City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to Monday and May the fourth be with you. Our invocation tonight will be provided by Laura Dean Wy, Congregant of Vision Church, KC. We will stand for the invocation and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance and also please remain standing after the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for your blessings, for the promise that the month of May brings to us. And Lord, we uh celebrate tonight. It's a start of a new fiscal year for our city. So that brings new beginnings. Lord, I pray for our city's success. I pray for a path to a future beyond what we can even believe. Lord, I pray for our leaders and for the citizens to seek goodness and mercy. Lord, I just ask for the courage for all of us as we face upcoming challenges and overcome any fears. Strengthen our leadership here to stand firm in their own convictions and to act with kindness and trust. Remind us that it is your power that makes us perfect in our own weakness and that we re rely on you for our will that for our city and for each of us as individuals. It's in your heavenly name I pray. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

And like I said, if everybody could please remain standing just for a minute. Um, today one of our CF CSL members was tragically killed in an accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with not only the CSL, but also with their family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them. So, I would ask for a moment of silence. Thank you. Thank you.

Madame city clerk, would you please call the role? Council member Dorman here. Council member Perkins here. Council member Stewart here. Council member Atkinson here. Council member Wy here. Council member VA here. Mayor King here. Roll call shows that we have a quorum for to conduct business. All right. Presentation resolutions. Um would you like Okay. Okay. All right. I need a motion to approve resolution 26719. So moved. Can I get a second? Second.

Got a motion in a second. Madame City Clerk, please take the role. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King,

yes. This is a resolution recognizing Jimmy Neely with the right the rightway inspector to with municipal services as the star award recipient for the month of May. So, let me tell you a little bit about Jimmy. Jimmy Neely is a dedicated rightaway inspector who consistently goes above and beyond to serve the city and its residents. He manages over 100 active permits at a time while overseeing large-scale utility projects involving companies like Spire, Google, and AT&T. Despite the heavy workload, Jimmy remains firm, but fair with contractors and always respectful, informative, and patient with the public. Jimmy plays a key role in making sure projects meet standards while also keeping residents informed and at ease. He often responds to concerns after hours, meets with residents in person, and clearly explains what work is happening and what to expect. His ability to build strong relationships with contractors allows him to quickly resolve issues like unsafe work zones, service disruptions, and emergency repairs. A great example of Jimmy's dedication was during emergency spire repairs on Independent Square shortly after the streetscape project. Jimmy acted to coordinate repairs and restoration while minimizing disruption to the area. Jimmy also takes the initiative to fully understand contractor processes going beyond city requirements so he can better manage projects and solve problems efficiently. His commitment to communication, problem solving, and public service makes him a trusted resource both residents and contractors. for his outstanding service and dedication. We

are proud to recognize Jimmy Neely as an Aar award recipient. Jimmy, come on up. [applause]

[laughter]

And then we're missing

[applause]

All right. Have a couple other proclamations. This proclamation is designation of May as national tennis month. Whereas on May 21st 21st, 1881, the USA, originally known as the United States National Lawn Tennis Association, was founded in New York City, New York to create rules and standards for emerging game of lawn tennis. And whereas the USA is the nonprofit national governing body for tennis in the United States and leads the promotion and growth of the sport at every level of play from beginners to professionals at the US Open. And whereas the USA is the largest tennis organization in the world with over 550,000 members from every corner of the country. And whereas the USA proudly partners with local tennis programs to showcase the important health, social, and educational benefits of tennis and make the sport available to everyone regardless of age, environment, condition, or ability through its USA and healthier. I'm sorry to making our community happier and healthier. And whereas USA has declared the month of May as National Tennis Month to encourage players, organizations, facilities, retailers, tennis manufacturers, and more to provoke to promote local programs and activities at parks and facilities to showcase tennis and spread the word about the sport and its benefits, and to help players and non-players alike find courts and play opportunities in their communities.

Now therefore, be it resolved by Kevin King, mayor, that May is recognized as National Tennis Month in the city of Independence, Missouri. I call on Rebecca Falner. Falner Axelrod from USA heart of America. As the executive director, could you please come forward? [applause]

[applause]

I think I'm going to get my steps in today. Okay, another proclamation preservation month proclamation 2026. Whereas historic preservation month is celebrated annually both locally and nationally throughout the month of May to recognize the significant role that preservation plays in our daily lives. And whereas the 2026 theme is America 250, celebrating the contributions of independence to America's story. And whereas historic preservation is an efficient I'm sorry, an effective tool for revitalizing neighborhoods and commercial districts, promoting s sustainability, fostering civic pride, and maintaining character while enhancing livability. And whereas historic preservation is essential to heritage tourism in a 21st century economy. And whereas the city's dedicated historic site volunteers and preservation advocates provide unwavering support for our cultural resources. And whereas the promotion and preservation of the city's historic buildings and sites is critical to the identity of independence. And whereas historic preservation is significant for communities across the nation, for Americans of all ages, from all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds. Now, therefore, I, Kevin King, mayor of Independence, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as National Historic Preservation Month. And I call on Mark Sheer to come up to accept this proclamation.

[applause] [applause]

All right, this brings us to citizens request. I'm going to Bruce Lowry, would you come forward? You have 10 minutes to speak.

Mr. Bruce, honorable mayor and members of city council, city manager, and citizens of the city of independence. My name is Bruce Lowry, and I had the pleasure of occupying the office of city clerk here in Independence for 39 years from 1969 through most of 2008. And during that time, I also had the opportunity to be directly involved with the AFS organization here in Independence and for the greater Kansas City area. What is AFS? I would like to explain. AFS is the oldest and best organized organization involved with facilitating American families hosting high school age students from other countries here in their own homes for 11 months or five and a half months or in seeing that their high school age student living in America gets the opportunity to spend a semester summer or year in an organized stay in another country. the majority of which are while going to school there and being living in a family there in that chosen country. There are actually a few programs available for those American students who choose from that to choose from that don't involve going to high school but involve some direct cultural activity. Some programs are especially designed for the American student to choose to participate in a program after graduating. These are designated as involving the gap year before going to college or taking that first full-time job. We are proud of the fact that AFS got started after the conclusion of World War II in 1947 by a few of the volunteer ambulance drivers who had just finished being instrumental in our troops surviving that war. And more than one ambulance driver had also served during World War I. These ambulance drivers had been

identified as being the American Field Service. And one of those ambulances used during World War I is on display at Kansas City World War I Liberty Memorial Museum. After the war, these ambulance drivers wondered if there were steps that would could be taken to avoid ever having such type of war again. Observing that some of our military personnel had appreciated the friendship offered by some of the families of both French and German citizens during the war, they established that they would arrange for high school-aged members of those families to be hosted by the American families of of military personnel here in America. From that beginning, AFS progressed to being an organized student exchange program nationwide and throughout the world. And over the years, the name progressed to the easily identifiable AFS intercultural organization. AFS was organized in Kansas City earlier, but it did get started in independence in 1959 when Phil and Lenora Weekes hosted our first student at William Chrisman. In 1964, Truman High School entered the AFS program with their first student being hosted by Marty and Francis Kassen in Golden Acres. Since then, Independence has hosted over 437 students. Being a named dropper, I will mention that council members Jim Schultz, Scott Robersonson, and Jared Piers, along with their wives, have also hosted one or more AFS students. In line with thinking of council members who have supported the AFS program, I must most humbly must express my gratitude and the gratitude of all of Kansas City AFS for the support the independent city council has so

graciously provided in the past by allowing AFS to occupy the city's suits at the Maverick's New Year's Eve ice hockey games. Numerous AFS students have recounted the Mavericks games as being the highlight of the year and some have said they're now ice hockey fans. You have one minute, sir. I apologize. Keep going. I apologize.

My [clears throat] wife Marilyn and I have hosted three students in our home and we are still in contact with two of them. Although unfortunately our first student during the 198485 school year, Gizela Zape died two years ago from adult onset Stills disease. Not usually a fatal disease, but I think she didn't take it seriously enough in getting medical care. Monica Montaniro from Italy after her year here in 1999. The following year chaperoned a contingent of AFS students from Italy to San Francisco and then accompanied us on a vacation into the Rocky Mountains. She learned three additional languages as an adult and showed us around Moscow when we visited there in 2004, having learned Russian in just a few months.

[clears throat]

She has also been back to visit us two additional times and we have visited her in Brussels, London, Katania, Sicily besides Moscow and Atlanta, Georgia. We participated in her wedding in Katania with guests from Italy, France, England, Slovakia, her husband being from Slovakia, Russia and the USA with a ceremony in both Italian and English. She is now a master yoga instructor having studied in India and other countries along the way. Christopher Brassington who was here in 8788 came back to visit us three times and we have visited him in Manchester, England. And after becoming a school teacher in Singapore, he married a girl there and circumstances prompted my wife Marilyn to travel there to meet Christopher's stand-in mother at his wedding because his natural mother could not afford another trip after visiting him upon announcement of it. the pending wedding. He and his wife Joyce are parents of two girls, our only AFS grandchildren. I along with everyone involved with the leadership of the Kansas City area team, are proud of the accomplishments of AFS students in their adult lives. Looking around the world, possibly the highest profile AFS student is Richard Engel, a revered national reporter for NBC who is fluent in Arabic, Spanish, and Italian, and has covered conflict zones from numerous locations for several years. Also we find the president of Chile, the minister of education of Finland, the former president of Colombia, the actor Edgar Ramirez, three astronauts, Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, and Brian Atwood, professor of Harvard, Brown and dean of Hubert Humphrey School of University of Minnesota. One of my recollections from several years ago was when an American female student returned to independence from her AFS year in Italy, having matured into a very self-confident young

lady and having happily lost 45 pounds from the exercise she experienced riding her loaned bicycle as the main means of local transportation. She readily recounted the weight loss as one of the accomplishments of her year there. left out of my recounting the value of AFS to peace in the world and better understanding of cultures around the globe has been the current status here in Independence. We only are hosting 11 students in the greater Kansas City area. None this year in Independence. In the Ken City area, we have two students in Indonesia, two from Indonesia, two from Germany, two from France, one from Spain, one from Norway, one from Mongolia, one from Italy, and one student from Malaysia here just for this second semester. The precoid we hosted 50 to 60 students in the Kansas City area and 10 to 12 students in independence each year. CO did a number on us. We have not yet recovered from it. So we have openings for volunteers to help in the effort to support the visiting students having reliable adult support for greater assurance that they aren't only dependent on one host family. Of course there's the opportunity to become a host family for high school student from their chosen country [clears throat] now now some inside information. This AFS student will be a teenager and realization of that fact will likely be more pertinent from than them being from another country. Many are surprised by the number of like traits they observe rather than differences. And there is the opportunity to send your own high school a student to another country for a summer, semester, or year. The operating procedure is the natural sending family the fee. Some sending families in the past have calculated that they saved over that year a considerable portion of that expense by the reduction in food costs, car expenditures, possibly car insurance,

but anything else where payments would be involved. And [clears throat] that year abroad has materially boosted that students college experience. Some being allowed to skip some history and government classes. Now you have one minute, sir. [snorts] So I I want to express the thanks to Frank Russo and Carmen Nol from Grand View and Marilyn Gun and myself being from Independence as being the the leaders of the the AFS program uh locally. Are there any questions? Any questions?

Well, thank you for giving me the opportunity tonight to explain the AFS program. Just quick question. Are if there's anybody interested at this point in time. Well, yeah, I hurried and I cut off. I'm going to stay through the end of the meeting. Okay. So, I'll talk to anybody who does have an interest. All right. Great. Thank you.

Next up, we have, and I hope I get this last name right, so please help me if I don't, Oswald Bayza. Please state your your name, your residence. Um, and you have five minutes. Thank you.

Uh, I am a resident of the third district. Um, my name is Oswwell Vessa and u came here to talk a little bit about politics, ethics and data center in general. Um, is that suffice? Okay. Um, [clears throat] so I've realized that if you don't involve yourself um in politics, you will suffer them. I've um condensed my input a little bit so I don't put anyone to sleep with this stuff. But um these are some observations uh political observations that I've made from um that standpoint. Um politics is a noble profession. It means um that it's ethical, honest, but I'm also being optimistic when I say that um I am a trace person and I would likely work at the data center, but um I am conscious that my community is not happy and that my personal interests are not above my communities. So because I depend on them as they depend on me. Um people have necessities and in order to be fulfilled they delegate their powers to the representatives. It is why we call them public servants because they are supposed to be obedient to the will of the people. A politician can be honest and have the best intentions but they can still be corrupt. How can a politician be ethical? What is the fundamental ethical principle in politics? I must in every act affirm and benefit the life of a community even in the most difficult situations. There are three elements to review in any decision made by a good politician. One, I must benefit the people.

For example, the data center is supposed to fund some city programs. Two, there must be a consensus to be valid. [laughter] Billings and tax abatements paid indirectly by taxpayers who don't get to vote. Three, it must be feasible. It must be reasonable. These three elements are mutually dependent. If one is missed, then it is not implemented. If we follow these three elements, politics becomes very easy. Everything else is just protocol, schedules and deadlines. The data center is obscenely subsidized by our tax dollars and it should not be under this criteria. We say we say that we live in a representative democracy. Yes, but that's a decision that's made from the top down by special interests. Usually, we forget that we live in a democracy that's also implemented by participation. This exists at the local level. Sometimes it is how we recall representatives. Our charter said no to a public vote. But just because it's a law, it doesn't mean it's just. Our charter could probably be picked apart by a constitutional attorney. In closing, it is said the human being is an end in itself, but so is our environment. And if our resources like water and energy are put at risk, so are our lives. And these data centers put our lives at risk. That is my time. Thank you. Thank you.

Next we have Stephanie Robinson. Please state your name and your address, please. Stephanie, you have five minutes.

I'm in the third district. I just had a couple questions about um I've been reading about it so I'm understanding a little bit better but how long basically will it pay will ne take Nebius to pay back the IPL funds that are going to be used for the supply road switchboard and is there any other way those get paid back and I had something else. Um I guess and in the meantime, will that cause any rate raises for us? We've been promised that it won't, but I just want to be sure that um we're on schedule with Nebus paying that back and how long that'll take and if there's any like emergency in the meantime, will there be enough funding for that? So that's it.

Thank you. Next we have Laura Dominic. Please state your name and your address, please. And you have five minutes. Thank you. Laura Dominic, 3525 Blue Ridge Boulevard. Good evening, council. For full disclosure, I currently chair the personnel board that I have served on for approximately 11 years. However, I'm speaking tonight only in my capacity as a city of independent citizen of independence. I'd like to address proposed resolution 26721 directing the city manager to seek approval of the city council prior to executing any separation agreement with any employee which requires the city to commit funding in excess of the city manager's purchasing authority as set out by the city council but not including any amount which an employee is entitled to pursuant to the city's personnel policies and procedures manual as amended. First of all, the P personnel policies and procedures manual provides no definition for a separation agreement. The manual does define transition compensation, which appears to be the intent of this proposed resolution. I would highly recommend that any resolution referring to personnel policies and procedures incorporate the specific wording of the manual. Second, article six, separation and disciplinary action section B2A of the manual defines the exact ranges of the amount of transition compensation that is paid which effectively makes the intention of this ordinance moot. Also stated in the same section is the ranges will be determined by the appointing authority. The only appointing authority the council has is over the city manager, the city clerk, the management analysts, and such other personnel as may be elected or appointed by the council. The council does not have appointing authority over the assistant city managers or department directors.

Therefore, the council does not have the authority to approve or disapprove the amount of transition compensation paid to those employees. Since we have three new elected officials on the council, here are just a few other things to keep in mind about personnel policies and procedures as defined by the city charter. I will read quickly through the majority of this given the time limitation. Section 2.15 of the charter states council's council is not to interfere with the administrative service. Council members shall not direct the appointment of any person to or their removal from office or employment by the city manager or by any other authority or accept as provided in this charter participate in any manner in the appointment or removal of officers and employees of the city. Council members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the city manager and no council member shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately. Notwithstanding, council members may otherwise contact such officers employees for the purpose of inquiring on matters of concern, but shall not direct such officers employees in the performance of their administrative duties. If any council member violates any provision of this section, said council member shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine if not less than $25, no more than $500. Any such conviction of any council member shall be caused for removal from office and such council member shall be automatically removed by the said conviction effective at the expiration of the period during which such council member may appeal or in the case of appeal when the case is finally determined. Section 3.32 of the charter states the council by motion or resolution shall adopt and may change personnel rules consistent with this charter and ordinances of the city. Such personnel rules shall further regulate the merit system and personnel matters and provide for proper personal ma personnel management. The city manager and the personnel board shall have the right to make recommendations or to be heard on the personnel rules and any changes therein before the council

adopts them. Currently, the process for consideration of any changes by the suggested changes by the city council to the personnel policies and procedures has been to have council members communicate with the city manager who discusses the issue with the director of human resources who then brings the suggested changes to the personnel board for review. Finally, as a reminder, you are all considered employees of the city of independence. Therefore, you must comply with the applicable provisions of the personnel policies and procedures manual unless specifically stated otherwise. I look forward to my continued work on the personnel board and I'll al always make time for any topic you would like to discuss. The city clerk has my contact information. Thank you.

Thank you. That brings us to the consent agenda. Um Mr. Mayor, Councilman Perkins. Thank you. Before I move to uh take action on the reports of recommendations, I need to make a motion to postpone for two weeks the approval of the minutes from the April 8th and April 20th regular city council meeting to the May 18th meeting. Okay, you have a motion on the floor. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mr. Mayor, just for clarification,

to move this for two weeks is just to be able to get them uh timely and forward so everyone can review them. Okay, Madame City Clerk, would you call the vote, please? Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member Va. Yes. Mayor King. Yes. This passes 70. Mr. Mayor. Councilman Parker. Thank you. I move for the approval reports of recommendations of the city manager.

Got a motion to approve the recommendations of the city manager. Can I have a second? [clears throat] Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Madam, any items pulled? Mr. Mayor, Councilman, please uh pull resolution 26721, please.

Okay. All right. So, Councilman Stewart, pull 26-721. That leaves us with um number two through five and also resolution 26720. And I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Madame City Clerk, please call the role for 2 through 5 and 2670. Thank you. Council member Dorman,

yes. [clears throat] Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King, yes. Consent agenda passes 70. I will turn it over to Councilman Stewart for the 26721. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I had a question for Mr. Covert. Mr. Cover, did you write this resolution? Yes, I did. Okay. Um, and as your position of our city attorney, do you think this resolution falls within the authority of the city council? Yes, I believe it's compliant with the charter and falls within the authority of city council.

Okay. Thank you. I'll make a motion to approve resolution 26-721. Second. I have a motion and a second to approve 26-721. Any further discussion, Mr. Mayor? Councilman Perkins. Thank you, Mr. Cover. Any of the um concerns or anything? Just kind of follow with Councilman Stewart. Any of the concerns that were brought forward by the speaker? Any red flags that are sticking out with you?

Well, certainly the the overall idea is that uh Mr. Anderson as a city manager is responsible for all personnel that do not report directly to the council of which there there are a handful of. Uh [clears throat] this some some some version of this resolution has been talked about for a while and essentially you know only relates to the you know fiscal impact of a separation agreement and only to a certain extent. it it doesn't come into play uh you know if it's within that that purchasing authority as set by the council and also again doesn't prevent uh Mr. Anderson from making this any other actions related to personnel. It just uh sets up some checks and balances related to the the funding portion. So that's that's my position. I'll let him add you.

Yeah, I I would concur. I I I believe that this resolution is more of a fiscal note than it is a personnel note. Thank you. Any further discussion on 26721? Madame city clerk, please call the vote. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King.

Yes. Resolution passes seven to zero. All right. This brings us to our regular agenda and public hearings. Madame city clerk, would you read the first public hearing?

A public hearing for the application to reszone the property at 710 South Hawthorne Avenue from R30PUD highdensity residential/planned unit development to R six single family residential. New information only. Thank you, mayor, members of the council. My name is Rick Royo. I'm the assistant community development director here at the city. Uh, this resoning was considered by planning commission on March 24th of this year. Planning commission did vote in favor of this resoning. This is a corrective resoning for a property at 710 South Hawthorne Avenue. Uh, going from an R30PUD highdensity residential district to a R six single family district. Uh the property owner here wishes to rehabilitate this property and needs this corrective resoning in order to do that. Uh with that I have no new new no new information to provide.

Thank you. Any questions? All right. Thank you, sir. Madame city clerk, please do the second reading of 26-036. 26-036, second reading. An ordinance approving a reszoning from district R30PUD highdensity residential planned unit development to district R6 single family residential for the property located at 710 South Hawthorne Avenue. Second reading. Entertain a motion. Don't pardon me. Okay. I'm sorry. No, you're

I'm learning. Um, Madame City Clerk, please call the role. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King, yes. Resolution 26-036 passes 7 to zero. Okay. Madame city clerk, would you read uh the public hearing number two? A public hearing for the application to reszone the city-owned properties located near Truman and Nolan, Lexington and Memorial and Lexington and Lynn from I1 Industrial and C2 General Commercial to HSQ Historic Square. New information only.

Thank you again. This resoning was considered by planning commission on February 24th of this year. Planning Commission did recommend uh in favor of this resoning. So this is a resoning for properties that are owned by the city generally located as the clerk stated uh near Truman and Nolan, Lexington and Memorial Drive and Lexington and Lind Street to historic downtown square special zoning district. Uh the properties here include the old city hall building uh with its associated parking lots. It also includes the building across from the circular drive which many can call the Napa building and its particular parking lots as well. It also includes the police station with the um parking lots associated with that along with the police storage lot. Um it also does include the sermon center with its parking lots as well. Uh there's a rectangular parking lot that the city also owns. It's south of Lexington um kind of along Lind Street. And um basically again to take that um currently most of those properties are C2. The sermon center is actually considered I1 industrial and this will basically reszone that to that um downtown square special zoning district and this will better help allow any redevelopment of those properties to uh meet the uh reshaping square plan uh that was envisioned for any redevelopments in the downtown district. And so with that, I have no new information to provide.

Any questions? Mr. Mayor, proceed. uh redesating these as historic square. Are there design standards folks have to meet if they are going to build within the historic square?

There is. Yes. So most of the design standards associated with this are going to be things like the front facades, the side, rear, and front setbacks um as well as things like signage and um the actual physical materials that would be used for the downtown square. So, uh, currently, for example, in a C2 district, anything being built in the downtown square would not be able to meet the, uh, current C2 district. And so, this would allow property, uh, property owners to actually meet the current historic downtown square streetscape. That's all I have. Any other questions?

Thank you, Madame City Clerk. Would you proceed with uh second reading of 26-029? 26-029, second reading, an ordinance approving a resoning from District C2, General Commercial in District I1 Industrial to District HSQ Historic Square for the city-owned properties located near Truman Road and Nolan Road, Lexington Avenue and Memorial Drive, and Lexington Avenue and Lind Street. Second reading. Please call the role. Council member, sorry. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy,

yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King, yes.

Ordinance 26029 passes. Seven eyes, zero Ns. This brings us to our second readings. Madame city clerk, will you read 26-032? 26-032, second reading, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an engineering procure construct EPC agreement and the EPC services company for 13,561,176 and authorizing change orders of up to 10% or one, 356,117.60 60s of the authorized amount for the BL road switchyard construction and for the power and light department appropriating 14,917,29360 from the IPL reserve fund balance to fund this purchase. Second reading

heard the second reading. Any discussion? I'm going to ask the city manager Anderson. I have a couple questions if you don't mind me asking. Um, this is a lot of money and I want to make sure I understand how this is going to get paid back to IPL. Um, if you don't mind, could you help me out with this?

Yeah, I'm actually going to call up Joe Hegender. He's a little bit more familiar with the details of that agreement, but there is a contractual obligation to repay those funds. uh regarding timing and uh how that gets repaid. I'll I'll I'm going to defer to Joe.

Uh good evening, mayor, council. Uh Joe Hegenduffer, Independence Power and Light director. So, yes, a lot of money uh electrical equipment these days is very expensive and it's very expensive endeavors. This is a switchyard to serve our large load out uh on BL road. And so the dollars that will be spent here were negotiated in an electronic service our electrical services agreement to be repaid within the first 12 months of of beginning that. So, starting in October of 2026, so this year, they will start paying capacity payments, uh, the new large load, whether they're taking any electricity or not, and we'll help refund that money. And all of these dollars specifically will be repaid within six months of of starting that.

Um, just to follow up, I want to make sure that I heard this correctly. Yes, sir. Um, you said regardless if they ha if they produce any energy or not, regardless we have a they have a contractual contractual agreement to still pay us. That's a great question. Correct. Yes. Yes, sir. So, uh, aside from any energy usage or energy withdrawal, uh, they are contractually obligated to start making capacity payments starting this October. So whether their project is delayed 6 months or not, those payments will start this October. Okay. And what's the time frame for them to get this paid back if you don't mind me asking?

I this project will be paid back within six months of my within six months. Yes. Um and just another question. I want to make sure I understand this. We're not mixing and matching funds here. Correct. This is through this is the IPL fund that is putting this money. There's nothing being mix and match between the general fund and the IPL. Correct. No sir. This is coming 100% out of the independence power and light uh reserve funds on on on the enterprise funds. So and we have adequate resources in that piggy bank to be able to do these without impacting rates or anything else. So no not impacting rates at all. Are you sure? 100%.

Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Any further discussion, Mr. Mayor. Yes. So, uh, thankfully you've covered a couple of those questions already. Um, so not only will this project be paid back, but uh you mentioned it'll be paid back within six months. That contract though is for an entire year. The so the capacity payments prior to the new uh power plant coming online, which is October of 27. So October of 26 to October of 27, those capacity payments are 100% IPOs. Okay. So it it won't just pay itself back. It'll actually uh it go over that amount.

That is correct. There will be excess u net revenues beyond paying these projects back. Yes. Perfect. And can you describe you know we've had a handful of discussions about um at least a couple of the community programs that you would like to bring back uh if IPL had the capacity and funding to do. Um ideally out of this situation and contract we will have those funds to be able to support our community. There just a couple that you would like to mention.

So, uh, we used to do, you know, energy audits, uh, especially for low-income housing, uh, help us with lie heap and other, uh, assistance programs. Um, there there are lots of programs that I would like to engage in the community and see which programs they would like to bring back, but those are kind of two out of the gate. Um, I'd really like to have conversations with city leadership and and you all and and engage in the community to see what programs we have done in the past. Um, I know that I mean I've been here four and a half years, so I'd like to go back before then and see what other programs that the residents think would would be beneficial.

Okay. Um and in addition to these capacity payments especially if the project were to move forward uh in a timely manner uh the city general fund would be receiving uh revenue as well. Correct. That is correct. So uh these capacity payments alone uh will have a pilot payment attached to them which which goes to the city's general fund. So yes.

Gotcha. And would you be able to ballpark about how much you think maybe would go to the city's general fund? I think we looked at the very first fiscal year. So if we're talking June 1st of 2026 through I'm sorry July 1st through June 30th. This next fiscal year it's about $3.5 million I believe to the general fund uh purely based on these capacity payments. $3.5 million. That's roughly the cost to bring back buses. Correct. That that's an excellent question that depends on a whole host of uh number of routes and wrerships and those kind of things, but certainly we can have that conversation.

Okay. I I believe that was publicly stated a while back is the quote that we were given on how much it would cost to bring back buses was roughly $3.5 million. Uh $3.5 million that's also a year worth of payments for the Cracker Neck Creek development. Correct. again kind of size and scale of repaying that. We could certainly talk about that. Okay. Um the ARCH program, it currently runs 5 days a week from 8:00 to 5:00. Do mental health crisis stop uh after 5:00 p.m. uh during the week? No,

they do not. So, ideally, we would have the funds and revenue to pay to extend that time period. Uh preferably, we run it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. um those facing mental health crisis, substance abuse, suicidal ideiation. Uh they certainly need that revenue so we can expand that program. Um inclusive parks. I spoke a while back about um my frustration that our park system uh to no fault of the park system, I want to be clear, uh is not able to fully fund uh full inclusivity at all of our parks. Um just you know out of curiosity would you uh know why we wouldn't be able to uh have those inclusive parks? My understanding is historically a lack of resources.

A lack of resources. So uh additional funding would help build inclusive parks. Um the water park the water park was shut down last year due to deferred maintenance. Um summertime's coming up. A water park sure would be nice. Um, any way we can pay for that right now with uh expected revenues that we have without this uh new project? No.

No. Okay, that's too bad. Uh, historic sites. Historic sites are uh pretty important to me personally. Um, really enjoy the historic sites here. Uh, they do cost a lot of money. Um, having lived in a historic home, they are um very expensive. Um [laughter] the uh go bond that we attempted last year, two years ago, um you know, it was millions of dollars. Um you know, historic sites, something the community is passionate about, would really like to uh fund and be able to keep under city ownership for the next 150, 200 years. Um I I assume they would potentially benefit from additional revenue as well. So, I'd like to clarify the line of questioning. Um, as the budget currently stands, no. Uh, unless city council uh chose to divert funds from some other source. Uh, number one. Number two, uh, yes. As we walk into the, uh, next budget season uh, and approving the next budget, that is certainly within the purview of the city council given additional resources.

Okay. Um, homelessness services. Uh this is something again near and dear to my heart. I can't imagine living on the streets uh or even being uh homeless uh proximal. Um you know there are a number of things we can do, organizations we can support. Um sure would like a little bit more money for that. Um you know we can always take from you know a little bit here and there from all of these departments but we're stretched pretty thin. Would you agree? Yeah, as I suggested, unless uh we're pulling sources from uh or p pulling resources from other funds and uh from other pools, uh no, we're we're stretched pretty thin right now.

Okay, green space. Um love me some green space. Love the parks. Love flowers, birds, bees. Uh all of that. Um you know, uh it it also costs money, correct? That's not free. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Uh small business tax incentives. Uh, I think we would all agree that we would love a thriving small business community here uh to include uh allowing them uh to participate in some uh tax incentive programs. Um that cost money, correct? Typically, yes.

Okay. Uh demolition of dangerous buildings, abandoned buildings. Um you know, we're not short on those throughout this city. Sure. Would like to get rid of them. Uh is that free? Uh, not unless the property owner voluntarily removes the the property. I'm sure that happens quite a bit. Uh, debt service payments. So, um, we're in a lot of debt. We're not in a good situation there, are we? Uh, no. We carry a healthy balance of debt uh on our books right now, but obviously we are super attuned to uh the percentage and the level of debt that we're carrying. For sure.

Gotcha. All right. So, um, all of these things cost money. we have an avenue to get that money to improve our city. Um this is the first step in making sure that happens. Um so I would encourage that we vote in favor of uh this project. Um just a couple quick ones. Um as this money comes in, we will have a project code to be able to track those payments. Yes. Okay. Uh so we will know exactly, you know, the amount that we will be receiving from there. Uh, and then, you know, I I saw something the other day on social media. Um, we're raising taxes 30 to 40% to pay for this project. Is that correct?

I'm going to say no, but I'm going to defer to my CFO just to make sure that I'm not misrepresenting that. But, okay. Or in this case, my budget manager. Sorry. And I apologize council for not having a blazer. It's a little hot. Um, no, no, we are not increasing taxes. And in fact, a tax increase would come from council. So, I think you you guys would be the first to know. Awesome. Okay. So, not everything you're reading on social media is true, I guess. Unfortunately, no. Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Um, that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion on 26032? Mr. Mayor,

proceed. Thank you. I think um one of my fellow council members was saying that the return on investment is really good for a city that has a lot of needs and and as we work through our economic development policy whether it's green field development or whether we do uh redevelopment on the west side of town it's very important that we follow the policy which we have done in this on the return on investment and just for a point of note we're also taking this very seriously we do have a council retreat coming up two weeks next week next week. Next week, two weeks.

Two weeks. Time's flying. We're already in May. So, within that, it's going to be a two-day series. One of going to be looking at what we need to do and rep prioritize city um city stuff and but then the other the other day is the second day will be looking at to in financial investments as we look through these economic developments that are going to pay off holistically and for a long term, how to better spend those dollars. Then moving forward with that also I'll be working with the city manager's office and also with my other council members to begin holding meetings in the first district in probably late June early July to discuss that within the community to hear that important feedback. So as these things are moving forward we are going to have a really high return on investment. We want to spend it wisely. Thank you Mr. Mayor.

Any further discussion? Madame City Clerk, please call the role for 26-032. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member Vot, yes. Mayor King, yes. Ordinance 26032 passes seven yays, zero nays. All right, madam city clerk, please proceed with 26-033.

26-033, second reading, an ordinance adopting an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget which was approved by ordinance number 1 19682 second reading. Any discussion on 26033 hearing? None. Madame city clerk, please call a role. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King,

yes. Ordinance 26033 passes, seven yays, zero nays. Um, Madame City Clerk, please proceed with 26034. 26-034, second reading. An ordinance finding, determining, and declaring the necessity of acquiring right-of-way, and temporary construction easements for the Winter Road complete streets project, project number 112403, authorizing the negotiation and eminent domain proceedings if necessary, approving the plans and specifications for the project, authorizing the use of experts as needed, authorizing and directing the execution of documents and the payment of funds to property owners or others holding property rights in conjunction with the property. I'm sorry with the project second reading.

Any discussion on 26034? Mr. Mayor, proceed.

Thank you. Um, this project here is in the next stage. Obviously, we're doing um land acquisition here as we talk about return on investment. Number one, I want to say thank you to those folks who did show up to the meeting that I held about two weeks ago at the Englewood Arch to discuss the different projects that was taking place here. This was one of them. Municipal Service Director Jackson was there for the assist on some of the deeper dive technical information. So big thank you for that. This is about a $5.5 million project with the expenditure from the city of Independence at a half a million dollars. That's a tremendous leverage to bring that type of infrastructure from 24 highway to hedges also. And incorporated with that, we're also doing storm water projects. since we're there tearing up the streets, sidewalks, and stuff, let's fix the infrastructure that's underground so we're able to le leverage those dollars even more. So, I sure appreciate the support and approval. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. Just quick question kind of catch you off guard a little bit. It talks about imminent domain on here and and uh authorizing um imminent domain proceedings if necessary. Do we feel like this is going to be an issue with this project? No. Generally that's only a last resort. Um we we gain the approval to pursue eminent domain now so we don't have to come back to you but ultimately very rarely do these ever result in eminent domain. The authorization gives us uh uh we think enough uh flexibility to work with property owners to acquire what we need.

Right. Thank you. Any further discussion on 26034? Madam city clerk, please call the role. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes. Mayor King, yes. Ordinance 26034 passes seven. Yay. Zero nays. All right, that brings us to 26-035. Madam City Clerk,

26-035, second reading, an ordinance granting a permanent underground 10-ft fiber optic cable utility line easement to Unite Private Networks LLC, DBA SIGRA, a limited liability company across the city-owned property located at 14400 Sugar Creek Road, Sugar Creek, Missouri 64050, which is Courtney Bend Water Treatment Plant, second reading. Any discussion on 2635? Hearing none. Madame city clerk, please call the role. Council member Dorman, yes. Council member Perkins, yes. Council member Stewart, yes. Council member Atkinson, yes. Council member Wy, yes. Council member VA, yes.

Mayor King, yes. 26-035 passes. Seven yays, zero nays. This brings us to first readings. Madame city clerk, pre please proceed. 26-037, first reading, an ordinance adopting amendments to the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget, which was approved by ordinance 19682 and authorizing the city manager to issue the purchase order for a total amount of $769,817 to design mechanical and authorizing further change orders of up to 10% of the authorized amount. First reading.

All right. Thank you. This brings us to council member comments. I'm going to start with Councilman Councilwoman Dorman. Um I don't have any tonight.

Nothing. Okay. Uh Council Member Stewart. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have a couple of things. Uh so yesterday, uh my oldest daughter and Olly and I um jogged slashwalked in the Give them Hell Harry 5K. And trust me, there was a lot more walking than there was jogging, but that's not really the point. Um, we participated in this event with more than 200 other people. The event started at the Truman Library and Museum going through the historic Independent Square and then ended at the Truman Library. Um, we couldn't have asked for any better weather and I would just like to thank all the volunteers that worked at the event and all the organizations responsible for making it happen. I would also like to give a special shout out to Mayor King for being at the finish line and cheering us on as we crossed it. Um, and then one more thing on a more somber note, I found out over the weekend that my friend and former colleague at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Rario Ross Capanetto, passed away at the age of 76. Ross worked for the Jackson County Sheriff's Office from 1980 to 2010 before he retired at the rank of captain. for joining the sheriff's office. Ross served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army. I would like to thank him for his service to this country and to this community. I would also like to send my deepest condolences to his wife Tina and all his friends and family. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Atinson.

Yeah. Um I want to take time to comment on why we took a moment of silence this morning. Um there is no more noble a cause than to live your life in the service of others. Uh unfortunately an individual lost their life today serving others. Um and I want the CSL community and family to know that my heart and the heart of this city is with them. Uh unfortunately this is not the only tragedy that has stricken this community recently. Uh not that long ago an individual was gunned down. A small child uh also passed away after a motor vehicle incident. That um that carries a lot of weight. Um it fills your heart with all of what constitutes grief. that sadness, that anger, confusion, double- guessing, the anxiety, the sleepless nights, uh, and the pain [clears throat] and the darkness that can consume you can feel very overwhelming. Uh, but there is light that we can reach toward. And I would like to make a request of everybody in this room um of my fellow council members, the mayor, uh anybody watching or will watch later on is to reach for love. To tell those um that you love, that you love them, to reach out to a friend, a family member, somebody you haven't spoken to in a while, hug them, hold them, kiss them on the forehead, hold them a little bit longer. uh because life is very short. Thank you,

Council Member Wy.

Thank you, Mayor. Um last week, uh we heard reports from our citizen oversight committees, and I neglected to say thank you to them last week, and I want to thank all of our volunteers who dedicate their time for the important work of the citizen committee oversight committees. Their commitment is a vital part of our city government. It was really encouraging to see the passion that each one of them have for their subject. So again, thank you for all you do. And then I wanted to announce that there will be a community meeting on the status of the hub shopping center redevelopment. So Tryand will be here to review what has been accomplished since the project began in November 23, where the center stands today, and what lies ahead for the hub. This meeting is May 13th at 6 PM at the former Independence Utility Center, which is now the Justice Center on the Bottom Floor. Thank you,

Council Member VA. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, was it Mr. Lowour? Is that how you say your name? Lowry. Um, I [clears throat] I would also like to add my name to um being an AFS parent. We did it in the 2010 2011 school year and it's [clears throat] a great experience. Our student was from Germany and she came back a couple times and visited um but now she's chosen to travel the world so she has not come back to see us but I am an advocate for that program. So thank you. Thank you council member Perkins.

Thank you mayor. Um Mr. Lowry it's good to see you again. and I had the great pleasure of of serving while he was sie clerk here. So, it's always good to see uh Bruce. Um last Wednesday I had the great pleasure of of doing the opening remarks to the um Federation Garden Club of Missouri. There was about 180 men and women who came to uh Stony Creek to um do their business and it was really good to see them had the great opportunity to want to to share in and encourage them to come to Independence Square and take a look at some of the different things mansion to like look at our arboretum mispronounced that but you know what I'm talking about. So, it was really good to um have them here. An announcement in Independence Municipal Commons ribbon cutting Thursday the 14th at 2:30 from 2:30 to 5:00 will be here if anybody would like to come and celebrate our new location. Today, Visit Independence Tourism Summit was the was the first summit that we had. Big shout out to our visit independence um CVB board. They have put together this summit with different uh stakeholders within our community and even without uh with outside of our community to talk about tourism. How can we wrap our arms around the tourism aspect in our city to be able to promote it? There was about 100 125 people there. It was really good to see folks there. City manager, thank you for being there. Councilman Atkinson, thank you for being there. Um, I'm looking forward to what this this group does. This is something that we have looked at with the city for the 10 years that I've been on here and I know they looked at a little bit before that. This organization can really promote tourism, bring independence uh to the forefront within our region and with our nation. So, I'm looking forward to see how this

moves forward. Thank you, Mayor. I

appreciate it. Just want to go over a couple things. Um um I will say um Saturday I was at the Truman birthday celebration at the square. Um signed a birthday card, had some great cake. Uh met some great people. Um like I said, signed the birthday card. Um had a lot of fun with that. And then um I can attest because I was at the give them hell 5K that Bryce did actually run across the finish line. So yeah, good job, Council Member. Um I I want to give a special thanks to um Cindy and Jeff Rogers. They did a great job with this at the square and then also with the 5K. This is our second annual 5K. I hope we went from 120 people the first year, I believe, to 225 230 people that participated. So, um, hats off to them. Let's make this grow. This should be a lot of fun. Um, it's a 5K run or walk. So, if President Truman at 142 years old can walk the 5K, I think we all can, right? All right. All right. Um, but also, you know, this doesn't just we have a lot of volunteers that help and I want to thank all the volunteers that showed up to help Saturday and Sunday. Um, it's it's an important event. We will make sure next year that we get it out earlier so everybody knows it's going on. It would be great to see a lot more people out there. So, um, and just a reminder that anybody know what this Friday is, President Truman's birthday. So, want to give a shout out to say happy birthday

to the president. 142. So, and then also I want to bring up a couple other things if you don't mind. Um, this month in May, we have three employees retiring and I want to give them a shout out and say thank you to your service to this city. I really appreciate that. Um, it is Rodney Lap Lapid, Michael Adams. Rodney is with the utility maintenance workers. Uh, Michael Adams is a tree trimming superintendent. and Paul and I hope I don't mess this up. Paul Bismire, he's with the electric distribution manager. So, I just want to personally say thank you for your service to this city. One more thing. Um, so a week ago, Saturday, I attended the Arbor Day Arbor Day celebration and gave a proclamation. Um, and uh, we have since gotten a letter from the Arbor Day Foundation, and Independence earns, just read this, Independence earns the 2025 Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. So, um, yeah, good for us, right? Um, and then I als just just a couple other things, you know. Um, I want to I actually want to thank um the city council for, you know, uh I know it's only been two weeks, but we've had some really good conversations um with everybody and um we've had some unexpected meetings come up um because of some of the things we're dealing with. But one of the things, you know, I'm trying to do is make sure we have good good communication between everybody up here and make sure we're all in the in the same frame of mind moving forward and and really trying to to move this city forward. And so I

thank you for the opportunities to have conversations with me. I re I really do appreciate it. And with that, I'm going to turn it over to our city manager, Anderson, for your comments. I got nothing. What? Nothing at all. Nothing uh at this particular time. But um can I ask one question of you and I'm going to put you on the spot again. Sure.

So I have been sweating quite profusely in here. Um, do we have the opportunity or do you know when the opportunity will be when we can get into the new city council chambers? Yeah. So, uh, after the ribbon cutting on May 14th, uh, we will be, from my understanding available the 18th at our next uh, regular council meeting on May 18th. Okay. And Yes. Yes. All right. Yes. Well, thank you for that. Yes. All right. I appreciate everybody coming out. Um, meeting a journ.