OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Topeka City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026: Interchange Project, Property Disposals, and Land Bank Amendments

Governing Body — Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BodyTopeka, Kansas
SessionGoverning Body
DateWednesday, May 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:17:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good evening.

0:09

Welcome to the May 19th, 2026 governing body meeting of the Topeka City Council.

0:15

This evening we will be led in the invocation by Councilmember Bradbury.

0:20

I will turn it over to her.

0:21

Please rise if you are able.

0:30

Good evening and thank you.

0:34

Let us reflect on the responsibility we carry as public servants and community members.

0:40

Tonight we are reminded that our city is part of a history far greater than ourselves.

0:45

A history shaped by those who believe that fairness, opportunity, and dignity dignity should belong to every person.

0:52

As we recognize the legacy of Brown versus the Board of Education here in Topeka, may we honor that legacy not only with our words but through the decisions we make in the way we serve others.

1:05

Grant us the wisdom to lead with integrity, courage to face difficult challenges, honestly, and humility to listen to uh voices throughout our community, especially those who may feel unheard.

1:18

Help us work towards solutions that strengthen trust, expand opportunity, and improve the lives of all residents.

1:26

May we remember that progress is built step by step through respect, compassion accountability, and a shared commitment to the common good.

1:34

Let's tonight's discussions be guided by thoughtfulness, civility, and a genuine desire to move our city forward.

1:41

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., the time is right.

1:45

It's always right to do what's right.

1:47

May these reflections guide our work this evening and strengthen our service to the community.

1:52

Thank you.

1:58

I pledge a legal agent by the United States of America.

2:03

And to the Republic or which it is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:20

Mayor Duncan.

2:22

Here.

2:23

Council members Hiller.

2:24

Here.

2:25

Valde via Alclub.

2:26

Here.

2:27

Ortice.

2:28

Here.

2:29

Thanks.

2:29

Here.

2:30

Help?

2:31

Here.

2:31

Miller.

2:33

Brad Barry.

2:35

Here.

2:35

Make E.

2:36

Here.

2:37

And Hofer.

2:38

Here.

2:40

We have Tim present.

2:48

All right.

2:49

One proclamation this evening.

2:50

Jason, Sylvia, I don't know if there's anyone else.

2:52

Maybe it's just Jason, Sylvia here.

2:54

Yeah, she's back to you.

2:55

Sylvia Dave.

3:02

So one thing I know is if this body missed a couple meetings, the city would probably still function, maybe even better, some would argue, but we're that's a different argument for a different day.

3:11

But I can assure you, if our public works employees missed too many days of work, this city would not function.

3:17

Things would stop working, and we could not manage it all.

3:20

And everybody's life in this community would be much worse off.

3:24

And so their importance to us cannot, should not ever be overlooked by the impact they have to all of us sitting here and all of us across the city of Topeka.

3:33

And so that is in that vein what this evening's proclamation is about.

3:37

Whereas public work services are an integral part of our citizens' everyday lives in programs such as streets and traffic, urban forestry, public buildings, parking, fleet services, and whereas Topekans' health, safety, and comfort are dependent on these services, and whereas the quality and effectiveness of public work services are vitally dependent upon the efforts and skills of those that work in these fields, and whereas the efficiency of the public work staff is influenced by the citizens' understanding of the importance of the work they perform.

4:08

And whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week with a theme rooted in service, powered by community.

4:18

And now, therefore, I, Spencer L.

4:20

Duncan, mayor of the City of Topeka, Kansas, do hereby proclaim May 17 through May 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week, and encourage all citizens to recognize the contributions which public works officials make every day to our health, safety, and quality of life.

4:37

And representing them here tonight are Jason Tryon, our public works director, Sylvie Davis, our utilities director, and I don't know if either of you have anything we're going to say or want to say.

5:00

That's the longest running of any uh city in the state of Kansas, which we're very proud of.

5:02

Um and I just want to say thank you to all of our staff that are out.

5:06

Some of them are still out working right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████27%
Procedural█████████████13%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Land Bank Management█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Youth Programs█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Topeka City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026

The Topeka City Council held a regular governing body meeting on May 19, 2026 (transcript date; assigned timestamp: 2026-05-20). The meeting included an invocation, pledges, a proclamation for National Public Works Week, appointments, presentations, multiple action items, and public comments. Key actions involved property disposals, amendments to the land bank ordinance, and a significant vote to accelerate the 29th Street interchange project.

Proclamation

  • The council proclaimed May 17-23, 2026 as National Public Works Week, recognizing the contributions of public works employees.

Appointment

  • The council unanimously reappointed Angela Brocksterman to the Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board for a term ending June 7, 2028.

Presentation

  • Downtown Topeka Inc. presented the 2027 BID budget request of $204,000. Manager Jessica Moreno reported that 2026 collections exceeded expectations at $211,000 against a $200,000 goal, with 80% of accounts billed. The budget would fund district maintenance, programming, promotion, and enhancements.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from May 5 and May 12, 2026, and 10 cereal malt beverage off-premise applications (Quick Trip, Target, and eight Walgreens locations).

Discussion Items

Disposal of Property at 1196 SW Lane (Tennessee Town NIA)

  • The council debated the conveyance of a 0.13-acre parcel to the Tennessee Town Neighborhood Improvement Association for a "community garden." Councilmember Hiller moved to substitute "pocket park" for "community garden"; after discussion and public comment from Michael Bell (favoring pocket park), the motion passed 8-2. Subsequently, the resolution to convey the property with a reversionary clause passed 9-0 with one abstention (Councilmember Banks).

Disposal of Property on SW 7th Street

  • A 0.13-acre flood-prone parcel at SW 7th and High Avenue was sold to an adjacent owner for $1,250. The council approved unanimously (10-0) after staff confirmed no back taxes or code cases.

Disposal of Property on SE 2nd Street

  • A 1.01-acre largely unbuildable parcel (floodplain) on SE 2nd Street was sold to adjacent owner Mr. Large for $1,500. The council approved 9-0 with Mayor Duncan abstaining due to a family member's involvement.

Land Bank Budgets and Ordinance Amendments

  • Land Bank Budgets: Approved operating budgets for 2024 ($0 revenue/expenditure), 2025 ($650 revenue, $8,100 expenditures), and 2026 (budgeted $1,000 revenue, $109,600 expenditures including up to $100,000 for acquisition and $30,000 for demolition). The budgets were already funded within the program.
  • Land Bank Ordinance Amendments: Amended the municipal code to expand the Board of Trustees from 5 to 7 members (adding representatives from construction and real estate industries), stagger terms starting in 2027, define board responsibilities for setting goals and metrics, and extend the pilot program sunset from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2029. The ordinance passed unanimously (10-0).

SE 29th Street / Kansas Turnpike Interchange

  • The council approved a resolution to amend the 2026-2035 CIP to move up the interchange project from 2030 to 2026-2028. The total project cost is $18.5 million, with the Kansas Turnpike Authority contributing 20% ($3.6M) and the city bonding the remainder. Design is planned for 2026-2027, construction in 2028. Economic impact analysis estimated $195.8 million in appraised value in primary and secondary development areas. Public comments from Bob Ross (Chamber president), Senator Rick Cloos, and Joseph Ludbegar supported the project. After debate, the resolution passed 9-1 (Councilmember Valdivia Alcala opposed).

Adoption of 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan and 2027-2029 Capital Improvement Budget

  • Councilmember Valdivia Alcala moved to divide the question to vote separately on the CIP excluding the 29th Street project and on adding the project. The first motion (CIP without 29th Street) passed 8-2 (Hiller and Bradbury opposed). The second motion (including 29th Street) passed 8-2 (Hiller and Valdivia Alcala opposed), effectively adopting the CIP with the interchange.

Notice of Intent for Revenue Bonds

  • The council approved a resolution declaring intent to issue revenue bonds for water, water pollution, and stormwater improvements, with bond issuance anticipated in August 2027. Approved 9-1 (Bradbury opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael Bell (via Zoom) spoke in favor of the Tennessee Town NIA property transfer as a pocket park, recounting efforts since 2014.
  • Bob Ross (Chamber president), Senator Rick Cloos, and Joseph Ludbegar spoke in favor of the 29th Street interchange, citing economic development opportunities and the need to act now.
  • Antoine Collins, McGuire Mullins, Maddox Mullins, Charlene Johnson, and Asar Bailey all spoke in support of a proposed quarter-cent sales tax for the East Topeka corridor to fund the IEIT program (urban agriculture and youth development). Mayor Miller acknowledged the speakers and suggested they consider creating an independent authority as a funding model.

Key Outcomes

  • Disposal of 1196 SW Lane approved (8-2 on amendment, 9-0-1 on resolution) with conveyance for a pocket park.
  • Disposal of SW 7th Street approved (10-0).
  • Disposal of SE 2nd Street approved (9-0, Mayor abstained).
  • Land bank budgets approved (10-0).
  • Land bank ordinance amendments approved (10-0).
  • 29th Street interchange project approved (9-1), accelerating design to 2026-2027 and construction to 2028.
  • CIP adoption approved in two votes: first excluding 29th Street (8-2), then including it (8-2).
  • Notice of intent for revenue bonds approved (9-1).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the May 19th, 2026 governing body meeting of the Topeka City Council. This evening we will be led in the invocation by Councilmember Bradbury. I will turn it over to her. Please rise if you are able. Good evening and thank you. Let us reflect on the responsibility we carry as public servants and community members. Tonight we are reminded that our city is part of a history far greater than ourselves. A history shaped by those who believe that fairness, opportunity, and dignity dignity should belong to every person. As we recognize the legacy of Brown versus the Board of Education here in Topeka, may we honor that legacy not only with our words but through the decisions we make in the way we serve others. Grant us the wisdom to lead with integrity, courage to face difficult challenges, honestly, and humility to listen to uh voices throughout our community, especially those who may feel unheard. Help us work towards solutions that strengthen trust, expand opportunity, and improve the lives of all residents. May we remember that progress is built step by step through respect, compassion accountability, and a shared commitment to the common good. Let's tonight's discussions be guided by thoughtfulness, civility, and a genuine desire to move our city forward. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., the time is right. It's always right to do what's right. May these reflections guide our work this evening and strengthen our service to the community. Thank you. I pledge a legal agent by the United States of America. And to the Republic or which it is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mayor Duncan. Here. Council members Hiller. Here. Valde via Alclub. Here. Ortice. Here. Thanks. Here. Help? Here. Miller. Brad Barry. Here. Make E. Here. And Hofer. Here. We have Tim present. All right. One proclamation this evening. Jason, Sylvia, I don't know if there's anyone else. Maybe it's just Jason, Sylvia here. Yeah, she's back to you. Sylvia Dave. So one thing I know is if this body missed a couple meetings, the city would probably still function, maybe even better, some would argue, but we're that's a different argument for a different day. But I can assure you, if our public works employees missed too many days of work, this city would not function. Things would stop working, and we could not manage it all. And everybody's life in this community would be much worse off.

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