Governing Body Agenda
August 11, 2026
6:00 PM
Mayor: Spencer L. Duncan
Addressing the Governing Body: Public comment for the meeting will be available via Zoom or in-person. Individuals must contact the City Clerk's Office at 785-368-3940 or via email at cclerk@topeka.org by no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting, after which the City Clerk's Office will provide Zoom link information and protocols prior to the meeting. View the meeting online at https://www.topeka.org/communications/live-stream/ or at https://www.facebook.com/cityoftopeka/.
Written public comment may also be considered to the extent it is personally submitted at the meeting or to the City Clerk's Office located at 215 SE 7th Street, Room 166, Topeka, Kansas, 66603 or via email at cclerk@topeka.org on or before the date of the meeting for attachment to the meeting minutes.
If you need any accommodations for the meeting, please contact the City ADA Coordinator at 785-368-4470. Kansas Relay Service at 800-766-3777. Please provide a 48 Hour Notice if possible.
Agendas are available by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday in the City Clerk's Office, 215 SE 7th Street, Room 166, Topeka, Kansas, 66603 or on the City's website at https://www.topeka.org.
CALL TO ORDER:
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
1. ROLL CALL:
2. MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS:
3. PRESENTATIONS:
B. Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Operations Update
UPDATE on the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC).
(Sean Dixon, TPAC Board of Directors President, will provide an update on operations for 2025.)
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Professional Services Contract - Willis Towers Watson Midwest for Benefits Consulting Services
APPROVAL of a Human Resources Department contract between the City of Topeka and Willis Towers Watson Midwest for professional benefits consulting services in an amount not to exceed $95,000.
(Approval of the contract would allow the firm to provide consulting services for the City of Topeka's employee and retiree benefits plans)
B. Professional Services Contract - Bartlett & West, Inc. for Engineering and Design Services - NW Menninger Rd at Topeka Blvd Realignment - Project No. 601174.00
APPROVAL of a Public Works Department contract between the City of Topeka and Bartlett & West, Inc. for professional engineering and design services in an amount not to exceed $88,480.
(Approval of the contract would allow the firm to provide engineering design services for multiple improvements related to the realignment of NW Menninger Road at Topeka Boulevard)
C. Professional Services Contract Amendment - JEO Consulting Group, Inc., Traffic Signal Study, Project No. 601200.06
APPROVAL of a Public Works Department contract amendment for professional services between the City of Topeka and JEO Consulting Group, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $56,250.
(Approval would authorize the addition of two progress meetings, a second analysis of traffic signal warrants, review of other justifications for traffic signals, and analysis of signal warrants for the Fairlawn Road and I-470 ramp intersections.)
D. Professional Services Contract - Brandon M. Tregle, J.D., Ph.D. for Place Network Investigation Services
APPROVAL of a Police Department contract between the City of Topeka and Brandon M. Tregle, J.D., Ph.D. for professional Place Network Investigation services in an amount not to exceed $145,818.
(Approval of the contract would allow the firm to provide consulting services to support criminal investigations, intelligence analysis, and long term crime reduction efforts)
E. Resolution - Authorizing the Conveyance of Facility Property - Sunflower Sports Association
RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, authorizing the conveyance of Facility Property back to the Sunflower Sports Association pursuant to Resolution No. 8442 and Contract No. 42249. (Transient Guest Tax Committee recommended approval on July 23, 2026.)
(Approval of authorizing the facility property back to Sunflower Sports Association.)
F. Resolution - Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Exceeding $250,000 - 6th Avenue/Fairlawn Road and Cypress/Sycamore/Rice Road - Project Nos. 841211.02 and 841211.07
RESOLUTION introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of Project Nos. 841211.02 and 841211.07 for street improvements to 6th Avenue/Fairlawn Road and Cypress/Sycamore/Rice Road under the 2027 Pavement Preservation Program. (Public Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on July 21, 2026 3-0-0.)
(Approval of a total project in the amount of $2,350,000 for street improvements to 6th Avenue/Fairlawn Road and Cypress/Sycamore/Rice Road.)
G. MINUTES of the regular meeting of July 21, 2026.
H. APPLICATIONS:
5. ACTION ITEMS:
A. Potential Consideration of an Ordinance Restricting Utility Connections for Data Centers based on the approval to suspend Governing Body Rules and Procedures, Rule of Order 6.3(f)(2) - Wait Period.
POTENTIAL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IS BASED ON THE APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNING BODY TO SUSPEND THE GOVERNING BODY RULES AND PROCEDURES, RULE OF ORDER 6.3(f)(2) - WAIT PERIOD.
Suspension of Rules Voting Requirement: Action requires seven (7) votes of the Governing Body.
AN ORDINANCE introduced by Councilmembers Murray McGee, Christina Valdivia-Alcala and Michelle Bradberry implementing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications or utility connections for data center developments
Ordinance Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
(Approval would amend the language to restrict utility connections both inside and outside of city limits for data centers. This is necessary to prevent administrative exceptions that would allow staff to extend utility services outside of city limits to serve a data center as defined in the ordinance.)
B. Discussion with Possible Action - Ordinance Adopting 2026 Uniform Public Offense Code
DISCUSSION with POSSIBLE ACTION of an ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, adopting the 2026 edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code, amending Section 9.05.080 of the Topeka Municipal Code and repealing original section.
Voting Requirement: Action requires five (5) votes of the City Council. The mayor does not vote. The proposed ordinance involves a matter of home rule on which the mayor has veto authority.
(Approval will adopt the most current version of the UPOC with current statutory changes.)
C. Discussion with Possible Action - Adopting 2026 Standard Traffic Ordinances (STO)
DISCUSSION with POSSIBLE ACTION of an ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, adopting the 2026 edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinances, amending Sections 10.15.010 and 10.15.020 of the Topeka Municipal Code and repealing original sections.
Voting Requirement: Action requires five (5) votes of the City Council. The mayor does not vote. The proposed ordinance involves a matter of home rule on which the mayor has veto authority.
(Approval will adopt the most recent version of the Standard Traffic Ordinances)
D. Resolution - Allowing the City of Topeka to Intervene in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Stephen Durrell - Kansas Lottery Case No. 26-4076
RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert. M. Perez requesting consent from the Governing Body to intervene to protect its interests in a lawsuit. (Withdrawn from the July 21, 2026 meeting agenda.)
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
(Approval will allow the City of Topeka to intervene in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Stephen Durrell.)
E. Discussion with Possible Action - Governing Body Rules and Procedures Amendment - Establish Committee of the Whole
DISCUSSION with POSSIBLE ACTION of an amendment to the Governing Body Rules and Procedures to establish a Committee of the Whole.
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
(Approval of the amendment would establish a Committee of the Whole comprised of all the governing body members. The deputy mayor shall be the chair of the Committee and the mayor shall serve as a non-voting, advisory member.)
F. Resolution - Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA) 2027 Proposed Budget - Revenue Neutral Rate Public Hearing Date (RNR) - Amending Date
RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez amending the public hearing date to consider adopting a budget for the Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA) that exceeds the revenue neutral rate.
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
(Approval of the proposed resolution changes the public hearing date to August 25, 2026 to align with the official public hearing notices sent to residents by Shawnee County. All other legal elements approved in Resolution No. 9828 approved by the Governing Body on July 14, 2026 remain in effect.)
6. NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Discussion - Utility Rates Ordinance
DISCUSSION of AN ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, establishing utility rates for 2027 through 2030, amending Topeka Municipal Code Sections 13.05.20 through 13.05.060 and repealing original sections.
(Approval will establish adequate Utility Rates and serve as the foundation for future Operating and Capital budgets. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed ordinance on August 18, 2026.)
B. Discussion - 2027 Operating Budget
DISCUSSION related to the City of Topeka 2027 Operating Budget.
(Discussions will continue through the months of July, August and September.)