This is what I am happy to provide for the record:
In 2017, the state of Kansas passed laws allowing cities to create common consumption areas. At that time, each instance had to be applied for by the area or organizer of an event in an area, and it had to be approved by a city and the state on a case by case basis. It also had to be limited to a certain number of days.
I was approached by a group of downtown businesses - in my capacity as a council member who also had lobbied on behalf of businesses who sell alcohol - who asked if I thought we could get state laws altered to allow for certain districts to be opened up to allow common consumption on a more regular basis, as they believed with the construction of Evergy Plaza and businesses downtown, it would benefit Downtown Topeka and NOTO. I spoke with several other cities, who also indicated support for such a change. I also spoke with many different liquor lobbyists representing wine, spirits and beer wholesalers, along with those representing the restaurant association. Everyone thought it was a worthwhile effort to move forward with.
I helped write the legislation along with several lobbyists representing the liquor industry, including R.E. "Tuck" Duncan, who also happens to be my father. He represents the Kansas Wine and Spirits Association, who also supported the effort on behalf of their customers - bars, restaurants and liquor stores. He did work to help pass the legislation, but was not compensated beyond anything else he already contracted with through his regular duties on behalf of his publicly registered clients. Many other lobbyists, cities and others supported the changes to the law. The city of Topeka legal staff and lobbyist also worked on the language and lobbied for passage.
We got it passed at the state level in 2022. It took some time for the state to adopt rules and regulations. Then some cities in Kansas begin to implement common consumption areas, including Topeka - which I am proud to say took the lead on this and it has helped many cities open up areas of entertainment and other uses through this effort.
Before this was implemented in Topeka, the Policy and Finance Committee, of which I was Chair, took up the issue at several meetings and heard public comment, mostly in support. This was also discussed at several Council meetings before it was finally adopted. To date, it appears to be working as intended, and is helping downtown and NOTO businesses.
That is the short history of how Common Consumption came to be in Kansas and in Topeka.
Spencer
Spencer Duncan
Topeka City Council
Representing District 8
785-207-8985
From: Brenda Younger <BYounger@Topeka.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 12:07 PM
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>; City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.snco@blogger.com>
Cc: Bonnie Williams <bowilliams@topeka.org>; Megan J. Brunson <mjbrunson@topeka.org>; Mary E. Kuckelman Spinelli <mespinelli@topeka.org>; Keya Downing <kdowning@Topeka.org>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; Council Assist <Councilassist@topeka.org>
Subject: RE: kora
Henry,
In reaching this request, I believe you can obtain all information you are seeking from online resources at no cost to you if that is what you decide. I have also copied Councilmember Spencer Duncan on this email to provide "any relevant background on the motivation or the context in which the proposal emerged" as I believe he was the Council person that worked to help get the CCA passed at the State and City levels.
Otherwise, if you determine you would like hard copies of the 111 pages responsive to your request (also posted online), please remit $27.75 to the City Clerk's Office. The time spent on research will be waived as a courtesy because the documents are available online. Payment can be made by phone through the City Clerk's Office at (785) 368-3940.
Please view the following Committee Meeting and Governing Body Meetings online here related to the CCA:
View GB Meeting Minutes online by year
View Committee Minutes online by year
View GB Meeting Agenda Packets online here.
- Select the "Custom Date Range" drop down option
- Type in the date you are seeking in the "From" and "To" date boxes and hit "Enter"
- Click on the "Online Agenda White Paper Icon" to view the packet.
- The agenda will appear – page down to the agenda item and click on the agenda item title in blue font
From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 4:09 PM
To: City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.snco@blogger.com>
Subject: kora
| Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender----- |
City Clerk's Office
City of Topeka
215 SE 7th Street, Room 166
Topeka, KS 66603
Email: cclerk@topeka.org
Subject: Kansas Open Records Act
I am seeking a comprehensive and detailed investigation into the origins and legislative history of the Common Consumption Law enacted by the City Council. Please provide a thorough, well-organized, and authoritative response, grounded in verifiable details, addressing the following points with precision:
- Origin and Introduction: Identify the individual, group, or entity who initially proposed and introduced the Common Consumption Law to the City Council, including any relevant background on their motivation or the context in which the proposal emerged.
- Committee Assignment: Specify the City Council committee (or committees) to which the legislation was assigned for review and deliberation, detailing the committee's role and jurisdiction in the process.
Thank you so much for your help in fulfilling this request.
Henry McClure
--
