Updates and outcomes from MARC's August Board meetings

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on Aug. 23. We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations.

The MARC Board heard a variety of updates, including:

• Panasonic battery facility update: Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, shared insights with Board members about the role of regional cooperation in securing the Panasonic car battery manufacturing facility in DeSoto, Kansas. The development will strengthen the region’s role as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The effort would not have been successful without significant cooperation of state and local governments, economic development organizations, and other partners.
• Transportation planning work program: MARC staff presented about the transportation Unified Planning Work Program and reviewed the major transportation initiatives anticipated in the next year. Board members shared input on what staff should consider in developing the work plan, which will be available in October. 

View the presentation slides.

• Regional Housing Partnership: Board members heard an update on the Regional Housing Partnership, which is mobilizing people and organizations to enact systems-level change to grow the supply of affordable housing. Staff shared the scope of work under the program, current funding, work to date, envisioned future work and how communities can stay engaged. Board members provided input on local housing challenges and initiatives. 

View the presentation slides.

• Parade of Hearts: Board members approved MARC’s acceptance of $125,000 from the Parade of Hearts auction. MARC was one of five beneficiaries of the Parade of Hearts and will pass through the funds by awarding small grants to family child care providers and small early childhood centers hit hard by the pandemic. Staff also invited Board members to visit the “KC Strong” heart in the MARC lobby, which is on loan to MARC from A.B. May. 
• #CityHallSelfie Day: Aug. 15 was #CityHallSelfie Day, an annual social media event that celebrates pride in local government through selfie pictures. In honor of the 50th anniversary, MARC staff tried to reach as many places as possible – visiting 86 locations across the region. Staff thanked the Board for supporting the #CityHallSelfie Day effort and encouraged ideas for next year.
• Eastern Jackson County shared services: Board members heard an update on a shared services initiative involving the Eastern Jackson County cities of Blue Springs, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Grandview and Raytown. MARC assists the cities with administration and coordination support, and staff encouraged Board members from other communities to consider similar cooperative approaches and shared solutions.  

View the Eastern Jackson County Shared Services Initiative report.

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Aug. 23, attendees heard reports on:

• Comprehensive compensation study: Committee members advanced MARC’s efforts to remain competitive in the job market by approving funding for a comprehensive compensation study and position description update. Following a RFP process, two firms were identified and, following additional discussions, one will be selected for a contract not to exceed $72,000. 
• Hearing and vision screenings: To better support the health of Head Start students, the committee approved the purchase of hearing and vision screening equipment machines for 13 Head Start sites in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties. 
• 911 improvements: The committee strengthened the regional 911 system by approving $360,000 to build redundant connections to six 911 public safety answering points across the region. Committee members also supported a $115,811 investment in a 911 disaster recovery system to protect valuable data such as call records and configuration files, in the case of a hardware failure or data corruption.
• Meal delivery trucks: In support of MARC’s home-delivered meal operations for older adults, the committee authorized the purchase of four meal delivery cargo vans. The total cost, including installation of freezers, is $299,472.