Commissioners move to executive session for carousel renovation CMAR interviews; no action taken publicly

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners recessed into executive session to interview two firms as part of Phase 3 of the procurement process to select a construction manager at risk (CMAR) for a planned carousel renovation project.

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent (referred to in the meeting as Tim Lorett in one instance) told the commission the project is prompted by the county’s need to find an alternative to the Biggert (Biggates) Shelter, which will be handed to the Topeka Zoo beginning January (with a later possible date in 2027). State statute requires commissioners to conduct final interviews for CMAR selection in open‑session‑adjacent executive session; Laurent asked for the interviews to occur in the chamber after the public meeting concluded.

Commissioners scheduled 20 minutes per firm with a five-minute buffer and indicated they would reconvene in about a week to make a selection. After the executive session the board announced no public action was taken, other than to extend the meeting for technical reasons.

Commissioner Aaron Mays moved to recess into executive session under K.S.A. 19-216(e)(4)(A) to conduct interviews; the motion was seconded and passed 3-0. The interviews were conducted in executive session as permitted by statute; the commission did not make a final selection during the public meeting.