Governing Body — Topeka, KS
Date: 2025-06-03

Governing Body Chambers 214 SE 8th
 Street, 2nd Floor, Topeka, Kansas,
 666603
 https://www.topeka.org




 Governing Body Agenda
 June 3, 2025
 5:00 PM

 JOINT CITY-COUNTY M EETING

 Shawnee County Commissioners:
 Bill Riphahn District No. 1
 Kevin Cook District No. 2
 Aaron Mays District No. 3


 Mayor: Michael A. Padilla
 Councilmembers
Karen A. Hiller District No. 1 Marcus D.L. Miller District No. 6
Christina Valdivia-Alcala District No. 2 Neil Dobler District No. 7
Sylvia E. Ortiz District No. 3 Spencer Duncan District No. 8
David Banks District No. 4 Michelle Hoferer District No. 9
Brett D. Kell District No. 5
 City Manager: Dr. Robert M. Perez


Addressing the Joint City-County 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 4:00
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:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
1. ROLL CALL:
2. NON-ACTION ITEMS:
 A. Presentation - Topeka Riverfront Development

 (The Riverfront Advisory Council Taskforce will brief the City of Topeka Governing Body and
 Shawnee County Commission on the concept of Riverfront Development and the Vision for
 Phase I of the Project.)

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
 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 4:00 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. 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. View the meeting online at
 https://www.topeka.org/communications/live-stream/ or at
 https://www.facebook.com/cityoftopeka/.
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
6. ADJOURNMENT:
 City of Topeka
 Council Action Form
 Council Chambers
 214 SE 8th Street
 Topeka, Kansas 66603
 www.topeka.org
 June 3, 2025


DATE: June 3, 2025
CONTACT PERSON: John Hunter, Riverfront DOCUMENT #:
 Advisory Council
 Taskforce Chair and
 Kevin Holland, Chair-
 Elect
SECOND PARTY/SUBJECT: Riverfront Development PROJECT #:
 Concept and Phase 1
 Project Vision
CATEGORY/SUBCATEGORY
CIP PROJECT: No
ACTION OF COUNCIL: JOURNAL #:
 PAGE #:

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:

(The Riverfront Advisory Council Taskforce will brief the City of Topeka Governing Body and
Shawnee County Commission on the concept of Riverfront Development and the Vision for Phase I of
the Project.)

VOTING REQUIREMENTS:
Discussion only.
POLICY ISSUE:
The Riverfront Authority will brief the City of Topeka Governing Body and Shawnee County Commission on the
Riverfront Development Concept and the Vision for Phase I of the Project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is making no recommendation.
BACKGROUND:
City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, has called a Special Joint City-County Meeting for the Riverfront Advisory
Council Taskforce to brief the Governing Body and Shawnee County Commissioners on the Riverfront
Development Concept and the Vision for Phase I of the Project.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Not applicable.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Not applicable.

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Riverfront Development Presentation
 Greg Schwerdt, Chair
 Kevin Holland, Chair-Elect
John Hunter, Taskforce Chair
STRUCTURE/TASKFORCE

RIVERFRONT STRUCTURE RIVERFRONT ADVISORY COUNCIL
 TASKFORCE
Topeka/Shawnee County John Hunter, Chair,
Riverfront Authority Dr. Robert Perez, City Manager,
 Bill Riphahn, County Commissioner,
Riverfront Advisory Council
 Craig Heideman, Kaw Valley Bank,
Housed within the Greater Topeka Partnership
 Jennifer Woerner, Dirty Girls Adventures,
Riverfront Advisory Council Dawn Buehler, Riverkeepers & Friends of the Kaw,
Executive Committee Pedro Concepcion, NOTO Arts and
 Entertainment District,
RAC Subcommittee Eric Purcell, Clayton Wealth Partners,
Phase 3 efforts. Craig Cook, Fidelity Bank,
RAC Taskforce Kevin Holland, CFS Engineering
Phase 1 efforts.
 Riverfront Advisory Council Support
 Kevin Holland, RAC Board Chair-Elect CFS Engineering
 Greg Schwerdt, RAC Chair, Schwerdt Design Group
 Michelle Stubblefield, Greater Topeka Partnership
WHAT THIS VISION MEANS FOR TOPEKA

COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Access to Recreation
• Strengthening Community Ties
ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
• Sustainability Focus
ECONOMIC GROWTH
• Job Creation
• Boosting Tourism and
  Business Revenue
FROM VISION TO REALITY

 Our vision for a 21st Century Riverfront is to enhance Topeka’s quality of life,
 drive economic development, and foster a deeper connection between the
 city and its river. It’s about creating shared spaces that bring people together
 across generations.
 The primary phases toward full implementation include:

 PHASE 1: Brings to life opportunities to immediately activate the river for the
 community as work continues toward the long-term goal of a fully developed
 riverfront.

 PHASE 2: Shawnee County Parks & Recreation oversight and management from
 Union Station to Curtis Road.

 PHASE 3: A full Implementation plan of Riverfront development prior to completion
 of Polk Quincy Viaduct.
PHASE 1 - PROJECT COMPONENTS

 By developing vibrant public spaces in Phase1 we’re paving the way for local businesses, tourism, and
 long-term job growth.

 STEEL REMOVAL - Granted Emergency Action by Corps of Engineers to advance efforts forward. Cost
 estimates, coordination, and requirements being determined.
 BOAT RAMP - Setup, planning and funding needs being developed toward coordination with various
 local, state, and federal entities toward development - Strong partnership with Friends of the Kaw.
 PARKING/TURNAROUND - Research to determine size, cost and planning considerations to address
 parking is underway.
 TRAIL CONNECTIVITY - Generating support to build trailS and connect to the current trail system.
 BUILDING ACQUISITION - In discussions with City and County to repurpose Office Building (on Curtis)
 for education, meeting, storage space, and kayaks and bike rental.
 FINANCIAL SETUP - The funding structure is being established through the Greater Topeka Foundation to
 manage internal, direct, and indirect funding opportunities.
 BEAUTIFICATION - Overall landscaping and beautification of the area into a park-like environment.
 PHASE 1- COMMITTMENT
FUNDING & COLLABORATION
Current estimates for Phase 1 Project Cost : $1,300,000.00
The Taskforce requests $400,000 over a two-year period from both the City of Topeka and Shawnee County.
The Riverfront Advisory Council will commit to raising or assist in raising additional amounts if needed to complete Phase 1 project
goals.
The City/County would have direct control of their project support funds.
1. The City/County will select a component of the project and complete it using standard in-house project process. They would
control the
 time, process and payment.
2. The City/County may agree to hire an outside contractor to complete a component of the project and pay the contractor directly.
3. The Taskforce, using the money they raised, will pay a contractor for the work on a component of the project.
Of the funds requested, the Riverfront Advisory Council Taskforce requests the transfer of $25,000 from the City/County to the
account at Kaw Valley bank to cover immediate cost of required engineering associated with the permit process for the boat ramp,
access road and turnaround.
We request approval of this transfer as soon as possible given the time related to the boat ramp permit approval process.
Once completed, it is intended to have the property and all components of the project be transferred to the County as intended by
the original Parks Consolidation Plan.
 PHASE 1- TIMELINE



TO COMPLETE
PHASE 1 PROJECTS


2 YEARS
THANK YOU!
 City of Topeka
 Council Action Form
 Council Chambers
 214 SE 8th Street
 Topeka, Kansas 66603
 www.topeka.org
 June 3, 2025


DATE: June 3, 2025
CONTACT PERSON: DOCUMENT #:
SECOND PARTY/SUBJECT: Public Comment PROJECT #:
 Protocol
CATEGORY/SUBCATEGORY
CIP PROJECT: No
ACTION OF COUNCIL: JOURNAL #:
 PAGE #:

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
PUBLIC COMMENT PROTOCOL
VOTING REQUIREMENTS:
POLICY ISSUE:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BACKGROUND:
Governing Body Rule 5.5

(c) Public Comment on a specific agenda item: Comments from members of the public concerning a
specific agenda item will be heard at the time the item is considered. Persons will be limited to addressing the
governing body one (1) time on a particular matter unless otherwise allowed by a vote of six (6) or more members
of the governing body.

(d) General public comment: Requests by members of the public to speak during the public comment portion
of a regular governing body meeting will be placed on the agenda on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The
request should state the name of the individual(s) desiring to be heard. Each such individual shall be limited to
addressing the governing body one (1) time and his or her comments shall be limited to topics directly relevant to
business of the governing body; provided however, that comments pertaining to personnel and litigation matters
shall not be allowed.

Procedures for Addressing the Governing Body
In accordance with Governing Body Rules 5.6 and 5.7, the following protocols for public comment apply:
 Each person shall state his or her name and city of residence in an audible tone for the record.
 All remarks shall be addressed to the Governing Body as a whole -- not to any individual member.
 In order to provide additional time for as many individuals as possible to address the Governing Body, each
 individual signed up to speak will need to complete his or her comments within four minutes.

The following behavior will not be tolerated from any speaker:

 Uttering fighting words
 Slander
 Speeches invasive of the privacy of individuals (no mention of names) Unreasonably Loud Speech
 Repetitious Speech or Debate
 Speeches so disruptive of proceedings that the legislative process is substantially interrupted

Any speaker who engages in this type of behavior will be warned once by the presiding office (Mayor). If the
behavior continues, the speaker will be ordered to cease his or her behavior. If the speaker persists in interfering
with the ability of the Governing Body to carry out its function, he or she will be removed from the City Council
Chambers or Zoom meeting room.

Members of the public, Governing Body and staff are expected to treat one another with respect at all times.
Zoom Meeting Protocol

 Make sure your Zoom name, email and/or phone number matches what was submitted to the City Clerk
 when you signed up for public comment. Any misnamed or unauthorized users will not be admitted to
 Zoom.
 Please keep your mic muted and your camera off until you are called by the Mayor to give your comment.
 If you are cut off during your comment time due to an internet connection or technical issue, you will need
 to submit your comments in writing to the City Clerk atcclerk@topeka.orgor 215 SE 7thStreet, Room
 012B, Topeka, KS 66603 for attachment to the minutes.
 If you break any of the public comment rules, you will receive one warning from the Mayor. If you continue
 any prohibited behavior, you will be removed from the Zoom meeting room and will not be allowed to rejoin.
 Public comment is limited to four minutes. You may receive an extension at the discretion of the Governing
 Body. The timer will be visible to you in the ‘City of Topeka Admin’ window on the Zoom app. Call-in users
 will hear one beep when a minute is remaining and then another beep when time has expired.
 Please do not share the Zoom login information with anyone. Any unauthorized users will not be admitted to
 the Zoom meeting room.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
SOURCE OF FUNDING:

Joint City-County Meeting Minutes – June 3, 2025

 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, Topeka, Kansas, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The Governing

Body members of the City of Topeka and the Shawnee County Commissioner met in special

session, a Joint City-County Meeting, at 5:00 P.M. with the following members present:

Councilmembers Karen Hiller, Christina Valdivia-Alcala, Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks, Brett Kell,

Marcus Miller, Neil Dobler and Michelle Hoferer -8; Shawnee County Commissioners Bill

Riphahn and Aaron Mays -2. Absent: Councilmember Spencer Duncan and Shawnee County

Commissioner Kevin Cook -2. Mayor Michael 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 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2025, 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 June 3, 2025, for attachment to the meeting minutes.

 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by meeting participants.

 A PRESENTATION on Topeka Riverfront Development was provided by Greg

 Schwerdt, Riverfront Advisory Council Chair; John Hunter, Riverfront Advisory Council

 Taskforce Chair; and Kevin Holland, Riverfront Advisory Council Board Chair-Elect.

 Commissioner Cook entered the room.

 Greg Schwerdt, Riverfront Advisory Council Taskforce Chair, provided an overview of

 the Vision of Riverfront Advisory Council and Development including the community impact,

 Joint City-County Meeting 06-03-25
 184
environmental stewardship and economic growth impact.

 Councilmember Duncan entered the room.

 John Hunter, Riverfront Advisory Council Taskforce Chair, provided an overview of the

components of Phase 1 of the project to include the removal of steel from the river, building of

a boat ramp, parking, trail connectivity, building acquisition, financial setup and beautification.

Estimated Phase 1 Project Cost was $1.3 million. The Taskforce requested $400,000 over a

two-year period from both the City of Topeka and Shawnee County. The Riverfront Advisory

Council will commit to raising or assist in raising additional amounts if needed to complete

Phase 1 project goals.

 Councilmember Banks asked the Taskforce to provide their thoughts on community-wide

support of riverfront development.

 Commissioner Cook referenced the upcoming budget challenges faced by both the City

and County and asked if the Taskforce plans to fundraise private dollars for the remainder of

funds needed.

 Greg Schwerdt reported it was determined through the feasibility study and on-line

surveys that there was overwhelming support by the community for riverfront development. He

stated they are developing a grant committee and researching what other cities are doing to

finance riverfront development and noted, there are two out-of-state developers interested in

developing the riverfront area in Topeka.

 John Hunter spoke to the 10-year history of community involvement of riverfront

development. He stated the $1.3 million project cost was a fluid number and they are hopeful a

successful private-public partnership can be developed to assist with financing.

 Councilmember Kell expressed concern with the unknowns of the project proposal. He
 Joint City-County Meeting 06-03-25
 185
stated he has not received any positive feedback from constituents and expressed concern with

the added strain on the public safety aspect of riverfront development. He suggested they

concentrate on developing river shorelines only.

 Greg Schwerdt referenced Topeka as the only city in the state with a river running

through with no development along the riverfront. He spoke to the positive impact it would

have on connecting Downtown Topeka and the NOTO Arts District.

 Kevin Holland, Riverfront Advisory Council Chair-Elect, reported from an

environmental aspect, removing steel from the river was a routine activity in response to

cleaning up a river and the Corps of Engineers were experienced and prepared to handle how it

would impact the flow of the river and surrounding environment.

 Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala stated she supports riverfront development being funded

100% by private dollars specifically by large private corporations. She encouraged the

Taskforce to apply for grants and stated she has received no feedback from constituents

supporting riverfront development in District 1. She spoke in opposition of the City allocating

funds for the development of the riverfront.

 Councilmember Miller stated he could support the long-term impact of riverfront

development; however, he remains mindful of the difficult financial position the City was

facing.

 Councilmember Hiller spoke in support of riverfront development and highlighted her

involvement in the history of how the initiative has emerged over the years. She suggested the

City and County partner to actively seek grants as well as find other ways to partner that would

be beneficial to riverfront development.

 Mayor Padilla thanked Taskforce members for the presentation and stated he understands
 Joint City-County Meeting 06-03-25
 186
the pros and cons of riverfront development; however, he supports raising private dollars to

finance riverfront development.

 PUBLIC COMMENT was provided by the following individual:

 Daniel Twemlow spoke to the importance of developing a strategic assessment plan to

mitigate public safety emergencies along the river. She encouraged the City and County to

jointly address the underfunding of public health and safety issues such as food access,

childcare, housing and the threat to peoples’ basic needs before they allocate funds to riverfront

development.

 NO FURTHER BUSINESS appearing the meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.




 (SEAL) ___________________________________
 Brenda Younger, City Clerk, M.M.C.




 Joint City-County Meeting 06-03-25
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