Effective Tuesday April 14th, the City of Topeka will limit parking in all public garages to monthly card holders only. This decision is based on the currently limited hourly usage and to support increased security measures for monthly card holders who are still using the garage services during this time of reduced traffic in the garages. During this time of reduced occupancy, staff will be focused on increased garage maintenance efforts, including cleaning the garages and lighting repairs.
In the City’s continuing effort to support customers who may be experiences financial hardships due to the COVID-19 situation the City will extend the monthly lease fee and enforcement suspension though the month of May. The City will continue to assessing the parking situation on a month-by-month basis and alert the public when fees and enforcement will be reinstated.
Enforcement of on-street parking regulations will continue to be suspended, with exception of Americans with Disabilities (ADA) violations, reserved spaces, construction work area, and public safety-related violations. At this time, enforcement officers will continue to patrol the downtown area, but will not be issuing tickets except for the violations specified above.
Currently in Effect:
- Non-payment for on-street parking meters will not be subject to citation
- Enforcement of on-street parking in time-restricted locations is suspended
- Enforcement will still be in effect in all public parking garages, off-street parking lots, reserved spaces, construction work areas, and spaces reserved for ADA parking and fire and emergency vehicle access
- If you are parking in a designated ADA parking space, please remember display your ADA placards or plates
- Parking Garage access is restricted in all public garages to monthly card holders only.
Please go to the City of Topeka website for more information on COVID-19 related policies enacted by city departments: https://www.topeka.org/news/category/press-releases/
The United Way of Greater Topeka has been awarded the bid to administer the City of Topeka’s Social Service Grant Program for 2021. Approximately $435,000 in Social Service Grant Funds will be administered by the United Way of Greater Topeka to eligible applicants which include agencies providing services in the following areas:
•Senior Citizen neighborhood-based programming to include meals, activities & transportation
•Medical assistance for low-income individuals
•Programs for at-risk youth
•Emergency housing & utility assistance
•Neighborhood and independent living based services for persons with severe & persistent mental illness
•Support services for residents whom are non-English speaking
United Way of Greater Topeka brings together people, companies and nonprofits to create positive sustainable change in our community by connecting individuals and families to maximize their potential. The United Way of Greater Topeka works to achieve positive sustainable change through education, financial stability and health for everyone in our community.
“The City of Topeka is thrilled to have United Way of Greater Topeka as our partner to administer our Social Service Grant program,” said Topeka City Manager Brent Trout. “We couldn’t ask for more experience or commitment than UWGT’s eight decades of improving lives in the Topeka community.”
“United Way is honored to extend its grant management services to the City of Topeka Social Service Grant Program” said Jessica Lehnherr, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Topeka. “Since we already use the same online platform, the transition should be virtually seamless for organizations applying for grants. We look forward to this new partnership with the City of Topeka.”
Social Service Grant applications will open in late April. The applications will be available on the City of Topeka and United Way of Greater Topeka websites.
The City of Topeka Utilities Department routinely responds to sanitary sewer overflows, but wants to help residents in preventing them. The department is asking residents to be cautious of what they flush down their sewer systems as they have seen a rise in the marketing of “flushable” products in response to toilet paper shortages. Products like sanitary wipes, facial tissue and paper towels, do not dissolve in the sewer system and combine with fats, oils, and grease which can lead to blockages in sewer pipes.
The only product recommended by the Utilities Department to be flushed down the toilet is toilet paper. If you are unable to buy toilet paper during this time and must use an alternative sanitary product, please throw it in the trash when you are finished.
Blockages in the sanitary sewer system cause damage to the infrastructure, may cause sewer overflows which harm the environment, and lead to expensive repairs for the City. These products may cause blockages and service related problems in private sewer lines which may require expensive repairs for property owners.
The City of Topeka has created a COVID-19 website to provide information for businesses and the public. https://data.topeka.org/pages/covid19information provides a list of city phone numbers, locations of US Bank locations where people can pay their water bills and a link for businesses to report hours and closures.
A business survey link is available for local businesses to report hours of operation. The City of Topeka asks for businesses to complete this survey to help identify critical infrastructure services. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7e1deddaf0fa4847bf5f6f9bfb7c19c5?
Critical Infrastructure includes:
- Chemical
- Communications and Information Technology
- Critical Manufacturing
- Defense Industrial Base
- Energy
- Financial Services
- Food and Agriculture
- Hazardous Materials
- Healthcare/Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders
- Other Community-Based Government Operations and Essential Functions
- Public Works
- Transportation and Logistics
- Water and Wastewater
The City of Topeka will be closing all buildings to the public effective immediately, including the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, due to the Emergency Public Health Order issued on March 18th by the Shawnee County Health Department. The City is still open for business but asks that the public conduct such business by telephone or email. Citizens also have the option of submitting issues through the SeeClickFix app. Bid openings will be done electronically and bid results will be posted on the City’s website within one business day. You can find the link to the bid tabulations and supplier portal on the City of Topeka website here: https://www.topeka.org/procurement/.
The City Express Payment Center at the Cyrus K Holliday Building will be closed. Payments may be made online at https://www.topeka.org/payonline/ or by calling the customer service call center at 785-368-3111. To make a cash payment, customers can bring their utility account payment stub and visit the following U.S. Bank branches:
- Crosby Place, 719 S. Kansas Avenue
- 5th & Jackson, 434 SW Jackson St.
- Fleming Place, 1017 SW Gage Blvd
- White Lakes, 3600 SW Topeka Blvd.
- 21st Street, 5730 SW 21st
- Wanamaker, 1064 SW Wanamaker Rd.
- Pioneer Square, 3625 NW 46th
Members of the public will only be admitted to City buildings for the limited purpose of delivering items to security personnel. However, the lobby of the Topeka Police Department will remain open to the public for non-emergency reports. Please refer to their social media accounts for the related media release and further information.
Please know that City of Topeka staff is continuing to work for the community and ensure the safety of our staff and citizens. Throughout this public health emergency, water will continue to be treated, potholes will continue to be filled, and the Police and Fire departments will continue to respond to calls.
The City of Topeka encourages our citizens to stay safe during this uncertain time, by practicing social distancing and staying home when possible.
List of City of Topeka phone numbers:
City Manager’s Office: 785-368-3725
Mayor’s Office: 785-368-3895
City Council Office: 785-368-3710
City Clerk’s Office: 785-368-3940 or 785-368-3941 cclerk@topeka.org
Customer Service Call Center: 785-368-3111
City Communications: 785-368-0991
Prosecutor’s Office: 785-368-3910
Police Department non-emergency reporting: 785-368-9551
Municipal Court Clerk’s Office: 785-368-3776
Finance Office: 785-368-3970
Fire Department Administration Office: 785-368-4000
Human Resources: 785-368-3867
Neighborhood Relations: 785-368-3711
Parking: 785-368-3916
Planning and Development: 785-368-3728
Licensing & Inspections: 785-368-3905
Permits: 785-368-3704
Public Works: 785-368-3111
Utilities: 785-368-3111
Zoo and Conservation Center 785-368-9180
Our Dear Citizens,
Your City of Topeka Governing Body wants to issue a joint statement of support for the work City of Topeka, State and Shawnee County teams are doing to keep our community safe. On our behalf, our Mayor and City Manager are in constant communication with the Shawnee County Health Department and Emergency Management.
The COVID-19/Coronavirus situation is of critical concern for our community. Your joint governing bodies are working to mitigate and predict every need of our community, such as ensuring your water is not disconnected during this situation. Each of us wants to ensure your safety and comfort at home as we ask all individuals to self-quarantine and stay in place and everyone to constantly wash hands. We ask for your grace as this is an unprecedented time with new challenges.
Through this pandemic, know that your city will not stop working for you. Essential personnel are active and departments are taking measures to work from home securely and effectively. Road crews, water treatment staff and public safety officials are all working to take care of you and will continue to do so until this is behind us.
This is a time of difficult decisions. What we consider normal and routine will not be so for some time. We are all going through the same concerns, discomfort and adjustments you are.
Now, more than ever, it is the time for us to come together and support each other. This is a time we all must adhere to what our local and state officials are asking of us.
Stay home and practice social distancing to protect others.
Did you travel and recently returned? Call SNCO Health at 785-806-6297.
Do you have COVID-19 Symptoms? CALL BEFORE YOU GO to any hospital or care provider.
If you go out? Keep social distance – stay at least 6 feet from others, no touching.
Best ways to not transfer germs? Wash hands frequently, don’t touch your face, catch coughs with tissues and throw them away.
Need ideas for educating kids or communicating with people who are in isolation? Check social media and with education and nursing home sources. Great ideas are emerging daily.
Have questions? – Watch local media for updates.
We are working to ensure that through this time your needs are met. There are so many questions. We understand. We will work to provide on time, accurate information as more information becomes available.
We look forward to the day this is all behind us. In the meantime, rest assured we are here, we are together and we are supporting the needs of our community during this difficult time.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you,
Your Governing Body
Mayor Michelle De La Isla
Karen Hiller- District 1
Christina Valdivia-Alcala- District 2
Sylvia Ortiz- District 3
Tony Emerson- District 4
Michael Padilla- District 5
Hannah Naeger- District 6
Neil Dobler- District 7
Spencer Duncan- District 8
Michael Lesser- District 9
The City of Topeka has partnered with several downtown restaurants to provide curbside pickup of to-go orders for patrons practicing social distancing and restaurateurs seeking sales while complying with a restriction on gatherings of more than 50 people due to COVID-19 concerns.
“I’m pleased that the City of Topeka can help our downtown businesses to stay open and provide food services while promoting social distancing and creating a safe environment for our citizens,” said City Manager Brent Trout.
The City of Topeka has pledged to reserve two parking stalls in front of each participating downtown eating establishment, including restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich shops and bars that serve food. Parking stalls will be designated by orange cones and a red and white sign that says “15 min food pickup only”.
“A big ‘Thank You’ to whoever came up with this idea. At this juncture, we should do anything we can to help our employees,” said Doug Thomas owner of The Classic Bean.
List of participating restaurants:
Iron Rail Brewing, 705 S Kansas Ave Juli’s Coffee and Bistro, 110 SE 8th Ave
Jersey Mike’s, 718 S Kansas Ave The Celtic Fox, 118 SW 8th St.
Classic Bean, 722 S Kansas Ave Subway, 935 S Kansas Ave
Brew Bank Topeka, 822 S Kansas Ave The Pennant, 915 S Kansas Ave
In an increased effort to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus, the Planning & Development
Department is implementing an “open for business, but not business as usual” operational plan
for the foreseeable future which highly restricts any in-person contact with clients and customers.
Through this plan, the Department will be still be able to provide customary services for all
building permit, inspection scheduling, contractor licensing, and land use/zoning needs on a
daily basis while restricting any outside public access to our 3rd floor offices in the Cyrus K
Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison.
The plan includes 1) encouraging all of our customers to use online, phone, and email as the
preferred option of doing business with Department staff, 2) activating a public counter for walkin
customers in the 1st floor lobby of the Holliday Building to transact much of the daily business
including building/trade permits, contractor licenses, and initiating zoning or subdivision actions,
3) scheduling any meetings with outside customers remotely by phone or video conferencing,
and 4) scheduling any essential in-person meetings in the 1st floor Holliday Conference Room.
The Department has a “one-stop” web page at https://www.topeka.org/developmentservices/
onestop/ containing links to Development Service applications, contacts, and resources
to help customers work with us remotely. Staffing levels may be affected during the foreseeable
future so we ask customers to use non-staff dependent resources as much as possible to help your
projects get reviewed and approved in as timely a manner as possible.
In light of the crisis, the City is also reviewing protocols for required public meetings such as
with our Boards and Commissions that are necessary to complete development projects.
We strongly encourage you to call the following numbers or visit our one-stop web page should
you have questions:
Building Permits 785-368-3704
Contractor Licensing, Trade Permits, and Scheduling Inspections 785-368-3905
Zoning and Subdivisions 785-368-3728
Please go to the City of Topeka website for more information on COVID-19 related policies
enacted by city departments: https://www.topeka.org/news/category/press-releases/
The March 17th Governing Body meeting will be cancelled due to increased efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Governing Body supports City Manager Trout’s administrative decision to establish moratorium on water shut-offs effective immediately. The City of Topeka Utilities Department will evaluate future plans again on April 15th. Customers must work in conjunction with the Utilities Department to develop a payment plan five days prior to their payment due date.
In increased efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus the City of Topeka Utilities Department encourages all customers to pay online or by phone and to set up payment plans. The customer service call center is open from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. you can contact them by phone at 785-368-3111 or by email at utilityaccounts@topeka.org. Bills can be paid online at https://www.topeka.org/payonline/.
Please go to the City of Topeka website for more information on COVID-19 related policies enacted by city departments: https://www.topeka.org/news/category/press-releases/
This order is being issued in response to the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The City Prosecutor’s Office will remain open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, in the interest of both public safety and public health during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the office will limit contact with the public by no longer allowing walk-in visitors into the office located at City Hall. Effective, Tuesday. March 17th, 2020, all business with the Prosecutor’s Office will be handled via telephone at (785) 368-3910 or fax at (785) 368-3104. If you send a fax, please reference your case number and follow up with a phone call to ensure that there were no issues with your transmission. As always, forms are accessible on the Municipal Court’s website located at www.topeka.org/municipalcourt, and no appearance can be excused without approval from a Municipal Court Judge. If you need to pick-up discovery, you can enter the City Hall building and let security know that you are here for that purpose. Security will then contact us and we will bring down the requested information to you. We will continue to assess how to respond to the ongoing changes in the health of the community and our employees. The City of Topeka Prosecutor’s Office will review this order no later than March 27, 2020, for possible extension or termination based upon public health recommendations about the current pandemic.