The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #51 9-23-26

VOLUME 2026   SEPTEMBER   23 NUMBER 51

President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, then Bill Wisdom gave the reflection, followed by the flag salute.

Karen Hawes introduced Danielle Dulin, City Manager for the City of Manhattan, and Stephanie Peterson, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Manhattan.

Danielle has more than 10 years of local government and municipal leadership experience in the greater Kansas City area, which includes her last three years serving as the City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri and a graduate of Kansas State University.

Stephanie has been the Director of Planning and Development for the City of Manhattan for the last four years. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization for nearly a decade. Stephanie is a graduate of Kansas State University, with a Master's degree in Regional and Community Planning and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Leadership Studies and Programs. Stephanie is the immediate Past President of the Kansas Chapter of the American Planning Association; a 2024 recipient of the Greater Manhattan Area's 15 Under 40 program; and the 2019 Alumni Honoree for K-State's College of Architecture, Planning, and Design. She and her husband, Brian, enjoy an active family life, often spending evenings and weekends supporting her two sons' youth soccer pursuits.

Danielle Dulin has been with the City for about two years. She knew she would be working on sales tax initiatives which were expiring: the street maintenance sales tax expiring at the end of 2026 and the Quality of Life sales tax that expire at the end of 2027. The current sales tax for street maintenance is .2%, and a question will be on the November 3rd election ballot to renew the sales tax. The original tax passed with a vote of 65% and has generated $26 million in revenue over the last 10 years. Since 2023, 75% of street maintenance has been funded by this tax.

The other item under discussion when she arrived was indoor aquatics. A survey to 5,000 Manhattan voters and 1,300 responded to the survey, which is a very good response. At the time, the survey indicated the voters did not support raising taxes for an indoor aquatics facility. Eighty-three percent of the voters also indicated that if they were going to raise taxes, the number one priority should be street maintenance. As the City planned their budget for next year, the plan included renewing the sales tax and increasing it to .5%, which will raise the sales tax to 9.45% in Rile County and 9.75% in Pottawatomie County. 13:45 About 30% of the sales taxes generated in Manhattan comes from people who live outside of the city, which will help maintain the streets they use while they are in Manhattan.

Manhattan has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) they score streets on. It is a 0-100 score that helps assess and track the condition of the streets. Manhattan has a vehicle capable of assessing the pavement and what is going on under the street surface to help generate a score for the street's condition. Higher scores indicate better pavement conditions. Manhattan's current overall average is 60 and a score of 70 is the goal, which is a goal all cities want to attain.

One in five of Manhattan's streets are in the “Backlog” category; these are streets in the 0-40 range. Sixty percent of the local or neighborhood streets are in this category.

They were able to pair the $26 million with $10 million in their street and highway fund (gas tax from the state) and $10 million in grant funding. Their projections indicate that over the next five years they need an additional $8 million per year to bring Manhattan streets to the 70 level and backlog down from 20% to 13%. They do not want to lower the amount the city is currently spending from current revenue, but increase spending $8 million to improve streets across the city. The revenue will not be used to add streets, but to take care of what the city already has.

The gas tax has been declining over the past several years. About 10% of vehicles are electric, and the fuel efficiency of newer cars and trucks has been improved, thus reducing gas tax revenue. In addition, the amount of the gas tax has not been raised in a long time.

Seventy-five percent of the tax generated will be dedicated to the local and neighborhood roads for the first five years. They have a five-year plan to show exactly where those funds would be spent.

They will have 25% going into their major and minor roads, so they don't deteriorate.

The Ballot Question:

Shall the City of Manhattan, Kansas be authorized to levy an additional one-half percent (0.5%) citywide general retailers' sales tax for street infrastructure maintenance pursuant to K.S.A. 12-187?

Such tax shall take effect April 1, 2027, the day following the expiration of the existing special purpose citywide retailers' sales tax which took effect April 1, 2017, or as soon thereafter as permitted by law, and shall expire 10 years later.

For additional information:

https://www.manhattanks.gov/2584/Street-Maintenance-Sales-Tax

Stephanie Peterson, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Manhattan, addressed the group on projects going on in Manhattan. The Planning and Development Department creates opportunities through planning, development, and design. They have seven employees who cover planning, development review, housing and economic development. Recent activities include $515,000 a year in Community Development Block Grants, including social services, improvements to parks and public infrastructure. In addition, they have initiated a comprehensive plan update and East Manhattan Gateway vision. Improvement includes the 5th and Leavenworth intersection improvements, the Douglass Park playground, Goodnow Park playground, and Long's Park playground. They have initiated a comprehensive plan update and an update of the downtown plan for what it might look like in the future. In addition, they will update the plan for east 24 Highway Industrial Park in Pottawatomie County.

Each year the city receives about $500,000 in community block grants. About $80,000 is spent on social services. This year they plan to improve the 5th and Leavenworth intersection to allow better bus access. Also, they will add a fire suppression system in the public housing.

They also have instituted a new interactive web application for obtaining permits, licenses, and applications:

https://iavoqy.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/redwood/license-permit-self-service/public-user/home

Go to Sign In on the Online Portal (you do not need to register) then to Explore Your City.

As the permit or application progresses, updates will be noted on the project/application on the portal to keep the applicant updated.

Current commercial projects in the City of Manhattan:

Cedarhurst Senior Living, north of the roundabout on Scenic/Kimball on the west side.

The Hartford, downtown on Poyntz, which is replacing the former Commerce Bank.

New businesses include Planet Fitness on east highway 24 east of Academy Sports, Dave's Hot Chicken, across Leavenworth Street from Dillards, and Booth Creek Wagyu, on McCall Road.

GUESTS: Our speakers, Danielle Dulin and Stephanie Peterson

President Kelly noted surveys were on the tables seeking feedback on future activities of the social committee.

Also, he requested volunteers for presentation of a reflection and if someone knows of a person to present a program, please volunteer to host or suggest the program to the program chair, Mike Fincham.

Thad Hall announced Optimist Manhattan High School Student of the Month will begin soon. Information on student candidates will be sent to the committee for judging next week. If you would like to join the selection committee, please let Thad know.

President Kelly also announced Youth of the Month for elementary students, will also start soon.

Also, Thad noted the Hoop Holler ‘N Shoot contest will start soon for elementary students. Volunteers are needed for each grade school competition.  (See Signup Genus link below).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FACA829A2F49-66227710-hoop/168473106#/

Doug announced things were going extremely well with the Great Cycle Challenge. On September 10th, the match day, he received an additional $1,500 to match (83%) towards his goal of raising $5,000. An additional match was also announced for 9/23 on short notice, and he could take additional donations for a match today. He was $354 away from reaching his fundraising goal of $5,000. He has ridden 456 miles of his 500 mile goal. He thanked everyone.

The annual Optimist picnic is September 27th at Optimist Park from 4:00-7:00 pm.

Bill Wisdom noted that the annual Chili Crawl was October 24th. Six to eight volunteers are still needed to make this fundraiser a success.

On November 7th the Optimist will manage the parking at the fire station on Denison and receive the revenue. Volunteers will be needed to park cars for that event.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

SAVE THE DATE: October 24th is our 24th annual Chili Crawl.

SEPTEMBER 30 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Outgoing Presidential Farewell Address: Topic: “Outgoing President Address & Member Recognition”

OCTOBER 7 - MORNING MEETING: Program: New Presidential Address & Officer Installation

OCTOBER 14 – NOON MEETING: Program: Student of the Month & Kayleigh Reyes – Director, Sunset Zoo: Topic: “Student of the Month Presentation” & “What’s New at the Zoo”

OCTOBER 21 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month – Woodrow Wilson & Oliver Brown Elementary

OCTOBER 28 – NOON MEETING: Program: Linda Shortsleeves – K-State Credit Union Member Card Solutions Spec.:Topic: “Fraud Awareness/Elder Abuse”