The Olathe City Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, a public hearing on a tax abatement for a refrigerated warehouse, approval of several consent agenda items (including additional tax abatements and a change order for City Hall roof repairs), new business items (transient guest tax, easement vacation, annexation, community improvement district, and bond issuances), public comments regarding flooding in College Meadows, and a planning session discussion on the proposed KDOT Lone Elm & K-10 Interchange project. Mayor John Bacon acknowledged the passing of Assistant City Attorney Rrachelle Breckenridge.
Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for Tuesday, October seventh, twenty twenty-five. To begin our meeting tonight, I just wanted to take a minute to remember assistant city man or assist assistant city attorney, Rochelle Breckenridge. Rochelle passed away last week. She worked for the city for more than eleven years. In her role in the city attorney's office, she helped countless employees from all across the organization and their work to serve the residents of Olatha. She had a big impact here professionally and personally. And I know she'll be missed greatly. So to her loved ones, please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers. We'll now move on to the next item on our agenda, and that is the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you please stand with me for the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for what this will with liberty and justice for all. Item A is a proclamation recognizing October 5 through October 11th as fire prevention week. The theme of this year's fire prevention week is charge into fire safety. Lithium ion batteries in your home. You probably have these batteries in something in your house, and you're probably not even aware of it. So we all need to know how to ensure we're using them safely. So Olatha Fire Education Specialist, Abby Wyan joins us to accept this proclamation. Abby. Tell us about fire prevention week. Or months. A week. It is. I'll read the proclamation. It says, whereas the City of Olatha is committed to creating a community where people feel safe and where residents and businesses can accept expect exceptional public service safety services. And whereas the Olatha Fire Department preserves lives and prevents fires through an active community risk reduction program. And whereas in 2025, Fire Prevention Week theme is charge into fire safety, which reminds us of the importance of safely using charging and recycling lithium ion batteries. And whereas many electronics we use on our on a daily basis, including phones, laptops, tools, and toys, are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can be a significant fire hazard if misused. Now therefore, I, John Bacon, Mayor of the City of Olatha do hereby proclaim October 5 through 11, 2025 as fire prevention week, and urge all Olathians to educate themselves on how to use these batteries, batteries safely and to install smoke alarms on each level and in every bedroom to test them once a month and to replace them at least every 10 years. Thank you, Mayor Bacon and members of the council. My name is Abby Wyand, and I am a public education specialist with Olatha Fire Department, and I appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight to talk about this year's fire safety proclamation. Most of the electronics used in our homes are powered by lithium-ion batteries. So we encourage Olatha residents to buy, charge, and recycle responsibly. Buy only listed products from an independent testing company, charge batteries in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions, and recycle batteries responsibly by taking them to Olatha's household hazardous waste facility. Let's charge into fire safety and work together to reduce fire risks in both our homes and the community. Thank you. So thank you, Abby, for being here tonight, and we want to thank all our firefighters for their dedication to our community and what they do to help protect us and keep us safe. We'll now move to uh item B, which is a proclamation recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. It's important to all of us that every resident can enjoy a high quality of life in Olatha. Got a brother my throat. And that each person has the ability to reach their full potential, which means giving everyone the opportunity to find a job that brings them joy and fulfillment. Olatha's Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board plays an important role in the annual disability mentoring day. Forrest Austin serves on the board for the for that event, and he's with us tonight to accept the proclamation. So Forrest. Thank you. I'll read the proclamation here and then we'll let you say a few words. The proclamation reads: whereas the City of Olatha is committed to being an inclusive community where all residents can live a productive life and enjoy high quality of life. And whereas workplaces that welcome the talents of all people, including those with disabilities, are a critical part of an effort to build an inclusive community and strong economy. And whereas the Olatha Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board serves as a strong advocate for residents who live with disabilities, including mobility and sensory impairments, physical illness, mental illness, and developmental and hearing disabilities. And whereas the City of Olatha is pleased to join with the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board in observing Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the importance of inclusive hiring practices, as well as the values and skills of people with disabilities.