[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6042685,"mediaKeyId","3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463","parentId",3671717,"title","Votes at a glance: key Independence City Council actions, April 21, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1288000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463&start=1288&end=1288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463/thumbnail_1288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6042685/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Independence-City-Council-actions-April-21-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042685-963546d5a3729706c64d73bcb5626aad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143518&Signature=ZRVysYkqHS-SjXIdo1rbndZzqFExjSuthcLtI3THRS~y7WLZ4mWFZ1ySqDhOPij04HdjbiwGTlJRY~bf3-SsQ9A0BP93J7NsGtVQULs7Gx9dJQ5NG7wQ0TY1JndhgPZTW1JwGD6k8HCYU1Tq~eqFzzghi-zzIS~DtczERg~ApAIhYFlkI8tYlZxERDEk4KHoXMwB9XI98WxrHETiuXgD3T6RWG6CAXneH3v8aqcy-jlA41Y6UzibCz-906SE3lwqIFu11UeXFw9~2JR9TAKFIs5YLnKdlNxYY5Cygn9RyurgUkC-tDW9KZX2JnJOXjU6058ABKM6jdqKMJtKPrFCmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Independence, MO","date","2025-04-22T12:20:55Z","article","The Independence City Council took the following formal actions during its April 21, 2025 meeting. Vote totals and key details are listed below as recorded in the meeting minutes.

- Consent agenda (minus pulled items): Approved, 7-0. (Clerk recorded 7 in favor, 0 opposed.)

- Item 1 (consent, separate vote): Approved, 7-0. (Contract/service shared among municipalities; 40% of cost paid by other entities per council discussion.)

- Item 2 (Independence Square streetscape/infrastructure): Approved, 7-0. (Authorizes approximately $2.6 million for square infrastructure and streetscape; staff said federal grant funds will reimburse eligible costs and county right-of-access was approved.)

- Item 3 (capital project: truck shed): Approved, 7-0. (Multiyear capital project budgeted in five-year CIP; approximately $907,000.)

- Resolution 25-7-44 (use $100,000 of marijuana sales tax for rewards/DNA testing on cold-case homicides): Approved, 7-0.

- Resolution 25-7-45 (commit $10,000 tourism funds to Parade of Hearts): Approved, 7-0.

- Ordinance 25-021 (rezoning 420 South M-291 Highway from C-2 to I-1) — second reading and adoption: Approved, 6-1.

- Ordinance 25-020 (adopt FDA Food Code 2022 edition into City Code) — second reading and adoption: Approved, 7-0.

- Ordinance 25-022 (amend city code chapter 3, animals and fowl) — second reading and adoption: Approved, 7-0.

- First readings introduced (no final votes at this meeting): 25-023 (rezoning to R-6), 25-024 (rezoning to C-2), 25-025 (street renaming to South Pop Warner Drive), 25-026 (temporary construction easements for sidewalks program phase 2).

- Motion to adjourn to executive session under RSMo 610.021 for legal and real estate matters: Approved, 7-0.

The clerk recorded individual roll-call tallies for each recorded vote at the time of the action; the items above reflect the results as read into the record by the city clerk.

For full vote-record details, see the corresponding agenda items in the meeting packet and the formal roll-call entries in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Independence City Council 4/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions, ordinances and resolutions the Independence City Council voted on April 21, including approval of streetscape funding, a $10,000 tourism commitment, public-safety rewards, multiple code updates and a rezoning.","taxTitle","Independence, Jackson County, Missouri","taxId",2581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6042690,"Council approves rezoning for truck-driving course at 420 South M-291 Highway, 6-1",549,2286000,2835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463&start=2286&end=2835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463/thumbnail_2286000.jpg","/articles/6042690/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Council-approves-rezoning-for-truck-driving-course-at-420-South-M-291-Highway-6-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042690-fa0d091d76b213fb04e973895480c5f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143518&Signature=arzl0y~5lxHIZPoXbYqVPPMmwdfEoWJCLTitODzEt57E6SJP1zkPXyFF0vN56B2nvOokZlYm3B8OW96C5wgHKT91Tsg1vBSWeAhOdTBUE2J42cpLMWZe4BjngLAieKnP~5NgaGVXspW1tRAZgDX7QS2w7oiaH0mBVRjrx9n6TPtRkZmjFoVO5tbnTy14yHV00FOVMxcxR-9cxjf5L6mZqIOok~vfHm0~sLPVxBjW96jEl-ScDt93k23Rp52DT1RldaHF5wknuaBi3GimYGYqscoIFRCh0StC-WVhVbg4D2AJWnP4qmeaV3b~IkGJrXyJ8a8qYRu0UvKPE9feZF7G3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Independence City Council adopted, on second reading, ordinance 25-021 to rezone property at 420 South M-291 Highway from C-2 General Commercial to I-1 Industrial to allow a commercial driving (CDL) training course. The ordinance passed 6-1.

The item opened with a staff summary from Rick Arroyo, assistant community development director, who said the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning and that the applicant intends to use the undeveloped parcel for a CDL truck-driving course. “The applicant here wishes to rezone this undeveloped property along M-291 Highway from C-2 Commercial to I-1 Industrial for the purpose of a CDL, truck driving course,” Arroyo said.

Council members asked whether the same or a similar request had come before the council previously, whether the project would be visible from adjacent roads and how the site would be used. Council member Perkins and others recalled prior public opposition citing noise and neighbors’ concerns. Arroyo said the current application includes a tree-preservation plan and required screening to reduce visibility and noise. He also said the site would not be used for vehicle storage; trucks would be brought in for training and removed rather than stored on site. When asked whether a structure would be built, Arroyo said he did not see a structure on the plans and described the proposed use as paved training area with associated stormwater detention for impervious cover.

After discussion, the clerk recorded a 6-1 vote in favor. Council member Fierce cast the lone no vote. Council members Perkins; Stewart; McCandless; Wylie; Vaught; and Mayor Roland voted in favor.

The rezoning approval includes requirements noted by staff: a tree preservation plan and rear screening per city code, and compliance with other plan and code specifications before permits or operations can begin. The council’s discussion emphasized the applicant must meet those code conditions and that staff will enforce the screening and preservation requirements during the permitting process.","After public hearing and council questions about noise, buffering and operations, the council approved rezoning of a property at 420 South M-291 Highway from commercial to industrial for a CDL truck-driving course, with a 6-1 vote.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6042695,"Council approves $2.6 million Independence Square streetscape project amid public questions about TIF spending",1473,295000,1768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463&start=295&end=1768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463/thumbnail_295000.jpg","/articles/6042695/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Council-approves-26-million-Independence-Square-streetscape-project-amid-public-questions-about-TIF-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042695-d719078309a54de6791bceb804867015/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143518&Signature=TcwtXEtjyzivdmXNTuWrCqrAHlf2dj-QFq4liVqxLyPu4~YMMQZtne08lnv~rywJBSQqKvcG0qSYufS6dStQ3IPV3AJFSOdlPf4v1m0r1vdekfbyiPYEC~6i~gfW3BakJrTTQVLY1kjeuPze02bP6oUSS7ZYod0dJ6-PQpH9bBKO2f8YgftZJN7evW7u0RSuxxWxY81YmW8lwynK7~-Hj4DXiz0WdCQWePJKD61GTBT7iwI3rBDTO4dZo4wIF6heEkP4xlrOippH9LoYyKaIjk4gfKq3FQAAnaa9WPxzWn8dgC8MkrvVpsAEuJ9eHAPQmeAuCGGY~evTq6JXbS4ihg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Independence City Council on April 21 approved item number 2, authorizing more than $2.6 million for streetscape and underlying infrastructure work on Independence Square. The measure passed 7-0.

During public comment Becky Hake raised questions about the project’s funding and the performance of the Independence Square Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, saying the TIF — established in December 2013 — had contributed little to visible streetscape work and asking why city funds were being used while TIF funds sit unused. “In the past 11 years, all that can be found completed is some windows painted and a few facades on buildings redone,” Hake said, adding that she found a TIF expenditure of $4,620 listed in the last report she reviewed.

Council member McCandless and other council members responded with project details and program context. McCandless described the current work as infrastructure replacement — including excavation to replace century-old pipes — rather than only decorative planting, and said federal grant funds are available for the exploratory and repair work. A staff member told the council the funding stream McCandless referenced comes from legislation approved by the United States Congress and signed by the president; council members noted the county voted the same day to approve right-of-entry for the work and acknowledged help from Congressman Cleaver in securing federal funds.

City staff and council members said the TIF for the square has a structure that prioritizes building owners’ façade grants: council discussion noted that, by covenant, the TIF dedicates a large portion of increment funds to façade improvements, with a smaller share available for public realm projects such as sidewalks and streetscape work. Council member McCandless cited examples of façade work that has received TIF support, including one property with a $70,000 façade grant application.

Council members framed the vote as part of a multiyear capital and grant plan. After discussion, the council moved, seconded and approved item number 2. The clerk recorded unanimous support from Council member Fears; Council member Perkins; Council member Stewart; Council member McCandless; Council member Wylie; Council member Vaught; and Mayor Roland.

The approved work includes base excavation and infrastructure replacement on the square to address failing pipes and public-works needs; staff described the expense as eligible for partial reimbursement through grants. County right-of-entry and federal funding support were confirmed during the meeting; the motion commits the local share and authorizes staff to proceed with the project steps outlined in the agenda material.","Council approved an infrastructure and streetscape project for Independence Square, funded partially by grant dollars and local contributions; a public commenter questioned why the city's TIF had not paid for previously promised improvements.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6042700,"Council approves $10,000 commitment to Parade of Hearts after legal review of conflict allegation",1777,539000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463&start=539&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671717-bc1403f1b080460438e7d10558122463/thumbnail_539000.jpg","/articles/6042700/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Council-approves-10000-commitment-to-Parade-of-Hearts-after-legal-review-of-conflict-allegation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6042700-f6dbd3f9bb46698af5282f1f5eac1087/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143518&Signature=inQj7-QjQ0kJCpzGMYShQxEBsxkl6YOgag65vuIFj1cDOxOF-EC~MJGWPIp9wRDqRHMSZLtZfxjbX1nVYwF1s3voCoo~M~fM~qVE2bG3KC~W4Kh2YnT7HCsxEjsOkaMqvKNEdy-IAb1wMq2HuB9YAKHFY4WiqJCduESI3yJPGFfzE23sy96oaNjgDhSW5dPuiYgPGW1qhzhyg7bT8Mki8O4xTk49GAsJdHTqUXb42tgnbEghPzlQzUHf0a-DQFk3vlpZqpE5u6awZTyIWxSLzDbuWvexjfRmwOBxDkjMxeif~1D1gWUWtFAhxAZrVuK8kjAUTc4mBwG2MjjDAf-vYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Independence City Council on April 21 voted 7-0 to approve resolution 25-7-45, authorizing a $10,000 commitment from the tourism budget to support the Parade of Hearts initiative.

The vote followed public remarks urging the council to pause the item and a legal opinion read into the record that concluded Missouri conflict statutes did not apply to the facts as presented. The council recorded seven votes in favor; none opposed.

Lee Phillips, an Independence resident and Jackson County committee woman, urged the council to table the resolution and requested a state forensic audit, saying the proposed resolution “presents a clear and documentable conflict of interest involving the city manager and his spouse who is a partner in EverStrive Solutions LLC.” Phillips told the council she had submitted a formal letter and said she would refer the matter to the Missouri attorney general and the Missouri Ethics Commission if the council did not pause the action. “Tonight, I'm respectfully urging this council to table resolution 25 7 45 immediately,” Phillips said.

Council member Stewart read a written legal opinion obtained by the council from attorney James Kallar of Laubra Municipal Law. Stewart summarized the opinion’s conclusion: “There appears to be no special monetary benefit for EverStrive if the council moves forward with a $10,000 commitment with this initiative.” Stewart said the opinion found no legal basis under the cited RSMo sections to bar the council from approving the measure.

Council discussion was limited after the opinion was presented. Council members then moved, seconded and approved the resolution. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Council member Fears; Council member Perkins; Council member Stewart; Council member McCandless; Council member Wylie; Council member Botte; and Mayor Roland.

The legal opinion and the public complaint were included in the meeting record. The complainant (Phillips) asserted potential violations of Missouri statutory provisions and cited the city charter; the opinion read by Stewart concluded the specific statutory provisions referenced did not apply based on the disclosures in the study-session packet.

The council’s action commits the $10,000 from the tourism budget as noted in the motion and does not, by itself, create further administrative sanctions or an independent audit. Phillips stated during public comment she would seek a formal review by state authorities regardless of tonight’s vote.

The resolution was adopted 7-0. Council and staff confirmed the funding will come from the tourism budget.","The Independence City Council voted 7-0 April 21 to approve resolution 25-7-45 committing $10,000 from the tourism budget to the Parade of Hearts initiative after a city-commissioned legal opinion said the cited conflict statutes did not apply.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key Independence City Council actions, April 21, 2025

Council approves rezoning for truck-driving course at 420 South M-291 Highway, 6-1

Council approves $2.6 million Independence Square streetscape project amid public questions about TIF spending

Council approves $10,000 commitment to Parade of Hearts after legal review of conflict allegation