Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses naming Topeka water treatment facility for civic leader Jack Alexander
Summary
Council members proposed naming the city's water treatment facility after F.S. 'Jack' Alexander Sr., describing his long public service and local civic contributions; the item will return on the next agenda for formal action.
Council members on Feb. 18 discussed a proposal to name the city water treatment plant and administration building at 3425 Northwest Water Works Drive for F.S. "Jack" Alexander Sr., a long‑time local official and community leader.
Councilman Duncan, who said the idea originated after attending Alexander's funeral, read a draft resolution honoring Alexander's service and proposed renaming the facility the "Jack Alexander Sr. Water Treatment Plant." "Jack Alexander obviously played a pivotal role in this community," Duncan said, describing Alexander as the city's first water commissioner and an early African American elected to Topeka office.
Councilwoman Ortiz, who joined the discussion and had worked with the family on wording, thanked colleagues and noted the resolution text would be corrected and finalized in the packet for the following week. Councilwoman Ortiz called Alexander a mentor and "a great guy that could reach across the aisles and talk to anybody and make you feel like a million dollars."
Council members voiced broad support for the idea and asked staff to return the finalized resolution and any related ceremonial details at the next meeting. No formal vote was taken on Feb. 18; the item was discussed as a non‑action agenda item and will be on a future docket for formal approval.
