Topeka City Council Meeting - April 22, 2026
Topeka City Council Meeting - April 22, 2026
The Topeka City Council met on April 22, 2026, with nine members present and Council Member Valdivia Alcala absent. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation from the Sustainability Advisory Board, a consent agenda, five action items (including a zoning deferral, a RHID public hearing date, and three items for the Capital City Townhomes redevelopment), a discussion on the Capital Improvement Plan, public comment, and announcements. The council entered executive session for personnel matters before adjourning.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution granting Celtic Fox a noise exception (approved)
- Resolution granting Sacred Heart St. Joseph Parish a noise exception (approved)
- Resolution approving Tap That Beer Festival (approved)
- Resolution approving Sacred Heart St. Joseph Parish German Fest 2026 (approved)
- Ordinance authorizing condemnation for sanitary sewer rehabilitation on SE 10th Street (approved)
- Minutes from April 14, 2026, meeting (approved)
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the public hearing for the Capital City Townhomes TIF district, residents expressed concerns about potential rent increases, lack of communication from the new owner, and displacement during renovations. Several speakers urged the council to ensure affordability and clear relocation plans. One speaker supported the project, noting it would address blight.
- In the general public comment period, Henry McClure criticized the city's “but for” test required for RHID projects, arguing it is an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that hinders housing development, and urged the council to streamline the process.
Discussion Items
- Sustainability Advisory Board Presentation: Board President Mikel Saunders presented 100 statements of support and recommended creating a sustainability-focused staff position, citing examples from Lawrence, Wichita, Douglas County, and Johnson County. Board members noted that volunteer capacity is insufficient to manage ICLEI tools and coordinate across departments. Council members discussed potential interim measures such as a committee of city employees, but the board stressed the need for dedicated staff to ensure consistent progress.
- Rezoning Request (Action Item A): A request to rezone 1.14 acres at 2450 SE 25th Street from R1 to M1A (allowing quadplexes) was deferred to May 5, 2026, after concerns were raised that the applicant LLC may not be registered to do business in Kansas. The city attorney clarified that property owners have standing to seek rezoning regardless of registration, but the council opted to defer for verification.
- Windward Estates RHID (Action Item B): The council approved a resolution to set a public hearing for June 2, 2026, on re-establishing a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for a 40-unit market-rate duplex development at 45th and California. Council members debated the affordability of projected rents ($1,500-$1,750/month) versus workforce housing needs. Staff explained the “but for” test was met and that the developer would present a full financial analysis at the public hearing.
- Capital City Townhomes TIF District (Action Item C): After a public hearing, the council voted to establish a Tax Increment Financing district for the 47-unit affordable housing redevelopment at 21st and Adams. The developer pledged to keep 38 units income-restricted for 30 years and to invest $13 million in renovations, including security upgrades. Several residents testified about their fears of displacement and rising costs; the developer stated all relocation costs would be covered and that rents for restricted units would remain at 60% AMI or below.
- Capital City Townhomes NRP (Action Items D & E): The council approved a 20-year neighborhood revitalization plan (95% rebate, 5% retained for administration) and the associated development agreement. The agreement includes default provisions for nonpayment of property taxes and failure to maintain the property.
- Capital Improvement Plan Discussion (Non-Action Item): Staff presented the proposed 2027-2036 CIP, highlighting projects funded by the countywide half-cent sales tax (JADO), including Huntoon Street reconstruction from Gage to Harrison (2027-2029) and 17th Street from I-470 to MacVicar (2028-2030). Other programs covered traffic signal replacement (four per year), bridge maintenance, sidewalks, fleet replacement, and a new fire station (planned for 2028 at $11.3 million). Council members discussed financing options, including bonding versus pay-as-you-go, and raised concerns about brick street preservation, safety improvements, and decommissioning unnecessary traffic signals.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved (9-0)
- Rezoning (2450 SE 25th Street) Deferred to May 5, 2026 (9-0)
- Windward Estates RHID Resolution Approved setting public hearing for June 2, 2026 (9-0)
- Capital City Townhomes TIF District Established (9-0)
- Capital City Townhomes NRP 20-Year Rebate Approved (9-0)
- Capital City Townhomes Development Agreement Approved (9-0)
- The council concluded with announcements about an electric vehicle pilot program, a block cleanup event, and a request for a briefing on Senate Bill 418 regarding duplex zoning.
- The council recessed into a 45-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel matters; no action was taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the April 21st, 2026 meeting of the governing body of the City of Topeka. I will call this meeting to order. This evening, the invocation be presented by Councilmember Miller. Please rise if you are able. Thank you, Mayor. And for the final time this month, it is my absolute pleasure to introduce Pastor T. D. Hicks, the man, the myth, the legend, and also the second best pastor in his family. He leads my church, Antioch Baptist, and I'm proud to say that, like Pastor White last week for me, Pastor Hicks is a big reason that my 11-year-old has found his faith. Along with his wife Joan, they have terrible taste in football teams. He being a Broncos fan and she being a Bears fan. But we are honored to share a community with such good people. Pastor Hicks, thank you for being here. You said I uh have four minutes to speak now, right? Let's pray. Gracious God, we thank you for this opportunity. We thank you for this chance to come and to just be in the midst of each and every person here on today. While we may not all arrive here the same way, or may not even come here tonight with the same agenda, we pray tonight that we can agree upon this, that we come together for the better good of our city. We pray tonight that ultimately the decisions that are made in this place will bring glory to you and one impact our city for the better. So I pray tonight that each and every person as they make a decision, as they speak on behalf of an initiative or an agenda that they are a part of, that God, you would ultimately reign, you would ultimately rule, and you would ultimately have your way. But at the end of the day, Topeka is made the better. So we thank you for this opportunity today. We give your name the praise. We thank you for the sacrifice of each and every council member. Thank you for the people that are here tonight to receive what is being shared, and we ask God that you would have your way. It's in your name we pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance for the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I didn't see him, but I heard him. Alright, with that, I'm gonna ask the clerk to take the roll. Mayor Duncan. Here. Council members Hiller. Here. Valdivia Akla. Ortiz. Thanks. Here. Kel. Here. Miller. Here. Bradbury. Here. McGee. Ann Hofer. Here.
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