Tuesday night’s Topeka City Council meeting grabbed the attention of many community members, making the council chambers so full that people were standing in the back of the room. Topeka JUMP, a nonprofit coalition of more than 28 faith communities, created a sea of yellow shirts waiting to speak during public comment. Other advocates, activists, and community members with suggestions, sat through 3.5 hours of discussion. We have a recap of the most talked about items, but you can always go to the city’s website to watch the recording or find related documents here.
APPOINTMENTS: APPROVED
- Board Appointment – Human Relations Commission: Zachary Surritt (Council District No. 6)
- Board Appointment – Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board: Gary Piland (Council District No. 1)
PRESENTATIONS:
● 2025 Snow Event
○ The early January snowfall was the 3rd largest amount for Topeka since documenting such things. Public Works did a presentation discussing lessons learned and what steps they are planning to take moving forward. One thing that was mentioned often on social media during plow-gate was having a live map of where plows are at all times. This is something that will likely be implemented along with the ability to include contracted plows when used. The city has met with the planning departments in Manhattan and Lawrence to review their policies and practices and found that neither did 24 hour removal like Topeka did. Topeka also has significantly more miles of roads to plow than either city.
Currently, the city will plow side streets after priority routes when there is more than 6 inches of snow (majority of snow events historically in Topeka are under 6 inches). In order to lower that threshold, the city estimates needing $6,167,000 for 28 more trucks and $1,680,000 for staffing costs. There are no plans to make a change to that at this time. ● Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Update
○ The Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project has seemingly gone on for-ev-er, however they are just beginning. It is estimated that it could take 2 years to complete. During that time there will be alternate routes that drivers will have to navigate. The city has created a short video to help discuss the closures coming up here. You can sign up for project updates and find timelines by going to the city’s website page dedicated to this.
CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED
- Professional Engineering Contract Amendment – between the City of Topeka and Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineers, P.A., for providing construction inspection and administration services for a total not-to-exceed amount of $99,000. Project will run parallel to NW Reo, extending from the west side of NW Topeka Boulevard.
- MINUTES of the regular meeting of January 21, 2025
- APPLICATIONS: None to consider
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Ordinance – Camping Prohibitions APPROVED Karen Hiller (D1) was the only opposed vote. The Camping Ordinance has come before council multiple times for amendments as the city and county navigate a solution to concerns surrounding unsheltered camping. This ordinance will further limit the legal locations for unsheltered individuals to camp, particularly in public spaces. This includes some definitions regarding vehicles on properties. This brought some debate among council members, but ultimately was favored to pass.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
- Discussion – SW Huntoon Street Reconstruction Project Design
The Huntoon Street Reconstruction Project would span from Gage Blvd. to Harrison St. and be similar to the changes done on 12th street. This includes widening the sidewalks to 10 feet and putting in back-in angled parking in certain locations. There were several questions regarding the effectiveness of the 12th street design and the council requested more information to be provided. There will also be ongoing public input discussions as they move forward.
- Discussion – Sales Tax Resolution HERE IS THE VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION!
As we previously mentioned earlier this week, the city is looking at a deficit in the budget starting in the 2026 fiscal year unless more revenue streams are identified. This in large part is due to a 27% pay increase over the next 3 years for the Topeka Police Department that was not factored into the general fund. This is about an additional $9 million dollars when the department already receives more than 42% of the general fund budget mostly made up of our tax dollars. The city manager proposed a ½ increase on our sales tax, which would put Topeka’s sales tax as the highest in the state. Until just last week, the proposal would be 2 separate sales tax questions: 1 for public safety and 1 for social services. The city manager decided that a full cent increase was not favorable (likely after receiving the survey back that the city sent to 500 people for their feedback which cost us $17,000) and is proposing one ½ cent sales tax increase for “public safety, housing, and mental health.” Advocates have been voicing strong concerns over the last several months on this issue, urging the city manager to be more specific in wording the ballot so citizens are clear about how much will be going to which services. Unfortunately, the ordinance presented on Tuesday night states that the language on the ballot would read:
“DISCUSSION concerning the proposition of levying an additional special purpose citywide retailers’ sales tax of five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) for the purpose of providing essential public safety that ensures a vibrant and healthy community, for sustainable solutions to increase availability of affordable housing, and to effectively combat homelessness with multifaceted solutions.
(If the proposed resolution is approved, a special question mail ballot election shall be held in the manner prescribed by law on April 28, 2025, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the City of Topeka, Kansas, the question of levying an additional citywide special purpose retailers’ sales tax in the amount of five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) to provide essential public safety that ensures a vibrant and healthy community, for sustainable solutions to increase availability of affordable housing, and to effectively combat homelessness with multifaceted solutions. Sales tax shall take effect on October 1, 2025, and expire October 1, 2035.)”
The mayor called for public comment prior to the council’s discussion since the meeting had now gone on for more than 2 hours. Topeka JUMP had a representative speak on behalf of their coalition, who has been steadfast over the last decade on pushing forth a Housing Trust Fund and other affordable housing initiatives. Recently, they held a press conference calling on the city to activate the Housing Trust Fund, something the city stated would happen once the fund reached $1 million. JUMP pointed out that the goal was reached nearly 2 years ago and a planning meeting hasn’t even been scheduled. The group brought 100 sheets of paper cut out like houses, each representing 100 people in Topeka who are in need of affordable housing. Three other community members spoke, all reinforcing the same ideas-the ballot question should be specific, giving percentages that go to each topic. It was also pointed out that “public safety” was also too vague. Some people may interpret “public safety” as adding street lights and sidewalks, preventative programming, or more police staff. But the actual purpose for “public safety” would be to fund the salary increases that are already approved for the police (17% Y2025, 5% Y26, 5% Y27) and fire (4% Y25, 4% Y26, 4% Y27) departments that was not originally anticipated in the budget forecast. One citizen brought up, and later echoed by a councilwoman, that the community has distrust in the police, especially after the recent release of body camera footage of the October 2022 shooting of Taylor Lowery by 5 Topeka police officers. The video garnered national attention when NBC news ran it last week. The Kansas Reflector broke the story and it can be viewed here.
Citizens also pointed to the distrust with how the city has spent taxpayer dollars, even on previous ballot initiatives. Most notably, Lazone Grays, a local nonprofit owner and community advocate, had to sue the city and county joint committee (JEDO) for not spending designated sales tax money for minority and women business as they were supposed to. This case went to the Kansas Supreme Court which ruled in favor of Lazone and JEDO was forced to pay back taxpayer dollars. There were several mentions of a Topeka developer who owes the city $8 million dollars in back taxes and specials that is receiving some forgiveness for his dues via a special ordinance the council passed back in September.
Ultimately, the majority of city council members voiced their agreement with the public’s concerns and stated they would not be in favor of approving a mailed ballot initiative without taking steps to re-evaluate the current budget and to give more details in the language. Currently, the council is set to vote on whether to move forward officially next week. The city manager could opt to remove it from the agenda all together if he feels it is not going to pass.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Fraternal Order of Police president and a representative from the Fire union both made public comments encouraging the council to fully support the sales tax initiative citing low staff numbers as being a hindrance to public safety. The last citizen who spoke provided suggestions for future snow plow removal procedures.
The council did move into an executive session to discuss an HR situation before adjourning.
Stay tuned for a look into next week’s agenda items. To find your city council representative, you can type your address at this link for contact information. Note that if you haven’t checked who represents you in a couple years, you may want to check again. Every 10 years with the census, lines are redrawn, sometimes just slightly, to keep the appropriate ratio of citizens within a district.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Discussion – SW Huntoon Street Reconstruction Project Design
The Huntoon Street Reconstruction Project would span from Gage Blvd. to Harrison St. and be similar to the
changes done on 12th street. This includes widening the sidewalks to 10 feet and putting in back-in angled
parking in certain locations. There were several questions regarding the effectiveness of the 12th street design
and the council requested more information to be provided. There will also be ongoing public input discussions
as they move forward.
B. Discussion – Sales Tax Resolution HERE IS THE VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION!
As we previously mentioned earlier this week, the city is looking at a deficit in the budget starting in the 2026
fiscal year unless more revenue streams are identified. This in large part is due to a 27% pay increase over the
next 3 years for the Topeka Police Department that was not factored into the general fund. This is about an
additional $9 million dollars when the department already receives more than 42% of the general fund budget
mostly made up of our tax dollars. The city manager proposed a ½ increase on our sales tax, which would put
Topeka’s sales tax as the highest in the state. Until just last week, the proposal would be 2 separate sales tax
questions: 1 for public safety and 1 for social services. The city manager decided that a full cent increase was
not favorable (likely after receiving the survey back that the city sent to 500 people for their feedback which
cost us $17,000) and is proposing one ½ cent sales tax increase for “public safety, housing, and mental
health.” Advocates have been voicing strong concerns over the last several months on this issue, urging the
city manager to be more specific in wording the ballot so citizens are clear about how much will be going to
which services. Unfortunately, the ordinance presented on Tuesday night states that the language on the ballot
would read:
“DISCUSSION concerning the proposition of levying an additional special purpose citywide retailers’ sales tax
of five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) for the purpose of providing essential public safety that ensures a vibrant
and healthy community, for sustainable solutions to increase availability of affordable housing, and to
effectively combat homelessness with multifaceted solutions.
(If the proposed resolution is approved, a special question mail ballot election shall be held in the manner
prescribed by law on April 28, 2025, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the City of Topeka, Kansas,
the question of levying an additional citywide special purpose retailers’ sales tax in the amount of five-tenths of
one percent (0.5%) to provide essential public safety that ensures a vibrant and healthy community, for
sustainable solutions to increase availability of affordable housing, and to effectively combat homelessness
with multifaceted solutions. Sales tax shall take effect on October 1, 2025, and expire October 1, 2035.)”
The mayor called for public comment prior to the council’s discussion since the meeting had now gone on for
more than 2 hours. Topeka JUMP had a representative speak on behalf of their coalition, who has been
steadfast over the last decade on pushing forth a Housing Trust Fund and other affordable housing initiatives.
Recently, they held a press conference calling on the city to activate the Housing Trust Fund, something the
city stated would happen once the fund reached $1 million. JUMP pointed out that the goal was reached nearly
2 years ago and a planning meeting hasn’t even been scheduled. The group brought 100 sheets of paper cut
out like houses, each representing 100 people in Topeka who are in need of affordable housing. Three other
community members spoke, all reinforcing the same ideas-the ballot question should be specific, giving
percentages that go to each topic. It was also pointed out that “public safety” was also too vague. Some people
may interpret “public safety” as adding street lights and sidewalks, preventative programming, or more police
staff. But the actual purpose for “public safety” would be to fund the salary increases that are already approved
for the police (17% Y2025, 5% Y26, 5% Y27) and fire (4% Y25, 4% Y26, 4% Y27) departments that was not
originally anticipated in the budget forecast. One citizen brought up, and later echoed by a councilwoman, that
the community has distrust in the police, especially after the recent release of body camera footage of the
October 2022 shooting of Taylor Lowery by 5 Topeka police officers. The video garnered national attention
when NBC news ran it last week. The Kansas Reflector broke the story and it can be viewed here.
