Manhattan City Commission Meeting – April 15, 2026
Manhattan City Commission Meeting – April 15, 2026
Note: The raw transcript records the meeting as taking place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, but the provided timestamp indicates April 15, 2026. This summary uses the provided date per instructions.
The Manhattan City Commission met to adopt proclamations, hear public comment, and take action on several agenda items, including policy changes, a zoo project, a water transmission main, and the Morrow Street improvement project. All items were approved except for one appointment that was voted separately, with votes generally 5–0 or 4–1.
Proclamations
- Mayor Adam Chak proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Alicia Hardman (Sunflower Children’s Collective) accepted the proclamation and encouraged the community to support prevention efforts.
- Mayor Adam Chak proclaimed April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Kathy Ray (Executive Director, Crisis Center Inc.) accepted the proclamation, noting that free, confidential services are available 24/7 via phone (1-800-727-2785) or text (HEAL to 4741). A film screening and panel discussion are scheduled for April 18.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gary Oles (3308 Frontier Circle) spoke about property valuation increases and the city’s desire to keep the mill levy flat. He said his city tax contribution is “a bargain” (approximately $350/year on a $270,000 home) but expressed concern that the RCPD budget is too large and encouraged the commission to take action.
- Ashley Furman (8-year Manhattan resident) urged the commission to prioritize pedestrian amenities on Morrow Street over parking, citing the Aggieville Community Vision Plan and a survey where 81% of respondents favored pedestrian improvements even if parking was reduced. She asked the commission not to ignore community support for a pedestrian-oriented district.
- Dennis Cook (Aggieville Business Association) offered to poll business owners on north vs. south side angled parking and said the association had not yet gathered consensus.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda included routine approvals and five board appointments. Commissioner McCullough pulled Item HD (appointment of Peter Opel to the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board) for separate discussion. The remaining consent items were approved unanimously (5–0).
Discussion Items
Appointment of Peter Opel to the Planning Board (Item HD)
- Commissioner McCullough opposed the appointment, stating that Opel’s “vision for zoning doesn’t align with my vision or a lot of the community’s” and that “strong neighborhoods felt threatened by some of his decisions.”
- The commission voted 3–2 to approve the appointment (Commissioners Fox, Von Lennel, and Mayor Chak in favor; Commissioners McCullough and Morrison opposed).
Policy Manual Resolution 040726B (Public Comment Procedures)
- City staff presented a resolution to codify existing practices: individual public comment reduced from 5 to 3 minutes, a 30‑minute cap on initial public comment (extendable by the mayor), and allowance of public comment on work session items. The mayor clarified the 30‑minute limit can be extended, not only reduced.
- Commissioner Morrison expressed initial hesitation about the shorter time but said it “really works.”
- The motion passed 4–1 (Commissioner Von Lennel voted no).
Sunset Zoo – Lemur and Americas Exhibit (Project PR2510)
- Aaron Stewart (Parks and Rec) presented the second phase of the zoo’s master plan, including a ring‑tailed lemur exhibit, interactive barn, and Trail of America’s (with bobcat exhibit). The estimated cost of $8.25 million is fully funded by the Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
- The commission authorized issuance of a Request for Qualifications/Proposals for Construction Manager at Risk. Motion passed 5–0.
Crosstown Water Transmission Main – Phase Two (Project WA2518)
- Randy DeWitt (Public Works) explained the need for a redundant water main to serve the northwest zone. The overall project spans up to 10 phases (estimated $20–$25 million). Phase two involves 2,600 feet of 24‑inch water line on Hudson Avenue (Kimball to Claflin).
- The professional services agreement with Bartlett & West for $63,984 and estimated construction cost of $1–$1.3 million (funded through water fund) were approved 5–0.
Morrow Street Improvement Project (Project AG2601)
- Jason (staff) presented the construction manager at risk (CMAR) agreement with BHS Construction ($22,500 for pre‑construction services) and engineering services agreement with Olson Inc. ($442,979). The project involves reconstructing two blocks of Morrow Street, including angled parking, pedestrian amenities, and underground utility work.
- Commissioners discussed parking placement (north vs. south side). Commissioner Fox initially favored north side for sun/snowmelt but later leaned toward south side for better sight lines. Commissioner McCullough stressed the need to preserve parking for slower business periods. Commissioner Morrison raised concerns about liability insurance limits ($1 million) and lack of timeline requirements in the CMAR contract.
- Patrick Shatter (BHS) noted the company’s liability coverage is actually much higher than the contract minimum and could be adjusted later.
- Public comment from Ashley Furman strongly encouraged pedestrian-oriented design over maximizing parking.
- Staff proposed continuing the item to April 21, but a motion to approve as presented passed 4–1 (Commissioner Morrison opposed). Commissioner Morrison indicated he would provide a markup of his concerns to staff.
Key Outcomes
| Item | Vote | Decision | |------|------|----------| | Appointment of Peter Opel to Planning Board | 3–2 (Fox, Von Lennel, Mayor Chak yes; McCullough, Morrison no) | Approved | | Policy Manual Resolution 040726B | 4–1 (Von Lennel no) | Approved | | Sunset Zoo RFQ authorization | 5–0 | Approved | | Crosstown Water Main – Phase Two engineering agreement | 5–0 | Approved | | Morrow Street CMAR & engineering agreements (plus resolution 040726C) | 4–1 (Morrison no) | Approved |
- The commission also recognized city staff: Bill Heatherman (stormwater engineer) selected as chair of Kansas Water Group, and Chelsea Johnson (municipal clerk) designated as Certified Municipal Clerk.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. It is now six o'clock, and we will open the Tuesday, April 7th meeting of the Manhattan City Commission. Jared, would you please read the role? Mayor Adam Chak. Present. Commissioner McCullough. Here. Commissioner Fox here. Commissioner Morrison. Here. Commissioner Von Lennel. Here. Mayor, we have five commissioners present. The quorum of three is met. Thank you. Will you rise and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge of the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you. Thank you again. And whereas we acknowledge that in order to solve the public health issue of abuse and neglect, we must work together to change the hearts and mindsets, to change hearts and mindsets through storytelling and sharing, centering the needs of families, breaking down bias and barriers, and inspiring action from expected and unexpected partners in prevention. Whereas prevention remains the best defense for our children and families. Now, therefore, I, Susan E. Adam Chak, Mayor of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention month in Manhattan, and I call on all citizens to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child abuse. In witness thereof, I have set my hand and cause the seal of Manhattan to be a fixed on this seventh day of April. Thank you very much. Do you want to review? Sure, I can just break the way. Thank you so much, Mayor. My name's Alicia Hardman. I am a member of the board of directors for the Sunflower Children's Collective. Carson, who is our executive director, was unable to be here tonight, so I'm here representing the Sunflower Children's Collective. And hopefully this month you'll be seeing a lot of blue and blue pinwheels around the city of Manhattan. That is the sign of child abuse prevention across the nation, and the Sunflower Children's Collective does a lot of work working with children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and our staff know that it does happen here in our community as they work to serve those families and those children who have experienced abuse and neglect. And so please check out the social media for the Sunflower Children's Collective. They're going to be posting all of the different events and things that we'll have happening throughout the course of the month of April. Thank you. Thank you very much. And our second proclamation was requested by the staff of our crisis center here in Manhattan. Whereas sexual violence is widespread, preventable, and a public health problem in Kansas communities and across the United States, and whereas sexual violence is any sexual assault that is perpetrated against someone's will, which includes sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact, threatened sexual violence, exhibitionism and verbal sexual harassment, and all types of social of sexual violence involve victims who do not consent, who are unable to consent, or who refuse to allow the act. And whereas the CDC's national intimate partner and sexual violence survey data show that nearly half of all women and more than one in men, one in six men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lives. And whereas one incident of rape is reported to Kansas law enforcement every eight hours, 57 minutes and 58 seconds, and more than 2,500 people reported sexual assaults to Kansas law enforcement agencies in 2024, and whereas the majority of assaults are not reported to law enforcement due to underreporting, the true prevalence is unknown, and whereas sex offenders often target people they perceive as vulnerable, less powerful, or less credible, whereas the offender is known to the victim in the vast majority of cases, at least 80% in Kansas, whereas the effects of sexual violence can be long-lasting and impact survivors' physical health, mental health, safety, stability, and overall well-being, whereas the Flint Hills Sexual Assault Response Team is a multidisciplinary group of professionals who collaborate to ensure a coordinated victim-centered response, promote best practices, and strengthen policies that support victims and survivors of sexual violence in Manhattan, Kansas. And whereas it is essential to support victims and survivors, hold offenders accountable, and work together as a community to prevent sexual violence. And whereas the victims and survivors of sexual violence are not alone and free, confidential, 24-hour services are available through the Crisis Center Inc. by calling 1-800-727-2785 or by texting the word heal to 4741. Now, therefore, I, Susan E. Adam Jack, Mayor of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, to proclaim April 2026 as sexual assault awareness month in Manhattan, Kansas. And I urge all citizens to become more aware of sexual violence and the services available for victims and survivors. And I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of Manhattan, Kansas, to be affixed this seventh day of April 2026. Thank you, Mayor Adam Chack, for the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation. My name is Kathy Ray.
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