City of Manhattan

The meeting commenced with a pledge of allegiance. A public comment period followed, during which the Mayor Pro Tem announced that general agenda items A, B, and C were moved to a February 3rd meeting. Discussions during public comment focused on taxpayer concerns regarding city spending and services. The consent agenda was approved, excluding item G, which concerned the purchase of additional mowers. The discussion for item G involved detailed justifications for acquiring four more mowers, focusing on expanding automated mowing capabilities for sports facilities to conserve personnel resources. Item G was ultimately tabled until the February 3rd meeting. The general agenda then addressed item D, petitions for the Stone Haven addition, unit three improvements. This involved reviewing street, water, and sanitary sewer petitions for the new subdivision, including discussions on cost allocations, bonding, and the transparency of special assessments levied on future property owners for infrastructure improvements.

The meeting included the proclamation of Brenda K. Wolf Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration and Day of Service, and the America 250 Community Celebration for the year 2026. Key agenda items involved the approval of claims, the appointment of Rex Fowles to the Cemetery Board, and a reorganization where Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak was appointed Mayor and Commissioner Karen McCulloh was appointed Mayor Pro-Tem. Business decisions included approving a five-year agreement with Pepsi-Cola for beverage products, dissolving the Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex Advisory Board and amending bylaws for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, awarding the purchase of a 2026 Service/Mechanic Truck, and purchasing a 2025 truck mounted single engine combination sewer cleaner. The Commission also authorized finalizing an agreement for the 2026 LiDAR Acquisition project and issuing an RFP for a dedicated sign vendor for the Parks and Recreation Department.

The special meeting addressed several key agenda items. Discussions included the appointment of a Commissioner to the Riley County Law Board and a broader discussion concerning Commission appointments to external and/or city boards and committees. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Treatment Upgrade and Expansion Project, including a review of the Guaranteed Maximum Price Proposal. Finally, the Commission received an update on Aggieville.

The special meeting commenced with non-agenda public comments expressing concern over the use of housing tax money for redevelopment potentially impacting the historic value of the East Park Neighborhood, specifically at 11th and Leavenworth. The primary work session involved a review and feedback session on the draft Historic Preservation Plan. Key discussion points centered on the potential reinstatement of conservation districts as a tool for neighborhood protection, which was favored by several board members as a simpler alternative to the local register, although staff noted concerns regarding administrative burden and lack of community survey interest. Public hearing comments provided input on the 11th and Leavenworth rezoning lawsuit, the importance of the Leavenworth corridor, the inclusion of archaeology, and suggested references to relevant state acts. The board also reviewed a minor addition to 723 Houston Street, which received approval.

The meeting agenda included receiving public comments unrelated to specific agenda items and commissioner comments. The Consent Agenda covered approval of minutes from prior meetings (January 6 and January 13, 2026), approval of claims registers for late December 2025 and early January 2026, approval of licenses including Cereal Malt Beverages and Tree Maintenance, acceptance of a Kansas Forest Service grant for tree removal/replanting, approval of an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with KDOT and surrounding counties for the US-24 Corridor Study, approval of the 2026 meeting calendar, approval for the purchase of Husqvarna robotic mowers, and various appointments to external and internal boards and committees. The General Agenda focused on considering several ordinances related to rezoning applications (214 Leavenworth Street/300 North 3rd Street, Professional Place PUD, and 2005 Hunting Avenue) and authorizing contract increases and resolutions for Stonehaven Unit 3 Improvements and the Anderson Avenue Improvements Project.