Overland Park City Council Meeting – January 26, 2026

The Overland Park City Council met on January 26, 2026, addressing a range of topics including a public hearing on CDBG amendments, approval of a task order for the police training facility, and updates on snow operations and city programs. The meeting also included public comments on city services and infrastructure, and the mayor provided remarks on immigration enforcement policies.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (excluding items 7 and 16) by unanimous roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Jiskra (6321 West 108th Street, Overland Park) spoke on multiple topics: advocated for the city to perform mowing, planting, and trimming of shrubs in-house rather than contracting out; cited benefits including training workers and availability for snow removal; requested better lane markings on ramps, especially at 435 westbound; reported 27 diamond signs knocked down from March 2024 to March 2025; suggested using reflective stakes to prevent vehicle damage; and noted that visitors are expected this summer.
• No public comments were offered during the public hearing on the CDBG amendments.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing and CDBG Amendment: Aaron Olig, Strategic Planning Manager, presented proposed amendments to the five-year consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant program. A 30-day public comment period and two public hearings were held; no comments were received. Resolution 5083 was adopted unanimously.
• Mayor’s Remarks on Immigration Enforcement: The mayor read from the police transparency page, stating that Overland Park is a welcoming community, the police department does not enforce federal immigration law, but Kansas law prohibits municipalities from limiting federal immigration enforcement. The city has no 287G agreement with ICE. The mayor emphasized residents' right to peaceful protest and encouraged those stressed to know they are not alone.
• Council President Report: Melissa Cheatham announced that Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is home to over 40 new baby goats; 33 have already kidded, with about 50 expected total. This year’s naming theme is soccer terms due to the World Cup, with the first kids named Nutmeg and Boots. Volunteers will help socialize them before the farmstead opens April 1.
• City Manager Report: Lori Curtis Luther provided a final update on the recent winter storm: pre-treatment began Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., crews started 12-hour shifts Friday at 7:30 p.m., plowing began Saturday focusing on thoroughfares then residential streets. Most areas saw about six inches of snow. The new plow map performed well with minimal OP CARES requests. Additionally, Club 27 at Sykes Lady (Overland Park Golf Club) was the second most searched restaurant on Kansas City Restaurant Week website out of 242 participants, with over 32,000 page visits.
• Item 7 – Police Training Facility Task Order: Councilmember Payne questioned project manager Tony about budget, scope, and cost implications. Tony confirmed total project cost remains within previous allocation, no substantive changes to budget or financing since prior approval, and that this task order does not lock in future costs. The construction manager at risk method was explained: selected contractor Titan Build LC, pre-construction contract, task order for guaranteed maximum price including contingency. Motion to approve task order number one for $19,571,193 was approved unanimously.
• Item 16 – Council Minutes: Councilmember Cheatham moved to approve minutes from September 8, 2025 as presented and from January 12, 2026 with the addition of the full list of named snow plows. After some discussion, Cheatham read the list of approximately 50 names (e.g., 404 Snow Not Found, Abominable Snowplow, etc.). Motion approved unanimously.
• Item 18 – Promontory Shopping Center Pad Site Transfer: Todd Lasala, outside counsel for economic development, presented an assignment and transfer of a pad site at 89th and Metcalf (containing bowling, Sally’s Beauty Supply, and Sola Salons) to Bond Street REIT, a real estate investment trust owning 42 similar properties. The project is nearly complete with a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) on half the building. Due diligence found favorable experience and net worth. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion to approve Resolution 5091 passed by roll call vote (11-0).
• Executive Session: Councilmember Cheatham moved to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss security measures within the emergency operations plan. Motion approved unanimously; meeting resumed at 8:30 p.m. and then adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 5083 (CDBG amendments) adopted unanimously.
• Task order for police training facility in amount of $19,571,193 approved unanimously.
• Council minutes from September 8, 2025 and January 12, 2026 approved with addition of snow plow names; both approved unanimously.
• Resolution 5091 (Promontory pad site transfer) approved by roll call vote (11-0).
• Proposed appointments and reappointments approved unanimously.
• Executive session held for 30 minutes to discuss security measures.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned after the executive session.