At Tuesday’s Lenexa City Council meeting, Councilmember Bill Nicks accused four fellow members of secretly involving him in private discussions about a Habitat for Humanity housing project before the council voted on the development in February. Nicks said the conduct violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) and eroded trust between residents and their elected officials.
Kobach ruling and council sanctions
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach issued a ruling on September 16 that five councilmembers – Nicks, Courtney Eiterich, Christopher Herron, John Michael Handley and Chelsea Williamson – had breached KOMA, which requires public agencies to conduct business openly. Kobach noted that the four colleagues participated in a private text‑message group and met with Nicks in person in February to discuss the rezoning ordinance and preliminary plan for the Clear Creek Subdivision proposed by Habitat for Humanity.
As part of the penalty, each of the five councilmembers must complete one hour of KOMA training, provide written certification of completion, and sign a cease‑and‑desist agreement. The four members other than Nicks also paid a $50 civil fine out of personal funds; Nicks was exempt because Kobach determined he was unaware of the text‑message group.
Nicks calls for censure
During the council reports segment, Nicks asked the four colleagues – whom he labeled “the texters” – to apologize publicly to Lenexa residents, not just to him. He then proposed that the council vote to censure the four members at its next meeting on November 17, describing the censure as a symbolic gesture to demonstrate that such secretive conduct will not be tolerated again.
“I think we should censure the texters. This symbolic vote would show Lenexans that moving forward, this is not how our governing body conducts business,” Nicks said. He added that he trusted the other members felt “a sense of shame” and would apologize.
Responses from colleagues and mayor
Councilmember Herron rebutted Nicks’ accusations, calling them self‑serving and patronizing. Herron pointed out that he had already fulfilled the KOMA punishment, paid his fine, and taken the required training. He said, “I’ve already apologized to the people of Lenexa… I don’t accept that because I think you’re better than that, and this was not intentional.”
Mayor Julie Sayers intervened as the exchange grew heated, urging councilmembers to cool down and focus on moving forward. She said she would address Nicks’ request at the November 17 meeting but would reserve further comment until then.
Public reaction
During public comment, several Lenexa residents voiced support for Nicks and disappointment in the council’s conduct. Resident Dan Wilkes argued that dragging Nicks into private conversations was unfair and that council members should be encouraged to engage directly with constituents. Catalina Steinberg called the Habitat for Humanity development a “shadow government” decision that threatened green space, urging the land be returned to open parkland.
The council will reconvene on November 17 at Lenexa City Hall to consider the proposed censure and to continue discussions on transparency and governance.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
