Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Topeka City Council Meeting – February 4, 2026: CID Approvals, Project View RHID, and District 8 Appointment

Governing Body — Wednesday, February 4, 2026

BodyTopeka, Kansas

SessionGoverning Body

DateWednesday, February 4, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:00:39

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:11

Good evening.

0:12

Welcome to the governing body meeting of February 3rd, 2026.

0:18

Councilmember David Banks has the indication this evening, so I will turn it over to him.

0:22

And if you are able, please rise.

0:25

Thank you, Mayor.

0:27

Good evening, everyone, and uh I'd like to do an introduction to the guy that I call my pastor, Pastor Curtis Dean Odom Sr.

0:37

He's born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, 1956, 37 years old.

0:47

He's married to First Lady Melanie Odom.

0:50

They have eleven children.

0:52

He came to Topeka homeless, struggling with vices of life.

0:57

He now holds a master's in in theology and is a pastor of In God's Church.

1:03

That's over in Oakland.

1:06

He follows his call and advocacy for those who struggle with addiction, mental health, homelessness, serving as vice chair to the Topeka Jump in the past, and is also the dean of Faith Bible College here in Topeka.

1:23

I'd like to introduce you to my pastor, uh Curtis Odom.

1:26

If you'll come to the podium, please take over, Pastor.

1:39

Well, praise God.

1:40

Little fancy, I don't have all this up here.

1:43

Amen.

1:44

Can we pray?

1:46

Father, I thank you first of all for being such a good and gracious God to us.

1:53

You love us with an everlasting love and you take care of us.

1:57

And I'm so grateful.

2:00

Your word tells us that if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my faith and turn from their wicked ways.

2:12

Then will I hear from heaven, then will I forgive their sins, and then will I heal their land.

2:20

Father, our land needs you.

2:25

We need your power, we need your wisdom, we need your touch, we need your guidance.

2:32

And Lord, I am so thankful that you give me this opportunity to come and pray with our leaders of this great city.

2:42

I thank you, Father, that they have chosen to dedicate themselves to the help that's so much needed today for this great city and for these people, Father.

2:55

I thank you that they have volunteered their efforts and their times.

2:59

And Lord, I just ask that you would give them all of the power necessary to do the job that you called them to do.

3:08

Give them the joy in their hearts that's necessary to do the job that you have called them to do.

3:14

And Lord, I pray that you give them the wisdom and the great counsel that's necessary to do the job that you've called them to do, and we'll be so careful to give your name all the praise and all the glory.

3:29

Now, Lord, lead us and guide us through this evening.

3:33

Lead us and guide us, Father, along the way.

3:37

Give us a heart to serve you, Father, with all the effort with all the power that we can muster.

3:44

And we'll be so careful to tell all that you are the one who give us what we need in order to provide the services that the people need and desire.

3:57

So I thank you, Father, because you are truly good to us.

4:01

I praise you and I give your name the glory and praise in Jesus' name.

4:06

Amen.

4:07

Amen.

4:12

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

4:20

One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

4:35

That's the clerk to take roll.

4:37

Mayor Duncan.

4:38

Here.

4:38

Council members Hiller.

4:40

Here.

4:41

Valdivia Aquala.

4:43

Ortice.

4:44

Here.

4:44

Banks.

4:45

Here.

4:46

Kel?

4:47

Here.

4:47

Miller.

4:49

Here.

4:50

Bradbury.

4:51

Here.

4:52

And Hopper.

4:52

Here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████15%

Personnel Matters███████████████15%

Community Improvement District██████████████14%

Economic Development████████████12%

Housing And Development█████████9%

Public Engagement███████7%

Parking Management███████7%

Community Engagement████4%

Engineering And Infrastructure████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Topeka City Council Meeting – February 4, 2026

The governing body of Topeka, Kansas, convened on February 4, 2026 (the official date; the transcript references February 3rd). The meeting included multiple action items: establishing a Community Improvement District (CID) for California Crossing, approving related development agreements, amending parking ordinances, leasing parking spaces for the Project View development, approving a real estate purchase for the Project View RHID, and selecting a new council member for District 8. Public testimony was heard on the CID and parking issues. The council voted unanimously on several items, with some divided votes on parking leases. The meeting concluded with the selection of Murray McGee to fill the vacant District 8 seat.

Consent Calendar

Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 20, 2026, passed unanimously (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Henry McClure (real estate professional) spoke on the California Crossing CID, arguing for a 2% sales tax rate (instead of the proposed 1.5%) and no cap on reimbursable costs. He compared the project to the Wheatfield CID and urged equitable treatment.
Danielle Twimlow (District 8 resident) expressed support for the California Crossing CID but called on the council to revisit the city’s incentive policies to better benefit the community (e.g., requiring local hiring, directing funds to affordable housing).
Matt Goff (attorney for California Crossing LLC) presented the project’s history, vacancy rate (42%), and alignment with adopted neighborhood plans. He noted the CID would not decrease city taxes and urged approval.
Henry McClure (again) spoke on the parking lease agreement (item D), suggesting the city sell its parking garages and lease them back to generate revenue and put properties on the tax roll.
David Wingerson, Robert Flaherty, Brandon Bogan, and Kevin Berman (developers and architect for Project View) presented the “The Hutch” project: 192 market-rate units, amenities, and 2,500 sq ft of commercial space. They emphasized the project’s role in downtown revitalization and answered council questions about retail tenants.
Andrew Holt (registered speaker) declined to speak on item G.
Henry McClure (final public comment) criticized Go Topeka and the city manager’s role on its board, calling for transparency and removal of the city manager from the board.

Discussion Items

California Crossing CID (Item A) – Braxton Copley (Deputy City Manager) presented the proposed 1.5% CID for a 12‑tenant shopping center anchored by a new supermarket. Total eligible costs capped at $1 million for Phase 1, with potential to increase to $6 million. Councilmember Kel opposed raising the rate to 2% due to the burden on low‑income residents. Councilmember Banks supported the project as a long‑overdue investment in District 4. The public hearing was held and closed. Motion to approve the ordinance passed 8-0.
California Crossing Development Agreement (Item B) – Approved the development agreement setting the $1 million cap. Motion passed 8-0.
Parking Ordinance Amendment (Item C) – Amended city code to allow the governing body to set parking rates outside the existing $40–$120 range, needed for the upcoming parking leases. Motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Kel voted no).
Parking Lease – Jayhawk Towers (Item D) – 150 parking spaces for 25 years; first 10 years free, then $40/stall/month with 3% increases every 5 years. Projected revenue $1.1 million (vs. $2.2 million foregone at market rate). Councilmember Kel argued the deal harmed the parking fund and favored one group. Councilmember Hiller supported it as necessary for downtown housing. Motion passed 7-1 (Kel opposed).
Parking Lease – Topeka FC1 (Item E) – 192 spaces for 35 years; first 5 years free, then $40/stall/month with 3% increases every 5 years. Projected revenue $2.98 million (vs. $2.9 million foregone). Motion passed 6-1 (Kel opposed).
Real Estate Purchase Agreement (Item F) – Authorized purchase of nine parcels (four from Jayhawk Towers, five from third parties) for $1.15 million. The city will own the land for 25 years under the RHID, then convey it back to the developer. Motion passed 7-1 (Kel opposed).
Project View RHID (Item G) – Public hearing and two votes: (1) ordinance establishing the RHID and adopting the project plan, and (2) approval of the development agreement. The RHID covers 192 dwelling units, with a $5.8 million RHID cap, $1.5 million city economic development grant (repaid), and $5.7 million state grant. Council supported the project as a game‑changer for downtown. Both votes passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

California Crossing CID – Approved with 1.5% sales tax and $1 million cap for Phase 1 (8-0).
California Crossing Development Agreement – Approved (8-0).
Parking Ordinance Amendment – Passed (6-1), allowing the council to set parking rates outside the previous range.
Jayhawk Towers Parking Lease – Approved (7-1), with 150 stalls for 25 years.
Topeka FC1 Parking Lease – Approved (6-1), with 192 stalls for 35 years.
Real Estate Purchase for Project View – Approved (7-1), authorizing the $1.15 million acquisition.
Project View RHID and Development Agreement – Both approved (8-0), enabling a 192‑unit market‑rate apartment project.
District 8 Council Appointment – After interviews with three candidates (Chris Phelps, Jeff Cohen, Murray McGee), the council voted unanimously (8-0) to appoint Murray McGee. He will be sworn in at the February 17, 2026 meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the governing body meeting of February 3rd, 2026. Councilmember David Banks has the indication this evening, so I will turn it over to him. And if you are able, please rise. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone, and uh I'd like to do an introduction to the guy that I call my pastor, Pastor Curtis Dean Odom Sr. He's born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, 1956, 37 years old. He's married to First Lady Melanie Odom. They have eleven children. He came to Topeka homeless, struggling with vices of life. He now holds a master's in in theology and is a pastor of In God's Church. That's over in Oakland. He follows his call and advocacy for those who struggle with addiction, mental health, homelessness, serving as vice chair to the Topeka Jump in the past, and is also the dean of Faith Bible College here in Topeka. I'd like to introduce you to my pastor, uh Curtis Odom. If you'll come to the podium, please take over, Pastor. Well, praise God. Little fancy, I don't have all this up here. Amen. Can we pray? Father, I thank you first of all for being such a good and gracious God to us. You love us with an everlasting love and you take care of us. And I'm so grateful. Your word tells us that if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my faith and turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven, then will I forgive their sins, and then will I heal their land. Father, our land needs you. We need your power, we need your wisdom, we need your touch, we need your guidance. And Lord, I am so thankful that you give me this opportunity to come and pray with our leaders of this great city. I thank you, Father, that they have chosen to dedicate themselves to the help that's so much needed today for this great city and for these people, Father. I thank you that they have volunteered their efforts and their times. And Lord, I just ask that you would give them all of the power necessary to do the job that you called them to do. Give them the joy in their hearts that's necessary to do the job that you have called them to do. And Lord, I pray that you give them the wisdom and the great counsel that's necessary to do the job that you've called them to do, and we'll be so careful to give your name all the praise and all the glory. Now, Lord, lead us and guide us through this evening. Lead us and guide us, Father, along the way. Give us a heart to serve you, Father, with all the effort with all the power that we can muster. And we'll be so careful to tell all that you are the one who give us what we need in order to provide the services that the people need and desire. So I thank you, Father, because you are truly good to us. I praise you and I give your name the glory and praise in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. That's the clerk to take roll. Mayor Duncan. Here. Council members Hiller. Here. Valdivia Aquala. Ortice. Here.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com