This dual report includes a brief recap of the April 8th meeting and what to expect at the upcoming Topeka City Council meeting on April 15th.
For a full overview, visit the City of Topeka website. Agenda items link to more detailed descriptions and supporting documents.
RECAP: April 8, 2025
The meeting concluded quickly, with no major surprises—unless you still find it surprising that most of the City Council continues to favor a millionaire who isn’t paying his taxes.
Mayoral Proclamations
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Learn more at Kansas Children’s Service League
Appointments
- Board of Electrical Appeals – Ronald Mullins
- Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee – Brett Martin
Presentations
- Complete Streets and Pothole Program Report
(Includes explanation of pothole formation and repair methods by season.)
Consent Agenda
- Professional Engineering Contract – Bartlett & West, Inc. for Stormwater Pump Station Master Plan 161013.02
- Meeting minutes from April 1, 2025
Action Items
- Public Hearing and Ordinance – Community Improvement District (CID) – Lauren’s Bay Lots
- Resolution – Kansas Homeland Security Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Resolution – Budget exceeding $250,000 for Ward-Martin Creek Restoration Projects
- Approval – 2025 Consolidated Action Plan and Budget
- Ordinance – Ambulance Services
Public comment on Lauren’s Bay Lots included one person in opposition and one who suggested moving forward with renegotiation. Councilmembers Banks and Valdivia-Alcala voted no.
Non-Action Items
Discussion – Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2026-2035 and Budget (CIB) 2026-2028
A video recap showed 2024 project completions funded by the ½-cent sales tax, with 111 CIP projects totaling $77,396,123 including:
- SW Topeka Blvd.
- 29th & Urish
- NE River Road
- NOTO raised table at Kansas Ave. & NE Gordon
- 10th & Washburn new traffic signal
- Downtown prep projects
- SW water tank (1 million gallons)
Impact Summary:
- 52 lane miles resurfaced
- 4.1 miles reconstruction
- 30.5 miles mill/overlay
- 23,555 ft. of sidewalks
- 49,534 ft. curb/gutter
- 7,642 ft. storm sewer
- 4,029 ft. sanitary sewer
- 22,948 ft. water mains
- $58.6M on water systems
- $15.5M on roads/signals
- $3.3M on city building repairs
Budget balance: $17.5 million (higher than projected). City considering increased annual spending due to inflation/tariffs impacting costs.
Public Comment
- A community leader criticized the FOP contract, alleging abusive language, costly external legal representation, and plans for a potential lawsuit over misuse of taxpayer funds.
- Another citizen criticized SB 104 (reportedly supported by the city attorney), claiming it helped dismantle the Citizens Commission and hindered transparency on projects like the $9.5 million ATT building redevelopment, allegedly tied to Cody Foster and Klaussman via LLCs.
Announcements
- Councilwoman Ortiz urged support for youth mental health after three recent youth suicides.
For help, call or text 988 or click here. - Councilman Duncan encouraged comments on Evergy rate hikes.
Learn more via League of Women Voters
Submit your comment at the Kansas Corporation Commission site.
AGENDA: April 15, 2025
Appointments
- Jim Ramos – Reappointment to Topeka/Shawnee County Library Board (District 1)
- Margaret Dunlap – Appointment to Topeka/Shawnee County Library Board (District 6)
Presentations
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Annual Report
- Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board (TSAB) Annual Report
Consent Agenda
- Ordinance: Approving City expenditures (March 1–28, 2025) – $24,390,566.05
- Professional Service Contract: Stormont Vail Healthcare (Occupational Health) – $388,000
- Resolution: Sacred Heart – St. Joseph Parish Germanfest 2025 – Alcohol permitted June 7–8
- Resolution: Noise Exception for Germanfest
- Minutes: April 1 and April 8 meetings
- Applications: None
Action Items
- CID Hearing Resolution – 911 Walnut, Inc., South Topeka CID (SW 32nd & SW Topeka Blvd.)
- $16.6M redevelopment project
- Hearing set for May 6, 2025
- Funded through 2% CID sales tax + City sales tax revenues
- Hotel Topeka Funding – Additional $168,297 for operations and maintenance
- Total ordinance approvals now $2.25M
- Three bids are being considered for hotel sale
- Homelessness Discussion Resolution
- Requires full governing body participation in homelessness discussions (rather than committees)
Non-Action Items
- Downtown Parking Ordinance – Proposed changes to metered parking
- Downtown Parking Resolution – Would extend free parking through 2025
- Capital Improvement Plan Discussion – CIP 2026-2035 and CIB 2026-2028 overview
Public Comment
Public comment is available via Zoom or in-person. Sign up by 5:00 p.m. the day of the meeting through the City Clerk’s Office at (785) 368-3940 or email [email protected].
Watch the meeting at topeka.org or the City of Topeka Facebook page.
Executive Session
Scheduled as needed. Topics may include personnel, property acquisition, litigation, and negotiations, under K.S.A. 75-4319.
Adjournment
Prepared by:
Danielle Twemlow, Consultant
Host of Kansas TRUE podcast
