CITY OFFICIALS ARE EXECUTING DEVELOPERS AGREEMENTS BEFORE PUBLIC IS AWARE ? TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION? DISPARITY REPORT 2016 STATES.
Redevelopment Authority] approved the goal over the objections of the Human Relations
Department of I think 1.2 minority [participation] and 2.5 WBE [participation], when there
was adequate availability of minority and women contractors to meet the City’s standard
kind of goal of 15 [percent] and 7 [percent]. They’re diluting the opportunity for minority
and women contractors when it comes through the statutory business development
organizations, all of whom have different sets of rules..… There ought to be a uniform
code that is incorporated in all the development agreements which people in our
community never see.… There’s a disconnect. And I realize they’re trying to change some
of that now but the insulting part of it was there was more money spent through statutory
agencies last year for contracting activities than there were through City departments.…
It’s obviously developer driven. By the time we see it the development agreement has
already been executed. We’re having a big deal now both with the east patrol, the streetcar
and the proposed 800 room convention center hotel. If it’s not in the development
agreement there’s very little you can do at that point.… Kansas City’s an inclusive city.
We’ve shown that over and over. It has sustained through white mayors, through black
mayors, through female mayors. Yet, we allow the statutory organizations to dilute it.They
have their own board[s] and they can do what they want.
TEAM HIGHLIGHT: Brandon Haggard started as a Business Development Officer at EDCKC in August of 2020. Since joining the team, Brandon has honed his expertise in the industries of information technology and health sciences.
A graduate of Kansas State University, Brandon has recently served as the EDCKC team lead on the local tech hubs designation, and has helped many businesses grow and expand in our community.
Program Director at SPARC, Inc. | Championing inclusive opportunities and adventures for people with diverse abilities | Making the impossible possible and turning it into unforgettable memories for our community.
1wCongratulations Sonja!! We’re so lucky to have you as our Program Manager!