Governing Body — Topeka, KS
Date: 2024-03-19

Governing Body Minutes – March 19, 2024

 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, Topeka, Kansas, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The

 Governing Body members of the City of Topeka met in regular session at 6:00 P.M. with the

 following Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Hiller, Valdivia-Alcala, Oritz, Banks, Kell,

 Miller, Dobler, Duncan and Hoferer -9. Mayor Padilla presided -1.

 Public comment for the meeting was available via Zoom or in-person. Individuals were

 required to 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 March 19, 2024, after which the City Clerk's Office provided the

 Zoom link information and protocols prior to the meeting start time. Written public comment

 was also considered to the extent it was 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 March 19, 2024, for attachment to the meeting minutes.

 AFTER THE MEETING was called to order Councilmember Duncan provided the

invocation.

 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by meeting participants.

 A PRESENTATION on the Topeka Planning and Development 2023 Annual Review was

 provided by Rhiannon Friedman, Planning and Development Department Director.

 Councilmember Duncan requested rehabbed residential and commercial properties be

included in the data report. He also inquired on board vacancies.

 Councilmember Dobler requested exempt properties that have been issued new building

permits be included in the data report.




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 Councilmember Hiller referenced the current data presented and asked if residential builds

were being tracked and compared to the number of residential houses needed as outlined in the

2020 Topeka Citywide Housing Market Study and Strategy.

 Director Friedman agreed all requests for more data sets could be created and distributed to

the Governing Body. She noted the Development Services Division does a good job in making

sure trade boards are filled with qualified members.

 CONSENT AGENDA was presented as follows:

 RESOLUTION NO. 9506 introduced by Councilmember Karen Hiller, approving a special

event known as Fight Night, was presented.

 APPROVAL of the MINUTES of the regular meeting of March 12, 2024, was presented.

 Councilmember Hiller moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion seconded by

Councilmember Miller carried unanimously. (10-0-0)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9507 introduced by Interim City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt, in

accordance with Section 18.60.010 of the Topeka Municipal Code, approving a Conditional Use

Permit to allow operation of a Short-Term Residential Rental, Type II, providing lodging to

transient guests currently zoned "R-2" Single-Family Dwelling District, and located at 116 SW

The Drive, in the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, was presented. (CU24/01) (Council

District No. 1)

 Dan Warner, Planning Division Director, reported the request was consistent with the

proposed use as outlined in the Land Use & Growth Management Plan 2040 and meets City of

Topeka guidelines for conditional use permits. He stated a neighborhood information meeting was

conducted on February 1, 2024, with no opposition expressed about the proposed use. He noted the

Topeka Planning Commission and City Planning staff recommended approval.

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 Mayor Padilla stated prior to proceeding with the vote, each member of the Governing

Body who has engaged in ex parte communication with any individual either in favor of, or

against, the matter being considered, must state that the communication occurred and indicate that

even in light of having engaged in the communication they were able to fairly, objectively, and

impartially consider the measure based only upon the evidence provided on the record. The record

includes the Planning Commission minutes, the Staff report and its attachments, the public

comments made during the Planning Commission hearing and similar relevant information related

to the matter.

 Ex parte communication was declared by Councilmember Hiller.

 Councilmember Duncan asked if the request would expire in two years and if all other laws

that apply to short-term rentals would remain intact.

 Director Warner stated renewal would require administrative approval and all other laws

would apply.

 Councilmember Hiller moved to approve the resolution. The motion seconded by

Councilmember Kell carried unanimously. (10-0-0)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9508 introduced by Interim City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt, in

accordance with Section 18.60.010 of the Topeka Municipal Code, approving a Conditional Use

Permit for a "Public Utility Facility Type II" (sanitary sewer pump station) on property located at

3500 NE Sardou Avenue and zoned "R-1" Single-Family Dwelling District, all being within the

City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, was presented. (CU23/06) (Council District No. 2)

 Dan Warner, Planning Division Director, reported the original pump station that serves the

terminal has outlived its design lifecycle and must be rebuilt to satisfy Kansas Department of

Health and Environment (KDHE) minimum standards. He stated the Oakland Neighborhood

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Improvement Association was notified of the request and did not express any opposition, and the

Topeka Planning Commission and City Planning staff recommended approval.

 Mayor Padilla stated prior to proceeding with the vote, each member of the Governing

Body who has engaged in ex parte communication with any individual either in favor of, or

against, the matter being considered, must state that the communication occurred and indicate that

even in light of having engaged in the communication they were able to fairly, objectively, and

impartially consider the measure based only upon the evidence provided on the record. The record

includes the Planning Commission minutes, the Staff report and its attachments, the public

comments made during the Planning Commission hearing and similar relevant information related

to the matter.

 No ex parte communication was declared by Governing Body members.

 Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve the resolution. The motion seconded by

Councilmember Banks carried unanimously. (10-0-0)

 ACCEPTANCE of Land Dedications in the FINAL PLAT for Southland Subdivision No.

3, for the right-of-way dedication of SE Etzel Avenue and a portion of SE Bryant Street, which

were previously recorded as access and utility easements in Southland Subdivision No. 2, was

presented. (P23/16)

 Dan Warner, Planning Division Director, reported the final plat consists of two lots, two

tracts, and a public street for the development of 12 residential duplexes and a clubhouse for

seniors. He stated the Planned Unit Development (PUD) master plan was approved by the

Governing Body and recorded in February 2023, and the approved PUD master plan identified the

street right-of-way as a tract for access and utilities to be dedicated by a major plat in the future.

He continue to report the subdivision was platted in June 2023 as a minor subdivision plat and the

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subdivision plat reflected Tract A as an access and utility easement. He noted a neighborhood

information meeting was conducted on November 29, 2022, and the Topeka Planning Commission

and City Planning staff recommended approval.

 Mayor Padilla stated prior to proceeding with the vote, each member of the Governing

Body who has engaged in ex parte communication with any individual either in favor of, or

against, the matter being considered, must state that the communication occurred and indicate that

even in light of having engaged in the communication they were able to fairly, objectively, and

impartially consider the measure based only upon the evidence provided on the record. The record

includes the Planning Commission minutes, the Staff report and its attachments, the public

comments made during the Planning Commission hearing and similar relevant information related

to the matter.

 Ex parte communication was declared by Councilmember Ortiz.

 Councilmember Kell moved to accept the dedication of land for public purposes and

approve the final plat. The motion seconded by Councilmember Banks carried unanimously. (10-0-

0)

 DISCUSSION of the proposed 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Plan and 2025-2027

Capital Improvement Budget, was presented.

 Richard U. Nienstedt, Interim City Manager, stated the CIB and CIP discussion would

continue from the meeting of March 12, 2024, and Sylvia Davis, Utilities Director will provide an

overview on of the 2025 Utility projects to include Water, Stormwater and Water Pollution

Control.

 Sylvia Davis, Utilities Director, provided an overview of the following programs:

 • Water Main Replacement Program funding totaling $12.5 million.

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 • Meter Vault Replacement Program funding totaling $675,000 per year with 140 out of
 203 large meter vaults have safety and/or testing concerns; and 32 vaults have been
 identified as high-priority for replacement.
 • Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Program funding totaling $1.175 million
 annually.
 • Annual Water Programs to include Water Tower Rehabilitation totaling $335,000; the
 Hydrant and Valve Rehabilitation and Replacement totaling $270.000; and Water Plant
 Operation Equipment & Fleet totaling $400,000 annually.
 • Stormwater Conveyance System Program funding totaling $3.25 million annually.
 • Stormwater Pump Station Rehabilitation Program funding totaling $1.25 million
 annually.
 • Annual Stormwater Programs to include Levee Asset Repair and Rehabilitation totaling
 $337,500; Drainage Correction Program totaling $300,000; Stream & Channel
 Restoration, Stabilization & Rehabilitation totaling $200,000; Stormwater Operations
 Equipment & Fleet Maintenance totaling $300,000; and Best Management Practices
 Development & Construction totaling $300,000 annually.
 • Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation Program funding totaling $2.2 million
 annually.
 • Waterline Lining & Replacement Program funding totaling $2.5 million annually.
 • Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement Program funding totaling $4.3 million
 annually.
 • Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Maintenance & Replacement Program totaling $6.0 million
 annually.
 • Annual Wastewater Programs to include WPC Facility Rehabilitation Program totaling
 $400,000; Odor Control Program totaling $675,000; Inflow & Infiltration Program
 totaling $525,000; and Wastewater Plant Operations Equipment & Fleet Maintenance
 totaling $350,000 annually.

 Councilmember Kell asked Staff to take into account the historical aspect of the Oakland

Pump Station at Philip Billard Airport.

 Councilmember Dobler referenced the City of Topeka recent Insurance Services Offer

(ISO) Rating and stated the improvements the City was performing on the water system has a

direct impact on that rating.

 Director Davis continued to report on the following project previews:

 • Central Zone Optimization budget totaling $3.7 million
 • West Zone Optimization budget totaling $4.2 million
 • West Intake Rehabilitation budget totaling $6.8 million
 • East Intake Rehabilitation budget totaling $5.2 million
 • West Filter Rehabilitation budget totaling $5.1 million
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 • Active Water Projects authorized under a prior to CIP to include the West Plant Basin
 Rehabilitation, West Elevated Tank on Indian Hills Road, Polk-Quincy Viaduct Utility
 Relocation, Prairie Road Design & Construction totaling $3.3 million in 2025 & 2026,
 SE California Avenue and SE 4th Street totaling $5.0 million in 2026 & 2027;
 • Active Stormwater Projects authorized under a prior to CIP to include Fairlawn Road
 from 22nd & Park to 28th Street; Polk-Quincy Viaduct Utility Relocation, Oakland
 Wastewater Treatment Plant: Emergency Repairs to Primary Digesters #4 and #5
 totaling $9.9 million in 2025,
 • Active Wastewater Projects authorized under a prior to CIP to include North Topeka
 WWTP Nutrient Removal, Grant-Jefferson Pump Station, Shunga Pump Station,
 Oakland WWTP Sludge Thickening, Oakland Backup Generators, and Polk-Quincy
 Viaduct Utility Relocation

 DISCUSSION regarding the establishment of a Ready (Unassigned) Reserve Fund to be

comprised of unassigned General Fund reserves, was presented.

 Councilmember Dobler stated he has requested the establishment of a fund comprised of

excess unassigned General Fund reserves balance. He reported the City has fought for many years

to keep the unassigned fund balance at 15%. However, that has not been the case over that past 4-5

years with the excess 2023 unreserved General Fund balance being 27.55% and the anticipated

2024 excess unreserved General Fund balance being 23.74%. He referenced City of Topeka

Reserve Policy Resolution No. 8824 requiring the City maintain a minimum unassigned fund

balance of 15% and a suggested target rate of 20%. He stated he would propose that the annual

reserve balance be maintained at 20% when possible and any funds over and above the 20%

balance be placed in an “Unassigned Reserve Fund” to include usage guidelines as developed my

Staff. He stated Staff provided several good examples of how the 2023 Excess General Fund

reserves could be used at the March 12, 2023 Governing Body meeting and reported, the general

concept of his proposal was to better manage the excess funds and include the following policy

expectations:

 • Funds to be used for equipment replacement, capital projects that do not require
 bonding, emergencies, disaster recovery and other qualified items that Staff may bring
 forward for consideration.
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 • Each funding request must be considered separately by the Policy & Finance
 Committee before separately considered by the Governing Body.
 • Funding requests should be made throughout the year, and not necessarily all at once.
 • The establishment of the fund should add to emergency reserves to be used as needed.
 Examples would be the emergency situations that took place in 2008 and 2020.

 Councilmember Ortiz asked if the 20% reserve balance would have an impact on the City’s

bond ratings.

 Rachelle Mathews, Interim Finance Director, reported 15% is the minimum set by rating

agencies so maintaining a 20% reserve balance would be one contributing factor towards a good

rating; however, it does not guarantee the City keeps the good bond rating.

 Richard U. Nienstedt, Interim City Manager, spoke in support of the suggested policy and

believes it would be a good way to manage reserve funds.

 Councilmember Hiller stated she would not oppose voting on items separately including

the list of items presented at the March 12, 2024 Governing Body meeting, or in other ways if that

was the will of the Governing Body. She reported Finance provided her with an Income and

Expense Summary for business as usual for years 2024-2027, and the projection for 2027 was a

19% fund balance, which does not include anticipated 3% pay increases for the major part of the

City’s workforce. She asked Governing Body members to keep these projections in mind and

understand that the higher percentages would only be for the next 1-2 years. She suggested the

items be approved by the Public Infrastructure Committee instead of Policy & Finance Committee

because most of the funding requests are related to infrastructure.

 Councilmember Duncan spoke in support of the proposed policy because it would allow

the Governing Body time to consider each request in detail. He noted there has always been excess

surplus funds above the 20% target since he has served on the City Council.



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 Mayor Padilla stated he concurs with Councilmember Duncan and believes the proposed

process would be more transparent by approving requests separately.

 Councilmember Hiller reminded the Governing Body that staff shortages have contributed

to the increase in percentages; however, she hopes this has begun to change. She stated even

through a 5% vacancy credit will be included in the 2025 Proposed Operating Budget this issue

needs to be considered.

 Councilmember Banks requested more information on what type of equipment would be

eligible for the use of excess funds.

 Councilmember Dobler stated it may include equipment that would need to be purchased

on an emergency basis; however, the policy speaks more to larger equipment that would normally

have to be financed with bonds such as Fire Department equipment.

 PUBLIC COMMENT was submitted by Rachelle Hamilton (Attachment A) and provided

by the following individuals:

 Melissa Weikel, Topeka Justice Unity Ministry Program (JUMP) member asked the

Governing Body to move forward with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund process and to appoint

members to the review committee. She stated they believe that all people have the right to have

access to safe affordable housing. She noted the housing costs continue to rise and the Housing

Trust Fund needs to be implemented to help with the cost of inflation and address the needs

outlined in the 2020 Topeka Citywide Housing Market Study and Strategy.

 Cassie Martin spoke to the lack of affordable transportation being offered by the Topeka

Metro as well as the need to address policy service gaps such as expanded service hours and

reduced service fees.



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 Henry McClure spoke to the development of Malls across the country and the risk Topeka-

Shawnee County runs concerning high real estate taxes per square foot. He expressed the lack of

will by local government agencies to do conduct business with small business owners.

 ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CITY MANAGER, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE

COUNCIL;

 Councilmember Ortiz announced the Harlem Globetrotters would appear in Topeka March

20, 2024. She commended Blake Redd for providing 32 years of service to the Topeka Fire

Department. She thanked Finance Department Staff members for their assistance with the Capital

Improvement Plan and Budget.

 Councilmember Kell commended Blake Redd for providing 32 years of service to the

Topeka Fire Department. He commented on the great downtown events that occurred on Marcy 16,

2024 in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

 Councilmember Dobler stated he recently visited Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the city was

under a Boil Water Advisory. He reminded citizens these types of issues happen to all cities across

the nation.

 Mayor Padilla thanked Public Safety employees for their efforts in keeping citizens safe

during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, 2024.

 Councilmember Kell moved to recess into executive session for a time period not to exceed

2 hours to discuss applicants for city manager as allowed under KSA 75-4319(b)(1). The open

meeting resumed in the City Council Chambers. The following staff was deemed necessary to

assist the Governing Body in its deliberation, Interim City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt,

Assistant City Attorney Nick Jefferson, Human Resources Manager Shelby Harvel, SBG Vice

President of Executive Recruiting Marsh Reed, and any other staff he found necessary. The motion

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ATTACHMENT A