[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:15]
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
JENNIFER, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? THANK YOU MAYOR.
COUNCIL MEMBER HANLEY. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER EITERICH.
PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER CHARLTON IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER NICKS.
HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER BELL IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMSON PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER DENNY IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER HERRON.
PRESENT. MAYOR SAYERS IS PRESENT AND PRESIDING.
THANK YOU. JENNIFER. ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING?
[APPROVE MINUTES]
HEARING NONE I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.SO MOVED. MOTION BY CHELSEA, SECOND BY COURTNEY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
JENNIFER, ANY MODIFICATIONS THIS EVENING? NONE THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FIRST EVENT TONIGHT IS RECOGNITION OF THE CHRIST PREP ACADEMY FOOTBALL TEAM.
[RECOGNITION ]
WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT THAT I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ IF WE CAN HAVE THE COACHES UP TO JOIN ME.FORGIVE ME, I'M A LITTLE HOARSE THOUGH. WHEREAS THE CHRIST PREP ACADEMY FOOTBALL PATRIOTS FOOTBALL TEAM BASED IN LENEXA, KANSAS, COMPLETED A HISTORIC 2025 SEASON BY FINISHING WITH A PERFECT 13 ZERO RECORD AND WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOVEMBER 22ND, 2025, IN PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA.
AND WHEREAS THIS ACHIEVEMENT MARKED THE FIRST UNDEFEATED SEASON IN CHRIST PREP ACADEMY'S HISTORY AND THE THIRD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM, ADDING TO PREVIOUS NHFA TITLES EARNED IN 2018 AND 2019.
AND WHEREAS, OUT OF MORE THAN 14,000 AGAIN 14,000 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS NATIONWIDE, ONLY 143 COMPLETED THE SEASON UNDEFEATED WITH JUST FIVE TEAMS IN THE STATE OF KANSAS ACHIEVING THAT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING CHRIST'S PREP ACADEMY. AND WHEREAS THE PATRIOTS WERE LED BY A DOMINANT DEFENSE THAT ALLOWED ONLY EIGHT TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS ACROSS 13 GAMES, DEMONSTRATING EXCEPTIONAL DISCIPLINE, TEAMWORK, AND PREPARATION THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.
AND WHEREAS THE PATRIOTS CHAMPIONSHIP RUN ACCUMULATED IN A 22 TO 7 VICTORY OVER TOMBALL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF TEXAS AND THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BRINGING PRIDE AND RECOGNITION TO THE LENEXA COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JULIE SAYERS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LENEXA, KANSAS, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE CHRIST PREP ACADEMY PATRIOTS FOOTBALL TEAM FOR THIS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THE TEAM, COACHES, STUDENTS, AND SUPPORTERS ON THIS TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT [APPLAUSE].
YEAH. [LAUGHS] THANK YOU, MAYOR SAYERS AND COUNCILMAN. THIS IS A GREAT HONOR FOR US, AND IT'S REALLY A CAPSTONE TO OUR SEASON.
YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR A TEAM, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER AND A GROUP OF YOUNG MEN COME TOGETHER, AND THERE'S A LOT OF HIGHS AND LOWS IN A SEASON.
AND TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AN UNDEFEATED SEASON IS IS REALLY SOMETHING SPECIAL.
AND SO WE SIT HERE TODAY AND AGAIN, IT'S JUST THE CAPSTONE TO IT ALL.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US. AND YOU KNOW, TAKING A GROUP OF, OF KIDS THAT ARE REALLY SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE AND, AND, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL'S RIGHT OVER AND JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM, FROM HERE.
AND IT'S JUST BEEN A BLESSING TO SEE ALL THESE KIDS COME TOGETHER.
AND THE COACHING STAFF THAT VOLUNTEERS, WE'RE ALL VOLUNTEERS, SO NOBODY GETS PAID TO DO THIS.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS HONOR AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SINCE YOU'VE GOT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.
[00:05:01]
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS. WAY TO GO.SITTING RIGHT HERE IN THE FRONT ROW OF THE BALCONY. THEY ARE VISITING US TONIGHT TO EARN SOME SCOUTING BADGES, AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL MEET WITH THEM AFTER THE MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS. SO WELCOME TO THEM AND THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
IF YOU WANT TO HEAD OUT, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO SO.
[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
FOOTBALL IS SUCH A HARD SPORT. YOU BET. OH, GOSH.
OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMSON SAYS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR SO FAR.
GO AHEAD AND AGREE WITH THAT. WE'LL KEEP THE REST OF THIS SHORT FOR YOU GUYS. WE'LL GET IT GOING.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
UP NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE ARE FIVE ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA.ALL MATTERS LISTED IN THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE APPROVED COLLECTIVELY WITH NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION. IF AN ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WISHES TO BE REMOVED BY THE COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, THE ITEM WILL BE PLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
ANYONE WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SO MOVED. SECOND. MOTION BY JOHN MICHAEL, SECOND BY CHELSEA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[6. Resolution approving the City Council's 2026 Legislative Priorities]
ITEM NUMBER SIX IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY COUNCIL'S 2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.HI, MIKE. I'M GOING TO MOVE THIS UP JUST A MINUTE.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MIKE NOLAN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT THE STATE HOUSE HAS ALREADY BEGUN.
SO WE'RE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR. BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF TOPICS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS ON ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS AND THE ORGANIZATION TO ADVOCATE, TO GUIDE US AS STAFF WHEN WE'RE LOBBYING IN TOPEKA, OR WHEN WE GO TO NLC IN WASHINGTON DC TO TELL OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WHAT THE CITY OF LENEXA PRIORITIES ARE. I DON'T HAVE A FORMAL PRESENTATION OR A SLIDE DECK GOING OVER EACH ONE OF THESE.
THE FIRST THREE, IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS TO THE TRUTH AND TAXATION LAW TO ALLOW CITIES TO ACCOUNT FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT GROWTH, AS WELL AS EXPIRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS IN THE CALCULATION OF THE ANNUAL REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO SEE CHANGED.
IN TERMS OF THE CONVERSATION THAT'S HAPPENING IN TOPEKA RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS FROM BUDGET CAPS, MEANING EXPENSE EXPENSE CAPS, AS WELL AS REVENUE GROWTH AND APPRAISAL CAPS.
WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT METHOD OF OF APPRAISAL THROUGH THE KANSAS CONSTITUTION AND A SUPPORT LOCAL BUDGET AND TAXING DECISIONS BEING MADE HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. AND JUST SOME IMPORTANT THINGS FROM THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
THE STATE'S 20 MILLS THAT THEY LEVY FOR SCHOOLS HAS NOT CHANGED IN OVER 25 YEARS.
WE'VE LOWERED THE MILL LEVY FOR EIGHT CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN A ROW.
SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE CITY OF LENEXA IS DOING THEIR PART TO TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
AND WE WANT THE STATE TO LET US DO THAT JUDICIOUSLY, AS WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR NEARLY A DECADE.
OBVIOUSLY, WE ALWAYS SUPPORT INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERSHIPS BASED ON PRESERVING WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE AND THEN SCORING PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
[00:10:02]
THAT'S A PLANK THAT'S BEEN IN HERE SINCE I'VE BEEN DOING THIS, WHICH THIS WILL BE MY 11TH SEASON DOING IT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU'LL FIND IN HERE IS SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A KANSAS CONSERVATION FUND.I THINK A FEW OF YOU ATTENDED WITH THE KANSAS RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS LOGAN FROM OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, LOOKING AT THE CEDAR STATION PARK AND THE GLADE THAT IS IN WESTERN LENEXA THAT COULD BE UNLOCKED WITH SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT AREN'T AVAILABLE TO KANSAS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE KANSAS DOESN'T HAVE A MATCHING KANSAS CONSERVATION FUND TO UNLOCK SOME OF THOSE FOR WETLANDS AND TRAILS AND NATURE PRESERVES AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
THIS MAY SEEM VAGUE, BUT SUPPORTING BALANCED RIGHT OF WAY MANAGEMENT POLICIES THAT ALLOW CITIES TO CHARGE REASONABLE FEES AND TO HAVE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR HOW THAT HAPPENS. AND THE LONG STORY SHORT HERE IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL TELECOMMUNICATION PROVIDERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO RELOCATE THEIR FACILITIES IN THE RIGHTS OF WAY, JUST FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE PUBLIC.
THERE'S PRIVATE UTILITIES USING THE PUBLIC WAYS UNDER OUR STREETS, UNDER OUR BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS TO PROVIDE TELECOM, TO PROVIDE GAS, TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY. AND WHEN WE HAVE TO MOVE THOSE THINGS FOR ROAD PROJECTS, WE DO NEGOTIATE WITH EACH OF THE UTILITY PROVIDERS TO HELP PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
BUT BY STATE LAW, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MOVE THEIR FACILITIES WHEN WE REQUEST IT.
AND SO REMOVING THAT FUNDING SOURCE FROM US, BECAUSE WE ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOCAL MANAGEMENT OF THE RIGHTS OF WAY, IS PROBLEMATIC IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THAT THROUGH CHANGES TO THE KANSAS RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD TENANT ACT, AS WELL AS KEEPING OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE OUR RENTAL LICENSING PROGRAMS AND TO ADOPT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND MOST RECENTLY, I THINK THAT THIS HAS BUBBLED UP WITH THE, WITH A SITUATION THAT HAPPENED IN GARDNER WHERE PEOPLE WERE NOT GIVEN VERY MUCH NOTICE AT A PROBLEM PROPERTY THAT HAD BEEN AN ISSUE FOR FOR MANY YEARS.
AND THIS PLANK IS INTENDED TO JUST SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS STATEWIDE WHILE CONTINUING TO PRESERVE OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR ALL THE APARTMENTS AND SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOUSES THAT WE INSPECT AND WE LICENSE ANNUALLY IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES THAT DON'T UNDERMINE LOCAL CONTROL OF OUR LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
BUT IT'S PROBLEMATIC WHEN YOU REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO DO THAT SORT OF WORK, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE TRAINING IN THAT TYPE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS ARE NOT THROUGH CITY CHANNELS.
AND SO THAT CAN CREATE FRICTION NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO SERVE AND PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO YOU AS ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOR THE THINGS THEY DO AS AS THE POLICY MAKERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO ADDING THOSE TYPES OF PROTECTIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS TO THE ENTIRE ACT STATEWIDE, BECAUSE NOT EVERY COMMUNITY HAS ADOPTED ONE OF THESE. SEVERAL JOHNSON COUNTY CITIES HAVE AND SEVERAL OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE. BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE INTERACT, WHETHER IT'S A BUSINESS, A PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION, HOUSING, THOSE PROTECTIONS ARE NOT UNIFORM ACROSS THE STATE.
IN TERMS OF LOOKING INWARDLY AT OUR OWN CITY STAFF, I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TRACKED THIS, BUT THE STATE OF KANSAS ACTUALLY DECIDED LAST YEAR TO MOVE ALL OF THE KPERS TEACHERS FROM TIER THREE TO A SEPARATE TIER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A, IT WAS NOT A GOOD BENEFIT FOR THE TEACHERS THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE RECRUITING AND RETAINING OBVIOUSLY TALENTED TEACHERS.
AND SO PART OF THAT WAS THE PENSION BENEFITS THAT ARE OFFERED TO THEM.
THERE'S MORE TIERS TO THAT, BUT I WON'T BELABOR THAT.
AND ANYBODY WHO STARTED WORKING FOR THE CITY AFTER JULY, JANUARY 1ST OF 2015 IS A TIER THREE MEMBER, WHICH IS A CASH BALANCE PLAN AND NOT A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN, OR WHAT WE WOULD THINK OF AS A NORMAL PENSION.
AND SO THERE THERE IS SOME INEQUITY IN THE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ARE DOING MUNICIPAL WORK.
AND SO WE SUPPORT CHANGES TO THAT THAT ARE AKIN TO WHAT HAPPENED FOR THE TEACHERS.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTE TO THAT PLAN, BUT ALSO THE CITY ON THEIR BEHALF CONTRIBUTES TO THAT PLAN, AND THOSE STATUTORY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SET BY THE KPERS BOARD IN TOPEKA.
[00:15:03]
AND SO WE WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF CHANGES THAT MAKE THIS MORE EQUITABLE AND BETTER FOR OUR NEWER TENURED EMPLOYEES GOING INTO THE FUTURE WITHOUT BEING TOO FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE. AND JUST FOR SOME NUMBERS, THERE'S 192 KPERS TIER THREE MEMBERS IN THE CITY OF LENEXA.THAT'S NOT KPNEF. THEY ARE ON A SEPARATE PLAN.
SO I WILL STOP THERE ON THE STATEWIDE ISSUES.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THEM ON THOSE.
SEEING NONE, GO AHEAD. THE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ARE ALWAYS A WHOLE LOT EASIER.
A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH MONEY AND MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.
CONGRESSWOMAN DAVIS HAS ASKED US TO SUPPORT THAT.
SHE IS ON TRANSPORTATION BUDGET COMMITTEE. AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO HER AS WE WORK THROUGH OUR GRANT APPLICATION PROCESSES, THROUGH FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, THROUGH MARK OR KDOT.
SO THAT IS THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US. THE NUMBER, THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT I DON'T THINK IS ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S RADARS, BUT ARE CERTAINLY ON NATE'S RADAR AS HE LOOKS AT OUR BUDGET EVERY YEAR, IS PRESERVING THE TAX EXEMPT STATUS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS.
THAT IS SUPER IMPORTANT. IF THE INTEREST THAT WE PAY TO A BOND BUYER BECOMES TAXABLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW, IT WILL DRIVE UP INTEREST RATES. IT WILL ULTIMATELY COST US MORE MONEY TO DELIVER PROJECTS, AND IT WILL COST TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATES INCREASE.
WE CAN NOW ONLY DO THAT ONCE ON A CALL DATE WHEN WE ISSUE BONDS, AND SO IT ONLY ALLOWS US ONE OPPORTUNITY INSTEAD OF MAYBE MULTIPLE IF INTEREST RATES WERE GOING DOWN. AND SO WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT RESTORED.
I THINK THAT THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ALSO SUPPORTS THAT PLANK AS WELL.
BUT IN TERMS OF OF ANY MORE CHANGES, THOSE ARE THE MAIN THINGS FOR THIS YEAR.
THE ONE THING I WILL SAY THAT AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS AND SENDING IT TO YOU FOR REVIEW, THERE IS ONE ITEM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP HERE FROM THE DESK TONIGHT JUST FOR YOU TO CONSIDER, IS THAT THERE WAS A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE LATE LAST WEEK THAT WOULD MOVE LOCAL ELECTIONS TO THE FALL OF, OF EVEN NUMBERED YEARS, ALONG WITH THE REGULAR CYCLE OF ELECTIONS AND MAKE THEM PARTISAN.
SO IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO ADD THAT, I CAN ADD THAT BACK IN.
IT HAS BEEN PART OF OUR PLATFORM PREVIOUSLY, BUT IT'S NOT BEEN ON MY RADAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
YES, I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY CLEARLY STATED THAT WE OPPOSE THAT.
OKAY, I MOVE, WE ADD IT. YEAH. THANK YOU. DO WE NEED A VOTE TO ADD IT? YOU DO NEED A VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION. OKAY. PASS.
WE CAN VOTE TO PASS THE RESOLUTION WITH THAT AMENDMENT.
YES. OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AND THE AMENDMENT APPROVING THE CITY COUNCIL'S 2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. SECOND. MOTION BY CHRIS.
SECOND BY BILL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. THOSE OPPOSED.
MOTION PASSES. ANY COUNCIL. THANKS, MIKE. ANY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS THIS EVENING?
[COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS ]
YEAH. LAST NIGHT I WENT TO THE ANNUAL NAACP MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DINNER, WHERE OUR OWN POLICE DANNY CHAVEZ, WAS HONORED WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD.I SAW THAT, CHIEF, PLEASE PASS ALONG OUR CONGRATULATIONS.
YEAH, YEAH. WELL DESERVED. AND HAD A GREAT TIME.
THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING US. ANYTHING ELSE? OKAY. BECKY, ANY STAFF REPORT TONIGHT? JUST THAT WE WILL HAVE A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY EVENING.
[STAFF REPORTS ]
THANK YOU. THIS ENDS THE RECORDED PORTION OF THE MEETING.WE WILL HAVE BUSINESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.