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January 22

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 9:30 AM and concluded at 11:41 AM.  Commissioner Brewer was absent. Public comments lasted for 10 minutes and addressed issues with the unhoused in the upcoming freezing weather and the hope that people can come together.

The Chair announced two notes for the record:

● A First Amendment to the loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Project, providing the county with the final repayment schedule, without changing the loan amount.

● An Administrative Resolution, enlarging the privately financed sewer district in the vicinity of 2760 W 51st Street, providing for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges, and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District.

The Consent Agenda was approved, without change, by a vote of 6-0

Approved:

December 17, 2025, special business session minutes.

Authorized:

● Change order authority with Rodriguez Mechanical Contractors, Inc., for unanticipated media management of contaminated soil and groundwater, as part of the State Line Road Force Main Project, in an amount not to exceed $153,173.82,

● Wastewater General Manager to execute this and future change orders up to $300,000 for additional scope related to the construction of the State Line Road Force Main Project.

● Two requests for a residential lot and an accessory building on two private properties.

● A Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, the Johnson County District Court – 10th Judicial District, and Johnson County, Kansas (County) to formalize the mutual understanding amongst the parties that the County agrees to remit an amount not to exceed $66,087.95 for interpreter services for an initial term of one (1) year  (January-December 2026) with an automatic renewal for successive
one-year periods.

● An increase to expenditure authority for the term and supply contract with MEI Total Elevator Solutions for elevator maintenance services for $105,000, with a total contract value not to exceed $290,000 for the current term and one (1) remaining renewal option. 

On the Action Agenda, the following items were approved by a vote of 6 - 0:

● A contract with Consolidated Management Company, DBA Consolidated Correctional Foodservice, for Food Service for the Juvenile Detention Center, at a cost not to exceed $250,000, initial term through January 31, 2027, with three (3) one-year renewal options.  

● A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Johnson County, the City of De Soto, and the Northwest Consolidated Fire District (NWCFD) to engage in evaluating the long-term governance structure of the NWCFD.

● A contract with MidWestern Construction & Design LLC, for the Adult Residential Center (ARC) Programs Building ADA Restroom 2025 Project located at 141 Mission Parkway, New Century, Kansas 66031, in the amount not to exceed $230,219.

● A Johnson County United Link Service Agreement, executed by the Chair, between Johnson County Transit and the cities of Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Merriam, and Mission, with a combined city contribution of $400,000 (based on population percentages), and authorizing the acceptance of $1,500,000 in State Transit Funds from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to support Johnson County United Link service during the 2026 FIFA World Cup event.  

● A contract with MidAmerica Nazarene University to provide lodging and meal services for up to 70 out-of-town Transdev operators supporting operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for $230,983, covering up to 42 nights (tentatively June 5–July 16, 2026), and including dormitory lodging and daily meals.

● A request from Polsinelli, PC, applicant, and landowner, Johnson County, for a revised stipulation for timing of required street improvements for the Preliminary and Final Development Plan for the New Century Cold Storage Facility, on 36.23 acres, located at 27302 W. 159th Street, New Century AirCenter.

Management updates were given on the Olathe Parking Garage Project, Stormwater Management Program Administrative Procedures, and Property Tax Relief Pilot Program.  Information on the Property Tax Program can be found on the JOCO website.

Items of interest on the Legislative Update include bills being introduced on the possible consolidation of three state Senior Property Tax Relief Programs.  A flurry of voting bills, introduced by Representative Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth), who is running for KS Secretary of State, includes proposals for moving all elections to even years and allowing local races, currently non-partisan, to be partisan. 

February 5

The meeting was called to order by Hanzlick, Vice Chair; Chair Kelly was in Topeka to testify on the County's behalf concerning state DMV mandates. Public Comments lasted ten minutes and included an expression of appreciation for Fast's statement on ICE activities in Minneapolis, a request for expanded language access for the ballots, complaints about the cost of the HSB, and the need for ongoing warming and cooling shelters for the unhoused.

Notes for the Record, submitted by the Vice Chair, included:

● Agreements with the cities for the public improvement of Switzer Road (Overland Park), West 47TH Place (Westwood), and Old 56 Highway (Gardner).

● Resolutions to enlarge the privately financed sewer districts and provide for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges, and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District in the vicinities of 15135 Stearns Place, 6555 Vista Drive, and 23580 W 167th Street.

The Consent Agenda was approved by a vote of 6-0, with Kelly absent.

● Approved the January 8, 2026, business session minutes.

● Approved the following Commissioner Appointments:
-- Commission on Aging Advisory Board:  Richard Hellman, MD (1st District); Kristen Shelley-Mattox (2nd District); Paul Lewis (3rd District); Rob Givens (4th District); and Julia Meyer (6th District). 
-- JOCO Board of Parks & Recreation; Eric Hage (Chair); Gary Ristow (2nd District); Dr Mark Wiley (6th District).
--Northwest Consolidated Fire District:  Rachele M Zale (6th District).
--Community Advisory Council for the Health Forward Foundation:  Kristy Baughman (Chair)

The meeting was opened & recessed three times for requested Executive Sessions.

The meeting was adjourned and reopened as the Public Building Commission.

● The October 23, 2025, Special Public Building Commission Business Session Minutes were unanimously approved.

● The Health Services Building (HSB) continues progressing; construction stands at 20% completion with foundations completed in December 2025 and structure completion scheduled for March 2026.  The final move-in date is planned for 2027 Q3.  The Topping Ceremony (a Scandinavian tradition)  was held this week, with the last beam placement holding a tree, and the US & KS flags.  The tree signifies a nod to the tree spirits and compliance with sustainability guidelines.  The Aging Services kitchen will be located close to the loading docks, allowing for ease of preparation and delivery of meals.  The Demonstration kitchens for nutrition education will remain at the K-State Extension site. 

● For additional details on this and other projects, see Public Building Commission - 2/5/2026 9:30:00 AM - OnBase Agenda Online

● The Unaudited December 31, 2025, PBC Financial Statements, Statement of Net Assets and Position, and Statements of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Fund Net Assets and Position were presented. For details, see Public Building Commission - 2/5/2026 9:30:00 AM - OnBase Agenda Online.

● The Chair's appointment of Commissioner Meyer as PBC Secretary was unanimously approved.

● A contract with Mission Electronics for the purchase of AV equipment and services for the Courthouse Jury Assembly Room was approved by a vote of 6-1, with Kelly present and Ashcraft voting no because he found the briefing sheet "wanting". 

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*Note: Due to District technical difficulties, I was unable to get full video and audio reception. However, I was able to take note of the following activity as detailed below. If the reader wishes more complete information, please see the BOE minutes on the Blue Valley Schools website at

http://bluevalleyk12.org/about/boe 

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 by Board President Jam Kessinger-all BOE members were present.

Superintendent Gillian Chapman reported on the various student/staff achievements including 2 Blue Valley alumni, one who was named as a James Beard Award semifinalist and another who is a member of the Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks football team.

A presentation was made on the proposed 2027 bond issue. Previous bond issues approved by voters include one in 2012 ($271 million), 2020 ($186 million) and 2023 ($251 million). The Administrative Bond Committee determines future project needs and listed the following for the upcoming bond issue:

New construction:
● An expansion at the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS)
● Weight Rooms at 2 high schools
● Multipurpose/Storm shelter additions at 6 middle schools
● Classroom addition at one middle school

Renovations:
● 2 HS Science classrooms
● Staff and Employee Service Center
● SPED additions and renovations

If fully funded and approved the annual tax increase to the average homeowner would be approximately $230. The presentation also included 4 options at varying funding levels. The bond timeline given would have the community voting on this issue in March of 2027.

Blue Valley Rec representatives also introduced a graphic indicating the funding needed for refinancing their Certificates of Participation.

Dr. Chapman indicated that the Board may want to consider aligning their performance policies with those outlined by the Kansas Association of School Boards which are more regularly  updated. The policies up for review will be noted on the BOE website under “Policies” and the Board can then choose to accept, reject or amend what is presented. Approved policies will be enacted in July.

The Apple Contract for the 2026-27 school year was approved. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

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Mayor Curt Skoog brought the meeting to order with all Council Members present. 

Along with a number of appointments and reappointments made at the January 12 Council Meeting, the Mayor announced tonight one new appointment to the Neighborhood Executive Committee. This committee meets at Matt Ross Community Center on the second Tuesday of each odd-numbered month. All meetings are open to the public. For more information:

https://www.opkansas.org/city-government/boards-commissions/neighborhood-conservation-program-executive-committee/

The Mayor also announced two new appointments to the Code Board of Appeals. The Board meets annually and as-needed at Overland Park City Hall and all meetings are open to the public. 

https://www.opkansas.org/city-government/boards-commissions/code-board-of-appeals/

Council President Melissa Cheatham announced that Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead has recently welcomed more than 40 new baby goats, with about 10 more on the way.  The youngsters will be socialized by farm volunteers so they are ready to greet and be bottle-fed by visitors when the farmstead opens on April 1, 2026. 

City Manager Lori Curtis Luther gave an update on the city's preparation and work during the recent snowstorm. 12-hour shifts for the crews began the evening of Friday, January 23, and cleanup work continued through the morning of January 26. The volume of OPCares requests was reported as relatively small for such a large storm.

https://opcares.opkansas.org/ 

City Manager Luther also reported that the Overland Park Snow and Ice Response Map performed well. 

https://www.opkansas.org/city-services/traffic-roads-transportation/snow-ice-removal/ 

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Mayor Skoog opened the meeting with all Council Members present. 

Council President Melissa Cheatham reported to the Council that at the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting held earlier in the day, the City Manager presented the proposed 2027-2031 Five Year Financial Plan, Capital Improvements Plan, and Maintenance Plan.  More than fifty Overland Park residents submitted online feedback to assist the City Manager in developing her recommendations. Several committees will review the recommended plan during their meetings in February and March. Residents can review the full plan on the City’s website. 

https://www.opkansas.org/city-government/budget-taxes/city-budget/capital-improvements-maintenance-programs/

City Manager Lori Curtis Luther announced that the future Overland Park City Hall project is being recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal  in the "office reuse category" of their 2026 Capstone Awards.  The Business Journal recognized Overland Park's  reuse of an existing building, and their "focus on strategic investments"  at the College and Metcalf location. For details of the new City Hall project:

https://www.opkansas.org/city-government/future-city-hall-project/ 

The Consent Agenda from the Planning Commission, approved unanimously, included a Special Event Permit allowing the Overland Park Farmers Market to operate at the Matt Ross Community Center from April 18-June 30, 2026.  Another Special Event Permit allows the Farmers Market to operate from June 1-December 31, at the new Clock Tower Landing location in Downtown Overland Park. 

For a video, agenda and minutes of this meeting:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=9682 

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Mr. Agniel was absent, and there is still one vacancy due to a recent resignation. The Mayor expects a new city council member to be sworn in at the next meeting to fill the vacancy; there were eight applicants. Only one member of the public spoke during public comment, speaking against the new city hall. 

Council discussed a resident survey to be taken later this year and came to general agreement on the questions.

Other city business was conducted, and the Council went into Executive Session at 8:00, with adjournment immediately thereafter.

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. All members were present. JOCO Commissioner Becky Fast updated the council on recent developments at the county level – Corinth library redo (no decisions yet), FIFA transit plans, property tax issues, water issues. Ten people commented during public comment time, 6 complaining about taxes and spending and 4 expressing support for a proposed statement of solidarity with the citizens of Minneapolis.

By unanimous vote, Council appointed Andrew Logan to the empty Ward 3 position (seat
vacated by Lori Sharp). Mr. Logan was sworn in and participated in the rest of the meeting.

Council then took up a proposed resolution expressing a commitment to the rule of law, support for law enforcement, and Constitutional rights with regard to what is happening in Minneapolis. It passed unanimously.

Other city business was conducted, and the Council went into Executive Session at 8:30, with adjournment immediately thereafter.

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