KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson's effort to hold a no-confidence vote for City Manager Brian Platt is on hold until further notice.
KSHB 41 I-Team reporter Sarah Plake spoke to Robinson Thursday, during which Robinson detailed efforts to schedule a committee meeting where people would have the chance to "air grievances" about Platt.
The timing of the effort wasn't immediately clear, though the City Council held its regularly-scheduled legislative meeting Thursday afternoon.
After a closed session by the council, Robinson said her effort was now on hold, but didn't immediately say why.
Robinson told KSHB 41 the council has received complaints about how Platt is running his office and the city's government.
The complaints range from items being taken out of the budget from ordinances passed, issues with hiring practices in the Kansas City Fire Department, and other general "micromanagement."
Platt was hired in October 2020 after he previously served as city manager in Jersey City, New Jersey.
At the time, there was controversy in the selection process in hiring Platt.
Just two days before the full city council approved Platt, The Jersey Times leaked his hiring in a now-deleted article.
Members of the KCMO City Council were upset Platt's hiring was leaked before the full council voted.
Councilman Eric Bunch (4th District) said Thursday he knew of the effort but did not plan to support it.
"I am aware and I do not intend to support Councilwoman Robinson's resolution," Bunch told KSHB 41. "I only heard about this resolution this morning from other colleagues. I think this is unnecessarily divisive and I prefer to address personnel issues in a more deliberative and collaborative process. I support the City Manager and have no intention of supporting any changes in that role."
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas talked to KSHB 41 Friday and says he believes the city council still has confidence in Platt.
"There are always conversations about how we can work together," Lucas said, "What I saw yesterday was pretty strong support for the city manager. Ultimately, there was not even a no confidence motion put forward."
KSHB 41 has reached out to the city's press secretary and several other council members for reaction. This story will be updated as they are received.
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