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Topeka Council approves WWTP meter spending, tax abatement and fireworks funding; utility-bill waiver tabled
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the Topeka Town Council approved a wastewater flow-meter purchase capped at $15,000, granted a tax abatement for S&H Metal/Freedom Steel Works, authorized advertising a road project, and approved $1,200 for Fourth of July fireworks (one abstention). A utility-bill waiver request was tabled.
The Topeka Town Council on April 28, 2025 approved several routine municipal measures, including authorizing up to $15,000 for a wastewater treatment plant effluent flow meter and installation and approving a tax abatement for Freeman and Tina Helmuth of S&H Metal / Freedom Steel Works.
The actions came during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting at 124 E. Lake Street, where President Adam Lambright and five council members were present. Councilor Justin Geigley moved to approve the minutes from the April 14 meeting; Geigley’s motion, seconded by Marlynn Mast, passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Why it matters: the flow-meter purchase addresses operations at the town’s wastewater treatment plant; the tax abatement supports a local business’s property tax relief. The council also approved asking engineering consultant DLZ to review preliminary plans and costs for a LaGrange County Trails segment through Topeka, and voted to advertise the CCMG 2025-1 Lehman Avenue project for bids.
On personnel, the council amended the Street Superintendent job description to require a minimum Class B commercial driver’s license within one year of hire. Town Manager/Fire Chief Stewart Bender raised the LaGrange County Trails routing and asked DLZ to study cost and preliminary plans; DLZ consultant Casey Erwin presented the recommendation to advertise the Lehman Avenue project for bidding in June.
Other items: a resident, Lance Kiles, asked the council to waive a final utility bill for 319 S. Harrison; councilors heard that staff attempted collections and that Jr.-Marshal Stan Strater located the resident, and the council tabled the request until the next meeting. The Town Marshal received authorization to attend chaplain training in Little Rock, Arkansas, July 21–25, 2025, with expenses not to exceed $1,500.
The council approved spending $1,200 on Fourth of July fireworks proposed by the volunteer group 'Topeka Together' and indicated intent to budget more in future years; the motion, moved by Justin Geigley and seconded by Steve Schrock, passed with Councilor Marlynn Mast abstaining.
Votes at a glance: - Approve April 14 minutes — Moved: Justin Geigley; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. - Approve claims — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Justin Geigley; Outcome: All Ayes. - Table request to waive final utility bill for 319 S. Harrison (Lance Kiles) — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Steve Schrock; Outcome: Tabled (All Ayes recorded in minutes). - Authorize DLZ review of LaGrange County Trails plans/costs — Moved: Marlynn Mast; Second: Justin Geigley; Outcome: All Ayes. - Amend Street Superintendent job description (require Class B CDL within one year) — Moved: Justin Geigley; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. - WWTP effluent flow meter and installation (not to exceed $15,000) — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. - Tax abatement for Freeman & Tina Helmuth (S&H Metal / Freedom Steel Works) — Moved: Justin Geigley; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. Resolutions cited: 2020-11 and 2017-5-22; Resolution 2014-10-27 noted as withdrawn. - Variance recommendation for 465 E. Lake (volleyball) — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Justin Geigley; Outcome: All Ayes. - Town Marshal chaplain training (Little Rock, July 21–25, 2025; not to exceed $1,500) — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. - Convert Golden Acres easement to right of way (attorney recommendation) — Moved: Justin Geigley; Second: Marlynn Mast; Outcome: All Ayes. - Approve $1,200 for Fourth of July fireworks (Topeka Together) — Moved: Justin Geigley; Second: Steve Schrock; Outcome: Approved; Abstained: Marlynn Mast. - Advertise CCMG 2025-1 (Lehman Ave) for bids — Moved: Ray Folk; Second: Justin Geigley; Outcome: All Ayes.
The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.; the council set its next general meeting for May 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. The minutes recorded motions, seconders and outcomes for each agenda item as noted above.
