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Topeka council accepts $45,000 appraisal recommendation for park-adjacent land, approves ball-diamond brick purchase and discusses turf costs
Summary
The Topeka Town Council on June 24 approved accepting a $45,000 appraisal for four parcels near East Park, authorized a $1,311.17 purchase of clay bricks for the Nisco ball diamond batter box, and reviewed two turf-installation estimates for East Park diamonds while staff pursues sponsorships and county contacts to offset costs.
The Topeka Town Council voted June 24 to accept a $45,000 appraisal recommendation for four parcels adjacent to East Park and approved repairs to the Nisco ball diamond, while discussing higher-cost turf-installation options for the park.
Council President Adam Lambright opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and Clerk-Treasurer Lea Parks recorded the roll. Present were Council Members Steve Schrock, Justin Geigley, Adam Lambright and Marlynn Mast; Ray Folk participated via Zoom. Town Attorney Bill Eberhard and attendees Stewart Bender and Cyndi Sadewasser were listed on the record.
The council considered two independent appraisals for the four parcels near East Park (referred to in the minutes as Amish Alley land). Town Manager Cor Pleasant presented a first appraisal of $45,000 and a second appraisal of $60,000 and recommended accepting the first appraisal. Council Member Marlynn Mast moved to accept the $45,000 appraisal; Council Member Justin Geigley seconded. The meeting record shows the vote as All Ayes, and the council proceeded on the recommendation.
The council also reviewed a vendor quote of $1,311.17 to replace batter-box clay bricks at the Nisco ball diamond. Council Member Steve Schrock moved to approve the purchase and Council Member Marlynn Mast seconded; the vote is recorded as All Ayes and the purchase was authorized.
On the topic of East Park diamonds, council members reviewed two turf-installation estimates: $132,238 per field (lower quote) and $191,000 per field (higher quote). Town Manager Cor Pleasant said staff will reach out to county officials and to local businesses about sponsorship opportunities, including placing business logos on fields, to help offset installation costs. The minutes do not record a motion or vote to authorize turf installation or funding at this meeting.
Early in the meeting, Council Member Marlynn Mast moved to approve the May 28, 2024 minutes; the motion was seconded by Steve Schrock. The minutes record the vote as “Not All Ayes” and note that Justin Geigley recused; the transcript does not provide a full roll-call tally or an explicit final disposition for that motion.
Marlynn Mast offered an apology to Clerk-Treasurer Lea Parks for not following the clerk’s preferred process regarding a property bid discussed at the meeting. Council President Lambright closed the meeting at 6:03 p.m.; a motion to adjourn by Steve Schrock, seconded by Marlynn Mast, is recorded as All Ayes. The minutes note the next Park Council meeting will follow the July 22, 2024 council meeting.
What happens next: staff will pursue county contacts and potential business sponsorships for East Park turf funding; there is no recorded council authorization for turf installation in the June 24 minutes.
