File #: 240160    Version: Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Held
File created: 2/1/2024 In control: Council
On agenda: 3/28/2024 Final action:
Title: Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE Making Truth Avenue an honorary street name of Troost Avenue and N. Truth Avenue an honorary street name of N. Troost Avenue in anticipation of a future permanent change; reducing the Contingent Appropriation by $50,000.00 in the General Fund; and appropriating that amount to the Public Works-Street Sign account of the General Fund.
Sponsors: Melissa Robinson
Attachments: 1. Docket Memo 240160, 2. Presentation, 3. Public Testimony In support 2.6.24, 4. Support for changing the name of Troost Ave. To Truth Ave., 5. In support of 240160 Truth over Troost, 6. In support of renaming Troost, 7. In support of Troost Renaming, 8. Public Testimony Supporting 240160, 9. 240160 cs to org ord-com
committeesub
[COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR] ORDINANCE NO. 240160

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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

Making Truth Avenue an honorary street name of Troost Avenue and N. Truth Avenue an honorary street name of N. Troost Avenue in anticipation of a future permanent change; reducing the Contingent Appropriation by $50,000.00 in the General Fund; and appropriating that amount to the Public Works-Street Sign account of the General Fund.

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WHEREAS, on September 17, 2020, the City Council passed Committee Substitute for Resolution No. 200559, requesting the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners to research, examine and develop a comprehensive strategy for the removal of memorials and symbolic monuments, including street, boulevard, and parkway names on City-owned property, of individuals who enslaved persons, promoted racism, or participated in the oppression or dehumanization of others; and

WHEREAS, memorials, monuments, and symbols, including street, boulevard, and parkway names that celebrate and serve as constant reminders of a painful history of colonization and slavery are not conducive to an environment of diversity and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Troost Avenue and N. Troost Avenue were named after Benoist Troost, a Kansas City physician who enslaved six persons; and

WHEREAS, Troost Avenue and N. Troost Avenue have historically served as a dividing line and symbol of the City's history of racial segregation and slavery; and

WHEREAS, the removal of symbols to a racist past is a significant step in a healing process that seeks a more just future; and

WHEREAS, multiple listening sessions were conducted with area property owners about changing the name of Troost Avenue and N. Troost Avenue; and

WHEREAS, with the support of the Health Forward Foundation, postcards were sent to every resident soliciting feedback on the change; and

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