OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Topeka Governing Body Meeting - July 22, 2026

Governing Body — Wednesday, July 22, 2026
BodyTopeka, Kansas
SessionGoverning Body
DateWednesday, July 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:45:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:16

Good evening everyone.

0:18

Welcome to the July 21st, 2026 meeting of the governing body.

0:26

We're gonna everybody quieted down.

0:31

We're gonna start with our invocation.

0:33

Tonight, Susan Zuberschaul is going to give the invocation.

0:40

She is a retired professor from Worshburn University and Emporia State University, and she is serving as chaplain for the Topeka Police Department and lay rabbi at Temple Best Shalom.

0:54

Please come on up.

0:56

Please stand.

1:04

Please bow your heads.

1:06

We thank you for bringing us together again.

1:09

We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we discuss the matters at hand.

1:14

Help us to communicate clearly, to listen to one another with open minds, and work together in a spirit of harmony.

1:23

May our time here be productive and our decisions beneficial.

1:28

We are grateful for the opportunity to function as representatives of the community.

1:33

We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we make decisions that affect the lives of our residents.

1:39

Grant us clarity of mind and unity of purpose that we may serve with integrity and compassion.

1:46

Help us to work together in unity and to put the needs of our citizens first.

1:51

Aid us in listening to the voices of those we represent and inspire us to work towards solutions that promote justice, peace, and prosperity for all.

2:02

May our decisions be for fruitful and our actions reflect the needs within our city.

2:08

May our words and deeds reflect compassion, integrity, and justice.

2:13

In God's name we pray.

2:15

Amen.

2:17

Thank you.

2:18

I pledge allegiance and to the Republic, religious fans.

2:44

Okay, please call the role.

2:47

Mayor Duncan.

2:51

Deputy Mayor Hooper.

2:53

Here.

2:54

Council Members Heller.

2:56

Valdivia Alcala.

2:58

Here.

2:59

Ortiz.

3:00

Banks.

3:01

Here.

3:02

Kel?

3:03

Here.

3:03

Miller.

3:04

Here.

3:06

Bradberry.

3:07

Here.

3:08

Anne McGee.

3:09

Here.

3:11

We have nine present with Mayor Duncan absent.

3:15

Okay.

3:16

First up tonight we have a certificate of recognition.

3:20

So Sylvia Davis and Jason Tran, please come up for the front.

3:41

Okay.

3:48

Okay.

3:49

Tonight we are presenting a certificate of recognition to the City of Topeka Public Works and Utilities Departments.

3:58

The City of Topeka proudly recognizes the Public Works and Utilities Department for earning full accreditation from the American Public Works Association, APWA, for the sixth consecutive time.

4:12

This distinguished achievement reflects the department's continued commitment to excellence in public service, operational effectiveness, sound management practices, and continuous improvement.

4:26

APWA accreditation is awarded only after a comprehensive evaluation demonstrating compliance with nationally recognized best practices for public works agencies.

4:39

First accredited in 2005, the City of Topeka remains among a select group of Kansas communities to have achieved and maintained this prestigious designation through successive reaccreditation cycles.

5:00

This accomplishment is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork of the employees whose daily efforts ensure the reliable delivery of essential public infrastructure and utility services to our community.

5:10

The mayor and governing body commend the leadership staff and the employees of public works and utilities departments for their unwavering commitment to excellence, accountability, innovation, and service to the citizens of Topeka.

5:26

Their work continues to strengthen our community and exemplifies the highest standards of the public works profession.

5:33

In witness of the mayor does hereby affix his official signature and the official seal of the city of Topeka, Kansas on this 21st day of July 2026.

5:47

So hands are full.

6:01

You did a really good job.

6:03

You covered almost everything I was going to say.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Landlord Tenant Relations██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Zoning Regulations███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Topeka Governing Body Meeting - July 22, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was convened on July 21, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is July 22, 2026. This discrepancy is noted.

The governing body of Topeka, Kansas, held a lengthy meeting covering a certificate of recognition, board appointments, a report from the Gage Park Improvement Authority, a severe weather response presentation, multiple zoning cases, a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID) proposal, a discussion on a rental registry pilot program, proposed utility rate increases, and the 2027 operating budget. The meeting also included two executive sessions from which no action was reported.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved (9-0): reappointment of Chris Carlson and Charles Campbell to the Board of Plumbing Examiners; appointment of Glenda Washington to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Board; appointment of Timothy Ivy to the NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board.
  • Approved consent agenda items: resolution granting Michael Poston Jr. a noise exception; contract amendment with Friends of the Topeka Zoo; ordinance approving city expenditures from May 30 to June 26, 2026; resolution to intervene in a lawsuit (moved to August 11 meeting); minutes of July 14, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rental Registry Pilot Program: Multiple speakers presented. Jason Weigert (local landlord) opposed, citing administrative burden and arguing existing tools are sufficient. Martha Boatright (Topeka Tenants) supported, emphasizing the need to address out-of-state corporate landlords. Steve Vogelmann (Shawnee County Landlords Association) opposed, calling the proposal unnecessary and arguing for enforcement of existing codes. Alex Bzicki (Topeka Tenants) supported, noting exterior issues found during door-knocking. Alyssa Jacob (Topeka Tenants) supported, describing substandard conditions. Matthew Galino (Shawnee County Young Democrats) supported, comparing current reactive approach to whack-a-mole. Another tenant speaker supported the registry as a needed protection.
  • RHID for Lawrence Bay: Daniel Twemlow opposed, citing past developer statements and arguing the city should not incentivize high-priced homes.
  • Utility Rates: Daniel Twemlow spoke, calling for greater transparency and questioning the pace of water line replacement.
  • 2027 Budget – SRO Funding: Kelly Hoffman (principal, French Middle School), Amy Wagner (principal, Landon Middle School), and Rylan Strom (principal, Robinson Middle School) spoke in support of maintaining Topeka Police Department School Resource Officers in middle schools, emphasizing their role in safety and community relationships. They asked for continued partnership and funding.

Discussion Items

  • Certificate of Recognition: Public Works and Utilities Departments received recognition for their sixth consecutive APWA accreditation. The certificate was presented to Sylvia Davis and Jason Tran.
  • Board Appointments: Confirmed as listed under Consent Calendar.
  • Gage Park Improvement Authority: Chair Keith Warder presented the 2025 annual report. The authority oversees sales tax revenue (generating $9-9.5 million over 3.5 years) distributed to the zoo, Discovery Center, and Shawnee County Parks and Rec. Improvements include a doubled Children's Discovery Center, a new tiger exhibit, and a transformed playland. Deputy Mayor Hooper asked about better communication for free events. Councilmember Valdivia Alcala noted the need for outreach.
  • Severe Weather Response: Dan Garrett, Director of Communications, presented the city's protocol: use 311 for non-urgent issues (flooding, tree blocking roads), CClickfix app for debris, and 911 for emergencies. He explained criteria for city limb pickup (only declared major storms affecting >50% of city). Councilmembers asked about posting the presentation, using push notifications, and training 311 operators. Staff committed to adding the presentation to the website and exploring text alerts.
  • Zoning Cases:
    • 6A - Alley Vacation: Unanimously approved (9-0) for property between NW 7th and 8th Streets; adjacent owners consented.
    • 6B - Zoning Change: Unanimously approved changing 0.17 acres at 1117 SE Madison from M2 to D2 to allow stormwater detention and parking garages.
    • 6C - Conditional Use Permit: Approved as amended (9-0) to allow 20 enclosed garages with a 20-foot front setback instead of the planning commission's recommended 25 feet. Staff supported the change. Councilmember Hiller moved to approve with the amendment.
    • 6D - Zoning Change: Unanimously approved changing 0.12 acres at 916 SW Polk from M1A to OI2 for Azure Credit Union parking lot expansion.
    • 6E - Zoning Change: Unanimously approved changing 10 acres at 4212 and 4236 SW Burlingame Road from R1 to I1 Light Industrial for a self-storage facility.
    • 6F - RHID for Lawrence Bay: Approved 7-2 (Valdivia Alcala and Banks dissenting). Resolution authorizes staff to submit a reinvestment housing incentive district application for 52 lots. Developer Daltmeyer Roland Hagen LLC plans to build homes priced starting at $350,000. The RHID would reimburse site acquisition, preparation, and infrastructure costs (gas, electric, fiber, roads). Public comment raised concerns about incentivizing high-end housing and past developer statements.
  • Rental Registry Pilot Program: John Sardine, Director of Property Maintenance, presented a draft pilot focused on properties with 5+ units (Phase 1). The tiered system (green/yellow/red) determines inspection frequency and fees. Year 1 cost estimated at $362,932 funded by fees. Staff requested direction. Following public comments, a straw vote showed at least five council members in favor of moving forward with a draft ordinance by end of 2027. Councilmembers discussed concerns about burden on good landlords, need for enforcement, and tenant education.
  • Utility Rate Discussion: Sylvia Davis, Director of Utilities, presented a four-year proposal to support $260 million in capital improvements. Proposed: flat base charges for meters under 2 inches (99.5% of residential), but increased volumetric rates to achieve a uniform consumption rate by 2030. Residential impact: $0.97 to $3.03 per month increase for average users; industrial customers face larger increases (e.g., $1,305/month for 1 million gallon users). Staff recommended moving to a vote at the August 11 meeting, with action on August 18. Council discussed exploring rate structures for low-income customers and the impact of not charging base fees on vacant properties.
  • 2027 Operating Budget Discussion: Deputy City Manager Josh McInarney highlighted the health insurance fund (stabilized with 1% cost share increase and $2.2 million transfer) and the debt service fund (fund balance projected to drop from $21M to $3M over six years if capital plans continue). He reviewed budgets for finance ($2.7M), city manager and communications ($2.6M), city clerk, and legal ($1.6M). Councilmembers asked for a personnel roster and better comparative data. Public comment from school staff emphasized the importance of SROs. Councilmembers expressed desire to continue the SRO program with shared financial responsibility from USD 501.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals: All consent agenda items, board appointments, and zoning changes were approved unanimously except the RHID (7-2). The conditional use permit (6C) was approved as amended to a 20-foot setback.
  • Rental Registry Pilot: Received direction to proceed with drafting an ordinance for consideration by end of 2027. Implementation targeted for FY2027.
  • Utility Rates: Proposal to be presented for action at August 11 and 18 meetings. Staff will provide updated impact numbers for both the existing proposal and an alternative that stops charging base fees on vacant accounts.
  • Budget: Council will continue budget discussions at future meetings. The SRO program will be addressed in partnership with USD 501 to find sustainable funding.
  • Executive Sessions: Two executive sessions were held (legal advice and personnel matters) with no action taken.
  • Next Meeting: The August 4 meeting is canceled due to primary elections. Next regular meeting is August 11, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the July 21st, 2026 meeting of the governing body. We're gonna everybody quieted down. We're gonna start with our invocation. Tonight, Susan Zuberschaul is going to give the invocation. She is a retired professor from Worshburn University and Emporia State University, and she is serving as chaplain for the Topeka Police Department and lay rabbi at Temple Best Shalom. Please come on up. Please stand. Please bow your heads. We thank you for bringing us together again. We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we discuss the matters at hand. Help us to communicate clearly, to listen to one another with open minds, and work together in a spirit of harmony. May our time here be productive and our decisions beneficial. We are grateful for the opportunity to function as representatives of the community. We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we make decisions that affect the lives of our residents. Grant us clarity of mind and unity of purpose that we may serve with integrity and compassion. Help us to work together in unity and to put the needs of our citizens first. Aid us in listening to the voices of those we represent and inspire us to work towards solutions that promote justice, peace, and prosperity for all. May our decisions be for fruitful and our actions reflect the needs within our city. May our words and deeds reflect compassion, integrity, and justice. In God's name we pray. Amen. Thank you. I pledge allegiance and to the Republic, religious fans. Okay, please call the role. Mayor Duncan. Deputy Mayor Hooper. Here. Council Members Heller. Valdivia Alcala. Here. Ortiz. Banks. Here. Kel? Here. Miller. Here. Bradberry. Here. Anne McGee. Here. We have nine present with Mayor Duncan absent. Okay. First up tonight we have a certificate of recognition. So Sylvia Davis and Jason Tran, please come up for the front. Okay. Okay. Tonight we are presenting a certificate of recognition to the City of Topeka Public Works and Utilities Departments. The City of Topeka proudly recognizes the Public Works and Utilities Department for earning full accreditation from the American Public Works Association, APWA, for the sixth consecutive time.

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