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Redistricting charter ordinance fails to advance; chicken/rooster ordinance deferred
Summary
A proposed charter ordinance to change the redistricting commission did not advance after a motion failed to receive a second; the committee also declined to take action on proposed changes to chicken/rooster ownership ordinances, citing need for broader stakeholder vetting.
The committee considered multiple non‑routine items June 3 and chose not to advance two separate ordinance changes.
Brandy Roy Bachman of the legal department summarized recommendations from the Citizens Government Review Committee to add a tenth member to the redistricting commission: an at‑large chair appointed by the Topeka Municipal Court judge who would serve as a non‑voting member, and instructions that incumbency not be considered when drawing district boundaries. After discussion and opportunity for questions, a motion to approve the charter ordinance did not receive a second and the committee did not approve Item 4A to move forward.
"They had recommended that the city add an elector to this commission appointed at large by the judge of the Topeka Municipal Court, who would serve as a chairperson," Brandy Roy Bachman said. Committee members did not advance the proposal at this time.
On the animal‑control item, the chair summarized outreach and concerns and said the committee was not in a place to move forward with ordinance changes on chicken and rooster ownership. The chair thanked Jessica Bowers, the animal control supervisor, and members of the public who submitted feedback; the item was deferred for more stakeholder discussion.
What’s next: staff and committee members said both items will be revisited only after additional stakeholder engagement and more work on the draft language.
