Updates and outcomes from MARC's November Board meetings

Dec 03, 2024
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Tom Gerend, Kansas City Streetcar Authority executive director, gives a presentation to the MARC Board of Directors on Nov. 26, 2024.

We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations. 

Streetcar expansion

Members of the Board heard from Tom Gerend, Kansas City Streetcar Authority executive director, who provided an update on the growing streetcar system. Since opening, the streetcar has provided 14 million passenger trips and sparked new development along the route. The KC Streetcar Main Street extension to UMKC is 89% complete, with the Riverfront extension estimated to be complete in early 2026. 

ConnectedKC 2050 Update

MARC is updating ConnectedKC 2050, the region’s long-range transportation plan. Revised every five years, the plan includes goals, strategies and prioritized transportation projects. Proposed updates to the plan include a new goal focused on housing and two strategies focused on digital equity and housing coordination. Local leaders and residents are encouraged to share input on the plan update by visiting connectedkc.org/update.

Budget overview

The MARC Budget and Work Plan guides agency activities and provides a clear picture of how revenues are allocated to achieve overarching policy goals. Board members reviewed a draft of the 2025 Budget and Work Plan and Revised 2024 Budget. MARC’s 2025 budgeted revenues are projected at $119,981,775 – with 72% being passed on to partners in the region. MARC staff shared key priorities across departments for 2025. The final budget and workplan will be presented at the December Board of Directors meeting.  

Budget and Personnel Committee

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Nov. 26, attendees took the following actions:

  • Generator purchase The committee approved the purchase of a $151,030 generator for the Ray County Senior Center to help keep frozen meals safe in the event of a power outage. The senior center provides frozen home-delivered meals to older adults in the area. The center was also recently awarded a freezer van to distribute frozen meals. 
     
  • Community health worker support — MARC has supported the community health worker (CHW) collaborative since 2015. Committee members authorized the acceptance of $35,000 in additional funding from the State of Kansas and $85,000 from the State of Missouri to advance the collaborative. The grant awards will support contractor work related to convening, advocacy and policy analysis.