TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka has no more legal obstacles to issuing bonds to buy Heartland Park.

City attorney Chad Sublet said Tuesday that the city can legally issue the bonds since the Kansas Court of Appeals found a petition to force a public vote on the bonds was invalid.

However, City Manager Jim Colson said a new council seated after the April election will consider the issue and public meetings could be held before the bond sales are authorized.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports  that in recent months, lawyers for the city and the racetrack operator said the track could close soon if a petition drive to stop the sale went to a public vote.

Races are scheduled to start April 4.