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Photography on Display at Raytown City Hall
For more information contact
Mecee Walters 816 358 1930
TRUTH WATCH RETURNS!
"Follow the Process"
TO VIEW A VIDEO OF THE MEETING USE THE FOLLOWING LINK:
At last Tuesday's Board of Aldermen Meeting three applicants applied to change the zoning of their homes from "commercial" to "residential" property. Their reason was simple. Changing the zoning from commercial to residential would save the applicants money on property taxes. The change would also expand insurance benefits for their property.
Their goal was to reverse a decision made by City Hall in 1972 when the property was changed from residential to commercial property.
The State of Missouri requires specific procedural processes be followed when changing the zoning of private property. The City of Raytown is subject to those procedures and State laws.
A Zoning Application is first reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The application is then reviewed by the Board of Aldermen. Under Missouri State Law the City is required to hold Public Hearings in both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Raytown Board of Aldermen before a decision on the Zoning Application can be approved.
Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters pointed out to the Board of Aldermen that he did not believe the Public Hearing requirement(s) had been met.
A check of the record shows the Board of Aldermen voted on the issue on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Details of the Planning and Zoning Commissiion meeting were not published until two days later on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Walters also suggested the number of Public Hearings had not been met.
Another Alderman stated that the applicants had met at a neighborhood meeting between prior to a meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission . . . implying that a Public Hearing Meeting had been held.
Morris Melloy, was then recognized by Mayor Michael McDough to speak.
Melloy reminded the Aldermen the meeting referred to was in fact "a neighborhood meeting", not a Public Hearing. His point is valid. The City does allow for an informal neighborhood meeting between applicant and neighbors to clarify the complexity of the application.
A meeting disclosing the intent of the applicant is held. However, that meeting is not a Public Hearing per se. City Staff does not participate in the meeting. The purpose is for area residents to meet with applicants in an informal setting to become become familiar with what the applicant has in mind.
There are not any minutes or any other written record made of what transpires at the meeting. Witnesses are not sworn in to speak, nor are they recognized to give testimony.
Melloy told the Board of Aldermen the Neighborhood Meeting held with the applicants and the public was not a formal Public Hearing. He urged the Board to "follow the process" as layed out by the State of Missouri.
Shortly afterward the Mayor called for a vote on the application.
The Board approved the application by a vote of 8 YES 0 NO 2 ABSENT.
If there is a lesson to be learned from what transpired at last Tuesday's meeting it is this:
- Rules are made to be followed.
- States laws are not to be ignored.
Mr. Melloy was right . . . There is a process by which Public Hearings are to be held. The city would be wise to "follow the process" when considering changes to zoning laws.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
8 comments:
I cannot get an answer from my Alderman regarding the construction and what is going to become of the Hidden Lakes retirement home area located on Woodson. Can you please find out and post your findings for us? Thank you,
Follow the process
It seems that is something the city continues to fail to do.
How many times just this year has the board of alderman waved the rule and had a 2nd reading and vote the same night. This is not following the process and has many conversations around town as to what is the city trying to hide. Conversations and concerns of corruption That we would have if we actually followed the process.
This behavior of not following the process doesn't just end with 2nd readings. It also goes to the nature of the city's ordnance regarding rental properties and required inspections of the properties. The city wants us to believe this ordnance was gor the betterment and safety of the citizens. However, those at Bowen Appartments will tell you it is all hot air, and just another fee scam came up with by Mayor Mike and his side kick Robbing Ryan. Don't doubt the residents as good old boy Mayor Mike decided to publicly tell the residents in a board of alderman meeting there is nothing the city can do, but you can reach out to your state. The residents should have yelled over Mayor Mike as he likes to yell over others and reminded him of the city ordnance that he signed. Clearly Mayor Mike's age is showing or something with that ordnance he his not being transparent about even though he loves to claim transparency.
Mayor Mike McDonough's biggest failure to follow the process and lack of transparency involves the elected alderman who he and the city clerk alone removed from office. As several have made it clear no process was followed, no presentation of evidence that back taxes are owed and a letter was actually sent. I guess Mayor Mike has not heard of certified mail or the fact the postal service films all mail to every address. Sunshine request to the city of letters to the state AG ftom the city have gone without a response. Not only a violation of the law, but a lack of transparency and failure of following the process. How many citizens are aware the city clerk has not been required to return to the office since covid or of the legal cases and insurance payouts because of the city clerks past refusal of the sunshine laws. Keep in mind Mayor Mike McDonough side kick Robbing Ryan was defeated by the same individual the mayor removed without following the process.
These are all things we need to call out Mayor Mike McDonough on when we see him running around Raytown acting like he is putting Raytown first, but honestly is pushing his agenda to include yes votes on the board of alderman.
For God's sake, why do you believe every day to day function gets shared with your alderman?
Yes a response is expected!
I would suggest you sunshine the city asking who the new owner is and what applications have they made for the property you have questions about.
For God's sake, perhaps they contacted their Alderman because the city refuses to answer the simple question of what is going on in their neighborhood. I would suggest you be a little less condescending when someone ask a simple question.
Is it really necessary to use the alliterative and derogatory nicknames? Yes we know the person's name but if I want to hear childish name calling, I can watch national news. You make a point, but then you blunt it.
If it is good enough for the mayor to yell at others it is good enough for all of us.
I agree names are wrong, but we live in a time in America if we don't we don't get attention.
If we don't yell we don't get the last word as demonstrated at too many board of alderman meets. That embarrassing behavior is what we all need to focus on and pray it is not shared at meetings with other elected officials.
I disagree with anonymous. If the mayor yells at people and we think its bad or embarrassing behavior (and it is) then why would we want to emulate the same bad behavior? No, it's not good enough for all of us. Someone else's bad behavior shouldn't be the standard for our actions. As for the time we live in, it's the only time we have.
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