Press Releases

The City of Topeka is making staffing changes due to budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Personnel have been notified of their position elimination and currently remain employed by the city. These staff members are currently working to transition their duties to other departments and staff.

The specific positions eliminated include the Deputy City Manager, Director of Neighborhood Relations and Emergency Manager. The City of Topeka will continue to work closely with Shawnee County Emergency Management for city emergency response. The Neighborhood Relations Department will be absorbed into another department, which will be decided at a later date.

These individuals are not being dismissed due to any conduct or performance issues.  However, the effect the pandemic is anticipated to have on the city budget is likely to be severe.  This requires that steps be taken to responsibly navigate through this unprecedented event, including the elimination of positions.

“Eliminating these positions was a difficult decision. I want to thank Doug, Sasha and Jim for the hard work and years of service that they gave to the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Their contributions helped to make the city a better community to live and work in.”

The elimination of these three positions, including salaries and benefits, will save the city approximately $446,000 in 2021.

Today, the League of American Bicyclists honored the efforts of the City of Topeka to build better places for people to bike with a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Topeka joins 459 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes Topeka for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit its residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. 

“Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a powerful tool for building healthier communities, fostering sustainability, and connecting people,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The cities and towns recognized in this round of Bicycle Friendly Community awards are leading the way by investing in infrastructure and programs that make biking an easier, safer, and more accessible choice. Their leadership demonstrates that supporting bicycling is an investment in a healthier future for everyone.” 

The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. The League strives to provide continual updates to the application as part of our commitment to help communities raise their standards for safety, equity, and accessibility. 

This round of awards includes 91 new and renewing awardees, joining a total of 460 current Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bronze-level BFC award recognizes Topeka’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through investments in bike education programs, regular bike events that promote and encourage people to choose biking, pro-bike policies, and bike infrastructure. 

“We are excited to be recognized again as a bike-friendly city,” said Braxton Copley, Assistant City Manager. “We understand that many people in Topeka use bikes for recreation or as their main form of transportation. We will continue working to provide safe opportunities to bike throughout the city.” 

Nearly 900 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community program, which provides a roadmap to making biking better for communities of all shapes and sizes. While the award process considers very visible elements such as bike infrastructure, other essential elements include efforts around adult and youth bike education, encouragement through events like Bike to Work Day, evaluation mechanisms, and enforcement all through the lens of equity. The rigorous application process is an educational tool in itself, and includes an opportunity for local bicyclists and active transportation advocates to provide input on their experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community.   

The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear incentive for communities to continue to improve. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards, and community-driven best practices. 

To learn more about the BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community. 

  About the League of American Bicyclists 

The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org. 

Below is the description of the Topeka project

Topeka, KS — Open Data and Project Portal

When the City exercises an open and transparent government, it increases accountability and builds trust with people by sharing information and engaging in ongoing conversations with employees and the public. To increase transparency and accountability we have created data portals for budget, checkbook and projects. This information is machine readable and easy to understand and filter. The checkbook shows all expenditures and the project portal shows all active projects. We are continuously shifting to proactive disclosure of frequently requested public information of any kind, with the goal to reduce staff time and costs by 10 to 20 percent. As citizens utilize open data, it begins to provide public value. Open government is about changing the way the City operates and its internal culture. While open government work often involves new technologies and sharing collected data with the public, at its core, open government is about building and fostering relationships. One of the dashboards is designed to offer insight into the associated costs and timelines for the city’s active Capital Improvement Projects. Currently we are providing detail project information on approx. 160 projects with an estimated budget of $220MM. Higher visibility results in higher accountability.

City Manager Stephen Wade announced Monday that Ernestor De La Rosa was selected to serve as the City of Topeka’s very first Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. De La Rosa will start in January 2023 and will lead the city’s newly created DEI office.

“I’m thrilled that Ernestor will be our first Chief DEI Officer. This role will truly impact lives in our community, and affect local government policies,” said Wade. “It’s extremely important that we ensure a work environment and community where all have an opportunity to succeed. Ernestor is up to the task, and I look forward to welcoming him to Topeka, and supporting his work for years to come.”

“The idea of DEI has been talked about, and in many ways initiated in America, but for Topeka, this is the first official step by our local government to place DEI at the forefront of all we do. This speaks volumes about the Governing Body and its willingness to embrace the many possibilities active DEI can bring to the City of Topeka,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla. “Ernestor has a strong background in practicing DEI as a government official. I’m excited that he will bring those experiences to Topeka, and help us grow as a community.”

De La Rosa comes to Topeka from the City of Dodge City, KS, where he’s served a variety of roles over the last eight years, including Assistant City Manager, Human Resources Director, Assistant Finance Director, Mobility Manager, and more. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from Wichita State University, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Hays State University.

De La Rosa, who’s first language is Spanish, was born and raised in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at 12. He’s a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, and is passionate about working in the immigration realm. He’s served on various community boards.

“I am honored and excited to join the City of Topeka. I look forward to working with the Governing Body, city staff and Topeka residents to develop, adopt and implement proactive diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategies in all aspects of the city,” said De La Rosa. “I commend city leadership’s commitment to building a robust diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and community. Topeka is stronger together.”

De La Rosa will also serve as the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, where he will work alongside the ADA Advisory Council to make Topeka a safer, more accessible community.

Additionally, Wade announced that Topeka Police Lieutenant Manuel Munoz is serving a special assignment as the city’s Deputy Director of DEI. Munoz, who also immigrated from Mexico, has served the Topeka community as a police officer for more than 30 years. Munoz will continue serving as TPD’s Public Information Officer.

Both De La Rosa and Munoz will be housed out of City Hall. Additional information on how to connect with the city’s DEI office will come out early 2023.

 

The City of Topeka announced Monday that it hired Rhiannon Friedman to serve as its next Planning and Development Director.

“I’m thrilled that Rhiannon has accepted the position to serve as the Planning and Development Director. Rhiannon is an experienced leader and a great asset to the City of Topeka and the Topeka community as a whole. The role is key in ensuring we’re shaping a great future for Topeka, and we look to Rhiannon to lead a great group of employees who are doing important work,” said Richard Nienstedt, Acting City Manager.

Friedman had been serving as the Planning and Development Department’s interim director since January. The department is made up of three divisions including development services, housing, and planning.

She was previously hired in the fall of 2022 to serve as the Director of Development and Economic Growth. Prior to her time at the city, Friedman served as the President of Downtown Topeka, Inc. for two years. She was previously selected as a 2022 International Downtown Association Fellow, becoming one of only 30 professionals to participate in the national program. She is currently a member of the 2023 Leadership Kansas class. Friedman has a bachelor’s in political science and government from K-State.

“I’m excited to stay on as the Planning and Development Director, where I’ve served as Interim for the past five months. We have a great team that is dedicated to the continued focus of improving the planning and development process as well as bringing more housing and commercial development to the Topeka community,” said Friedman.

Friedman is serving in the role effective immediately.

 

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’s Street Division is launching its first ever contest to name one of its 72,000 pound snowplows.

The contest is open now through Friday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. The contest rules are simple:

• One entry per adult or child
• Entries must be 15 characters or less, including spaces between words

Once the contest has closed, a three-member panel from the City’s Street Division will review and select their favorite entry. The author’s name and the winning entry will be announced on the City’s social media accounts, and through traditional media in mid-October.

The snow plow’s new name will be mounted on a metal sign and attached to the unit.

To enter the naming contest, visit the City’s website.

 

Effective Tuesday April 14^th, 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 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.

The City of Topeka is partnering with the Mexican Consulate of Kansas City and the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library to host a Mexican Art Exhibit that coincides with Fiesta Topeka.

The exhibit, “Simple Memories of Routine Life,” features work from artist and curator Mauricio Zúñiga. Zúñiga, who’s originally from Jalisco, Mexico, lives in Kansas City. His work incudes paintings, photography, plastics and sculptures, and has been featured in galleries and venues in major cities like Albuquerque, Chicago and Kansas City.

The public is invited to view the art and meet the artist during a welcome reception hosted by Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla on Wednesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the library’s Anton Room.

“I’m so excited that Mauricio is bringing his beautiful art to Topeka during our community’s Fiesta Topeka celebration,” said Mayor Padilla. “We know that art tells stories, and there is no one better than Mauricio to help tell the story of the Mexican-American culture – especially during such an exciting time in Topeka. I invite everyone to stop by the library to see the exhibit.”

The exhibit, which will be displayed in the main hall and second floor of the library, is open between July 19 and August 30. The public is welcome to visit the exhibit during the library’s hours which are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 9 p.m.

To learn more about the gallery, visit https://tscpl.org/gallery.