Below is a sample Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) request letter tailored to your inquiry about agreements involving Jim Klausman, CoreFirst Bank & Trust, and the City of Topeka regarding tax responsibilities for the Lauren’s Bay subdivision. This letter is formatted to meet KORA requirements based on the City of Topeka’s guidelines and general KORA practices (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.). You can submit this letter to the City of Topeka’s Clerk’s Office. Be sure to customize the placeholders (e.g., your name, contact information) before sending.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date: April 24, 2025]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date: April 24, 2025]
City Clerk’s Office
City of Topeka
215 SE 7th Street, Room 166
Topeka, KS 66603
Email: cityclerk@topeka.org
City of Topeka
215 SE 7th Street, Room 166
Topeka, KS 66603
Email: cityclerk@topeka.org
Subject: Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) Request
Dear City Clerk,
Pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.), I am requesting access to and copies of public records maintained by the City of Topeka. Specifically, I seek the following documents:
- Any and all agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding between the City of Topeka, Jim Klausman (or his affiliated companies, including but not limited to Klaton Real Estate), and CoreFirst Bank & Trust concerning the Lauren’s Bay subdivision, particularly those addressing tax responsibilities, special assessments, or property tax exemptions for lots in the subdivision.
- Any resolutions, meeting minutes, or correspondence from 2015 to the present related to negotiations or agreements with Jim Klausman or Klaton Real Estate regarding back taxes, special assessments, or tax incentives (e.g., Community Improvement District or Reinvestment Housing Incentive District) for the Lauren’s Bay subdivision.
- Any documents referencing a deal or arrangement that releases or modifies Jim Klausman’s (or his companies’) obligation to pay property taxes or special assessments for properties in the Lauren’s Bay subdivision.
Please include records in any format, including written, electronic, or photographic, made, maintained, or kept by the City of Topeka. If any records are exempt from disclosure, please provide a written explanation citing the specific legal basis for the exemption, as required by K.S.A. 45-218.
I request that the records be provided in electronic format (e.g., PDF) via email to [Your Email Address] if possible. If electronic delivery is not feasible, please mail the records to the address listed above. I understand that fees may apply per TMC 2.20.130 (e.g., $0.25 per page for black-and-white copies) and agree to pay reasonable costs for copying and staff time, not exceeding actual costs. Please provide an estimate of any fees before processing the request.
If you require proof of identity or additional clarification, please contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. I expect a response within three business days, as mandated by K.S.A. 45-218, either providing the records, explaining any delay, or detailing any exemptions.
Thank you for your assistance in fulfilling this request.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Full Name]
Instructions for Submission:
- Delivery Options:
- Email: Send to cityclerk@topeka.org (preferred for faster processing).
- Mail or In-Person: Deliver to City Clerk’s Office, 215 SE 7th Street, Room 166, Topeka, KS 66603.
- Fees: Be prepared for potential fees ($0.25/page for copies, staff time costs). The city may require prepayment for large requests.
- Follow-Up: If you don’t receive a response within three business days, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (785) 368-3940 or file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office (ag.ks.gov).
Notes:
- Specificity: The request is detailed to target relevant documents but broad enough to capture related records. If you have specific dates or resolution numbers (e.g., Resolution 9609 from 2025), include them to narrow the search.
- CoreFirst’s Role: Since CoreFirst’s involvement is unclear from public records, the request includes them to ensure all potential agreements are captured.
- Exemptions: Some records (e.g., attorney-client communications) may be exempt. The city must justify any denials in writing.
- Next Steps: If the city’s response is incomplete or denied, you can appeal to the Kansas Attorney General or seek legal counsel. For Shawnee County records (e.g., tax rolls), submit a separate KORA request to the Shawnee County Clerk’s Office (200 SE 7th St., Room 107, Topeka, KS 66603).
If you need help refining the letter or have additional details (e.g., a specific KORA request ID), let me know, and I can adjust it. Would you like me to generate a visual of the letter’s layout or provide a KORA request for Shawnee County as well?
