Due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in our community, and in an effort to reduce community transmission, the Topeka Municipal Court is cancelling all dockets, including trials, from Wednesday, November 18, 2020 through Friday, December 4, 2020. During that time, the Court will continue to conduct its jail hearings via video conferencing on Mondays and Wednesdays.
All cases during that time will be rescheduled and notices of hearing will be sent by mail to defendants and defense counsel. Defendants should call the Court Clerk’s office at 785-368-3776 to update contact information during normal business hours. Defendants are also encouraged to check the status of their case on the Court’s online public access portal at https://www.topeka.org/municipalcourt/ .
The Topeka Municipal Court will remain open for walk-in business Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 p.m. However, persons with court business are strongly encouraged to conduct their business by telephone, email, or facsimile wherever possible. Payments may be made online, over the phone, or by mail.
Clerk’s Office: 785-368-3776
Clerk’s Office Fax: 785-368-3782
Email: Motions@topeka.org (MOTIONS ONLY)
Mail: 214 SE 8th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66603
Anyone directed to report to the Probation Division should continue to report as scheduled. Probationers who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 of other related illnesses should contact the Probation Division at 785-368-3783.
The Municipal Court will reevaluate the presence of COVID-19 in the community during the week of December 1, 2020 and make a decision as to whether dockets will resume on Monday, December 7, 2020.
The Governing Body meeting for Tuesday, November 17th will be entirely remote on Zoom due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Shawnee County. Due to this change, only action items on the meeting agenda will be considered. All non-action items will be moved to the December 1st meeting. Public comment can still be given, if submitted in writing, to the city clerk’s office at cclerk@topeka.org by 5 p.m.
The Governing Body meeting will be broadcast on City4, livestreamed to Facebook and can be viewed on the City of Topeka website at https://www.topeka.org/communications/live-stream/.
With a new Health Order in place for Shawnee County, the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center is strengthening its COVID-19 rules for visiting guests. “It’s part of our Help Us Keep You Safe campaign,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “Over the last six months we have seen how important it is to our community that we are open. We want to make sure we stay open and do everything we can to provide a safe and healthy experience here.”
The Help Us Keep You Safe campaign strengthens current protocols and makes changes to both ticket purchasing guidelines and mask wearing policies. The campaign focuses on the following points that become effective Saturday, November 14:
• Masks or face coverings will be required to be worn by zoo guests during the entirety of their stay except when eating or drinking. This includes times when guests are outside on zoo grounds. Masks or face coverings must cover both mouth and nose.
• Pre-order of online tickets will be encouraged for daily admission and is required for the Zoo Lights event beginning November 27.
• During the current health order, entrance into the zoo will be through the outdoor admission booth so that guests never have to enter a building if they don’t want to.
• Door foot pulls have been installed on many of the bathroom doors. Guests are encouraged to use those where available.
• As soon as they arrive, touchless fixtures will be installed in public bathrooms.
• Guests are encouraged to be conscious of others at viewing windows and not monopolize prime views for extended periods of time.
“The biggest change is guests being required to wear masks during their entire stay,” said Wiley. Prior to this, guests were allowed to remove masks when outside and they could social distance. “What we have seen is that even when outside, one group of guests can come close to another group of guests faster than they can put masks back on. As we are seeing the spread of COVID-19 ramping up, we have to do what we can to keep everyone safe.”
“It’s also about the animals,” said Wiley. The Topeka Zoo is home to a number of non-human species that are susceptible to coronaviruses including COVID-19. Some of those include tigers, giraffes, sloths, armadillos and the zoo’s critically endangered black-footed ferret. “We have an obligation to not only keep those animals safe and healthy but the staff that work with them as well.”
Deputy Chief Bryan Wheeles has been named the Interim Police Chief for the City of Topeka. Deputy Chief Wheeles will take over for Chief Cochran when he retires on January 1st. Wheeles will start his duties as Interim Chief on January 2nd.
“Deputy Chief Wheeles is the best candidate to be the Interim Police Chief for the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Chief Cochran has done a wonderful job with the Topeka Police Department and will be leaving it in capable hands. Bryan Wheeles has the experience in all aspects of police work with strong leadership abilities and a dedication to the community as a whole.”
Bryan Wheeles has worked with the Topeka Police Department for twenty-six years, starting his service on June 13th, 1994. Wheeles has worked in several capacities at the Topeka Police Department including; patrol, narcotics, criminal investigation, criminal intelligence and administration. Most recently Wheeles has been serving as the Deputy Chief of Police.
“I am very excited to continue my career in public service as the interim Chief of Police. I am truly honored to lead the brave men and women of the Topeka Police Department. We serve a great community and I look forward to continued collaboration in 2021,” said Deputy Chief Wheeles.
Wheeles graduated from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1994. He has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka Board of Directors since 2015 and is currently serving as the Vice President. Wheeles’s salary as Interim Police Chief will be $131,192.
City Manager Trout will announce when he will begin the search for the next permanent Police Chief at a later date. Both internal and external candidates will be considered for the position.
Veterinary staff at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center made the difficult decision to euthanize a 16 year-old African Lion named Avus Friday morning. “Avus had been experiencing age-related issues for some time.” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “Earlier this week we noticed a significant decline in his well-being. We did a comprehensive exam and tried new medication but did not see an improvement in his condition. Today is a sad day for our extended zoo family. Avus led an impactful life at our zoo, inspiring guests to care more about wildlife and conservation.”
Avus was born at the Henry Vilas Zoo on October 14, 2004. Following a recommendation from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, Avus came to Topeka in the summer of 2006 to pair with lionesses Zuri and Asante. In 2007 Avus and Asante had one offspring, Adia, who in turn provided the pair with two grandsons that live in other AZA zoos. Avus was able to see his home at the Topeka Zoo transform with the opening of Camp Cowabunga in 2018. Zuri and Asante are also classified as geriatric at the ages of sixteen years as well. In the wild, the lifespan of lions is a range between 12-15 years of age.
Avus was an easy favorite to staff and guests alike. He had the most amazing eyes and a face framing mane. He was very laid back and known for pretending he didn’t hear zookeepers when it was time to go inside so he could get a few more minutes of sleep. Avus enjoyed enrichment like cologne and taco seasoning, and was excited about participating in training sessions.
The Independent Police Auditor has concluded his investigation into the use of force incident regarding the 14 year old juvenile and the Topeka Police Department. After a thorough review of officer statements, witness statements, and body worn camera videos the IPA concludes that the force utilized by the Officer was within the policy parameters outlined in Topeka Police Department General Order 4.2, et al. However, the Independent Police Auditor does express concern regarding the encounter with the juvenile and the officer’s judgment therein.
Topeka Police Department policies, including use of force policies can be found on the City of Topeka website: https://www.topeka.org/tpd/topeka-police-policies/
The City of Topeka has hired LeTiffany Obozele as the Chief of Prosecution. Obozele has eight years of experience practicing law in the State of Kansas as a public-service minded attorney, serving both as a prosecutor and civil litigator. Most recently Obozele worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson.
“The City of Topeka is excited to welcome LeTIffany to be the Chief of Prosecution. Her knowledge and experience working in Kansas as a prosecutor and in the Kansas Attorney Generals Office will give the City a strong foundation in the Prosecution Department,” said City Manager Brent Trout.
Obozele has eight years of experience practicing law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology from Emory University in May 2007. She earned her juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law in May 2012.
“I am excited and grateful for the City of Topeka for selecting me to serve as the next Chief of Prosecution. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue in public service and hit the ground running with the City of Topeka, Legal Department and Prosecution with my wonderful staff and all those that come into contact with our Department and the Court. I am enjoying learning all that this Department does for and with the City,” said Obozele.
Obozele has previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Sedgwick County and Douglas County. She also worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Kansas Attorney General as a post-commitment focused civil litigator. Obozele has been an Adjunct Professor and Trial Team Coach at Washburn Law School since December 2015.
Obozele began work on September 8th and is earning a salary of $90,000.
In partnership with national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), the City of Topeka announced today the launch of a free Financial Navigators program to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial Navigators will be available remotely starting September 21st to provide guidance over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage income disruptions and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to triage personal financial issues, identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income, and make referrals to other services such as meeting daily living expenses, maximizing income, managing debt, budgeting and avoiding predatory scams. The City of Topeka will offer these Financial Navigator services in partnership with Housing and Credit Counseling Inc.
“We are in unprecedented times that are greatly affecting families and their finances. The Financial Navigator program with support from Cities for Financial Empowerment and Housing and Credit Counselling, is an amazing tool that will help our families have access to great partners in our community. This support can help our citizens navigate challenges and stay self-sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla.
Residents can access these remote services by completing the web form here: https://finnav.org/topeka or calling (785) 670-5900 to sign up. The financial navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across Topeka can also refer clients directly to a financial navigator.
The City of Topeka is launching the Financial Navigators program in partnership with the CFE Fund, who provided grant funding along with significant technical assistance and training to launch the program in Topeka and other cities and counties across the nation. The Financial Navigators initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
“Financial distress is a primary part of the COVID-19 crisis, and we’re pleased Mayor De La Isla and her team is making this a priority for Topeka residents,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Financial Navigators program will help City of Topeka residents assess and prioritize their financial concerns and get connected with the right resources.”
“The pandemic and resulting economic crises have hit low- and middle-income households, contingent and undocumented workers, and many others very hard,” said James Anderson, Head of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “We are very pleased to help the CFE Fund expand its high quality and impactful financial empowerment services to reach many more people in more cities.”
“Sound financial health is a critical component of addressing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on low-income and diverse communities in the U.S,” said Sarah Bainton Kahn, VP of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co. “We are pleased to collaborate with the CFE Fund to help people in Topeka to access the tools and services they need to build resiliency and advance their financial health.”
“Communities across the country continue to face significant economic challenges as a result of COVID-19,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Citi Community Investing and Development and President of the Citi Foundation. “To provide residents in Topeka with the vital financial tools and support necessary to navigate the financial impacts of the pandemic, the Citi Foundation is proud to partner once again with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to launch the Financial Navigators program.”
“The pandemic has clearly heightened awareness around the financial hardships that so many people were already facing here in Topeka and deep disparities that exist in society,” said Darlene Goins, head of financial health philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We applaud the CFE Fund for bringing together the City of Topeka, philanthropists, and financial services and other industries to reimagine solutions that can help improve financial stability and resiliency for individuals and families, particularly during this economic crisis.”
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 100 cities, and has disbursed over $42 million to city governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund.
The Independent Police Auditor has concluded his investigation into the use of force incident regarding Tamiko Mitchell and the Topeka Police Department. After a thorough review of officer statements, witness statements, and seven body worn camera videos, the Independent Police Auditor has concluded that the use of force was within policy. All 17 pages of the IPA report are attached to the release.
The body worn camera video will be released to the public pending criminal proceedings.
Topeka Police Department policies, including use of force policies can be found on the City of Topeka website: https://www.topeka.org/tpd/topeka-police-policies/
Starting Monday September 21st, the Kansas River Public Access on Saline Road in North Topeka will be closed while necessary construction takes place at the river weir and boat ramp area. This is a popular area for fisherman and canoe access. However, for safety reasons the entire area will be closed to the public during construction which is expected to last until December 31st, 2020.
The project underway at this location will include a paddler channel which will allow safe navigation through the left side of the existing river weir without having to portage. The other features of the project include alteration of existing wing dikes and installation of rock and concrete surfaces below the weir to improve public safety.
For river users, recommended alternate locations for river access during construction are the boat ramps in Kaw River State Park or Seward Avenue Access.
You can learn more and follow the progress of the project using the Topeka Open Projects Dashboard under Project Number T-281058.01, KS River Weir Upstream Modifications.