Topeka City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026 (Transcript Dated Feb 17)
Topeka City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026 (Transcript Dated Feb 17)
Note: The official transcript begins by stating “February 17, 2026,” but per instruction this summary uses the provided meeting date of February 18, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation, swearing-in of a new council member, a recognition award, the annual Land Bank report, and several action items, followed by a detailed discussion of the FY2027 budget and public comments.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved: City expenditures for Dec 27, 2025 – Jan 30, 2026, and minutes of the Feb 10, 2026 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dan Warner (Planning Director) presented on home occupation ordinance changes and multi-family dwelling amendments.
- Daniel Twemlow (public comment on budget) urged the council to prioritize prevention/intervention programs, citing a 50.95% increase in police spending (2021–2025), a 55.87% increase in the utilities fund balance, while median household income rose only 2.19% and cost of living increased 18%. He called for a full audit and tiered water rates.
- Ron Desch (stepfather of Lisa Gregson) described extensive damage to his stepdaughter’s home during a police search, alleging officers broke doors, spilled liquids, and broke items. He stated no attorney will take the case and asked the council to inspect homes after such searches. The mayor’s office offered follow-up.
- Martha Boatwright (online) opposed proposed data center developments, citing noise, air pollution, water use, and high energy demands, and urged the council to reject such projects.
- Lloyd Schroeder criticized city spending, tax burden, and police conduct; suggested a 10% budget cut across the board for five years; questioned fire department schedules and jail food.
- Henry McClure criticized $9.5M spent on the AT&T building, urged cutting funding to Go Topeka and investing in roads, and questioned the hotel deal, noting a $554,000 consultant fee with no accountability.
Discussion Items
- Land Bank 2025 Annual Report (Quinn Cole): One sale ($150); expenditures total $7,938 (property maintenance $1,369.50, special assessments $6,568.50); three property transfers in 2025 (one returned, one sold to Cent with development deadlines); inventory includes 10 properties (seven in Central Topeka, three in Lawrence Bay). Council discussed how properties are acquired and qualifications for purchase.
- Action Items (5A – 5E): All passed unanimously.
- 5A: Vacation of public alley near Kansas Ave and Jackson St (no public objections).
- 5B: Home occupation ordinance amendment – permits no longer required for businesses without employees/customers on-site.
- 5C: Multi-family dwellings allowed on main floor in certain zoning districts (except core downtown/NOTO areas); conditional use permit option added.
- 5D: Set public hearing for March 10, 2026 on Community Improvement District (CID) for Hotel Topeka (2% sales tax, max 22 years, estimated $3.2M revenue).
- 5E: Authorized disposal of city-owned property at 1335 SE 21st St to the Land Bank.
- FY2027 Proposed Budget Work Session (Josh, Budget Director): Presented historical trends (general fund personnel up, key cost drivers: inmate charges up $1M, property insurance up $1.4M, health insurance claims up $5.3M from 2021–2025). Projected $15M structural deficit. Policy considerations: using half-cent sales tax fund balance for operations, increasing planning/permit fees, potential sales tax initiative (0.4% for public safety/fire stations, 0.1% for housing/homelessness). Council discussed staffing levels (1,174 budgeted, 1,070 filled), capital project deferrals, and efficiency measures. Councilmember Hiller stressed seeing all funds together; Councilmember Kell warned against cutting public safety staffing.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (8-0).
- Action Items 5A–5E: All approved unanimously (8-0).
- Next Steps: The public hearing for the Hotel Topeka CID is set for March 10, 2026. Staff will continue FY2027 budget discussions, with a work session on the CIP planned for late March/early April. A memo on position prioritization and a cost/benefit analysis of staffing vs. contract work will be provided to the council.
- Other: The mayor’s office will follow up with Mr. Desch regarding the police search complaint.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the governing body meeting of February 17, 2026. Glad to see everybody here. We will open the meeting by turning things over to Councilman Banks, who will lead the invocation. Please stand if you are able. Good evening, everyone. I'd like to introduce you to Pastor Gregory D. Durant Sr. He was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, and has been in the pastoral ministry for 45 years. He spent 39 years, 39 of those years pastoring here in Topeka between two churches, the New Jerusalem, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church for 11 years, and currently the founding pastor of True Light Church of Ministries for 27 years. Pastor Durant meets once a month with local pastors to specifically pray for Topeka and its governing bodies. He has been called to meet with the city, with city officials, police chiefs, addressing issues that confronts Topeka, including racial tension, crime, and violence in Topeka. Married to his wife, junior high school girlfriend, Linda, for 51 years. This union has produced three children, Tanisha, Greg Jr., deceased, and Manuel and Manuels, six grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren. They have helped increase the population of Topeka. I am proud to introduce you to my friend, Pastor Gregory Durant. Shall we pray? Father, it is within your name we come tonight. First of all, we thank you that you've allowed us all to be gathered in the heart of this country that will make decisions that will affect not just Topeka, but the entire company country. We pray, Father, now that as this governing body meets, that you would give them wisdom, give them knowledge, give them courage. In fact, Father, I pray that you will allow them to become instruments in your hand that will carry out the will, your will, that actually your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray, Father, that every decision that is made will be beneficial to the citizens of this community, that will make Topeka truly be a model city for even the world in which we live. We pray, Father, that these men and women that have been appointed as this governing body will be able to carry out that will unselfishly, but all with the spirit of humility. We pray, Father, blessings upon each one of them, their homes, and all of their personal endeavors. We just pray, Father, that this will be a city that will be reminiscent of a city that was once in chaos and confusion in the Bible. But because your spirit moved and revival broke out, it brought joy to that city. Let joy come to Topeka. Let joy come to Topeka in such a way that men, women, boys, and girls will decide to be a part of this community, because it becomes an example of a truly model community. So let your spirit dwell within these chambers tonight, that everything will be done according to your will and according to your way. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, another individual with liberty. Justice. All right, we will begin this evening's meeting by swearing in my councilman and yours now, our new newest individual, Mr. Murray McGee. So the judge here somewhere. He's over there. Oh, had to make his entrance. There we go. Mr. McGee, you can come up here. Anyone else wants to come up with here with you? That will also be okay. All right. Whenever you're right. Your right hand, please. Repeat after me. I do solemnly swear. I do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution.
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