August 12, 2023

The Lee’s Summit City Council met August 8 to discuss these issues.

Lee’s Summit Symphony Proclamation
Mayor Baird issued a proclamation declaring August 13, 2023, as Lee’s Summit Symphony Day in honor of the symphony’s 20th anniversary. All are invited to celebrate this major accomplishment of enriching a community clearly dedicated to music, culture and the well-being of its citizens.

Lobbyist End-of-Session Report
Jim Durham, the City’s lobbyist, presented an end-of-session report for the 102nd General Assembly of the state of Missouri. He reported that the big focus during the session was on social issues and reducing people’s taxes. Two areas of importance for Lee’s Summit were:

• The appropriation of $6.7 million for the relocation of Troop A Headquarters to allow for the 291 North Interchange improvements. The appropriations were not part of the governor’s original budget package but were later added. The governor then reduced the amount appropriated for the Troop A relocation to $4 million. The remaining gap is $2.7 million.

• A bill that would expand the buffer to one mile between new landfills and neighboring communities which would give Lee’s Summit the ability to oppose and reject a landfill at our border. The passage was stalled by a filibuster in the senate. The senate then appropriated $100,000 to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a study of solid waste disposals. Governor Parson vetoed the $100,000, noting it should be a local expenditure.

Douglas Corner Retail Building
During a public hearing, Capital Builders, LLC, presented a preliminary development plan for the Douglas Corner Retail Building proposed at 150 NE Tudor Road across the street from Lee’s Summit North High School. The plan is for a 7,700-square-foot single-story retail structure for two to four tenants on 1.7 acres. The developer will reuse the existing parking lot. The architecture is a contemporary aesthetic.

Following the public hearing, City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance approving the preliminary development plan.
The next meeting is August 15.