Manhattan City Commission Meeting Summary - January 6, 2026

This meeting, held on January 6, 2026, marked the official transition of power in Manhattan, featuring the swearing-in of three new commissioners (Morrison, Von Lintel, and Fox), the election of Commissioner Susan Morrison as Mayor Pro Tempore, and comprehensive remarks from outgoing leadership on governance and property tax issues. The commission approved the appointment of Rex Fowls, a sole-source agreement with Pepsi-Cola, the dissolution of the Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex Advisory Board, and significant capital purchases for Public Utilities.

Consent Calendar

• Old Business: Approved items A and B (claims and routine matters), while Item C (appointment) was removed from the agenda by Mayor McCullough and moved to new business due to procedural concerns.
• New Business: Approved the appointment of Rex Fowls to the Cemetery Board, noting the commissioner's prior familiarity with the nominee's resume.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Roger Seymour: Expressed gratitude to outgoing commissioners, specifically Commissioner John Mata. He characterized Mata's stance on fiscal responsibility as setting a "high level" example. Seymour stated he is a conservative who represents the values many residents hold. Seymour suggested the commission should "listen when people come and make public comment," noting he did not feel heard during the previous administration's final six months. He expressed a desire for a "less formal goodbye" to Brenda Wolfe and thanked the outgoing commission for their service.
• Amber Starling (Zurich): Acknowledged the new commissioners inheriting challenges but emphasized the need to rebuild public trust. She argued that consolidating boards can be tricky if the community feels their input is already being reduced (citing a recent reduction in public comment time limits). She voiced support for the specific reorganization to dissolve the Douglas Board while maintaining representation from that district.
• Mel Boris: Expressed appreciation for the discussion on board consolidation and the perspectives shared by Mayor McCullough and Commissioner Starling regarding community voice.
• Aaron Stewart (Parks Director): Addressed a question regarding the difference in revenue handling between the Zoo (going to the Friends of the Sunset Zoo foundation) and the Discovery Center (going to the general fund), clarifying the structural differences in their fundraising models.

Discussion Items

• Retirement Proclamation for Brenda Wolfe: Mayor McCullough proclaimed January 9, 2026, as "Brenda K. Wolfe Day." A tribute highlighted her 30+ years of service, including 25 years as Deputy City Clerk and 6 years as City Clerk. Ms. Wolfe responded with gratitude, emphasizing that her achievements were the result of "teamwork and willingness by all" and listing various departmental partners. She credited her husband, John, calling his support during her hospitalization a "true love" and noting he served on the Little Apple Soccer Club board.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation: The commission proclaimed January 17-24, 2026, as the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration and Day of Service." A presenter noted the 1995 origin of the organization and the theme "you don't have to see the whole staircase before you take the first step," mentioning upcoming art contests and service days at K-State.
• America 250 Proclamation: The commission affirmed support for the "American 250" commemoration. Barcia Rosel, Director of Visit Manhattan, expressed that the effort would be instrumental for future generations and listed participating local organizations, including the Museum of Art and the Riley County Historical Museum. A humorous exchange occurred regarding the pronunciation of the anniversary name and the logistics of a time capsule treasure hunt.
• Property Tax and Valuation Caps: Commissioner John Mata (outgoing) warned the new commission that Kansas is becoming "uncompetitive" regarding property taxes compared to Arizona, where three specific caps exist: valuation limits, levy limits (2% + new construction), and a 1% primary tax cap. Mata stated that Arizona offers rebates for the difference, whereas he believes no single home in Kansas pays less than 1% of market value. He advocated for the legislature to investigate these caps.
• Governance Advice from Comm. Mata: In a speech to the new commissioners, Mata offered "Rules for Radical City Commissioners":
  • Rule 1: Buck tradition regarding mayoral rotation to ensure the mayor aligns with the commission majority.
  • Rule 2: Challenge authority by asking for specific statutes or regulations when told they cannot or must do something a certain way.
  • Rule 3: Use votes quickly before political dynamics change.
  • Rule 4: Own the boards (specifically the Law Board), as commissioners are responsible for decisions made by appointees.
  • Rule 5: Command staff to "find a way" through innovation and efficiency rather than defaulting to budget increases.
  • Rule 6: Don't "gaslight" on property taxes; ensure clear, permanent links between tax revenue and specific services (like police/fire) and avoid blaming other entities for budget disparities.
  • Rule 7: Do not take things personally, acknowledging that public figures will inevitably face criticism and threats.
• Reorganization & Swearing-In:
  • Commissioner Jamie Oliby: Thanked supporters, staff, and family. He encouraged commissioners to "show up" in the community beyond Tuesday nights and reminded them that "leadership is a choice." He pledged to listen to public comment but noted that decisions require sifting through "tons of information" over long timelines.
  • Commissioner Peter Uphelt: Expressed satisfaction with the public's decision to re-elect a new body. He emphasized that the new commission would face hard decisions and promised to emulate his "Coffee with the Commissioner" initiative with a "MOCA with the Mayor" approach.
  • Commissioner Adam Tracks (Incoming Mayor): Promised to be visible in the community, specifically targeting neighborhoods like Yuma, Northview, and Miller Ranch. He urged the public to be patient and noted he would get "mad at times" due to the pressure of the role.
  • Commissioner John Mata (Incoming Mayor/Pro Tem): Nominated Commissioner Karen McCullough as Mayor Pro Tem until January 7, 2027. The commission elected Commissioner Susan Morrison as Mayor. A ceremony followed the swearing-in of the new commissioners.
• Pepsi-Cola Beverage Agreement (Sole Source): Director Stewart presented a proposal for a five-year sole-source agreement with Pepsi-Cola of Manhattan. The agreement includes exclusive rights to sell Pepsi products in city park concessions (contingent on naming rights for the baseball field at Steel and Pipe Supply Ball Fields), a $4,000 annual contribution, and anticipated costs of $35,000 annually. Director Maddock stated the city expects a 100-150% profit margin on beverage sales. Commissioner Fox expressed concern about potential tariff impacts on aluminum can costs, but staff clarified that the majority of sales are plastic bottles and pricing is locked in for five years based on volume data.
• Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex Advisory Board: Staff recommended dissolving the Frederick Douglass board and adding two members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to maintain representation for Ward 1/Precinct 1. The Douglas Board had voted to dissolve due to chronic quorum issues and the belief that their mission (the cultural center) was largely complete. Commissioner Von Lentel and Commissioner McCullough opposed the move, preferring to keep the Douglas board separate (perhaps with quarterly meetings) to ensure that specific community retains a distinct voice rather than being diluted in a larger board. Commissioner Morrison supported the consolidation to save administrative costs but preferred appointing only one representative from Ward 1 rather than two.
• Public Utilities Equipment Purchases:
  • Service Mechanic Truck: Approved a $107,324 cash purchase from Master Tech Truck and Equipment ($4,000 less than the $110k budget). The truck includes a utility bed and crane for wastewater plant maintenance. Staff noted the existing pickup would be retained for stormwater use rather than auctioned.
  • Combination Sewer Cleaner: Approved a $588,073 cash purchase from Red Equipment for a 2025 VATCON truck-mounted single engine cleaner. This replaces an older unit and utilizes the city's source best membership discounts. All costs are drawn from the wastewater fund, with no impact on property taxes or general rates.
  • Lease Purchase Policy Change: City Clerk/Finance Director Rena clarified that the city has shifted from lease purchases to cash purchases for vehicles and equipment due to the arduous process and the establishment of a dedicated vehicle replacement fund. This decision allows for cash purchases despite the funds being budgeted for future needs.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments:
  • Commissioner Susan Morrison elected Mayor.
  • Commissioner Karen McCullough appointed Mayor Pro Tem.
  • Appointments to the Law Board, Flint Hills MPO Policy Board, and other committees scheduled for the January 13th special legislative meeting.
• Voting Results:
  • Consent Agenda (A & B): Moved, Seconded, and Passed 4-0 (Item C removed).
  • Pepsi-Cola Agreement: Passed 5-0.
  • Consolidation of Boards (Frederick Douglass/Parks & Rec): Passed 3-2 (Mata and Von Lintel voted No).
  • Wastewater Mechanic Truck: Passed 5-0.
  • Sewer Cleaner Truck: Passed 5-0.
• Directives:
  • The commission directed the City Clerk to coordinate invitations for upcoming work sessions and a two-day retreat on February 2-3, 2026, at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
  • Staff was directed to continue efforts to find representatives from Ward 1 for the consolidated Parks and Rec board.
  • The commission acknowledged the need to address the "gaslighting" perception regarding property taxes and promised to keep service allocations transparent.
• Next Steps: A special legislative meeting and work session on the Aggie Ville TIF District and the Construction Manager at Risk for the wastewater plant expansion are scheduled for January 13, 2026.