Overland Park City Council Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Overland Park City Council met on Monday, September 28, 2026, to consider two major public-private development projects, adopt the Playbook OP Parks Master Plan, receive public comments, and conduct routine business. The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance and public comment period, followed by a proclamation honoring David Warm of the Mid-America Regional Council. The council then held public hearings and voted on tax increment financing (TIF) and community improvement district (CID) plans for the Canvas project at 8036 Metcalf and the Overland Park Plaza 2 / Black & Veatch world headquarters project. Both projects were approved unanimously. The council also adopted the Playbook OP parks plan (9-1, with Councilmember Cheatham dissenting).

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: routine consent agenda items (no items removed).
• Approved designation of voting and alternate delegates to the National League of Cities Summit: Councilmember Eunice Yunis as voting delegate, Councilmember Andrew Payne and Assistant City Manager Kate Gunja as alternates.
• Approved Resolution 5159 consenting to the transfer and assignment of Lot 15 of the Galleria 115 development to Montecito Medical, a qualified medical office building owner.
• Approved Resolution 5161 setting a public hearing date (future) for a TIF project plan at 8201 Metcalf.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Gonska (15639 Beverly Street) – Expressed enthusiasm for community involvement and public-private partnerships, highlighting his family’s positive experience in Overland Park and his desire to contribute to the city’s ongoing efforts. He noted his background in recreation partnerships from Dublin, Ohio, and sought to learn more about local initiatives.
• Don Kamenseck (10834 West 116th Terrace) – Raised concerns about inadequate ADA-accessible parking at the downtown Overland Park farmers market. He described the lack of van-accessible spaces, dangerously sloped lots, and instances where market personnel removed cones he placed to reserve needed space for his son’s wheelchair ramp. He urged the council to address the problem from the perspective of actual users, not just technical compliance.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation for David Warm – Mayor Scook and Councilmembers honored David Warm, retiring Executive Director of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), for 36 years of regional collaboration. Warm expressed gratitude and noted the long partnership with Overland Park.
• Canvas at 8036 Metcalf (AD 36 Metcalf TIF Project) – Assistant City Manager Jack Messer and Todd Lesala presented a summary. The project involves a mixed-use building (221 apartments, 5,600 sq ft retail, underground and surface parking) on the former Winstead site. TIF cap: $15.9 million (95% of eligible increment, 20-year term, pay-as-you-go). CID: 1% retail sales tax with $375,000 cap. Councilmember Cheatham asked about CID applicability to online shopping and the 95% increment compared to draft policy (90%). The council voted unanimously to approve the TIF ordinance (RD-3533) and CID ordinance (CID-3534), and subsequently adopted Resolution 5160 for Economic Development Revenue Bonds (EDRBs) for sales tax exemption on construction materials.
• Overland Park Plaza 2 / Black & Veatch World Headquarters – Extensive presentation by Messer and Lesala covering a 30-acre, multi-phase development (total project value $1.34 billion). Phase 1: 729,000 sq ft Class A office (Black & Veatch world headquarters), 2,600-space parking structure, 25,000 sq ft commercial, daycare center. TIF cap: $132.5 million for Phase 1A, with earn-up from 90% to 100% of eligible increment based on delivering additional phases. Aggregate TIF cap if all phases built: $253 million. CID: 1.5% sales tax, shared 50-50 with city, developer cap up to $11.6 million (earn-up). TDD (transportation development district) of 0.5% later. EDRBs for sales tax exemption on construction materials up to $250 million. Key commitments: 2,033 full-time employees with average salary ≥$100,000; daycare slots available to city employees; $4 million contribution to City Hall Plaza; LEED v4 Silver certification; annual $5,000 donation to ARF. Councilmembers discussed evolution from public park/streets to private streets with public access and the $4 million contribution. Councilmember Cheatham asked about necessity; staff confirmed partnership is necessary to retain Black & Veatch. Council voted unanimously on: TIF ordinance (RD-3536), CID ordinance (CID-3537), redevelopment agreement resolution (5162), EDRB intent resolutions (5163 and 5164).
• Playbook OP Parks Master Plan Adoption – The Committee of the Whole recommended adoption after revisions from April-August meetings. Councilmember Cheatham opposed due to changes to the aquatics section that deviated from community recommendations. The plan passed 9-1 (one opposing vote).
• City Manager Report – Laurie Curtis Luther noted the Property Tax Rebate Program help session on September 29 (noon to 2 pm at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center), correcting earlier misstatement.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of Canvas TIF (RD-3533), CID (CID-3534), and EDRB resolution (5160).
• Unanimous approval of Overland Park Plaza 2 TIF (RD-3536), CID (CID-3537), redevelopment agreement (Resolution 5162), and EDRB resolutions (5163, 5164).
• Playbook OP adopted (9-1, Councilmember Cheatham opposed).
• Consent agenda, NLC delegates, and property transfer/assignment approved unanimously.
• Public hearing date set for 8201 Metcalf TIF (Resolution 5161).
• City staff will continue discussions on a potential dedicated sales tax for parks funding at the first October Committee of the Whole.