Delivering For You

Nearly a year before the City was forced to pass a short-term stopgap to keep KCATA afloat, I raised the alarm and introduced Resolution 240402, demanding a plan for sustainable, long-term transit funding. Our community has consistently called for better, more frequent bus service—and I listened. This resolution directed the City Manager to work with KCATA and MARC to explore how we can build a true regional solution, study how cities across the country fund transit, and assess what it would take to meet Kansas City’s needs. When the funding crisis came to a head, I worked with my Council colleagues to pass a responsible ordinance that kept KCATA fully funded through October 2025—without cutting any bus routes—while demanding real accountability. This plan protects service, requires financial reforms, pursues regional funding partnerships, and implements a Functionally Free Fare structure to keep transit accessible. We also secured job protections and transition support for IRIS drivers, and mandated independent audits and regular reporting to ensure transparency and progress. We can’t wait until our transit system is on the brink to act. I believe in proactive, collaborative governance—and I’m proud to have both sounded the alarm early and helped deliver real, lasting solutions for public transit in Kansas City. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services Read More: • Kansas City, Missouri, approves $46.7 million for bus services | KSBH41 (https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kansas-city-missouri-approves-46-7-million-for-bus-services-long-term-solution-needed) • Kansas City approves $46 million to keep public transportation running | KCTV5 (https://www.kctv5.com/2025/04/03/kansas-city-approves-46-million-keep-public-transportation-running/)

I co-sponsored Ordinance 240458 and Resolution 240456 to tackle illegal dumping head-on and restore pride and safety in our neighborhoods. Ordinance 240458 strengthened penalties for illegal dumping, particularly on vacant and Land Bank properties, and required quarterly progress reports to ensure accountability. Resolution 240456 directed the City to create a clear, enforceable system for timely cleanup, increase public awareness about new penalties, and expand tools like additional cameras, investigators, and a new clam truck to address problem areas faster. Illegal dumping has plagued our communities for far too long. These measures ensure stronger enforcement, faster response times, and cleaner, healthier neighborhoods for residents across Kansas City. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services Read More: • Illegal dumping: Kansas City sees progress 1 year after cracking down | KCTV5 (https://www.kctv5.com/2025/06/18/kansas-city-sees-progress-1-year-after-cracking-down-illegal-dumping/) • Fines to increase for illegal trash dumping in Kansas City, starting in November | Kansas City Star(https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288700700.html) • Kansas City council passes ordinance enforcing stricter punishments for illegal dumping | KCTV5 (https://www.kctv5.com/video/2024/05/23/kansas-city-council-passes-ordinance-enforcing-stricter-punishments-illegal-dumping/)

Since joining the City Council, I’ve led and co-led efforts to secure over $2.15 million in funding to support the Linwood Grocery Store at Prospect and Linwood. For many residents in the 3rd District, this store is the only full-service grocery option nearby—and I know how critical it is to keep healthy, affordable food within reach of every family. This investment was about protecting food access, preserving jobs, and keeping our neighborhoods whole while we work toward a long-term, sustainable solution. I’ll continue pushing for systems-level changes that ensure no community in Kansas City is left in a food desert. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services, Good Paying Jobs with Benefits, Enhanced Public Safety

I’m proud to have championed the creation of the PLANT (Promoting Local Agriculture & Neighborhood Transformation) Grant, which offers up to $10,000 to support urban growers, community gardens, and food entrepreneurs across Kansas City. New operations can receive up to $5,000, while established growers are eligible for the full $10,000 grant. This initiative directly addresses years of underinvestment in our local food infrastructure. By providing critical funding to expand production, improve infrastructure, and develop distribution systems, we’re strengthening neighborhood food access and resilience. The PLANT Grants are part of a broader strategy I led including the hiring of two Urban Agriculture Specialists and collaboration with community partners. Together, we’re making sure that local growers have the tools, funding, and support to succeed—and that our city’s food system is made stronger, healthier, and more sustainable for everyone. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services Read More: • PLANT Grant | City of Kansas City, MO (https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/neighborhood-services/plant-grant) • Farming grant designed to help Kansas City food system | KCTV5 (https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/02/farming-grant-designed-help-kansas-city-food-system/) • Kansas City offering grants to farmers to expand access to healthy food | Fox4KC (https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-city-offering-grants-to-farmers-to-expand-access-to-healthy-food/)

As part of my continued commitment to sustainable food access and economic opportunity, I secured $300,000 to fund two full-time Economic Development Specialists dedicated to urban agriculture. These new roles are focused on breaking down policy barriers, improving zoning, and helping community growers navigate City processes. Their work supports Kansas City’s local food economy, ensures better coordination across departments, and uplifts the neighborhoods most affected by food insecurity. This investment is the direct result of listening to growers, community advocates, and organizations like Cultivate KC and the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition. With these specialists in place, we’re turning community input into real outcomes—making it easier for urban agriculture to thrive across the city. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services

After hearing serious concerns from residents and witnessing breakdowns in how the City communicates with the public, I took action. I introduced a resolution that directs the City Auditor to conduct a full performance audit of the City Communications Office. This audit evaluates whether our communications policies meet best practices in transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness—and whether parts of communications should be decentralized to better serve the public. Clear, consistent, and timely communication from City Hall isn’t optional—it’s essential. That’s especially true during public health emergencies and in communities that have historically been left out of the conversation. This resolution is about making sure our City talks with people, not at them, and that every Kansas Citian gets the information they need and deserve. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services, Transparency Read More: • KC council will audit city’s transparency after requests from local media (https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article304699771.html)| Kansas City Star (https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article304699771.html) • Kansas City Council will audit city’s transparency (https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-04-23/kansas-city-council-audit-transparency-open-letter)| KCUR (https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-04-23/kansas-city-council-audit-transparency-open-letter)

Too often, good plans sit on shelves while our neighborhoods wait for change. That’s why I secured $300,000 to fund two full-time Economic Development Specialists for the ProspectUS initiative—focused on revitalizing the Prospect corridor through community-centered economic growth. These specialists are now dedicated to turning decades of planning into visible, measurable progress—supporting local businesses, attracting new investment, and delivering results residents can see and feel. By funding staff, not just strategy, we’re putting the focus where it belongs: on implementation, impact, and opportunity for the Third District. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services

I secured $550,000 in the FY 24-25 budget to expand litter abatement efforts and add a new clam truck, giving our crews the tools they need to respond faster and keep our neighborhoods clean. This investment builds on the illegal dumping ordinances I sponsored—Ordinance 240456, requiring timely responses to illegal dumping reports, and Ordinance 240458, which strengthened enforcement against offenders. Residents have made it clear: trash and dumping should never be the norm. I took that seriously and backed it up with policy and funding to make sure clean, healthy neighborhoods are a priority—not an afterthought. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services

Nearly a full year before the City was forced to pass a short-term stopgap to keep KCATA afloat, I raised the alarm and introduced a resolution demanding a plan for sustainable, long-term transit funding. Our community has consistently called for better, more frequent bus service—and I listened. That’s why I introduced Resolution 240402, directing the City Manager to work with KCATA and MARC to explore how we can build a real, regional solution. I called for a full investigation into how cities across the country fund regional transit systems, how we might reallocate our existing transit tax more effectively, and what it would truly cost to meet today’s needs. We can’t wait until the system is on the brink to act. I believe in proactive, collaborative governance—and this resolution was about sounding the alarm early and demanding action before the crisis hit.

I sponsored $20,000 to fund a ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to tackle the long-standing challenges at the Linwood Shopping Center, home to the Sun Fresh Market. This TAP brought in real estate and urban development experts to deliver actionable strategies to stabilize the center, improve safety, attract investment, and strengthen the surrounding neighborhood. Their recommendations included enhancements to the store, infrastructure improvements, housing density strategies, and placemaking initiatives designed to bring new life to the corridor. This is part of my broader commitment to creating long-term, sustainable solutions for Linwood and ensuring that key community assets like Sun Fresh are supported and strengthened for the future. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services, Enhanced Public Safety

I launched the Women’s Policy Group to bring more lived experience and diverse perspectives into policymaking. This group functions as a grassroots think tank—made up of women from all walks of life, including working mothers, educators, survivors, small business owners, and advocates—who meet regularly to shape real policy solutions. Together, we’ve focused on the issues that impact women and families most: access to healthcare, housing stability, public safety, economic opportunity, and more. This isn’t just a listening session—it’s a working group helping shape legislation, budget priorities, and long-term systems change to better serve women and families across Kansas City

Just weeks into my first term, I created the Urban Agriculture Committee because I recognized a gap between City Hall and the growers, advocates, and neighbors working every day to build a stronger local food system. This committee brought together urban farmers, policy experts, and community leaders to identify barriers, shape policy, and expand support for urban agriculture in Kansas City. Since its formation, the committee has helped drive major wins—including the hiring of two full-time Urban Agriculture Specialists, the launch of the PLANT Grant program offering up to $10,000 for growers, and meaningful zoning and policy conversations to support neighborhood-based food production. This work is about more than gardens—it’s about food access, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity rooted right here in our communities. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services

In the FY 24-25 budget, I successfully pushed to increase the Reparations Committee’s budget from $210,000 to $360,000. This additional $150,000 ensures the committee has the resources it needs to carry out its work—researching, engaging the community, and developing actionable recommendations for addressing generations of systemic harm. This investment reflects my commitment to meaningful progress and equity. By providing the funding necessary for robust community engagement and thorough analysis, we’re ensuring that Kansas City’s reparations work is backed by the tools and support needed to deliver real, impactful results.

In the FY 24-25 budget, I secured $150,000 to support the Black Archives of Mid-America, providing critical funding for its building and operations. The Black Archives is a cornerstone of our city’s cultural history, preserving and celebrating the contributions of African Americans in Kansas City and beyond. This investment helps ensure that this vital institution remains strong, accessible, and equipped to continue its mission of education, preservation, and community engagement. Supporting the Black Archives means honoring our past while creating opportunities for future generations to connect with their history. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services