ORDINANCE NO. 240401

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Sponsor:  Mayor Quinton Lucas

Directing the City Manager to review the City’s relationship with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and to explore the creation of a new and independent Kansas City Metropolitan Planning Organization (KCMO-MPO) for the purpose of overseeing the regional transportation planning and allocation of federal transportation funds within the boundaries of Kansas City.

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WHEREAS, Kansas City is a major urban center with unique transportation planning needs that are distinct from the broader bi-state Kansas City metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, the existing Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) serves a broad geographic area that includes multiple counties in both Missouri and Kansas, which may dilute the focus on Kansas City’s specific transportation issues and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, federal regulations under the United States Department of Transportation mandate the establishment of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) for urbanized areas with populations over 50,000 to ensure effective local input in the allocation of federal transportation funds; and

WHEREAS, local support of transportation planning and prioritization of projects within Kansas City is essential to meet the immediate and future needs of the City’s residents and businesses, particularly in our urban core, and to ensure that City priorities-like reconnecting communities and mitigating harmful effects of major thoroughfares like Highway 71-are prioritized and implemented; and

WHEREAS, the addition of a Kansas City-specific Metropolitan Planning Organization (KCMO-MPO) would enhance the ability to undertake comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation planning and implementation tailored to the City’s needs; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. The City Manager is directed to review the City’s relationship with MARC at the beginning of the next fiscal year, FY 2025-26.

Section 2. The City Manager is directed to explore the addition of a new, independent MPO serving and overseen by Kansas City (“KCMO-MPO”). The City Manager is directed to outline the geographical area of a potential KCMO-MPO, design governance and funding structures, and evaluate the process for securing necessary State and Federal approvals.

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Approved as to form:

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Dustin Johnson

Associate City Attorney