RESOLUTION NO. 240720

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Sponsor:  Councilmember Nathan Willett

RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to stop using City funds or other resources in lawsuits against the Kansas City Missouri Board of Police Commissioners.

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WHEREAS, by passing Ordinance No. 220056, the Council recognized that a public purpose was to be served through the retention of counsel and eventually advancing the City’s interest  through alignment with Mayor Lucas’ challenges to Amendment 4 and Missouri HB 678 (2022); and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Supreme Court held that the 2022 ballot language for Amendment 4 was “materially inaccurate and seriously misleading” and was an election irregularity “of the highest conceivable magnitude” and ordered a new election; and

WHEREAS, with the new election result in August of 2024 approving Amendment No. 4, it is time to revisit that prior policy decision and ensure City resources are directed to their highest and best use moving forward; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1.  That the City Manager is directed to stop using City funds or other resources in lawsuits against the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Police Commissioners involving Amendment 4 and Missouri HB 678 (2022).

Section 2.  That the City Manager is directed to present at the next business session of the Council a full accounting of the amount of money and other City resources expended in lawsuits against the Board of Police from May 2021 through the effective date of this resolution.

Section 3. That the City Attorney is directed to take reasonable steps, consistent with Missouri Supreme Court Rules, to withdraw from any current litigations involving Amendment 4 and Missouri HB 678 (2022) for which they are counsel of record.

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