Latha City Council Meeting Summary - January 20, 2026

The Latha City Council convened for its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, featuring the retirement recognition of long-serving City Manager Michael Wilkes following 27 years of service. The session included routine approvals, extensive public comments regarding large-scale development projects and civil liberties, and detailed discussions on the City Hall Parking Garage and Fire Station No. 4 projects. The council also addressed student achievements and new organizational appointments before recessing into an executive session regarding municipal personnel.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 25-1007: Approved 7-0 to reappoint a member to the Board of Housing Commissioners, specifically recognizing John Benny's tenure as treasurer and committee member.
• Item L (Resolution 26-1012): Approved 7-0 to authorize the 2026 Neighborhood and School Traffic Safety Improvements Project (PN3-C-048-26), utilizing a grant to leverage a $50,000 city contribution for over $900,000 in safety measures.
• Item N (Resolution 26-1014): Approved 7-0 to authorize the 2026 Streetlight LED Conversion and Maintenance Project (PN3-C-009-26).
• Item S (Agreement with BNSF): Approved 7-0 to secure funding from BNSF and the Federal Railway Administration for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project (PN3-C-029-24). This begins a multi-year study to improve safety and traffic flow on the west side of the city.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlotte O'Hara: Expressed strong opposition and concern regarding the compressed timeline and lack of public oversight for the Chiefs practice fields and executive offices project. The speaker argued that while $975 million of public funds are being leveraged for the project, the public is being excluded from review, stating, "billionaires have one level of standards, and the rest of us have another." The speaker cited the "Open Meetings Act" and expressed worry over "double standards of every kind" regarding the financing and legislative process.
• Bridget Moore: Stated concern for the safety and civil liberties of the diverse Olatha community in the event of ICE enforcement actions. The speaker opposed potential warrantless door-to-door entries and urged the City Council and Police Department to take the lead in pre-planning to protect residents and officers, emphasizing the need to uphold the Fourth Amendment and constitutional rights.

Discussion Items

• City Hall Parking Garage Project: Staff presented a recommendation to utilize a cast-in-place concrete structural system rather than pre-cast. The speaker (Graham Still) argued that while cast-in-place has a higher initial cost, it offers significantly lower long-term maintenance costs over 40 years, superior aesthetics, and enhanced safety perceptions due to greater openness. The project is anticipated to break ground in June 2026, with a completion target before Old Settlers' Days 2027. Council members inquired about EV charging safety and future expansion, receiving assurances that EV fires are minimal and the building is designed for future scalability.
• Fire Station No. 4 Project: The design team presented a concept for a new station on the current site (approximately 50 years old). The design prioritizes durability, tradition, and health/safety, featuring a gym facing a mature tree line and living quarters upstairs. The initial construction phase is planned to start following the design approval process. A council member requested the inclusion of a trail and pickleball court to connect the station with the adjacent creek and community.

Key Outcomes

• Personnel: Unanimously approved the reappointment of a Board of Housing Commissioner member. Authorized the city to proceed with strategies discussed in the executive session regarding the evaluation of a municipal court judge, with the Mayor noting the council's full support for the judge's continued employment.
• Fiscal & Safety: Approved resolutions for traffic safety improvements (leveraging a 99% match grant) and LED streetlight conversions. Secured an agreement with BNSF to initiate preliminary engineering for the West Track Separation.
• Development Approvals: Approved 7-0 the rezoning for Solomon's Porch Assisted Living (32-bed facility) and Stellar Apartments (280 units), as well as the annexation of 4.57 acres for a private Catholic school.
• Mayor's Address: Stated the intention that the Chiefs project will make Olatha more prosperous. Clarified that STAR bonds will be used to fund the project without raising direct taxes on residents. Noted that a public hearing and vote on the sales tax pledge are required before February 20, 2026, with dates pending finalization.
• New Appointments: Introduced Jamie Robishad as the new Director of Economy and Lucas Mellinger as the new Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
• Next Events: Highlighted "Student Government Day" on February 6th and a celebration for the student robotics team preparing for competitions.