Olatha City Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026

The Olatha City Council convened a regular meeting featuring an executive session regarding financial strategies, the formal recognition of new City Manager Susan Sherman following a brief reception, and proclamations for Black History Month and Random Acts of Kindness Week. The primary item of business was a public hearing and vote on Ordinance 26-06, which would authorize the city to participate in a state Starbond project to support the Kansas City Chiefs' new headquarters and training facility. Following extensive public testimony and council deliberation on the financial implications, transparency concerns, and long-term impacts on the community, the council unanimously approved the ordinance and several additional rezoning and annexation items before adjourning.

Consent Calendar

• Approved routine items A through L.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Support: Speakers including Jacob Swisher, Jib Felcher, Aaron Bishop, Wade Kiefer (representing the Tri-County Labor Council/AFL-CIO), Dr. Alison Manikowski, John North, and Keith Lawrence expressed full support for the Starbond project. Jib Felcher argued that economic tools are necessary for growth and that taxpayers' money would fund a project generating new revenue. Wade Kiefer emphasized the creation of union careers and the retention of tax revenue within the metro area. John North highlighted the Chiefs' history of community generosity and partnership.
• Opposition: Speakers including Jeremy Thurston, Peter Marsh, Dustin Morris, Jacob Swisher (in the second group), David Frank, Dean Killian, Larry Tucker, Charlotte O'Hara, Derek Christensen, Terrence McIff, Roxanne Gellis, Laura Johnson, Mary Blake, Ian Pierce, Leslie Lorenz, Keith Lawrence (in the second group regarding specific tax details), Clinton (veteran), Raja, and Bill Nash expressed strong opposition. Their positions focused on:
  • Lack of Transparency: Multiple speakers (Thurston, Marsh, McIff, Gellis, Pierce) argued the process was rushed, lacked full civic engagement, and that detailed fiscal analysis was being performed after the vote rather than before.
  • Fiscal Risk: Critics (S.Griesheimer, Morris, Tucker, Gellis, Christensen) contended that Starbonds divert revenue that could fund housing and infrastructure, citing historical precedents where stadium projects failed to generate projected revenue. They noted that while the City Attorney stated it is not city debt, the opportunity cost of pledging 30 years of sales tax revenue is significant.
  • Inequity: Several speakers (Morris, Gellis, Blake, Raja, Pierce) characterized the deal as "corporate welfare" for billionaires, arguing that private entities should not use public tax dollars to subsidize their private facilities.
  • Impact on Residents: Speakers (Killian, Tucker, Blake, Lorenz, Raja) expressed concern that property values and taxes would rise, pricing out seniors, families, and those on fixed incomes.
• Animal Welfare: Representatives from Unity (organization) and Carol Davis spoke regarding municipal ordinances, requesting changes to allow Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats and modifications to wildlife feeding laws.

Discussion Items

• Starbond Ordinance 26-06: City Attorney Ron Shaver presented the proposal, clarifying that the pledge applies only to incremental tax revenue generated within a 165-acre base revenue area (College and Ridgeview) and does not include voter-approved street or park taxes. He stated the bonds are not city debt and are backed only by the new development's revenues.
• Transparency Concerns: City Council members Essex and Bacon acknowledged the frustration regarding the lack of prior information but noted that over 90% of emails received were supportive, despite the volume of in-person opposition. They emphasized that the city must act within the state-mandated 60-day window.
• Fiscal Stewardship: Councilmember Felter argued the vote is about maintaining the city's low mill levy by broadening the tax base. Councilmember Scoonover and Vacus highlighted that the land was previously undeveloped and that the State's portion of the Starbond covers the large stadium district, while Olatha is only pledging revenue from a small, currently tax-free area.
• Animal Ordinances: Councilmember Vacus agreed to modernize animal ordinances to support the new shelter and enable a TNR program, though funding remains a future discussion point.

Key Outcomes

• Starbond Approval: Ordinance 26-06 passed 7-0, authorizing the city to pledge sales tax revenue within the 165-acre base revenue area to support the Kansas City Chiefs headquarters and training facility.
• Rezoning Approval: Ordinance 26-07 (RZ25-0017) passed 7-0 to rezone property to the Cedar Creek District (CC) to align with the comprehensive plan.
• Annexation Approval: Ordinance 26-08 (ANX 26-3001) passed 7-0 to annex approximately 4.70 acres northeast of West 175th Street and Lone Elm Road.
• Recognition: The Council officially recognized Susan Sherman as the new City Manager and adopted proclamations for Black History Month and Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 16-20, 2026).
• Future Actions: The Council agreed to examine a Responsible Bidder's Ordinance (RBO) later in the year and to continue the process of developing specific agreements for the Chiefs project.