Good evening.

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for Tuesday, December 16th, 2025.

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

Would you please stand with me for the pledge?

My Pledge of Allegiance to the Friday of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands my nation under God.

The next item on our agenda is special business.

Today is the last City Council meeting for both Councilmember Vogue and Councilmember Gilmore.

They have served this community for about 30 years, each in a variety of public service roles.

We are grateful for all the time they've committed to making Olatha a better place and for the impact they've both had on our city and this organization.

I'd like to first invite Kevin Gilmore down to the middle of the room with me, and so I can properly thank you for your service and your time on City Council.

All right.

It would be a full page of stuff that Kevin serves on.

Kevin, thank you for being such an outstanding example of servant leadership.

You've gone above and beyond to help others to serve your community and elevate the quality of life for all Olathians.

Thank you for being an exceptional council member for the time and attention you gave this role and for your work to show us how we can continue to grow, be better, and strengthen as a city and as an organization.

Kevin, it's been my honor to serve with you on the City Council.

Thank you for your leadership, your support, counsel, and friendship.

To show our appreciation, I'd like to present you with the Barton Award.

So thanks for showing that.

She also has given 20 years to the Mahaffe Stagecoach Stop and Farm Foundation.

She serves on the Bi-State Cultural Commission and the Olatha Arts Alliance.

She's been a strong supporter of the Mid-America Regional Council, serving on the board as chair, even president of the National Association of Regional Councils.

She also has served as Mayor Pro Tim, representing this uh council on events throughout our city for the past two years.

Thank you, Marge, for your dedication to this community.

You so often brought to our discussions, important historical context, a common sense perspective, compassion, and above all, thoughtful concerns for all of our Olatha residents.

And tonight I also wanted to uh announce that we are having a reception for Marge next month, January 13th, mark your calendars, uh, from 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock PM in our downtown library.

So um hopefully it's decent weather.

January is a little tricky.

So, Marge, it's been my honor to serve with you on at this diaspora each of these past 28 years.

Thank you for your leadership, your support, counsel, and friendship as well.

To show our appreciation, I'd like to present you with this beautiful print on canvas of downtown Olatha.

So what I'd like to do is give Kevin and Marge an opportunity to say a few things.

And then if there's other council members that want to chime in for a few minutes, that'd be great.

So Kevin, do you want to go first?

Or do you want to let the ladies first?

It's up to you.

Well, I'm always a gentleman, so Marge, you're free to go ahead.

Well, thank you.

And you may be sorry, Kevin, as I figured.

I serve for 28 years.

I get a minute for each year.

So I so just everybody hang in there.

Um just kidding.

What an incredible journey these 28 years have been.

Serving um on the Olatha City Council has truly been a great honor of my life.

I've watched this community grow, change, and come together in ways that make me proud every day.

And uh I think many who have been in Olathe for this period of time has seen major transformations.

And it takes more than one person for all that to happen.

It takes a collective effort.

So I'm gonna thank some of these people.

Uh first I want to thank the residents who've trusted me, challenged me, and supported me all along the way.

And I want to give my thanks to the many council members that I have worked with throughout the years.

Um they have made me stronger, better, they've mentored me, um, and together we've made a difference in Olatha.

I want to especially recognize the three mayors that I got to work with.

Um Mayor Larry Campbell, Mayor Mike Copeland, and of course, Mayor John Bacon.

And thank you, Mayor Bacon, for letting me serve as your mayor pro tem.

I thoroughly enjoyed that opportunity.

Finally, last but not least, I need to thank staff.

Um those in the past who are not here, they're retired or another different job, whatever.

Um, but I do want to thank those in the past and those currently who provide the excellence in service to our community.

They're the ones that make us look so good.

And hopefully all of us recognize that.

They're the ones that make sure that you know the services are provided, and when we have a vision, they're the ones that implement it.

Our city could not be what it is without the excellence of service from our staff.

And I want to take this time to thank Michael Wilkes and Susan Sherman.

It's been truly an honor to work with both of you over the many years.

We've worked together during that whole period of time that I've been on the council.

Of course, I want to take this time to thank my family for their support and love and take and taking over the tasks, many tasks over 28 years, that I couldn't do because I wasn't there to have it, you know, to make it happen.

As I wrap up my time on the council, I do leave with a full heart and complete confidence in Olatha's future.

It is very bright.

It has been a privilege to serve, and I'm excited to cheer in cheer our community on in new ways.

God bless the City of Olatha.

Thank you, Mayor, for just this moment.

I don't have a written speech, so I'm just going to say a few remarks.

First, thank you to my colleagues on the council, those who are here tonight, and those who have served before all of the staff.

I echo those same remarks that March so eloquently said about all the great work that you have done and will continue to do in the future.

You know, I'm a I've been involved this and I was ending 17 years in elected office in one form or another tonight, and these last five was never my intention.

But when May Mayor Copeland passed away, who was a good friend, you know, things changed.

And I was asked to step forward and happy to do so because this community is worth it.

I have been here, I was counting up.

I think this is my 47th year in this community since I came to go to college here, and a lot has changed for the better.

The community has really grown.

But I'm a big believer in that we get um the community we deserve, and part of that is through who we elect to represent us in these kinds of roles.

And so I just want to encourage everyone to continue to participate in our elections.

We have far too many people that do not, and we have too many great people in this community to miss out on that opportunity.

Uh one of the things I have learned over the years in serving in different public bodies is you know, you tend to come to these roles thinking you know a lot, and you get here and you find out you don't really know very much at all.

And you learn from each other.

I've learned from every person on this dais, uh, and it's helped make me be a better citizen.

So just want to say thank you for all of your support and uh look forward to watching you on television, maybe.

Thank you, Mayor.

Maybe.

All right, thank you, Margin Kevin.

Any council member Essex?

I am so thankful for the both of you, and I'm thankful to have this opportunity because I usually um don't have a lot of additional comments because I know there's so many of us, but I have some.

So I'm gonna share them.

Um I just want to say thank you to Kevin and Marge for their decades of service to this community.

In fact, I was talking to the Mayor Pro Tim not long ago, and back when she started, I thought this was really interesting.

She explained that how the council package used to be delivered in paper, two or three inches thick to their front door, you know, the week before council.

And if there were any changes made to that item or or any item, they would have to reprint two or three inches of paper and drop them off again at all of their homes.

And I'm sure you have a lot of stories to tell of your time on the council, but I thought that was interesting.

And I know that Councilman Gilmore was serving on the Kansas State Board of Education when I was still cruising the Faye.

I mean, I'm I'm just saying.

People are like, what?

You both have had a front row seat to the incredible growth and success of both our school district and this awesome city.

Um thank you for faithfully serving up until your very last day in office, laser focused on representing the city and your constituents well through your wisdom and your experience.

You set the bar on what it looks like to treat others with respect, to have thoughtful dialogue, and to rise above adversity.

I would describe your service as selfless.

Your character and integrity has always set you apart, and your impact will be felt for years to come.

Now, I know you both will never fully retire from serving because I know that's just who you are, but we'll be cheering you on.

I will be cheering you on from the sidelines wherever life takes you.

You'll be missed.

Thank you.

Anyone else would like to make uh Councilmember Scoonover?

Thank you, Mayor.

And and I would like to echo uh uh Robin's statements.

Um I know that uh being relatively new to council, I have certainly learned a lot from from both of you, and I have enjoyed serving with both of you.

Um we haven't always agreed on everything, but I think I've enjoyed that aspect too, because when we have disagreed, I have learned a lot uh from you, and so I have enjoyed every aspect about uh the opportunity to serve with you.

And I uh just wanted to express heartfelt appreciation for your lifetime of service and say that you have set a very high bar uh for future councils in Olatha, and we will try not to let you down.

Anyone else?

We will okay, Councilmember Felter.

Like 10 words.

Thank you both.

Thank you both for all of the years of service.

You have made us better, and we greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Councilmember Vacas.

Thanks, Mayor.

I just say thanks to you both again.

It's been an honor to serve with you both, consider you as friends, and look forward to seeing you again in many other capacities.

Thank you.

Thank you both again.

Yeah.

We'll now move to uh to item B, consideration consideration of resolution number 25-1095 appointing and reappointing members to the planning commission.

Do I hear a motion?

Yeah, the mayor looking.

Um Mr.

Ayer, I move to approve resolution number 25-1095 appointing and reappointing members to the planning commission.

Second.

Have a motion and a second with the city clerk, please call the roll.

Ms.

Vote.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover.

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Vacus.

Yes.

Ms.

Essex.

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Motion passes.

7-0.

The Planning Commission is a crucial part of the city's growth, community planning, and economic development.

We remain a top destination in the metropolitan area for residents and new businesses.

Thoughtful decision making coupled with strategic planning allows us to make the most of each new growth opportunity.

Tonight, we are reappointing and two new members and appointing a new member.

So would Planning Commission Chair, Wayne Janner, please join me at this time and introduce our appointees.

Thank you, Mayor Grayson.

John?

There we go.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

Yeah, we'll first start um with our new appointee uh on the council.

Um we are welcoming Scott Sealing uh to the Planning Commission.

Scott is uh long-term longtime resident of Olatha.

He went through Olatha schools, graduated from Olatha East, and just recently retired from a 26-year career in law enforcement.

Um he is retired now.

He was with the U.S.

Marshall Service, and his last position there was with the Western District of Missouri, where he had oversight over all field operations.

Now in the private sector, he's working for Walden Security and overseas operations of security services at federal courthouses in 47 different states, consisting of over 5,000 officers and contracts valued at over 2 billion.

That's with a B, $2 billion.

So a lot of responsibility and a lot of history in law enforcement that will be very useful to us.

So, Jim, Kevin, uh we need to behave.

Um we should be all right.

So, Scott, if you'll join us up front, please.

Well, uh, thank you, Mr.

Chairman, for those kind words.

Thank you, Mayor, for the appointment, and thank you to the council for approving the resolution.

As a career public servant, I am honored and humbled to be able to continue to serve my community this time as a member of the planning commission.

I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners and city staff to move Olatha ever forward, building on our strengths and making Olatha an even better place to live, work, and raise the family.

Yep.

Thank you.

All right, then we have two current members that are uh up for they're now starting a new term.

Uh if uh Keith Brown and Jim Toronto join me up front.

So there by the mayor.

Yeah.

We'll start with Jim.

Since he got here first.

You know, one thing I I like about the Planning Commission is just the uh eclectic group of of commissioners.

Everybody's a little bit different.

Um, we have some commissioners that will come to our meeting with a myriad of many different questions that dig deep into the items we hadn't thought about.

Um some of those people get elected to City Council.

Um but we do have Jim, and he's not that guy.

Um so what I've learned from him is that when he does have something to say, it's time to listen because you're about to learn something.

His wisdom that he brings to it through his years of experience are very welcome on the commission, and I'm proud to reappoint him and have him be a part of our commission.

So thank you, Jim.

Thank you, Way, for those kind words.

I'm looking forward to uh working with my fellow colleagues and also the excellent planning staff we have in the City of Olatha.

I want to thank Mayor Bacon and members of the Olatha City Council for giving me this opportunity.

Thank you.

Okay.

No, just the obligatory picture.

All right, Keith, you'll come forward, please.

Keith has been in Olatha for a long time as well.

He's served in many capacities from everything from leading his local neighborhood homes association, serving on the police board, serving on the 20-year committee for the city of Olatha, and now on the Planning Commission with us.

And it's nice just to go through his list of accomplishments and the wisdom he brings as a reminder that it's nice to have people on the commission that are older than I am.

Keith, we love having you on there.

You do a great job.

We appreciate your participation and your input.

Thank you.

I just like to thank the people on the council for their support, not only for me on the planning commission, but for the years I spent with Chief But with CPAC.

I've really enjoyed the Planning Commission.

Uh help helping with with the future of Olaitha.

I've tried to do a good job with it, and uh hope I have.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

I know these volunteers don't do it for the money.

I did tell Scott, since he's the new guy, said, well, you know, we're going to double the pay of the uh planning commissioners, and he got excited, and I told him it's zero, so you know.

All right.

With that, um I have one more item before we move to the consent agenda.

Last Friday afternoon, December the twelfth, the City Council had a special call meeting to discuss the the position of City Manager.

Since that meeting, there have been new developments, including City Manager Michael Wilkes announcing his last day in the office will be January 30th, 2026.

In light of his announcement, I would like to give the floor.

Yes.

January 30th, 2026.

It's a Friday.

That will be his last day in the office.

So in light of his announcement, I would like to give the floor to uh Mayor Pro Tim Marjbu.

Thank you, Mayor.

Your mic is on.

Thank you.

Um I think you prefaced it well, so I am going to go ahead and make a motion.

I move to authorize strategic government resources, SGR, to negotiate, then coordinate with the city attorney to finalize, and the mayor to execute a contract with Susan Sherman for the city manager position.

With such contract to be made effective January 31, 2026.

That's a motion.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the city clerk, please call a roll.

Mr.

Bacon.

What was it?

Mr.

Bacon.

Okay.

I thought you said random, but yeah.

Okay.

Yes.

Yes.

Ms.

Bodes.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover.

Uh, before voting, if I can say that uh as we discussed last Friday, my preference would be that our next council handle uh this matter as we're getting ready to swear them in in early January.

Um I I think for the purposes of maintaining intellectual consistency, I should note that on the record and say that that would be my preference uh if it were left to me.

However, because uh the motion on the table is to hire Susan Sherman, and because I believe that she is far and away the most qualified candidate for this position, and that we will be in the best hands moving forward with her.

My vote is an emphatic yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Vacus.

Yes.

Ms.

Essex.

Yes.

Motion passes 7-0.

Dr.

Felter, did you want to make a comment?

Your light is blinking.

Thank you.

Yes.

Yeah, I just wanted to ask about the date, making Susan Sherman effective.

Yes.

On the as Michael leaves.

I mean, usually it's effective immediately.

And then if someone's allowed to someone's willing to stay on, they help with the transition.

Any idea of what's going on there?

Well, my thought was that uh uh city city manager Michael Wilkes would stay in his position as city manager until the 30th, and that's when he'll be leaving the city manager's office.

So don't get me wrong.

Susan Sherman would be responsible for that uh role after he's gone.

I I think the challenge is um the data shows that uh employees don't know who to report to, so I'm fine with it, but I think it's important that we are clear that um a transition is being made, and uh our expectation is that Michael Wilkes, with all the gratitude of serving, that uh the transition is seamless, and he onboards he doesn't wait until the that day to onboard Susan.

I'll tell you what.

Let me just say that these two have worked together in an awesome as an awesome team for our community for 27 years.

As long as Michael's been here.

I mean, Susan, have you waited 27 years for this transition?

I'm sorry, but but uh you know I think they'll work it out and the duties will uh seamlessly be transferred.

I don't see an issue at all.

That's my perspective, but um yes.

Councilmember vote.

If I may uh mayor agree.

And I think the conversation.

Whoops, no, I have it on.

I do have it on.

Okay.

Um and some of the conversations that I have had with uh Susan as well as Michael, they're going to work together.

And then Michael's always a phone call away.

Um 36 years, I think you've got it down.

And uh I I think you've got it down.

And I would say that a future council is more than welcome to you know reapprove um uh her uh appointment.

But I would say that with Michael having told us that his last day in the office is the 30th, Susan needs to get working on looking for a deputy city manager.

Um there's a lot of work that needs to be done between now and then, and that was put into consideration.

But by all means, I think future councils can you know again approve it.

Councilmember Dean Bachis.

Uh yes, sir.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh and again, I certainly agree with what you're saying.

The transition is beginning right now as we speak, I think.

I want to take a moment just to thank um Michael Wilkes and thank Susan Sherman for their fantastic service over these past years.

I'm looking forward to a seamless transition.

This is just great news for Latha, and I'm so happy to hear this this evening.

Thank you.

Thanks, Mayor, for the time.

All right, thanks for all your comments.

We'll now move to the consent agenda.

The items listed below are considered to be routine by the City Council, may be approved in one motion.

These may include items that have been reviewed by the City Council in a prior planning session.

There will be no separate discussion unless the council member requests that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.

Council, are there any such items tonight?

Councilmember Schoonover.

Uh uh items D and E, please, Mayor.

Any others?

There's not many others.

Councilmember Felter, sorry.

E.

Okay.

E as well.

Okay.

All right.

A motion to approve the consent agenda would be in order.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve the consent agenda as presented with the exception of items D and E.

I have a motion.

Do I have a second?

Second.

I have a motion and a second.

Would the city clerk please call the roll?

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Vacus.

Yes.

Miss Essex.

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon, yes.

Miss Vote.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover.

Yes.

Motion passes.

70.

Item D is consideration of resolution number 25-1099 adopting the industrial revenue and tax abatement IRB policy.

Councilmember Schoonover.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I don't there's no need for a presentation on this one.

I just wanted to thank staff for making the changes that we discussed before, where we're now in our southern area that in addition to some of the other projects, there are office type projects that are now eligible for this additional incentive.

So I I appreciate them making that change and hopefully we'll see some of those developments grow in that area.

Do you want to make a motion?

Yes, Mayor, I move uh for the uh approval of consent agenda item D, resolution number 251099.

Second.

We have a motion and second with the city clerk, please call roll.

Ms.

Vote.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover.

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Vacus.

Yes.

Ms.

Essex.

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Motion passes.

70.

Item E is consideration of resolution number 25-1101 authorizing the Animal Shelter Project PN6-C-007-23 and amending resolution 25-1025.

I'm going to start with Councilmember Felter on this one.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

I just want to make a statement that to be clear, I support animal welfare and I appreciate all the work that has gone into this proposal.

However, there's no path for me to support a $25 million investment in an animal shelter at this time.

The council has already approved a significant investment, and I believe that funding should be sufficient if we approach the next phase with innovation efficiency and collaboration.

Many families in Olatha are under very real financial strain.

The cost of groceries, housing, health care, and energy remains high, and wages have not kept pace for many households.

So in this in this environment, affordability for our residents has to be a higher priority for me.

I also have to weigh in against the other pressing needs, including core infrastructure and support of the first responders, giving those competing demands and the opportunity cost of additional spending at this level, it's just too high for me.

I believe our responsibility right now is to be disciplined stewards of public dollars, maximizing the investment already approved, and pursuing partnerships that allow us to deliver strong outcomes without placing additional strain on our community.

Councilmember Goonover.

Thank you, Mayor.

And like Councilmember Filter, I would I would like to say that I 100% agree that we need a new facility.

Likewise, I cannot support a project valued at $25 million.

I I do appreciate the presentation that we received from city staff on this animal care and control facility a few weeks ago.

It is clear to me that this is a five-star uh facility for our furry friends.

However, I think given some of the pressing needs that we have in our CIP and elsewhere, I'm left wondering if a three or a four-star uh facility would would be acceptable in this situation.

I know that we have a lot of projects that we have uh in our CIP that we have pushed or that we are uh needing to do.

We have pushed fire station number one, for example.

Uh we need to make investments down along our 175th Street corridor, as we've heard from those residents.

Uh we need to make other investments in in infrastructure in our city, and I think that as we are looking at some of those projects, pinching pennies is probably the way to go.

Um so although I agree that there is a need for this facility, and I agree that we do need to do something.

I cannot support a $25 million animal control facility.

So I will be voting no today.

Um the next person that would like to speak is Councilmember Vaucis.

However, I think for my purpose, I would love to have staff justify this expense and give us a presentation if they're ready and if you could do that.

Sure.

Would you be okay with that?

Absolutely.

Okay.

You bet.

All right, thank you.

I should have asked at that at the beginning.

So yeah, but it was on the consent.

So I'm gonna get there, I promise.

Um Mike Cerna, Director of Quality of Life.

I have a brief presentation uh discussing um the project or similar projects.

And um I would just say that considerations for the costs of of this facility include design, um, some cost drivers, and then recent examples of other facilities that have been built.

So with that, the design considerations are generally the primary expenses come from building a shelter that's needed for um to ensure animal health and safety.

And so there's disease prevention, things like seamless um and disease-resistant flooring and walls.

There's HVAC systems that separate the facilities, the rooms in the facilities for the animals so that so there's a um a larger number of HVAC units, for instance, to support the facility to make sure that um disease isn't spread between um different areas of the of the uh of the facility.

Uh there's plumbing concerns, certainly, and then just operational efficiency so that um it's easy to take care of of those animals.

Um I'd go on and say industry standards have changed, and so guidelines with the from Association of Shelter Veterinarians have increased the square feet per dog, for instance, by 15.

So every year there's new guidelines and new um re not their requirements, right?

So guidelines for how you should look to build uh a shelter in the future.

Um inflation, I have an example here.

Sugarland, Texas, for instance, went to build uh a shelter, they've gone from nine to twenty million dollars.

They're a number three most livable city.

They're they're a city we are like, right?

That we are a very livable city.

We're proud of our environment, we're proud of the facilities we put in, and we have, and they have a lower population and they're spending 769 square feet, uh dollars per square feet to build their facility, and just a handful of other examples are are listed here, and they range anywhere from 603 to 882 square feet uh dollars per square feet compared to our 631 for the present proposal.

So this is what this is what I wanted to show is just this showing some examples and some of the reasons why uh the facility costs so much and that the expenses that go into it that are it's because it's a very specialized facility and it's not like others, so it does have an additional cost that isn't born in other facilities.

Okay.

Um councilmember Bachis.

Um thank you, Mayor.

I appreciate the opportunity to say just a few words.

Um thanks, Mike.

You know, I followed this project uh in great detail over the past two years and certainly have followed the plans as they evolved.

Uh and I've tried to get beyond beyond the pale in terms of my level of involvement in the details.

I I don't think there's any questions that this is coming in at the right price, given the reality that we live in.

I think it's money extremely well spent.

And I very much concerned about uh very much uh understand the concern about spending so much, but it's not that much in the scheme of things.

I think an important point for us all to realize is we don't make break ground for another 18 months under the current uh construction schedule.

We've been having a running conversation about uh a foundation, about a campaign to raise some additional money to to work with a variety of of industries that support these kinds of facilities.

I think we could certainly can get off get that off the ground, but we can't do it beforehand.

It has to be done in tandem with the approval of the construction.

So I think we're gonna find sources of revenue that will come our way that will mitigate some of the expenses, but we have to begin that process as we continue to prepare to build this building.

And I'm looking forward to seeing the groundbreaking for this building.

This is a 75-year facility that will serve a lathe well.

We should be very proud of it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember vote.

Thank you, Mayor.

It does look like a big price tag, but when you look at what construction costs today, it is appropriate.

And I would uh respectfully disagree that this is a five-star.

I think Councilmember Vacus and I were the only two that saw the initial plans, and they have cut back those plans substantially.

And the expanded version of what the council heard, if we build this at the current um price, the $19 million that was originally planned for, we will get the capacity of what we have now.

And it's inadequate.

The capacity of our shelter right now is inadequate.

So to me that would it's a waste of money.

We are not looking to build a new facility that meets the same exact needs.

This one will increase the capacity.

It will allow for growth for another 40 years.

So I think you have to keep that in mind.

You are not just building for today, but you are building for the future.

And when we hold back and we do, you know, minimize what we can use in the future, the cost in the long run increases.

And I think we need to keep that in mind.

A municipal animal shelter is a part of public safety.

It is a part of basic public safety.

It provides safe professional response to stray and dangerous animals, protects public health through rabies control, and bite investigations, and it does support law enforcement and cruelty and dangerous animal cases.

So a shelter is not an is option, is not optional.

It is an essential infrastructure.

Um this is a fit uh 40,000 square foot facility.

Um investigated other kinds of facilities, um, not just uh animal services.

Um the recent groundbreaking, or not groundbreaking, but ribbon cutting for the evergreen, senior living is a 22 square foot, uh 22,000 square foot facility, and today that would cost 25,000.

So the reality is construction is expensive.

We have an animal facility today that is inadequate if we build it with what has been previously approved.

We will not get what we need for now or for the future.

So I will be supporting this.

Uh Councilmember Essex.

Thank you.

Um just had a few comments and thoughts.

I mean, I appreciate everybody's perspective.

We all want to make sure that we're responsible with taxpayer dollars.

And I know that this was a project that was cut several times from the initial um idea that we had, and I know that we mentioned wouldn't it be great if the county would do this?

Talk to a few commissioners.

There's no interest in the county taking up a half a million people's pets and stray animals.

And so we're back to Olathe is a full service city, and this building has three price points.

It's got the billing itself, and it's a specialty building.

There's a surgery room, it's a veterinary operated uh building.

We need a lot of capacity under the new codes for animals.

Um there's been um constituents that have emailed me that they brought in some stray animals and they were turned away, they were heartbroken and said do something about this.

Um the second price point is obviously everything that goes inside of it.

And the third price point is we bought the the land around it.

So it's not all going towards one building.

There is a lot of things to consider.

And I did speak with our superintendent of schools who was thrilled with the concept of partnering with the city of Olatha to offer internships and experience for people who are interested in maybe being a vet tech or um just want to give uh community service hours.

Um we've talked about ways to fundraise or people interested in donating money.

This is something that if we do it, we need to do it well.

And I would say the best way to save taxpayer dollars is to make sure that you build a building that's gonna last for decades and not undercut that building and then have to add on when it's a lot more expensive or tear it down and build another one again.

So I think this will keep us set for decades to come.

So just a few thoughts.

Councilmember Schoonover.

I thank you, and I I appreciate everybody's thoughts.

Mike, I knew I said I wasn't gonna call you up here for a presentation, but I just for my clarification.

Can can you clarify the size of the building, please?

Because I I thought from our presentation it was 25,000 square feet.

It's under 20.

It's 23,000.

23,000.

Okay, 23,000.

Well, and I don't I don't I'm not trying to I'm not trying to Yeah, I'm I'm just if I was mistaken, I wanted to.

All right.

Well, you know, um I think Olatha should be responsible and take care of our animals in the city.

And I think the citizens appreciate that.

I know I do.

When uh I um see a dog going around, I can call the city and uh they take care of it and and uh we're not having to rely on a nonprofit.

Other communities do, and that might work out for them, but I appreciate the fact that the City of Olatha has always had this um amenity available to our citizens.

Um, I suppose we could do something that looked a little bit less uh uh fancy if it wasn't on Santa Fe, but unfortunately this property uh seemed to work best.

Staff felt like this was a good place for it, and it's going to create an opportunity for more than just a place to take away uh a wayward animal.

Um you can go there for uh and it's an easy, nice facility to to adopt a pet or to for an event around pet, you know, there's adoption weeks and things so that you might uh encourage people to select a pet.

So I see an opportunity there for the community being involved.

So that's uh really all I was going to say.

I guess a motion be an order.

I uh the the next council, I guess if they think this is too much, and there we've got a new council that's coming on, two new members.

I guess um if they wanted to reverse this, what what happens?

Would you like to respond to that, Susan?

Sure.

Um Susan Sherman, deputy city manager.

I think the um what we are doing tonight is authorizing it to 25 million dollars.

Um if the city council, a new city council had um direction for us that is different than that, we would probably still say do the 25 million dollar authorization tonight, and um we can't spend more than that, but we can spend less than that.

And the construction cost is 16 million, correct?

16.

All right.

So uh motion be in order.

All right.

Uh Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve resolution number 25-1101 authorizing the animal shelter project number PNC 6C007-23 and amending resolution 25-1025.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the city clerk please call the roll.

Mr.

Bacon, yes.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

No.

Mr.

Sconover.

No.

Dr.

Felter.

No.

Mr.

Vacchus.

Yes.

Miss Essex.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Four three.

We'll now move on to general issues and concerns of citizens.

I believe there's one individual that is signed up to speak tonight.

So would the city clerk please read the guidelines and then call up our first speaker?

The council has extended this privilege to allow people who live and work in Olatha to address concerns to the city council.

Speakers must only address the council.

Council members are not required to respond.

Welcome.

I have lived in Olatha for 45 years.

And I've never understood it.

And so the new council coming in.

Closer to the election when the voters have spoken.

Mr.

Gilmer, when I've met you.

I've always enjoyed our chats too.

And thank you for your service.

Thank you, Wes.

The next item on our agenda.

That was all the only person that signed up.

So the next item on our agenda is an executive session.

Do I hear a motion?

Mr.

Mayor, I move that the Olathe City Council recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elective personnel regarding the city manager position pursuant to the exception provided in KSA 75-4319 B one for 15th.

Fifteen minutes.

Second.

We have a motion and second with the city clerk, please call the roll.

Mr.

Vacchus.

Yes.

Miss Essex?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Ms.

Vote.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Sconover.

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Motion passes.

70.

We are reconvening from executive session.

Do I hear a motion?

Mayor, I move to authorized staff to proceed with the strategies discussed with and directed by the governing body.

Second.

Mr.

Bacon, yes.

Yes.

Mr.

Gilmore.

Yes.

Mr.

Scannover.

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Bacchus.

Yes.

Miss Essex.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Seven zero.

We'll now go to additional items.

Um start on my left, Councilmember Scoonover.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, uh, just a few items for me tonight.

Uh first, I would like to congratulate congratulate Rick Sola.

I believe I'm saying that name right, but he is the principal at Chisholm Trail Middle School, who just earned the Kansas Middle Middle School Principal of the Year.

So, in addition to having the Kansas teacher of the year, we now have the Kansas Middle Middle School.

I am choking on my words, middle school principal of the year.

Uh, we have great things going on in O'Lathan, certainly with our education.

So, congratulations to Principal Sola.

Uh, the second thing I would like to say is congratulations to our new appointees to the planning commission.

I look forward to working with them and certainly appreciate their willingness to serve on this highly compensated, generally low uh low controversy board.

Um that was sarcasm.

Uh and certain yeah, I think so.

Um so certainly look forward to working with them and then sharing their expertise.

Um I would say that I did notice um, Mayor, that that uh Ward 1 currently doesn't look to have any representation on the Planning Commission.

And I think with uh with a lot of our our development happening in Ward One, especially down south, I think that that maybe going forward we should look at at perhaps um equalizing that representation among wards on certainly on that very important commission.

Uh the second thing, or the third thing, if I could count, is I would like to kind of address the uh the elephant in the room.

Um, and that is, you know, last Friday, obviously we had a I think a difficult city council meeting in which we uh expressed some disagreement with each other um and and uh with with our respective visions for for what should happen.

Um I will say I was uh vocal about that, not only at the meeting, but but afterwards.

And I know that uh certainly we have all discussed among ourselves and we all agree that um uh uh even when we disagree, we need to not uh harm Olatha's brand.

And and I would say that um from my standpoint, um you know, disagreement is not dysfunction.

And uh I I am being genuine when I say that I learned from our disagreements with each other.

Um so I think that when our council can can talk about issues and uh discuss them with each other and then also inform our residents that we are doing exactly what uh we were elected to do.

And so um certainly uh it's not often that we disagree on things, and I think when we do it, we do it well.

And so I just want to say that as as disappointed as I was when I left our meeting on Friday, I'll say I'm as proud uh of this council today because we have acknowledged that when we do disagree, and perhaps when we when we need to make corrections that we're willing to do that, we're willing to do that publicly.

So thank you all very much for that.

Councilmember Essex.

I do have more on my sheet that I need to get through.

No, it's it's a special end of the year uh session, so I want to make sure and and just recognize a few special people.

Um wanted to start by saying thank you to Michael Wilkes for your steady leadership.

I know that we have a few more weeks with you, so it's not goodbye just yet, but thank you for answering the call when asked uh to stay on and see through the transformative projects you championed and that you're willing to postpone your retirement in service to the city speaks volumes.

When a unanimous vote fell short, your professionalism and grace did not.

This city is a better place because of your commitment, so thank you.

And of course, I want to say congratulations to our future city manager, uh Susan Sherman.

First, I want to say thank you for your patience with the process.

And it was a process.

Um you bring a deep loyalty to the city, strong relationships within our community, and you have the trust and respect of the people who work alongside you every day, and that is so important.

I look forward to working together to strengthen our economy, address our city's challenges, and build a future that reflects the best of who we are.

I'm committed to supporting you in this role and know we will see great things ahead.

Wanted to also mention um someone else is leaving us.

Um Tim Danenberg.

I know he hates the attention, but I'm gonna do it anyway.

Um I will keep it short.

But thank you for your where is Tim?

He's in the back.

Is he hiding?

Okay, look at him.

Thank you for your 25 years of service and dedication to this city.

Thank you for answering phone calls any time of the day and night.

I don't know if most people know this, but Tim has helped the city bring in tens of millions of dollars over the years on CIP projects.

He's just been right there the whole time.

Um you're always the first to give others the recognition, but tonight I wanted to recognize you.

So God bless you and your future endeavors.

And thank you again, Tim.

And two more people.

Yep.

I'm almost done.

Okay.

Um Susie Carson and Brad Cornell, um, their combined years of service on the Aletha Chamber.

Talk about two wonderful people who light up a room just with their presence.

And I just want to wish them the best on this next chapter.

And lastly, I wish to uh wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy new year and encourage all of us to use this season of joy and giving to focus on the things that unite us instead of what divides us.

I hope you enjoy time with family and friends, and I'll see you next year.

Thanks.

Councilmember Gilmore.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to say I've already said enough to think tonight, but uh wanted to say before I turn the mic off for the last time.

Michael, thank you for your service.

I know there'll be more time for that in the future, but I knew you before I came into this role, and thank you for all you've done and your leadership.

Susan, I wish you the absolute best in your new role, lots of confidence in what you're going to be about to take on.

And so God bless you and Merry Christmas to everyone and happy new year.

Councilmember vote.

Also want to thank Michael for your service.

It has been a privilege to work alongside you.

And of course, congratulations, Susan.

I have full confidence in your ability to lead this organization with integrity, professionalism, and vision.

So look forward to seeing that as a citizen.

And I too would like to wish everyone uh a Merry Christmas to all.

And it is my wish that we have peace on earth and goodwill.

Thank you, Mark.

Starts with each of us, and then we will have a happy new year.

Thank you.

Councilmember Felter.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

Um I'd like to start out and ask staff and the city attorney to walk the council through the best practices related to the contract that we are offering, so that we can ensure that the contract we offer is modern, equitable, and consistent, specifically of interest to me, or how expectations and processes for routine city manager evaluations are clearly spelled out in the contract.

So I asked Aaron Vader today to address this a bit.

Sorry to put you on the spot.

I think we'll stay formal.

So Aaron Vader, Director of Exceptional Services.

I may need where's Ron.

There he is, hiding behind Brenda.

Uh Ron may need to answer some of the legalities of your question.

Um but the fortunate thing is we have professional organizations like the International National City County Management Association, and so they have best practices in employment um examples for us to use, and they're modern and consistent and all the things that you would be looking for as a governing body.

Good.

I I would encourage us to um benchmark our peer cities here in Johnson County specifically also to see you know what what theirs look like and we want to be the best of the best.

So absolutely.

We stand ready uh at your direction to provide whatever documents you need to uh make sure that we have the most competitive contract.

Thank you.

And um Ron, to put you on the spot, sorry.

Um I had asked you this week about when we have vague motions coming out of executive session, which are uh just by the nature of executive sessions, sensitive and and legally bounded by what we can do in executive session.

Uh what I asked you is who conveys the instructions, especially when the city manager isn't back there with us, and then where is it documented?

Would you mind talking about that a bit?

Certainly.

So I'll take it a couple different directions.

So uh if we have the motion like the city council had tonight, and staff was in there, we know exactly what you said.

We'll meet and confer and make sure staff is on the same page.

In this case, we um Leslie Fortney has been involved in dire in the primary staff person interacting with SGR.

Um I presume you someone on the governing body will communicate to Leslie the direction that you would like to have in regard to the subject matter that you talked about, um, so that we can make sure we're conveying the governing body's intent as we work with SGR and execute the motion that you all approve tonight.

Great.

I appreciate that.

And I would would you have we benchmarked that with peer cities, how they handle the same type situations.

Right.

So it would be up to the governing body if it wanted to clarify these motions on on matters such as this.

Um it's become the practice of this governing body.

Um I've been here for 20 years, and the governing body has uh performed its annual evaluation of its direct reports on an annual basis.

It has typically uh thanked that person uh for their service and has not talked about changes to contracts, and so that's why the current contract that we have with city manager is uh not been changed for many, many years.

Um whatever direction is provided is is really just directly to staff in regard to compensation adjustments that have no bearing on the actual contract itself.

So that's why that's been the way it's been done.

Doesn't mean that's the way that you all have to keep doing it.

If you all want to provide uh a motion that gives uh a bit more clear direction, that's your prerogative, and we're glad to take whatever direction you'd like to provide us when you come out and give those motions.

Great.

I can hear Michael Wilkes right now.

That's a retreat subject, right?

So thank you for that.

I'd just like to put that on our radar in an effort to be more transparent with the community.

I I see value in investigating and looking into best practices and documenting for us in case we forget some of the details, which never happens, but just in case.

So thank you very much, Aaron and Ron.

And uh as we close out the year, I want to thank colleagues, our staff, especially Michael Wilkes and Susan.

So proud of you guys, the dynamic duo, and um looking forward to our bright future together.

Um, Kevin and Marge, we will miss you greatly, and I wish you all the best.

And um, I'm wishing everyone a restful holiday season and the coming work together that we are gonna work on.

We'll need all of our strength.

We've got some heavy lifting to do, but the future is bright.

Thank you.

Councilmember Vaucus.

Thanks, Mayor.

The um, I'm joyful.

We're entering a holiday season, and I really am joyful.

Um I would say first of all, thanks to Michael and Susan.

Susan, my next comment to you is what have you done for me lately?

So I'm looking forward to seeing how we ratchet things up, quite frankly.

And to Michael Wilkes is a guy that I'm gonna miss, but I hope to see him on the streets and I'll I'll seek you out.

You can be assured of that.

You know, everyone, I I would just tell everyone here in the room, the general public who might listen that we have a great city council.

It is wonderful that we can have a fist fight behind closed doors on occasion, but we rise to the occasion uh and we coalesce.

That's really noteworthy.

Our ability to function as a high performing city council is noteworthy and it's extraordinary.

And as we look forward to the transition to the new team, while we hate to see a couple of the members depart, the new team has the potential to be the next step up, I think.

And I think quite frankly, as you look at all of the the things that are going on here in Olatha, we have the potential to be entering, and I'll use the terms a golden age.

And so the next decade for Aletha is going to be exceptionally important.

It's exciting time to be here in the city.

You know, I'll use a quote.

All's well it ends well.

I think we're ending very well at this stage.

Lastly, I'd say that uh, you know, look, a measure of our worth is how we treat our animals.

Uh I'm very glad that we passed the motion today for our uh animal shelter.

It's going to make Olatha that much better.

I wish everybody a Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a joyous holidays, and I look forward to seeing everyone January 6th at our next council meeting.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Uh City Manager Michael Wilkes or Susan Sherman.

Any both of you are told Yeah.

Well, thank you, City Council Mayor.

I'm honored to uh be able to serve the City Council, this organization, and the community going forward.

We have lots of great things ahead of us.

We'll continue to do exceptional services, and together, you, the staff, and everyone uh making sure that that we f thrive into the future.

So I'm excited.

Thank you so much.

Anything further, Michael?

I have a couple of items.

Uh first of all, I will thank you to Michael and Susan, the great team, and looking forward to working with you, Susan going forward.

Um I want to thank everyone who helped to make the tree lighting ceremony a success.

Um I love having it back in our downtown.

If you didn't see it on your way in, make sure you swing by the South Side.

It's at the South Side of the Library and check it out.

It looks incredible.

Um thanks as well to everyone who supported the Olatha Mayor's Children's Fund at the event.

We um help so the people there raised an additional six, six hundred dollars that night.

So thanks especially to the Olatha Community Prayer Breakfast Committee.

They presented a check that night uh for the Olatha Mayor's Children's Fund of 17,000 or 17,500.

And that's the biggest donation ever from that group, and Kevin's on that uh committee, so thank you, Kevin.

Um all of this money goes to help our Olatha kids with their basic needs.

And so I would just say that we're getting really close to our goal this year of 160,000.

But if you would like to help us out, you can still make a donation at OlathaCares.org.

And then too, I wanted to say something nice about Tim Dannenberg.

Uh tonight is the last City Council meeting for Tim Dannenberg.

He is our director of external affairs.

Tim just marked 25 years with the city.

In that time, he played an important role with for the organization, especially for the council.

We've been able to lean on him for guidance on media relations, public uh face facing issues, as well as state and federal legislative priorities.

And you know, I don't know if Tim wants to be credited with this or not, but he has also been my head joke writer on the state of the city the past five years.

So I don't know if that's good or bad, Tim.

Uh Tim, thank you for your dedication to Olatha for your support of this council and for everything you've done for this organization and community.

You will be missed, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter.

I too would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Um and with that, thank you all for joining us this evening, and uh we are adjourned.