City Commission
Regular MeetingManhattan, KS · January 6, 2026
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 January 6,
2026, were duly adopted at a meeting of the City of
Manhattan, Kansas, held on the 20 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 21st day of January, 2026.
_____________________________
Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk
MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
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 January 6, 2026, City Commission Meeting
to order.
2. ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM
Present: Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak, Commissioner Peter Oppelt, and
Commissioner John E. Matta, with Mayor Karen McCulloh presiding.
Absent: None.
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 Commissioners-elect Larry Fox, Jim Morrison, and Andrew Von Lintel,
City Manager Danielle Dulin, Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers, Director of Technology
and Communications Jared Wasinger, City Attorney Katharine Jackson, Assistant City
Clerk Chelsea Johnson, 13 staff, and approximately 49 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
January 6, 2026
Page 2
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor McCulloh proclaimed January 9, 2026, Brenda K. Wolf Day. (Brenda K.
Wolf, City Clerk, City of Manhattan, was present to receive the proclamation.)
B. Mayor McCulloh proclaimed January 17 and January 24, 2026, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Community Celebration and Day of Service. (Kevin Bryant, Chair, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Memorial Committee, was present to receive the proclamation.)
C. Mayor McCulloh proclaimed Year 2026, America 250 Community Celebration.
(Marcia Rozell, Director of Visit Manhattan, Stephen Bridenstine, Director of the
Flint Hills Discovery Center, Katharine Hensler, Director of the Riley County
Historical Museum, Doug Meloan, Operations Manager Midwest Dream Car
Collection, Erin Dragotto, Director of the Museum of Art + Light, were 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:
• Roger Seymour, 520 Pierre Street
Hearing no other comments, Mayor McCulloh closed the public comments.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Matta mentioned property tax caps. He announced that he and his family
would be moving to Arizona soon. He stated that he had learned something from looking at
homes in Arizona. To his surprise, property taxes in Arizona were about half of what is paid
here. He explained that Arizona has property tax caps, including caps on valuations, limits
on the annual levy for counties, cities, and school districts, and a 1% primary tax cap.
Mayor McCulloh welcomed everyone to 2026 and thanked the Flint Hills Discovery Center
for allowing her to release the balloons on New Year’s Eve. She mentioned that a new
exhibit would be starting on January 10, 2026.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 3
7. OLD BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA
(* denotes those items discussed)
A. MINUTES
1. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held
Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS
* 1. Aaron Stewart, Director of Parks and Recreation, answered questions from
the Commission.
Approve Claims Register No. 3109 authorizing and approving the payment
of claims from December 13, 2025 – December 26, 2025 in the amount of
5,530,018.72.
C. APPOINTMENTS
* 1. Item was moved to the New Business Consent Agenda.
Approve the Mayor’s recommendations for appointment to external and/or
City boards and committees.
a. Appointment of Rex Fowles to the Cemetery Board.
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 Adamchak.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-0 with the exception of Item C (item
moved to New Business Consent Agenda) which carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Matta.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 4
8. REORGANIZATION
A. Mayor Karen McCulloh made outgoing comments.
B. Commissioners Oppelt and Matta made outgoing comments.
C. Assistant City Clerk Chelsea Johnson, administered the Oath of Office to
Commissioners-Elect Larry Fox, Jim Morrison, and Andrew Von Lintel.
D. Assistant City Clerk Chelsea Johnson called for the election of the new Mayor.
Commissioner McCulloh moved that Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak be
appointed to serve as Mayor until the first working Tuesday of January 2027.
Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion.
MOTION: Mayor McCulloh.
ACTION: I move that Commissioner Susan E. Adamchak be appointed to serve as
Mayor until the first working Tuesday of January 2027.
SECOND: Commissioner Morrison.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
E. Mayor Elect calls for nomination of new Mayor Pro Tem.
MOTION: Mayor Adamchak.
ACTION: I move that Commissioner Karen McCulloh be appointed to serve as
Mayor Pro-Tem until the first working Tuesday of January 2027.
SECOND: Commissioner Fox.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
F. Commissioner comments on reorganization.
G. Mayor Elect will provide remarks for the upcoming year.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 5
9. NEW BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA
(* denotes those items discussed)
A. LICENSES
1. Approve a Cereal Malt Beverages Off-Premises License for Kwik Shop
#350733 and Walgreens #07060; and a Tree Maintenance License for
calendar year 2026 for TreeMan-MHK.
B. FINAL PLAT
1. Accept the easements and rights-of-way on the final plat of The Highlands
at Grand Mere, Unit 5.
C. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
1. Authorize City Administration to finalize, and the Mayor to execute a
professional services agreement in the amount of $77,569.57 with
Pictometry-EagleView for the 2026 LiDAR Acquisition project.
2. Authorize City Administration to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
dedicated sign vendor for the Parks and Recreation Department.
D. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
* 1. This item was moved from the Old Business Consent Agenda to the New
Business Consent Agenda.
Approve the Mayor’s recommendations for appointment to external and/or
City boards and committees.
a. Appointment of Rex Fowles to the Cemetery Board.
Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner McCulloh.
ACTION: Approve the consent agenda.
SECOND: Commissioner Fox.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor McCulloh, Commissioner Adamchak, Commissioner Oppelt, and
Commissioner Matta.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 6
10. GENERAL AGENDA
A. CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
OF MARYSVILLE, INC. D/B/A PEPSI-COLA OF MANHATTAN, KS
Aaron Stewart, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the item. He then answered
questions from the Commission.
Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Fox.
ACTION: Authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a five-year agreement with
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Marysville, Inc. d/b/a Pepsi-Cola of
Manhattan, KS to provide soft drink and beverage products for City Parks
and Recreation concession stands.
SECOND: Commissioner McCulloh.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
B. CONSIDER DISSOLVING FREDERICK DOUGLASS RECREATION
COMPLEX ADVISORY BOARD – AMENDING BYLAWS FOR PARKS
AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Aaron Stewart, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the item. He then answered
questions from the Commission.
Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments.
The following member of the public provided comments:
• Amber Starling, 408 Houston Street
• Mel Borst, 1918 Humboldt Street
Hearing no other comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 7
MOTION: Commissioner Morrison.
ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7805 dissolving the Frederick Douglass
Recreation Complex Advisory Board (FDRCAB), adding two positions
to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), and adopt amended
bylaws for the PRAB.
SECOND: Commissioner Fox.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 3-2.
Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
C. CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF A 2026 SERVICE/MECHANIC TRUCK
Randy Dewitt, Director of Public Utilities, presented the item. He then answered questions
from the Commission.
Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Fox.
ACTION: Award purchase of a 2026 Service/Mechanic Truck in the amount of
$107,324.00 from Master Tech Truck and Equipment and authorize the
disposal of excess property once replacement vehicle arrives.
SECOND: Mayor Adamchak.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 8
D. CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF A 2025 TRUCK MOUNTED SINGLE
ENGINE COMBINATION SEWER CLEANER
Randy Dewitt, Director of Public Utilities, presented the item. He then answered questions
from the Commission.
Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments.
Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments.
MOTION: Commissioner Fox.
ACTION: Award purchase of a 2025 truck mounted single engine combination
sewer cleaning truck in the amount of $588,703.00 from Red Equipment.
SECOND: Commissioner McCulloh.
RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Von Lintel.
Nayes: None.
Abstain: None.
11. CITY MANAGER BRIEFING
The City Manager provided a list of 2026 City Commission meeting dates, upcoming
meetings/events involving the Commission, provided a list of board positions on
Boards/Committees that the Commission served on, and mentioned the Special Meeting on
January 13, 2026.
12. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Commissioner McCulloh.
ACTION: Adjourn the January 6, 2026, City Commission Meeting.
SECOND: Commissioner Fox.
Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox,
Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel.
No: None.
Abstain: None.
Minutes
City Commission Meeting
January 6, 2026
Page 9
At 7:52 p.m., Mayor Adamchak announced the Commission meeting was adjourned.
____________________________________
Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk
Agenda
AGENDA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
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, January 6, 2026
Page 2
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. January 9, 2026, Brenda K. Wolf Day. (Brenda K. Wolf, City Clerk, City of
Manhattan, will be present to receive the proclamation.)
B. January 17 and January 24, 2026, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community
Celebration and Day of Service. (Kevin Bryant, Chair, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial Committee, will be present to receive the proclamation.)
C. Year 2026, America 250 Community Celebration. (Marcia Rozell, Director of
Visit Manhattan, Stephen Bridenstine, Director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center,
Katharine Hensler, Director of the Riley County Historical Museum, Doug Meloan,
Operations Manager Midwest Dream Car Collection, Erin Dragotto, Director of the
Museum of Art + Light, 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. OLD BUSINESS 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, December 16, 2025.
B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS
1. Approve Claims Register No. 3109 authorizing and approving the payment
of claims from December 13, 2025 – December 26, 2025 in the amount of
5,530,018.72.
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Page 3
C. APPOINTMENTS
1. Approve the Mayor’s recommendations for appointment to external and/or
City boards and committees.
a. Appointment of Rex Fowles to the Cemetery Board.
8. REORGANIZATION
A. Comments from outgoing Mayor Karen McCulloh.
B. Comments from outgoing Commissioners Oppelt and Matta.
C. Oath of Office administered to Commissioners-Elect Fox, Morrison, and Von
Lintel.
D. Assistant City Clerk Chelsea Johnson calls for nomination of new Mayor.
E. Mayor Elect calls for nomination of new Mayor Pro Tem.
F. Commissioner comments on reorganization.
G. Mayor Elect will provide remarks for the upcoming year.
9. NEW BUSINESS 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. LICENSES
1. Approve a Cereal Malt Beverages Off-Premises License for Kwik Shop
#350733 and Walgreens #07060; and a Tree Maintenance License for
calendar year 2026 for TreeMan-MHK.
B. FINAL PLAT
1. Accept the easements and rights-of-way on the final plat of The Highlands
at Grand Mere, Unit 5.
C. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
1. Authorize City Administration to finalize, and the Mayor to execute a
professional services agreement in the amount of $77,569.57 with
Pictometry-EagleView for the 2026 LiDAR Acquisition project.
2. Authorize City Administration to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
dedicated sign vendor for the Parks and Recreation Department.
10. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Page 4
11. GENERAL AGENDA
A. CONSIDER AGREEMENT WITH PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
OF MARYSVILLE, INC. D/B/A PEPSI-COLA OF MANHATTAN, KS
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: Authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a five-year agreement
with Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Marysville, Inc. d/b/a Pepsi-Cola of
Manhattan, KS to provide soft drink and beverage products for City Parks and
Recreation concession stands.
B. CONSIDER DISSOLVING FREDERICK DOUGLASS RECREATION
COMPLEX ADVISORY BOARD – AMENDING BYLAWS FOR PARKS
AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
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 Ordinance No. 7805 dissolving the Frederick Douglass
Recreation Complex Advisory Board (FDRCAB), adding two positions to the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), and adopt amended bylaws for the
PRAB.
C. CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF A 2026 SERVICE/MECHANIC TRUCK
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: Award purchase of a 2026 Service/Mechanic Truck in the amount
of $107,324.00 from Master Tech Truck and Equipment and authorize the
disposal of excess property once replacement vehicle arrives.
D. CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF A 2025 TRUCK MOUNTED SINGLE
ENGINE COMBINATION SEWER CLEANER
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.
Agenda
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Page 5
3. ACTION: Award purchase of a 2025 truck mounted single engine combination
sewer cleaning truck in the amount of $588,703.00 from Red Equipment.
12. CITY MANAGER BRIEFING
[The purpose of this Briefing is for the City Manager to review future agenda items
and provide general updates, Commissioners report on meetings attended as a City
Commission Representative and seek feedback, discuss potential training/educational
opportunities, and coordinate calendars, invitations/notices and scheduling. Public
Comment is not permitted during this briefing period.]
13. ADJOURNMENT
A. Move to adjourn the January 6, 2026, City Commission Meeting.
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