City of Topeka - Speakers Bureau

Speakers Bureau

To arrange to have an employee speak at a civic or social organization meeting, please contact the employee below.

Overall Operations of City Government. Discussion of challenges of operating a 1300+ workforce with many diverse duties and responsibilities. Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., City Manager/CEO. Norton can be reached at nbonaparte@topeka.org or 368-3725.

Neighborhood Issues

Planning Issues. Land use regulations, neighborhood planning, long range land use planning. Bill Fiander, Deputy Planning Director. Bill can be reached at dthurbon@topeka.org and Bill can be reached at bfiander@topeka.org or 785-368-3008
Neighborhood Revitalization Program. This program targets certain areas in the City for tax rebates in order to encourage development in these areas. These areas are generally located in central city locations. Tim Paris, City Planner. Tim can be reached at tparis@topeka.org or 785-368-3013
Zoning Code Enforcement. Our code enforcement officers work with neighborhood groups to help ensure compliance with zoning and sign regulations. Gaylene Epke, Zoning Code Enforcement Officer. Gaylene can be contacted at gepke@topeka.org or 785-368-3012
Topeka Local Fair Housing Ordinance and the Federal Law. This topic can be tailored for any audience: landlords, tenants, homebuyers, real estate agents, neighborhood groups, social service providers, etc. The Fair Housing law will be covered along with an explanation of how the HRC partners with the U.S Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to enforce the law. Rio Cervantes-Reed, Executive Director. Ms. Cervantes-Reed can be contacted at rcervantesreed@topeka.org or 785-368-3606.

Park & Recreation

History of the City of Topeka Parks and Recreation Department. A review of the 100 year + history of the Department, including history of Gage Park. Bill Riphahn, Director of Park Development and Planning. Bill can be contacted at briphahn@topeka.org or 785-368-3838.
Current Activities in the City of Topeka Parks and Recreation Department. Find out what is going on in your Parks & Recreation Department. Bill Riphahn, Director of Park Development and Planning Bill can be contacted at briphahn@topeka.org or 785-368-3838.

Public Safety

Learn About Your Fire Department. A general overview of the Fire Department’s responsibilities, issues, and challenges while providing an opportunity to build relationships with those we serve. Allen Bradshaw, City of Topeka Fire Chief. Allen can be contacted at abradshaw@topeka.org 368-4000.
Crime Issues in the City of Topeka. Learn about crime statistics and national crime reporting issues. Chief Ronald Miller, Deputy Chief Gary Herman, Deputy Chief Walt Wywadis all can be contacted through the Office of the Chief of Police, 368-9437.
Crime Prevention Strategies. What you can do to protect yourself and your property. Chief Ronald Miller, Deputy Chief Gary Herman, Deputy Chief Walt Wywadis all can be contacted through the Office of the Chief of Police, 368-9437.
Fire Safety Education. Discussions of issues aimed at specific target groups (by request). Greg Bailey, Fire Marshal. Greg can be contacted at gbailey@topeka.org or 368-4000.

Water and Wastewater

Water Conservation. This presentation is targeted for garden clubs but is useful information for anyone that waters gardens and plants and wants to conserve water or just keep their water bills down. Don Rankin, Water Superintendent. Don can be contacted at drankin@topeka.org or 785-368-3721
City of Topeka Water Meters. An overview of the different types of water meters, how they are read, and how they work. Emphasis is given to help customers understand how their water bill is developed based on their water flow. Duane Overfield, Meter Services Supervisor. Duane can be contacted via doverfield@topeka.org or 785-368-3151
Business Optimization in the City’s Water Utility. This presentation covers how the City of Topeka reduced costs by over $1 million per year. The presentation reviews process improvements, management systems, leadership skills, and work culture. Don Rankin, Water Superintendent. Don can be contacted via drankin@topeka.org or 785-368-3721.
The Business of Water. An overview of Topeka's water utility from the business plan to goals and strategies for plentiful and safe water now and into the future. How water is delivered from River to Tap is illustrated. Don Rankin, Water Superintendent. Don can be contacted via drankin@topeka.org or 785-368-3721.
How to Save Money on Your Utility Bill. My water bill is to high – how can I reduce my bill? Utility bills and alternatives to reduce your bill are explained. Useful ways customers can conserve water in their homes and on their property are explained. This presentation educates customers on water measurements for specific types of consumption. Methods are discussed to determine if a leak exists in the customer's internal plumbing and when to call a plumber. David Myers, Customer Service Supervisor. David can be contacted via dmyers@topeka.org or 785-368-3147.
Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wastewater Pump Station issues. Any concerns or questions about the Water Pollution Control Division including the operation of the wastewater treatment plants or the wastewater pump stations. Interested parties wanting tours of the wastewater treatment plants, or presentations on the City’s sewer system. Bob Sample, Water Pollution Control Superintendent. Bob can be contacted via bsample@topeka.org or 785 368-4233
Commercial and Residential Grease Concerns. and residential grease concerns. This would include presentations to interested parties on the proper disposal of grease, including restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Amy Davison, Administrative Officer. Amy can be reached at adavison@topeka.org or 785-368-4237
Green Infrastructure and Water Quality. Any needed information about Water Pollution Control's green stormwater systems including detention ponds, stream buffers, swales, etc. Presentations to interested parties on green infrastructure in Topeka. Sylvia Michaelis, WPC Infrastructure Manager/Landscape Architect. Sylvia can be reached at smichaelis@topeka.org or 368-4239.
Storm Water and Kansas River Levee. Any concerns related to stormwater including street flooding, ditch flooding, and any drainage issues. Any questions or concerns about the City's flood protection system. Kelly Haller, Field Operations Manager. Kelly can be reached at khaller@topeka.org or 368-4241
Wastewater Treatment Process and Odor Related Issues. This would be any odors associated with the City sewage systems including plants, manholes, pump stations, etc. Sylvan Coles, Lab Director. Sylvan can be reached at scoles@topeka.org or 785-368-4236

Other City Departments

General discussion regarding the City of Topeka's Legal Department. What does the Legal Department of City of Topeka do for you? Jackie Williams or Braxton Copley, City Attorney’s Office. Either Jackie or Braxton can be reached at 368 3883
Municipal Court. An overview of presiding over the traffic and criminal process at the City of Topeka’s Municipal Court. Steve Ebberts, Municipal Court Judge. Judge Ebberts can be contacted at mschneider@topeka.org or 785-368-1690
Topeka Zoo- What’s New? Find out what is new and exciting at your Topeka Zoo. Mike Coker, Zoo Director. Mike can be contacted at mcoker@topeka.org or 785 368-9131.
Human Relations Commission History and Mission. An overview of the history of the City of Topeka Human Relations Commission and how we strive to eliminate discrimination in Topeka through local ordinance and law. Rio Cervantes-Reed, Executive Director. Ms. Cervantes-Reed can be contacted at rcervantesreed@topeka.org or 785-368-3606.
City of Topeka Recruitment and Hiring Process. An overview of the City of Topeka’s recruitment and hiring process. Michele Smith, Human Resources Specialist. Michele can be reached at msmith@topeka.org or (785) 368-3867
Homeless Issues and Supportive Services. Learn what the City has done to help address and advocate for the needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Also gain knowledge of current community initiatives and what still needs to be done to incorporate more housing and supportive services. Corrie Wright, HND Manager. Corrie can be reached at cwright@topeka.org or 785-368-3711
Creating and Maintaining Successful Neighborhood Groups. This presentation will cover the steps that need to take place in order to form a viable neighborhood group. Learn form real examples of what works and what doesn't. Roseanna Haugen, Community Resource Specialist. Roseanna can be reached at rhaugen@topeka.org or 785-368-3711
Housing and Neighborhood Development Target Areas. This program targets particular areas in the City for rehabilitation and infrastructure work in order to encourage neighborhood pride and improvement in neighborhoods that are at-risk or in intensive care areas. Corrie Wright, HND Manager. Corrie can be reached at cwright@topeka.org or 785-368-3711