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 March 3, 2026, were duly adopted at a meeting of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, held on the 17th day of March 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 18th day of March, 2026. _____________________________ Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk  MINUTES CITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 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 Susan E. Adamchak called the March 3, 2026, City Commission Meeting to order. 2. ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A QUORUM Present: Commissioner Karen McCulloh, Commissioner Larry Fox, Commissioner Jim Morrison, and Commissioner Andrew Von Lintel, with Mayor Susan E. Adamchak 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, Director of Technology and Communications Jared Wasinger, City Attorney Katharine Jackson, Assistant City Clerk Chelsea Johnson, 10 staff, and approximately 35 interested citizens. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Adamchak 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, Buffy Starkey, no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting, at (785) 587-2445 or 7-1-1 (Relay). Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 2 4. PROCLAMATION A. Mayor Adamchak proclaimed March 8, 2026, International Women’s Day. (Usha Reddi, President, and Barbara Gatewood, Web Coordinator, American Association of University Women (AAUW), were present to receive the proclamation.) 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments and highlighted the process. Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments. 6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McCulloh mentioned the Mayor had worked at the Manhattan Public Library sale, which took place February 27-March 1 and was a huge success. Mayor Adamchak mentioned that the Year End Report had been distributed a couple of weeks earlier and that additional copies were available. She encouraged the public to review it and noted that it was also available on the City’s website at http://www.manhattanks.gov/yearendreport. She also mentioned speaking with the Leadership Manhattan class. Commissioners Morrison, Fox, and Mayor Adamchak had attended the Legislative Coffee on Saturday, February 28, where state legislators discussed current issues at the state level. She reported that the groundbreaking for Sunflower Flats took place on March 2, 2026. The project, which had been in development since 2021, will bring 62 new housing units for seniors to Manhattan and is envisioned as the first project in a downtown campus of low-income housing. The event was well attended, and she noted it was exciting to see the project move forward. She added that several city staff members and she had toured the WWTP and that staff are willing to provide tours for interested groups. 7. CONSENT AGENDA (* denotes those items discussed) A. MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held Tuesday, February 17, 2026. B. CLAIMS/PAYMENTS 1. Approve Claims Register No. 3116 authorizing and approving the payment of claims from February 13, 2026 – February 26, 2026, in the amount of $348,950.47. 2. Approve Claims Register No. 3117 authorizing and approving the payment of claims from February 13, 2026 – February 26, 2026, in the amount of $4,308,641.45. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 3 C. LICENSES 1. Approve an annual Cereal Malt Beverages Off Premises License for Dillons #94. D. MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS * 1. Item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Commissioner Morrison Authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills, Inc. in an amount up to $150,000 for the 2026 Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program (RRAP). * 2. Item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Commissioner Morrison Authorize City Administration to finalize and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Contract for Legal Services between the City, Stag Liuzza, LLC, and Perry & Trent, LLC, for representation related to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) litigation. 3. Authorize an addendum to the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) Exhibition Agreement dated November 20, 2024, that amends the exhibit display period for the Sea Monsters Unearthed exhibit at the Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC). E. MISCELLANEOUS * 1. Item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Commissioner Morrison Approval to develop a recommendation of recognition for Dr. Roger Reitz at the Union Pacific Depot. F. APPOINTMENTS 1. Approve the Mayor’s recommendations for appointment to external and/or City boards and committees. a. Re-appointment of Julie Keenan to the Community Support Funds Advisory Board. b. Re-appointment of Melissa Tener to the Community Support Funds Advisory Board. c. Appointment of Jennifer Ifft to the Flint Hills Discovery Center Advisory Board. d. Appointment of Blade Mages to the Historic Resources Board. e. Appointment of Taryn Johnson to the Historic Resources Board. f. Re-appointment of Kennedy Clark to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. g. Re-appointment of Tara Coleman to the Library Board. h. Re-appointment of Tanya Gonzalez to the Library Board. i. Re-appointment of Richard Jankovich to the Municipal Audit Board. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 4 j. Appointment of Jerry Lawrence to the Parks and Recreation Advisory 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 with the exception of Item D1, D2 and E1 (items removed from Consent Agenda). Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. 8. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA ITEM D1 – GRANT AGREEMENT – 2026 HOME REHABILITATION AND REPAIR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RRAP) Stephanie Peterson, Director of Planning and Development, 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 City Manager to execute a grant agreement with Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills, Inc. in an amount up to $150,000 for the 2026 Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program (RRAP). SECOND: Commissioner McCulloh. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 5 ITEM D2 – CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES – PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) LITIGATION Randy DeWitt, Director of Public Utilities, answered questions from the Commission. Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments. Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments. MOTION: Commissioner McCulloh. ACTION: Authorize City Administration to finalize and the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Contract for Legal Services between the City, Stag Liuzza, LLC, and Perry & Trent, LLC, for representation related to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) litigation. SECOND: Commissioner Morrison. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. ITEM E1 – RECOGNITION – DR. ROGER REITZ – UNION PACIFIC DEPOT Aaron Stewart, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the item. Mayor Adamchak opened the public comments. The following members of the public provided comments: • Mike Matson, 3947 Hayovel Place • David Guthals, 3905 Deandra Lane • David Kreller, 1514 Givens Road • Jackie McClaskey, 3947 Hayovel Place • Russell Reitz, 4827 Oregon Road Hearing no other comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 6 MOTION: Commissioner Fox. ACTION: Approval to develop a recommendation of recognition for Dr. Roger Reitz at the Union Pacific Depot. SECOND: Mayor Adamchak. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. 8. PUBLIC HEARING A. Consider approving Ordinance No. 7815 vacating the platted front yard setback line of Baltusrol Addition, Lot 13. Stephanie Peterson, Director of Planning and Development, presented the item. She then answered questions from the Commission. Mayor Adamchak opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public hearing. MOTION: Commissioner Von Lintel. ACTION: Approve Ordinance No. 7815 vacating the platted front yard setback line of Baltusrol Addition, Lot 13. SECOND: Commissioner Fox. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 5-0. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. Nayes: None. Abstain: None. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 7 9. GENERAL AGENDA A. Consider approving the 2026 amendment to the Move MHK! Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PR2323, CIP# CP406P). 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 members of the public provided comments: • Amber Starling, 408 Houston Street • Sue Maes, 428 Wickham Road • Phil Anderson, 1719 Fairchild Avenue • Tracy Anderson, 116 E.J. Frick Drive Hearing no other comments, Mayor Adamchak closed the public comments. The City Commission directed to table the item until they’ve had a Work Session to discuss the item. MOTION: Commissioner Morrison. ACTION: Table the item. SECOND: Commissioner Fox. RESULT: On a roll call vote, motion carried 4-1. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, and Commissioner Morrison. Nayes: Commissioner Von Lintel. Abstain: None. Minutes City Commission Meeting March 3, 2026 Page 8 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner McCulloh. ACTION: Adjourn the March 3, 2026, City Commission Meeting. SECOND: Commissioner Fox. Ayes: Mayor Adamchak, Commissioner McCulloh, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Morrison, and Commissioner Von Lintel. No: None. Abstain: None. At 7:34 p.m., Mayor Adamchak announced the Commission meeting was adjourned. ____________________________________ Chelsea Johnson, Assistant City Clerk