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Topeka council adopts voice-vote option for board appointments; residents press for audits and developer hiring commitments
Summary
The Topeka governing body on March 3 approved two resolutions to move elections for JEDTO and MTPO voting members to the first January meeting and to allow voice or paper ballots so remote members can participate. Public commenters urged stronger developer accountability, an audit of the city's smart-meter program and transparency on the Hotel Topeka sale.
The Topeka governing body voted March 3 to approve two resolutions that move the election of council voting members for the joint economic development organization (JEDTO) and the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) Policy Board to the first meeting in January and codify that the vote may be conducted by either voice or paper ballot.
Deputy City Manager explained staff circulated an amendment that "includes that the vote can be either by voice or by paper ballot" so council members working remotely may participate; the governing body approved both resolutions as amended on voice votes recorded by the clerk. The clerk recorded nine yes votes for each resolution.
Public comment that followed focused on development practices, municipal contracts and requests for transparency. Henry Mccclure said he supported the resolution but warned of conflicts when council members serve simultaneously in local development organizations and expressed concern about prior city spending decisions, citing what he described as a $9.5 million payment to AIM Strategies.
"Responsible policies can be changed at this moment and you ought to consider those going forward," Mccclure told the council during public comment.
Another speaker pressed the council to require developers to commit to local hiring and registered apprenticeship use and to set clear subcontracting goals for large projects so tax-levy payers and local workers benefit from public subsidies.
Public commenter Matthew Shrieve asked specifically for a public audit of the city's smart-meter program, saying the $14 million investment has left some residents with meters they consider inaccurate and questioned why related fees remain on utility bills. Shrieve also raised questions about data security for municipal and school systems and asked the council to explain the Hotel Topeka transaction and whether the city will absorb ongoing operating losses.
No council action was taken on the public comments; the governing body moved on to other business and later recessed twice for executive sessions (personnel and legal matters) and adjourned after reconvening with no action reported.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 4A (JEDTO voting member selection, amended to allow voice or paper ballot): motion to approve as amended by Council Member Kell; second by Council Member Banks; recorded vote: 9 yes — approved.
- Resolution 4B (MTPO Policy Board voting members; amended to allow voice or paper ballot): motion to approve as amended by Council Member Kell; second by Council Member McGee; recorded vote: 9 yes — approved.
