[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6283097,"mediaKeyId","2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1","parentId",2590911,"title","IRIS microtransit shows rising ridership after launch; council gets operational and cost details","audioSeconds",2421,"startMs",1324180,"endMs",3746120,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1&start=1324&end=3746","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1/thumbnail_1324180.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283097/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/IRIS-microtransit-shows-rising-ridership-after-launch-council-gets-operational-and-cost-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283097-a359e55700540718949835e7200fbff3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770852015&Signature=j7HmQ3LlsjM0GDG48vryfAV705qTNm1DdC1MVJw4J7InvvupMYNyNQ4auaZzl4vpV2h7g~San1nDYSN9woPxt~qx5Z39Z1BTgoT9VC1miNeGH1A98hkyPPBvdquIJtLB1vyFJIph9qhSLayaedz9Aa1VlDZCbii4vXBO6u5xq9V-6AKZKkNHat8jnQVHBEhxVP2VkZ1r3FFl5O1pgkzC3~K73J9-YAfnp7eXY49IjFhAB9jCYFwYNt3mKb5BEgpfyNcQsi8LWgzQFmeM6UxsFdEvbwdPVsSzFcgcwPlGBz98fDbbBE3VcBmop45ENndkmuIYRRz-tOv4l6wLo259vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Independence, MO","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","City staff and contracted operator WHC presented an update on IRIS, the city’s on‑demand public-transit system that replaced the fixed-route service on Jan. 2, 2025. Tom Scannell, Community Development Director, and Terry O’Toole, WHC, described ridership, operations and next steps for the council.

Between Jan. 6 and Feb. 5 the operator reported roughly 2,000 trips and 221 unique riders; ridership trended upward despite winter weather, the presentation said. The contracted fleet serving Independence comprises five vehicles (four ambulatory, one wheelchair-accessible) operating Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city-set fare is $5 per trip; riders can pay by cash, card or the IRIS app. WHC and staff said about 52% of trips have been free to riders because the city established three free transfer hubs (Independence Transit Center, Blue Ridge transfer point/Walmart on 30th, and CenterPoint Medical Center) where rides to or from those points are not charged.

Performance metrics the operator cited included an average of 2.22 passengers per vehicle-hour (industry typical 1.5–2.5) and a 93% on-time pickup rate. On-time pickup was defined in discussion as a 15‑minute window (15 minutes before/after scheduled pickup time); council members asked for clarification about driver reassignment when riders are not at a pickup point. Average ride ratings on the app were 4.8 out of 5, WHC said.

Staff and WHC also described system flexibility: IRIS covers the entire city with more than 750 virtual stops, reducing average walking distance to roughly 518 feet compared with the fixed-route network’s longer walks to bus stops. WHC said the operator can add virtual stops quickly when residents report difficulties scheduling (examples given: Alphapointe employees, Oval Springs apartments). The contractor reported a 20‑four-seven call center to book trips for riders without smartphones.

City staff described the fiscal reasoning behind switching from fixed route to microtransit. Scannell said continuing the prior fixed-route level of service (about 16,000 annual vehicle hours) would have required an estimated $4.4 million increase in the first year and rise to roughly $6.6 million by 2029–30; a lower-cost fixed-route alternative with about 6,800 hours still would have required approximately $3.3 million in additional general-fund support for FY25–26. Those projected cost increases and reduced service coverage led the city to implement IRIS. The city’s IRIS contract runs through June 30; staff said they plan another council presentation in May before considering a new contract.

Councilmembers asked for additional operational data the city agreed to provide: the number of missed pickups (not rider-cancelled trips) since launch, a breakdown of ratings and complaint data, and evidence about peak-demand hours. Staff and WHC said they monitor day‑to‑day demand and can adjust supply (add vehicles) or demand (pricing/transfer hubs) as needed; WHC said the busiest period to date has been mid‑afternoon (around 3 p.m.).

Several councilmembers raised driver‑work‑condition and contractor‑management questions; WHC said drivers for Independence routes generally prefer shorter, more local runs and that operational mechanisms (tablet off-system, breaks) exist and can be reviewed with the city. No formal council action or vote occurred; staff will return with additional data and a contract update in the spring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Independence Study Session 2/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and WHC told the council that IRIS, the on‑demand transit system that replaced fixed-route service on Jan. 2, recorded roughly 2,000 trips and 221 unique riders in its first month and is meeting several key performance indicators.","taxTitle","Independence, Jackson County, Missouri","taxId",2581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283092,"Deputy Chief Sumstead outlines Justice Center needs, $130 million bond question and building deficiencies",1705,3758120,5463470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1&start=3758&end=5463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1/thumbnail_3758120.jpg","/articles/6283092/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Deputy-Chief-Sumstead-outlines-Justice-Center-needs-130-million-bond-question-and-building-deficiencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283092-bb65568497069f8b6966a991ad214b91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770852015&Signature=YtOz8i7VF3Z~RzqiZt6YpudM0w3d6BPn2eLUFA9Dlm1Et971Be1Qtr4rjtQ8YCtsNUzCOOEIJiLTjaKjGcZZ9ob2JYyDEKWVp~RW9R~YqUeAcuZ0BycFtsRW9F-mVsgGIxcgi9NvmAiAt6Vf9QgQ73XT1nhrOfVBgCyKqXwAbisLibPFzGRXMOj-cBW~4i9hjNejXHtcggf7zOl-TpfS3tbUM2cmwZ4rqIpDhmBLZyt9VWmM5BVLEziNOr5NZ~z3B~jI~Eh5VDiOA2GWe-b87Z8JY0PZLW4udIfczxWiklySWjBgUvL~PL0JKMxCzsUqJcXQycjztFi6XHIcTlwojw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstead and Chief Dustman briefed the council on the Justice Center portion of the city’s proposed general‑obligation bond (Question 1), describing long‑standing space shortages, evidence-storage limits, repeated water intrusion and maintenance problems, and training and parking constraints at current police facilities.

Deputy Chief Sumstead read the ballot language for Question 1 to the council: “Shall the city of Independence, Missouri issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $130,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping public safety buildings, facilities, and grounds, including constructing, improving, and equipping a new justice center, demolishing existing law enforcement facilities, housing functions that will be moved to the new justice center, and preparing such sites for alternative uses, and acquiring, renovating, and equipping an animal control facility.” She noted state-mandated limitations and that the state auditor will verify bond proceeds are used only for the listed purposes.

Sumstead outlined current facility constraints: the existing 1970s-era building was sized for about 100–150 employees but now houses roughly 300 personnel across multiple off-site buildings. Property and evidence storage is nearing capacity; certain categories of evidence (homicide, some child-abuse or sex‑crime materials) must be retained indefinitely. She showed photos in the presentation documenting water leaks, ceiling and ventilation deterioration, an undetermined substance found in vents (tested but not conclusively identified), damaged ceiling tiles over evidence storage, rust and structural deterioration in the Sally Port and detention areas, and cramped and aging fleet and equipment storage. Sumstead also described inadequate training facilities: the department’s current firing range has four lanes, limiting on-duty training throughput, and a proposed new range in the Justice Center campus would expand capacity and allow scenario-based training including vehicle‑based exercises.

Chief Dustman and Sumstead said that many divisions are spread across multiple sites (K‑9 facility, Penniston building, three substations) and that consolidating functions onto a Justice Center campus would reduce travel time for commanders and better centralize evidence processing, detention, records and administration. They emphasized health‑and‑safety risks from repeated leaks and the operational inefficiencies of overly fragmented facilities.

Councilmembers asked about the campus design (multiple buildings on a campus rather than a single structure), square footage comparisons, and how often the department uses facilities (20‑24/7 for patrol and many functions). Sumstead said the project would also house municipal court functions and that specific square‑footage figures depend on the final design; staff offered to provide tours of the department and to schedule community presentations. No council vote on the bond was taken at the study session; councilmembers encouraged staff outreach and noted the city is continuing community information efforts about the three ballot questions.","Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstead told the council that Independence’s aging and dispersed police facilities suffer from chronic leaks, overcrowded evidence storage and limited training space and that Question 1 on the upcoming bond would fund a new Justice Center campus and an animal-control facility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":44,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283101,"Councilmember Wylie proposes Independence Animal Cruelty Task Force to coordinate law enforcement and animal services",1288,35720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1&start=35&end=1324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2590911-03761eff7c156e506a81653e1f2a28e1/thumbnail_35720.jpg","/articles/6283101/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Councilmember-Wylie-proposes-Independence-Animal-Cruelty-Task-Force-to-coordinate-law-enforcement-and-animal-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283101-e4c3fc022f8207f71647b04d7d16a12b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770852015&Signature=MMbnOk1x8--G6wJnfjh4ecAFJmgaO1B9F5lCUoOV~cGBT~eT7A6AuXsn8VOAttSeLAOpSs~RqtIUbSDKFwE2-OkwsVS~ysTSWv8KYbjbfcjdtXcB~Og53hmMLOIi6mdJvpxN0kUUhrTkPk1T-utq1Td63qEPVySLuOWQTb2tPC8Zw6LmG1rdK4GMJM9MdQPGUkoeXhyr3PUX0CANrXSK3QP9L7wekVTvV7PEnv1JSqJCL1aVbvxFq8IoXcMaVB0gm6asbscVr7orcGGQ0CESU3f~2qx2ofJuASnIAScYvcVRfyxFwMdj~VES1wvrTVguJAPC8j2rVXKcBlGMdbPtxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmember Wylie on Monday presented a proposal to create an Independence Animal Cruelty Task Force that would bring the Independence Police Department and Independence Animal Control together with local nonprofits and prosecutors to investigate and, where appropriate, support prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases.

The proposal calls for a trained response team to handle large-scale cases such as hoarding, neglect and abuse; joint training for officers and animal-control staff; standardized operating protocols and better reporting and data-sharing between agencies; community education; and routine data collection to identify trends and links between animal cruelty, domestic violence and child abuse. Wylie said ordinance updates to create uniform standards of care are already in progress and will be presented to the council in March.

Wylie introduced Cody Atkinson, a representative of the organization formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and now using the name Humane World for Animals, as a collaborator on outreach and training. Wylie also said she has worked with the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation and that the coalition’s Child and Animal Neglect and Abuse (CANNA) meetings could provide case consultation and monthly training opportunities for local representatives.

Wylie cited national research she said shows a strong correlation between animal abuse and family violence: a survey she referenced reported animals were abused in 88% of substantiated child-abuse family cases, 75% of abused women with companion animals reported threats or harm to the animals by their abuser, and children were present and witnessed violence over 90% of the time. She also noted that the FBI’s National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) now collects more detailed animal cruelty data, a change from earlier FBI Uniform Crime Reporting procedures.

Several council members and presenters discussed mandated‑reporter training for animal-control officers should Missouri’s SB65, introduced by Senator McCreery and referenced in Wylie’s remarks, require such reporting. A council member who identified themself as a physician described situations where observed animal abuse prompted immediate safety action for a patient. Wylie said task-force work could include training animal-control staff on mandated-reporting responsibilities and that software and reporting integration between the police department and animal-control are being discussed so officers can flag suspected abuse for follow-up.

Wylie said the task force would seek training resources—some offered free—from organizations including Humane World for Animals and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, and she identified local partners the council could engage: Hope House, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (Claire Wyatt, who focuses on animal cruelty), Wayside Waifs (listed as Wayside Waste in the presentation), KC Pet Project and local shelters. Wylie said Wayside Waifs offers free humane-education programs that could be hosted by local shelters and schools.

She framed the initiative as both animal-welfare and public-safety work, noting several recent serious dog‑attack cases she cited had common factors such as intact (unspayed/unneutered) and poorly socialized animals. Wylie said the task force would also gather data to better understand links between animal cruelty and other forms of family violence and that Independence could be the only Missouri city with a dedicated municipal animal‑cruelty task force if the proposal moves forward.

Councilmembers thanked Wylie and the community partners; no formal action or vote was recorded at the study session. Wylie and staff indicated ordinance language on cruelty and neglect will be brought back in March and that training, data-sharing and additional task-force structure would be developed in coordination with Independence Animal Control, IPD and county prosecutors.","Councilmember Wylie introduced a plan to form an Independence Animal Cruelty Task Force to improve investigation, prosecution, data collection and community education about animal neglect and abuse; trainings and an ordinance revision are planned and staff will present related cruelty/neglect ordinance language in March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

IRIS microtransit shows rising ridership after launch; council gets operational and cost details

Deputy Chief Sumstead outlines Justice Center needs, $130 million bond question and building deficiencies

Councilmember Wylie proposes Independence Animal Cruelty Task Force to coordinate law enforcement and animal services