http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-964868.mp3
KANSAS CITY, MO. – Incoming Kansas City Mayor Sly James is shaking up the structure of committees which feed business to the City Council. It may not seem important to the average person, but KCUR's Dan Verbeck reports James intends the maneuver to better help the city operate.
Here's an example, Economic Development is one committee, Finance is another.
The next mayor says Economic Development needs to be with Plans and Zoning because that particular bailiwick deals with housing. And the change is logical, in the words of Mr. James, "Secondly, Finance is a pretty stiff assignment in and of itself. It needs to be stand alone and we added governance and ethics to that because they are really touchstones to each other."
Jan Marcason has been tapped to chair Finance, Ed Ford will lead Zoning. Other Committees of the Council and their Chairs will be, Transportation and Infrastructure: Russ Johnson, Neighborhoods and Healthy Communities: Melba Curls, Public Safety and Emergency Services: John Sharp.
Cindy Circo will be next Mayor pro-tempore, only the second woman in city history to hold the post.