On June 28, 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld the validity of Topeka’s “T-21” Ordinance No. 20099 which prohibits the sale of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, tobacco products, and liquid nicotine to anyone under the age of 21. The ordinance also prohibits buying any of those products for a person under the age of 21. View the ordinance online.
The Kansas Supreme Court issued its mandate on 7/26/2019, which means that the ordinance is now enforceable.
For retailers, the Kansas Department of Revenue has designed a sign that complies with state law and can be used in cities that have passed T-21 ordinances.
All pet owners know that eventually young pets grow old. When you work at a zoo or visit a zoo often, you realize that the same holds true for zoo animals. Knowing the truth doesn’t necessarily make it easier as keepers and guests realize that a beloved animal’s time is near.
Two of the most popular exhibits at the Topeka and Zoo and Conservation Center are homes to two of the Zoo’s oldest animals. Cora, an Asian elephant cow, is 61 years old. Avus, a male African lion, is almost 15. Age is relevant to individual species.
During a routine medical exam in February of 2018, a mass in Cora’s reproductive tract was identified. The mass was determined to be non-operable at the time due to Cora’s status as a geriatric elephant and the complexities with both a surgical procedure and recovery. As the mass was putting pressure on Cora’s rectum, her care team began supporting her gastro-intestinal tract to alleviate potential discomfort the mass was causing.
A few days ago, Cora’s keepers noted that she was more lethargic than normal. That her appetite was tapering off and she was experiencing more and more discomfort. Blood results from a sample taken yesterday show that her condition is worsening. One blood index has more than doubled in the last six months and is five times as high as it should be. “The bloodwork tells us that there is tissue destruction going on in her body, possibly cardiac failure,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley.
A few weeks ago, Avus the lion was noted to be “wobbly” on his feet. For the past few years, Avus has received treatment for arthritis. The unsteady cat had Zoo staff wondering if the arthritis had progressed or was there potentially a new neurological issue he was dealing with. A CT scan last week revealed that Avus is now dealing with degenerative disc disease at multiple points along the spine from his neck to his lower back. “For both Avus and Cora our efforts right now focus on making sure they are comfortable,” said Wiley. “They are both loved members of our family here.”
Both Avus and Cora have storied pasts. Cora came to the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center from a private owner in Florida who could no longer care for her. She had spent most of her life travelling up and down the east coast participating in education programs. Under the stage name Charlotte, she co-starred alongside Bert Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit 2 as the secret cargo being transported across the country. Cora retired to the Topeka Zoo in 2016. Avus is always described as one of the most “chill” lions you will ever meet. He will do just about anything for meat flavored baby food. If you live within a mile of the Zoo, he has serenaded you throughout the night.
When Can I Set Off Fireworks in Topeka This Year?
It is illegal to use fireworks within the city limits except for the following dates and times:
- July 3rd, 10 am to 11 pm
- July 4th, 10 am to 11:59 pm
Violations are misdemeanors with a mandatory minimum fine of $250 which shall not be paroled. Violations may be punished up to a fine of $499 and/or 179 days in jail.
If you would like to report a fireworks violation please call 785-368-9551 or 911. Enhance the joy of this holiday period by practicing Safe Sane and Sober fireworks life-safety habits. For more information regarding the rules and regulations on fireworks, consult Municipal Code 8.35.070.
Safety Tips
- Keep a source of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- A person under the age of 18 must be under adult supervision to discharge fireworks.
- Ignite fireworks on a pave surface if possible. If not, select a dirt area with no grass present.
- Never park your vehicle on dry grass or close to fireworks being discharged.
- Never attempt to relight a “dud” firework. Wait 10-20 minutes, and then soak it in water.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Appoint a responsible person to be your designated igniter.
- Wet down ignition and fall out areas before lighting any fireworks to minimize the chance of fire.
- Never ignite or discharge fireworks into, under, or from a vehicle.
- Be aware of wind conditions. If it is too windy, then wait until such conditions subside.
- City ordinance prohibits the discharge of fireworks within 500 feet of the VA Medical Center at 2200 SW Gage Blvd.
The Topeka Police Department received 60 calls relating to fireworks this weekend. The City of Topeka would like to remind everyone of the fireworks ordinance and encourage them to celebrate safely on July 3rd and 4th.
It is not legal to discharge fireworks within the city limits of Topeka except for the hours between 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 3rd and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4th. If you would like to report a fireworks violation please call (785) 368-9551 or 911. Enhance the joy of this holiday period by practicing Safe Sane and Sober fireworks life-safety habits. For more information regarding the rules and regulations regarding fireworks consult Municipal Code 8.35.070 https://www.codepublishing.com/KS/Topeka/
The following Fireworks Safety Tips are shared to enhance your awareness:
Keep a ready source of water available i.e. a connected hose; a fire extinguisher or bucket of water should suffice.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Appoint an adult or responsible person to be your designated igniter and to be on the lookout for sparks which may start unintended fires elsewhere. The adult can also activate emergency response (911), if a fire cannot be readily extinguished.
Adult Supervision Required. A person under the age of 18 years must be under adult supervision and in the physical presence of the adult to possess and discharge permitted consumer fireworks
.Wet down all ignition and fallout areas before lighting any fireworks. This way if a sparks does hit the ground then, chances of that spark igniting a fire will be minimal.
Always ignite fireworks on paved surfaces i.e. concrete or asphalt whenever possible; if not, select a dirt area where there is no grass or vegetation growth present.
Never ignite or discharge fireworks into, under, or from a car or vehicle, whether moving or standing still, or on a public roadway or the right-of-way adjoining a public roadway.
Be aware of wind conditions when preparing to enjoy your fireworks; if it is too windy then wait until such conditions subside.
Never park your vehicle on dry grass or close to where fireworks are being discharged.
Never attempt to relight a “dud” firework. Wait 10 – 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
The City of Topeka Utilities Department employees have taken water samples from the Shunganunga Creek on 6/24/19 to test for elevated levels of bacteria. Test results will not be available until 6/25/19. However, as a precaution The City of Topeka Utility Department is advising Topeka area residents to avoid contact with the Shunganunga Creek flowing from SW Washburn Ave., throughout the City to the point of confluence with the Kansas River until further notice.
This issue is due to recent heavy rain events and a mechanical issue at one of our pump stations in Central Park. The stormwater infrastructure has been struggling to handle the excess water from recent rain events and saturated soils, known as inflow and infiltration, in the sanitary sewer system. This excess stormwater combined with sanitary flows may be causing areas of the system to overflow into the Shunganunga Creek.
As a precaution residents are advised to avoid contact with the impacted waterway and to keep pets out of the stream.
Topeka staff will continue to monitor the water in local creeks and waterways and provide notification when the advisory can be lifted.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been notified.
The City of Topeka Finance Department has released the preliminary 2020 budget on the City of Topeka website. The 2020 budget will be $292.6 million and will be the sixth consecutive budget proposal that has not included a mill levy increase. The FY20 Proposed Budget continues to support the budget priorities that were established by the Governing Body – investing in infrastructure, continuing commitment to public safety, continuing a commitment to developing neighborhoods, selected strategic investment toward quality of life and improving fiscal sustainability.
The General Fund budget is $96.5 million, a 1.9% increase. To balance the General Fund and maintain current service levels without raising the mill levy, the FY20 Proposed Budget includes a mix of revenue enhancements and expenditure cuts. The FY20 Proposed Budget shifts mills from tax levied funds (Debt Service and Special Liability) to the General Fund, but maintains a flat overall mill levy. The FY20 Proposed Budget includes reductions to General Fund department operating budgets of $1.0 million. This includes the elimination of three vacant positions in the Executive, Administrative and Financial Services, and Public Works departments. The preliminary 2020 budget can be viewed on the City of Topeka website, with the City Manager’s transmittal letter beginning on page 7: https://www.topeka.org/finance/budget/
Budget Highlights:
• Personnel related expenses represent the largest portion of the General Fund at $76.1 million, or 79% of total expenditures. Personnel costs, including wages and benefits, increase $1.9 million, or 2.5%, over the 2019 Adopted Budget, and include finalized union contracts along with assumptions regarding negotiations in progress. Non-union, management and executive staff wages increase 1%, or $150,000.
• Property and sales tax collectively make up 61% of the General Fund’s revenue, 29% and 32% respectively.
• Property tax is budgeted to modestly increase over the FY19 Adopted Budget by $640,000, as mills have been shifted from the special liability and debt service funds. Sales tax is economically sensitive and City collections have alternated annually between growth and modest decline over the last five years.
• General Fund departments were asked to identify budget reduction options totaling 3% (approximately $2.8 million) of their overall budget. Based on discussions with department heads, questions regarding sustainability and how the cuts impact operations were thoroughly explored, approximately $1.0 million has been incorporated into the FY20 Proposed Budget.
• The Topeka Police Department has increased personnel services by $515,000, and will be decreasing overtime expenditures for FY20.
The test results from recent samples taken from the Shunganunga Creek have come back with acceptable levels of bacteria. These results allow us to lift the stream advisory that was put in effect on June 6th. If you have any questions regarding this incident please call:
Ryan Woolaway
City of Topeka
785-409-8636
The City of Topeka Utilities Department is currently in the process installing an Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) system. This system provides the Utilities Department with the ability to read all 57,000 water meters in Topeka by radio, using 31 radio receiving locations. The AMI system will also provide the Utilities Department with more frequent and reliable information to better serve our Utility customers.
When selecting locations for the 31 radio receiving locations, many existing buildings and structures were considered. 27 locations have been selected and approved including several City of Topeka facilities, local schools and community centers. These locations allow for 80% of the meters to be read. The gaps in our coverage were due to not having existing buildings or structures to utilize. To resolve this issue 4 locations have been selected to house a 60 foot tall steel pole. The pole will have an electronics cabinet and electrical service. The 4 locations are 515 SW Horne Street, 4813 SW 17th St, 2350 SW Pepperwood and 1650 NW Fredith Lane. These will be installed in the public right of way along the street. Each location was reviewed in order to minimize the impact on the neighboring homes and businesses. There should not be any direct negative impact to the areas surrounding the 4 locations. However this new system will provide more beneficial data such as more accurate readings, leak detection and high water usage. The installation will start in June with the poles being fully functional in July.
If you have any questions regarding this project please call:
Ryan Woolaway
City of Topeka
785-409-8636
Local fire and law enforcement personnel are teaming with the American Red Cross for the 3rd annual Battle of the Badges blood drive to see who can recruit the most eligible donors in their community to donate blood.
Individuals can join the Battle of the Badges blood drive by donating May 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison. Donors’ blood donations will help decide who wins bragging rights and the traveling trophy.
“The Battle of the Badges blood drive is one of those yearly events where a little competitive spirit takes over between the members the Fire Department and the Police Department to benefit a great cause,” said Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran. “Best of all, at the end of the day everyone in our community benefits and the comradery between our two departments becomes even stronger. We hope you will come donate blood and make a difference.”
Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition to encourage community members to join their local first responders and perform their own heroic act with a blood donation.
“I know this event is known as the “Battle of the Badges,” blood drive but to me it is really the “Pledge of the Badges,” said Topeka Fire Chief Craig Duke. “Each year both departments look at this special way to serve our community. We pledge to go beyond our daily way of public safety servitude by donating blood. Why? Because that’s who we are.”
Duke continues, “On the lighter side, it is fun to see how Topeka Fire Department and Topeka Police Department make this a whole community event by competing in fun, to see who will have the most donated pints of blood for the Red Cross but in the end, we all win.”
This May, during National Trauma Month, the Red Cross is calling on donors to give blood regularly to be prepared to meet the needs of patients. In emergency situations, having blood available when a patient arrives at a hospital is vital. Regular donations can help ensure sufficient supplies are available for trauma patients when every second matters, as well as others with serious medical conditions.
“Fire and law enforcement units know firsthand how important it is to have blood readily available for emergencies,” said Susan Faler, account manager, Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Region. “By hosting this blood drive, they are helping ensure that blood is on the shelves before it is needed.”
In thanks, all those who come to donate blood with the Red Cross now through June 10, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
To make an appointment for the Topeka Battle of the Badges, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code Topeka.
How to donate blood
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
The City of Topeka Utility Department is advising Topeka area residents to avoid contact with local waterways flowing throughout the City until further notice due to the inundation of the City’s storm and sanitary sewer systems. With the heavy rains the local infrastructure is struggling with excess water (commonly referred to as inflow and infiltration) in the sanitary sewer system. Stormwater can enter into the sewer system through illegally connected residential sump pumps and roof drains, as well as cracked sewer pipes and manhole covers. This excess water is currently causing areas of the system to overflow into nearby waterways.
The Department is also actively working to complete repairs to a broken sanitary sewer force main near 2501 SW Randolph that caused untreated sewage to flow into a small tributary that flows to Shunganunga Creek near Big Shunga Park. Temporary repairs were completed Tuesday, however the pipe was compromised again early Wednesday morning. Permanent repairs are ongoing.
Residents are advised to practice safe and common sense hygiene, like avoiding immersion and ingestion, keeping pets out of the water and washing hands before eating. Topeka staff will continue to monitor the water in local creeks and waterways and provide notification when the advisory can be lifted. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been notified and is advising.