Topeka Kansas Governing Body Meeting - April 15, 2026

The Topeka City Council held its regular governing body meeting on April 15, 2026, starting at approximately 4:44 PM and lasting until after 10:00 PM (meeting extended beyond 10 PM by motion). The meeting included proclamations, appointments, multiple presentations, a consent agenda, action items on building codes, pet permits, and a proposed chicken and rooster ordinance, as well as a detailed discussion on the capital improvement plan and public comments. Key topics included fraud prevention, autism acceptance, ADA council updates, zoo achievements, a wastewater treatment plant remediation incident, and proposed changes to animal-related ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of a public works contract with Alfred Vanesh and Company for professional engineering and design services not to exceed $174,560.
• Approval of a utilities department contract with Alfred Vanesh and Company for professional engineering and design services not to exceed $56,600.
• Approval of minutes from the regular meeting of April 7, 2026.
• Item C (resolution canceling certain governing body meetings and scheduling a special meeting) was pulled from the consent agenda and voted on separately later.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Vogel (President, Shawnee County Landlords Association) spoke against the proposed landlord registry draft, citing concerns about previous failed city programs (e.g., vacant property ordinance) and the potential for mismanagement. He questioned the city's ability to administer the registry, enforce fines, and avoid tenant displacement, and urged council to research how similar registries work in other cities.
• Daniel Twemlow addressed the wastewater remediation incident, emphasizing the lack of overarching state or federal regulations for cleanup standards and the importance of using professional standards. He also raised concerns about transparency, oversight, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, specifically regarding work orders and payments to contractors. He noted discrepancies in public records and requested a deeper review, suggesting an auditor as recommended by the citizen government committee.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Mayor Duncan proclaimed April 2026 as Fraud Prevention Month, citing FTC statistics: $196 billion lost nationwide in 2024, $81.5 billion from older adults, average loss of $83,000 for seniors. He also proclaimed the last weekend of April 2026 as Take Action for Autism, recognizing Easter Seals Midwest's event.
• Appointments: Tony Emerson was appointed to the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority Board for an unexpired term ending November 30, 2027, by a 9-0 vote (mayor did not vote).
• ADA Advisory Council Annual Update: Chair Joe Share and Vice Chair Steve Schoenberg presented accomplishments for 2025, including strategic planning, bylaw adoption, community tabling events, and handling 12 ADA complaints. Goals for 2026 include increasing visibility, positioning accessibility as a community value, and normalizing accessibility. Three vacancies on the council were noted. Councilmember Duncan asked about an ADA audit of city buildings; Director Tryon confirmed draft reports have been received but are not final.
• Friends of the Topeka Zoo Update: CEO Christina Castellano reported on 2025 achievements: over 400 programs reaching nearly 13,000 people, 2,000 guests with reduced admission, 10,000 free community day visitors, over $30,000 raised on Giving Day, 17 new animals including two critically endangered golden lion tamarins, and successful AZA accreditation. The zoo's new Tiger Trails and Den Academy is on schedule to open July 29, 2026 (Global Tiger Day). Councilmember Kell suggested using social media for animal enrichment monetization. Councilmember Hiller asked about camps (kids and adult camps available year-round). Councilmember Hofer inquired about Earth Day and the new "Washed Ashore" sculpture exhibit featuring six sculptures made from ocean plastic, placed across multiple city locations.
• Oakland Wastewater Treatment Plant Remediation Review: Utilities Director Sylvia Davis and Public Works Director Jason Tryon presented on a December 6, 2025, sanitary sewer overflow from a digester at the Oakland plant. Cleanup by Chavez Restoration was initiated, but on January 23, 2026, the city's health clinic reported five employees with advanced respiratory illness (not seasonal flu). Subsequent air quality testing of multiple buildings (U, C, GHI, and admin buildings) found elevated fungal and bacterial levels, primarily due to aging infrastructure and moisture, not directly linked to the overflow. Consultant Glenn Robinson (Axiom) confirmed the testing did not indicate inadequate cleanup or direct causation of illness. Councilmember Valdivia Alcala expressed strong concerns about the cleanup waiver signed by a frontline supervisor, the lack of full remediation, and the potential health impacts. She questioned the city's transparency and noted that KDHE does not investigate worker safety within city buildings. Councilmember Banks emphasized employee priority. Councilmember Kell discussed cross-contamination risks. Mayor Duncan stated the city is open to the possibility that employee illnesses could be work-related and urged employees to see doctors and file claims if necessary.
• Action Items:
  • Ordinance amending property maintenance code service methods (added first class mail and electronic service as options; motion carried 9-0).
  • Ordinance adopting the 2024 International Building Code with local amendments (motion carried 9-0).
  • Ordinance amending pet late fees: returning to $2 per month late fee not to exceed $24 per year (rather than the $4 flat fee). Motion carried 9-0.
  • Proposed chicken and rooster ordinance: limited chickens to 8 per household on properties under 3 acres, prohibited roosters on under 3 acres, required a permit ($40 initial, $20 renewal). After discussion, the item was referred back to the Policy and Finance Committee by a 10-0 vote due to concerns about the number of chickens, implementation timeline, and need for space requirements. The associated fee resolution was amended to remove chicken permit fees and passed (10-0) with commercial burn permit fees reduced from $110 to $100.
  • Resolution canceling two meetings on primary and general election days and adding a meeting on August 25, 2026, to ensure three meetings in August for budget discussions. Passed 10-0.
• Non-Action Item - Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Discussion: Deputy Finance Director Josh McEnarney and Public Works Director Jason Tryon presented the citywide half-cent sales tax program, which brings about $20 million annually. The fund has a $25 million unencumbered balance due to COVID-era accumulation and project pauses. The primary use is pavement preservation for existing streets, alleys, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. Specific projects for 2027 include mill and overlay on 37th Terrace, Southwest 10th Avenue, 21st Street, and others; alley repaving on several blocks; curb and gutter repair; sidewalk ramp improvements (90-120 per year); and preventive maintenance (crack sealing and microsurfacing). Councilmember Kell pushed for more focus on major arterials like 37th Street. Councilmember Hiller requested a map showing completed projects. Councilmember Valdivia Alcala questioned alley paving policies and suggested converting paved alleys to aggregate to save money. Mayor Duncan noted the need to balance projects across the city.

Key Outcomes

• Fraud Prevention Month and Take Action for Autism proclamations adopted.
• Tony Emerson appointed to Airport Authority Board (9-0).
• ADA Advisory Council update received; three vacancies noted; city will continue to work on building audits.
• Zoo update received; Tiger Trails opening July 29, 2026; new mural and Earth Day events promoted.
• Wastewater remediation discussion concluded with commitment to continue employee communication, work with Department of Labor on PPE and hygiene, and plan for future facility testing.
• Property maintenance code amended to allow first class mail and electronic service (9-0).
• 2024 International Building Code adopted (9-0).
• Pet late fees amended to $2/month capped at $24 (9-0).
• Chicken and rooster ordinance referred back to Policy and Finance Committee (10-0); related fee resolution passed without chicken permit fees (10-0).
• Meeting schedule resolution passed (10-0), adding August 25 meeting.
• CIP discussion continued; council requested more detailed mapping of past projects; next week's Public Infrastructure Committee will discuss pavement preservation methodology.