Governing Body — Topeka, KS
Date: 2026-01-14

Governing Body Minutes – January 6, 2026

 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, Topeka, Kansas, Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The

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

 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 January 6, 2026, 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 January 6, 2026, for attachment to the meeting minutes.

 AFTER THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER, the invocation was provided by

John Cantrell.

 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by meeting participants.

 A SWEARING IN CEREMONY was conducted for the following elected officials by

Karan Thadani, Municipal Court Judge:

 • Spencer L. Duncan, Mayor
 • Karen A. Hiller, Council District No. 1
 • Sylvia E. Ortiz, Council District No. 3
 • Brett D. Kell, Council District No. 5
 • Michelle A. Bradberry, Council District No. 7
 • Michelle Hoferer, Council District No. 9

 ROLL CALL commenced with the following Councilmembers present: Councilmembers

Hiller, Ortiz, Banks, Kell, Miller, Bradberry and Hoferer - 7. Presided: Mayor Duncan -1.

Absent: Councilmembers Valdivia-Alcala - 1. Council District No. 8 Seat -Vacant.



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 CONSENT AGENDA was presented as follows:

 RESOLUTION NO. 9749 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks and Neil Dobler recommending approval of

Project Nos. 841099.04 and 501125.04 for street and stormwater improvements to SW 42nd

Street east of Martin Drive, as further described in Exhibit A, was presented. (Public

Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on December 12, 2025.)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9750 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks and Neil Dobler recommending approval of

Project Nos. 841106.01 and 841104.044 for 2026 Micro Surfacing, as further described in

Exhibit A, was presented. (Public Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on

December 12, 2025.)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9751 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks and Neil Dobler recommending approval of

Project Nos. 841201.02, 281250.18 and 291128.10 for alley repair and utility improvements

south of 2nd Street between Woodlawn and Greenwood, as further described in Exhibit A, was

presented. (Public Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on December 12, 2025.)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9752 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks and Neil Dobler recommending approval of

Project No. 701050.00 for construction of sidewalk on NW Lyman Road, as further described in

Exhibit A, was presented. (Public Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on

December 12, 2025.)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9753 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers David Banks, Sylvia Ortiz and Neil Dobler, amending the 2025-2027 CIB
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and 2025-2034 CIP to provide additional funding for Project No. 701039.00 for street

improvements to SE 29th Street from Kansas Avenue to Adams Street, was presented. (Public

Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on December 12, 2025.)

 RESOLUTION NO. 9754 introduced by the Public Infrastructure Committee comprised

of Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz, David Banks and Neil Dobler recommending approval of

Project Nos. 701039.00 et al. for street and utility improvements to SE 29th Street from Kansas

Avenue to Adams Street, as further described in Exhibit A, was presented. (Public Infrastructure

Committee recommended approval on December 12, 2025.)

 APPROVAL of the MINUTES of the regular meeting of December 16, 2025, was

presented.

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

Councilmember Banks carried unanimously. (8-0-0)

 ELECTION of Deputy Mayor to serve a one-year term pursuant to Topeka Municipal

Code Section A2-26(c), was presented.

 Mayor Duncan stated according to Governing Body Rules & Procedures 4.1(b) Council

members who have served the longest period of time and have not previously served as Deputy

Mayor will automatically be nominated; therefore, Councilmember Hoferer would automatically

be nominated to serve as Deputy Mayor.

 Councilmember Hoferer accepted the nomination.

 Upon hearing no more nominations, Mayor Duncan closed nominations.

 Mayor Duncan advised that it has been the procedure of the Governing Body to elect a

deputy mayor via written ballots and suggested this policy be reconsidered in the future. He


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asked if there were any objections to allowing Councilmember Miller, who was participating

remotely, to cast his voice verbally instead of by written ballot.

 Upon hearing no objection, Councilmember Miller verbally voted “yes” to elect

Councilmember Hoferer to serve as the next Deputy Mayor.

 After the tally of ballots, the City Clerk announced Councilmember Hoferer received

eight (8) votes and would serve as the new Deputy Mayor.

 PUBLIC COMMENT was provided by the following individuals:

 Gretchen Eickman expressed concern with the lack of training by the Topeka Police

Department. She also expressed her disappointment with the Kansas Legal Service and

community bullies misappropriating public funds.

 Keely Addington referenced a Facebook Post regarding Dylan Walstrom and a comment

from an anonymous person who she believes was a police officer. She asked the City to release

the video of the police shooting to allow the family to grieve and prove the police officer was not

in the wrong.

 Sandra Lassiter congratulated Councilmember Bradberry and Mayor Duncan on being

elected to serve the community. She encouraged Governing Body members and executive staff to

have a brain, heart and courage to be transparent in representing the community. She expressed

her disappointment in the denial of the claim filed by Dylan Walstrom’s family. She announced

they would be conducting a community forum regarding youth rights on January 10, 2026, at

5:00 p.m.

 Danielle Twemlow provided an update on a Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) Request

she submitted about Kansas TopSoil and the discrepancy of information that she continues to


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receive regarding the request. She expressed concern about the turnaround time of payments to

Kansas TopSoil for their serves and stated she believes City policy was not followed.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE

COUNCIL:

 Brenda Younger, City Clerk, provided an overview of the January 13, 2026, Governing

Body meeting agenda.

 Councilmember Ortiz congratulated Mayor Duncan on his election. She thanked District

No. 3 for allowing her to serve a sixth term as City Council District representative.

 Councilmember Banks thanked fellow Governing Body members for their service and

support. He stated he looks forward to serving Council District No. 4 and the city.

 Councilmember Kell thanked his family for supporting him during his election campaign.

He also thanked fellow Governing Body members for their guidance and support.

 Councilmember Miller welcomed Councilmember Bradberry and Mayor Duncan. He

stated he looks forward to working with the Governing Body in the new year.

 Councilmember Bradberry thanked her family and residents for allowing her to serve.

 Councilmember Hoferer thanked those who participated in the Topeka Zoo Lights event.

She announced information would be distributed about the District No. 8 vacancy. She

announced Council Committee member assignments must be completed by February 1, 2026.

She asked City Council members to send her their committee assignment requests as soon as

possible.

 Councilmember Hiller thanked residents for allowing her to serve another term as

Council District representative and highlighted initiatives she plans to work on while serving.


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 Brenda Younger, City Clerk, provided an overview of the Council District No. 8 Vacancy

process.

 NO FURTHER BUSINESS appearing the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.




 (SEAL)

 ______________________________
 Brenda Younger, City Clerk, M.M.C.




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