Olathe City Council Regular Meeting – August 5, 2025

The Olathe City Council met on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting began with a heavy announcement from Mayor Pro Tem Vogt: Mayor Bacon was absent following the passing of his son, Brent, in a traffic accident; retired Olathe Police Detective Brian Peters also died in a separate accident. The Council observed a moment of silence and expressed condolences. All votes were 5-0, with Councilmembers Bacon and Essex absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Special Business

• Resolution No. 25-1065 – Reappointment to Olathe Public Art Committee: The Council reappointed members Rashawn Griffin, Marion Coast, Chrissa McMullen, Bridget Taylor, and Brian Hanson. Board chair Chelsey Walker introduced them. The motion carried 5-0.
• Proclamation – Olathe as a Purple Heart City: Mayor Pro Tem Vogt read the proclamation and presented it to Kent Bonham, who accepted on behalf of all Purple Heart recipients. The proclamation encourages all Olatheans to show appreciation for the sacrifices of Purple Heart veterans.

Public Hearing

• Resolution of Intent No. 25-1066 – Industrial Revenue Bonds for Char Bar: The project involves redevelopment and expansion of a 4,062 sq ft facility at 200 W Santa Fe St into a 26,271 sq ft full-service barbecue restaurant with pickleball courts and outdoor dining. No public comments were heard. The public hearing was closed, and the resolution was approved 5-0.

Consent Calendar

Items N and O were pulled by Councilmembers Schoonover and Vakas for separate discussion. The remaining items were approved in one motion 5-0:

• Approval of July 15, 2025, minutes.
• Renewal of licenses.
• Resolutions calling for public hearings on two Community Improvement Districts (Olathe Station North CID and Lone Elm & 175th St CID) on September 2, 2025.
• 2026 Community Development Block Grant funding recommendations.
• Final plats for Premier Business Park and Stonebridge South Addition.
• Resolution No. 25-1069 on use of video security cameras in public areas.
• Renewal of crossing guard contract with All City Management Services.
• 2025-2027 School Resource Officer agreement with Kansas School for the Deaf.
• Change Orders for Valley Parkway/Clare Road mill and overlay and City Hall roof project.
• Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for multiple street improvement projects.

Items N and O (Considered Separately)

• Item N – Resolution No. 25-1070: Authorizing the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project (PN 3-C-029-24) and amending Resolution 24-1008. City Engineer Nate Baldwin presented: the $1.8 million study is funded by a $1.75 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant, $500,000 city contribution, and $100,000 from BNSF. The study will examine eight at-grade and one below-grade crossing, include environmental assessment, and produce a project planning package by January 2028. Councilmember Vakas questioned whether the grant commits the city to closing crossings; Baldwin clarified it does not. The motion carried 5-0.
• Item O – Agreement with FRA: Obligation of Railroad Crossing Elimination grant funds for the same project. Approved 5-0.

New Business

• Ordinance No. 25-23 (RZ25-0004) – Zoning Amendment for Monument Signs: On 74.30 acres at the Shops at Sunnybrook (southwest of College Blvd and S. Lone Elm). Planning Commission recommended approval 9-0. Approved 5-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-24 – Eminent Domain Award (Celebrate Holdings Olathe, LLC): For the Santa Fe, Ridgeview to Mur Len Improvements Project. Approved 5-0.
• Ordinance No. 25-25 – Eminent Domain Award (Karen G. Brokenicky Revocable Trust): Same project. Approved 5-0.
• Police Drones as First Responder (DFR) Program with BRINC: Police Chief Mike Butaud presented a video and answered questions. Drones will be dispatched to robberies, accidents, structure fires, etc., and will be stationed on three city-owned buildings. They are not armed and will be controlled by police pilots; the city has 10 certified pilots. The program uses American-made drones. Approved 5-0.

Discussion Items (Planning Session)

• Report – Annexation and Fire District Detachment: 167th Street Properties, LLC, seeks annexation of 37.56 acres at southwest corner of 167th and Lone Elm. Report accepted.
• Report – Proposed Amendments to Title 13 (Water and Sewer Fees): Report accepted.
• Report – Proposed Amendments to Titles 8 and 9 (Animals): Councilmember Vogt raised concerns about language allowing euthanasia, as Olathe operates a no-kill shelter. Animal Control Supervisor James Brackett explained that euthanasia is only for public safety or extreme medical issues, never for space. The Council requested the language be revised to reflect actual practices. The report was accepted, and staff will bring back narrowed language.
• Discussion – City of Olathe’s Safety Action Plan: Assistant City Engineer Andrew Robertson presented. The plan uses 10 years of crash data (2013-2022, with 47 deaths and 302 serious injuries) and over 600 public comments. It identifies five focus areas, a toolbox of countermeasures, and a priority map. Council provided feedback: Councilmember Felter cautioned against creating travel inconveniences; Councilmember Gilmore noted the plan can help prioritize CIP projects; Councilmember Vogt requested an addendum linking current projects to safety improvements. No action taken; a resolution for adoption will come to a future meeting.
• Discussion – Proposed 2026 Utility Budgets and CIP: Interim Budget Manager Clara Bernauer presented the water & sewer, stormwater, and solid waste budgets. Key proposals:
  • Water & sewer: 6.5% rate increase ($6/month average residential increase), $86 million operating budget, $245 million five-year CIP. Waterline replacement cycle is 312 years; 7.8 miles reach end-of-life annually, but only 2 miles are replaced. The city increased the waterline rehab fund from $2 million to $6 million.
  • Stormwater: 32¢/month residential increase, $23.7 million five-year CIP.
  • Solid waste: $1.08/month residential increase, $17 million five-year CIP.
  • Total average monthly utility bill: $135 (second-lowest among comparable communities).
  • Utility discount program expanded to $12/month for households at or below 80% area median income.
  • Outside city water rate increased to 1.5 times inside rate, affecting about 80 water and 5 sewer customers. Councilmembers Vakas, Schoonover, and others questioned the rate increase and asked for historical data and alternative scenarios. Councilmember Gilmore supported the increase, noting growth costs are shared by all ratepayers. Councilmember Felter cautioned against disproportionate increases on businesses. Staff will provide additional analysis for the next workshop.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 5-0 (Councilmembers Bacon and Essex absent).
• Animal code language will be revised to better reflect no-kill practices before final adoption.
• Safety Action Plan resolution will be brought for adoption at a future meeting; staff will incorporate council feedback.
• Budget Workshop #3 is scheduled for August 19, 2025; public hearings on the revenue-neutral rate and budget are September 2; adoption is September 16.
• Adjournment at 9:10 PM.