Horsley at City Hall: KCI, Westport QuikTrip, police body cameras

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in an important Missouri religious freedom case, plus the Kansas City Council ponders KCI airport, police body cameras and Westport QuikTrip expansion.

Monday, June 26

The Kansas City Land Bank meets at 10 a.m., 4900 Swope Parkway, and will have an update on the sale of properties, and a progress report on the June 23 Open House to provide financing options for potential buyers.

The Parking and Transportation Commission meets at 11:30 a.m., 10th floor of City Hall, and will discuss a possible streetcar extension to Berkley Riverfront Park, changes to the MAX bus on Main Street and other transportation issues.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in an important Missouri religious freedom case, involving Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia, Mo.

The Bike-Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets at 4:30 p.m., KC Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave., to talk bike master planning and priorities.

Also watching this week for how the City Council will respond to a referendum attempt seeking a public election in November on a planned downtown convention center hotel, which developers say is just a few months away from a groundbreaking.

Tuesday, June 27

There’s a KCI airport listening session at 11 a.m. at Woodneath Library Center in the Northland, 8900 NE Flintlock Rd. City Councilwoman Heather Hall will be joined by aviation officials to discuss the airport.

Wednesday, June 28

The City Council holds committee hearings and agendas are here.

A joint meeting of the council’s finance and airport committees is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., 10th floor of City Hall. The committee will consider an ordinance proposing the use of public airport revenue bonds for KCI improvements, which is an alternative to private financing. It will also consider a measure allowing an additional $475,000 in legal expenses as the city ponders the future of KCI.

The council’s public safety committee meets at 10 a.m., 26th floor of City Hall, and will discuss the police department’s proposed use of police body cameras.

Port KC unveils its master plan for Berkley Riverfront Park at a public event from noon to 1 p.m. at Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park, 1123 Walnut St. The city has struggled for years to get any momentum on the riverfront, but one 400-unit apartment building is finally under construction, and more development is planned. A public party will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Berkley Riverfront Park, 1298 Riverfront Road, with a fitness class, volleyball and other activities.

The council’s planning, zoning and economic development committee meets at 1:30 p.m., 26th floor of City Hall, and is expected to consider a controversial expansion to the Westport QuikTrip.

Mayor Sly James, City Manager Troy Schulte, police officials and South Kansas City Alliance representatives will be at Evangel Church, 1414 103rd St., beginning at 6 p.m. to talk crime prevention. The officials will then walk nearby neighborhoods to touch base with residents, beginning at about 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 29

We’ll be watching this morning for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to release its mid-year economic forecast for the metro area.

The council’s transportation and infrastructure committee meets at 8:45 a.m., 26th floor of City Hall, to consider a request for the Kansas City Streetcar Authority to spend about $12 million to purchase two additional streetcar vehicles. The committee also considers spending about $13 million for the new Linwood Shopping Center and grocery.

A joint finance and infrastructure committee meets at 9:15 a.m., 26th floor of City Hall, to consider how to spend the first-year $42 million share of the 20-year, $800 million general obligation bond authority for major infrastructure projects.

This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Horsley at City Hall: KCI, Westport QuikTrip, police body cameras."