Governing Body

Governing Body Minutes – October 14, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, Topeka, Kansas, Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The Governing Body members of the City of Topeka met in regular session at 6:00 P.M. with the following Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Hiller, Valdivia-Alcala, Banks, Kell, Miller, Dobler, Duncan and Hoferer - 8. Mayor Padilla presided -1. Absent: Councilmember Ortiz -1. Public comment for the meeting was available via Zoom or in-person. Individuals were required to contact the City Clerk's Office at 785-368-3940 or via email at cclerk@topeka.org by no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 14, 2025, after which the City Clerk's Office provided the Zoom link information and protocols prior to the meeting start time. Written public comment was also considered to the extent it was personally submitted at the meeting or to the City Clerk's Office located at 215 SE 7th Street, Room 166, Topeka, Kansas, 66603 or via email at cclerk@topeka.org on or before October 14, 2025, for attachment to the meeting minutes. AFTER THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER, the Invocation was provided by Pastor Shampayne Lloyd, Founder of Shampayne Lloyd Ministries. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by meeting participants. A PRESENTATION on the Downtown Digital Kiosk Pilot Program was provided by Alleigh Weems, Senior Management Analyst. She provided an overview of the key features of the Kiosks with an anticipated implementation completion date of February of 2026. She stated upon the execution of the contract site assessment will begin for the preliminary proposal and in regard to revenue, the Kiosks will be operated at no cost to the City and will have a city share percentage of the gross revenue generated by advertising as well as the 12% of screen time reserved by the City to promote events. 10-14-25 390  Councilmember Kell inquired if the City was allowed to run ads to generate revenue and if the City will assume the cost of a complete replacement or repair of the kiosks. Alleigh Weems reported priority advertising will be given to local events, and it would be the responsibility of the kiosk vendor to cover the cost of replacements and repairs. Steve Groen, Director of Public Works, reported Staff have met numerous times with NOTO and Downtown Topeka Foundation, Inc., representatives as well as many businesses in both areas who have requested to install kiosks near their locations. Mayor Padilla inquired if AMBER Alerts would be broadcasted on the kiosks. Director Groen confirmed local emergency messages will be broadcast on the kiosks. Councilmember Hoferer shared the possible interests in advertising for the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Zoo, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the State of Kansas Historical Museum. She inquired about the process Staff will be taking to promote advertising to businesses. Alleigh Weems reported Staff would have the option to engage the vendor for community activities as well as promote advertising on City Channel 4. Councilmember Hiller requested information regarding the cost of advertising to local businesses. CONSENT AGENDA was presented as follows: APPROVAL of a SETTLEMENT in the amount of up to $292,500 to resolve lawsuit with Barbara Hack arising out of or relating in any way from employment with the City on a full and final basis, was presented. APPROVAL of the MINUTES of the regular meeting of October 14, 2025, was presented. 10-14-25 391  Councilmember Dobler moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion seconded by Councilmember Miller carried unanimously. (9-0-0) ORDINANCE NO. 20605 introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez, concerning Citations for Abandoned Vehicles, amending Sections 2.40.130, 2.40.210, and 10.25.010 of the Topeka Municipal Code and repealing original section, was presented. (Public Health & Safety Committee recommended moving forward with the amendments on September 17, 2025) Colleen Stuart, Topeka Police Department Commander, reported on September 17, 2025, the Public Health and Safety Committee discussed the request to amend Topeka Municipal Code Sections 2.40.130, 2.40.210 and 10.25.010 regarding citations for abandoned vehicles. It was concluded abandoned vehicles are perhaps best served by the Property Maintenance Unit (PMU) as they deal with code violations on private property as well as public property. She continued to report 973 calls have been made to SeeClickFix in 2025, and 672 of those calls were concerning abandoned vehicles. She shared it has been challenging for the Police Department to manage abandoned vehicles due to staffing and scheduling and with Property Maintenance Staff being assigned to one geographic area, it would increase accountability and help improve neighborhood quality and safety. Councilmember Kell inquired on the difference of abandoned vehicles versus someone being unable to drive or start their vehicles. Councilmember Duncan stated he believes approving the Property Maintenance Unit to cite and create cases concerning abandoned vehicles will assist in building relationships with community members. He inquired about the tow service used by the City and expressed concern with response times if the number of citations increase. 10-14-25 392  Councilmember Banks stated he received a call concerning a resident being cited for an abandoned vehicle in their driveway. He recommended informing the public if a mistake was made and how it could be solved. Councilmember Miller inquired about the process to correct a citation issued in error. In response, Commander Stuart stated the following: • All vehicles are required to be moved once every 48 hours. Police officers that are able to work abandoned vehicles during their shift attempt to find the owner and do their best to contact them prior to citing the vehicle. • If the Police Department notices an issue with towing response times due to an increase in citations, they would map out a plan to address the service problem by possibly having the company devote one or two days a week just to the City of Topeka. • Commander Stuart recommended Councilmember Miller inquire with the City Prosecutor; however, the Police Department would work with the owner of the vehicle and Municipal Court to determine the flexibility of the citation. Nick Jefferson, Interim City Attorney, stated the Prosecutor would have the same prosecutorial discretion; however, he would discuss the matter further with the City Prosecutor and report back to the Governing Body. Councilmember Hiller thanked Commander Stuart for the information and presentation. Mayor Padilla clarified approval would not change the process already in place and would only provide authorization to the Property Maintenance Unit to distribute citations and create cases. He inquired about how quickly tow orders are distributed. Commander Stuart reported citations and towing service orders take place simultaneously. Councilmember Miller made a substitute motion to defer the ordinance until October 21, 2025. The motion seconded by Councilmember Kell failed. Councilmembers Valdivia-Alcala, Banks, Dobler, Duncan and Mayor Padilla voted “no.” (4-5-0) 10-14-25 393  Councilmember Banks moved to adopt the ordinance. The motion seconded by Councilmember Duncan carried. Councilmembers Kell and Miller voted “no.” The Mayor does not vote. (6-2-0) The ordinance was adopted on roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Hiller, Valdiva-Alcala, Banks, Dobler, Duncan, and Hoferer – 6. Nays: Councilmember Kell and Miller – 2. DISCUSSION concerning the 2026 Special Alcohol and Drug funding recommendations in the amount of $720,206, was presented. Henry McClure recommended allowing the constituents to vote on the allocation of the Special Alcohol Drug fund, and to stop allocating a portion of the tobacco and liquor tax within the City to the County. He stated the Governing Body could find a solution to help the number of homeless in the city by raising the amount of liquor taxes within common consumption areas. Carrie Higgins, Housing Division Director reported the City receives the liquor tax collected by the State of Kansas and pursuant to State statute, one-third of the proceeds shall be deposited in the City's Special Alcohol and Drug Program Fund which can only be used for the "purchase, establishment, maintenance or expansion of services or programs whose principal purpose is alcoholism and drug abuse prevention and education, alcohol and drug detoxification, intervention in alcohol or drug abuse or treatment of persons who are alcoholics or drug abusers or in danger of becoming alcoholics or drug abusers.” She provided a brief overview of the recommendations totaling $720.206. DISCUSSION concerning uniform requirements for merchant or private security, amending Section 5.90.020 of the Topeka Municipal Code, was presented. (The Policy and Finance Committee recommended the proposed amendments be discussed by the Governing Body by a vote of 3-0-0 on August 21, 2025) 10-14-25 394  Chief Vallejo reported the proposed ordinance will grant the Chief of Police full authority to decide when and where uniforms may be worn and only applies specifically to officers working secondary employment security assignments. He stated the current Topeka Municipal Code only allows TPD officers to wear a police uniform when employed by a State agency or a private security company at a State agency. All others - citizens, private security or outside law enforcement agencies - are prohibited to do so. The intent of the proposed amendments would be to allow businesses to hire uniformed TPD officers and outside law enforcement officers; reduce TPD call load and preserve on-duty resources for higher-priority calls; place uniformed officers in locations vulnerable to large-scale incidents; and deter crime at businesses through the presence of uniform police officers. Councilmember Kell spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance and raised concerns about possible lawsuits against the City if officers are not responsible when in uniform while serving in a private security role. He questioned how many hours a week a police officer was allowed to work. Chief Vallejo reported this was not a new practice; however, the new uniform policy would force increased accountability to those individuals working secondary jobs in police uniform. He noted officers are allowed to work no more than 16 hours a day. Mayor Padilla stated he believes the new uniform policy would assist in providing clear recognition of the uniform as well as the authority and responsibility associated with serving as a Topeka Police officer. Councilmember Duncan requested a memo be distributed to the Governing Body outlining the City’s liability associated with approving the proposed ordinance prior to the October 21, 2025, Governing Body meeting. 10-14-25 395  Councilmember Hiller asked if police officers working secondary security jobs are required to get prior authorization from the Chief of Police. Chief Vallejo stated all officers who have the authority to enforce laws, and are required to gain approval from the Chief of Police. Sergeant Christian Harsha reported any Officer who wishes to work secondary employment must have permission from their chain of command to wear their uniform, and currently an officer is not allowed to wear their uniform at a private security job unless it is for the State of Kansas. Councilmember Kell stated he concurs with Councilmember Duncan and would like clarification of the liability aspect of the policy if the ordinance was approved. Councilmember Duncan reported the current ordinance states any officer who is wanting to work in off-duty security is required to get consent of the Chief of Police and would only be allowed to wear uniforms in a State capacity. PUBLIC COMMENT provided by the following individuals: Greg DeBacker provided a handout (Attachment A) and recommended adopting the same ordinance as the City of Sabetha, Kansas, concerning liabilities of landlords. He inquired about the cost of the license, inspection fee, as well as how many inspections will be required and where. Steve Vogel, Shawnee County Landlords Association President, questioned if landlord’s delinquent on property taxes and/or are serial violators of the property maintenance code will be allowed to obtain a license, and if not, will tenants need to move. He recommended penalizing the work of offenders. 10-14-25 396  Sandra Lassiter expressed her frustration about a former City employee discrimination lawsuit settlement in the amount of $292,500 approved by the Governing Body earlier on the agenda. She stated she believes it was time for the City to grant a settlement to the families who have lost loved ones in wrongful death suits. Laronna Lassiter-Sanders referenced the police involved shootings of Taylor Lowery, Christopher Kelly and Dylan Walstrom. She spoke about the importance of holding the Topeka Police Department accountable and establishing transparency in the City Attorney’s Office. She requested that the City correct the harm that has been ensued by families involved in wrongful death suites and noted, she plans to build a case by sharing depositions as well as pictures with the media. Henry McClure expressed his frustration with GO Topeka and the funding allocated for the former AT&T Building located at 220 SE 6th Street, Topeka. Courtland Davis expressed the frustrations of community members who expect truth, honesty and transparency. He stated it was time to commit to eradicating violence and pushing it out of our communities. Da’Mabrius Duncan spoke of the wrongful death suit of Taylor Lowery and the heartbreak her and her daughter have felt by coming to speak to the Governing Body. She asked that the Governing Body push for transparency in the details of the shooting. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL: Megan Brunson, Assistant City Clerk, provided an overview of the October 21, 2025, Governing Body meeting agenda. She announced pursuant to Resolution No. 9606, and due to General Election Day, the Governing Body meeting of November 4, 2025, has been cancelled 10-14-25 397 and rescheduled for November 5, 2025; and due to the Veteran’s Day Holiday, the Governing Body meeting of November 11, 2025, has been cancelled and rescheduled for November 12, 2025. Councilmember Valdivia-Alcala shared information about employee whistleblowing and thanked City Utility workers who attended the Governing Body meeting of October 7, 2025. Councilmember Banks expressed his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in police involved shootings and expressed his hope that the City will do the right thing in the matter. Councilmember Kell announced October 13, 2025, was the 250th birthday of the United States Navy. He clarified rental registration will assist in the accountability of the appalling landlords in the city of Topeka. Councilmember Duncan recognized the Shawnee Heights High School Girls Tennis Team. Mayor Padilla recognized and expressed his appreciation to the individuals that provided public input during the Governing Body meeting. Councilmember Kell moved to recess into executive session for a time not to exceed 20 minutes to discuss personnel matters involving an individual employee as allowed under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the City Council Chambers. The following individuals will be necessary to aid the Governing Body in its discussion, Interim City Attorney Nick Jefferson, and any other staff members or individuals the Governing Body deems necessary. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Banks. 10-14-25 398  Mayor Padilla asked all those in favor of recessing into executive session to indicate so by verbally by saying “yea” and those opposing to indicate so verbally by saying “no.” The motion carried unanimously. (9-0-0) At the conclusion of the executive session, the meeting was reconvened into an open session and Mayor Padilla announced no action was taken during the executive session. NO FURTHER BUSINESS appearing the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. (SEAL) ______________________________ Brenda Younger, City Clerk, M.M.C. 10-14-25 399 Attachment A