Olathe City Council Meeting on July 15, 2025: Proclamation, CID Approval, and Tax Levy Resolution
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Olathe City Council Meeting on July 15, 2025: Proclamation, CID Approval, and Tax Levy Resolution
The Olathe City Council met on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a proclamation for National Night Out, a public hearing for a community improvement district (CID), discussion of several consent agenda items, and a vote on the intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.
Special Business
- Mayor Bacon read a proclamation recognizing August 5, 2025, as National Night Out in Olathe. Police Sergeant John Moncayo accepted the proclamation and provided details about the event, which promotes community policing and neighborhood camaraderie. The event is scheduled for August 5, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Public Hearings
- Public Hearing and Ordinance No. 25-20 (200 W. Santa Fe Street CID): Mayor Bacon opened the public hearing for the creation of a community improvement district and levy of a CID sales tax for the Char Bar project, expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. No members of the public signed up or spoke. The hearing was closed on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0. The council then approved Ordinance No. 25-20 on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved with the exception of items C, D, and G, which were pulled for discussion. The motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
- Item C (First Amendment to Olathe Gateway Development Agreement): Councilmember Felter asked for an explanation. City Attorney Ron Shaver stated the amendment extends the construction timeline due to title issues with the property. Todd LaSala of Stinson, LLC, representing the developer, said the title has been "very messy" with multiple issues, now down to one. He noted constructive dialogue with neighboring property owners and a tentative agreement. Councilmember Felter expressed support for the project, emphasizing the disability community's need for the multi-access center. The council approved the amendment on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
- Item D (First Amendment to Real Estate Contract with CB Olathe Holdings, LLC): Councilmember Vakas asked for clarification on the extended timeline. City Attorney Ron Shaver explained the delay is due to financing and the need to close by August 1, 2025, to secure lender commitments. The council approved the amendment on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
- Item G (Resolution No. 25-1063 – Intent to Levy Property Tax Exceeding Revenue Neutral Rate): Councilmember Vakas asked for an explanation for the public. Interim Budget Manager Clara Bernauer presented slides showing that the resolution sets a maximum mill levy of 23.317 mills, which is the same as the current rate. The average home value in 2026 is approximately $437,000, resulting in an estimated $7.42 per month increase in city property taxes due to higher property valuations, not a rate increase. A public hearing on the actual tax levy will occur on September 2, 2025, with budget adoption on September 16, 2025. Councilmember Vogt clarified that property taxes may increase due to higher property values, not a mill levy increase. The resolution was approved on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Heather McCain (11830 South Pine Street) expressed concerns about increased traffic in her neighborhood (Mill Creek Grande) due to the closure of Woodland at 119th Street. She stated that Google Maps routes traffic through her neighborhood, bypassing the official detour. She requested the closure be moved to Iowa Street and that signs be secured. No council response was given.
- Gregory Betzen (1998 West 122nd Terrace) thanked the council for beginning to live-stream the entire council meeting starting July 1, 2025. He noted that the full broadcast allows residents to see presentations like the one on the sculpture at 119th and Northgate. He also congratulated City Manager Michael Wilkes on his retirement.
Discussion Items
- New Business – Ordinance No. 25-21 (Public Offense Code Amendment): The council approved the amendment to Title 9 of the Olathe Municipal Code on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
- New Business – Ordinance No. 25-22 (Traffic Ordinance Amendment): The council approved the amendment to Title 10 of the Olathe Municipal Code on a motion by Vogt, seconded by Gilmore, carried 7-0.
- Reports – Quarterly Procurement Report and 2026 CDBG Funding Recommendations: Both reports were accepted as presented with no discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Executive Session: The council recessed into executive session from approximately 7:33 PM to 8:03 PM (30 minutes) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel regarding the City Manager. After reconvening, the council recessed again for an additional 15 minutes (until 8:18 PM) and then another 10 minutes (until 8:28 PM). The final motion to authorize staff to proceed with strategies discussed was approved 7-0.
- Additional Items: Councilmember Gilmore expressed concerns about the proposed $500,000 art piece for the 119th Street project and requested information on historical spending on public art. Councilmember Vogt suggested using undesignated donation funds. Infrastructure Director Mary Jaeger agreed to provide data. Councilmember Felter thanked the police department, expressed condolences for flooding in Texas (where Kansas Task Force One was deployed from Olathe), and requested that the infrastructure team minimize disruptions to businesses during the I-35/Santa Fe project. Mayor Bacon reminded the public about the upcoming budget workshop on August 5, 2025, and the public hearing on September 2, 2025.
All votes on record were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The first item on our agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you please stand with me for the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic before we just stand under God. Invisible with liberty and justice for all. Next on our agenda is special business. National Night Out is an excellent opportunity to do that, and neighborhoods are encouraged to sign up. So to accept tonight today's proclamation, I'd like to welcome forward please Sergeant John Munkale. So I'll read the proclamation and then you can tell us about what's happening on August the 5th, all right? So the proclamation reads whereas the National Association of Town Watch sponsors the 42nd annual national night out on August 5th, 2025. And whereas the program provides an opportunity for the City of Olatha to join forces with thousands of other communities across the country to promote community policing and to emphasize the importance of relationships in maintaining safe neighborhoods. And whereas this gathering strengthens the connections between officers and residents, allowing for improved communication, understanding, and a more caring and safer Olatha. And whereas it is essential that all citizens of Olatha understand the importance of crime prevention programs and the impact their participation can have on reducing crime, drug abuse, and violence in our city. Now therefore I John Bacon, mayor of the City of Olatha do hereby proclaim August 5th, 2025 as National Night Out in Olatha in conjunction with the Olatha Police Department, Olatha Fire Department, Johnson County Med Act, and the National Association of Town Watch. Okay. Hello, my name is Sergeant John Moncayo. I'm the public information officer for the police department. National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The initiative began in the 1970s and quickly grew into a national network in 1984. And today the campaign stands on the motto that the best way to build a safer neighborhood is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. The National Night Out campaign is proud to triumph over a culture that sometimes isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own community. The men and women of the police department look forward to continuing meaningful positive interactions with our citizens, and we're hoping to see everyone for a night out on August 5th from 6 30 p.m. to 8 30 p.m. And if you're wanting to register your neighborhood for a night out, feel free to reach out to the police department and we'll get you signed up. Thank you. So we want to thank uh the Officer or Sergeant Man Cho for being here and for all the work he does to protect our city. The only complaint I have about uh National Night Out is that it's on a council night every year. So the council members are unfortunately here and we're not able to participate in the neighborhood watch uh activity. So um but we're glad it happens and uh and hope that your neighborhood signs up to be a part of it. We'll now move to public hearings. Um item A is a pub I'd like to open a public hearing consideration of ordinance number 25-20 regarding the creation of a community improvement district and the levy of a community and improvement district sales tax pursuant to KSA 12-6A26 at sec uh the 200 West Santa Fe Street, CID. Um this would be for the char bar, which hopes to open in the northwest corner of Santa Fe and Kansas in late 2026 or early 2027. Do we have any individuals that are here? No one has signed up. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak in this public hearing? Seeing none, a motion to close the public hearing and be in order. Mr. Mayor, I move to close the public hearing. Second. We have a motion and a second with the city clerk, please call the roll. Mr. Bacon. Yes. Ms. Vote? Yes. Mr. Gilmore.
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