Low-profile but important KC election this week, plus airport planning

It’s summer, and most people aren’t paying attention, but Tuesday’s election has important implications for Kansas City’s streetcar project and minimum wage. Later this week, more debate on a Kansas City International Airport ballot measure.

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Voters go to the polls in Kansas City to decide three ballot measures. Question 1 seeks to prohibit city planning and spending on streetcar expansion without citywide voter approval. Question 2 seeks a three-eighths-cent sales tax increase for 25 years for Clay Chastain’s rapid rail concept from Vivion Road to the Kansas City Zoo. Question 3 seeks to raise Kansas City’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022. All three ballot measures were submitted by petition initiative and all three have serious legal questions that the city council will have to confront if they pass.

We’re also watching for action this week by the city to try to complete the transfer of Kemper Arena to private ownership for a new regional amateur sports facility developed by Foutch Brothers. The development company says it needs to complete that transfer very soon to achieve its schedule of being open next July.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

The City Council holds committee hearings and agendas are here.

The council’s Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, meeting at 1:30 p.m., is set to consider a new development plan for 27th Street and Troost Avenue.

Thursday, Aug. 10

A joint city council committee, meeting at 9:15 a.m., will again debate ballot language proposals for a KCI proposal to voters in November. The deadline to approve that ballot language is Aug. 24 and there’s still fierce debate about how to craft the ballot language to pass legal muster and garner voter support. Some want public bond financing for the airport as an option while others don’t. And there’s another proposal submitted by various union groups who want their measure considered if the council can’t reach its own consensus.

The Kansas City Streetcar Authority meets, noon at Streetcar headquarters.

Final airport proposals, with financing details, are due to the city by 4 p.m. A selection committee reviewing the proposals is set to meet Aug. 14.

This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Low-profile but important KC election this week, plus airport planning."