Olathe City Council Meeting Highlights – April 1, 2025

The Olathe City Council met on April 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Downtown Library FlexBox Theater. The meeting included a presentation on Johnson County 2025 property appraisals, public hearings on a community improvement district and industrial revenue bonds for a downtown redevelopment project, approval of a consent agenda with two items discussed separately, authorization of land acquisition for the I-35 & Santa Fe interchange reconstruction, and several reports and council announcements. The council also held executive sessions regarding an annexation agreement and evaluation of a municipal judge.

Consent Calendar

• Approved routine items including minutes of previous meetings, new and renewal licenses, business expense statements for a National League of Cities conference, acceptance of final plats for Parkside Reserve 3rd Plat (15 lots), Prairie Farms XV (52 lots), and Lyonz Den Townhomes (1 lot), inclusion of projects in the 2026-2030 County Assistance Road System Program, agreement with Johnson County for Stormwater CCTV Inspection Project, pre-construction phase services agreements with Garney Companies for Cedar Creek WWTP expansion and solids handling, professional services agreements with Burns & McDonnell for design of those projects plus the Super Critical Water Oxidation Pilot Project, design of Spruce and Parker Geometric Improvements, contract awards for environmental services maintenance and Transfer Station Expansion Phase I, contract renewal for mowing services, and IT equipment purchases. All consent items passed unanimously after items E and J were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the two public hearings (Cherry Street CID and IRB bonds) or during the general citizen comment period.

Discussion Items

• Johnson County 2025 Appraisals Presentation: Interim County Appraiser Kara Endicott presented an overview of property value changes. Key points: Olathe's total appraised value grew about 8% to approximately $23 billion, with residential properties comprising ~$19 billion. Average sale price in Olathe was ~$475,000 while average valuation was ~$437,000. New single-family permits increased from ~300 to ~330 in the past year. Only Olathe and Gardner showed healthy growth in attainable housing (homes under $300,000), though no new homes under $300,000 exist in Johnson County. Commercial values rose ~2% with new construction up 5.5% due to Walmart beef processing plant, Coca-Cola, and Panasonic. Office vacancy increases drove down some commercial values. Apartment units added: ~1,890 last year with 2,000–10,000 more in pipeline. Land absorption: ~1,800 acres, 182 new plats. Personal property values dropped another 5% due to exemptions. Councilmembers asked about apartment price points, the feedback loop between rising appraisals and shrinking affordable housing stock, and the rate of appeals (6,700 out of 230,000 parcels). The appraiser noted that supply constraints continue to push sale prices and valuations upward.
• Item E: Community Fund Feasibility Study ($12,500): Councilmember Vakas requested information on existing city funds and emphasized the need to avoid leading the consultant toward a predetermined answer. Tim Danneberg (External Affairs Director) explained the study will test community appetite for a community fund and piggyback on an ongoing animal shelter study at reduced cost. The study is expected to take about two months. Mayor Bacon confirmed the study is not limited to the animal shelter but will test broader fund feasibility. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item J: 2025 MAQS Micro Surface Project Contract Award: Councilmember Felter asked City Engineer Nate Baldwin to explain the micro surface treatment. Baldwin described it as an overlay with aggregate that extends pavement life to 25 years, costs 2.5 times less than traditional mill and overlay, and is funded by the street preservation sales tax. The project will treat 181 local and collector streets. Councilmember Schoonover asked about the difference between MAQS micro surface (spray) and pressure pave (rolled into cracks). Motion approved unanimously.
• New Business – Ordinance 25-09: Land Acquisition for I-35 & Santa Fe Interchange Reconstruction: City Attorney Ron Shaver confirmed that 12 parcels are in active negotiation, with design at approximately 60% complete. The city has identified all needed total takings; remaining design involves structural elements (bridge/retaining walls) that won't affect land acquisition. Goal is to acquire all property by mid-2025. Councilmember Schoonover asked about the eminent domain process; Shaver explained the Kansas Eminent Domain Procedure Act and the Federal Uniform Relocation Act. Motion passed unanimously.
• Water Fluoridation Report: Environmental Services Manager Michelle Probasco presented an update. Councilmembers expressed varying positions: Schoonover noted two citizen concerns; Essex said state leaves decision to local governments; Gilmore advocated waiting for court findings; Vogt cited American Dental Association and US Public Health Service support for 0.7 mg/L level; Vakas asked about fluoride in bottled water and water softeners. Report accepted.
• Santa Fe Corridor Improvements Status Report: Nate Baldwin updated that KDOT scheduling coordination is ongoing, access to I-35 will be maintained as much as possible, and a construction website is available for community notifications. Report accepted.
• Chamber of Commerce Annual Update: Tim McKee (CEO) and Kelly Peetoom (CVB Vice President) provided a 20-minute presentation on chamber activities. (Report accepted.)

Key Outcomes

• Appointed Emma Plankers to the Olathe Historic Preservation Board (Resolution 25-1026, unanimous).
• Proclaimed April 2025 as Volunteer Month.
• Approved Ordinance 25-07 creating a community improvement district and levy of CID sales tax for 114-126 N. Cherry Street (unanimous).
• Approved Resolution 25-1027 authorizing $7,031,629 in industrial revenue bonds for a multi-tenant restaurant/retail project at the same location (unanimous).
• Approved the consent agenda with items E and J pulled; both subsequently passed unanimously.
• Approved $12,500 expenditure for a Community Fund Feasibility Study (unanimous).
• Awarded construction contract to Donelson Construction Company, LLC for the 2025 MAQS Micro Surface Project (unanimous).
• Adopted Ordinance 25-09 approving engineer's survey and authorizing land acquisition for the I-35 & Santa Fe Interchange Reconstruction/Santa Fe Corridor project (unanimous).
• Accepted the reports on water fluoridation and Santa Fe improvements.
• Accepted the Chamber of Commerce Annual Update.
• Recessed into two executive sessions: (1) attorney-client consultation on an annexation agreement (first 15 minutes, then additional 10 minutes – with councilmembers Schoonover, Vakas, and Essex absent for the extension), and (2) personnel evaluation of Municipal Judge Katie McElhinney (20 minutes). After reconvening, council authorized the City Attorney to finalize an annexation agreement for formal consideration (unanimous). Mayor Bacon noted Judge McElhinney is doing a great job.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM.

New City Council Business

• Councilmember Schoonover recognized March 31 as Trans Day of Visibility, stating "we see you and you are welcome in Olathe."
• Councilmember Felter thanked five outgoing Mayor's Children's Fund Board members (Debbie Newton, Jeremy McGever, Bill Schaeffer, Darren Odom, Deanne Ingstrom) and noted the fund distributed $171,500 in March and has raised $2.2 million to date. She also reminded that Teen Council applications are open through July 1.
• Councilmember Vakas thanked the Olathe Police Department for keeping the city safe.
• Mayor Bacon announced the "Celebrate Olathe Spring Fling" event on April 18 at County Square, and the Mayor's Community Food Drive on April 12 and 29 to stock food pantries for summer.