Updates and outcomes from MARC's May Board meetings

Jun 04, 2025
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News
Jackson County Public Health Assistant Director Ray Dlugolecki presented to the Board about the national and regional status of measles.

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on May 27.

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

Crime Stoppers

Former Lee’s Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads and Christina Ludwig, a Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department detective loaned out to Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, shared information about the program. Although the TIPS program does not have law enforcement responsibility, their TIPS Hotline supports crime-fighting efforts in the region by offering confidential ways to share critical information with law enforcement. Crime Stoppers serves as an intermediary that allows total anonymity for the caller. More than 3,000 anonymous tips were submitted to the hotline in 2024.  

View the presentation slides

Measles update

Jackson County Public Health Assistant Director Ray Dlugolecki presented to the Board about the national and regional status of measles. There are no cases in the MARC region, but Kansas has reported 51 cases and Missouri has three. Through the Metropolitan Official Health Agencies of the Kansas City Area (MOHAKCA), public health departments are working to promote vaccination, coordinate information, share disease surveillance efforts with hospitals, and prepare cross-jurisdictional support to trace any exposures.

View the presentation slides

Connected KC 2050 update

A final round of public engagement and outreach is underway as part of MARC’s update of Connected KC 2050, the region’s long-range metropolitan transportation plan. The plan update includes goals, strategies and prioritized projects for the next 20 years and serves as a framework to guide investment of federal transportation funds within the region. The Total Transportation Policy Committee and the MARC Board will consider final plan approval in June.

View the presentation slides

Unfunded transportation needs

The Board approved a list of unfunded Missouri transportation projects, including more than $1 billion in road, transit and trail improvements across five counties. The unfunded needs list ensures readiness to act on funding opportunities and highlights where additional funds are needed. 

View the presentation slides

Aging and Adult Services Contracts

To address anticipated budget concerns, MARC is optimizing its Aging and Adult Services budget and working closely with community providers. Contracts for key services such as meals, transportation and caregiver support are being amended to fit the projected budget, with most providers in their second contract year. MARC uses a competitive procurement process to support high-quality service delivery and submits its area plan for approval to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Regional Assembly and Leadership Awards

Registration now open

Tables and individual tickets are available for the 2025 Regional Assembly and Leadership Awards on Friday, June 13. 

Event details

Budget and Personnel Committee

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on May 27, attendees took the following actions:

Head Start partners – In March, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City announced they would end Head Start services at four MARC Head Start sites in Missouri. MARC initiated a process to identify new partners. Kansas City Public Schools is negotiating the lease of a center in the Columbus Park neighborhood of Kansas City that would serve an additional 34 children. MARC is in discussions with Mattie Rhodes, which serves 100 children currently and plans to expand their capacity to 150 children in North Kansas City, as well as Render’s Hope Day School in Independence, which plans to reopen in July and anticipates enrolling up to 40 children. 

Infrastructure accelerator grant  – The committee authorized the submission of a grant application to the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) Program. RIA grants assist public entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financial strategies for projects eligible for federal funding.  RIA would provide partners with project support with a goal of developing the region’s capacity to deliver projects via alternative methods.

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