Kansas City Council member apologizes for ‘inappropriate’ language in committee meeting
A Kansas City Council member apologized Wednesday after swearing during a heated committee discussion of a plan to give millions in tax incentives to a developer.
The Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Katheryn Shields, District 4 at-large, approved the legislation by a 3-2 vote. Councilwomen Melissa Robinson and Ryana Parks-Shaw voted against it.
Near the end of the meeting, Shields said: “I think we’ve lost one of our f---ing votes thanks to you all delaying.”
Shields said in an interview Wednesday evening that she was frustrated because the law department negated an earlier vote on the ordinance, when there were four votes in favor. Councilwoman Heather Hall voted, then left the meeting she was attending virtually.
“I frankly responded to that frustration in a very inappropriate manner with inappropriate language,” Shields said. “And I am very sorry for that fact and apologize to my colleagues and to the public for my inappropriate response.”
Outside the council chambers after the meeting, Robinson spoke with a group of around 30 people with the citywide tenant union KC Tenants.
“Hopefully the disrespect that was displayed today will be circulated,” she said.
The measure, co-sponsored by Shields, authorizes the city manager to contribute a third of the surplus funds from a property tax abatement to the Rehabilitation Assistance for Midtown Properties program beginning in 2024. Another third of the funds would be directed to the Housing Trust Fund. And just over $526,000 a year would go to the Chicago-based Mac Properties development along Armour Blvd and Main St. for 20 years, adding up to more than $10.5 million.
The legislation will be considered by the full council Thursday afternoon.
This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
