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).