Feb 23, 2026 County Legislature

[00:00:03]

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SEAN SMITH. I'LL BE CHAIRING OUR LEGISLATIVE MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

WELCOME TO THE FOURTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE.

IT IS FEBRUARY 23RD AT 3:01 P.M. WITH A CLERK.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. ANDERSON. HERE. PEYTON.

HERE. SMITH. PRESENT. ABARCA. HUSKEY. PRESENT.

FRANKLIN. HERE. MCGEE. LAUER. SMITH. HERE. SO WE HAVE SIX PRESENT, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

[2 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL?

[3 APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING]

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? HEARING NONE.

THE JOURNAL IS APPROVED. MOVING ON TO HEARINGS.

[4 HEARINGS]

[A RESOLUTION honoring the Kansas City Public Schools Mentoring Program in recognition of National Mentoring Month.]

WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, MADAM CLERK. ANDERSON.

YES. PEYTON. YES. SMITH. YES. ABARCA. HUSKY. YES.

FRANKLIN. YES. MCGEE. LAUER. SMITH. YES. SIX.

YES. THREE. ABSENT. VERY WELL. PRESENTATION. LEGISLATOR.

PEYTON. DO YOU HAVE THE MICROPHONE? AND IF I COULD ASK THE REPRESENTATIVES TO PLEASE JOIN ME UP FRONT.

THANK YOU. HI. HELLO. HELLO.

WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO BE ABLE TO AWARD THE KC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN HONOR OF THEIR MENTORING PROGRAM IN 2017, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DOCTOR DARRELL DAVIS, NOW DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

A SIGNIFICANT MENTORING GAP WAS IDENTIFIED AMONGST STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, AND RECOGNIZING THAT 1 IN 3 YOUNG PEOPLE NATIONWIDE GROW UP WITHOUT A MENTOR. KSI ISSUED A CALL TO ACTION THAT LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KSI MENTORING PROGRAM, DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO A CARING, CONSISTENT ADULT ROLE MODEL.

AND SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE MENTORING PROGRAM HAS MADE A MEASURABLE AND TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON STUDENTS OUTCOMES, INCLUDING MENTEES BEING LESS LIKELY TO MISS A DAY OF SCHOOL.

PARTICIPANTS READING ON OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL ARE IN HIGHER RATES.

MENTEES IN HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE HIGHER GRADE POINT AVERAGES, PARTICIPANTS BEING MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN SPORTS OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND MENTEES BEING MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN FOUR YEARS, MENTEES BEING MORE LIKELY TO ENROLL IN COLLEGE, AND MENTEES DEMONSTRATING STRONGER PERSONAL IDENTITY, CONFIDENCE AND SELF-WORTH.

JUST AMAZING WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND ACCOMPLISHING WITH THE PROGRAM.

SO BE IT. RESOLVED THAT THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE PROUDLY CELEBRATES THE PROGRAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS, DURING WHICH WAS IN JANUARY NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH, AND ENCOURAGES CONTINUED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS AND WELL-BEING OF OUR YOUTH, OUR KANSAS CITY YOUTH. THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? I UNDERSTAND, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

ON BEHALF OF KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MY NAME IS DEANDRA WINFIELD. I'M THE MANAGER OF STUDENT EXPERIENCE, AND I OVERSEE THE MENTORING PROGRAM FOR OUR DISTRICT.

WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AS WELL AS YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS WITHIN KCK.

WE DON'T TAKE THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT LIGHTLY, AND WE WELCOME ANY OF YOU IN THE BUILDING WHO ARE NOT MENTORS TO DO JOIN US IN OUR CALL TO ACTION AS WE CONTINUE TO SERVE THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND PLEASE JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING THEM WITH A HAND CLAP.

[00:05:13]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, MISTER EXECUTIVE,

[5 COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE]

SO I'M STARTING WITH HISTORY AND ALL MY COMMUNICATIONS BEFORE I GET INTO REPORTS THIS WEEK IN REGIONAL HISTORY, FEBRUARY 22ND, 1853, THE TOWN OF KANSAS WAS FORMALLY INCORPORATED BY THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AND THAT DECISION HELPED LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE GROWTH OF KANSAS CITY AND THE BROADER JACKSON COUNTY REGION WE SERVE TODAY.

IN THE YEARS TO FOLLOW, THIS AREA PLAYED A ROLE IN THE PERIOD KNOWN AS THE BORDER WARS, A DEFINING CHAPTER IN OUR EARLY HISTORY.

AS WE CELEBRATE JACKSON COUNTY'S 200 YEAR STORY, IT'S WORTH REMEMBERING HOW FAR WE'VE COME FROM A FRONTIER COMMUNITY SHAPED BY DIVISION TO A STRONG COOPERATIVE REGION FOCUSED ON SHARED PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY.

MY NEXT COMMUNICATION IS A QUIZ. WHO KNOWS WHO FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ARE? I KNOW YOU KNOW. SO I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ARE THE NEW BALD EAGLES THAT HAVE NESTED IN BLUE SPRINGS.

THEY ARE CLAIMED BY THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, AS I TOLD THE MAYOR. AND THEN LAST WEEK, THEIR JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS. SO THERE ARE ALL BALD EAGLES CUZ THEY'VE NESTED. THEY HAVE THREE EGGS AND YOU CAN GET ONLINE AND WATCH THEM ON A SCREEN.

I THINK I HAVE IT ON MY OFFICE. SO FREEDOM AND LIBERTY HAVE THREE EGGS THAT WE HATCH IN TWO, THREE BRAND NEW JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS. MY REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT LAST WEEK WE SENT OUT 800 LETTERS TO CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY REGARDING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE TAKEN A PROACTIVE APPROACH LIKE THIS, PROVIDING ADVANCE NOTICE SO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TIME TO ENSURE THEIR EXEMPTION PAPERWORK IS UP TO DATE. THE GOAL IS PREVENTION, AVOIDING CONFUSION, MISSED FILINGS AND SITUATIONS WHERE PROPERTIES BECOME TAXABLE SIMPLY BECAUSE DOCUMENTATION WAS NEVER SUBMITTED. THE LETTER I SENT OUT MAKES IT CLEAR THIS IS NOT AN ENFORCEMENT ACTION.

IT IS AN EARLY NOTIFICATION AND GUIDANCE, AND WE ALSO INCLUDED A DIRECT ONLINE APPLICATION LINK AND QR CODE IN THIS LETTER TO MAKE THE PROCESS SIMPLE AND INACCESSIBLE.

THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNICATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND HELPING ORGANIZATIONS STAY COMPLIANT BEFORE DEADLINES.

LEGISLATOR PEYTON HAD SOME ISSUES IN HER DISTRICT AND REACHED OUT AND HOSTED A MEETING WITH SOME OF THESE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

AND WE OUTLINED WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? TO ATTEND THE MEETING THAT YOU'LL SCHEDULE IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS TO MAKE SURE, NUMBER ONE, THEY HAVE ALL THE LETTERS AND THEY UNDERSTAND.

WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE EXEMPTIONS AND NOT HARD.

ALSO, I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT MY OFFICE WILL BE SENDING LETTERS TO COMMERCIAL TAXPAYERS WHO MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO PAY, EITHER IN FULL BASED ON THE ORIGINAL BILL OR BASED ON THE 15% CAP RECALCULATED AMOUNT.

THE PURPOSE IS TO CONFIRM WE'VE RECEIVED THEIR PAYMENT AND TO CLARIFY THAT NO PENALTIES OR INTEREST WILL APPLY TO THOSE ACCOUNTS WHILE RECALCULATION ARE BEING FINALIZED.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT THAT BECAUSE OUR SYSTEMS AREN'T WORKING AS FAST TO RECALCULATE AND TO GET THEM THAT INFORMATION AS THEY DID WHEN THEY RECEIVED A LETTER OF WHAT THE LOWER SECTION WAS LAST FALL.

OUR DUE MARCH 1ST, 2026. AGAIN, TO HELP MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER, WE'VE CREATED A SHORT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO THAT WALKS TAXPAYERS STEP BY STEP THROUGH FILING ONLINE. THAT VIDEO IS NOW AVAILABLE AT W-W-W.

BACKSLASH DECLARATIONS. NOW, DECLARATIONS NOT FILED BY MAY 1ST MAY INCUR PENALTIES, SO WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO FILE ON TIME.

WE SENT OUT POSTCARDS, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GET THE POSTCARDS.

AND IT'S IT'S INCUMBENT ON THEM TO GET ONLINE OR CONTACT US TO DO THAT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR POSTCARD, YOU CAN STILL CALL AND GET YOUR PIN AND YOU CAN GET IT DONE. SO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT VIDEO.

IF ANYONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE OR DOES NOT HAVE THEIR PIN NUMBER TO DO THAT, THE ASSESSMENT DEPARTMENT IS READY TO HELP.

RESIDENTS CAN EMAIL AT I'VE AT JACKSON GOV, OR SIMPLY CALL (816) 881-1330.

WE WANT THIS TO BE SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD AND TIMELY AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE DOING THEIR PART.

[00:10:05]

HUSKY. IF YOU KNOW, THE FREEDOM WALL IS LOCATED IN LEON JORDAN MEMORIAL PARK, IT HONORS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING LIFE IN OUR URBAN COMMUNITY AND APPLICATIONS TO NOMINATE SOMEONE TO THE MONUMENT FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND COURAGE IS AVAILABLE NOW ONLINE AND ARE DUE APRIL 6TH.

FINALLY, TWO ISSUES I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU.

ONE REGARDING ORDINANCE 6007, AN ORDINANCE THIS LEGISLATURE PASSED ON GAMBLING DEVICES IN ITS LEGALITY.

THAT WAS PASSED RECENTLY, BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS WEIGHED IN, AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THE ORDINANCE FAILS THE LEGALITY OF THE WESTERN FORCE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED. THE REQUIREMENT TO GAIN, PERCHANCE BE ALLOWED ONLY ON LICENSED GAMING FACILITIES IS PRETTY CLEAR.

NUMBER THREE, SECTION 39 AND 39, WHICH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS 39, PROHIBITS THE LEGISLATURE FROM ENACTING LAWS ALLOWING GAMES OF CHANCE EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR THERAPY. IT SAYS JACKSON COUNTY CAN ONLY POSSESS THE LEGISLATIVE POWER OF THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE.

IT ALSO DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO LEGISLATE ANY GAMES OF CHANCE.

NOT A LICENSE FLOATING CASINO THERE. THE POSITION THAT THIS IS A GOOD CASE FOR CLAIMING PREEMPTION BY STATE LAW.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOMETHING IS ILLEGAL UNDER STATE LAW, THEN JACKSON COUNTY CAN'T INTERPOSE ITSELF TO MAKE SOMETHING LEGAL.

COURTS HAVE AGREED THAT THESE DEVICES ARE ILLEGAL UNDER STATE LAW, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS HAD A RULING OF THE TMC AND USERS VERSUS SUPPORT LAST WEEK AND SAID IT'S HEREBY ORDER. THE JUDGE AGREED THAT THE TORTURE DEVICE IS MARKETED AND DISTRIBUTED BY MEANS OF A GAMBLING LICENSE UNDER STATUTE, AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL IN MISSOURI LAW, AND OPERATE OUTSIDE OF LICENSED CASINO.

SO I GIVE IT A FRESH LEGISLATURE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO REGROUP AND LOOK AT THAT LEGISLATION PASSED AND MAKING SURE WE'RE THE ONES WITH DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THIS MOST RECENT COURT OF APPEALS. I DON'T HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS OF THIS TIME TO DO.

I WOULD SAY WE REACH OUT TO THE COUNTY COUNSEL WITH SOME GUIDANCE, GUIDANCE ON THAT.

SO MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT MAYBE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

AND BEFORE I GET MY NEXT ISSUE THAT'S GOING TO HELP THEM IN THE COMMENTS ON THAT ISSUE.

NO, I BELIEVE YOU COVERED IT, THAT THE RULING THAT CAME OUT ON TORCH WAS FEBRUARY 13TH.

SO IT'S FAIRLY NEW. 6007 ORDINANCE WAS PASSED, I BELIEVE, IN DECEMBER.

SO I MEAN, IT PROBABLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RECONSIDER OR AT LEAST REVISE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

AND ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? I HAVE ONE MORE ISSUE.

ANY QUESTIONS? THIS ISSUE IS BASICALLY ONE THAT I BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.

NUMBER ONE, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE COLLABORATING AND MILES IS TRANSPARENT.

I THINK IN THE PAST, MAYBE ISSUES LIKE THIS WERE DONE WITHOUT CONSULTATION OF LEGISLATION, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. THIS IS ABOUT THE OPIOID LITIGATION IN THE COUNTY OF INVOLVING THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED LITIGATION IN JULY OF 2018, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER CITIES AND COUNTIES AND STATES, INCLUDING MISSOURI, ALSO FILED CASES.

SEVERAL DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURERS, PHARMACIES AND DISTRIBUTORS, WERE NAMED IN THE LITIGATION, AND JACKSON COUNTY CHOSE A LITIGATION TEAM THROUGH PUBLIC RFP PROCESS.

WE HAD ATTORNEYS WORKING FOR US. SIMMONS, HANLY, CONROY, WILLIAMS, DIRKS, DAMERON, THE HARDWICK LAW FIRM, AND THESE GROUPS ALSO REPRESENT KCMO. SAINT LOUIS COUNTY AND SAINT CHARLES COUNTY.

THEY WERE REFERRED TO AS THE BIG FOUR IN THIS LITIGATION.

THERE WERE FIVE NOTEWORTHY SETTLEMENTS SO FAR.

EACH SETTLEMENT IS NATIONWIDE AND ALLOCATES CERTAIN DAMAGES PER STATE.

THEN EACH STATE DECIDES HOW TO DIVIDE THE MONEY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUBDIVISIONS.

IN MISSOURI, THE SPLIT IS 60 TO 40% 40% FOR LOCAL LITIGATING SUBDIVISIONS.

THE SETTLEMENT WITH JANSSEN AND THREE MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS, MCKESSON, CARDINAL HEALTH AND MARISCOS BERGEN.

APPROXIMATELY $26 BILLION IN ASSETS AND APPROXIMATELY $457 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR MISSOURI ALLOCATION OF $100 MILLION TO THE BIG FOUR CLIENTS AND JACKSON COUNTY. TOTAL APPROXIMATE ALLOCATION IS 13.5 MILLION.

SO WE'VE BEEN GETTING THAT. BUT THE ISSUE I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS THAT BROWN AND GREER IS THE SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR.

BEGIN PAYING KANSAS CITY'S ALLOCATION TO JACKSON COUNTY FOR SOME SETTLEMENT.

SO WE GOT A CONTACT BY KANSAS CITY SAYING, HEY, YOU'VE BEEN GETTING SOME OF OUR MONEY.

THESE SETTLEMENTS INCLUDE THE SETTLEMENT FROM ALLERGENS FROM TEVA, FROM KROGER AND SOME PHARMACIES.

OTHERS. SO WHAT KANSAS CITY IS TELLING US. AND NOW WE'RE REACHING BACK OUT TO BROWN, GREER AND OUR ATTORNEYS WITH WILLIAMS AND

[00:15:04]

AND THE PAYMENT FROM THESE TOTALS IN THESE SETTLEMENTS TOTAL $11,792 MILLION.

11. ALMOST EIGHT. ALMOST $12 MILLION. OF THAT AMOUNT, 54% SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID DIRECTLY TO KANSAS CITY, NOT TO JACKSON COUNTY. SO THEREFORE, KANSAS CITY'S SHARE IS 6,000,368, AND THE TOTAL CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING BREAKDOWN.

AND I'M THROWING A LOT OF NUMBERS AT YOU THAT I CAN GIVE YOU SPECIFICS, BUT IN 2024, $9 MILLION WAS PAID TO JACKSON COUNTY.

THAT 4.8 MILLION WAS OWED TO KANSAS CITY, AND 2025 2.7 MILLION WAS PAID TO JACKSON COUNTY, AND 1.4 MILLION WAS OWED TO KANSAS CITY. SO THE THE ISSUE THAT CAME TO US WAS THAT, HEY, JUST WRITE US A CHECK FOR 1.4 MILLION AND BE DONE WITH IT. I, I HAVE THE FULL AUTHORITY TO DO THAT, TO MAKE THE BOOKS.

RIGHT. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. I THINK I'M SUPPOSED TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GET COLLABORATION ON IT, BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, I WANT A LETTER OF WHY IT WASN'T KANSAS CITY'S ERROR.

WASN'T JACKSON COUNTY'S ERROR. SOMEONE MADE AN ERROR AND SENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE WRONG PEOPLE.

AND SO OUR BUDGET, LUCKILY, IS ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO US.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR ME JUST TO TO WRITE A CHECK OVER THAT.

THAT MUCH MONEY WITHOUT CONSULTING THE LEGISLATURE, SO I DON'T.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY ACTION BY THE BODY. I'M JUST INFORMING YOU.

AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE ANY FEEDBACK YOU HAVE. IF YOU WANT TO REACH OUT TO ME AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

HOW WE GO FROM HERE. FRANKLY, IT'S NOT OUR MONEY AND WE NEED TO RETURN IT, BUT I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO FIND OUT THE ANSWER TO WHY IT HAPPENED AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. AND HAVE THAT DOCUMENTED BEFORE WE START SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ACROSS THE STREET.

THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE LEGISLATOR? THANK YOU SO MUCH. I FIRST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION, TERESA GARZA, STEVE ARBO AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

WHEN THE COMMUNITY WHEN PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY REACHED OUT TO ME BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT MAINTAINING THEIR NONPROFIT STATUS, IT WAS VERY CRITICAL FOR US TO COME TOGETHER, AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAD AND THE ACCESS THAT WE HAD. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.

AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHO CAME TO THE COMMUNITY, MET WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS, HEARD WHAT THEY WERE SAYING AND RESPONDED POSITIVELY.

THEY WORKED TOGETHER TO GIVE A POSITIVE RESULT.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH THEM AGAIN AND HAVING ADMINISTRATION THERE.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO ON HOW TO DO YOUR DECLARATION.

I WENT THROUGH THE VIDEO TODAY. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIONAL.

I DID CALL BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECEIVE MY CARD. I DID CALL TO GET MY PIN.

THE CALL WAS ANSWERED PROMPTLY. I GOT MY PIN AND THE PROCESS WENT VERY WELL.

VERY WELL. SO KUDOS TO YOU AND KUDOS TO THE COLLECTION DEPARTMENT.

IS THAT THE VIDEO THAT WE HAD BRAD PITT MAKE THE VIDEO AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS GREAT.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS BRAD PITT'S FACE, BUT HE USED YOUR THAT.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU.

THE QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE. YES, MISTER CHAIR.

THERE'S ONE QUICK QUESTION. OH. GO AHEAD. CAN I SAY FOR THE OPIOIDS FISCAL ERA, HAVE YOU ALREADY SENT A REQUEST ASKING THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE TO KIND OF GET AN IDEA OF WHAT WHAT YOU WERE ALLUDING TO.

HOW IT HAPPENED. LESLIE SMITH. YES. THE COUNTY COUNSEL'S OFFICE HELPING ME DRAFT THE RESPONSE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED TO GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK ON WHY THEY THINK THAT IS. OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE? SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE.

MADAM CLERK. ORDINANCE 6050 PROHIBITING LAW PROHIBITING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM CONCEALING THEIR FACES OR BADGES DURING PERFORMANCE OF THEIR

[AN ORDINANCE prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their faces or badges during performance of their official duties and establishing penalties and exemptions.]

LEGISLATURE AS A WHOLE. THE SPONSOR IS NOT HERE THIS WEEK, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL HOLD THIS.

SEEING NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE 654 650

[AN ORDINANCE requesting a renewal of a conditional use permit (CUP) in District AG (Agricultural) for continuous operation of a horse boarding facility subject to specified conditions, as to a 48.09± acre tract.]

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 19.48± acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).]

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 20.00± acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).]

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 70.00± acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).]

[00:20:02]

DO WE NEED A ROLL CALL FOR THAT? MADAM CLERK, YOU CAN JUST DO A VOICE VOTE.

BY SIDE OF I THOSE WHO SAY YES TO WAIVING THE READING ON THOSE.

ANY OPPOSED? SEEING NONE. WE WILL WAIVE THE READING ON THOSE.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR FRANKLIN. THAT HELPS MOVE THINGS ALONG.

I BELIEVE WE'RE NOW AT ORDINANCE 6058, MADAM CLERK.

[AN ORDINANCE appropriating $636,425.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026 Park Fund for construction services provided by Hartline Construction of North Kansas City, MO for use by the Parks + Rec Department.]

I DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT. ORDINANCE 6059,

[AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at the general election to be held on April 7, 2026, a question to amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.]

THANK YOU. AND MOVING ON TO ORDINANCE 6061, MADAM CLERK, PROHIBITING ALL PERMIT AND ZONING APPROVALS FOR NON COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OWNED

[AN ORDINANCE prohibiting all permit and zoning approvals for non-County or municipal government owned detention facilities.]

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE THE SPONSOR IS NOT PRESENT TODAY.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL SUGGEST WE HOLD THIS.

ANY OBJECTION? SEEING NONE, WE WILL HOLD THAT AS WELL.

WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES.

[AN ORDINANCE establishing a third-party monitoring program for Jackson County projects and authorizing access for qualified contracted third parties to conduct site visits.]

PERFECTED ORDINANCE 649 WAS PERFECTED ON FEBRUARY 9TH.

DO WE HAVE ANY MOTION FOR 649 AT THIS TIME? IS THAT A MOTION TO ADOPT OR A MOTION TO HOLD? SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT. THE SPONSOR IS NOT HERE.

IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION TO ADOPT? 6049.

I WANT TO HOLD. MR. CHAIR HAS BEEN MOVED TO HOLD 6049.

IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT? SECOND. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO HOLDING 6049? THAT.

OKAY. SEEING NO OBJECTION TO HOLDING 6049. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT.

ORDINANCE 6053, REPEALING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS 90 103, 91, ZERO FOUR, 91, 1391, 21, 91,

[AN ORDINANCE repealing sections and subsections 9103., 9104., 9113., 9121., 9120.2., 9125.4., and 9125.5., of Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the Board of Equalization, and enacting, in lieu thereof, four new sections and three new subsections relating to the same subject, with an effective date.]

PERFECTED ORDINANCE 653 WAS PERFECTED ON FEBRUARY 9TH.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, 6053 WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ORDINANCE 060. APPROPRIATING $264,216 FROM THE UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE OF THE 2025 GRANT FUND AND ACCEPTANCE OF

[AN ORDINANCE appropriating $264,216.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2024 JAG Grant awarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.]

I'M SORRY IT WAS PERFECTED. ANYWAY ORDINANCE 606 ZERO WAS PERFECTED ON FEBRUARY 9TH.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, 6060 WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

NO OBJECTIONS. WE'LL PLACE THAT ON CONSENT. MAKING MYSELF NOTES HERE SO I CAN KEEP TRACK.

ORDINANCE 6062, MADAM CLERK, WAIVING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF ACQUISITION COSTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 1139,

[AN ORDINANCE waiving the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of ownership of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit dog, Spy, to dog handler and companion Deputy Jessica Davidson.]

WITHOUT OBJECTION, 662 WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MOVING ON TO RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE 22149. APPROVING THE 2026 2027 JACKSON COUNTY ASSESSMENT AND EQUALIZATION MAINTENANCE PLAN.

[A RESOLUTION approving the 2026-2027 Jackson County Assessment and Equalization Maintenance Plan.]

IS THERE A MOTION? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO HOLD 22149.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? BY SIGN OF I, I, I WE'LL GO.

ANY OBJECTIVE ANY ANY NAYS TO HOLDING. TWO, 2149 SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO 22150.

[A RESOLUTION awarding a thirty-month term and supply contract, with three twenty-four-month options to extend, for the furnishing of information technology products and services for use by various County departments to SHI International Corporation, of Somerset, NJ under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract Number 2024056-02, an existing competitively bid government contract.]

[00:25:05]

CONTRACT NUMBER 202405602. AN EXISTING COMPETITIVELY BID GOVERNMENT CONTRACT.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT FROM COMMITTEE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET. SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT RESOLUTION 22153 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with the City of Independence, Missouri, for the use of certain County property for a civic event, at no cost to the County.]

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ADOPTION. WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL PLACE THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

RESOLUTION 22154, AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH CITY GREEN VALLEY WITH 112 MONTH OPTION TO EXTEND TO ENGAGE IN ANTI-CRIME,

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute a one-year agreement with the City of Grain Valley, with one twelve-month option to extend, to engage in anti-crime, anti-violence, and law enforcement school-based initiatives and purposes, at a cost to the County not to exceed $75,000.00.]

I DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT SINCE WE'RE JUST AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THAT RESOLUTION, 22155, WE WE ADOPTED THAT. WE ADOPTED 22155. THANK YOU.

THAT WAS THE COURTESY. THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER.

RESOLUTION 22157 AUTHORIZING THE SHERIFF OF JACKSON COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE TO EXECUTE A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAMS AND CAMPO PC OF LISA,

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the Chair of the Jackson County Drug Task Force to execute a Legal Services Agreement with Williams & Campo, P.C., of Lee’s Summit, MO, to provide legal services for the Task Force, at a cost to the County not to exceed $3,500.00.]

ANTI-CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT FROM COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE HADN'T MET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT WITHOUT OBJECTION.

22160 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY COUNSEL TO EXECUTE A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CERTAIN LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS AT AN AGGREGATE ACROSS THE COUNTY,

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute a Legal Services Agreement with certain lawyers and law firms at an aggregate cost to the County not to exceed $50,000.00.]

COMMITTEE HASN'T MET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT WITHOUT OBJECTION.

RESOLUTION 22163 AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE FURNISHING OF ITEMS FOR RESALE BY THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT TO DUNLOP SPORTS OF DALLAS,

[A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of items for resale by the Parks + Rec Department to Dunlop Sports of Dallas, TX, as proprietary purchases.]

COMMITTEE HASN'T MET, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL HOLD THAT RESOLUTION 22165 14 A 12 MONTH CONTRACT WITH THREE OPTIONS TO

[A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month contract, with three twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of independent auditing services for use by the Finance and Purchasing Department to Clifton Larsen Allen, LLP, of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Request for Proposals No. 25-053, at a cost to the County for 2026 not to exceed $150,000.00.]

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE.

DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD (221) 652-2170.

[A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of a deep core aerifier for use by the Parks + Rec Department for the Fred Arbanas Golf Course to Redexim North America, Inc. of Valley Park, MO, under the terms and conditions of invitation to Bid No. 25-055 at a cost to the County not to exceed $52,541.00.]

NORTH AMERICA, INC. OF VALLEY PARK, MISSOURI, UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF INVITATION TO BID NUMBER 25 055 AT A COST THE COUNTY NOT TO EXCEED 53 $52,541. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT FROM COMMITTEE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT ONE. MOVING ON.

TWO. 2171. WE'RE IN A CONTRACT FOR THE FURNISHING OF TWO FORD F 600 TRUCKS WITH INSTALLED SNOWPLOW PACKAGES FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO VIKING

[A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of two (2) Ford F-600 trucks with installed snowplow packages for use by the Public Works Department to Viking-Cives Midwest of Morley, MO, under the terms and conditions set forth in Sourcewell Contract No. 062222-VCM, an existing, competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $287,050.00]

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE MET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HOLD THAT ONE UNLESS THERE'S AN OBJECTION. AND FINALLY, 22172, MADAM CLERK, RECOGNIZING HONORARIUM PAYMENTS TO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSISTED IN THE EVALUATION OF NONPROFIT GRANT APPLICATIONS,

[A RESOLUTION recognizing honorarium payments to community volunteers who assisted in the evaluation of non-profit grant applications.]

THIS IS FOLKS WHO HELPED US EVALUATE ARPA GRANTS.

WE CAN MOVE TO ADOPT TODAY, OR WE CAN PUT IT ON HOLD.

I DON'T HAVE A STRONG PREFERENCE. I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT BE HERE, SO. ANY THOUGHTS? MOVE TO HOLD. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO HOLD.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BY SIGN OF I. AYE. ANY OBJECTIONS TO HOLDING? NO, I'LL SAY I, AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PUT THAT ON.

SO WE'LL HOLD TWO, 2172. AND THAT TAKES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[9 CONSENT AGENDA]

THE CONSENT AGENDA. 22153 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.

CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, FOR USE OF CERTAIN COUNTY PROPERTY FOR A CIVIC EVENT AT NO COST TO COUNTY.

[00:30:05]

BUT MR. ANDERSON IS THE CHAIR FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT? PUBLIC WORKS.

I'M SURPRISED YOUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HAS NOT TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS.

APPARENTLY IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE GO INTO EVERY YEAR WITH INDEPENDENCE. I BELIEVE THEY'RE USING ONE OF OUR.

WHAT WAS IT? YEAH. THEY USE OUR PARKING LOT IN INDEPENDENCE FOR PURPOSES OF A HAZARDOUS WASTE, AND THEY GET AN INSURANCE CERTIFICATE, AND THEY PUT THE CONDITION BACK TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE THEY STARTED.

FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. SO, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, ACCORDING TO MY NOTES.

AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I MISSED ANYTHING, BUT I HAVE ORDINANCE 6053, ORDINANCE 6060, ORDINANCE 6062 AND RESOLUTION 22153. CORRECT. THOSE ARE ALL FOR ADOPTION.

THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOVE TO ADOPT.

OH. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? ANDERSON. YES.

PEYTON. YES. SMITH. YES. ABARCA. HUSKY. HUSKY.

YES. FRANKLIN. YES. MCGEE. FLOWER. SMITH. YES.

SIX. YES. THREE. ABSENT. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

AND MOVING ON TO INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENTS TO COMMITTEE 664, AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 161.00± acre tract from District AGp (Agricultural Planned) to District AG (Agricultural).]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO LAND USE COMMITTEE. JORDAN, DO WE HAVE A DATE ON THAT YET? OKAY. 6065 AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE BY REZONING A CERTAIN 4.87 PLUS OR MINUS ACRE TRACT

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 4.87± acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).]

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.00± acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO LAND USE. 6067 AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE BY REZONING A CERTAIN 3.05 PLUS OR MINUS ACRE TRACT

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 3.05± acre tract from District B (Two Family) to District LI (Light Industrial).]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO LAND USE. 6068 ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE BY REZONING A CERTAIN 9.75 PLUS OR MINUS ACRE TRACT

[AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 9.75± acre tract from District LB (Local Business) to District LI (Light Industrial).]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO LAND USE. MOVING ON TO INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS TO COMMITTEE 22175 MADAM CLERK

[A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month contract, with three twelve-month options to extend, for training, consulting services, and software maintenance on the Mobile Assessor Software for use by the Assessment Department to Woolpert, Inc. of Dayton, OH, as a sole source purchase, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $114,355.00.]

THE COUNTY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $114,355, INTRODUCED BY DONNA PEYTON, WILL ASSIGN THAT TO FINANCE AN AUDIT.

22176 36 MONTH CONTRACT WITH 312 MONTH OPTIONS TO EXTEND FOR THE FURNISHING OF FUEL PRODUCTS AND RELATED SERVICES FOR USE BY VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO

[A RESOLUTION awarding a thirty-six-month contract with three twelve-month options to extend for the furnishing of fuel products and related services for use by various County departments to Frazier Oil & L.P. Gas Co., Inc., of Gower, Missouri, awarded under the terms and conditions of City of Kansas City, Missouri Contract No. EV4024, an existing government contract.]

AWARDED UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CITY OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. CONTRACT NUMBER EV 4024 AND EXISTING GOVERNMENT CONTRACT INTRODUCED BY DONNA PEYTON. WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.

22177. AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND PURCHASING TO ISSUE A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,330 TO HARVEST AV SOLUTIONS OF KANSAS CITY,

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the Interim Director of Finance and Purchasing to issue a check in the amount of $8,330.00 to Harvest AV Solutions of Kansas City, MO for the relocation of media equipment used in the Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area.]

22178. AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE AN ADDENDUM TO THE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SHERRY SIMKINS OF MISSOURI UNDER THE TERMS

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute an addendum to the Legal Services Agreement with Cheri Simpkins of Lee’s Summit, MO, under the terms and conditions of Request for Qualifications No. 24-060, at a cost to the County of $600.00 per day not to exceed $70,000.00.]

22179. AUTHORIZING. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ISSUED A PERMANENT UTILITY EASEMENT IN FAVOR OF MISSOURI,

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent utility easement in favor of Spire Missouri, Inc. for a fee payable to the County.]

WE WILL SIGN THAT TO THE LAND USE COMMITTEE. 22180.

[A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with two twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of LEWeb law enforcement computer information services for use by various County departments to the Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) Commission of St. Louis, MO, as an acquisition from another governmental entity.]

[00:35:01]

[A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with one twelve-month option to extend, for dump truck repair for use by the Public Works Department to Rush Truck Centers of Kansas City, MO, as a sole source purchase.]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO PUBLIC WORKS. AND 22182 1424 MONTH TERM SUPPLY CONTRACT WITH 112, WITH OPTION TO EXTEND FOR THE FURNISHING OF LEGAL PROCESS SERVICES FOR USE BY THE

[A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of legal process services for use by the Family Support Division of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to D&B Legal Services of Prairie Village, KS, under the terms and conditions of Request for Proposals No. 25-051.]

WE'LL ASSIGN THAT TO BUDGET AND 22183 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF OAK GROVE TO PROVIDE FOR

[A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with the City of Oak Grove to provide for the mill and overlay of pavement on the shared portions of Robinson and White Roads, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $121,595.00. ]

MOVING ON TO COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS. MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY ORDERS FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE?

[12 COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS]

[13 UNFINISHED BUSINESS]

[14 NEW BUSINESS]

LEGISLATIVE AGENCY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MR. CHAIRMAN. AGAIN, I, I KNOW OUR MONTHS AND DAYS GO BY SO QUICKLY, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE ON FROM THIS MEETING. SO THIS IS OUR LAST MEETING IN FEBRUARY TO RECOGNIZE THIS BEING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

BUT ALSO THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHES BY BLACK FOLKS IN JACKSON COUNTY AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF, OF THOSE WHO NOT ONLY SERVE ON THIS LEGISLATURE, THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE, BUT ALSO THAT WE HAVE THE VERY FIRST BLACK WOMAN AND BLACK INDIVIDUAL TO BE PROSECUTOR OF JACKSON COUNTY, MELISSA JOHNSON, AND OF COURSE DARRYL FORTÉ, THE VERY FIRST BLACK INDIVIDUAL TO BE SHERIFF OF JACKSON COUNTY.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL AMAZING HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS FIGURES THROUGHOUT HISTORY THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED ALL ACROSS OUR COUNTY, AND ONE THAT HAS COME TO MY MIND OFTEN.

IS HIRAM REVELS WHO WAS SERVED IN THE BATTLE OF VICKSBURG DURING THE THE CIVIL WAR.

WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST INDIVIDUALS TO PULL TOGETHER BLACK UNITS ALL THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES WAS MAINLY FROM MISSOURI, KANSAS AND IOWA.

HE WAS ABLE HE FOUNDED THE AME CHURCH IN INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI.

AND WHAT I THINK THIS IS THE MOST FASCINATING AND AND I'LL JUST EXCUSE ME FOR THIS, BUT THE MOST KICK ASS ASPECT OF THIS IS THAT HE WENT ON TO SERVE AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN US SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

THE SEAT THAT WAS VACATED BY JEFFERSON DAVIS, THE PRESIDENT, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY.

RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. ONE OF THE THE KEY LEADERS, OF COURSE, OF CIVIL RIGHTS WE'VE LOST MOST RECENTLY WAS THE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON AND ALSO WITH HIS WITH HIS COMPASSION, THAT AND INSPIRATION THAT BROUGHT SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE EVEN TODAY INTO THE FOLD OF POLITICS, BUT ALSO INTO THE FOLD OF ADVOCACY.

AND IF I CAN, I WANT TO READ JUST A PORTION OF ONE OF HIS SPEECHES HE GAVE AT THE 1988 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

IF AN ISSUE IS MORALLY RIGHT, IT WILL EVENTUALLY BE POLITICAL.

IT MAY BE POLITICAL AND NEVER BE RIGHT. FAMILY.

HAMER DIDN'T HAVE THE MOST VOTES IN ATLANTIC CITY, BUT HER PRINCIPLES HAVE OUTLASTED THE LIFE OF EVERY DELEGATE WHO VOTED TO LOCK HER OUT.

WAS THAT IN REFERENCE TO HIS FAMILY, HAMER PUSHING FOR A CIVIL RIGHTS PLANK IN THE DEMOCRATIC A PLATFORM IN 1964.

ROSA PARKS DID NOT HAVE THE MOST VOTES, BUT SHE WAS MORALLY RIGHT.

WHEN MISS PARKS DECIDED TO SIT AT THE FRONT OF THE BUS AND TO SAY THAT BLACK FOLKS DON'T DON'T EVER DESERVE JUST BECAUSE OF ONE SKIN COLOR OF ONE SEX TO BE CONSIDERED SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. DOCTOR KING DIDN'T HAVE THE MOST VOTES ABOUT THE VIETNAM WAR, BUT HE WAS MORALLY RIGHT. IF WE ARE PRINCIPLED FIRST, OUR POLITICS WILL FALL IN PLACE.

MANY PEOPLE ASK, WHY DO YOU TAKE UP THESE BOLD INITIATIVES? JESSE JACKSON REFERENCES A POEM BY AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR THAT WENT ON TO SAY, WE MASTERED THE AIR, WE CONQUERED THE SEA. WE ANNIHILATED DISTANCE AND PROLONGED LIFE.

BUT WE'RE NOT WISE ENOUGH TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH WITHOUT WAR AND WITHOUT HATE.

[00:40:02]

AND THAT WE WOULD REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT THIS MONTH IS.

REMEMBER THOSE THAT WE HAVE LOST AND HOW FAR WE HAVE COME, BUT ALSO HOW FAR WE HAVE TO GO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU.

ANY ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS? SEEING NONE, I WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR NEXT LEGISLATIVE MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 2ND, 2026 AT 3 P.M. AT THE JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 415 EAST 12TH STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, SECOND FLOOR, LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY AREA.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

[15 ADJOURNMENT]