For a complete overview, you can go to the city website by clicking here. If you click on an agenda item, it will open a page with more details about that item, along with PDFs of supporting documents or presentations.
2. APPOINTMENTS:
A. Board Appointment – NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board
BOARD APPOINTMENT recommending the appointment of Pedro Concepcion to the NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board to fill a term ending March 11, 2027. (Council District No. 2)
3. PRESENTATIONS:
- Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority Annual Update
- The city created the MTAA, which maintains and operates Philip Billard Airport, Topeka Regional Business Center, and Topeka Regional Airport. There have been a lot of funds coming to the MTAA over the last several years from multiple sources, including a large amount of ARPA dollars separate from what the city received. Last year, the well-established restaurant, Tammy’s at Billard in Oakland, was pushed out despite the community adamantly protesting and replaced with a restaurant aimed at catering to a crowd who have their own airplanes or those who can afford $15 a plate for food. This will be an update on other endeavors.
- Parks and Recreation Update
- A glitch where the MTAA slides pop up when you click on the Parks and Rec link.
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
These items are things that the council has had information about to review prior to the council meeting and usually require very little to no discussion before voting on.
A. MINUTES of the regular meetings of March 4, 2025
B. APPLICATIONS: None
5. ACTION ITEMS:
Items B-E are approving road projects that have been previously discussed through other meetings and planning. This is formal approval to start them.
A. Ordinance – University Liquor Exemption
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, exempting certain requirements in K.S.A. 41-710 concerning distances of retail liquor stores in relation to schools, colleges, or churches.
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body. (Approval will allow the operation of a liquor store at 1700 SW Washburn Avenue within 200 feet of Washburn University.)
- This item was up for discussion last week with mixed feelings from council members. Karen Hiller and Spencer Duncan voiced their favor based on general “why nots.” Brett Kell was very much in favor and did not see a reason to have discussion considering we don’t debate on the number of coffee shops or t-shirt stores we have in town. This was met with some logic by Marcus Miller reminding everyone that you don’t get DUIs from coffee or t-shirts. Christina Valdivia-Alcala concurred. Public comment reiterated the over-saturation of liquor stores and their link to higher rates of violence in neighborhoods. The city makes no restrictions as recommended by the CDC and other health agencies; however, the state law requires at the bare minimum not to have liquor stores within 200 feet of a school, college, or church. However, the law also allows local municipalities to create an ordinance to usurp the law. This is what the vote is considering.
B. Resolution – SW 21st Street and Randolph Avenue Traffic Signal Replacement Project No. 141037.02
RESOLUTION introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks, and Neil Dobler recommending approval of Project No. 141037.02 for Traffic Signal Replacement at SW 21st Street and Randolph Avenue.
- Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
- Total project budget: $443,029 for Traffic Signal Replacement at SW 21st Street and Randolph Avenue.
C. Resolution – NW Menninger Road from NW Green Hills Road to NW Rochester Road Project No. 841097.06 and 501105.16
- Total project budget: $845,000 for street and utility improvements.
D. Resolution – SW Roosevelt Street from 8th Avenue to 6th Avenue Project No. 841097.16 and 501105.09
- Total project budget: $654,371 for street and utility improvements.
E. Resolution – SE Greenfield Court Project No. 841097.11
- Total project budget: $258,000 for street improvement.
6. NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Discussion – LB Lots, LLC – Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) Application
DISCUSSION of an application submitted by LB Lots, LLC to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and requesting that the Secretary of Commerce review the resolution and advise the Governing Body.
- This has been a discussion over the last several months regarding the failed Lauren’s Bay development that is predominantly owned by developer Jim Klausman. Several articles have come out since the council initially approved forgiving Klausman for specials and taxes on 16 of the properties. Klausman owes roughly $8 million to taxpayers for the remaining properties. Besides forgiving for the amount owed on the property, the council also approved suspending the law that states we won’t do business with someone who owes us money and allowed him to also be the developer for the lots. This absurdity has been dragging on as Klausman has been calling the shots in the negotiations and demanding more tax breaks. The proposal seems to allow Klausman to continue to call the shots by placing the money owed in an escrow and reducing the specials owed in half. If this deal is approved and is used to negotiate the remaining lots as has been stated, the taxpayers could lose about $6 million in revenue. All the while, Klausman will sell the houses for more than $500,000 each along with developer reimbursements.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment for the meeting will be available via Zoom or in person. Individuals must contact the City Clerk’s Office at 785-368-3940 or via email at [email protected] by no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting, after which the City Clerk’s Office will provide Zoom link information and protocols prior to the meeting.
- Written public comment may also be considered to the extent it is personally submitted at the meeting or to the City Clerk’s Office located at 215 SE 7th Street, Room 166, Topeka, Kansas, 66603 or via email at [email protected] on or before the date of the meeting for attachment to the meeting minutes.
- View the meeting online at City of Topeka Live Stream or on Facebook.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Executive Sessions are closed meetings held in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Topics may include personnel matters, property acquisitions, potential or pending litigation, employer-employee negotiations, and other matters per K.S.A. 75-4319.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Danielle Twemlow, Consultant
Host of Kansas TRUE podcast
