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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Olathe City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, May 7, 2024

BodyOlathe, Kansas

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, May 7, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:24:11

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:02

Good evening.

0:03

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for May 7th, 2024.

0:08

The first item on our agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:11

Would you please stand with me for the pledge?

0:21

And to the report of the States.

0:25

Underground individual with liberty and justice.

0:37

A couple of quick announcements about our meeting tonight.

0:40

The agenda new business item B and report number two are both being polled at the request of app of the applicants.

0:48

And they will be considered at another time.

0:55

A group of young leaders looking to learn how to engage with and for our community, for their community.

1:01

Tonight, before this meeting, we had got a chance to hear about everything the teens accomplished over this past year.

1:08

And now we will recognize the seniors to thank them for their leadership and wish them well as they prepare to graduate.

1:14

To introduce them, I'd like to welcome forward assistant to the mayor and teen council coordinator Liz Rubak.

1:20

Liz.

1:29

Well, thanks.

1:31

Good evening, City Council.

1:33

Liz Reback, assistant to the mayor.

1:36

This year's Teen Council group worked really, really hard.

1:40

As we just told our city council at dinner tonight, they put in 550 hours of community service this year.

1:45

So good job judge and for they spent so much time in the community doing service and attending events, learning about Olatha, their local government, and themselves.

1:59

I credit such a strong year to the strong leadership of our seniors.

2:03

Many of our seniors were returning members of Teen Council.

2:06

Seeing them grow year to year as individuals and as leaders has been a joy.

2:11

And our new seniors injected new energy and ideas that helped us ensure we're always moving forward.

2:17

I'm sad to see the group go, but thrilled to see what they do next.

2:21

I know every one of these students have acquired knowledge and skills over the past year that will put them on a path to do great things.

2:29

So seniors, when I call your name, please come forward to the middle of the room to get your certificate with the mayor.

2:34

Please share your plans for the next year if you like, a brief comment, and then stay up front.

2:40

And once everybody is up there, we'll take a group photo.

2:44

Isaac Smith, please come forward.

2:47

Isaac is one of our co-chairs.

2:52

Victoria Marengu.

2:55

Also our co-chair.

3:00

Isaac and Victoria were also interns in the city manager's office this year and put in an incredible amount of time to make teen council be such a success this year.

3:10

Emilia Vellante.

3:16

Brandon Santiago Ramos.

3:31

Gabriel Brown.

3:38

Nikita Sidora.

3:45

And Samantha Miller.

3:52

Does anybody want to say anything?

3:54

You don't have to if you don't want to.

3:55

Isaac, go ahead.

3:57

So um I've seen everything since year.

4:03

Um next year.

4:08

Now you guys can hear me.

4:09

Um next year I'm planning to study at the University of Kansas for architecture.

4:12

I'm really excited for that.

4:14

Um kind of kind of so over the last three years I've kind of been engaged with teen council.

4:19

Um I didn't want to join initially.

4:21

My mom kind of forced me to.

4:22

Um I don't I don't regret that at all.

4:26

No, that was probably one of the greatest decisions of my life was to join teen council.

4:29

Um it's for me the opportunity to meet with all kinds of great people here.

4:32

Susan, uh we got Liz, um, the city council, all these people I met, and they've kind of given me some opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.

4:40

Um for anyone, if you get if you know any any high schoolers uh live in Olatha, um, definitely encourages them to join teen council.

4:47

Um it's the experience that they're definitely gonna re-last their lives, and it's gonna be a great experience for them.

4:52

So thank you, guys.

4:58

Hello everyone.

5:00

My name is Victoria Marengo, and in the fall, I'm planning to go to Duke University and major in political science.

5:07

I've been in Team Council for the last two years.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████51%

Procedural█████████10%

Public Engagement████████9%

Community Engagement███████8%

Transportation Safety█████6%

Youth Programs████4%

Affordable Housing██2%

Economic Development██2%

Environmental Protection██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Olathe City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024

The City Council of Olathe, Kansas held a regularly scheduled meeting on May 7, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included recognition of Teen Council seniors, a proclamation for Public Service Recognition Week, a public hearing for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, approval of a consent agenda, discussion and approval of a comprehensive plan update agreement, extensive debate and approval of a rezoning and site plan for the Cedar Ridge Mixed Use Community, approval of two charter ordinances, acceptance of several reports, and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved by a 7-0 vote (Bacon, Vogt, Gilmore, Schoonover, Felter, Vakas, Essex). Items included:
- Approval of April 16, 2024 meeting minutes
- New and renewal licenses
- Travel request for City Manager and Councilmembers to Washington, DC (May 14-16)
- Business expense statements
- Cyber liability insurance renewal
- Resolution for Modernization of Fire Stations project (PN 6-C-031-24)
- Construction management agreement with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, Inc.
- Design services agreement with Finkle + Williams, Inc.
- Fleet purchase of one Pierce Enforcer HazMat fire apparatus
- Agreement with Johnson County for Ridgeview Road Arterial Mill and Overlay project
- Construction contract for JCW Doghouse Manhole project
- Contract for Olathe WTP2 chemical feed and electrical modifications
- Professional services agreements with HNTB Corporation and Olsson, Inc. for various design projects
- Supplemental agreement with Olsson, Inc. for Black Bob Road improvements
- Renewals of contracts for directional drilling, traffic signal supplies, electrical lighting maintenance, sound/lighting equipment, and outdoor warning siren maintenance

Public Comments & Testimony

CDBG Public Hearing: No public comments were heard. The hearing was closed by a 7-0 vote.
Cedar Ridge Mixed Use Community (New Business C): Three speakers addressed the council.
- Scott Beeler (representing PON LLC) spoke against the proposal, arguing the plan was illegal, inconsistent with the Cedar Creek overlay, and would harm the community's character.
- Craig Eymann (former Cedard Creek developer) spoke in favor, providing historical context and stating the proposed mixed-use development was the best use for the site.
- Ron Mather (board member and resident) spoke in favor, citing the developer's good faith negotiations and belief that the Cedar Creek zoning would provide better control.
General Issues and Concerns of Citizens: Bridgette Moore spoke in favor of the council issuing a Pride proclamation in June.

Discussion Items

Special Business:
- Mayor Bacon presented certificates to senior Teen Council members, who shared their future plans. The teens contributed 550 hours of community service this year.
- Mayor Bacon read a proclamation declaring May 6-10, 2024 as Public Service Recognition Week, accepted by Digital Program Manager Scott Meyer.
New Business A – Comprehensive Plan Update: Council approved an agreement with Houseal Lavigne Associates to update the Olathe Comprehensive Plan (CPA24-0001). The firm presented an 18-month timeline with six steering committee touchpoints, public engagement via website, community events, and a Map Social tool. Councilmembers asked about developer engagement, affordable housing, plan flexibility, and representation across the city. The motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, passed 7-0.
New Business C – Cedar Ridge Mixed Use Community (RZ24-0003): This was the most debated item. Staff (Kim Hollingsworth and Charlie Love) presented the proposal to rezone 14.37 acres from C-2 to CC (Cedar Creek) District and approve a preliminary site development plan for a mixed-use community with 310 dwelling units, 28,500 sq ft of commercial space, a parking garage, and 551 parking stalls. The property is southeast of W. Valley Parkway and S. Cedar Creek Parkway. Staff noted that a valid protest petition had been withdrawn, so only a simple majority (4 votes) was required. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 4-3.
- Key issues raised during council discussion: building height and visibility from Cedar Creek Parkway, compliance with the Cedar Creek Overlay District and the "Green Book," traffic impacts (study showed all intersections remained at level of service A), environmental impacts, and the definition of a "town center."
- Councilmember Vakas expressed strong concerns about the site plan, arguing the building mass dominated the entrance and that the Golden Criteria had been misapplied. He made a motion to hold the application at council level and send the site plan back to staff for revision within 90 days, with specific guidance to reduce visible height, improve public spaces, and accelerate commercial phasing. That motion failed 1-6 (Vakas in favor; Schoonover, Felter, Essex, Bacon, Vogt, Gilmore opposed).
- Councilmember Vogt then moved to approve the rezoning and preliminary site plan. The motion passed 5-2 (Bacon, Vogt, Gilmore, Felter, Essex in favor; Schoonover and Vakas opposed). Stipulations included a drive-through restriction, density cap, sign standards, phasing requiring at least one commercial building permit before occupancy, maximum height limits, and tree preservation.
New Business D – Charter Ordinance No. 81: Concerning city officers and employees. Approved 7-0.
New Business E – Charter Ordinance No. 82: Redesignating and repealing Charter Ordinance No. 24. Approved 7-0.
Reports (from Planning Session):
- Report on annexation of approx. 27.25 acres (ANX24-0001) accepted.
- Report on a request for industrial revenue bonds and tax phase-in (submitted by PDC STL/INDY LPIV, LLC) was withdrawn by the applicant.
- Report on annexation of approx. 306.71 acres (ANX24-0002) accepted.
- Report on council budget priorities accepted.
- Report on 2024-2025 Audit Plan proposal accepted.
Executive Session: Council recessed into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel (K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1)). Upon reconvening, they voted 7-0 to accept the resignation of Internal City Auditor Mary Ann Vasor.

Key Outcomes

Approval of Comprehensive Plan Update Agreement with Houseal Lavigne Associates: Passed 7-0.
Approval of Cedar Ridge Mixed Use Community Rezoning and Preliminary Site Plan: Passed 5-2 (Bacon, Vogt, Gilmore, Felter, Essex yes; Schoonover, Vakas no).
Approval of Charter Ordinance No. 81: Passed 7-0.
Approval of Charter Ordinance No. 82: Passed 7-0.
Motion to Hold Cedar Ridge Application and Send Back to Staff: Failed 1-6.
Acceptance of Internal City Auditor Resignation: Passed 7-0.
Consent Agenda and CDBG Public Hearing Closure: Both passed 7-0.
Reports were accepted as presented; one report withdrawn.
The meeting adjourned at 10:52 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for May 7th, 2024. The first item on our agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you please stand with me for the pledge? And to the report of the States. Underground individual with liberty and justice. A couple of quick announcements about our meeting tonight. The agenda new business item B and report number two are both being polled at the request of app of the applicants. And they will be considered at another time. A group of young leaders looking to learn how to engage with and for our community, for their community. Tonight, before this meeting, we had got a chance to hear about everything the teens accomplished over this past year. And now we will recognize the seniors to thank them for their leadership and wish them well as they prepare to graduate. To introduce them, I'd like to welcome forward assistant to the mayor and teen council coordinator Liz Rubak. Liz. Well, thanks. Good evening, City Council. Liz Reback, assistant to the mayor. This year's Teen Council group worked really, really hard. As we just told our city council at dinner tonight, they put in 550 hours of community service this year. So good job judge and for they spent so much time in the community doing service and attending events, learning about Olatha, their local government, and themselves. I credit such a strong year to the strong leadership of our seniors. Many of our seniors were returning members of Teen Council. Seeing them grow year to year as individuals and as leaders has been a joy. And our new seniors injected new energy and ideas that helped us ensure we're always moving forward. I'm sad to see the group go, but thrilled to see what they do next. I know every one of these students have acquired knowledge and skills over the past year that will put them on a path to do great things. So seniors, when I call your name, please come forward to the middle of the room to get your certificate with the mayor. Please share your plans for the next year if you like, a brief comment, and then stay up front. And once everybody is up there, we'll take a group photo. Isaac Smith, please come forward. Isaac is one of our co-chairs. Victoria Marengu. Also our co-chair. Isaac and Victoria were also interns in the city manager's office this year and put in an incredible amount of time to make teen council be such a success this year. Emilia Vellante. Brandon Santiago Ramos. Gabriel Brown. Nikita Sidora. And Samantha Miller. Does anybody want to say anything? You don't have to if you don't want to. Isaac, go ahead. So um I've seen everything since year. Um next year. Now you guys can hear me. Um next year I'm planning to study at the University of Kansas for architecture. I'm really excited for that. Um kind of kind of so over the last three years I've kind of been engaged with teen council. Um I didn't want to join initially. My mom kind of forced me to.

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