2026-10-21 - Transient Guest Tax Committee

00:09Is Brett online?

00:11Okay.

00:12Okay. Welcome to the October 21st

00:16meeting of the Transient Guest Tax

00:19Committee.

00:20My name is Michelle Hofer. I am the

00:22chair and I am District 9.

00:25>> Murray McGee, District 8.

00:30>> Brett?

00:31Would you introduce yourself?

00:36Maybe.

00:41>> Are we your

00:43wanting me to

00:44introduce myself,

00:47>> I know I was just going to have you

00:49introduce yourself. We're getting

00:50started.

00:51>> I Councilman Brett Kel, 5th District.

00:54>> Thank you.

00:56Okay, the first thing on our agenda is

00:59the minutes.

01:00And I would take a motion

01:03to approve or any corrections.

01:07>> I move that we

01:09approve the minutes of the September

01:1318th

01:14Transient Guest Tax meeting.

01:18>> Second.

01:19>> Thank you. Those in favor, please say I.

01:21>> I.

01:22>> I.

01:23>> I.

01:243-0.

01:25Okay.

01:27Next up on the agenda,

01:29I would like to do an update on the

01:32Evergy Plaza ice skating rink. So, Kurt,

01:36if you'd come up.

01:40>> Okay.

01:42>> [clears throat]

01:42>> I have given each of you a text of

01:46copy of what I'm going to

01:48use as the basis for my comments today.

01:52I'll just read uh

01:55uh read from it. That way I won't be

01:59straying away from the the message.

02:03Over the past several months, the

02:05average e-plaza ice skating rink

02:07uh, rink project has reached an

02:10important turning point.

02:13One that will shape not only how the

02:14rink functions in its first season,

02:18but how the plaza can evolve and uh,

02:20serve and serve the community for years

02:23to come.

02:25As many of you know, one of the most

02:27consistent pieces of feedback we receive

02:31that we receive from patrons of the

02:33plaza, event organizers, and visitors

02:37is the need for shade.

02:40Whether during summer festivals, daytime

02:42gatherings, or simply casual use of the

02:46space,

02:47people have repeatedly expressed that at

02:50least part of the plaza

02:52needs protection from the weather.

02:55A shelter from the hot sun and from the

02:57unexpected rain showers.

03:00In July, just a couple months ago,

03:04we decided to pause construction and

03:06take a deeper look

03:08at how we could address this need in a

03:10meaningful, long-term way.

03:14This wasn't a small pause.

03:17It was a deliberate step back to ask a

03:20bigger question.

03:22If shade is essential, how do we improve

03:24the skating rink venue at the plaza, not

03:28just for today,

03:30but for 10 and 20 years from now?

03:34That question led to a major design

03:36revision.

03:38After extensive evaluation, the project

03:40team determined that the existing light

03:43pole design would not be able to support

03:47a future canopy, shade sail, or any form

03:51of a roof structure.

03:53Without a major change now, the ice rink

03:56venue would never be able to accommodate

03:59any kind of a roof.

04:01So, we made the change.

04:04The new light pole design uses an

04:07upgraded structural steel

04:10um materials

04:12and a revised engineering approach

04:15that will allow us to install a canopy

04:17or a roof at a later date.

04:22This addition will provide shade during

04:24the warm months and weather protection

04:26during the skating season.

04:29Dramatically expanding how Evergy Plaza

04:32can be used throughout the year.

04:35This decision did impact our timeline.

04:40Construction slowed while the engineers

04:43reworked the design, sourced new

04:45materials, and ensured the revised

04:48structure met all safety and

04:50load-bearing requirements.

04:53But while the pause was real,

04:56the benefit is far greater.

04:59We sought the expertise of local Topeka

05:02business and professional firms instead

05:05of an out-of-state supplier for these

05:07poles.

05:08And Topeka's HME

05:10is now the official supplier of these

05:13stronger structural steel poles.

05:16What we gain is the ability to transfer

05:19the transform the rink into a covered

05:23multi-season asset.

05:26Something that enhances comfort, expands

05:29programming options, and increases the

05:32plaza's value to Topeka citizens, our

05:35visitors, and our event partners.

05:40The long-term impact of this design

05:42change is difficult to qualify,

05:45but it is unquestionably significant.

05:49In short, yes, the timeline shift

05:52timeline shifted, but the future

05:54potential of the plaza has expanded

05:57dramatically.

05:59This project is not just about building

06:02an ice rink, it's about building an

06:05adaptable, resilient public space that

06:09can grow with the community.

06:11The July design changes ensure that we

06:15are not just constructing for today, but

06:18preparing for what Evergy Plaza can

06:20become in the years ahead.

06:23And I think that pretty well sums up

06:26everything I have to say. Uh I'll be

06:30more than happy to answer any questions.

06:32I did the

06:33Probably the first one is

06:35you've noticed if you've watched it all

06:38that

06:39obviously that construction had slowed

06:41down since mid-July.

06:44That explains That explains the the

06:47reason and logic behind that decision.

06:50We are back in full steam ahead at this

06:54point, moving forward with the new uh

06:57design concept that will set us up to be

07:00able to put a

07:02uh what is anticipated at this point to

07:04be a heat hard shell canopy on and over

07:09the ice rink at a later date once uh

07:12funding is raised for that particular

07:15phase of the project. So,

07:18I'll answer any questions you may have.

07:21>> Well, unbeknownst to you, I'm sure, last

07:23night we had a public comment about the

07:27lack of green space

07:29in downtown, and she went on to say that

07:33what little green space we had we lost,

07:35and there's no shade down there.

07:38Well, there will be.

07:39>> There will be.

07:40>> So, that is a good thing. But, do you

07:43have any idea what kind of time frame

07:45we're looking at for the ice rink? Now,

07:47I know this kind of weather

07:49is not going to be

07:51the time we need to worry about, but are

07:53we looking at December, January,

07:56or later?

07:58>> I'd say December, January. I mean, the

08:00the rink

08:02and I I want to be truly careful here in

08:06how I

08:07portray this because there's still some

08:10to answered

08:11um

08:13design not design questions, but

08:15material

08:17uh shipment dates that haven't been

08:19firmed up yet. And And number one is the

08:22structural steel.

08:24Uh

08:25these are very, very large structural

08:28steel columns.

08:30Uh they're very

08:31uh

08:32they're much stronger than any light

08:34pole that we would have ever considered

08:36putting on it. So, the timeline for

08:39those is is significantly longer.

08:42Um

08:43what I would tell you is there is a very

08:46still a very good chance that we'll have

08:49a skateable surface in the month of

08:51December.

08:53Uh but, the problem is going to at that

08:56point is going to be that we won't have

08:58light poles.

09:00So, I think

09:02the prevailing opinion uh and I'm

09:06I really haven't discussed this

09:08particular aspect with the board that

09:10much because we just haven't had the

09:13opportunity, but I would say my

09:15recommendation would be to wait until

09:18it's 100% ready with the light poles and

09:21and everything. And if that's the case,

09:24we could be after the 1st of the year.

09:26>> Okay.

09:28I'm just thinking it'd be nice if over

09:30the Christmas holidays if it was open.

09:33>> Yeah.

09:33>> We'll see what happens.

09:36But, that would be wonderful cuz a lot

09:38of people would be home for the holidays

09:39and

09:40>> Yeah.

09:40>> They would like to get out and

09:42>> And frankly

09:44frankly

09:46the first season is going to be a

09:48learning curve anyhow for our staff.

09:51All of the FF&E items are have been

09:55ordered already. The all of the skates

09:59and the Zamboni and all of those

10:03FF&E items that are required.

10:06We were have ordered those within the

10:08last couple of weeks so in order that

10:11they will be here

10:13when the rink is finished. So

10:16just to give you

10:18I I really hesitate doing this but just

10:21to give you an kind of a a broad view

10:25you're going to see that the buildings

10:28take place down there probably within

10:31the next two to three weeks.

10:34Uh

10:35so

10:36it's going to move fast. Last week we

10:39dug the holes for all six of the

10:42structural supports.

10:45I would

10:46caution you if you go down there.

10:48They're 14 ft deep so uh

10:52>> There was a building there before so it

10:53had disturbed soil.

10:55>> Yeah so uh

10:58but those holes are dug. It's a matter

11:00of getting steel in them now and getting

11:02the concrete poured. That's going to

11:04happen next week.

11:06But things things are going to pick up

11:08ahead of steam again and and right now I

11:11just

11:12the next time I stand here I can give

11:14you a definitive date.

11:16>> Well, it will be one of those things as

11:19people see things happening that are

11:21above the ground

11:23>> Yeah.

11:23>> they'll get more excited about it.

11:25Marie, do you have any questions?

11:27>> I was just sitting here thinking that

11:30come December if you could safely

11:35open and operate, you know, that's

11:37something that should be considered. I

11:39understand you'd you'd like to wait till

11:41it's all

11:42completed and poles poles in place and

11:45everything, but

11:47at the same time, you don't want to

11:51interfere in that process.

11:53>> Yeah.

11:54>> If you If the poles do come in during

11:56that period,

11:57then you're back to being a construction

11:59site.

12:00>> Yeah.

12:01>> That's why I say I would emphasize if

12:03you could

12:04safely open and operate.

12:06>> Yeah.

12:07>> Yeah.

12:07>> And it there's

12:09there's just a lot of

12:11unknowns

12:12>> Right.

12:13>> as I stand here right now.

12:15Uh

12:16and that steel delivery date is is the

12:18biggest thing that I don't have yet.

12:21>> Luckily, they're close.

12:24>> Pardon?

12:24>> Luckily, they're close by.

12:25>> Yes.

12:27>> Brett, do you have any questions?

12:31>> Yes. Uh

12:33Uh was there any thought of or even

12:35looked into uh the thought of temporary

12:37lighting for like

12:39during that transitional period? So, if

12:41it can be open like the uh councilwoman

12:43said to deputy mayor said to uh

12:46uh have it open during maybe that

12:48holiday time frame when kids are out of

12:49school and college kids are back and and

12:52people come back to town for their

12:53family.

12:54>> We have that has that subject has been

12:56brought up and it's something that we're

12:59looking into.

13:02>> And then the other thing is

13:03it was brought up last night about the

13:05the shade aspect. Has there been

13:07anything looked into about possibly, you

13:10know, like maybe like a a removable pole

13:12system that could be more into like the

13:14middle of it, so when it's like the

13:16movie nights, you can

13:18uh you know, take a brick out, put put

13:21the pole in the ground. Uh

13:23when they have the canopy up over the

13:25top of people, so then this way they can

13:27sit and sit out there and watch those

13:29movies on the Friday night flicks and

13:31and

13:33have a system that can come come and go

13:34with easily, so that way the it

13:38does provide that that that

13:41shade.

13:43>> Shade is is something that we recognize

13:46has always been an issue since we opened

13:49the plaza. It's like I said in my

13:51comments, it's the most common request

13:54we get.

13:55Um

13:57I would say that once this rink is is

14:00completed

14:01and we have shade over that,

14:04I know the board has has

14:07discussed

14:08other shade options

14:11for other parts of the plaza. There's

14:13never been anything definitive put on

14:15the table in terms of pursuing it

14:19because it all takes at the end of the

14:20day it all takes money.

14:23So

14:25uh but yeah, we're

14:27we're well aware of the need for shade.

14:32>> All right, thank you.

14:34>> Okay, any other

14:36Okay.

14:37Thank you.

14:38>> That's all I've got.

14:39>> We'll be in touch.

14:42Okay.

14:43Now I'm going to move to the um

14:47presentation portion and I forgot to put

14:50my

14:51um

14:52I need to put a note here.

14:55Okay.

14:56Um as far as the presentations go, today

14:58we are going to listen to the

15:00presentations.

15:02We're going to take a couple of weeks.

15:04Our next meeting I believe is November

15:064th.

15:07That's when we'll vote on how we're

15:09going to allocate this money.

15:12I think we want all three of us would

15:14like to have a little bit of time

15:17to think about what we have here

15:21um

15:22and decide how we want to allocate

15:25money.

15:26So, today is strictly about

15:29presentations. And if there's another

15:32presentation for our next meeting, we

15:34will do one then also.

15:36So, I'm going to start with Nota.

15:44>> Hello.

15:45I'm just going to test this right now.

15:46Are we Are we good?

16:07>> I think it's probably good since he was

16:09hearing Kurt.

16:12>> Yeah.

16:13>> If he could, I think we're probably

16:15good. So, I'd say go ahead.

16:16>> Okay.

16:17>> Yeah, I can hear everything.

16:19>> Okay. And I was just making sure that

16:21the presentation actually

16:24got through it.

16:25Perfect. There you go.

16:27Perfect. Thank you very much.

16:30Good afternoon. And thank you Thank you

16:32for the opportunity to present Nota's

16:332027 funding request.

16:36When I think about transient guest tax

16:37funding, I think about investing in

16:38destinations, creating experiences that

16:40bring visitors to Topeka, while also

16:43enriching the life of our residents.

16:45These investments strengthen our

16:47economy, our culture, and our community

16:49pride.

16:51Nota is an established cultural

16:52destination built around public art,

16:54local businesses, performances,

16:56festivals, and community experiences.

16:58Years of dedication have created this

17:00momentum. Continuing investment helps

17:02sustain it and gives visitors new

17:04reasons to return.

17:07We respectfully request $100,000 for

17:092027 divided among three priorities.

17:12$35,000 for murals, public art, and

17:14beautification, $40,000 for exhibits,

17:16festivals, and cultural programming and

17:18$25,000 for a rotating sculpture

17:20program.

17:21Together, these investments support both

17:23new experiences and the key attractions

17:25people already enjoy.

17:29Our rotating sculpture program will

17:31compensate artists to display their work

17:32at selected locations throughout the

17:34district, making NOTO an evolving

17:36outdoor gallery.

17:37Rotating installations will refresh the

17:39visitors' experience, beautify public

17:41spaces, and create new photo

17:42opportunities. They would also encourage

17:45people to explore nearby shops and

17:46restaurants while they also discover our

17:48diverse artistic talent here in Topeka.

17:53Our $40,000 programming request will

17:55support experiences such as the summer

17:57concert series, Redbud Youth Festival,

17:58Winter Celebration, and First Friday Art

18:00Walks.

18:01First Friday has drawn an estimated

18:033,500 attendees each month. Across all

18:06events, we estimate approximately 145

18:08event visits annually. This represents

18:10visits including who attend multiple

18:12events throughout the year.

18:14Producing these experiences require

18:15artist performer fees, exhibition

18:17expenses, and event coordination. These

18:19investments will help us continue

18:21programming that serves our residents

18:22and also draw regional audiences.

18:27Our $35,000 request will help preserve

18:29existing artwork, commission new murals,

18:32and enhance public spaces. Murals are

18:34central to NOTO's identity. They provide

18:36accessible attractions throughout the

18:37year and celebrate artists of many

18:39backgrounds.

18:40Maintaining this work protects previous

18:42investments, adding new artwork keeps

18:44the district fresh, and gives people

18:45another reason to explore and return.

18:49The economic case for investing in arts

18:52and culture is strong. The citywide

18:53study highlighted here reports $45.3

18:55million in annual economic activity on

18:57Topeka's nonprofit arts and culture

18:59sector, including a $20.2 million in

19:01event-related audit spending.

19:03It also supports 103 time equivalent

19:05jobs and generates 1.85 million in city

19:08Topeka tax revenue.

19:10These are citywide figures. NOTO

19:11contributes to a broader

19:13economy by creating experiences that

19:15bring people into local businesses.

19:17Visit Topeka already promoted district

19:19as a destination for art, shopping,

19:22dining, and entertainment. These

19:24investments strengthen the experiences

19:25behind that promotion.

19:29NOTO also brings an established audience

19:30to this work. As of October 14th, we

19:33have approximately 20,000 Facebook

19:34followers, ranking second among eight

19:36selected tourism, culture, and community

19:38pages in comparison.

19:41That audience gives us a valuable

19:42platform to introduce people to Topeka

19:44and keep them excited and connected to

19:46what's happening here.

19:52The opportunity is straightforward.

19:53People see an experience, they visit,

19:55they share it, and they have reasons to

19:56return.

19:58Every new mural, sculpture, and event

20:00gives us something meaningful to share.

20:02Visitors extend the visibility to their

20:04own photos and posts, helping more

20:05people discover Topeka and its art and

20:07entertainment district.

20:11But we also recognize that funding comes

20:13with responsibility. Our expected

20:15outcomes include paid opportunities for

20:16artists, continued cultural programming,

20:18refreshed attractions, and maintenance

20:20of existing artwork. We also would want

20:23to work with tourism partners to improve

20:24how we track attendance, visitor

20:26origins, and program outcomes so we can

20:28better demonstrate results and build on

20:30that momentum.

20:33In summary, this request is about

20:34creating more reasons to visit Topeka

20:36and more reasons to return.

20:39We respectfully ask for your support of

20:40a $100,000

20:42investment in an existing destination

20:44built through years of dedication by

20:46artists, businesses, volunteers, donors,

20:49partners, and the city of Topeka.

20:51Thank you for

20:54your

20:55>> Okay. Maureen, do you have any

20:57questions?

20:58Brett, do you have any questions?

21:02>> No, I'm good. Thank you.

21:03>> Okay.

21:05I'm going to ask you.

21:08and you can think about this

21:11if we do not have this much available

21:15let me know what your preference is of

21:19kind of an in order

21:20say we can do the exhibitions and

21:23festival

21:24and cultural programming

21:27and we push the other two back to the

21:29next year we do two out of the three

21:30whatever it works out the money we have

21:34but let me know what you see as the most

21:36important

21:37because not I have more requests for

21:40funds than we have

21:43so I want to do the most with what we

21:45have

21:48and

21:49it's possible that this could move into

21:51like I told you before into the

21:5528

21:57well they'll do it next year but money

22:00in 28 so

22:05I see all these as being

22:07solid

22:08items for us to consider

22:11I just want to make sure we get the most

22:13bang for our buck and I'm not saying no

22:17I'm saying it may be

22:19we push part back

22:22so

22:23we'll start here and we'll see what else

22:26everybody has to say and that gives us

22:28by waiting until the next meeting to

22:30decide

22:31it gives us time to

22:33consider what's going to be the most

22:35advantageous for the for Topeka and

22:38going forward

22:39and so you all know in 2027

22:44we're going to look at the next round of

22:45funding

22:48our last round I believe was 12 years

22:50long

22:51that was a long time

22:53we have to decide but we're thinking

22:55about three to five years for the next

22:58rounds of funding

23:00and we may even throw in some one-year

23:02items. Where we do one

23:05something may come up.

23:07Um there's one we're going to talk about

23:10later. It's a smaller amount,

23:12but it's something that they could

23:14really use right now.

23:16We may hold back some money

23:19for items like that. It that we've got a

23:21lot to decide.

23:23So, I'm just saying it's possible that

23:26come 27, they say, "Oh, we want to do

23:30the rotating sculpture program

23:33and do that in 1 year."

23:35So,

23:36I don't want anybody to be discouraged,

23:38but I want you to be realistic that we

23:40have limited funds and we have to spend

23:43them the best way we can.

23:46So, thank you.

23:47>> Thank you. Yeah, completely

23:48understandable. Um thank you for the for

23:50allowing me to present our request.

23:51>> Sure. Well, we want to get you

23:54in the

23:56cycle of everything unlike it was

23:58before.

23:59>> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

24:01>> Okay.

24:03Next up is Jayhawk Theatre.

24:07So, Joanne, come on down.

24:38>> Chair Hofer,

24:40is this working okay? All right. And

24:42committee members,

24:43we truly appreciate the opportunity to

24:46be here and for the city's long-standing

24:49partnership in restoring the historic

24:51Jayhawk Theatre.

24:52I'm Joanne Morrell and joining me today

24:55are

24:56our uh

24:58committed, passionate board and team

25:01members that are helping to drive this

25:02project forward.

25:04Without them, nothing happens.

25:07And as we celebrate our Centennial, we

25:10are at a pivotal point in this $35

25:12million restoration.

25:14But before I explain what this next

25:16investment will make possible, I'd like

25:18to share a 1-minute glimpse of the

25:20Jayhawk project underway.

25:29>> [music]

25:34[music]

25:39[music]

26:18[music]

26:26>> So, that's the extraordinary vision

26:28we're working towards for Topeka's last

26:31remaining historic theater and the

26:33official state theater of Kansas.

26:36Today, we are requesting $390,000

26:39in new FY27 transient guest tax funding

26:43for critical infrastructure and

26:45construction readiness.

26:47Funding that will also help leverage and

26:49unlock substantial new support,

26:51potentially securing another $3 million.

26:55The city's early support has been

26:57instrumental. We leveraged that

26:59investment to help secure a $5 million

27:01state sprint grant award, $750,000

27:05in federal accessibility funding, go to

27:08PICA support, private philanthropy, and

27:10significant in-kind contributions.

27:13We've also completed approximately $1

27:15million

27:16in historic foundation restoration and

27:19$500,000 in electrical infrastructure

27:21improvements, including relocating the

27:24city's oldest electrical panel.

27:26The work is real,

27:28the progress is measurable, and each

27:30investment positions us to secure the

27:32next. And our team here made that nearly

27:35impossible task happen, so thank you.

27:39Then this new commitment, combined with

27:42funds remaining under the city's

27:43existing agreement, will allow us to

27:45execute two important contracts with

27:47local firms.

27:49First is the phase one elevator

27:50construction, advancing a $1.3 million

27:54accessibility investment, providing

27:56access from the basement speak easy to

27:58the balcony, including more than 500

28:01balcony seats, which is over half our

28:02seating.

28:04Second is a contract for the next 25% of

28:07construction documents, prioritizing

28:09auditorium design, and preparing

28:11additional construction packages as

28:14funding is secured. This design work is

28:17also essential to advancing our pending

28:19historic tax credit reviews and

28:21protecting the substantial federal and

28:24state tax credit investment, including

28:26our restoration financing.

28:29These two contracts total more than $1.6

28:32million.

28:33And here's why timing matters. Among

28:36other deadlines, in addition to an

28:38$85,000 private donor pledge that's tied

28:41to the city's participation,

28:43an extraordinary

28:45potential six to seven-figure

28:48private gift opportunity has newly

28:50emerged. This gift requires specific

28:52auditorium design work completed before

28:55year end.

28:57It's a competitive, time-sensitive

28:59opportunity, and another Kansas theater

29:01is under consideration.

29:03Additionally, we are also pursuing a

29:05major financing opportunity that could

29:07provide substantial project financing

29:10and a potential $2 million net benefit

29:13toward the restoration. As we've shared,

29:16we're prepared to document matching

29:17funds within six months and continue

29:20leveraging the city's investment with

29:22additional public and private support.

29:24That's the power of

29:26leveraging local investment. With a

29:28commitment of $350,000,

29:30your support would ensure that two local

29:33contracts move forward and help

29:34potentially leverage nearly 10 times

29:37that amount. So, why does this matter to

29:39tourism?

29:41The restored Jayhawk will accommodate

29:42nearly 1,000 seats

29:45and more than 1,300 standing guests,

29:48or more, either or. With a 50 to 100

29:51events annually projected and more than

29:54200 events and community programs when

29:56fully scaled.

29:58Further, we have recently demonstrated

30:00that our tourism potential is real. Even

30:02before restoration, 33% of our audiences

30:05came from outside the immediate market,

30:07while local attendees represented every

30:10zip every zip code in Topeka and Shawnee

30:12County, and we were really proud of that

30:14to be serving the entire community.

30:16With featured national artists which we

30:19brought in for five months straight, we

30:21saw those numbers escalate. National

30:24artists have their own following.

30:26So, one example, one Wednesday night

30:29performance drew 55% of its audience

30:32from across Kansas and out of state. For

30:35three months straight, we intentionally

30:36expanded our audience reach, bringing in

30:3975 to 80% first-time visitors and 140

30:43unique zip codes. So, that's the power

30:46of tourism and live entertainment,

30:48bringing visitors downtown regularly

30:50regularly to our hotels, restaurants,

30:52bars, and retail shops.

30:54Drawing new visitors who want to come

30:56back and keeping our entertainment

30:58dollars local.

31:00Working together, we can create a

31:02vibrant and active community. As the

31:04State Theatre of Kansas and Topeka's

31:06last remaining historic theater, the

31:08Jayhawk will complement existing

31:11venues and strengthen our capital city's

31:13appeal as both a historic and

31:15entertainment destination.

31:17More performances, more visitors, more

31:19reasons to stay in Topeka.

31:21This is an investment in the

31:23infrastructure that makes tourism

31:24possible, and every dollar helps

31:26position us to bring in additional

31:28investment to Topeka.

31:31We've spent decades working to save the

31:34Jayhawk, and now we have the opportunity

31:36to make it extraordinary and put it to

31:38work for Topeka for the next 100 years.

31:42We respectfully ask for your favorable

31:44recommendation of a $390,000

31:48in new FY27 TGT funding to take these

31:51next critical steps. Thank you for your

31:53time and consideration, and we're happy

31:55to answer any questions you might have.

31:58>> I'll start with you, Murray. Any

31:59questions?

32:00>> Not at this time.

32:02>> Brett, do you have any questions?

32:04>> No, no, I'm good. Thank you.

32:06>> Okay.

32:07Um thank you, and we will move on to

32:12uh GTP.

32:15Come on down, Michelle.

32:21>> Good afternoon. I appreciate the

32:22opportunity to speak with you. My name

32:23is Michelle Cuevas Doublefield. I am

32:25senior vice president of strategy for

32:26the Greater Topeka Partnership. I come

32:28here before you today for Momentum 2027

32:31Gateway and Corridor Task Force. Uh we

32:34recently provided you with a proposal

32:37due to the issues that we currently in

32:39our gateways have probably about

32:4125-year-old signs

32:43that are faded.

32:45They do have solar, but they do not

32:47light up.

32:49These same signs

32:51have deteriorated to the effect that

32:53they were even that style was taken down

32:56in downtown several years ago.

32:58>> Do they have the old logo on it?

33:00>> It has the old logo with the capital

33:02there in black and green. Just

33:05don't work with what we've got today in

33:08in knowing. Gateway provides an

33:10important first impression. So, someone

33:12arriving in the community should

33:13immediately recognize that they have

33:15entered Topeka Kansas

33:17and feel that they have been they have

33:18arrived in a community that is proud of

33:20its identity and future. It it really is

33:23the first impression that they see as

33:25they tour, live, work, and play here in

33:27Topeka.

33:29That being said, with Momentum 2027, the

33:31gateways and corridors was has served as

33:34of interest when we did the strategy and

33:37continues to be of interest with all the

33:38work that has been fantastically done by

33:41the city and the state in construction

33:44and improving our our traffic ways.

33:47That being said, what we'd like to

33:48propose is

33:50to help facilitate that is a one

33:54two-phased approach.

33:56We have currently through RFP have

33:59reached out

34:01to update those signages

34:03with a new style in complement to the

34:06current brand as well as updating the

34:10structure and landscaping opportunities

34:13so that they have fantastic impact as

34:17people drive through and are and are are

34:19safe. That being said, there are six

34:22entryways into the community. We

34:24understand that money is tight. We are

34:27looking at a phased approach.

34:29Even one or two would be fantastic at

34:32this point considering all the work that

34:33has been done, especially with Polk

34:35Quincy Viaduct coming into play.

34:38Each sign

34:39we've given you two opportunities. One

34:42is a vertical and one is a horizontal

34:44approach.

34:45Um and the cost for those is about

34:47130,000

34:49per sign.

34:51Um

34:52with that we have we

34:55you will see in the RF and in the

34:58estimates provided that they provide

35:01some LED modules, installation

35:03equipment,

35:05uh engineering product, but we would

35:07also be working with the state uh as

35:09well as the city to ensure that we can

35:12use those same locations, which is the

35:14expectation because those are already

35:16set for solar. Um and we should just be

35:19able to take those out and replace these

35:21in in their in their space.

35:24>> Okay.

35:24>> So, that's what we're looking at for the

35:26130. This is with the assumption that we

35:28still need to work with the state and

35:31see if there's any other considerations.

35:33That's why we're saying two to three

35:35allowing for any cost adjustments that

35:38we're not aware of at this time.

35:40>> Okay.

35:42Murray, do you have any questions about

35:44the sign design or anything else?

35:48Brett, have you been able to look at the

35:50signs to see what they look like?

35:53>> Yes, uh on the LED component of it,

35:56uh is that going to be just one big

35:58board or is it going to be

36:00interchangeable panels? So, if something

36:02you know, wind damage or storm damage or

36:04someone vandalizing it, you just pop a

36:06panel out and pop a new panel in.

36:08>> That I could not tell you for sure. I do

36:11know that the

36:12the strategy itself is for those to be

36:15uh substantial enough

36:17and away from the traffic enough that

36:19they they probably similar to the signs

36:21that lasted for 20 some years now.

36:24Um

36:26they would

36:27you know, meet best practices.

36:31>> All right, thank you.

36:32>> Thank you.

36:34Okay.

36:36Well, we'll study this some more, but

36:38I'm going to do the same as I've said

36:40before.

36:42If depending on what we decide we can

36:44fund,

36:45come back and apply for next year for

36:50the next rounds of money. Maybe we can

36:52get a couple more that way, too.

36:54>> Absolutely, and we do expect this to be

36:56a phased approach. Uh however that works

36:58out, we're appreciative.

37:00>> Okay.

37:01>> Thank you.

37:03>> Okay.

37:04This is not in our packet,

37:07but we also have a proposal, well, I

37:09guess it is in here,

37:11from T-PAC.

37:12So, Dan, if you'd like to come up and

37:15speak to this.

37:20>> Thank you, Madam Chair and Committee. Um

37:22Dan Kase, Executive Director for the

37:24Topeka Performing Arts Center, and I'm

37:25here on behalf of the center to submit

37:28our request for an estimated amount of

37:29$30,000 for the one-time transient guest

37:32tax funding that you have earmarked for

37:342027.

37:35Uh we understand that we definitely want

37:36to be a part of that 2028 longer

37:38conversation when that comes about. Um

37:40this particular investment goes towards

37:42the purchase of the lighting board and

37:43supportive infrastructure in the newly

37:45renovated black box space. Uh these

37:47items and others totaling over uh close

37:49to $100,000 were amongst the initial

37:51renovation design that just happened and

37:53completed the HVAC project. Uh it was

37:56set aside as a alternative items in case

37:58in case uh any other extra funding came

38:01available during that project. The

38:02project has since closed, and these

38:04items remain uh unfunded at this time.

38:07Uh the immediate need is in the lighting

38:08control area. This light board uh once

38:11it's purchased allows us to use it in

38:13the black box space and also to control

38:15the LED lights that we put in the

38:17banquet hall to create the ambiance for

38:19any kind of wedding coming in. Currently

38:21right now, uh we have to bring our light

38:23board from upstairs downstairs and if we

38:25have two activities going on at once,

38:26which we are hoping that that's going to

38:28be coming up here in the next year,

38:30where we have a concert upstairs and we

38:32have a rental downstairs,

38:33we would have to rent a light board in

38:35order to accommodate the downstairs. We

38:36don't want to take away from the

38:37upstairs. So that is the immediate need

38:40and I can take any questions.

38:42>> Okay and I'd also like to avoid the

38:44possibility of anything happening to the

38:46light board

38:48from upstairs to downstairs.

38:49>> We transport it up and

38:51upstairs downstairs. That's correct.

38:54>> Okay. This was something that kind of

38:55came up in the last week and I wanted to

38:58add it in.

38:59We do not have the exact amount yet, but

39:02we will have it

39:03>> I'm getting updated pricing. Yep.

39:05>> Um

39:06but this way you've got an idea of the

39:08budget and what it entails.

39:11Um

39:12and I guess it's plenty to consider.

39:16So do you have any questions, Murray?

39:20Okay.

39:22Uh

39:24Brett, do you have any questions on the

39:25lighting board or anything else?

39:27>> No, I'm good. Thank you.

39:29>> Okay.

39:30>> And I just want to champion my partners

39:33as we grow the arts culture here,

39:35Jayhawk, Noto.

39:36We're all together to try to make this

39:38the better place in the cultural

39:39forefront of Topeka and we just really

39:41appreciate everything that the city

39:42does. Thank you.

39:44>> Sure.

39:46Okay. That concludes the items that I

39:50know about.

39:51Um I know that Arts Connect did not have

39:56time to put anything together if

39:58they wanted to. So Sarah, next meeting

40:02if there's something specific you want

40:03to add, we can do that.

40:05>> Just send it in the email when you send

40:07it out.

40:08>> Okay.

40:09Um I don't know if there's anybody else

40:12that would like to I'll take some public

40:14comment.

40:16If anybody else would like to speak, cuz

40:17we're doing okay on time.

40:22Nobody else has any

40:24supportive comments?

40:27Okay.

40:28So, our next meeting is in 2 weeks. And

40:32at that point, we will try and um

40:37figure out how we want to

40:40parcel up this money.

40:44And one of the reasons I want to get it

40:45done in November

40:47is if we want to have this money ready

40:49to go in January,

40:52it has to go from us to city council,

40:55get approved by them,

40:57and then we can be ready to disburse

41:00first of the year.

41:02Um

41:03hopefully we will have no change from us

41:06to city council, but you don't know what

41:10somebody on council might

41:12say, "I absolutely hate this. Let's cut

41:15it."

41:16Who knows? Or they may say, "I love it.

41:18Let's do it twice."

41:21>> [cough]

41:23>> We have an interesting group.

41:25So,

41:27um you're more than welcome

41:30at any point once we make our decision

41:32to contact any of the city council

41:34members and

41:36throw your support between whatever

41:39project you've got and let them know the

41:42importance of your project.

41:44Um and that you want to see

41:47that go through for 2027.

41:50And next year's committee will

41:52have probably well, will have a bigger

41:55decision to make because we may be

41:57totally restructuring

42:00uh the transient guest tax because we

42:02have changed so much.

42:06There's certain things that will stay

42:07the same,

42:09but there's a big chunk that could

42:11change. So,

42:13I want to get next year

42:16finalized at our next meeting as close

42:19as we can.

42:21And hopefully leave a little bit going

42:24into uh 2027 in case there's some kind

42:27of emergency

42:29that comes up or something that turns up

42:32like the lighting board

42:34that we didn't know about.

42:36I want to be able to still help people

42:39um

42:40with some smaller grants also.

42:45But

42:46um Marie, do you have anything you want

42:47to add?

42:48>> I don't.

42:51>> Brett, do you have anything you'd like

42:52to add?

42:55>> No, I'm good. Thank you.

42:57>> Okay. Then, as far as I'm concerned,

42:59this meeting of the Transient Guest Tax

43:01Committee is finished for today.

43:04Thank you for coming.

43:07Bye-bye, Brett.