Olathe City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026: Survey, Appointments, Rezoning
Olathe City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Olathe City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a moment of silence for Kansas State Representative John Resman, appointments to advisory boards, a presentation of the 2025 DirectionFinder Survey results, consent agenda actions, a rezoning approval, and a closed executive session on security measures.
Special Business – Appointments
- Resolution No. 26-1022 (Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board): Appointed Magna Samantha Carlos-Trevino, introduced by board chair Mark Gash. Approved 7-0.
- Resolution No. 26-1023 (Olathe Historic Preservation Board): Appointed Emma Plankers and John Sorensen, and reappointed Tom Kearney (chair). Approved 7-0.
Special Business – 2025 DirectionFinder Survey Presentation
Chris Tatham, CEO of ETC Institute, presented results from the annual survey of 2,100 Olathe residents (margin of error ±2.1%, 95% confidence). Key findings:
- Overall satisfaction with city services remained at 92%, while the national average dropped to 43% – making Olathe 49% above the U.S. average, the highest relative position ever.
- Perceived value for taxes: 68% (more than double the national average).
- Top-rated categories: trash/yard waste/curbside recycling (96% positive), water pressure, emergency medical services, fire services.
- Notable year-over-year increases: stormwater runoff management, household hazardous waste disposal, adaptive recreation programs.
- Notable decreases: snow removal on neighborhood streets (-11%), public transportation perceptions (-10%), level of public involvement (-7%), city codes/ordinances enforcement (-6%), traffic congestion (-5% to 66% positive).
- Top priority for residents: traffic flow (65% rated as most important), followed by maintenance of streets/sidewalks, and police/emergency services.
- Councilmember Essex inquired about apparent low response in Ward 1; Tatham clarified each ward had approximately 100 responses, and map dots may reflect multifamily housing clusters.
Consent Calendar
Most items approved together on a motion by Vakas, seconded by Felter (carried 7-0), except item K pulled for separate discussion.
- Routine approvals included: minutes of February 17, 2026 meeting; new licenses; final plats for Parkside Reserve Seventh Plat, Hedge Industrial Park North First, Corporate Ridge Apartments; multiple mill and overlay contracts (McAnany Construction for 2026 Local/Collector Group A, 135th Street, Kansas Avenue, 119th Street; Freeman Concrete for Group B); Grant Street Waterline Improvements (Leath & Sons); Johnson County agreement for stormwater asset management; design contract for Kansas City Road mill and overlay (Walter P. Moore); master agreement with TREKK Design Group; biosolids disposal contract with Waste Management; lease-to-purchase for lab equipment with Agilent; fund transfer for Transfer Station Expansion; contract with Haren Companies for general construction; 2026 Outdoor Sculpture Series.
Consent Agenda – Item K (Separate Discussion)
Councilmember Creighton requested item K be considered separately. Nate Baldwin, City Engineer, provided a timeline update for three related projects in the Black Bob Road area:
- Black Bob South (159th to 167th) – Under construction, widening to four-lane divided arterial; roundabout at 167th/Black Bob open; anticipated completion early summer 2026.
- Black Bob North (153rd Terrace to 159th Street) – Mill and overlay at north end, plus widening to four-lane divided with turn lanes, sidewalks, and a new bridge (replacing a significant culvert). Construction begins spring 2026, continuing through summer 2027. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026 (5:30–6:30 PM).
- 159th Street (Brome to Black Bob) – Widening, sidewalk improvements, storm sewers, and a traffic signal at Brome/Black Bob. Utility relocations may push construction to 2028. Motion to approve item K (contract to Superior Bowen Asphalt Company, LLC) carried 7-0.
New Business – Rezoning
Ordinance No. 26-10 (RZ25-0019) – Rezoning of approximately 4.7 acres from RUR (County Rural) to M-2 (General Industrial) for the 175th Lone Elm Center, located northeast of W. 175th Street and Lone Elm Road. The Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0. The council approved the ordinance 7-0 on a motion by Vakas, seconded by Felter.
Executive Session
The council recessed into a closed executive session to discuss security measures of the city’s information system (pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(12)) for 30 minutes, starting at 7:35 PM. An additional 10-minute extension was approved. After reconvening at approximately 8:05 PM, the council voted 7-0 to authorize staff to proceed with the strategies discussed.
Additional Items – Councilmember Comments
- Councilmember Creighton thanked prior councils for traffic improvement investments and staff for engaging citizens about the upcoming I-35/Santa Fe Street project.
- Councilmember Schoonover echoed appreciation for staff and noted that traffic congestion will worsen before it improves.
- Councilmember Felter thanked residents for supporting the USD 233 school bond (approximately 63% approval, $389 million) and expressed excitement about Santa Fe/I-35 demolition progress.
- Councilmember Vakas praised staff professionalism and competence.
- Councilmember Essex expressed surprise at the snow removal rating drop, as she receives positive comments during storms, and offered condolences to Representative Resman’s family.
- Councilmember Deneault thanked IT staff (specifically Barrett) for keeping the organization safe and secure.
- City Manager Susan Sherman thanked the council for their support and budget confidence.
- Mayor Bacon thanked attendees of the joint planning commission meeting on the draft comprehensive plan “Elevate Olathe” (expected adoption this spring) and adjourned the meeting at 8:24 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Before we begin tonight, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a great loss suffered this week with the passing of Kansas State Representative John Resman. John was a great American, a wonderful Olatha citizen, and an exemplary public servant who represented our community well in Topeka. He will be missed. As a community, I ask that we remember John's family, friends, and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers. And at this time, please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Next on our agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. With us tonight is Cub Scout Pack 3412 and Girl Scout Girl Scout Troop 7699. So would these scouts please come forward and lead us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Let's thank our scouts for help. Next on our agenda is special business item A is consideration of resolution number 26-1022, appointing a member to the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board. Do I hear a motion? Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second with the city clerk, please call a roll. Mr. Bacon. Yes. Mr. Schoonover? Yes. Dr. Felter? Yes. Mr. Vacas? Yes. Ms. Essex? Yes. Mr. Creighton? Yes. Mr. Dinal? Yes. Motion passes. 7-0. The Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board gives us a voice to some of Olatha's most vulnerable residents and works to ensure our high quality of life in Olatha is available to all. So tonight we are appointing one new member. So here to introduce her is board chair, Mark Gass. Mark. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, Council and guests. Nice job, Scouts.
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