[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6087530,"mediaKeyId","2889565-8263b444cd605f709fd5b7a7769d7a19","parentId",2889565,"title","Council approves ordinances, contracts and resolution on March 17; votes recorded as unanimous","audioSeconds",1,"startMs",1443000,"endMs",1442000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889565-8263b444cd605f709fd5b7a7769d7a19&start=1443&end=1442","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889565-8263b444cd605f709fd5b7a7769d7a19/thumbnail_1443000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087530/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Council-approves-ordinances-contracts-and-resolution-on-March-17-votes-recorded-as-unanimous","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087530-9f309f25cd4485beba2923d22638fa4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188870&Signature=HZcWnitmf3h8KfusMCNVbCIqTWz~ywbP34oNAvNQ5tc3rWQXHj0HRp6leqwRTi7pkmc73BAYH5oj8zcoDwLaWOCKZPdA1XD53wmefaULlEbxcyojJvAZYy-7hA7TwUmOfw3dcU3eWoIANjdbrlVtXa2~fU~vflOivYX0KkTVNF~NWMb58pZdSCFlrkARghDiJ49inb103Bi7ddD6QyZ3C6vYUJYlnGI3WnEeJUrD35a2btAjfyCJJM4KEkgEaX5cjS3wosQ9MLHPq23SgBQeAEwjelY-41ndJbUKiDSosssBfxZ~g4bueu6FGTKqsEB3OP2mNJfsBwujM5n5D6h~RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Independence, MO","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","What happened: The Independence City Council held its regular meeting on March 17 and recorded roll-call votes on multiple items: the council approved a resolution to support an animal cruelty task force; adopted several second-reading ordinances including rezoning and a final plat; awarded a contract to McCownGordon for customer-service and facility work at the acquired former GEHA office building; and approved a contract for casualty and liability insurance coverage. The council also voted to postpone indefinitely a feasibility-study item for the National Frontier Trails Museum.

Votes at a glance (action, short detail, outcome):

- Motion to postpone indefinitely a feasibility study and potential RFP award for the National Frontier Trails Museum (item no. 5). Outcome: postponed indefinitely (motion carried, roll call recorded as yes).

- Resolution No. 205-731: supporting establishment of an animal cruelty task force for Independence, Missouri. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call).

- Ordinance (second reading) approving rezoning to I-1 Industrial for property at 1090 East Truman Road. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes).

- Ordinance (second reading) approving rezoning from I-1 to R-6 for property at 336 North Hawker Avenue. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes).

- Full public hearing and approval for a retail-by-the-drink intoxicating-liquor license for Harvey's Happy Hour at 10129 East U.S. 40 Highway. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes) following public hearing and applicant statement.

- Ordinance (second reading) approving a final plat for Timber Creek Ranch, Fifth Plat. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes).

- Approval of a services contract to provide casualty and liability insurance coverage for the city (item no. 2; contract recommended to ensure coverage after current policy expires March 31). Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes).

- Approval of contract award to McCownGordon for improvements at the former GEHA office building (item no. 6). The contract is an at‑risk construction contract (contractor bears cost overruns above guaranteed price). Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as yes).

Amendments and first readings:

- First-reading amendment to Ordinance 25-016 (financing agreement with Missouri Development Finance Board) clarifying language to authorize borrowing of not-to-exceed $50,000,000 rather than $50,000; the amendment carried on roll call.

Details and context: The council's roll-call procedure recorded affirmative votes from the present council members for the items above. The meeting record shows the following council members participated in roll-call voting: Councilmember Fierce, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Wiley, Councilmember Vaught, Mayor Roland, and Mayor Pro Tem Perkins. Several items had staff presentations: the city manager described the insurance recommendation and the reasons for acquiring the former GEHA office building; community-development staff presented rezoning requests and the liquor-license public hearing.

What this means: The contract awards and ordinance adoptions advance the city's facility and land-use plans, and the liability insurance contract secures coverage that takes effect after the current policy expires. The museum feasibility study was suspended indefinitely to allow the council and staff to revisit timing and budget concerns.

Ending: Councilmembers voted unanimously on the recorded roll calls for the listed items. For specific vote recordings, agenda item identifiers, and related staff reports, refer to the official minutes and the staff report attachments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Independence City Council 3/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 17 meeting the Independence City Council recorded roll-call votes approving a resolution, multiple ordinances and contracts and postponing a museum feasibility item.","taxTitle","Independence, Jackson County, Missouri","taxId",2581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087533,"Residents urge forensic audit, oversight before April 8 vote on $197 million bond; council discusses transparency",0,120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889565-8263b444cd605f709fd5b7a7769d7a19&start=120&end=120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889565-8263b444cd605f709fd5b7a7769d7a19/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6087533/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Residents-urge-forensic-audit-oversight-before-April-8-vote-on-197-million-bond-council-discusses-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087533-1db55bf842758755f3efdde2e12d1709/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188870&Signature=EzXzhC3BXzLmoYzrQ522ejemWBT2Tr1rrQAY4j0MH853V2PjixTIDxWI8c6k-Owxb6dDwzy2PGehGfUczRF0Dfzx4gtytAMV-CGm~dXttNl8pFG7Et3qzoulk8CX~ooPm8V4VdLzH2rvx4GaOCpsO91brZGQCPkK5mzNRUea456mHoTfvT4y8RfXEKZDqUPe1M~C4HKbFA3OcKvpGCm~3tcrs9K6h~PyTa4Lcy9AeNxIK8aBLPmFUebq013zqDaNGQrS6IDJ58ssAsJ2O4nX5aherX1FMbTnuIY7m1nWxVWJWm7lx7DMING-B6Vf6Gcv~Ek7glKmaPWNTyplVDAM4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lee Phillips, an Independence resident, told the City Council on March 17 that voters should demand more transparency before casting ballots on a proposed $197,000,000 general obligation bond scheduled for April 8. \"This bond would shape our community's financial future for the next 20 years,\" Phillips said during the public-comment period, and he asked the council to consider a state-led forensic audit to determine whether previous tax revenues and bond funds had been spent as voters expected.

Why it matters: The bond would fund capital projects over two decades; residents pressed councilmembers to explain how past voter-approved revenue — including a marijuana sales tax enacted April 23, 2023 — had been used and whether stronger local oversight is needed.

Phillips cited what he described as incomplete street projects and asked why nearly half of roughly $800,000 collected from a marijuana sales tax meant for public safety was redirected to a square-redevelopment project. \"There is no formal mechanism ensuring that bond money is allocated as promised to voters,\" he said, and suggested a forensic audit to \"identify waste, fraud, or mismanagement\" before taking on new debt.

Another resident, Becky Haight, spoke about bonds tied to fire-station construction and the risk of relying on dedicated service taxes. Haight said the city had described issuing $43,800,000 in bonds for three new fire stations, with $40,000,000 coming from a fire-protection tax and $3,800,000 from a marijuana tax. She expressed concern that, in past bond financings, the city had shifted other service-tax revenue (street, park, stormwater and recreation taxes) to cover shortfalls. \"I strongly urge the city to look at these issues,\" Haight said, noting deferred maintenance and long payback periods.

City staff and councilmembers responded with clarifications and next steps. The city manager said the marijuana sales tax was placed by voters for public safety and that city intent was to use initial proceeds for Independence Police Department facility needs. He added that a portion of the marijuana sales tax had been used to prepare redevelopment plans for the area currently occupied by police headquarters so the city would not be left with a vacant or derelict building if the bond passes.

Councilmember Stewart said he would like the council to consider a citizen oversight committee if the bond measure passes and asked staff to prepare a resolution for a study session. Councilmember Fierce noted the city had recently completed its annual financial audit, and said the audit concluded the city's financial practices met generally accepted accounting principles. \"We just received that audit ... everything is being done as it's supposed to be done,\" Fierce said.

What was not decided: There was no council vote to delay or change the April 8 bond referendum. Citizens requested additional transparency and an independent review; councilmembers asked staff to prepare options for oversight and reporting if the bond is approved.

Context and next steps: The speakers asked for clear reporting on how bond and voter-approved sales-tax proceeds will be spent. Councilmembers and staff said they will discuss oversight options in upcoming study sessions and that one study session at 6 p.m. next Monday will include an overview of the general obligation bond for the public.

Ending: The council did not take formal action on the requests at the March 17 meeting; residents and councilmembers agreed to pursue further discussion and possible oversight measures before or after the April 8 vote.","At the March 17 Independence City Council meeting residents raised concerns about a proposed $197 million general obligation bond and use of voter-approved taxes; councilmembers and city staff discussed existing audits, marijuana-tax spending for police facility planning, and options for additional oversight.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves ordinances, contracts and resolution on March 17; votes recorded as unanimous

Residents urge forensic audit, oversight before April 8 vote on $197 million bond; council discusses transparency