02.15.2024

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50º | 1% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:11 a.m. | Sunset 5:54 p.m.

🏛️ How the cogs turn

KC’s Council-Manager government: How it works

The room where it happens (aka, the 26th floor). | Photo by KCtoday

New streets + bike lanes are popping up all over Kansas City. Did you ever wonder how real-life public projects like that happen? It all starts at City Hall.

Maybe the name Mayor Quinton Lucas is familiar. Maybe you’ve heard of City Manager Brian Platt. But how do these leaders work together, and how does that work go from pen on paper to jackhammers on concrete?

To answer that, we asked them ourselves.

Council-Manager government

KC has a Council-Manager form of government. Sometimes, it’s called Weak-Mayor, but “of course, any mayor takes offense to any description of ‘weak mayor,’” Lucas said jokingly.

This government actually came to Missouri first through Excelsior Springs in 1922, with KC not far behind in 1926.

Mayor Lucas presides over council meetings and serves as the city’s ceremonial and political leader. He has no veto power, but he takes point on policy. The council then votes on that policy to turn it into legislation. That’s where the manager comes in.

“I essentially run the day-to-day operation of the city as directed by the mayor and the council,” Manager Platt said.

The manager is appointed by the council — Platt started working in KC in December 2020. Legislation directs him to present yearly budgets, appoint task forces, and lead departments.

"[He] was someone who I think had shown great talent in both addressing basics and being a dreamer and suggesting we can do both,” Lucas said.

Photo of Kansas City's skyline from the top floor of City Hall — The view from the top floor of City Hall.
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Photo by KCtoday

The Lucas-Platt relationship

“I don’t think this relationship would work if we weren’t friends,” Platt said.

For Lucas and Platt, the mayor-manager relationship is a close one. They had already been together for hours before our 10 a.m. interview.

"[There] was a time where the mayor and the manager in KC actually weren’t speaking to each other,” Lucas said. “That’s hard for everybody.”

Like anyone, Lucas and Platt have their disagreements, but they said their system is good, and that communication + honesty are important

“We’re a unit. We’re a team. And we’ve got to be unified if we’re ever going to make transformative change,” Platt said.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 15

Journey to Oz | Thursday, Feb. 15-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Crown Center, KCMO | Free | Families can follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion down the yellow brick road to Emerald City.
Tarzan | Thursday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | Bell Cultural Arts Center, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS | $16-$20 | Swing into the action in this stage play based on the Disney film which will include songs like “You’ll Be In My Heart.”
Overland Park Boat Show | Thursday, Feb. 15 | Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | $0-$14 | Boating enthusiasts can wade through the latest 2024 cruisers, runabouts + performance boats.

Friday, Feb. 16

KC Remodel + Garden Show | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | American Royal Complex, 1701 American Royal Ct., KCMO | $11-$13 | Inspire your next home project at this vibrant marketplace with 300+ booths.
No Love Lost | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6 p.m.-1 a.m. | Westport Bowery, 817 Westport Rd., KCMO | $20 | Strange Music’s Jehry Robinson performs with underground legends Alan Wayne and Snake Lucci.

Saturday, Feb. 17

19th Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., KCMO | Donation | Local and regional farmers convene to focus on building a resilient food system through advocacy, education, and collaboration.
All About Babies, Wildlife That Is | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., KCMO | Free | Learn about Missouri’s native wildlife babies and how you can help keep their families together.
KC Collector Expo | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | DAV Chapter 2, 14605 E. US-40, KCMO | $5-$10 | Collectors unite at this family-friendly show themed “Love is in the Air.”

Sunday, Feb. 18

Paws & Paddles | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 4-7 p.m. | 5901 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $50-$100 | Bring your paddle, pals, and pickleball skills to help pups at Prairie Paws.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Opening

Tomorrow, Cardboard Corner Cafe starts a new campaign with a second location at the Lenexa Public Market (9420 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS). The local biz serves up everything from waffles to nerdy-themed cocktails alongside 250+ tabletop games. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Sports

Our men’s soccer team will soon be sporting a new look. Dubbed “Diamonds Our Forever,” Sporting Kansas City’s new secondary jersey offers a fresh take on the team’s iconic argyle look. Fan jerseys are now available for purchase online and in-store at Sporting Studio.

Development

Shawnee City Council voted to match up to $5 million toward the expansion of the Shawnee Town 1929 museum. The money would come from liquor taxes and would support adding features such as a visitor center + four new buildings. (Johnson County Post)

Transit

Still riding around on that two-year-old temporary tag? Let this serve as your warning. Independence police will have a zero tolerance enforcement campaign during the last week of February for expired tags + license plates. Find your nearest DMV. (FOX4)

Feel Good

This will give you happy feet. The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium threw a birthday party for Littlefoot, a king penguin who turned two. His party pals clapped as he waddled around the zoo. Then, he ate plenty of fish and got a toy triceratops as a gift.

Arts

Folly Theater is looking for artists to donate to the Art for Art auction happening on Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. Works valued between $250-$5,000 are preferred. Donate and you’ll be rewarded with two show tickets + 25% of your art’s auction proceeds. Submit artwork by Friday, March 15.

Try This

Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.

Wellness

Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*

Shop

We’re excited to introduce you to Britt Cimone, the newest Kansas City-based business featured in our online store (Six & Main). Made with polymer clay, these unique, handmade earrings are created to give women an extra boost of confidence in their everyday lives. Shop now.

Civic

🗑️ Trash talking

Kansas City residents have mixed feelings about the new trash carts

man poses with new kansas city trash cans carts city of kansas city missouri

The City of KCMO is putting a lid on the trash discussion. | Photo by City of KCMO

The City of KCMO recently announced it will deploy 170,000 trash carts beginning this May.

We asked y’all how you felt about the change and here’s what you had to say.

Trash carts for the win.

77% said that you couldn’t wait to get your hands on one.

“About time!! Good Lord...” — Kandace K.

“This is HUGE!! The streets will be so much cleaner. I won’t be as worried that my dogs’ paws will get hurt or that they eat something they’re not supposed to. I’m very very excited for this!” — Emily W.

Throw this idea in the trash.

16.7% of you said ew.

“They cause issues for storage as do the recycling [bins] now.” — K.W.

“Why trash carts when trash bags work just fine? The money to purchase the carts could have been better spent!” — Charles B.

Think harder.

Remaining voters had other opinions.

“I don’t know why it’s a city expense. Doesn’t the trash company provide a service for profit? It should be their expense.” — Greg K.

“Without a garage or driveway on the front of the house I don’t have anywhere to store it. I would also have to lug it down all my front steps!” — Sheri S.

The Buy

The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

KCtoday was reporting downtown during the parade yesterday. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. Please, take care of yourselves.

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