A majority of Kansas City council members sponsored a resolution today to derail a citizens’ initiative against a new weapons plant in south Kansas City.

The resolution responds to an initiative petition by the KC Peace Planters, who gathered enough signatures to put a measure on the November ballot in Kansas City.

The proposed ballot measure asks voters to prevent the manufacturing of non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons at a plant being built at 14500 Botts Road. The group would like to turn the plant into a “green manufacturing” facility, possibly for wind energy.

But council members John Sharp and Scott Taylor introduced a resolution today that declines to put the measure on the November ballot. The resolution is co-sponsored by Mayor Sly James, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo and council members Jan Marcason, Dick Davis and Scott Wagner.

The council is expected to debate the resolution Aug. 17 and 18. Since its seven sponsors constitute a majority of the 13-member council, it’s likely to pass.

The resolution contends that the proposed ballot measure is unconstitutional and deficient for a number of reasons, including that it interferes with the federal government’s power to provide for the national defense, conflicts with federal legislation controlling the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons, and impairs a host of contractual obligations involving federal agencies.

“You can’t pass something unconstitutional, whether it’s by legislative action or citizen initiative,” Sharp said.

Ann Suellentrop, a spokeswoman for the committee of petitioners, said the group has hired a lawyer and is preparing to go to court to force a public vote.

She pointed out that the group gathered valid signatures from more than 4,300 registered voters.

“They want it on the ballot, so it’s illegal to keep it off the ballot,” she said.