File #: 210724    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 8/17/2021 In control: Council
On agenda: 8/26/2021 Final action: 8/26/2021
Title: Suspending the requirement for an in-person meeting as set forth in Section 88-505-12 of the City Code until December 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 virus; requiring applicants to continue to comply with the notification requirements contained in Section 88-505-12 and to include a copy of the application and contact information of the applicant or a representative of the applicant who can answer questions related to the application with the notice; and requiring applicants to offer to provide a meeting by telephone or video conference in lieu of an in-person meeting during a specific time and date that satisfies the requirements of Section 88-505-12.
Sponsors: Andrea Bough
Attachments: 1. No Fact Sheet, 2. Authenticated Ordinance 210724

ORDINANCE NO. 210724

 

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Suspending the requirement for an in-person meeting as set forth in Section 88-505-12 of the City Code until December 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 virus; requiring applicants to continue to comply with the notification requirements contained in Section 88-505-12 and to include a copy of the application and contact information of the applicant or a representative of the applicant who can answer questions related to the application with the notice; and requiring applicants to offer to provide a meeting by telephone or video conference in lieu of an in-person meeting during a specific time and date that satisfies the requirements of Section 88-505-12.

 

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WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, a proclamation of a state of emergency (the “Proclamation”) was issued to allow the City of Kansas City to take measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and promote the health and safety of Kansas City residents; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the current proclamation, the Sixth Amended Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency, remains in effect until August 31, 2021, running parallel with the state of emergency declared by the Governor of the State of Missouri; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus spreads between people who are in close contact with one another or present in shared spaces, and a gathering of individuals without necessary mitigation for the spread of infection will pose a risk of the spread of infectious disease; and

 

                     WHEREAS, Missouri is experiencing another wave of new COVID-19 cases, fueled by low rates of full vaccination, the spread of new strain of COVID-19 variant (the Delta variant), and COVID-19 hot spots now extending from southwest Missouri to Kansas City; and

 

                     WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, the Kansas City Health Department confirmed 167,664 total cases of COVID-19 in Kansas City metro-wide and 2,391 deaths from COVID-19 in Kansas City metro-wide; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Kansas City has increased steadily, the weekly average for new COVID-19 cases is the highest in almost six months, and local hospitals are at or near capacity; and

 

                     WHEREAS, on July 27, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance, recommending all vaccinated individuals in “substantial” or “high” transmission areas, with either more than 50 cases per 100,000 people in the area over a seven-day period, or with a COVID-19 test positivity rate higher than 5 percent, wear masks indoors; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the four counties in which Kansas City is located (Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte) are currently classified as high transmission areas by the CDC; and

 

                     WHEREAS, regional health guidance from medical professionals in the Kansas City metropolitan area recommended a return to masks indoors in July 2021 based on the positivity rate for COVID-19 cases in Missouri and the increase in hospitalizations; and

 

                     WHEREAS, Section 88-505-12 of the City Code sets forth a public engagement process for certain types of applications, including rezonings, development plan approvals, special use permits, and preliminary plats; and

 

                     WHEREAS, the City Council desires to suspend the requirement for an in-person meeting until December 31, 2021; NOW THEREFORE,

 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

 

Section 1. That the requirement of an in-person public meeting set forth in Section 88-505-12 of the City Code is hereby suspended until December 31, 2021. Applicants shall continue to provide notice as required by Section 88-505-12 and shall include with the notice a copy of the application and contact information of the applicant or a representative who can answer questions related to the application. In lieu of an in- person meeting, the applicant shall offer to provide a meeting by telephone or video conference. The meeting by telephone or videoconference shall occur during a specific time and date that satisfies the requirements of Section 88-505-12.

 

Section 2. Those who wish to comment on applications may also email written testimony to publicengagement@kcmo.org.

 

Section 3. Directing the City Manager to provide the notice, application and contact information to the Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council.

 

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Approved as to form and legality:

 

 

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Sarah Baxter

Assistant City Attorney