Raytown aldermen forward draft nuisance ordinance to city attorney for review

Aldermen voted unanimously March 18 to send a drafted amendment to Chapter 28 of the city code, aimed at giving the city tools to hold property owners accountable when properties are the site of repeated illegal activity.

The drafter, an alderman who presented the ordinance as a discussion item, said the current code addresses property-maintenance issues but lacks a clear mechanism to declare repeated illegal activity (for example drug sales or possession of stolen property) a chronic nuisance tied to the property. The draft would define what constitutes a property-based illegal activity nuisance and require owners to take prompt action when law enforcement notifies them of ongoing unlawful conduct.

Supporters described the amendment as providing 'teeth' for Community Development and the Police Department to address persistent problems that hurt neighborhoods. Some members said the draft should be reviewed by the city attorney before moving forward; others noted potential overlap with state law and emphasized careful drafting to avoid loopholes. The mayor and several aldermen referenced state law constraints (including a previous reference to Senate Bill 5) and asked staff and the city attorney to confirm the draft does not conflict with state statutes.

Alderman Walters moved and Alderman Rasier (seconded by Alderman Scott) that the draft be forwarded to the city attorney for legal review and returned to the council as a proposed ordinance. The motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote. The agenda item was scheduled for the next meeting pending the attorney’s review.

Council members asked staff to ensure the city attorney’s review addresses enforcement scope, definitions and potential conflicts with state law. No ordinance was adopted at the March 18 meeting; the action was limited to referral for legal drafting and verification.