City Commission

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 December 16, 2025, were duly adopted at a meeting of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, held on the 6 th day of January 2026, 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 7th day of January, 2026. _____________________________ Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk  MINUTES CITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 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 December 16, 2025, City Commission Meeting to order. 2. ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM Present: Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak, Commissioner Peter Oppelt, Commissioner John E. Matta, and Commissioner Jayme Minton, with Mayor Karen McCulloh presiding. Absent: None. After roll call, the City Clerk announced there were five (5) 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, City Attorney Katharine Jackson, Assistant City Clerk Chelsea Johnson, 9 staff, and approximately 12 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 December 16, 2025 Page 2 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments and highlighted the process. Hearing no comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments. 5. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Minton stated that it was her last meeting and thanked everyone for their support. She said it had been a wonderful 18 months getting to meet people throughout the community and expressed her appreciation for the city staff, the hours they spend, and the knowledge they shared with her. She stated that she hoped the Commission would continue to acknowledge the expertise of city staff and noted that the city was fortunate to have them. She mentioned that it had been a wonderful year, that significant economic development had taken place, and that the Commission had invested in and secured the city’s future. She expressed pride in the work accomplished and wished Susan, Karen, and the Commission well. She said she truly enjoyed working with everyone. Commissioner Matta wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He asked whether cities or local governments are allowed to remove sales tax on food or if it is an all- or-nothing proposition. Katie Jackson, City Attorney, explained that sales taxes are imposed either by a vote of the electorate specifying the uses pursuant to statute or by a special district. She stated that existing sales taxes cannot be modified to eliminate food and, therefore, sales tax must continue to apply to food. Commissioner Adamchak acknowledged Stephen Bridenstine, Director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. She noted that the Flint Hills Discovery Center had received an award from the Symphony of the Flint Hills, which concluded its 20-year run this year after selling its assets, including a building in Council Grove, artwork, etc. The proceeds were distributed to four organizations to continue supporting the Flint Hills. The award will support the Outdoor Classroom at the Flint Hills Discovery Center that is currently underway. Commissioner Adamchak applauded the Parks and Recreation Department and the Flint Hills Discovery Center and expressed appreciation for the generosity of the Symphony of the Flint Hills. Mayor McCulloh thanked Jayme Minton and Peter Oppelt for stepping in and taking charge, noting that she had not seen others do so in the same way. She expressed appreciation for their input and interest and stated her hope that they would return in a couple of years. She also noted that the Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency (aTa Bus) had begun operating a circular route from Junction City through Ogden to Manhattan. While the route includes many stops and is a long ride, it provides a necessary transportation option for citizens who otherwise have no way to travel to Manhattan. Minutes City Commission Meeting December 16, 2025 Page 3 6. CONSENT AGENDA (* denotes those items discussed) A. MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held Tuesday, December 2, 2025. B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS 1. Approve Claims Register No. 3108 authorizing and approving the payment of claims from November 29, 2025 – December 12, 2025, in the amount of $4,120,312.48. C. LICENSES 1. Approve a Cereal Malt Beverages Off-Premises License for Dara’s #1, Dara’s #2, Dara’s #10 and Walgreens #12814; a Cereal Malt Beverages On- Premises License for Axe to Grind and Manhatchet; an annual Merchant Guard Agency License for Bradley Technologies Incorporated; an annual Tree Maintenance License for Flint Hills Tree Care, Three Men Tree Service and Wildcat Tree Service LLC. D. ORDINANCES 1. Approve Ordinance No. 7801 amending the Fuchsia Aggieville Resident Zone to remove the parking lots at Wefald Pavilion and City Park Activity Center and return them to 2-hour parking and no parking between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. 2. Approve Ordinance No. 7802 authorizing the Third Amendment to the Loan Agreement between the City of Manhattan and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for the Water Treatment Plant Lime Sludge Lagoon Improvements Project (WA1907). E. RESOLUTIONS 1. Approve Resolution No. 121625-A establishing and defining the boundaries of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, as of December 16, 2025. F. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 1. Authorize Contract Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with JEO Consulting Group, Inc., for the Design Review Services Project (SP2501). 2. Authorize City Administration to execute an engagement letter and agreement for audit services with BT&Co. P.A., for the audit years 2025 and 2026. Minutes City Commission Meeting December 16, 2025 Page 4 G. BID AND AWARD * 1. Item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Commissioner Minton. Award a construction contract to ABcreative, Inc. for playground material and install at CiCo Park for the CiCo Park Improvements Project (PR2320). H. MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS * 1. Jared Wasinger, Assistant City Manager and Brad Jager, Investigations Major, Riley County Police Department, answered questions from the Commission. Approve surveillance camera license agreement with the Riley County Police Department and the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency (Law Board). 2. Accept the easement dedicated by CSC Investments III, LLC on Lot 1, Ledgestone Ridge Unit One; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement creating restrictive covenants related to a drainage easement. 3. Accept dedication of stormwater public infrastructure from DDLC Investments LLC, for its 1220 Ratone Street Project (SW2309). 4. Authorize City Administration to finalize and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the following: a. Second Amendment to the Land Transfer and Development Agreement with Manhattan Infill Housing, LLC, Frontier Development Group LLC and Frontier Construction LLC for Lee Mill Village site. b. First Amendment to the Moderate Income Housing (MIH) Cooperative Agreement with Manhattan Infill Housing, LLC, Frontier Development Group LLC and Frontier Construction LLC for the LK Townhomes and Lee Mill Village sites. c. Amendment to the Multifamily Housing Revenue Bond (MHRB) Economic Development Agreement with Manhattan Infill Housing, LLC, Frontier Development Group LLC and Frontier Construction LLC for the LK Townhome and Lee Mill Village sites. 5. Approve a Third Amendment to the Agreement for Donation of Public Artwork for a six month extension for the Vigilance Bison Sculpture Project. 6. Approve an agreement with Riley County Police Department (RCPD) and Riley County Law Enforcement Agency (Law Board) for sole enforcement of animal-related ordinances within the City and transfer of the related vehicles and equipment from the City to RCPD. I. APPOINTMENTS 1. Approve the Mayor’s recommendations for appointment to external and/or City boards and committees. a. Re-appointment of Eric Londeen to the Cemetery Board. Minutes City Commission Meeting December 16, 2025 Page 5 b. Appointment of Jennifer Bergen to the Flint Hills Discovery Center Advisory Board. Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments. The following member of the public provided comments: • Gary Olds, 3308 Frontier Circle, provided comments towards Consent Item H1 [APPROVE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH RILEY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE RILEY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (LAW BOARD)] Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments. MOTION: Commissioner Adamchak. ACTION: Approve the consent agenda. SECOND: Commissioner Minton. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0 with the exception of Item G1 (item removed from Consent Agenda) which carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. 7. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA G1. AWARD – CICO PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (PR2320) Aaron Stewart, Director of Parks and Recreation, 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. Minutes City Commission Meeting December 16, 2025 Page 6 MOTION: Commissioner Minton. ACTION: Award a construction contract to ABcreative, Inc. for playground material and install at CiCo Park for the CiCo Park Improvements Project (PR2320). SECOND: Commissioner Adamchak. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. 8. GENERAL AGENDA A. ORDINANCE NO. 7803 – REZONE 520 MCCALL ROAD Commissioners did not have ex parte communications to declare. Stephanie Peterson, Director of Community Development, presented the item. She then answered questions from the Commission. Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments. Hearing no comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments. MOTION: Commissioner Minton. ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7803, rezoning 520 McCall Road from Light Industrial (IL) to Industrial Commercial Services (ICS). SECOND: Commissioner Oppelt. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. Minutes City Commission Meeting December 16, 2025 Page 7 B. ORDINANCE NO. 7804 – AMEND - MANHATTAN DEVELOPMENT CODE (MDC) Brian Johnson, Director of Public Works, presented the item. He then answered questions from the Commission. Mayor McCulloh opened the public comments. The following members of the public provided comments: • Bill Bahr, 801 Poyntz Avenue Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments. MOTION: Commissioner Adamchak. ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7804 amending the Manhattan Development Code (MDC). SECOND: Commissioner Minton. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Minton. ACTION: Adjourn the December 16, 2025, City Commission Meeting. SECOND: Commissioner Oppelt. Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, Commissioner Matta, and Commissioner Minton. No: None. Abstain: None. At 6:27 p.m., Mayor McCulloh announced the Commission meeting was adjourned. ____________________________________ Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk