City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 2, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers - 111 E. Maple Ave. INVOCATION 1. Dan O'Neill will give the invocation The invocation was given by Dan O'Neill. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Mayor Rory Rowland, Presiding Officer of the City Council, called the meeting to order. Upon roll call, the following members were present: Jared Fears, Brice Stewart, Bridget McCandless, Jennie Vaught, John Perkins, and Heather Wiley. Absent – None. PROCLAMATIONS There were no proclamations. CITIZEN REQUESTS Councilmember Perkins moved to suspend the rules and allow non-residents to speak. Motion seconded by Councilmember Stewart. AYES (7): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Fears, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (0): None ABSENT (0): Motion passes allowing non-residents to speak. Jeremy Kenyon spoke about IAFF Aaron Wilson spoke about Parks and Rec Lucy Young spoke about the budget The following people spoke about the data center: Michael Paulson, Damon Miles, Andy Collins, Daniel Gallipeau, Teri Mertell, Daniel Moorehead, Griffin Harness-Clark, Maggie Robinson, Daniel Circo, Jean Goss, Rachel Gonzalez, Mary Frizzell, Rudy Chavez, Michael Bottoms, Gretchen Sheely, Marissa Perez, Rina Sartain, Lynne Baker, Jackie Dorman, Dillon James, Cody Boston, Ericka Schweder, Micah Self, Sarah Hemme, Russell Gray, Savannah Park, Monica Engle, Neil Carnahan, Rosemary Gustin, Kelli Jabs, Karli Ridinger, Terri Hoeflicker, Stephanie Robinson, Katherine Venyard, Joanie Flanagan, Sharon Snyder, Brent McCormick, Bob Parkey, Falepule Tali, Leilani Race, Carmen Gibbs, Lisa Garrett, Jeff Mohr, Elliott Graves, Tsuetina Pavlove, Hanna Albina, Willard Rigby, Lukas Yanni, Justice Horn, Conrad Niederhauser, Steve White, William Thompson, Kevin Gard, Ivy Kettlewell, Brielle Thompson Ford, Kevin Baird, Valerie Byrnes, Paul Post, Sarah Wimberley, Kharma Magers, Jason White, and Andrew Jonas. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Perkins moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fears. Item number 2 was pulled for special consideration by Councilmember Perkins. AYES (7): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Fears, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (0): None ABSENT (0): The consent agenda, minus item number 2, passes 7-0 Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager 1. Approval of minutes from the February 4th and February 16th regular meetings Approved 2. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to accept a $7.38 million RAISE Grant from the United States Department of Transportation for the Englewood Roundabout & Winner Road Streetscape Project (No. 112603). Item passes 7-0 This item was pulled by Councilmember Perkins. This project has been worked on for a long time. This is for the Englewood Roundabout and Winner Road Streetscape Project. Councilmember Perkins moved to approve the item as presented. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fears. AYES (7): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Fears, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (0): None ABSENT (0): Item passes 7-0 3. Council action is requested to authorize a second extension to existing purchase order 26000754 in the amount of $550,000 and authorize change orders up to ten (10) percent of the authorized amount, and to extend the sole source form with Black & McDonald for the provision of two (2) augmented journeyman lineman crews, to support Independence Power & Light (IPL) operations through June 30, 2026. Approved 4. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to approve Purchase Order Change Order #2 on the design contract (PO #21000660) with Wilson & Company for a revised contract amount not to exceed $156,520, and authorizing change orders up to ten percent (10%) of the authorized amount, for additional engineering services as part of the Valley View Parkway Extension Project (No. 512001). Approved REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING(S) 1. A public hearing for the application to rezone the properties at 315, 317 and 319 S. Osage Street from I-1, Industrial, and C-2, General Commercial, to R-30/PUD, (High Density Residential/Planned Unit Development) and approving a Preliminary Development Plan. New Information Only. 26-018 2R An ordinance approving a Rezoning from District I-1 (Industrial) and District C-2 (General Commercial) to District R-30/PUD (High Density Residential/Planned Unit Development) and approving a Preliminary Development Plan for the property located at 315, 317 and 319 S. Osage Street. 2R Item passes 7-0 Ord. No. 19790 AYES (7): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Fears, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (0): None ABSENT (0): Item passes 7-0 ORDINANCES 1. 26-017 2R An ordinance adopting amendments to the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, which was approved by Ordinance No. 19682 2R Item passes 7-0 Ord. No. 19789 AYES (7): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Fears, Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (0): None ABSENT (0): Item passes 7-0 2. 26-019 2R An ordinance approving a plan for an Industrial Development Project; authorizing the City of Independence, Missouri to issue two series of Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in a combined principal amount not to exceed $150,632,000,000; and authorizing and approving certain documents and actions in connection therewith. 2R Item passes 5-2 Ord. No. 19791 AYES (5): Councilmember Fears, Councilmember McCandless, Councilmember Vaught, Councilmember Perkins, Councilmember Wiley NAYS (2): Mayor Rowland, Councilmember Stewart ABSENT (0): Item passes 5-2 FIRST READING(S) 1. 26-020 1R An ordinance amending Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Independence, Missouri, by adding a new article prohibiting the sale of certain intoxicating Kratom derivatives and restricting the sale of Kratom products to persons twenty-one years of age or older. (Sponsored by Mayor Rowland) 1R Read 2. 26-021 1R An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit to operate a bed and breakfast at 1304 S. Maywood Avenue in Independence, Missouri. 1R Read 3. 26-022 1R An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 14, of the Independence City Code pertaining to accessory buildings & structures. 1R Read 4. 26-023 1R An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 14, of the Independence City Code pertaining to temporary signs. 1R Read 5. 26-024 1R An ordinance authorizing final disposition of certain city records that have met all requirements to be eligible for such disposition. 1R Read INFORMATION ONLY 1. Please Note: In accordance with RSMo. 610.021, the City Council may convene in a Closed Executive Session during or after the meeting, on matters of litigation, legal action, and/or attorney client communications, as permitted by Sec. 610.021(1), on matters of personnel, as permitted by Sec. 610.021(3) and personnel records, as permitted by 610.021(13), on matters of contracts, as permitted by 610.021(12), on matters of real estate, as permitted by 610.021(2) and/or matters of labor negotiations, as permitted by 610.021(9). COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Vaught gave an update on the Noland Fashion Square redevelopment. Councilmember McCandless gave an update on the selection of a new City Manager. Mayor Rowland gave a shout-out to CM McCandless for leading the committee on the search for the new City Manager. He also gave a shout-out to his colleagues for working such a long day with City Manager candidate interviews this morning and a long meeting this evening. Interim City Manager Lisa Reynolds stated the Mavericks have signed a 3-year agreement with the events center. Also the utility customer service department will be moving on Friday and will reopen on Monday at the new location at the Municipal Commons. The kiosk at the current location will remain open. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 11:23 p.m. _________________________________ Presiding Officer of the City Council of the City of Independence, Missouri ATTEST: ____________________________ City Clerk