KC Council Considering Firing City Manager Over Facebook Development Plan in Clay County.

The Kansas City Council is holding a termination vote at 2:45 PM today to remove its City Manager Brian Platte after allegations of unfair workplace practices surrounding his handling of complaints that Facebook was not  hiring  minority contractors for it's new Data center in the Kansas City Northland. Councilwoman Melissa Robinson will introduce the RESOLUTION OF NO CONFIDENCE in the City Manager.

 

The allegations arose from local minority contractors who claimed that META's plan to construct a Facebook data center in Clay County had left them out of the loop. However, the situation took a turn when a city hall employee questioned these allegations and was allegedly met with threats in response. This staffer was ultimately dismissed for her efforts to ensure equal opportunity and adherence to federal hiring laws.

As a result of these developments, the former employee has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against both the city manager's office and a council member who is vying for reelection this June. The case is likely to raise eyebrows and draw attention to Kansas City's practices when it comes to minority hiring in the future.

The decision to terminate Platt's contract was not taken lightly, and it came after weeks of tensions between Platt and the city council, which accused him of not communicating effectively and failing to follow through on certain initiatives.

Platt, who was appointed to the position in October 2020, was seen as a rising star in city management circles. He had previously served as the chief innovation officer for Jersey City, New Jersey, where he gained a reputation for his innovative and tech-savvy approach to government.

However, his tenure in Kansas City was plagued by a series of controversies and missteps, including a botched rollout of the city's new online portal for business license renewals, and a lack of transparency in his decision-making process.

In a statement released in response to the vote of no confidence, Platt expressed his disappointment but said he respect the council's decision.

"I am proud of the work my team and I accomplished during my time in Kansas City, and I am confident that the city is on the right track," Platt said. "I wish the city and its residents all the best in the future."

The decision to fire Platt has been met with mixed reactions from residents and city officials. Some have praised the council for taking decisive action to address the issues facing the city, while others have criticized the move as premature and hasty.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, said in a statement that he was disappointed by the council's decision to bring forth a vote of no confidence.

The council has not yet announced who will be serving as interim city manager if they replace  Platt. The search for a new city manager is expected to begin immediately.

Kansas City is one of the largest cities in the United States, with a population of more than 495,000 residents. The city manager serves as the chief administrative officer for the city, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and implementing policies and programs as directed by the city council