City News

Over the last year, Topeka and Shawnee County saw its homeless population grow, according to the annual Point in Time Homeless Count.

The count took place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. The one-day event provides a snapshot of the individuals in our community who are experiencing homelessness, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Nearly 50 people helped with this year’s count.

According to the count, 365 people, and 297 households are experiencing homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County. 64% of those who are homeless are male, while 36% are female. 40% of the homeless population are unsheltered, meaning they are not living in an emergency shelter or in transitional housing.

“The increase in the number of unsheltered homeless is no surprise to the Topeka/Shawnee County Homeless Task Force,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. “The pandemic has made it more challenging to house people and we are desperately working on the solution. The count helps us recognize this disparity and fix it as quickly as possible.”

Below is a chart that breaks down the numbers from 2020, 2021 and 2022. For a more detailed look at the 2022 numbers, visit https://cot-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/HousingSvcs/Point+in+Time+Count+-+2022.pdf.

To receive funding for programs, HUD requires communities complete a count each year. The count ensures the City can obtain the appropriate level of funding to be able to provide needed services to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk for homelessness.

The Topeka City Council’s Policy and Finance Committee will host a public input session on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the City’s Holliday Building located at 620 SE Madison St.

The purpose of the session is to solicit feedback from the community regarding what criteria and qualifications should be met, in order to be eligible to apply for the $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Council voted to allocate for social services.

“This will be a deliberative process with decisions made based on input we receive from Topekans,” said Topeka’s Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan, and the Chair of the Policy and Finance Committee. “This is just one step in a layered process, and we look forward to hearing directly from citizens regarding their expectations of us during this process.”

The Policy and Finance Committee is currently working with City staff on the application and process for social services.

To sign up for public comment, visit https://www.topeka.org/cityclerk/sign-up-to-speak-at-a-governing-body-meeting/. The deadline to sign up for public comment is 5:00 p.m. the date of the meeting. Public comment can be made in person or by Zoom. Public comment is limited to four minutes per person. Time extensions will not be granted.

On February 12, the Council voted to approve setting aside $35,676,831 to be allocated for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and $10 million to be allocated for social services. The City received $45,676,831 in ARPA funds.

Interim City Manager Bill Cochran announced Wednesday that Randy Phillips was selected to be the next Fire Chief for the City of Topeka.

Chief Phillips has 26 years of experience in fire service, all of which has been spent at the Topeka Fire Department (TFD). Chief Phillips rose through TFD’s ranks, and had been serving as the Interim Deputy Chief since December 2021.

Chief Phillips’ father, Dennis Phillips, was the Topeka Fire Chief from 2002 to 2004.

“I am very excited that Randy Phillips will serve as Fire Chief. Randy is a life-long Topekan, and seeing homegrown talent serve in key leadership roles is extremely important to me, and many others in our community,” said Interim City Manager Cochran. “I am confident with Chief Phillips’ strong leadership qualities and experience, he will ensure the strategic planning and vision for the department continues to move forward.”

Chief Phillips was selected out of five finalists. This selection is effective March 4, when Chief Craig Duke retires.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the brave men and women that make up the Topeka Fire Department,” said Chief Phillips. “The fire service is a team effort and I am excited to work together to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Topeka.”

The City of Topeka is kicking off another “Fix Our Streets” construction season, which will run from the first of March through November.

There are 13 reconstruction projects, and an additional 14 street rehabilitation, repair, or mill and overlay projects slated for the 2022 construction season.

Through the City’s various programs, crews will repair, replace or build new infrastructure, to include new sidewalks that didn’t exist before.

The following reconstruction projects are slated for 2022:

• NW Tyler St. – NW Lyman Rd. to NW Beverly St.
• NW Tyler – Lyman to US 24
• SE California Ave. – SE 37th St. to SE 45th St.
• SW 17th St. – I-470 Bridge to SW Wanamaker Rd. and SW Westport Dr. – SW 17th St. to SW Wanamaker Rd.
• SW Gage Blvd. from SW Emland Dr. to SW 6th St.
• SW 12th St. – SW Gage Blvd. to S Kansas Ave.
• SE Quincy St. – SE 6^th St. to SE 8^th St.
• SW 30^th St./SW Hillcrest Rd./SW Twilight Dr./SW Eveningside Dr.
• N Kansas Ave. – NW Morse St. to NE Soldier St.
• SE 6^th St. – Shunga Creek Bridge Deck
• SE Carnahan Ave. – I‐70 to SE 21st St.
• Private Drive – SW Knollwood Dr. to SW 28th St., and west of SW Washburn Ave.
• SW Kent Pl. – street and cul-de-sac north of SW 10th Ave.

Funding for Fix Our Streets is primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.

For more information on projects scheduled for 2022, visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.

Topeka City Council took action during Saturday’s Special Meeting to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for two funding priorities, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Social Service Programs.

The Council voted to approve setting aside $35,676,831 to be allocated for CIP, and $10 million to be allocated for Social Service Programs.

The Council’s Policy and Finance Committee will meet on March 1 to work on the application and process for funding Social Service Programs. The Policy and Finance Committee members include Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan, Councilwoman Hannah Naeger, and Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcalá.

The City received $45,676,831 in ARPA funds. No ARPA funds have been spent to date.

Additionally, the City encourages organizations to apply for the State of Kansas’ Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funds to maximize our community’s potential for ARPA funds. The application for SPARK is due on Wednesday, February 16. A link to the application can be found here: https://covid.ks.gov/spark-submission-form/.

Beginning Thursday, February 10, masks will no longer required to be worn in City of Topeka buildings by employees or visitors, with the exception of Municipal Court. Municipal Court will continue to require masks until further notice.

The City encourages employees and visitors to practice social distancing and mask-wearing when possible.

The City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program received a $750,000 grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. Capitol Federal® Savings Bank is the sponsor for the grant, and will be assisting the City with the program.

The City’s Housing Services Division administers the Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program, which assists low-income homeowners who need repairs to bring their homes up to code.

“We are very excited to be helping more low-income families in Topeka. Many of the people we serve are not only low-income, but elderly, and sometimes disabled. This grant will allow us to help over 50 families with property maintenance rehabilitation on their homes this year,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services.

The Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program helps residents to maintain a safe environment in their home. Qualifying repairs include; collapsed or badly deteriorated sewer line, roof replacement, guttering, replacement of windows, weatherization, siding and other items as determined on a case by case basis the City’s Housing Services Division.

The rehabilitation is a grant to the homeowner with a maximum benefit of $20,000 and a minimum of assistance of $2,500. The homeowner does not have to pay the grant back.

Eligible households must have an active property maintenance code violation, and be on the deed of the property. Housing code violations must be for the home the person is residing in. Violations for detached garages, weeds, trees and trash removal are not eligible.

The City’s Housing Services Division determines eligibility for the Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program. To request an application, call 785-368-3711.

Interim City Manager Bill Cochran announced Monday that Kelly Trussell was selected to be the Chief of Prosecution for the City of Topeka.

“Trussell brings a wealth of litigation experience with her, and we are excited for her to join the Topeka team,” said Interim City Manager Bill Cochran.

Trussell has been practicing law for 14 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College. She earned her Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 2007. Trussell is a graduate of Leadership Kansas. She serves on various local boards such as Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas and Women Attorneys Association of Topeka. She is an active volunteer at her children’s school, and she’s a regular participant in various community events and fundraisers. She served as an adjunct professor for Washburn Law School for over 10 years, and she enjoys mentoring law students and new attorneys.

“I have been a proud Topeka citizen for 20 years and am very grateful for this opportunity to serve my local community. I am excited to work with the members of the prosecution department and look forward to my career with the City of Topeka,” said Trussell.

Trussell’s start date is Monday, February 7, 2022.

The Topeka Human Relations Commission (THRC) is eager to announce Washburn Law Dean Carla Pratt as the individual recipient, and Omni Circle Group as the organization recipient of the 2021 Troy Scroggins Awards. Dean Pratt and Omni Circle Group will be presented with the awards at the January 18 City Council Meeting.

The Troy Scroggins Awards are presented to deserving individuals and organizations for their efforts in furthering the THRC’s mission. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in ameliorating discrimination and prejudice based on race, sex, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, and sexual orientation and advancing diversity in the City of Topeka. The two award categories are Outstanding Individual Achievement and Outstanding Organizational Achievement.

“Dean Pratt’s scholarship and advocacy on race and the legal profession have served as a motivating factor for increasing diversity within Topeka, Washburn Law, and the Kansas legal community,” said Commissioner Nicholas Smith, Chair of the THRC. “Through Dean Pratt’s leadership, Washburn Law has implemented new programs to increase access to legal education for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students who are differently abled, which continues its legacy as an exemplary institution becoming of Topeka.”

“Omni Circle Group has made strides at advancing multicultural and multigenerational opportunities for Topeka’s African American community,” said Smith. “Through its community development program, Omni Circle Group acts as an entrepreneurial incubator for minority-owned Topeka businesses. The organization continues to serve the community through its food programs, mentorship, mental health workshops, and providing school supplies to students.”

Pratt is Dean at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Previously, she served as the Nancy J. LaMont Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law. Her scholarship is at the intersection of Constitutional Law, Federal Indian Law, Education Law, and Race and American Law with emphasis on understanding the role of identity in law and legal institutions. From 2012 to March 2018, she served as an Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Fort Yates, North Dakota.

Michael Odupitan, CEO and President, started Omni Circle Group with a vision for change and a mission to unite and strengthen communities through personal and professional development. A former Washburn University student, Odupitan returned to Topeka to give back to the community that he believes saved him. In its three years, Omni Circle Group has launched numerous support groups and workshops to help minorities with business success, improve community mental health, inspire youth through mentorship and community building, and developing a strong e-commerce community in Topeka.

The THRC is a nine-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. The mission of the THRC is to conduct outreach and educational activities that promote justice and cultural understanding and improve relationships among all citizens of Topeka. You can learn more about the current THRC Commissioners on the City’s website.

The City of Topeka is preparing to host the annual Point in Time Homeless Count.

The count will take place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Approximately 25 employees and volunteers will work that day to count those who are experiencing homelessness in Topeka.

To receive funding for programs, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities complete a count each year. The count ensures the City can obtain the appropriate level of funding to be able to provide needed services to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk for homelessness.

“Topeka is committed to helping the homeless in our community. The Point in Time Homeless Count is the first important step to see where the most need is in our community,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka.

The information gathered will help Topeka to understand the face of homelessness within the community, make sure services are meeting the needs of homeless population, raise public awareness about the issues surrounding homelessness, and measure community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.

In order to ensure everyone is counted, the City asks anyone who is homeless – or knows someone who is – to call 785-368-0168 between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on January 26. Interviewers will also be available that day at the City’s Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison St.