Category: Unified Government Commission

The Unified Government Commission on Thursday night approved a $12.5 million settlement with Lamonte and Rose McIntyre.

As part of the agreement terms, the McIntyres would dismiss the lawsuit against the Unified Government.

The UG Commission also voted to approve issuance of general obligation bonds that would provide funding for the settlement.

The state of Kansas in 2020 approved a $1.5 million award to Lamonte McIntyre for wrongful incarceration for 23 years. McIntyre said he did not commit a murder that he had been convicted of. His case was supported by the Innocence Project.

When he was awarded the funding by the state, a provision of that case was that if he won a case with a separate monetary award against the state or a government in a civil action, he would have to pay the state back for the amount it awarded him.

At the 7 p.m. UG Commission meeting, David Cooper, an outside counsel for the UG, said each party would be responsible for its own attorney costs.

He said the resolution authorizes the UG to issue general obligation bonds, but it does not require the UG to do so.

Commissioner Gayle Townsend, who voted with the rest of the commission to approve the resolutions, said it does not mean the UG is admitting to any wrongdoing in the case.

It’s an expensive choice in the matter and “will be a reminder to all of us as staff goes about day-to-day decisions,” she said.

A former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective was alleged to have railroaded McIntyre and allegedly coerced witnesses to give false testimony.

See earlier stories at https://wyandotteonline.com/mcintyre-granted-compensation-of-1-5-million-for-wrongful-conviction/
https://wyandotteonline.com/state-finance-council-approves-mcintyres-1-5-million-award/

The Unified Government Commission will consider several zoning issues at its 7 p.m. meeting Thursday, June 30, at the Commission Chambers, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

The commission also will meet at 5 p.m. June 30 in the Commission Chambers on the lobby level of City Hall for a budget workshop.

Among the many items on the agenda is one that would extend temporary pandemic ordinances allowing sidewalk and outdoor business, dining and service, making them a permanent ordinance change.

Also scheduled for the 7 p.m. meeting is a resolution to extend the state of local health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic through Oct. 1 in Wyandotte County. Also on the agenda:

• An update on the county administrator search process:
• Sales tax exemption for the Rock Island Bridge industrial revenue bonds;
• Termination of the foodie park development agreement for the former Indian Springs area;
• Repealing the Midtown redevelopment plan;
• Approving an application for a rebate on incremental property taxes for redevelopment of the Brotherhood Bank building, and IRB bonds for the project;
• A resolution to support the Mid-America Regional Council regional climate action plan;
• Allowing telecommunication towers in residential areas if they are in stadium and athletic field light towers;
• A resolution to issue IRBs for the Criterion multifamily project;
• An option contract for real estate purchase agreement between KDG and the UG for real estate at 742 Minnesota Ave.;
• An ordinance to adopt the building and safety code; adopting the life safety code and international fire code; and international residential code;
• Approval of the casino grant funds;
• An agreement between the UG and LiUNA Public Services Employees Local Union 1290;
• An update on grants and the grant process.

Two Land Bank yard extensions, one at 4967 Oak Ave. and one at 1522 S. 8th St., also are on the agenda.

Other zoning items on the agenda include:

• 4136 Springfield St., change of zone from planned single-family district to planned apartment district to build two triplex units, Open Door Homes;

• 3015 and 3020 Baltimore St., change of zone from planned apartment district to agriculture district to construct a single-family residence with urban farming, City Beautiful Enterprise.

• 3430 N. 115th St., change of zone from county agriculture district to city agriculture district to subdivide the lot.

• 3348 N. 115th, change of zone from county agriculture district to city agriculture district to subdivide the lot.

• 5044 Powell Ave., renewal of a home occupation special use permit for a beauty salon.

• 2205 S. 88th St., special use permit for auto sales, Elite Motor Group.

• 3015 and 3020 Baltimore St., home occupation special use permit to sell produce and farm goods grown on the property, City Beautiful Enterprise;

• 2205 S. 88th St., special use permit for auto repair, City Truck and Tire Repair;

• 8440 Gibbs Roads, renewal of a special use permit to continue to store boats, trailers, vehicles, construction equipment and farm equipment for retail sales, Copart of Kansas;

• 1900 N. 1st, special use permit to continue to keep storage containers and a movable high tunnel for a training farm and community garden, Cultivate Kansas City;

• 1810 N. 1st, special use permit to keep storage containers and a greenhouse, Cultivate Kansas City;

• 620 Tenny Ave., special use permit to operate a short-term rental, Purple Holdings;

• 3914 N. 59th St., special use permit to store construction equipment;

• 2724 N. 13th St., an ordinance rezoning property from limited business district to planned general business district;

• 2724 N. 13th, an ordinance authorizing a special use permit to operate a sports bar with event space and live entertainment;

• 10 S. Hallock, 525 Central Ave. and 529 Central Ave., ran ordinance rezoning property from single family and planned nonretail business districts to planned high-rise apartment district;

• 731 Tenny Ave., an ordinance vacating an alley;

• 3801 Lloyd St., an ordinance vacating right-of-way;

• 10 S. Hallock and 525 Central Ave., an ordinance vacating right-of-way;

• 1830 Quindaro Blvd., ordinance authorizing special use permit for a car dealership with automotive repair, auto detailing and auto stereo installation;

• 2002 S. 51st St., ordinance authorizing special use permit for a health clinic serving uninsured and under-insured persons;

• 4313 Rainbow Blvd, ordinance authorizing special use permit for continuation of a short-term rental;

• 4420 N. 107th St., ordinance authorizing special use permit for continuation of a modular classroom at Piper Middle School;

• 2618 S. 48th Terrace, an ordinance authorizing home occupation special use permit to operate a toy and gift merchandise sales shop;

• 1335 Quindaro Blvd., an ordinance designating property commonly known as the Antioch Baptist Church as a Kansas City, Kansas, historic landmark;

• Westheight Manor Historic District, an ordinance designating property listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Register of Historic Kansas Places, as a Kansas City, Kansas Historic District. Boundaries are on the north by Wood Avenue and Everett Avenue; on the east by North 18th Street; on the south by State Avenue; and on the west by North 22nd Street and North 25th Street.

Also on the agenda is the nomination of Daniel Serda to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, submitted by Mayor Tyrone Garner.

For information on how to connect to the meeting, visit https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/Full-Commission-Meeting.

More information is on the agenda, online at https://www.wycokck.org/Departments/Clerks-Office/Agendas-Minutes.

The Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee and the Administration and Human Services Committee are scheduled to meet tonight.

The PWS Committee will meet at 5 p.m. June 27 in the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The AHS Committee will follow at the same location.

On the agenda for the PWS Committee meeting are a request for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department Victim Services to apply for the VOCA grant; a resolution authorizing the KCK Police Department to enter into an agreement with the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Police Commissioners; and the Public Works quarterly report.

On the agenda for the AHS Committee meeting are a resolution to establish a sister city relationship with the city of Carmago, Mexico; amending an ordinance to expand businesses’ and individuals’ ability to sell food, drinks and merchandise on sidewalks, streets and parklets; an ordinance to make permanent the temporary ordinances approved for outdoor service and retail sales, farmer’s markets, mobile vending, mobile markets and open streets; a department update on Municipal Court; a presentation on revised 2022 and proposed 2023 Community Development budgets; and a department update from Community Development.

The public may watch the meetings in person or on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82239677018?pwd=Sy8je5647nvf32oArAFGrlqiEjPHYw.1.

The Zoom ID is 822 3967 7018.

The passcode is 892930.

To connect by telephone, the toll free numbers are 888-475-4499 or 877-853-5257.

For more information, visit https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/Standing-Committee-Meeting-PWS-and-AH.