Council meeting roundup: crosswalk recognition, commission reports and a slate of approvals

The Topeka City Council opened its April 1 meeting with a recognition ceremony for a new flashing crosswalk at McVicker where Randolph Elementary students had pushed for added safety. Students from Randolph spoke at the podium, telling the council the blinking lights make crossing safer and that they now feel more comfortable walking to school.

The council then received annual reports from the Human Relations Commission (HRC) and Topeka Metro. HRC Chair Zach Sorett and Co-Chair Carmen Romero Nichols detailed outreach work, the city's recent age-friendly designation, and the commission's work on nondiscrimination topics; Sorett said the commission is recruiting new members. Topeka Metro board Chair Scott Thomas and General Manager Robert Nugent reported ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels, described operating pressures such as snow removal and rising vehicle costs, and said Metro's pilot on-demand service (Metro on Demand) is entering its final year for evaluation.

Council action and votes at a glance

- Appointments: Council approved appointments of Artie Gonzalez (Civil Service Commission), Mary Monczyk (Sustainability Advisory Board), Vanessa Evans (Affordable Housing Trust Fund review committee), Walker Bassett (Affordable Housing Trust Fund review committee) and Trey George (Affordable Housing Review Committee). Motion carried (roll call yes votes recorded).

- Consent agenda: Items on the consent agenda were approved with the professional services contract pulled for separate discussion.

- Alley repair (1600 block between Polk and Tyler): Approved. Funding: $208,000 citywide half-cent sales tax and $240,750 wastewater operating fund.

- CIF amendment / shared-use path (40th Street from Gage to Cambridge): Council added project 701070 to the CIP to design and build a shared-use path with a proposed 2026 construction timeline; funding proposed from citywide half-cent sales tax and GO bonds. After debate about priorities and cost comparisons, the council approved adding the project to the CIP.

- Southwest Fairlawn Road (20th to 8th): Council approved an expanded scope to include additional water-main replacement and storm-sewer improvements.

- Safe Streets program: Council approved a professional-services agreement with Prevention And Resilience Services Inc. (PARS) to operate the Safe Streets program; the amended contract amount was reduced from prior figures and the funding was included in the 2025 budget.

- Professional legal services in civil litigation: Council approved continuation of a contract with Watkins Kilara (outside counsel) to represent city employees in an ongoing federal civil case related to the death of Taylor Lowery; the city attorney noted a statutory and contractual obligation to provide defense for employees in certain cases.

Presentations and public comment

Recognition of McVicker crosswalk: Students from Randolph Elementary and community members attended; one student said, "I thought before the new safety light that crossing McVicker was not safe," and thanked council members for acting.

Human Relations Commission annual report: Zach Sorett highlighted the HRC's work to earn and maintain Topeka's age-friendly city designation, community outreach, and the commission's interest in adding new members to subcommittees on advocacy, education and events.

Topeka Metro annual report: Scott Thomas said fixed-route ridership has slowly increased since the pandemic but remains below pre-COVID levels. He described operational pressures including cancelations during a snowstorm and the higher cost structure of Metro on Demand, which staff will evaluate during the pilot's final year.

Consolidated Annual Action Plan (ConPlan): Housing Division Director Carrie Higgins presented the city's 2025 Consolidated Annual Action Plan framework for HUD entitlement grants (CDBG, HOME, and HEARTH). The plan will return to council next week for formal approval after a public hearing was held at this meeting.

Other notes and context

- Several council members pressed Metro on snow removal at bus stops after a recent storm and asked about driver shortages and demographic breakdowns of riders. Topeka Metro representatives said they continue to hire drivers and noted operational challenges such as clearing 600 stops across the system.

- The council held public comment. At least one speaker urged caution on a recent economic-development lease and criticized outside negotiations; the speaker asked the council not to finalize a lease he described as risky.

What's next

The consolidated annual action plan for HUD grants will return for a vote at the next meeting. Staff indicated other capital projects added to the CIP will require subsequent design and procurement approvals before construction.

Ending

Council members thanked volunteers and community groups for participatory projects in neighborhoods and closed the meeting after final votes.