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Topeka council approves $814,061 contractor payment, advances solar recommendation with one dissent
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Topeka Town Council approved an $814,061.17 pay application to contractor API, granted several utility-bill waivers and letters of recommendation, and voted to forward a town solar-panel proposal to the Redevelopment Commission with one council member recorded as opposed.
The Topeka Town Council approved a pay application of $814,061.17 to API and moved a solar-panel recommendation to the Redevelopment Commission during its May 12 regular meeting.
Council President Adam Lambright presided over the meeting, which opened at 4:00 p.m. and included roll call by Clerk-Treasurer Lea Parks. The council unanimously approved the April 28 minutes, claims and the April 2025 monthly financial report.
The council approved API Pay Application #2 for $814,061.17 after discussion about required concrete repairs. Council Member Justin Geigley moved the payment and Council Vice President Steve Schrock seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Todd of DLZ was asked to contact the contractor to coordinate needed concrete repairs.
On renewable energy, James Carmichael of Photon presented a proposal for town solar panels and recommended forwarding the proposal to the town’s Redevelopment Commission for further review. Council Member Marlynn Mast moved to approve the recommendation and Council Member Justin Geigley seconded. The motion carried with one recorded dissent from Council Vice President Steve Schrock.
The council also handled a cluster of routine land-use and utility items. It approved a waiver of a final utility bill for 319 S. Harrison at the request of Lance Kiles (motion by Ray Folk, second by Steve Schrock) and directed Town Attorney Bill Eberhard to contact the customer at 218 N. Main Street about a $566.28 final bill (motion by Steve Schrock, second by Marlynn Mast).
Letters of recommendation were granted for a proposed Airbnb at 129 N. Babcock (requested by Noah Neal and Ada Miller) and for Lots 61 and 62 on Todd Street contingent on a home being set on a foundation (requested by Taiden Chambers). A request for a wood fence at 119 S. Harrison was approved.
The council authorized the Town Marshal to purchase truck equipment not to exceed $12,000 (motion by Marlynn Mast, second by Ray Folk). The meeting included recognitions for Tracey Persing’s years of service and for Harold Gingerich’s 20 years as Master Chaplain.
Town Attorney Bill Eberhard reported that the Helmuth tax abatement under Resolution #2017-10-9 met requirements and is in compliance. The council also directed staff to rewrite Ordinance 2024-12-16 governing peddlers and vendors to reflect changes required by the State Board of Accounts; that request passed unanimously.
The meeting concluded with a motion to recognize police officers for National Law Enforcement Week (motion by Steve Schrock, second by Justin Geigley), and President Lambright adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
