The City of Topeka’s utility relocations are underway in Downtown Topeka in preparation for the larger Polk-Quincy Viaduct Reconstruction project, which is being led by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).
The city must relocate sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water utilities before reconstruction of the viaduct can begin in the spring of 2025. Work will include replacing and relocating aged infrastructure, some of which is nearly 100 years old.
The city’s utility relocations include six total projects in the general area of the viaduct. The viaduct spans I-70 from MacVicar Ave. to 6th St.
In total, approximately 12,600 square yards of pavement, 7,035 feet of sanitary sewer, 2,644 feet of storm sewer and 6,009 feet of water line will be removed and replaced.
The first of the six projects, identified as Project 2, included the closure of 1st St. between Polk St. and Taylor St. This project included new water line and is scheduled to be complete in January 2024.
The remaining five projects, referred to as projects 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are set to begin in early 2024. Project timelines will be coordinated to help minimize traffic and construction impacts to businesses, drivers and residents. While the city will make efforts to minimize full road closures and maintain two-way traffic throughout construction, commuters who regularly drive the I-70 corridor through downtown should plan for potentially significant traffic delays. Alternate routes are encouraged. Detour information will be posted and shared in advance of any full road closure.
The city developed a website that is dedicated to these utility relocation projects. To view detour information, status updates and more, please visit https://www.topeka.org/utilities/pqv/.
City of Topeka Utilities Director Sylvia Davis is expected to make a presentation about these projects to the Governing Body during the January 9, 2024 Topeka City Council Meeting. Listen in person or watch live on Cox Local Channel 4, Facebook or the City4 Livestream. Community members are encouraged to tune in to learn more about the projects.
Edited:
The City of Topeka is offering a new Property Tax Rebate Program to help lessen the property tax burden for qualifying Topeka residents who are 65 or older.
The program, which is now live, was approved by Topeka’s Governing Body in September of 2023 and is being administered by the city’s Administrative and Financial Services Department. The city’s program is similar to, but separate from the State of Kansas Homestead Refund Program.
“This City has lowered the mill levy for consecutive years, and the City Council is committed to working on property tax reduction for citizens. Most importantly, ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens can remain in their homes without worrying about their tax bill is a priority for all of us in City Hall. This program is one more step in that direction,” said Councilman Spencer Duncan.
The program allows for a rebate, or refund, of a portion of the property taxes paid on a Topeka resident’s home. The rebate will come from and cannot exceed the property tax amount that was originally paid to the City of Topeka.
The city’s rebate program is not available to renters. Applicants must own and occupy their primary home within Topeka city limits and meet all necessary eligibility qualifications to receive a property tax rebate. All rebates will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Residents who are interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to visit https://www.topeka.org/finance/property-tax-rebate-program/. Eligibility and sign up information is included online. Additionally, hard copies of applications are available in person in the document holders in the lobbies of City Hall and the Holliday Building. No electronic applications will be accepted.
The City of Topeka announced Tuesday that it is parting ways with former Chief Financial Officer Freddy Mawyin.
Mawyin had been on administrative leave since December 11, 2023 following his arrest for domestic battery.
As this relates to a personnel matter, the city will not be commenting further.
Rachelle Mathews has been named Acting Finance Director and will serve in the role until further notice.
During the December 5 Topeka City Council Meeting, Topeka’s Governing Body is expected to approve a contract extending Richard U. Nienstedt’s time as Interim City Manager. This extension will allow the city time to search for a long-term City Manager.
“The Governing Body is ready to move towards finding a long-term City Manager. Richard is doing a wonderful job serving as Interim City Manager, and we’re thrilled that he will stay on while we search for our long-term City Manager,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla. “The Governing Body believes it’s in the best interest of our citizens to get this process underway as soon as possible and move towards the permanency and stability our residents and employees deserve from the City Manager’s Office.”
Nienstedt first came on as Topeka’s Acting City Manager in June, before being named Interim City Manager in July. Nienstedt expects to stay for up to six more months, or until a long-term City Manager is named.
“Serving Topeka has been an honor and I’m pleased to be able to extend my time as Interim City Manager,” said Nienstedt. “I look forward to continuing to support the great work of our employees and work with our Governing Body on important policy decisions to positively impact our residents.”
The city is also negotiating amendments to its contract with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), who was initially contracted in September to search for a long-term Interim City Manager. The city now plans to have SGR conduct the search for a long-term City Manager.
In the coming weeks, the city expects to be able to provide an update about the search process for a long-term City Manager.
The City of Topeka received a near-perfect Municipal Equality Index (MEI) score in 2023, earning 97 out of 100 possible points. The score is the highest in the city’s history.
The MEI is a nationwide evaluation by the Human Rights Campaign of 506 cities on how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
“This is the third year the City of Topeka has participated in the Municipal Equity Index and receiving the highest score yet is a recognition of our efforts to make Topeka an equitable, inclusive, and belonging community,” said Ernestor De La Rosa, the city’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. “As a city, we will continue to work within the organization and with our community partners to ensure we are a welcoming community where we recognize the contributions of ALL residents, including those of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“I’m so proud of our collective community efforts to reach this exciting milestone of a near-perfect MEI score,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla. “This score speaks to the intentional investments and thought we’ve put into ensuring greater equity in Topeka, including the creation of our DEI Office in January of this year.”
To read Topeka’s scorecard in full, visit hrc.org.mei.
The City of Topeka’s Governing Body announced Tuesday night during the Topeka City Council Meeting that the city will be taking a phased approach to the implementation of the new restricted areas for camping as outlined in the amended ordinance set to take effect on November 17, 2023. This decision is due to several factors including timing and anticipated upcoming winter weather, resources, and the ongoing homeless initiative process that is well underway.
With this phased approach, the city will immediately begin stepping up its enforcement of existing areas where camping is not permitted. This includes areas where the city receives complaints including proximity to infrastructure (bridges, bus shelters, buildings, water towers, etc.) and in our business corridors like Downtown and NOTO.
When enforcing the existing no camping areas, the city will prioritize connecting those who are unsheltered with resources and partners who provide housing assistance and other services.
The Governing Body also wants to send a strong message to those who are unsheltered that camps must be maintained in a clean and safe manner. Additionally, structures are not permitted and will be addressed.
The Governing Body plans to evaluate the implementation of all pieces of the ordinance in early 2024.
Jacque Russell, Human Resources Director, announced she’s leaving the City of Topeka in December after 16 years of service with the city.
Russell joined the city in July of 2007 as the Classification and Compensation Manager, before being promoted to HR Director in April of 2008. During her time at the city, she’s helped reshape the city’s benefits and wellness program for employees, worked collaboratively with city departments to improve recruitment and retention, and recently led the efforts to rollout a new onboarding system for new employees.
“Jacque has been an integral part of the city’s leadership team for 16 years. We will miss her experience, institutional knowledge, and all that she brought to her service of both our city employees and Topeka residents. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” said Interim City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt.
“I am so appreciative of all of the relationships and collaboration that I have been a part of across our organization. It has been an incredible opportunity to serve the City of Topeka over the years, and I close this chapter being proud of all we have been able to accomplish together,” said Russell.
Russell’s last day with the city will be December 1, 2023. In the coming weeks, the city will identify an internal employee to serve as Interim Human Resources Director. The city plans to conduct a nationwide search to fill the position on a permanent basis.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Topeka Development Corporation officially retained ownership of Hotel Topeka at City Center. The hotel was purchased for just over $7.6 million.
The hotel remains open for business, and all services are expected to continue as normal.
The Topeka Development Corporation was formed mid-October to take ownership of the hotel, obtain the necessary licenses and insurance, and to contract with a management company to oversee day to day hotel operations.
The corporation has contracted with GF Hotels & Resorts to operate the hotel. GF Hotels & Resorts currently operates the hotel, which allows for continuity of hotel operations.
In recent weeks, the corporation awarded contracts to an asset manager and for a facilities assessment. The asset manager is helping the corporation identify an appropriate brand for the hotel, and will work to identify and help select a long-term private operator. The facilities assessment is underway and ongoing.
“We are excited about the purchase being finalized, and steadfast in our desire to see the hotel re-developed and eventually brought back to private ownership,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla, who also serves as president of the corporation’s board of directors. “In the coming months, the corporation, board of directors, and staff will be working closely with our asset manager and partners to develop a long-term plan for the hotel so that it can be a staple in our community for many years to come.”
To read more about the Topeka Development Corporation, visit www.topekadevelopmentcorporation.com.
The Topeka Municipal Court and Probation and Prosecution Divisions have resumed customer-service facing operations on Thursday, October 19, following a temporary closure of the court.
Effective immediately, the court is resuming in-person and over-the-phone services to its customers, and will be working to reschedule dockets and trials that have been cancelled this week.
Dockets and trials remain cancelled for the week and will resume on Monday, October 23. All court, probation and prosecution operations will resume as normal that day.
The possible cyber security concern was thoroughly investigated, and court operations are able to resume.
The City of Topeka is extending the temporary closure of its Municipal Court and Probation and Prosecution Divisions through Friday while it continues to investigate a possible cyber security concern with one of the court’s information systems. It remains unclear whether or not the incident is related to the Kansas Supreme Court’s security incident.
All impacted dockets and trials will be rescheduled. Court operations will open to the public on Monday, October 23.
“This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution. We understand the impact this closure has on the community, and we look forward to resuming Court operations on Monday, or sooner, if possible,” said Topeka Municipal Court Administrative Judge Karan Thadani.