City Commission
Regular MeetingManhattan, KS · November 18, 2025
Minutes
CERTIFICATION OF CLERK
I, Chelsea Johnson, the duly appointed, qualified, and Assistant
City Clerk of Manhattan, Kansas, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Minutes from November 18, 2025,
were duly adopted at a meeting of the City of Manhattan,
Kansas, held on the 2 nd day of December 2025, and that said
Minutes have been compared by me with the original thereof
on file and of record in my office, is a true copy of the whole
of said original.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, this 3rd day of December, 2025.
_____________________________
Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk
MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
6:00 P.M.
This meeting was recorded and is available online for full viewing.
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 6:00 p.m., Mayor Karen McCulloh called the November 18, 2025, City Commission
Meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM
Present: Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak, Commissioner Peter Oppelt, and
Commissioner Jayme Minton, with Mayor Karen McCulloh presiding.
Absent: Commissioner John E. Matta.
After roll call, the City Clerk announced there were five (4) Commissioners present and that
the quorum of three (3) was met.
Also present were City Manager Danielle Dulin; Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers,
Assistant City Manager Jared Wasinger, Deputy City Attorney Rachel Sherck, 9 staff, and
approximately 32 interested citizens.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor McCulloh led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
This meeting was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Avenue. Public
participation was solicited without regard to race, sex, familial status, military status, disability,
religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In accordance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation
to participate in the City Commission Meeting or access meeting minutes, or those requiring
language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Manhattan ADA Coordinator, Deann
Tiede, no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting, at (785) 587-2442 or 7-1-1 (Relay).
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 2
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor McCulloh proclaimed November 28, 2025, Festival of Lights. (Brad Everett,
Partner, Whoville, Inc., was present to receive the proclamation.)
B. Mayor McCulloh proclaimed November 29, 2025, Small Business Saturday.
(Ashley Urban, Owner, Cura Insurance, was present to receive the proclamation.)
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments and highlighted the process.
The Commission heard public comment on items and issues not scheduled on the agenda.
The following member of the public provided comments:
• Gary Olds, 3308 Frontier Circle
Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Mayor McCulloh stated that she appreciated working with Jayme Minton and Peter Oppelt
and noted that the city had started in a difficult place. She explained that property taxes had
remained flat for a long time, which had not been sustainable. She added that the city had
been able to bring things up to a much more desirable level and function.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
(* denotes those items discussed)
A. MINUTES
1. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held
Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS
1. Approve Claims Register No. 3106 authorizing and approving the payment
of claims from October 31, 2025 – November 13, 2025, in the amount of
$3,478,667.24.
C. LICENSES
1. Approve a Tree Maintenance License for calendar year 2026 for Blueville
Nursery, Inc., Done Right LLC, Gier Tree Service, Hendricks Family Tree
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City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 3
Care LLC, Parsons Tree Care, Tree Biologics, Inc., and Wright Tree Service,
Inc.
D. FINAL PLATS
1. Accept the easements and rights-of-way on the Final Plat of Happy Valley
Addition, Unit Two.
E. ORDINANCES
1. Approve Ordinance No. 7794 repealing Ordinance No. 7757, and amending
the Manhattan Development Code (MDC).
2. Approve Ordinance No. 7795 amending the Code of Ordinances, Section 31-
33 parking and standing of school buses, Section 31-53 No parking during
designated time zones, and Section 31-54 No parking at any time zones
located near multiple school sites.
3. Approve Ordinance No. 7796, amending the Special Event Ordinance in
Section 31-158 of the Code of Ordinances to allow for City Manager to
identify the special event fee.
F. RESOLUTIONS
1. Approve Resolution No. 111825-A continuing the temporary use permit
process for the platforms downtown for dining and consumption of alcohol
for 2026 and an application fee of $1,000.
G. BID AND AWARD
1. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,108,671.82 to Cheney
Construction Inc., and authorize the City Manager to approve change orders
up to 5% ($55,433.59) of the contract amount for the 2025 Concrete
Maintenance Contract Phase I Project (Hudson Avenue from Anderson
Avenue to Claflin Road) (ST2501).
2. Authorize an increase to the construction contract in the amount of
$62,499.09 with Stallbaumer Contracting for the Walters Drive
Reconstruction Project (ST2309, SW2505).
H. MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS
1. Approve the 2026 funding recommendations and authorize City
Administration to finalize and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute contracts
with the following agencies: Aggieville Business Association; Downtown
Manhattan, Inc.; Manhattan Arts Center, Inc.; The Riley County Historical
Society (Wolf House Museum); Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency,
Inc.; Manhattan Area Technical College; and Riley County Community
Corrections.
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City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 4
Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Oppelt.
ACTION: Approve the consent agenda.
SECOND: Commissioner Minton.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt,
Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
8. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
No items were removed from the Consent Agenda.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
A. CONSIDER AMENDING THE 2025 CITY BUDGET – RENAME
INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION FUND
Rina Neal, Director of Finance, presented the item. She then answered questions from the
Commission.
Mayor McCulloh opened the public hearing.
Hearing no comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public hearing.
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City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 5
MOTION: Commissioner Adamchak.
ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7797 amending the 2025 City Budget¡
SECOND: Commissioner Oppelt.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
MOTION: Commissioner Minton.
ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7798, renaming the Industrial Promotion Fund
to the Industrial Development Fund.
SECOND: Commissioner Oppelt.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
10. GENERAL AGENDA
A. RECEIVE THE YEAR END REPORTS AND FOURTH QUARTER
REPORT FROM THE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND
CONSIDER 2026 CONTRACTS WITH THE MANHATTAN AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Jason Smith, President/Chief Executive Officer, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce;
Daryn Soldan, Executive Vice President/Economic Development Director, Manhattan Area
Chamber of Commerce; Stephanie Pierce, Executive Director, Innovate 24; and Sheila
Ellis-Glasper, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills
(BEFH), presented the unified 2025 Economic Development Annual Report. They then
answered questions from the Commission.
Christian Bishop, Military Relations Manager, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
presented the Military Relations Committee report for 2025.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 6
Marcia Rozell, Director of Visit Manhattan, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce,
presented the fourth quarter Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) report.
Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments.
The following member of the public provided comments:
• Andrew Von Lintel, 225 Fourwinds Court
Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Oppelt.
ACTION: Accept the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (Chamber)
2025 Year-End Report for Economic Development and the Convention
and Visitors Bureau’s Fourth Quarter Report; and authorize City
Administration to finalize, and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute, the
2026 agreements with the Chamber.
SECOND: Commissioner Minton.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
B. CONSIDER REZONING TRACT OF LAND LOCATED AT THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF KIMBALL AVENUE AND COLLEGE
AVENUE
Stephanie Peterson, Director of Community Development, presented the item. She then
answered questions from the Commission.
Commissioners did not have ex parte communications to declare.
Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments.
The following member of the public provided comments:
• Brittany Fielder, 1300 Frontier Lane
Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 7
MOTION: Commissioner Adamchak.
ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7799 rezoning a tract of land from University &
College (UC) District to Mixed-Use (MX) District.
SECOND: Commissioner Minton.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
C. CONSIDER TAXIWAY ALPHA RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (AP2501)
Brandon Keazer, Airport Director, presented the item. He then answered questions from the
Commission.
Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Oppelt.
ACTION: Approve Professional Services Agreement in the amount of
$1,213,800.00 with Olsson, Inc., and approve Resolution No. 111825-B
authorizing the project and financing for the Taxiway Alpha
Reconstruction Project (AP2501).
SECOND: Commissioner Minton.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 8
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Commissioner Minton.
ACTION: Recess into Executive Session to conduct the annual performance
evaluation of the City Manager, pursuant to the exception set forth in
K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) allowing for discussion of personnel matters of
non-elected personnel, and to resume the open meeting at 8:00 p.m. in
the City Commission Room.
SECOND: Commissioner Adamchak.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
At 8:00 p.m., the Commission reconvened with Mayor McCulloh and Commissioner
Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and Commissioner Minton in attendance.
MOTION: Mayor McCulloh.
ACTION: Recess into Executive Session to conduct the annual performance
evaluation of the City Manager, pursuant to the exception set forth in
K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) allowing for discussion of personnel matters of
non-elected personnel, and to resume the open meeting at 8:30 p.m. in
the City Commission Room.
SECOND: Commissioner Oppelt.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
At 8:30 p.m., the Commission reconvened with Mayor McCulloh and Commissioner
Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and Commissioner Minton in attendance. Mayor
McCulloh stated that no binding action was taken during Executive Session, therefore no
vote in the open meeting was needed.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
November 18, 2025
Page 9
12. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mayor McCulloh.
ACTION: Adjourn the November 18, 2025, City Commission Meeting.
SECOND: Commissioner Minton.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Minton.
No: None.
Abstain: None.
At 8:31 p.m., Mayor McCulloh announced the Commission meeting was adjourned.
____________________________________
Jared Wasinger, Assistant City Manager
Agenda
AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
CITY COMMISSION ROOM
CITY HALL
1101 POYNTZ AVENUE
MANHATTAN, KS 66502
City Commission Meeting
6:00 P.M.
NOTE: Agenda items are available on the City’s website at https://www.manhattanks.gov/AgendaCenter/City-
Commission-20. If you would like to provide public comment at the meeting for an item on the agenda, you
may sign up in person at the meeting. The guidelines for public comments can be found in Resolution No.
052025-F, https://manhattanks.gov/meetingspolicy. If you would like to provide written comment for an item
on the agenda in lieu of coming to City Hall, comments may be submitted through the City’s website at
https://manhattanks.gov/contactcommissioners or by emailing or calling the Commissioners directly.
Contact information for each Commissioner is located on the City’s website at
https://manhattanks.gov/202/City-Commission.
The City Commission Meeting will be televised live on local Cox Cable Channel 3, on the City’s website at
http://manhattanks.gov/tv, and also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Cityofmanhattan. A
recording will be made available on the City’s website after the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
This meeting is being held in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Avenue,
Manhattan, KS 66502. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, sex, familial
status, military status, disability, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual
orientation, or gender identity. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting, or
those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Manhattan
ADA Coordinator, Deann Tiede, no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting, at
(785) 587-2442 or 7-1-1 (Relay).
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Page 2
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. November 28, 2025, Festival of Lights. (Brad Everett, Partner, Whoville, Inc., will
be present to receive the proclamation.)
B. November 29, 2025, Small Business Saturday. (Ashley Urban, Owner, Cura
Insurance, will be present to receive the proclamation.)
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
[Public Comment is for comments from the public to the City Commission, which is
not related to an item on the agenda. As a general practice, the City Commission will
not discuss or debate these items, nor will the City Commission make decisions on
items presented during this time. Individuals should address all comments and
questions to the Commission. Each person will be limited to one speaking
opportunity for up to three (3) minutes for this section, with an initial period of thirty
(30) minutes for this section.]
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
[Items on the Consent Agenda are those of a routine and housekeeping nature or
those items which have previously been reviewed by the City Commission and may
be approved in one motion. A Commissioner may request an item be removed for
separate discussion and considered immediately following the Consent Agenda.
Comment from the public related to any item on the Consent Agenda to the City
Commission is allowed. Each person will be limited to one speaking opportunity for
up to three (3) minutes for this section, with an initial period of thirty (30) minutes for
this section.]
A. MINUTES
1. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held
Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS
1. Approve Claims Register No. 3106 authorizing and approving the payment
of claims from October 31, 2025 – November 13, 2025, in the amount of
$3,478,667.24.
C. LICENSES
1. Approve a Tree Maintenance License for calendar year 2026 for Blueville
Nursery, Inc., Done Right LLC, Gier Tree Service, Hendricks Family Tree
Care LLC, Parsons Tree Care, Tree Biologics, Inc., and Wright Tree
Service, Inc.
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Page 3
D. FINAL PLATS
1. Accept the easements and rights-of-way on the Final Plat of Happy Valley
Addition, Unit Two.
E. ORDINANCES
1. Approve Ordinance No. 7794 repealing Ordinance No. 7757, and amending
the Manhattan Development Code (MDC).
2. Approve Ordinance No. 7795 amending the Code of Ordinances, Section
31-33 parking and standing of school buses, Section 31-53 No parking
during designated time zones, and Section 31-54 No parking at any time
zones located near multiple school sites.
3. Approve Ordinance No. 7796, amending the Special Event Ordinance in
Section 31-158 of the Code of Ordinances to allow for City Manager to
identify the special event fee.
F. RESOLUTIONS
1. Approve Resolution No. 111825-A continuing the temporary use permit
process for the platforms downtown for dining and consumption of alcohol
for 2026 and an application fee of $1,000.
G. BID AND AWARD
1. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,108,671.82 to Cheney
Construction Inc., and authorize the City Manager to approve change orders
up to 5% ($55,433.59) of the contract amount for the 2025 Concrete
Maintenance Contract Phase I Project (Hudson Avenue from Anderson
Avenue to Claflin Road) (ST2501).
2. Authorize an increase to the construction contract in the amount of
$62,499.09 with Stallbaumer Contracting for the Walters Drive
Reconstruction Project (ST2309, SW2505).
H. MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS
1. Approve the 2026 funding recommendations and authorize City
Administration to finalize and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
contracts with the following agencies: Aggieville Business Association;
Downtown Manhattan, Inc.; Manhattan Arts Center, Inc.; The Riley County
Historical Society (Wolf House Museum); Flint Hills Area Transportation
Agency, Inc.; Manhattan Area Technical College; and Riley County
Community Corrections.
8. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Page 4
9. PUBLIC HEARING
[The hearing procedure and public participation will be based upon the legal
requirements for the required hearing.]
A. CONSIDER AMENDING THE 2025 CITY BUDGET – RENAME
INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION FUND
1. Presentation of item.
2. Conduct a public hearing. Comment from the public related to the item is
allowed. Each person will be limited to one speaking opportunity for up to three
(3) minutes, with an initial period of thirty (30) minutes.
3. ACTION:
a. Approve Ordinance No. 7797 amending the 2025 City Budget; and
b. Approve Ordinance No. 7798, renaming the Industrial Promotion Fund to
the Industrial Development Fund.
10. GENERAL AGENDA
A. RECEIVE THE YEAR END REPORTS AND FOURTH QUARTER
REPORT FROM THE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND
CONSIDER 2026 CONTRACTS WITH THE MANHATTAN AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1. Presentation of item.
2. Comment from the public related to the item is allowed. Each person will be
limited to one speaking opportunity for up to three (3) minutes, with an initial
period of thirty (30) minutes.
3. ACTION: Accept the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (Chamber)
2025 Year-End Report for Economic Development and the Convention and
Visitors Bureau’s Fourth Quarter Report; and authorize City Administration to
finalize, and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute, the 2026 agreements with
the Chamber.
B. CONSIDER REZONING TRACT OF LAND LOCATED AT THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF KIMBALL AVENUE AND COLLEGE
AVENUE
[Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board recommends approval]
1. Commission to disclose any ex parte information and state whether they are still
able to fairly, objectively, and impartially consider the rezoning request.
2. Presentation of item.
3. Comment from the public related to the item is allowed. Each person will be
limited to one speaking opportunity for up to three (3) minutes, with an initial
period of thirty (30) minutes.
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Page 5
4. REQUESTED ACTION BY APPLICANT: Approve Ordinance No. 7799
rezoning a tract of land from University & College (UC) District to Mixed-Use
(MX) District.
C. CONSIDER TAXIWAY ALPHA RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (AP2501)
1. Presentation of item.
2. Comment from the public related to the item is allowed. Each person will be
limited to one speaking opportunity for up to three (3) minutes, with an initial
period of thirty (30) minutes.
3. ACTION: Approve Professional Services Agreement in the amount of
$1,213,800.00 with Olsson, Inc., and approve Resolution No. 111825-B
authorizing the project and financing for the Taxiway Alpha Reconstruction
Project (AP2501).
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
[Executive Sessions are closed meetings held in accordance with the provisions of
the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Discussion is limited to topics listed in KSA 75-
4319.]
A. Recess into Executive Session to conduct the annual performance evaluation of the
City Manager, pursuant to the exception set forth in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) allowing
for discussion of personnel matters of non-elected personnel, and to resume the
open meeting at ________ p.m. in the City Commission Room.
12. ADJOURNMENT
A. Move to adjourn the November 18, 2025, City Commission Meeting.
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