Topeka citizen government review committee elects chair, sets schedule; city attorney outlines charter

The Topeka Citizen Government Review Committee elected Jim Calp as chair and approved Constance (vice chair) by acclamation, then set a meeting schedule and heard an overview of the city’s charter from City Attorney Amanda Stanley.

The committee, created under the Topeka Municipal Code and charged with reviewing the city’s form of government, must convene by July 1, 2025, and submit its report to the governing body within six months, Stanley told the group during an orientation. "We are what is known as a council manager form of government," she said, summarizing the city’s current structure.

Nut graf: The committee’s work will examine how Topeka’s charter and governing practices operate in practice and may recommend changes for the governing body to consider. At its first meeting members established leadership and a meeting cadence and heard legal and procedural limits they must respect, including open-meetings requirements and at least one required public hearing.

Election and leadership: Committee member Jim Calp said he would be willing to chair the panel:…