Topeka City Governing Body First Meeting of 2026 – January 7, 2026

The Topeka City Governing Body convened on January 6, 2026 local time (recorded timestamp January 7, 2026, 01:40 UTC) for its first meeting of the year. The session included swearing-in ceremonies, election of a deputy mayor, approval of the consent agenda, public comment, and announcements. Eight council members were present; Council Member Valdivia Aquila was absent.

Swearing-In Ceremony

• Councilwoman Ortiz introduced John Cantrell, who delivered the invocation; the Pledge of Allegiance followed.
• Oaths of office were administered to Mayor Spencer Duncan and Council Members Karen Hiller (District 1), Brett Kell (District 5), Michelle Bradbury (District 7), Michelle Hofer (District 9), and Sylvia Ortiz (District 3).
• Mayor Duncan, noting his 50th birthday, said his first 100 days would be spent working with the existing city team to make the next 1,400 days successful.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved Items A-F, resolutions from the Public Infrastructure Committee (Ortiz, Banks, Dobler), recommending approval of: street and stormwater improvements to Southwest 42nd Street east of Martin Drive (projects 84109904 and 50112504); 2026 micro surfacing (projects 84110601 and 841104044); alley repair and utility improvements south of 2nd Street between Woodlawn and Greenwood (projects 84120102, 281250.18, and 2911 2810); construction of sidewalk on Northwest Lyman Road (project 70 1050); an amendment to the 2025-2027 CIB and 2025-2034 CIP for additional funding for project 70 1039 (Southeast 29th Street from Kansas Avenue to Adams Street); and approval of project 70 1039 and other street and utility improvements for the same corridor.
• Item G approved the minutes of the regular meeting of December 16, 2025, and one Cereal Beverage application for Dove Boys Pizzeria at 1312 North Kansas Avenue; staff recommended approval.
• The motion, made by Deputy Mayor Kell and seconded by Councilmember Banks, carried 8-0.

Election of Deputy Mayor

• Councilmember Hofer was automatically nominated under the governing body rules, accepted the nomination, and no other nominations were offered.
• A written ballot was used; Councilmember Miller was allowed to vote via Zoom without objection. Hofer was elected deputy mayor unanimously for a one-year term.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gretchen Eichmann expressed concerns about inadequate training and legal interpretation by security officers, hospital and library staff, and the Topeka Police Department; she also cited foreclosure difficulties, misinformation from Kansas Legal Services, violence, litter, and low test scores, and said the focus should be on Topeka's children.
• Keely Addington demanded release of body camera footage in the Dylan Wallström police shooting. She acknowledged the city has called it a justified shooting and said she was not arguing that the officer did not fear for his life, but argued that 'emptying the clip was unnecessary' and that 'it didn't take nine bullets in the head to disable him.' She said the family wants the footage released, quoted public criticism of city leadership, and said she wants accountability and closure for the family rather than disrespect toward officers.
• Sandra Lasseter congratulated Mayor Duncan and Councilmember Bradbury and used a Wizard of Oz analogy to ask leaders to show brain, heart, and courage. She called for transparency, a 'fix it in 26' theme, and said the Dylan Wallström claim was 'minuscule' and should not have been denied. She announced a January 10 forum at Faith Temple Church about children interrogated by Topeka Police without parental consent, and invited officials and council members.
• Daniel Twemlow raised contracting concerns involving Kansas Topsoil, citing discrepancies between city website data and work-order records, including 70 versus 65 hydrant replacements, mismatched locations, same-day work orders and fast payments, a $13,910 valve-replacement payment he said should have cost at most $5,350, and a $25,948 water-main repair paid within days. He said silence and inaction make the city appear complicit and asked for action while the company is still working.

Announcements and District 8 Vacancy

• Mayor Duncan's former District 8 council seat is vacant. Applications will be accepted January 12-26 at 5 p.m.; applicants may pay a $50 fee or submit 50 signatures of registered voters in District 8. Qualifications include being 18, a District 8 resident, a U.S. citizen, and a registered voter. Interviews are scheduled for February 3, or February 10 if needed; the appointee will serve the remainder of the term before the seat is up for election.
• The City Clerk previewed the January 13 agenda: two expenditure ordinances, a telecommunications franchise for MCI Metro Access, a professional services contract for Griffith and Blair, a PUD at 2012 Southwest 10th Avenue, a citywide fee schedule discussion, and an ordinance removing the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging from the municipal code.
• Councilmembers offered congratulations and remarks: Ortiz thanked District 3 for a sixth term, Banks noted attending Miller's basketball game, Kell thanked colleagues and family, Miller welcomed Bradbury, and Bradbury said she looked forward to learning from the council. Mayor Duncan also thanked Zoo Lights attendees, and committee assignment sheets were announced as forthcoming.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 8-0.
• Councilmember Hofer elected deputy mayor unanimously.
• District 8 vacancy application and interview timeline established.
• Next regular meeting previewed for January 13, 2026.