Council approves radio upgrade, M‑291 land acquisition and several airport leases; change order advanced

The Lee's Summit City Council on March 25 approved several measures including an emergency ordinance for a radio system upgrade, an ordinance authorizing land acquisitions for the M‑291 North and U.S. 50 intersection project, and a resolution appointing successor directors to the Summit Orchards Community Improvement District. The council also advanced multiple airport agreements to a second reading and approved a change order for a sewer repair project.

Why it matters: The emergency radio and tower agreement will fund communications upgrades the city said are needed now. The M‑291 land acquisitions were presented as necessary for a state- and federally funded intersection project; staff told council condemnation is authorized if voluntary purchases fail. The airport items, largely procedural lease and operator agreements, move several hangar and fixed‑base operator relationships forward. The public works change order increases an existing contract that addresses inflow and infiltration in the sanitary system.

Council action and key details - Resolution 25‑06, Summit Orchards Community Improvement District: The resolution authorizes the mayor to appoint successor directors to the district. Motion passed 7–0. - Bill 25‑047 (ordinance), Motorola Solutions Inc.: Councilmember Funk moved and Councilmember Hodges seconded an emergency ordinance approving an agreement with Motorola Solutions Inc. for purchase and installation of updated radio microwave equipment and a radio tower, and authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement. Council recorded the emergency clause and passed the ordinance 7–0. - Bill 25‑056 (ordinance), M‑291 North & U.S. 50 intersection property acquisitions: Councilmember Hodges moved, Councilmember Carlisle seconded. Staff said the acquisition supports a public improvement project with state and federal funding and partnerships including the school district and Highway Patrol Troop A. The ordinance authorizes negotiation for right of way, permanent and temporary easements and authorizes the city attorney to institute condemnation proceedings if needed; it contains an emergency clause. Motion passed 7–0. - Bills 25‑057 and 25‑058 (first reading advancement), airport fixed‑base operator agreements: Council advanced to second reading a fixed‑base operator agreement with Midwest Avionics LLC (Bill 25‑057) and a flight‑training/aircraft rental agreement with Summit Flight Academy LLC (Bill 25‑058). Both motions passed on first reading, 7–0. - Bill 25‑059 (first reading advancement), Hangar V ground lease: Council advanced an ordinance authorizing a new 20‑year ground lease (with four additional five‑year options) for Hangar V at the Lee's Summit Municipal Airport; motion passed 7–0. Staff said the hangar leases roughly 34,000 square feet. - Bill 25‑060 (first reading advancement), change order with Kisic Construction Co. Inc.: Council advanced a change order described in the packet as “increased amount of 638,000 $683,610 for a revised agreement amount of 1,917,532” for inflow and infiltration removal, manhole rehab, ZIP lining and LCRs FY24 project (project number 962‑2). Motion to advance passed 7–0.

What council said and next steps: Several items contained emergency clauses and were passed on the council floor without prior committee because of timing or funding requirements. The airport items were advanced to second reading for final consideration at a later meeting. The M‑291 acquisition includes authorization to pursue condemnation if purchase negotiations fail.

Votes at a glance (tallies as recorded in the meeting): resolution 25‑06 — passed 7–0; bill 25‑047 — passed 7–0; bill 25‑056 — passed 7–0; bills 25‑057, 25‑058, 25‑059, 25‑060 — advanced to second reading, each passed 7–0 on first reading.

Ending: Council closed the regular session later in the evening for a planned closed‑session meeting on employee group negotiations.