Manhattan City Commission Meeting – February 5, 2026

The Manhattan City Commission met on February 5, 2026, to consider a range of items including zoning changes, housing authority projects, public works contracts, and equipment purchases. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on a proposed rezoning for a fraternity expansion, which was ultimately denied. Several other items were approved, including a land transfer for a senior housing project and the purchase of robotic mowers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda with a correction to the minutes (vote 5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item B (Professional Place PUD amendment): Jasmine Thompson and Lori Reimer, owners of Stone and Spark Collective, spoke in favor of the amendment to add personal services (massage therapy, hair salons) to the PUD, emphasizing their licensed, regulated operations and positive community contribution. Lori Reimer noted that massage therapists had already been working in the PUD prior to city licensing.
• Item C (Hunting Avenue rezoning): Sixteen individuals signed up for public comment. Neighbors and residents opposed to the rezoning addressed review criteria: Rex Fowles cited zoning history and a previous failed expansion in 1960; Danny Devlin argued the rezoning would allow a 68% potential increase in capacity and change neighborhood character; Jason Banks raised infrastructure and school zone safety concerns; Ashley Furman emphasized that the rezoning threatens neighborhood stability and character despite the fraternity's positive presence; Abram Mertz warned of precedent for neighborhood degradation; Rosemary Ramondo argued the proposal does not address a K-State or Manhattan need and conflicts with adopted housing plans; Mick Charney highlighted the historic district's significance and the city's obligation to preserve it; Colleen Lynde clarified that the replat vote did not commit the commission to rezoning; Blade Mages noted that the fraternity's character is irrelevant to the land use decision. Supporters of the rezoning included Joseph Thomas (Acacia alumni), Blake Gamber (undergraduate counselor), Quentin Hoppe (chapter president), Trisha Cash (house mother), Lucas Renz (alumni council president), Tim Lindemuth (neighborhood association president advocating cooperation), D. Hawks (K-State fraternity and sorority life director), Kurt Roberts (faculty advisor), and Loren Clement (landscape architect/attorney) who opposed on historic and procedural grounds. Don Dawes (early chapter member) and Diet Swanson (parent) also spoke in support.
• Item J (mobile digital screen): Trey Kuhlman of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce expressed support and willingness to collaborate on promoting events using the screen.

Discussion Items

• Item A – Ordinance 7810 and 7811 (Manhattan Marketplace Unit 2 Rezoning): Staff presented a request to rezone two lots from Planned Unit Development to Community Commercial to facilitate redevelopment and marketability. The planning board recommended adoption (6-0). Commissioners had concerns about potential drive-throughs but noted cross-access restrictions would manage that. Approved 5-0.
• Item B – Ordinance 7812 (Professional Place PUD Amendment): Staff requested to add personal services (massage therapy, hair salons) to the PUD. Following public testimony, the commission approved 5-0.
• Item C – Ordinance 7813 (2005 Hunting Avenue Rezoning): The applicant sought to extend the University Fringe Overlay onto a replatted lot to allow a fraternity house expansion and additional parking (from 37 to 52 beds). The planning board had deadlocked 3-3, recommending denial. Staff and city attorney outlined the seven review factors. Commissioners discussed the impact on neighborhood character, infrastructure, and precedent. The majority found the rezoning inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and incompatible with nearby properties. A motion to adopt the planning board's recommendation to deny passed 3-1-1 (Commissioners Von Lintel, McCullough, and Fox in favor; Commissioner Morrison opposed; Mayor Adam Track abstained).
• Item D – Sunflower Flats Project: Staff requested authorization to finalize a land transfer and development agreement with the Manhattan Housing Authority for a 62-unit senior housing project downtown. The project missed a closing deadline due to guarantor changes. Approved 5-0.
• Item E – Highlands at Grand Mayor Unit 4 Improvements: Contract award for water, sewer, and street improvements to connect subdivisions. Approved 5-0.
• Item F – 5th and Leavenworth Pedestrian Improvements: Contract amendments for bus stop and ADA improvements funded by CDBG and FHATA grants, with no additional city funds. Approved 5-0.
• Item G – Prairie Paws Animal Shelter Renovation: Agreements for a new five-year operations contract and a $353,000 renovation project, split between the city and Prairie Paws. City funding from trust fund and general services. Approved 5-0.
• Item H – Robotic Mowers for Ballpark: Purchase of four Husqvarna robotic mowers for Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark, funded by quality-of-life sales tax. Staff presented cost comparisons showing long-term savings. Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Morrison dissented).
• Item I – Portable Pitching Mounds and Field Protection: Sole-source purchase of Portalite mounds and turf protectors for the ballpark, funded by quality-of-life sales tax. Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Morrison dissented).
• Item J – Mobile Digital Screen: Purchase of a 16×9 digital screen trailer for community events, funded by the special parks and recreation (alcohol by the drink) fund. Staff projected $18,000 annual revenue from sponsorships. Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Morrison dissented).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved with correction (5-0).
• Ordinance 7810 and 7811 (Manhattan Marketplace PUD rezoning): Approved (5-0).
• Ordinance 7812 (Professional Place PUD amendment): Approved (5-0).
• Ordinance 7813 (Hunting Avenue Rezoning): Denied; motion to adopt planning board recommendation carried 3-1-1 (Von Lintel yes, McCullough yes, Fox yes, Morrison no, Adam Track abstaining).
• Sunflower Flats Land Transfer and Development Agreement: Authorized (5-0).
• Highlands at Grand Mayor Unit 4 Construction Contract: Awarded to Schultz Construction for $1,373,829.50 (5-0).
• 5th and Leavenworth Pedestrian Improvements Contracts: Approved (5-0).
• Prairie Paws Animal Shelter Renovation and Service Agreement: Approved (5-0).
• Purchase of Robotic Mowers: Approved from SiteOne Landscape Supply for $67,487.55 (4-1, Morrison no).
• Purchase of Portable Pitching Mounds and Field Protection: Approved from Portalite Pitching Mounds for $69,319.40 (4-1, Morrison no).
• Purchase of Mobile Digital Screen: Approved from Insane Impact for $107,350 (4-1, Morrison no).