Updates and outcomes from MARC's February Board meetings

MARC is continuing to track federal actions and possible impacts to funding and pass-through dollars. The Board reviewed MARC’s active federal grants inventory and list of partners. Staff reported that federal decisions and delays are likely to have the highest impact on grants related to energy conservation and climate, and grants that reference specific sub-populations.

To improve transit and mobility in the region, MARC is updating the Smart Moves plan in partnership with local officials, civic leaders and transportation professionals, with a focus on developing an implementation strategy to include locally prioritized and regionally connected services, costs for implementation and  potential funding mechanisms. The update will be completed later in 2025.

The Total Transportation Policy Committee oversees multimodal transportation policies in the region with support from planning advisory and programming committees. Recent feedback has highlighted challenges such as complex processes, membership overlaps and low attendance. Staff compared the MARC committee structure against peer regions and found that many planning organizations rely on fewer committees and use weighted votes. Over the next 90 days, MARC will consult with regional leadership to propose adjustments to improve efficiency and representation.

Led by invested community members, the Head Start Advisory Committee reviews and approves all MARC Head Start program policies and makes recommendations about program planning and operations. The Board approved a revised committee charter, which structures the group and strengthens expectations for committee members. The revised charter also streamlines communications between the parent-led Head Start Policy Council and the Advisory Committee. 

KCHousingLocator.com is a tool sponsored by Kansas City, Missouri, and the Greater Kansas City Regional Housing Partnership to enhance access to affordable housing. The site had over 40,000 searches in 2024, allowing property owners to list units for special populations, including veterans and people with disabilities. To access these listings, caseworkers at social service agencies must undergo confidentiality training and request approval.