SE Monroe St. will soon be open for traffic as the City of Topeka Utilities Department finishes work on Utilities Relocation Project 6. This is one of six relocation projects the city began in 2024 in preparation for the larger Kansas Department of Transportation
(KDOT) Polk-Quincy Viaduct (PQV) Reconstruction Project.
On Friday, December 20, the one-way SE Monroe St. will reopen to traffic from SE 3rd St. to SE6th Ave. The eastbound I-70 on-ramp at SE 4th St. will also reopen Friday. Project 6 consisted of necessary sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water line relocations. While current traffic control
will be removed on Friday, the outer right lane of Monroe St. between 3rd St. and 6th Ave. will be closed until Friday, January 3.
“We are happy to see roads downtown reopening as these utility relocation projects begin to wrap up,” said Utilities Director Sylvia Davis. “We understand maneuvering through detours has been a frustration for drivers, but we appreciate their patience and look forward to completing
city work so KDOT can begin their efforts to replace the aging Polk-Quincy Viaduct.”
About the COT Utility Relocation Project
The City of Topeka’s utility relocations began in early 2024 in order to relocate sanitary sewer,
storm sewer and water utilities before KDOT begins reconstruction of the viaduct in the spring
of 2025.
The city’s utility relocations include six total projects in the general area of the viaduct, titled
Project 2-7. The viaduct spans I-70 from MacVicar Ave. to 6th Ave. Project 2 and Project 7 were
completed earlier this year. Projects 4 and 5 are planned to be complete in early 2025.
The City of Topeka is actively addressing concerns regarding overflowing dumpsters at
multiple properties owned by a local landlord. These conditions have raised concerns among nearby
residents about public health and neighborhood cleanliness.
The city’s Property Maintenance Unit has been in contact with the landlord and has issued the appropriate
citations in accordance with city ordinances. In response, the landlord has taken steps to resolve the issue,
and new dumpsters are expected to be delivered to the affected properties later this week. The city will
continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance with waste management requirements.
The City of Topeka recognizes that some tenants may hesitate to report property maintenance issues, such as
overflowing dumpsters or unsafe living conditions, due to fear of retaliation or eviction by their landlord. In
May 2024, the Topeka City Council strengthened its retaliatory eviction ordinance, ensuring residents can
assert their right to a clean, safe, and sanitary home without fear of retaliation.
Residents can find more information about the city’s resources to address retaliatory action and their rights
under city ordinance by visiting our website here: https://www.topeka.org/tpd/property-maintenancedivision/retaliatory-eviction/
The City of Topeka is committed to creating a clean, safe, and livable environment for all residents. Tenants and community members can report property maintenance concerns by contacting the City of Topeka’s
Property Maintenance Division at 785-368-3161, using our SeeClickFix app, or via email at
propertymaintenance@topeka.org
The City of Topeka announced Wednesday that Chris Vallejo will serve as the city’s next police chief for the Topeka Police Department.
After a nationwide search and an extensive interview process that included public input sessions, community panel interviews, and a public meet and greet, Topeka City Manager Dr. Robert Perez has selected Chris Vallejo to lead the Topeka Police Department.
“After receiving valuable input from our community and stakeholders, I am confident that Chris Vallejo will lead the Topeka Police Department in a positive direction,” said Dr. Robert Perez. “His proven achievements, including innovative recruitment strategies and impactful community-based initiatives, will elevate the department and strengthen the bond between our officers and the people they serve.”
Chris Vallejo has 30 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles during his tenure with the Austin Texas Police Department (APD). Vallejo holds a Master of Criminal Justice from Texas State University. During his time as Commander in Training at the APD, Vallejo helped to develop inclusive and diverse training programs and implemented recruitment strategies that resulted in the most diverse cadet class in APD history. He also pioneered the creation of a Chief Data Officer position that aimed to integrate community-based initiatives to foster to trust and collaboration between the APD, elected officials and the community. Vallejo currently serves as a National Policing Institute Executive Fellow, regularly collaborating with Police Chiefs nationwide and advising on strategies to address evolving challenges in U.S. law enforcement.
“I am truly honored and excited to serve as your next chief of police.” said Chris Vallejo. “This is the highest privilege, and I am deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in me. In the initial weeks, I look forward to getting to know the dedicated men and women in the Topeka Police Department and building meaningful connections with this incredible community that my family and I are eager to join. Together, we will work to reduce crime, overcome challenges, and create a safer and stronger future for everyone in Topeka.”
Vallejo is expected to start the week of January 20, 2025.
The City of Topeka is calling on community-minded residents to apply for the newly re-established Citizen Government Review Committee. This committee will play a vital role in examining and evaluating the City of Topeka’s form of government, with the goal of making thoughtful recommendations for potential amendments and modifications to improve its effectiveness and alignment with the community’s needs.
The Governing Body seeks five civically minded individuals who reflect the diversity of Topeka’s population. Committee members will be tasked with a comprehensive review and analysis of current governmental structures, working collaboratively to provide insights that will shape the city’s future governance. The past Citizen Government Review Committee in 2014 helped define the current roles of the Mayor. Topeka Citizen Government Review Committees date back to 1983. Click here for more information about the roles of our Topeka Government.
Required Qualifications:
- Applicants must be registered voters living within Topeka city limits.
- Candidates must be available for a substantial time commitment from January to June 2025 to attend meetings, participate in discussions, and contribute to the completion of a final report for the Governing Body.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with the city’s governmental form is advantageous.
- Candidates should demonstrate an ability to evaluate issues fairly and without bias.
- Members will need to articulate ideas effectively and listen to diverse perspectives.
- Ability to lead and work cohesively within a group is essential.
Applications are being accepted now through December 3, 2024. Interested individuals can apply online by clicking this link.
The City of Topeka announced Wednesday that Steve Groen will serve as the city’s next Public Works Director.
Groen holds a BA in Business Administration-Financial Management from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. He has 40 years’ experience in the industry, having started as a seasonal concrete worker in college before working a variety of utility and street construction positions. Groen was promoted to Hennepin County Construction Division Manager in 2021. He currently serves as the Highway Superintendent for Minnehaha County Highway Department in Sioux Falls, SD.
“I am thrilled to have Steve join us,” said City Manager Dr. Robert Perez. “He will bring a multitude of experience to the City of Topeka and will be a great asset to our team.”
Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley, who oversees infrastructure and development departments and is currently serving as interim public works director, said “I am pleased to add Steve to my management team. He has many years of public works experience over a broad range of service areas.”
“I look forward to serving as the City of Topeka’s next public works director,” Groen said. “The recruitment of engineering staff will be a priority, as well as continuing work on improvements to the city’s streets, traffic control devices, and facilities.”
Groen’s first day will be December 9th.
The City of Topeka and GO Topeka are joining forces to equip small business owners with the tools they need to succeed with the 2024 Supplier Diversity Workshop.
The Supplier Diversity Workshop will take place on November 13, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bishop Professional Development Center, 3601 SW 31st St. The workshop is designed to empower small business owners by providing valuable insights into how to successfully do business with the government.
In addition to covering the essential steps for securing government contracts, the workshop will also include several panels that will cover topics such as: legal compliance, sound accounting practices, comprehensive insurance coverage, key elements for how to sustain and grow a business, and much more.
“We recognize that running a business requires a holistic approach,” said Leigha Boling, division director of procurement and grant management for the City of Topeka. “This workshop is a way that we can help connect small, minority and disadvantaged business owners with the right resources and contacts for success.”
Individuals interested in attending the Supplier Diversity Workshop should pre-register online. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees. There will also be translation services available for Spanish speakers. Individuals needing translation services can find the registration form in Spanish on the city’s website.
This event is a condensed version of the Supplier Diversity Expo that was hosted by the city earlier this year. The expo and workshop were both made free to attend due to a grant received from the National League of Cities (NLC) as a part of the City of Topeka’s participation in the City Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) program.
With severe storms forecasted to impact the Topeka area on Wednesday, the City of Topeka is prepared to respond to potential storm damage and is mobilizing resources to assist with storm debris clean-up.
To report downed city-owned trees, blocked streets or sidewalks from tree debris, or traffic light issues, residents are encouraged to contact the City of Topeka Call Center at 785-368-3111 or report through the SeeClickFix app or webpage. Crews will prioritize moving debris to the side of the road to reopen traffic access as swiftly as possible.
The City of Topeka will focus on clearing city-owned trees and ensuring roadways remain accessible. Should severe storm damage affect large portions of the city, the City Manager will determine if the city will initiate a city-wide storm damage pickup. If city-wide pickup is not implemented, property owners are responsible for removing and disposing of their own tree limbs and other debris. Stay tuned for further updates as the City of Topeka continues to monitor the storm. Please follow the City of Topeka on social media or visit the city’s website for the latest information.
The City of Topeka has announced the four finalists for the Topeka police chief position.
(Simon Happer withdrew his application on 11/04/24) W. Simon Happer currently serves as the deputy police chief for the Overland Park Police Department in Overland Park, Kansas. Lieutenant Colonel Happer has 34 years of law enforcement experience and 19 years of senior police leadership including serving as the interim police chief for the Overland Park Police Department. Happer received his Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Happer has worked with his command staff to develop new strategies to address staffing issues including several proposals which focus on retention of current employees, recruitment of candidates from colleges, the military and high schools, as well as our commitment to the 30 by 30 campaign. Happer says he hopes to reduce crime rates, increase traffic safety and improve morale, while building trust with a diverse population hungry for transparency and collaboration.
Russ Klumpp currently serves as a Major for the Topeka Police Department. Klumpp has 19 years of leadership and executive experience. He works in the Criminal Investigations and Field Operation units. Klumpp was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly as a member of the Kansas 988 committee to help reduce suicide rates. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from Walden University. Klumpp says he plans to emphasize strong community relationships, a commitment to meaningful and open communication, police department accountability, improved care and procedural integrity for employees, advancements in the provision of police services, and increasing officer morale.
(Jose Salcido withdrew his application on 10/31/24) Jose Salcido has more than 27 years of law enforcement experience, most recently serving as the Director of Campus Security at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Salcido holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the United States Air Force Air Academy and has a human resources certification. Salcido served in the United States Air Force for 25 years before retiring as a Major. During his time with the Wichita Police Department (WPD), he led a department of investigators overseeing all criminal investigations and helped to develop various crime prevention strategies in partnership with the community.
Chris Vallejo has 30 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles during his tenure with the Austin Texas Police Department (APD). Vallejo holds a Master of Criminal Justice from Texas State University. During his time as Commander in Training at the APD, Vallejo helped to develop inclusive and diverse training programs and implemented recruitment strategies that resulted in the most diverse cadet class in APD history. He also pioneered the creation of a Chief Data Officer position that aimed to integrate community-based initiatives to foster to trust and collaboration between the APD, elected officials and the community. Vallejo currently serves as a National Policing Institute Executive Fellow, regularly collaborating with Police Chiefs nationwide and advising on strategies to
address evolving challenges in U.S. law enforcement.
To give residents an opportunity to meet the finalists, the city will host a public meet and greet on Wednesday, November 6, at Hotel Topeka, located at 1717 SW Topeka Blvd. The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will provide community members the chance to interact with the candidates and ask questions.
Following the public event, there will be a special meeting of the Governing Body at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, to discuss the police chief candidates, with the goal of selecting the next leader of the Topeka Police Department. They will meet in executive session
The City of Topeka Utilities Department has completed the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) required by U.S. EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) for its water systems.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), water systems are required to make their initial inventories publicly accessible. The inventory map is available on the City of Topeka Utilities webpage under “Topeka’s LCRI Compliance”.
Through completing a historical records review, conducting surveys and performing field checks, the City determined there are 291 lead service lines in its distribution system, 810 galvanized lines requiring replacement (GRR), and 3,112 lines that are made of unknown material. These numbers include both
city-owned and customer-owned service lines. The remaining 53,592 service lines in the distribution system are identified as non-lead.
“We are proud to be part of the national effort to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water,” said Utilities Director Sylvia Davis.
City of Topeka Utilities prepared the LSLI for submittal to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Over the next three years, Utilities plans to continue work to identify the remaining unknown service lines. Simultaneously, plans will begin to replace the City’s lead service lines and the GRR.
About the LCRI The EPA first established the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991 to reduce exposure to lead and copper in water. These contaminants primarily enter drinking water through corrosion of service lines, fixtures, or plumbing. EPA published Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in 2021 and proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in 2023 to strengthen key elements of the LCRR. The final rule was approved on October 8, 2024.