2026-09-08 - City Council
Summary
Built from official minutes. No video is posted.
- Regular meeting at City Council Chambers; 8 members present, Mayor Duncan presiding. Councilmember Ortiz entered after invocation (late arrival). Councilmember Hiller, Valdivia-Alcala, Banks, Kell, Miller, Bradberry, McGee and Hoferer present at start; Ortiz absent initially but present for most of meeting.
- Metropolitan Transit Board reappointment passed 8-0.
- Communications Department presented; no votes.
- Topeka Housing Study discussion; no votes.
- Utility Rate Ordinance 20684 establishing rates for 2027-2030 passed 8-2 (Valdivia-Alcala and Bradberry opposed).
- Public hearing on FY2027 operating budget; no action on 9/8 (adoption scheduled 9/15/2026).
- Significant budget discussion on spending proposals, capital improvements, and sales tax options.
- Major discussion of Fire Department 2026 Station Relocation Plan; special committee formed to review.
- Discussion of utility liens for delinquent customers.
- School Resource Officers contract issues discussed in budget context.
Utility Rate Ordinance 2027-2030
- Ordinance 20684 proposed rate increases for water, wastewater, stormwater, fire line and refuse/recycle services, phased in over four years for commercial/industrial customers.
- Staff recommendations: remove readiness-to-serve (base) charge, implement incremental increases in base and consumption charges across customer classes.
- Utilities Director Davis and deputy director Nicole Malott presented the proposal, noting balance of competing priorities and commitment to infrastructure investment.
- Public comment: Henry McClure spoke in support of all customers paying the same rate to prevent subsidies. Danielle Twemlow opposed, citing lack of transparency on spending and requesting clear accountability.
- Councilmember Kell supported rate adjustment; suggested forensic audits on 5-year rotation for all departments and proposed "inactive" meter policy.
- Councilmember Ortiz supported the proposal, noting the city's multi-utility billing structure and ongoing renegotiation of Shawnee County refuse/recycle contract.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala opposed, calling for forensic audit of Utilities Department.
- Mayor Duncan supported the proposal, noting staff due diligence and intent for rate study over four years.
- Vote: 8-2 in favor (Valdivia-Alcala and Bradberry voted no).
Fire Department 2026 Station Relocation Plan
- Presented by Fire Chief Chad Longstaff, Deputy Chief Kevin Gill, Division Chief Ty Forshee. Goal: decrease response times across the city.
- Current: 75% of households have four-minute response coverage.
- Proposed: 82% with four-minute coverage (7% increase) through three-phase plan.
- Phase I: build Fire Station 13 at SW 6th and Governor's Place; relocate Engine 11 to new station.
- Phase II: build Fire Station 11 at Lyman and N. Topeka Blvd; relocate Engine 1 and Truck 11; close old Stations 1 and 11.
- Phase III: build Fire Station 6 at Billard Airport; close old Station 6. Repurpose old stations for police, fire investigators and storage.
- Public meetings held July 6, 9, 10, 15, 2026.
- Station challenges: lack of bay space for larger apparatus, aging infrastructure, difficulty retrofitting for separate female facilities.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala urged recommissioning Special Fire Committee for input.
- Councilmember Kell noted economic growth in southwest Topeka; asked for population density maps.
- Councilmember Bradberry asked about operational cost differences.
- Councilmember Hoferer noted service gaps in District 9; supported moving plan forward.
- Councilmember Ortiz supported the plan and need to address service gaps immediately.
- Councilmember Hiller asked for cost of maintaining vacant fire stations in fiscal note; reminded council of March 2027 sales tax initiative timeline.
- Mayor Duncan formed Special Fire Review Committee with each councilmember appointing one person; meetings to start October 2026.
- City Manager noted $11.3 million currently programmed in FY2028 for design and construction. Comparisons: Shawnee Heights built two stations for ~$10 million total; Soldier Township building 15,000 sq ft station for ~$12 million. Topeka estimates 5,000 sq ft new stations.
FY2027 Budget Discussion (adoption scheduled 9/15/2026)
- Public hearing held. Budget adoption scheduled for 9/15/2026.
- Proposed budget includes elimination of 17 vacant positions and freezing funding for 32 vacant positions, saving approximately $5.1 million.
- Projected FY2028 deficit: $13.3 million; FY2029 deficit: $17.4 million.
- Councilmember Hiller proposed significant CIP amendments: remove $600,000 annually for Citywide Infill Sidewalks (2027-2029), remove $11.26 million Fire Station Replacement Cycle (2028, shift to sales tax), remove $8 million Heavy-Duty Fleet Garage (2030). Would allow $1 million annual shift from bonding to cash fund.
- Hiller suggested dedicating one-tenth of one-cent sales tax to homeless/affordable housing, another one-tenth cent for fire stations. Opposed "general use" half-cent sales tax as it would push local rate to 9.9%.
- Councilmember Banks questioned why police budget not proposed for cuts; noted fire department challenges with CIP cuts.
- Councilmember Kell expressed concern about delaying CIP projects due to increased costs.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala questioned sales tax feasibility; noted fire stations already funded in CIP.
- Councilmember Bradberry requested line-item reduction list.
- Mayor Duncan reminded council to prepare amendments for adoption 9/15/2026.
School Resource Officers (SRO)
- Discussed in budget context regarding contract renewal and funding.
- Councilmember Kell noted SRO contract with Topeka Public Schools ends June 2026. Expressed support for retaining SROs and finding financial solution.
- Councilmember Miller supported hybrid approach; hoped sales tax initiative would fund SRO program.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala noted schools have campus security; urged more funding for social services and restorative justice.
- Mayor Duncan clarified that Topeka Public Schools (USD 501) maintains its own dedicated police department. Noted contract negotiations challenges regarding operational issues and resources. City willing to continue working on solution.
Utility Liens for Delinquent Customers
- Discussion of imposing real estate liens to recover unpaid utility services.
- Deputy Utilities Director Nicole Malott reported: 169 letters sent totaling $138,963.55 in delinquent amounts; 76% are repeat offenders; 125 customers outside city limits; 98% success rate for lien collection versus 36% through collection agencies.
- Councilmember Kell supported imposing liens.
- Danielle Twemlow supported collection but questioned administrative costs; urged smart meter implementation for transparency.
- Councilmember Ortiz confirmed customers can make payment arrangements to be removed from list.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala asked when $12 million smart meter program would be implemented and about employee reductions.
- Utilities Director Davis reported smart meter rollout expected by year-end; project began 2019, over 98% complete; five employees shifted to maintenance.
Topeka Housing Study (discussion only)
- Justin Carney, Development Strategies, Inc., presented study on housing demand and gaps.
- Councilmember Kell expressed concern about higher rentals vs. home ownership.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala referenced housing crisis, wage stagnation, inflation; questioned advantages of rental registry/licensure program; noted shortage of affordable housing impacts economic growth.
- Councilmember Banks asked how to build affordable housing people can afford to increase population.
- Mayor Duncan noted need to research infill housing program opportunities.
- Councilmember Hiller emphasized importance of overall housing strategy including vacant structures; questioned market self-sufficiency point.
- Councilmember Ortiz asked how study addresses subsidized housing for aging units.
Communications Department Presentation
- Dan Garrett, Communications Director, presented on department.
- Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala inquired about holiday/weekend protocols for emergency updates; emphasized consistency importance.
- Councilmember Miller commended careful information dissemination.
- Councilmember Banks expressed appreciation for professionalism.
- Councilmember McGee thanked team; noted INK Grant awarded to city; reported he did not participate in grant approval.
- Councilmember Bradberry thanked team; questioned when "Text MyGov" will launch.
- Councilmember Hiller thanked team for professionalism, consistency and media relations.
- Director Garrett reported opt-in "Text MyGov" service scheduled for October 2026 launch.
Metropolitan Transit Board Reappointment
- Reappointment of Candis Stiles to Topeka Metropolitan Transit Board for term ending September 13, 2030 (Council District 5).
- Councilmember Kell moved; seconded by Valdivia-Alcala. Passed 8-0 unanimously.
Other business
- Routine announcements and proclamations.