[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6285970,"mediaKeyId","2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82","parentId",2565941,"title","Votes at a glance: March 11 Topeka governing-body meeting","audioSeconds",3624,"startMs",196000,"endMs",3820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82&start=196&end=3820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82/thumbnail_196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285970/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-March-11-Topeka-governing-body-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285970-93a376144cae3dd954de135a02e08402/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175236&Signature=ne637OSJ97hNvDBXj9eGJqw-VALlpW-gBgowuayGx4FT~pMKXkSEbpmIjsP~mJ3yGCvfIvIgONRkWudRMq0JMxZJqbmBZDM0Wp60C3FRVnQn6ITMz~LT8oqt~OyJPBMVJ1qMeKKy2qvIv9gD3gL-Z2FxUJutbKnqOcT1xziHJAvjKIqjFXCWAMUSFTffkDZOYz-GjXB40Y603oIPmTSI63cCxxDt1gzahajUNkR6VrVNcvoec3Vq1PJvZDbY29Ll-VkE4femprOBINKs-upLZRsCm0WHzZmaxIZf64TsRMQtOsTx-ZPLAEp4PwwRLhnQJLfwxIsoIbHuK8BId1J5lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Topeka, KS","date","2025-03-12T02:44:04Z","article","The Topeka governing body recorded several formal votes on March 11. Below is a concise summary of each action and its outcome.

Appointment
- Pedro Concepcion: Appointment to the Noto Business Improvement District advisory board to fill a term ending 03/11/2027. Motion to approve carried (roll-call recorded as unanimously in favor at the time of vote; clerk recorded the motion carried). No further conditions recorded.

Consent agenda
- Minutes of the regular meeting of March 4 and listed consent items. Motion to accept carried by roll call (10–0, recorded).

Infrastructure and capital resolutions (public infrastructure committee recommendations)
- Project 141037, Phase 2: Traffic-signal replacement at SW 21st and Randolph Avenue. Motion to approve carried (10–0).
- Project 841097, Phase 6 and 501105, Phase 16: Street and utility improvements for NW Menager Road (NW Greenhills to NW Rochester). Motion to approve carried (10–0).
- Project 841097, Phase 16 and 501105, Phase 9: Street and utility improvements for SW Roosevelt Street (Eighth to Sixth Avenue). Motion to approve carried (10–0).
- Project 841097, Phase 11: Street improvement on SE Greenfield Court (cul-de-sac drainage/curb repairs). Motion to approve carried (10–0).

Other procedural action
- Motion to recess to executive session to discuss data related to financial affairs/trade secrets for a corporation considering entering the housing market (KSA referenced). Motion carried; the body recessed and later returned and adjourned. The roll-call vote to enter executive session recorded one opposed and the rest in favor on the record.

These items were presented by staff or by the public infrastructure committee and carried with the tallies above. Several of the capital projects were presented with minimal discussion and were approved unanimously; the liquor-distance ordinance received a separate, contested vote and is covered in its own article.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes taken March 11, including appointments, consent agenda and infrastructure project approvals.","taxTitle","Topeka City, Shawnee County, Kansas","taxId",4988,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285974,"City attorney outlines parks-and-rec consolidation, deed restrictions and parkland-fee administration",198,2102000,2300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82&start=2102&end=2300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","/articles/6285974/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/City-attorney-outlines-parks-and-rec-consolidation-deed-restrictions-and-parkland-fee-administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285974-c05e7d4b03bc55c289efce4c7cc4389e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175236&Signature=YYLKQCqM9zuVXDWixgylIBDA5eTFg6o2K5LAtChe4VQuosz-kdrz~yUDtxYTSlJbELLrFPYCSeMoLDlq2Jn3492MuIIhaStcWyU4FyPuVbz5ev2FUoP7IK8iHO-YQeu0Ed2LCfNu48rC2wPMfcGLI0CGYXdeUM7dDotamhI1uVPNvbLTH3-XvnWTMRze6wESno5JT~JD5tyvDUq8KELmf~aBYGWXDHwvghZ8VG-R03GojFV8vlv5fo6H8IxQMSWYGRsOqxU7W~HtaseW082V7i8lnBsroYRwkvj0daB7AC4T~k0kxmmlm5FCKRTF3zCmFf3EpQjstkdJ1umtj9n9sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney Amanda Stanley presented a historical review of the 2001 consolidation of the Topeka Parks and Recreation Department with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation at the March 11 governing-body meeting.

Stanley said the joint authority and consolidation process dated back to studies in the 1990s and culminated with a city-county resolution to consolidate park operations effective in 2012. As part of that arrangement, city park property conveyed to the county is subject to deed restrictions requiring property to be used for parks and recreation; many deeds include a reversionary clause returning the property to the city if the county ceases to use it for park or recreation purposes or seeks to sell the land.

She called special attention to Gage Park, where original deed restrictions from the Gage family require careful compliance to keep the property in the city’s ownership and to maintain zoo-related uses.

Stanley explained the two amendments to the consolidation contract: an early amendment that expanded the Parks and Rec Advisory Board from seven to 15 members and changed appointment mechanisms, and a later amendment addressing transferred union employees and labor negotiations to secure an orderly personnel transition. She said the county assumed responsibility for maintenance of the conveyed park properties and for administration of parkland-development fees, which are collected at permit issuance and transferred to the county. The city retains ordinance-enforcement authority on former city park areas and must maintain the law-enforcement level effective at transfer.

On parkland-development fees, Stanley said the amounts vary by subdivision type and area in the city; fees collected with new residential permits are transferred to Shawnee County for administration. She said staff can request more detail from the county on how parkland-fee revenues have been used.

Stanley offered to answer council questions and said staff can return with more granular information if requested.","City Attorney Amanda Stanley reviewed the 2001 transfer of city park properties to Shawnee County parks, deed restrictions requiring parks-only use, two subsequent contract amendments, and the county’s current responsibilities for maintenance and parkland-fee administration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285978,"Council hears lengthy debate on Lawrence Bay RHID, special assessments and plan to return lots to tax rolls",1731,3499000,5230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82&start=3499&end=5230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82/thumbnail_3499000.jpg","/articles/6285978/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Council-hears-lengthy-debate-on-Lawrence-Bay-RHID-special-assessments-and-plan-to-return-lots-to-tax-rolls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285978-9ed13ad9a70ff5d3eec10ccbe830c6f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175236&Signature=LlQDdRgbvAZ2x2edi3BHR7jE00MOTfAwSouiePPu2SJCa1Pi83VL2f6XUTqJnQdo9dCFkCeQeFZKtKcw5CQywSTLW9eeO8abHhQd0K7q7LDjF2EWLj1-j~ykN9eQjV1~A5IanjzsFiqZ2Ucn5zXYlhXB5ML9THbEnTtYpOa7H-DWBXyyrapYZd~euWznD9fDR75f6U~ttbmE4XJwfcXx69jowqwMMAZADWhMmokOoK9q15LeX50qEBzpc8nhADx~8OYUrQJ8nXh7lljonod5Wf-cOEoPqnTMivH~S~TSm9NJsoemC3vVOSPecEvWXcxOMUgB5qncxyHD9muk7BKV9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an RHID application for LB Lots LLC (Lawrence Bay) and asked the governing body to authorize staff to proceed with the application to the Kansas Department of Commerce. The item was a discussion on March 11; final council action was scheduled for the council’s March 18 meeting.

Director Rhiannon Friedman (participating remotely) summarized the application as a proposal to create an RHID covering 15 initial Lawrence Bay lots at the subdivision entrance off SW 47th and Wanamaker. The applicant proposes to build and sell 15 single-family homes over four years once approvals and a development agreement are in place.

Public comment raised questions about wider policy priorities and affordability. Resident Danielle Twemlow told the council that the city’s housing-study findings show a greater need for lower-income (very low AMI) units than the types of market-rate homes targeted by the RHID. “The actual higher need of our community is the AMI at the 20% mark…not the AMI of 50%, which is what we continue over and over again to be giving these specials and these RHIDs for,” Twemlow said.

Council members and staff discussed the deal mechanics and amounts. Staff summarized the negotiated figures for the 16 parcels under discussion (the applicant’s 15 lots plus a narrow parcel the city also reviewed):
- Past-due real-estate taxes on the parcels: $86,000 (staff said this amount has been paid).
- Past-due special assessments: $423,000.
- A negotiated escrowed payment of $525,000 (calculated using $2.25 per square foot) to be placed in escrow by the developer; that amount exceeds the past-due specials total.
- Future special assessments on the same parcels: about $432,000; staff described options to convert those into a CID amortization and reduce the per-lot special down to a level the market could support.

Staff described an amortization analysis showing the CID treatment would reduce future specials from a relatively high current level to roughly $227 per lot (amortized) and then, after applying $102,000 from escrow toward principal reduction, to about $185 per lot — a figure staff said is closer to comparable properties. The city also will include three lots it purchased at auction in the CID to spread specials across additional parcels.

Council members asked whether the current owner, identified in public discussion as a long-time developer who holds many of the Lawrence Bay parcels, had agreed to the revised development agreement; staff said the developer’s attorney was present and the amended development agreement had been circulated. The governing body also discussed timing and conditions: staff said the developer would escrow the negotiated funds after final approvals and the development agreement would condition construction tranches (roughly four homes per year) on completion of required approvals.

Several councilors and the public voiced concern about precedent and fairness, especially because the parcels previously entered tax-foreclosure processes and because the developer has other outstanding obligations on other parcels. Deputy Mayor Banks and others argued the city’s approach was intended to recover specials that otherwise would be lost at tax auction and to put parcels back on the tax rolls. “If we didn't work with them, and they went to auction, those specials would disappear,” Banks said. Staff and the city attorney noted that the governing body must be able to articulate a rational basis for granting such agreements in order to defend against possible legal challenges.

No council action was taken at the March 11 discussion. Staff said the RHID application would be on the March 18 agenda for possible formal action and that the public hearing for a CID would be scheduled in the coming weeks.","Council and staff discussed an application to create a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for 15 Lawrence Bay lots and related Community Improvement District (CID) and development-agreement mechanics. Speakers debated tax delinquencies, negotiated escrows, future specials and the precedent the deal could set.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285983,"Council approves ordinance waiving state distance restriction for proposed liquor retailer; three council members oppose",154,3746000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82&start=3746&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82/thumbnail_3746000.jpg","/articles/6285983/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Council-approves-ordinance-waiving-state-distance-restriction-for-proposed-liquor-retailer-three-council-members-oppose","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285983-6ea225023d9932219198ea859932ea5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175236&Signature=OdSMMTyNddheWLkOFEp~qJgavvUnB1Ekyk2Z-HwERfXIVWTifh-9rFuYEmlacZ3vPVM0N2Gm~aeNWPkrQJZfiH7kbW4Se~Ux3c-NUAF93S0PWEGeYGm~fhtgqtJbtBk21Mp5lIJ7lSAWfKIw7kh6WXM-bnmLd9WwB0vHgZPktGfVV3Qov6pnnjOxuhWKQwuM48Q3pcll111Kw8kyZm~RQ9xXp1l~p1Q6kPm8ERfKsjI4y3fhwUjtT2LMSdM63qsz19xgMCS3SLoi5OkBUD7TB-8m0O5YnJyDs7NcBycvpkEdrEkcaX5wDYfGrDR7spdQoYpUC5HQM2fImiuOnDt-XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An ordinance introduced by the city manager to exempt an applicant from a distance restriction in state law that limits retail liquor stores’ proximity to schools, colleges or churches passed the governing body on March 11.

City Attorney Amanda Stanley explained the state rule as KSA 41 dash 7 (explained at the meeting as the statute that “prohibits a retail liquor store from being within 200 feet of any public parochial school, college, or church”) and said state law allows the governing body to waive the restriction by ordinance. She also described an attorney general opinion on how the 200-foot measure is calculated.

Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz moved approval and the deputy mayor seconded. After more than 30 minutes of debate, the ordinance passed by a roll-call tally of 7–3. Councilwoman Valdivia Alcala, Councilwoman Ortiz and Councilwoman Ann Miller voted no; the motion carried with seven affirmative votes from the remaining members.

Opponents cited public-health concerns and neighborhood impacts. Councilwoman Valdivia Alcala said she had received a large number of constituent emails opposing the waiver and said those messages were mostly from women raising concerns about children’s safety and community health. “I cannot support this,” Valdivia Alcala said.

Supporters said the decision enables small-business development and noted nearby locations already sell alcohol. Mayor Padilla pointed to practical examples and said permitting for special events already allows alcohol on some campuses. Deputy Mayor Banks emphasized parity: he said a national chain received a convenience-store beer/wine license on the same corner in a prior council decision and that treating local and corporate applicants differently would be difficult to justify. “I just personally struggle a little with telling the corporate chain store, sure, I don't mind if you sell it here, but the local guy differently,” Councilman Duncan said as part of the debate.

City Attorney Stanley reiterated that state law contemplates waiver by ordinance and that the governing body’s action is legal if it chooses to approve it.

The ordinance’s passage did not create a new citywide zoning rule; it granted a waiver for this applicant under state statute as explained by the city attorney. The council did not adopt additional zoning changes or a density plan at the meeting. Several councilors urged future consideration of a formal density or neighborhood plan before future approvals.","The governing body voted to pass an ordinance waiving aspects of state distance restrictions that would otherwise bar a retail liquor store from locating close to a school, college or church. The measure drew extended debate over public health, neighborhood impacts and consistency of permitting.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285988,"Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority lays groundwork to restore passenger service, plans large hangar and flight academy",684,447000,1131000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82&start=447&end=1131","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2565941-734e34b8fefd5a0f05f414c3c0617d82/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6285988/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Metropolitan-Topeka-Airport-Authority-lays-groundwork-to-restore-passenger-service-plans-large-hangar-and-flight-academy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285988-072513f3492fdff62e03b13f8921eab7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175236&Signature=bRabVyfCkWQIyt0jGTr7xu4h8Yfx7gbGRSWKBIPAucK0mL3mQnHv38dkfQ5Cbur5bIhWBNl1cx6u~PpPtezhPmsrDstzH80XA02agFK2letluAtEkVhVhaJXChuaShduPkpW4sibhx1Z~bOuRPVRB1PSMho~f9jrvRHJFZczu~K~49MrxubukxdSTpqVjxbRgBhlo5gKXFW4yH3W~pzqjJq8Bxw-1oceqIoKgi7LUe~4Bd8I4WqanPJecTK5oS1KcFeAVwnTb~vjyGyLAxlYqA4YMSKinsiISyDdh5DHfrKjQiGhxRl9ZTNJ1aX6OyYQ09k06BZ3iJlNu25DmgCmpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Munson, a member of the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) board of directors, and Curtis Sneeden, the authority’s director of development, gave the governing body an annual update on March 11.

Munson and Sneeden described MTAA operations at Philip Billard Airport and Topeka Regional Airport (Forbes Field), and outlined projects intended to expand aviation-related business in the region. “We are looking forward to the establishment of a flight academy there at Billard,” Sneeden said, and the authority is pursuing construction of an 80,000-square-foot hangar at Forbes Field.

The MTAA said revenue comes mainly from property taxes and from tenant rent and fuel sales. The authority has been able to increase rental income and tenant activity through tenant outreach and by improving on-airport services at Billard, the speakers said. Munson noted new terminal food service at Billard and increased military traffic, while Sneeden described plans to replace aging fuel tanks at both fields and complete airfield work including a taxiway realignment at Forbes.

The authority’s headline initiative is a multi-pronged campaign dubbed “Get There From Here,” intended to lure a point-to-point carrier to restore scheduled passenger service at Forbes. Sneeden and Munson said airport staff and a consultant have data showing hundreds of Topekans daily drive to Kansas City International to fly to a small set of destinations; the MTAA’s pitch is that a route to one of those destinations would be patronized by local flyers. “We have data at our disposal now which makes it very clear that hundreds of Topekans every single day drive over to Kansas City so that they can fly to one of three places: Phoenix, Orlando, or Las Vegas,” Sneeden said.

Munson and Curtis described a funding strategy that includes an advisory committee, a community “buy-in” campaign, and pursuing both a small-community air service grant and a revenue-guarantee arrangement the airlines commonly require. Munson specifically named a consultant, “Jax Penny with Valaire,” whose report MTAA has engaged to support carrier negotiations. “One of the big components of this commercial service is what you hear. The buzz phrase is a revenue guarantee that the airlines command,” Munson said.

Board members and councilors asked about lessons learned from previous service attempts, whether Topeka could compete with Kansas City and Manhattan, and the choice between national network carriers and growing point-to-point carriers. Sneeden said the market has changed since earlier efforts and that MTAA will pursue smaller, point-to-point carriers that are adding routes. He said the authority will target carriers that serve destinations favored by Topeka travelers and emphasized community and corporate outreach to generate a base of riders. “Adding routes out of Topeka has a number of ramifications,” Sneeden said, adding that restoration of service could produce economic development and better access for conventions or sporting events.

Council members pressed for protections in any revenue-guarantee agreements. Councilwoman Hiller recalled earlier local experience where a carrier received payments despite cancellations; Sneeden said the consultant’s work addresses structuring agreements and monitoring carrier performance.

MTAA also outlined non-air-service projects including runway and taxiway work, terminal repairs and modernization, a planned new fuel farm at Billard, rehabilitation of hangars and maintenance facilities, and tenant-driven expansion of a flight school. The presenters said some capital work has been paid with federal grants such as the Airport Improvement Program or CARES Act funds and that the board has set aside funds for marketing a future commercial service launch.

The MTAA asked for council support in outreach to local businesses and stakeholders while it pursues grant applications and airline negotiations. No formal action was requested or taken at the meeting.","The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority updated the Topeka governing body on capital projects at Philip Billard and Topeka Regional (Forbes) airports and outlined a push to restore scheduled passenger service, including a revenue-guarantee strategy and grant-seeking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: March 11 Topeka governing-body meeting

City attorney outlines parks-and-rec consolidation, deed restrictions and parkland-fee administration

Council hears lengthy debate on Lawrence Bay RHID, special assessments and plan to return lots to tax rolls

Council approves ordinance waiving state distance restriction for proposed liquor retailer; three council members oppose

Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority lays groundwork to restore passenger service, plans large hangar and flight academy