Topeka City Council Meeting - January 14, 2026

The City of Topeka Governing Body met on January 14, 2026 (the meeting began on the evening of January 13 and concluded after midnight). The council considered a consent agenda, several ordinances, and a resolution establishing a consolidated fee schedule. Public comment focused on equity in fee increases and developer incentives. Key actions included approval of a rezoning, removal of outdated language regarding the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, consolidation of fee ordinances into one document, adoption of the fee schedule with a last-minute reduction of the burn permit fee to $0, and a change to the annual review requirement for fees. The council also held two executive sessions on litigation and personnel matters, with no action taken.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Items A-E: Approved unanimously (8-0). Items included expenditure ordinances for September–November 2025, a franchise agreement with Verizon for telecommunications, a professional services contract for marketing city-owned properties, and minutes from the January 6 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daniel Twemlow spoke in opposition to the overall pattern of increasing fees on residents while maintaining generous developer incentives. He urged the council to pause fee escalations, reassess development incentives with equity and accountability, and redirect public dollars toward human infrastructure (affordable housing, workforce retention, rental assistance). He expressed support for the transparency of consolidating fees but criticized the lack of developer contributions to community outcomes.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning (Action Item A): Ordinance to rezone 2012 SW 10th Avenue from C-2 to PUD to allow mixed-use commercial and residential. Planning commission approved unanimously; the Old Town neighborhood president spoke in favor. Council approved (8-0) after required ex parte disclosures.
• Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging (Action Item B): Ordinance removing language requiring mayoral appointments to the agency’s council, as the agency no longer requires such appointments. Approved 7-0 (Mayor abstained).
• Consolidation of Fee Ordinances (Action Item C): Ordinance to centralize all fee references into a single document, striking fee amounts from individual ordinances and replacing with “see fee schedule.” After debate about accessibility and cross-referencing, council approved 6-1 (Councilmember Hiller opposed, citing concerns about removing fee amounts from ordinances).
• Fee Schedule Resolution (Action Item D): Resolution adopting the consolidated fee schedule. Discussion included:
  • Burn permit fee: Councilmember Ortiz moved to reduce the proposed $25 annual burn permit fee to $0, citing calls from constituents who would burn illegally and noting the loss of free dump days. The motion passed 7-1 (Councilmember Bradbury opposed). Councilmember Kell emphasized need for safety education, and fire department confirmed existing permit requirements for burns larger than 3 ft by 2 ft.
  • Annual review clause: Councilmember Hiller expressed concern about requiring the governing body to review the entire fee schedule annually. An amendment was offered to change “review annually” to “when requested by the governing body or staff.” Approved unanimously (8-0).
  • Other fees: Councilmember Ortiz questioned the $2 tire disposal fee (without rims), noting it may encourage dumping. Staff clarified the proposal changes it to actual disposal cost. No objections. Councilmember Hiller noted that many labor-based fees are undercounted because they don’t include fully loaded costs; she urged future review.
• Final vote on the resolution as amended (with $0 burn fee and revised annual review language) passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning approved: 2012 SW 10th Avenue rezoned to PUD for mixed use.
• Jayhawk agency language removed: Unanimous approval.
• Fee consolidation adopted: 6-1 vote.
• Burn permit fee reduced to $0: 7-1 vote; fee eliminated for all burn permits (not just those under 3 ft by 2 ft).
• Annual review language changed: “when requested” replaced “annually” – unanimous.
• Fee schedule adopted: Unanimous (8-0).
• Executive sessions: Two closed sessions (one on litigation, one on personnel) with no action taken upon reconvening.
• Upcoming: Proclamation for Young Professionals Day on January 20 agenda; citizen academies; application deadline for vacant council seat January 26.