Note: The raw transcript states the meeting was called to order on March 10, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is March 11, 2026, per the instruction. The following summary uses the instructed date.
The Topeka Governing Body met on March 11, 2026, to receive an update from the Topeka Housing Authority, approve several public works and development items, consider three incentive district proposals (RHID, TIF, CID), and hear public comments on records management and economic development. All nine council members were present, with Councilmember Ortiz participating online.
I don't know. I don't know. That's all about the first time. All right. Welcome everybody. I'm going to call this March 10th, 2026 governing body meeting to order. With that, I would turn it over to Councilmember Brett Kell, who has this evening's invocation. Please rise if you are able. Pastor Urick has been the lead pastor of Central Park Christian Church since November 2024, after a long career as an attorney. His church faithfully serves at Central Park neighborhood with an active youth ministry, a large recovery ministry, a weekly dinner, a monthly food and clothing pantry, and a warming center during the extreme cold weather. Pastor Rick grew up in a small the small town of Leroy, Kansas, and attended Washburn University, where he met his wife, Michelle, a native of Topeka. They're parents of six adult children. Early in his career, Rick spent 15 years as a state securities regulator, including more than a decade as general counsel for the office of Kansas Securities Commission. Then he and his family moved to Washington, DC, where he worked as an as for the Association of State Security Regulators before being appointed in 2014 to the first investor advocate at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In that role, he provided a voice for retail investors as policies were considered by Congress, the SEC, the stock exchanges, FS, FA, SB, the PCAOB, and other financial regulators. Pastor Rick Fleming. Thank you. Let's pray. Thank you, God, for the leaders of our city, for men and women who are willing to devote their time and their talents to serving us in this way. We pray that you bless their efforts this evening, give them strength and energy and patience as they consider the issues before them tonight and guide them in their decision making. We also pray tonight for all the people who work for our city government, whether they're in roles like public safety or infrastructure or utilities that obviously impact all our lives, or whether they serve in roles like IT or other administrative services are often unseen. Bless each person as they work from day to day to make Topeka a better place to live and work and raise a family, and yes, to worship you. Bless our city, we pray, and all who reside here in your son's holy name. 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 with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Rick. Erh. Clerk will call roll. Mayor Duncan. Here. Council members Hiller. Here. Well, Divia Aquala. Here. Ortice. Banks. Here. Kell. Here. Miller. Here. Bradbury. Here. McGee. Here. And Hofer. Here. All right. We have nine present with Councilmember Ortice absent.