Governing Body Agenda
July 21, 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. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION:
3. APPOINTMENTS:
A. Board Appointment - Board of Plumbing Appeals
BOARD APPOINTMENT recommending the reappointment of Kris Carlson to the Board of Plumbing Examiners for a term ending July 31, 2028. (Council District No. 3)
B. Board Appointment - Board of Plumbing Appeals
BOARD APPOITMENT recommending the reappointment of Charles Campbell to the Board of Plumbing Examiners for a term ending August 13, 2028. (Council District No. 5)
C. Board Appointment - Topeka Metropolitan Transit Board
BOARD APPOINTMENT recommending the appointment of Glenda Washington to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Board for a term ending July 21, 2030. (Council District No. 8)
D. Board Appointment - NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board
BOARD APPOINTMENT recommending the appointment of Timothy Ivy to the NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board to fill a term ending July 21, 2028. (Council District No. 2)
4. PRESENTATIONS:
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Resolution - Noise Exception - Michael Poston Jr.
RESOLUTION introduced by Councilmember Murray McGee granting Michale Poston Jr., an exception to the provisions of City of Topeka Code Section 9.45.150, et seq., concerning noise prohibitions. (Council District No. 8)
(Approval would allow for amplified music and sound during the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on July 25, 2026, at 6044 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66614.)
B. Amendment to License and Management Agreement No. 49243 - Friends of the Topeka Zoo, Inc. (FOTZ)
APPROVAL of a CONTRACT AMENDMENT to License and Management Agreement No. 49243 with Friends of the Topeka Zoo ("FOTZ") for the operation and management of the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center.
(The proposed amendment revises the deadline for FOTZ to submit its annual audited financial statements to the City. This change reflects that the Topeka Zoo is no longer included as a component unit in the City's annual financial audit.)
C. Ordinance - City Expenditures - May 30, 2026 to June 26, 2026
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, allowing and approving City expenditures for the period of May 30, 2026, to June 26, 2026, and enumerating said expenditures therein.
(Approving City expenditures in the amount of $20,714,408.42)
D. Resolution - City of Topeka joins as defendant 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.
(Approval will allow the City of Topeka to join as a defendant in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Stephen Durrell)
E. MINUTES of the regular meeting of July 14, 2026.
F. APPLICATIONS:
6. ACTION ITEMS:
A. Public Hearing and Ordinance - Michael J. Lewis - Vacation of Public Alley between NW 8th and NW 7th Streets - V26A/02
PUBLIC HEARING regarding the petition by Michael J. Lewis relating to the vacation of a public alley, lying between NW 8th and NW 7th Streets.
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez relating to the vacation of a 15-foot-wide public alley right of way for a segment lying between NW 7th and NW 8th Streets, within the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. (V26A/02) (Council District No. 2)
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (6) votes of the Governing Body.
(Approval will vacate the existing unbuilt segment of a public alley, lying north of, and between NW 7th Streets and NW 8th Streets to facilitate the construction of an accessory building on adjacent property.)
B. Ordinance - Kanza OZ LLC (Z26/04) - 1117 SE Madison Street
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez amending the “District Map” referred to and made a part of the Zoning Ordinances by Section 18.50.050 of the Topeka Municipal Code, by providing for certain changes in zoning on a 0.17-acre property located at 1117 SE Madison Street from "M-2" Multiple Family Dwelling District to "D-2" Downtown District. (Z26/04) (Council District No. 4)
Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body (2) Reject or Amend Planning Commission's recommendation, 7 votes are required of the Governing Body; or (3) Remand back to Planning Commission, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body.
(Approval will facilitate use of the site for stormwater detention to support development of single-story parking garages on the adjacent property.)
C. Resolution - Conditional Use Permit - Kanza OZ LLC (CU26/03)
RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, in accordance with Section 18.60.010 of the Topeka Municipal Code, approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow for up to 20 enclosed garages for the storage of personal vehicles and light duty trucks on property zoned "D-1" Downtown District and located near the southwest corner of the intersection of SE Madison and SE 11th Street, all being within the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. (CU26/03) (Council District No. 3)
Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body (2) Reject or Amend Planning Commission's recommendation, 7 votes are required of the Governing Body; or (3) Remand back to Planning Commission, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body.
(The Conditional Use Permit will allow the construction of up to 20 garages for the storage of personal vehicles and light duty trucks.)
D. Ordinance - Azura Credit Union - Z26/05
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez amending the “District Map” referred to and made a part of the Zoning Ordinances by Section 18.50.050 of the Topeka Municipal Code, by providing for certain changes in zoning on 0.12 acres of property located at 916 SW Polk St FROM “M-1a" Limited Multiple-Family Dwelling District TO "O&I-2” Office & Institutional District. (Z26/05) (Council District No. 1)
Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body (2) Reject or Amend Planning Commission's recommendation, 7 votes are required of the Governing Body; or (3) Remand back to Planning Commission, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body.
(Approval will allow expansion of existing parking lot associated with the Azura Credit Union development located immediately adjacent to the property.)
E. Ordinance - Topeka Church of Christ / Central Church of Christ (Z26/06)
ORDINANCE introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez amending the “District Map” referred to and made a part of the Zoning Ordinances by Section 18.50.050 of the Topeka Municipal Code, by providing for certain changes in zoning on 10 acres of property located at 4212 and 4236 SW Burlingame Road FROM “R-1" Single-Family Dwelling District TO “I-1” Light Industrial District. (Z26/06) (Council District No. 5)
Voting Option Requirements: (1) Approve Planning Commission's recommendation, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body (2) Reject or Amend Planning Commission's recommendation, 7 votes are required of the Governing Body; or (3) Remand back to Planning Commission, 6 votes are required of the Governing Body.
(Approval will allow the use of the property for light industrial development.)
F. Resolution - Dultmeier-Rollenhagen LLC - Lauren's Bay Redevelopment Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID)
RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez making certain findings pursuant to the Kansas Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) Act with regard to an application submitted by Dultmeier-Rollenhagen LLC to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and requesting that the Secretary of Commerce review the resolution and advise the Governing Body.
Voting Requirement: Action requires at least six (votes) of the Governing Body.
(Approval would authorize staff to submit the RHID application to the Secretary of Commerce for review.)
7. NON-ACTION ITEMS:
A. Discussion - Draft Rental Registry Pilot Program
DISCUSSION on the Draft Rental Registry Pilot Program.
(Staff is seeking guidance from the Governing Body on whether to continue pursuing the development of a rental registry program.)
B. Discussion - Utility Rates
DISCUSSION regarding proposed Utility Rates.
(Continue discussion from the Governing Body meeting of June 16, 2026, regarding establishing adequate Utility Rates that will serve as the foundation for future Operating and Capital budgets.)
C. 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.)