The Manhattan City Commission will operate as a foursome, at least for now.
Long-time city commissioner and former mayor Wynn Butler resigned Thursday after being cited for a DUI crash into a Manhattan liquor store Wednesday evening. RCPD noted in its arrest report his blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit. No injuries were reported. Butler made no excuses for his actions in an overnight message to News Radio KMAN.
According to City Ordinance Article II Sec. 2-20, Susan Adamchak is now Manhattan’s new mayor. She becomes mayor only five months into her tenure, following election to the board last November. Adamchak declined comment on what happens next, noting only that the city commission will have a few options for filling that vacancy.
Commissioner Peter Oppelt took to his Facebook page Thursday to discuss possible next steps.
City staff aren’t commenting further on the matter.
Commissioners will not be meeting next week, but are expected to discuss the matter further at the May 21 meeting. There is also the potential for a special meeting to occur between now and then.
It’s a busier year than normal for city commissioners, who now find themselves not only trying to replace a body on the 5-person commission, but also are continuing a search for a new city manager, following Ron Fehr’s retirement last month after 24 years. On KMAN’s In Focus this week, Interim City Manager Jason Hilgers noted the City of Manhattan is targeting the second to last week in July to begin interviews with potential candidates.
The city has a growing number of other key job vacancies, including Director of Public Works and Director of Utilities. Earlier this week, the Flint Hills Discovery Center’s long time director Susan Adams, also announced her retirement.
There’s also a potential ballot initiative in November to extend a quality of life sales tax to potentially fund a future multimillion dollar indoor aquatic center in City Park.
