators of the establishments of their tiers by regular certified mail. The notification also advises what steps the establishments can make to improve their tier ratings. Tier one requirements, they maintain a guest lock per state statute and make it available upon a request to authorize city personnel. That could be police, that could be fire, that could be codes enforcement. And number two, they ensure posting of registered sex offenders that are permanent guests over 30 days or employees that they might have on site. Tier two requirements are all of the tier one requirements. Number two is having a lodging establishment operator or designee available on the premise at all time. That's one that you'll see throughout all of these tiers. We want somebody there that can answer questions, especially at night. Number three is install and maintain digital surveillance cameras, recorders in the lobbies, parking lots, and interiors. in indoor and outdoor common areas of the establishment and do that over a 24-hour per day, seven-day-a-week basis, and that they install adequate lighting in these areas as needed and for the camera recorder to operate properly. And this does come up from time to time, and we deal with it. Number four, they obtain and document guest vehicles information, including make, model, color, license plate number. Some of this stuff you'll recognize when you go to a hotel yourself in another city. Number five is ensure that all registered guests, 18 and older, provide a government-issued identification, which will be photographed and maintained at the establishment site. A lot of times if we have problems with the room and the room is abandoned, we can go back and find a record, and this helps us establish who is actually in that room. And that came up last year. Tier 3 requirements, let's follow all of Tier 1 and 2, but we add that they provide dedicated on-site security staff from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week. This would be an establishment that has more calls for service than we have ever make sure that they have security there. Number three, provide the police chief or designee with the names and contact information for all lodge establishment operators and security staff in case we need to call them when they're not working. Provide 24 hour per day, seven day a week desk personnel. And so number six, install and maintain lighting in the lobbies, the parking lots, and indoor and outdoor common areas. A lot of this stuff that we're talking about in tier three, tier two, tier three, would also be considered crime prevention through environmental design. Number six, ensure the parking passes are issued and recorded for all vehicles. On the premises, number seven, maintain a daily key and key card log. This was written when it was very prevalent for establishments to actually issue a key. A lot of times nowadays it is digital, but it still maintains the same thing. If they have to issue another key for a room, it's recorded every time they issue a new key for the room. If a key becomes missing by a customer and it's reported to them, they have to change the code for the room or issue a new key. And then number eight, ensure that the lodging establishment visitor sign is on the front desk and those 18 and older provide government-issued identification. So if a person that rents a room has people over, that we start recording on the Tier 3 notification anybody that visits. And then number nine, ensure all lodging establishment visitors sign out at the front desk and leave the premises by 11 p.m. And number 10 is contact the police chief or designee to discuss opportunities to prevent crime on the premises. Compliance, there's compliance issues. If they do not, they get 90 calendar days to come in within compliance. And there's a whole host of things that could take place if they decide not to come into compliance. Some of those involve putting their business license at risk. And so that comes under failure to comply. And there is, under failure to comply, number one, that there is written notice that's through certified mail that we would issue the business. There would actually be written notice that would be placard at the front desk. And then there's a whole host of other things that transpire after that before we put their business license at risk. Currently, as far as tier ratings, Dutchman's on North Scott Avenue is 0.38 calls for service, and they're at tier one. Most of those calls for service, you might say they're right on the edge of becoming tier two. Most of their calls for service involved one occupant out there. that we had a lot of calls for service in there dealing with that. We expect them to maintain that Tier 1 this year. Connell Lodge came in at Tier 2, .88, and we are working with them. Fairfield Inn, .06, they're Tier 1. Hampton Inn, .14 calls for service, they're Tier 1. And Quality Inn, they're .12 calls for service, they're Tier 1. So all good news across the board. Any questions? Go ahead.

Just curious, how much drop has there been in the ratings over the last several years?

They've been pretty consistent since I've been here as police chief. I know that there was a marked improvement, especially when there was COVID, but we don't generally have a Yeah, I think that this initiative has worked very well for the city of Belton. I think that when they started it, they took it from another city. But I would say it's been very successful. Go ahead.

Am I just not understanding this? Is Tier 3 the best tier?

No, Tier 3 is the worst.

So when it was described to us, maybe I was just like, okay. I'm sorry. I don't know if I just missed the heading when that was being described or what, but okay.

Tier one is the best.

That makes a heck of a lot more sense. I was very confused by that last slide because I was thinking it was opposite.

Anything over one is bad.

Less restrictive. Tier one.

Yep. Anybody else? Perfect. Thank you.

And next, we're going to talk about LexisNexis by Crash Portal. And so, PD staff, there was a conversation in Department Head by City Manager Joe Warren in regards to how could we best improve our customer service. And so, as a police staff, we discussed this over a period of several meetings and discussed Eventually, we may actually announce that we're taking debit card and credit card payments at our window. We're still working through that. That was our number one goal that we wanted to do this year to improve performance, but this is number two. One of the biggest reasons that police people come into the police department, citizens, citizens, attorneys, and insurance companies come in to get copies of police reports, and We do not have a mechanism where we can do it online. And so LexisNexis is a big company that gathers information, and especially when it comes to motor vehicles and motor vehicles that have been damaged, the VIN numbers, they provide that information to all kinds of businesses, insurance companies to provide information. service but they also have a mechanism where individuals can purchase that online and so this PD researched this and was looking for better ways to meet customer needs such as 24 7 365 access to motor vehicle crash reports by LexisNexis through their portal which is called a command center and We would put the link on our PD website and the information would also be at the window. and then they could go to that portal, go into that and purchase their crash report. This solution benefits our citizens with a convenient online service to monitor motor vehicle crash reports. LexisNexis is already getting this information from the state of Missouri. They have to wait till we upload it and then the state of Missouri then allows them to get access. What they're trying to do through this agreement is come directly to us, get the crash reports before they get to the state of Missouri. It improves their efficiency and the availability of the reports, and then they will provide that access to citizens, attorneys, or insurance companies. And so it's a win-win. Participating agencies in the area that we looked at, Grandview Police Department provides this service, North Kansas City Police Department, Riverside Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office, and the Lee's Summit Police Department. Operational benefits to the police department would be reduced workload for records division staff. We do get requests for motor vehicle crash reports. Sometimes we get them from attorneys that want the entire quarter because then they do mailers to individuals trying to catch clients because of accuracy. because of accidents or it's a ticket or whatever. So there's a large amount of requests that come in for our crash reports over any given period. 24-7, 365 public access. They don't have to come up to our window Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 p.m. It improves our convenience for citizens, attorneys, and insurance companies, like I said. It's a secure and fast records delivery. There's minimal ongoing maintenance once implemented. It's automated, and it reduces our staff's involvement in this. Potential concerns that you might have, and we have as well, online pricing creates a concern because the city currently charges $5 for those reports. But LexisNexis would charge an online convenience fee, which would be above that, which could be, in this instance, $11. So an accident report would cost $16. If an individual, a citizen, doesn't want to pay the $16, they would still have to come to the police department window, the records counter. Occasionally, the system has communication upload issues, and they have to be fixed. There's training of police staff, which remains important. citizens might actually struggle with the online only systems however in-person requests are still available at the records counter and we're always open from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. And so the agreement that we would be bringing next city council meeting would just be allowing them access. We don't pay anything for this service. Every month, LexisNexis would write us a check for $5 per report that was sold online that had to deal with the city of Belton.

Go ahead. So let's start with that last one. How would we know if there was 10 reports or 100 reports? Yeah, they report that monthly to us. Okay, so rely on them, though. Yeah. So the delay... Because you said people already have this available to them through the state, so the delay from coming to us to then the state to then LexisNexis must be pretty significant if they're still coming to us?

Yeah, they come to us. I would say that the state probably takes 30 days or could be even 45 days to get them from the time we upload it to them, then they turn around the information. The state has always been slow on that information. And I do believe that most states are because what they do is they digest that data, they check the reports, they make authentication on those reports, that kind of thing.

Okay. I almost see this as actually the fee thing, online fee, convenience fee. I almost see that as a potential positive for Belton residents anyways, because you already live close, generally speaking, probably live pretty close to the police department. And if you want to save the money, you just drive over there. Yeah, I would say that too. unless of course, you know, you can't get there between eight and five and then which case you might be worth the convenience fee. So it's almost okay.

We get a lot of citizens. I mean I say a lot. We get many complaints per year about somebody that was traveling through Belton had a wreck, whether it was on the highway or maybe at one of our businesses around town, and they live in Texas, and they want a copy of the report, and we can't do it online because we have no mechanism for that transaction. We don't take cash. Through the mail and so it's difficult that but this would be that solution for us without building having our IT department build something that then has Transactions with it and then provides the reports that would be massive for our IT department to take on Anybody else Thank you And I'm here again. Wayside Waves contract. Yes, Wayside Waves Animal Shelter Agreement. This is another, it's good news. Just for some background, the city of Belton has contracted with Wayside Waste for very many years. And the most recent contract that I brought was passed by the city council on May 31st, 2022. So it's time to re-look at it. In that time, they have not increased the price for four years. But we've worked through a number of issues in regards to how do we improve our processes and How do we improve our interactions? And one of the best things that we ever did was we were one of the first agencies that came to them and started a TNR program, and I'll talk about that. Wayside Waves has been serving the Kansas City region since 1944. It's one of the largest and most comprehensive animal welfare organizations ever. in Kansas City. Our partnership with Wayside Waste extends beyond traditional sheltering services and allows us to provide additional resources and solutions to our community. One of the examples of this collaboration is our successful Trap, Neuter, and Return program, TNR. a partnership between the Belton Police Department, Animal Control Division, Help Humane volunteer trappers here locally, and Waveside Waves Veterinary Services. It humanely addresses community cat concerns by trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning cats to their established colonies. Overwhelmingly, we've received positive feedback from residents, and animal welfare advocates alike demonstrated how the partnership between municipal agencies, animal welfare organizations can create effective, responsible, and compassionate solutions that benefit both animals and the community. In fact, our program has, they've actually started it in other communities. Wayside Waves is the preferred vendor for us for providing animal housing. I'll just add that we would have to have a very large shelter for the number of dogs, cats that we take in, and we would have to have additional staff to maintain those animals, but also staff to work on adoptions, maintain the veterinary demands of those animals. They handle animal adoption. They provide animal education for the public. In fact, I've had several dogs from there and taken advantage of their training programs, which is very extensive. The Trap, Neuter, and Release Program, TNR program that we have, I talked about, and veterinary care. They have veterinary staff on the staff that helps evaluate animals to make sure that they're healthy, but also to evaluate them for adoption. And then there's compassionate end-of-life care. Wayside Waves Sheltering Agreement provides shelter, reasonable care, and feeding of animals delivered by the city until the animals are reclaimed. Their emancipation date arrives or they are humanely euthanized. That's usually because they're unadoptable. They have medical issues or they are possibly not able to be adopted because may be dangerous to humans. And that is we communicate with them regularly. PD staff have 24-7 access to the shelter. Even when our police officers get an animal after hours, they have procedures and they have access to drop off the animal. So it is located at Wayside Waves. Wayside Waves will hold animals at the city's expense for lengths of time depending on the intake type, after which ownership of the animal will transfer to Wayside Waves if the owner doesn't relinquish it or the animal was truly abandoned. Medical suffering, we do have this on occasion. In the event of extreme medical suffering upon intake, Wayside Waste may assume immediate responsibility to end the suffering by means of humane euthanasia. Wet veterinary services are available. They're on staff. Wayside Waste makes every reasonable effort to notify the city's animal control division as soon as practical whenever veterinary services will not be available during normal business hours. We have a workaround. We go to Blue Pearl. We go to other emergency care facilities for animals if we have something even after hours. In the event veterinary services are unavailable, they actually help us try to determine more appropriate courses of action. And sometimes we will take them right to a vet office here local. The city acknowledges in this agreement that there are unforeseen staffing shortages and emergencies that may prevent advance notice, and so we talk to them routinely about issues. We also have monthly boarding and care fees. Boarding and care fees are the main component of our sheltering agreement. Currently, it is based on the number of animals, but it doesn't take into account some other things. And so they want to restructure that. They would like to go to a flat monthly fee of $3,750 per month. That would be easier for us to calculate as far as our budgeting as well. Any bike quarantine hoarding cases fees or trap, neuter, and release fees will be addition to the flat monthly fee. We don't come across bike quarantine fees or hoarding case fees a lot, but it does happen on occasion. And so this is, I'm going to provide a calculation here in a minute that will show you the breakdown for the last several years and then the current year and then what we have in our budget. By quarantine additional, we'll be billed at a flat fee of $450 per animal. A lot of that has to do with being a dangerous animal. that might have disease or might have some kind of problems or has to be evaluated. The other thing is is there's a whole host of state statues that kick in in regards to dangerous animals and quarantining them away from the rest of the animals at their facility. Boarding cases is additional. If the city is engaged in resolving a hoarding issue that will be bringing in more than 10 animals in one situation. They will assess an intake fee of $25 per animal for each animal over the 10 animals. And so they will go with us if we ask them to. There's been occasion when they have done this for us because we've run into this issue. Wayside would not charge for service, I think, involving natural disaster. Wayside is unable to take care of the following animals, farm animals, birds, reptiles, and exotic animals. We take them to another vendor. And so... They do a terrific job with that. I think you might see in social media last year we had two officers with a snake. I would not be caught dead with that picture, but we do come across that. Trap neuter release program, it's $35 per cat. And we have a whole host of procedures that we go through when we do this. The cats are altered, get received basic vaccinations, and then the ear tipping marks the cat. So we know that cat has gone through our program. And then cats are dropped off at a scheduled time, and they'll stay overnight. We'll pick them up the next morning. As far as budget numbers, FY 2024, our admissions, this would be where they want to do the flat fee now, is $35,585. T&R was just getting... often running, and that was $6,370 for a total of $41,955. FY 2025, emissions, you can see, were pretty much fixed. Like I said before, they were not increasing their fees even though they're They are facing inflation. They're facing other business costs. Admissions were $36,845. T&R, the program was in full swing, $10,745 for a total of $47,590. Last year, emissions were down $30,836. And then TNR, $9,170 for a total of $40,005. Currently, all the way up to, I guess it's not current, June 2026, Emissions have been $7,100. TNR has been $1,505. And then total in June is $8,600. We project that admissions, based on the new fee, is going to be about $45,000. TNR, we estimate, is about $9,500 for a total of $54,000. We currently budget in this year, the Police Department budget is $52,000 for TNR. animal shelter contract and so If you have any questions, I'll take them But the biggest change in this whole contract is they would like to go a flat monthly fee Any questions?

How much did you say per cat I Think it's $35 That's a lot of cats.

Yeah. Yeah, we have a lot of cat colonies around the city, and they've done a terrific job trying to affect those colonies. And at some point, you'll start to see that number come down. But I think it's been pretty consistent because I think that reflects the problem.

We good with the potential of 2,000 more?

On that thought, when does we think this will be at the next council meeting?

Yes, we would bring this forward at the next city council meeting.

So that would technically be a budget amendment then?

Well, it's a potential of.

Well, I said potential, right?

It could be 2,000 more. I mean, they're just guessing on the. on the cats.

I understand. So it's really not a budget amendment until we hit. Okay.

And it's also all general funds. So I mean, unless the overall general funds going over, we can take away from something somewhere else to make up for anybody else.

Everybody good. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Item seven, uptown incentive request timeline.

It's not working. You ready? Yeah, go ahead. Thank you, Mayor and Council. So as Mr. Burks makes his way to the lectern and the presentation gets put on the screen, I wanted to give just a quick timeline. A couple of things. So on the dais at your spots, I had placed a larger version of a slide that you'll see later in Tyler's presentation. I just wanted you to have it in front of you One, really in the spirit of transparency, making sure that you all have the numbers that we're looking at from staff side as well as we're discussing with the developer on an ongoing basis. But also I think this spreadsheet does a really good job, and I don't want to step on Tyler's presentation, but it does a really good job of highlighting this project is unique for the city of Belton in that For while we have a large entertainment user and while we have mixed use and pad sites and other retail and entertainment That that we have been kind of moving forward with on the development side This project also comes with a lot of public infrastructure improvements We're gonna have you know several thousand feet worth of roadway green space Stormwater improvements water water improvements and other things and so there are a lot of public infrastructure costs that are going to be needed and what the spreadsheet in front of you really shows and highlights and is the sources and uses of some of the incentive tools that we'll be utilizing in this project and what exactly they're going to be going toward to support the project overall. And all of those items on the left side are public infrastructure or will be public infrastructure items once constructed. Also wanted to give council a quick update on kind of what we're anticipating and why we're bringing this back before you as a body tonight. So as Council will remember, shortly after the first of the year, Council approved an MOU with the developer that really gave staff some good guidance as well as set some guardrails on how to engage the developer in use of some of these tools and the development of some of these tools. And then later in the year, I think it was about two, three months ago, we had the developer come back and provide kind of a high-level overview of where some of those negotiations were. And so tonight, what we're hoping to look at are really some of the finalized numbers on where these tools sit, so that again, you have an opportunity to provide feedback, engage in some discussion with both staff as well as the developer on those numbers and tools. Because our plan right now is, as we have some of the draft incentive documents or some of the documents being circulated between the attorneys. Currently, our hope is that by mid-August, we'll be able to file some of the legal notifications and petitions for things like the CID as well as the other legal notices that are required. And then we'd be able to have this in front of counsel for a first official discussion and vote at the second meeting in August. So that 825 meeting within the second reading at the subsequent or the second reading at the subsequent meeting Then we'd be able to jump right in and immediately start with some of the CID meetings to allow the developer to start moving forward. Again, all of this is really just foundational upon the direction that we get tonight, but I feel you're going to see most of the numbers that we've been discussing over the last six to nine months really haven't changed a whole lot. The tools that we're going to be utilizing have remained the same. Again, I've had some really good conversations with the developer and their attorneys. Um, as we've continued to build some of these items out for you tonight. So with that, I'll hand over to Tyler for, uh, any further discussion. All right.

Thank you, Mike. Appreciate it. Uh, good to see you guys again. Um, so I'll dive right into it. So the presentation tonight isn't too much different than what we did before, but as Mike mentioned earlier, I have some numbers later on, uh, that are a little more refined, uh, based upon our conversations and, uh, Yeah, based upon our conversation. So without further ado, Uptown District. So again, presentation very similar to last time. So just kind of touch on some things because I think some people weren't here last time. But just project history, reintroduction of the project. I know you guys are very familiar with it. So I'll skim over some of these things. And then ultimately, you know, project phasing. I know that it was a topic of discussion of how things are transpiring, so I'll give some more color on that as we go. And then the incentive request itself. And then, of course, the overall benefit to the community. And then we'll leave it open for questions after that. So, again, this is very similar to what it was last time before. So just kind of giving a history of the project. So it was actually under a TIF, under Christie Development. What was it? Why... Why Belton Tax Increment Financing Development Plan originally started back in 2007 and has since, you know, several times as it's progressed, been amended and extended and things like that all the way up until 2023. And then more recently, again, in 2026 on that TIF, from my understanding, and I don't know all the details on it, but that TIF has performed pretty well. on that, so projects like this, it's just a good example of how city incentives and cooperation and collaboration, for a better term, I guess, is beneficial to the overall community, not just the development itself. And then what it provided, well, I'm sorry, the project areas and their cost, Estimated project cost, project area one, $43 million, and then project area two, just under $20 million. And then include 2A in there. Overall, it's $65.7 million, so on and so forth. So the overall total project cost of that particular project was $146,884,000. And then the approved TIF on that was $35.25 million, about 24% of the project cost. So that seemed to be a pretty good recipe for success for that project. And then, of course, what it's done, it's catalyzed major private investment across the district, produced real commercial and development national tenants. I mean, of course, you see the lineup right there on that screen there of national tenants. It's attractive for outside investors. Public infrastructure, of course, that helped improve Turner Road. And it's substantially used what it was intended to use at the end of the day. And then at the very end of the day, I mean, At the end of it all, not just here, but, you know, the Encore and Center 301 were probably sparks of something like this. Usually whenever you see, whenever you're looking at a new market from an outside investor standpoint, I mean, some of the things you look at are what's happening around the city, right? So something like this, it's got national recognition by below Academy Sports, et cetera. Now you start seeing other developers wanting to come in and saying, okay, this looks like a good spot for us. So just a good example of how things like this really work. Project reintroduction. Of course, it's 40 acres. Actually, I lied. It's actually 41 and a half now because we are purchasing this here and we are incorporating that into the district. So that has happened over time as the project got approved and things like that. So we have confirmed that this one, that piece is already zoned and it is ready for an FTP plan whenever we're ready to go. So that will be a future pad site as well, that old RV park that's sitting there now. 102,000 square feet of entertainment, roughly 30,000 plus square feet of restaurant retail, 600 units plus or minus of residential housing, two miles worth of walking and biking trails that kind of meander throughout there, and then all told with all the green space, about six acres worth of green space kind of sprinkled throughout there with the storm ponds and then stream corridor that kind of goes through that southern multifamily area. And there's the pretty rendering we've all seen before. And there's the BNB. So we're still putting things in motion there. Got positive motion on that one from a financial standpoint on our end on that one. So things are moving forward. Project phasing. So first and foremost, I mean, we got to do the infrastructure. So that's where all of this incentive request is coming from is all the horizontal costs that are associated with it. I dive into the nerdy details of the grading with you guys, but it probably bore you to death. But I mean, the site is actually sneaky challenging if you really look at it from a, from a grading perspective. There's a lot of engineering work to even out the site. There's either going to be import or export of dirt at some point. So we're working on our further refinement of the engineering plan to do that. So all of that comes in first with the roads, right? So the roads is all encompassing of the overall site, mass grading, and then the roads and utilities that will come in there. There is some rock, So there's an opportunity for some spectacle with the rock excavation at some point with that too. But again, that's a cost to the project, right? So it has a negative detriment onto the overall project cost with that. And then phase two, and again, some of these will actually be, what's the right term? They'll happen substantially. There we go. Thank you. Concurrently. So multifamily phase two. And then you have the entertainment. And we are having awesome conversations. And we do have some LOIs passing back and forth with restaurants right now. Some of them are completely out of market, haven't even been to the Kansas City market yet. So we're having some pretty good conversations there. But those would actually be simultaneous. That's the word I was looking for. simultaneous to the multifamily. So we have pretty good progress as far as what's happening with some of these users there. It's not all solved for yet. It won't be for quite some time, but making a lot of progress from the phasing standpoint. So you will see after the road, the first set of roads are in, you'll start seeing building pads and things like that going simultaneously. And then the overall outline of the incentives that we're asking for, these are in the MOU, so nothing's really changed as far as what we're asking for. The Chapter 100, I'm sure you guys are all familiar with that. Community Improvement District, 1% sales tax on the district, district-wide retail. Transportation Development District, TDD, and a sales tax reimbursement agreement, 1% sales tax reimbursement on retail sales generated. And then that blue area that you saw earlier on those first couple slides, that TIF is still existing over there, want to mix that so we can put these mechanisms in place. Um, and forgive me, my maps are mixed between these two slides here. So you'll see the chapter 100 map here in a minute, but this is actually the CID and TDD map here. But, um, and I'll jump to that really quick. So the chapter 100, you're looking at this map just encompasses the entire site. And then we'll come back. And then this is the CID and the TDD. So the highlighted in orange here, the roads going north and south and east and west. And then this box here, pretty much anything that encompasses retail, which is anything north of the phase one multifamily, would be the boundary for the CID and the TDD. The pilot program that we're looking for, you know, just doing it on a per foot basis on the retail there. Entertainment at 54 cents per square foot per year with a 3% growth capped at CPI. That's what we have in the current agreements there. Pad sites, 82 cents a foot. Same growth mechanisms there. And then mixed-use multifamily, so that would actually be a pilot on the units at 323. Actually, we have a flat with all of them. That's the thing that's changed, actually. It's just a flat pilot across all multifamily at $323 per unit per year. And again, everything increases at CPI. And then the Community Improvement District, 1% sales tax on retail located within the boundary, which you saw the boundary earlier. This is one thing that has changed too. I apologize, I didn't change this. We will do just a flat special assessment. So on the multifamily units, that is not mixed as you see here, it's actually $312.50. So each unit, inside the district is going to contribute to the CID. So those multifamily owners, which will be one of them, but then there, we also have some partners as well. We will contribute to the CID to help pay for the road infrastructure and things like that. So it's an additional tax. So yes, we do have a pilot, uh, but we're adding on top of that pilot as a, as a CID tax essentially, or CID special assessment to contribute to the overall project here. Uh, TDD is pretty standard 1% sales tax on the retail located within the boundary. Um, and then the sales tax reimbursement, um, is the, um, uh, from the city general fund there. Um, and big caveat to all this, this is not any funds that are coming directly from the city. These are sales tax that are generated from the performance of the district. So anything that is being generated inside of the district, It's just being recycled into these mechanisms and then filtered back into the project to help pay for project public infrastructure. So no dollars out of pocket from the city is the biggest caveat there. It's a lot. Okay, so I know you guys have seen this before, but on the left side here, I hope you guys have, do you not have printouts? Maybe not. No worries. I will talk numbers here. Um, so the site corridor, the total project cost here is about 10 million overall. Um, just to do the site. Um, it's a, you know, all the rock, the grading and the wetlands and all the things that we have to do there. It's about $10 million. A multifamily phase one, 65 and a half million dollars roughly. Uh, entertainment, 55 million. Uh, pad sites, uh, 13.1 million. And then the multifamily mixed use. This one's a little richer because it's got a parking garage right now planned on it. Uh, that's at $72 million. So total project costs at $223 million, uh, for all of this is what this allows us to do here. Um, and then on the left side here, um, and I can, I can share this with everybody at a later date too. And I'll make sure there's printouts too at the next one. so you can kind of see. But the left side here just basically kind of shows if there were no incentives, what's the performance look like? And then the right side here is if there are incentives, which is what we're talking about here today, what's the actual performance look like? Because at the end of the day, we have to hit a return in order to bring the dollars in to go vertical on these types of projects. But the most important one, which is basically the starting line of the project, without anything, it's a negative 16% return. So it's losing money just going into it, right? So out of the gate, it's a struggle getting into it. So, but everything else somewhat manageable, but you better be better off putting your money into a CD or something like that versus spending a ton of time and effort trying to build buildings. It's kind of what this is saying at the end of the day. And then on the other side, it's everything's manageable at the end of the day. All right, and then the actual incentive request. You guys see this. I have the condensed version here, just broken up into buckets, the TDD, the STRA, and the CID, broken out into all the different individual line items that are public infrastructure-related or horizontal infrastructure-related, earthwork, paving, city improvements, city street improvements, Turner Road, median improvement. There's MoDOT's wanting us to put a median on 58 Highway. as well, sewers, water lines, site lining, site improvements, landscaping, traffic signalization. That's actually blank right now, but there is a traffic signalization update that we have to do as far as the timing of the lights right there on Cedar Y Highway 163rd, which whatever name you want to roll with there. Parking garage, so the ground floor of the parking garage will be dedicated as public. That'll be used for the ground floor retail of that multifamily there. So that is a public portion of that project there. Monument sign, artwork, studies, professional services, property acquisition of the land, financing costs, contingency, and more importantly, maintenance to make sure that it's well-maintained throughout the entirety of this project. all told right here. And then here's all the different buckets from a visual standpoint. So the site corridors, again, as I mentioned at the top of the presentation here, the mass grading is encompassing of this. So that's the entire site clearing of the trees and leveling out the site to where it needs to be balanced so buildings can actually be built on there. So that is included in site corridors, but then ultimately you have the road, Juniper, road that's coming all the way down here, north-south from Turner to 58, and then Given from Cedar all the way over to the property line here, and then the stormwater ponds as well. Multifamily phase one, this is actually a stream corridor that comes here, so there's some maintenance that has to go along with this, and then actually some corrective. I mean, if you see some pictures from our wetland study, there's some trash in there, so they go in there and clean that up. And then there's landscaping that comes in along Cedar. Entertainment, massive parking lot, as well as landscaping, multifamily mixed use, also the landscaping. And right here, this rendering doesn't depict it, but this is where we're currently planning to put the parking garage. And then you have the off-site improvements, the median upgrade. We have to upgrade the turn lane going north. The queuing on that is too short at the moment, so we have to increase that. And then all of the streetlights need to be updated on their timing. And then 58 Highway right now, working with MoDOT on specifications for that. All right, and then the sales that are generated, this is recently updated based upon a lot of the conversations and LOIs that are being passed back and forth now. So it's actually better than last time, so it's just good. So that's actually, you know, it's beneficial for everybody. So, you know, all the more sales that we perform on and more sales that we generate, the faster some of these incentives can sunset. So back to normal business as usual for tax returns. for the city at the end of the day. So the better that we do is bringing in good performers on sales, the better that everybody benefits on this one. So at the first year right now, I mean, this is, this is real conversations that we're having. I can't mention anything yet. I know that's going to come up, but we are really close on being able to announce a couple of these. I know, I know, but we are close. They're really cool. Especially one that actually toured the site today. Actually two, sorry, two toured the site today. But these are real possibilities of all of the simultaneous construction that can happen on this first year. First full year build-out, $33.8 million worth of sales generated based upon the projected sales, average store generations on these folks that we're speaking to. And then ultimately year five, potentially, year build-out, but it could end up being maybe a little bit faster. Again, like I said, based upon these conversations, it's garnered a lot of attention, way more than I expected. But at the first full year of build-out, just shy of $48 million of sales generated out of this. And then that flows into, what does the city get out of this? This is including with the incentives, right? So all the sales that are diverted back to the project to help improve the project. There's a full sales tax capture, which is three and a quarter percent. And then you have the sales tax reimbursement amount, which we have talked about capping right now at $400,000 a year up for a certain amount of time. This only shows 10 years. And then so even with that, the sales tax reimbursement, you know, you're generating up to, you know, at year five, $1.1 million worth of sales tax generated to the city just as a normal tax. And then I have, you know, Mike and the team has the full sheet so if anybody wants to see what that total is.

Can you explain that a little bit more because that's a question I got for you. Sure. When we're done, but explain that. maybe staggering of the sales tax reimbursement to where the city would start seeing money for the general fund immediately, if possible, instead of it all going straight?

CHRIS RODGERS. Yeah, so how it's modeled out now is that the city has 3.25% total tax. Of that total tax, 1% is the general fund. anything that's generated inside the district, so not outside the district, so anything that's generated inside the district of that 3.25%, we're asking 1%, so basically that general fund comes back to the project as a reimbursement of all the costs that I mentioned earlier, and then that is capped on a yearly basis, right, because the project's actually going to outperform what is needed, right, or what's counted as a qualified cost. There we go. qualified costs, anything horizontal public. So we're capping that just to make sure, you know, that the city's not giving everything out. And so by year three, we're projecting that that cap will started to be hit. And then anything over that cap goes back to the general fund. Right. Um, and then this doesn't show it, but it's up to, what did we say? Mike year wise. For STRA? 17 years, something like that. Yeah, okay. So 17 years for that amount of time. Originally you had 15, so. Yeah. But then for that we said, hey, we'll set a cap for this thing. So if the project outperforms, you know, anything beyond $400,000, if it's $400,001, then you're going to get that extra dollar back to the general fund. If it goes up to $500,000... you get an extra $100,000, right? Which, if I were to pull up the old one, it would show at some point, I think in year 12-ish, it starts hitting that number, because we have a 2.5% year-over-year growth in the sales, just as a projection. So I would expect anywhere around 400 to 450 on average for that, though. So anything, like I said, over the 400 goes back to the general fund.

And to be clear, that's just on the 1% general fund sales tax? Correct. All the other sales tax won't be affected. They will be collected and they will be submitted.

Yep, business as usual. Yep, yep. And then, so estimation, this is my estimate, so take it for what it's worth. The over 27 years, which is the max amount of time that we have on these, I know the TDD and all that stuff can go a little bit longer, but likely all that stuff's going to be sunset by the end of the day. Uh, the total net sales tax to the city with this is including the incentives, everything that's, you know, with the sales tax reimbursement that's diverted back to the project, uh, $44.8 million, um, over 27 years is what we're projecting here. Um, and then these are the actual, so this is the actual incentive ask amount here. Uh, the, the net present values in their buckets. Um, so once this number, the net present value of that number is sunset, then everything goes back to normal. And I knew you guys have seen a lot of this stuff. Uh, I, you know, we don't need to dive into all the details, but I'll just kind of highlight some things here. This is just job creation, um, what the project's going to perform. I mean, there's a lot of moving pieces, a lot of people that are gonna be working inside this thing. Uh, number one is going to be starting with the construction jobs. Um, you know, at Pete, you know, Construction, you know, things are overlapping, right? Just all those simultaneous construction vertical builds are happening. Estimated about having 356 construction jobs at any one time. But total over the construction project, 533 construction jobs created over the life of the projects, but overlapped at any one time. You might see, you probably won't see all 300 out there all at once, but there's going to be, you know, those folks employed because of this project. Professional services, that's all of your engineers and all the folks that are doing the studies and all of those things, making sure that we're co-compliant. About 77 jobs in total, and then 53 of those folks will be overlapped at any one point. And then the direct on-site jobs, so the more permanent jobs that will actually be on there. Your folks that are working at the movie theater, the folks that are working in the restaurants and property managers and maintenance folks and things like that. estimated about 626 jobs. 189 full-time jobs and 430 part-time jobs. Probably a lot of those are gonna be kiddos from the high school that are working at the movie theater and things like that. And then the on-site payroll, Starting at full build-out, year one of full build-out, so project year five is what this is, is full build-out, so year one of full build-out. You got about an estimated $16.5 million worth of payroll coming in through this project, so that is dollars that's filtered into Belton's economy at the end of the day. And the total jobs created through this whole thing is a little over 1,200 jobs created. Of course, some of these are temporary, but then you've got your permanent ones that are hanging out. All right, and then you've got your population growth. This is just based upon the multifamily. So this is not based upon any other factors. So there's just anybody who lives inside the district, that's it. And we are estimating at full build out by 2033, 638 new residents that just live here. Right. Again, that's not mentioning anybody who moves here for these new jobs to other spots just inside the district. Um, and then the total new wages of these folks, um, at the end of the day, um, you know, another, this is that full growth year, year 10, a full growth, uh, 21 million, 21 and a half million dollars with a wages that's coming in just for these folks that are living in, living and working in here. And the property taxes, I kind of had a little fun on the side here, right? Your personal property tax, your car, things like that, right? So just any of these new residences, they're paying their tags here in Belton and things like that. Just an added $161,000 worth of additional tax that's coming in here because of this. And then, uh, permit fees, um, city parks, uh, city planning and zoning and permitting. And you know, there's about just shy of $2 million worth of permit fees just to get this thing going. Um, that's going directly to the city. And then at the end of the day, uh, obviously a lot of jobs here, new population growth. And this is probably the biggest one that I really like to look at. With the pilot, the chapter 100 pilot, with the abatement on the taxes, it is what it is, right? And then also the diverting of taxes back to the project, and just the normal capture with those incentives in place over 27 years, 109 million. Originally, I had it at 100, but then based upon my new sales taxes that I generated, based upon the conversations that we're having, that's grown, right? Because things are actually happening faster, and we're actually getting people better than I originally projected from a sales perspective. It's not completely set in stone yet, but it's a pretty good projection. But at the end of the day, $109 million after 27 years, just normal taxes to the city with the incentives in place. And then with all the payroll, the jobs, the actual taxes generated, the permit fees, et cetera, a little over half a billion dollars in circulation throughout that 27 years for Belton. And then last but not least, I mean, this is what it's generating in taxes today, $100. Yeah. So then, I mean, you have basically an infinite percentage increase in productivity from a tax standpoint, you know, this project goes through. So that is all I have. Thank you.

Any questions? Go ahead. I didn't hear what you said. Who are those people you're talking about? So close. I tried that last time.

I promised you I came back with an announcement. You're good, but you're not that good.

Did you just say you promised to come back with an announcement?

No, last time I did.

Yeah, so I'm waiting for the announcement. As soon as he signs it, he'll get it.

Just remember who asked first.

Can we get all those documents? That's what I was going to mention to the entire council is happy to get all of the documents and as well kind of go through them with you if you had any other additional questions. And I know sometimes the numbers, eyes can glaze over even at this hour. So happy to kind of walk through those with anyone. Sorry.

Yep. TODD BANDUCCI.

Go ahead. CHRIS RODGERS. The public infrastructure, all those items, who estimated those public improvement costs?

TODD BANDUCCI. Commercial GCs, multiple of them.

CHRIS RODGERS. Okay. Did we review those or do we feel confident they're in the ballpark of where they should be, that kind of thing?

Yes, especially since we're not just taking Tyler's word. We have the general contractor plus what they bid against and several other instances. So those numbers, we feel very confident about being realistic numbers for public infrastructure costs.

I would also note that under any development agreement, if the public infrastructure cost comes in lower, then all that does is just decrease the amount that the developer can be reimbursed. So if it comes in at 100 instead of 119, that just means that the CID, the TDD, and the STRA have less things to fund.

Very similar to the 353 tax tool that I know the council is very familiar with, we still have a certification process for all of those receipts to go through.

Yeah, perfect. Questions about the current TIF or old TIF, whatever we're referring it to, whatever, I forget what the official name is as well. Is there, I know there's, I heard a want to terminate that. Is there, what's holding us up there?

It'll just be part of some of the documents that are coming through. Oh, okay. The plan is to have everything from the cooperative agreement as well as the Chapter 100 and the CID petitions all come through at the same time for a totality of the project. So that's really what we're waiting on.

Okay. Okay. I think that's the majority of my questions at this moment. Anybody else?

Go ahead. Did you have a deadline to get on to this agenda for this week? Did I have a deadline? Yeah. Was there a deadline date for you to get on this? You weren't last for a reason. And I'm going somewhere with this. We just wanted to keep the project moving forward. So if you were late for that deadline, would you have been able to get on this meeting?

No.

Okay.

What are you up to? Anybody else?

All right. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you, guys.

All right. Item in, a motion to enter an executive session to discuss matters pertaining to individual identifiable personal record performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment according to Missouri State Statute 610.021.13. The record be closed and the meeting adjourned from there. Present. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.

Mayor Larkey? Yes. Council Member Johnson? Aye. Bryan? Aye. White? Aye. McCallum?

Aye.

Lawson? Aye. Thompson? Yes. Davidson?

Yes.

Motion passes.