During the month of March, the City of Topeka temporarily had higher-than-normal cloudiness in its water.

The cloudiness, officially referred to as turbidity, was caused by conditions of the Kansas River due to recent rainfall.

City staff self-reported the information to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). KDHE considered the turbidity levels a minor violation. KDHE and City staff were in regular communication, and agreed the water remained safe to drink throughout the period of turbidity.

“We are alerting the public to this information to be transparent, and to also assure them that the water in Topeka is safe to drink,” said Braxton Copley, Director of Utilities. “While turbidity temporarily exceeded normal levels, cloudiness does often occur after the first heavy rainfall of the year. I am very proud of our Utilities staff who worked tirelessly to resolve this situation.”

The City’s turbidity levels were out of compliance with KDHE regulations for approximately 13 hours.

The City’s water remains in compliance with KDHE standards in all aspects.

In July 2021, Governor Laura Kelly announced that as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Plan (IKE), the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project in Topeka was placed into the construction pipeline. The project expands I-70 from four lanes to six lanes from MacVicar Avenue to Topeka Boulevard, replaces the existing viaduct by flattening the curve on I-70 at Third Street, and makes improvements for motorists traveling through or entering downtown Topeka.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the first phase of the project will begin this summer, continuing off and on through the summer of 2024. It will include demolition of acquired properties for right-of-way, archeological survey work and utility relocation, weather permitting.

The second phase of the project is pavement maintenance and bridge deck patching on seven bridges along I-70 in downtown Topeka. This will allow the continued use of the roadway until the construction of the viaduct replacement begins. The pavement and deck patching will occur during the 2022 and 2023 construction seasons.

Reconstruction and replacement of I-70 and the Polk Quincy Viaduct will occur in the final phase of the project, which is scheduled to begin in early 2025. Drivers should expect traffic delays during the next few years as lane and ramp closures are necessary.

The cost of the project is estimated to be $234 million.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the City of Topeka will receive $1.7 million to fund its homeless housing and service program, Shelter Plus Care. The City was awarded an additional $51,737 in planning funds to help the homeless population.

This announcement comes one day after the City reported an increase in the homeless population from its annual Point in Time Homeless Count.

According to the count, 365 people, and 297 households are experiencing homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County. 40% of the homeless population are unsheltered, meaning they are not living in an emergency shelter or in transitional housing.

“Shelter Plus Care helps around 240 households on a given month. This renewal of funding can help some of those unsheltered individuals in the community, as that number is increasing,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka.

Shelter Plus Care is a program designed to provide rental assistance to homeless persons with disabilities, including severe and persistent mental illness, chronic problems with alcohol and/or drugs. Participants may choose their residence from units where the landlord agrees to accept the established housing subsidy, and abide by the Shelter Plus Care program guidelines.

In order to be eligible for Shelter Plus Care, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You are homeless, living in the streets or shelter
• You suffer from one of the following disabilities; severe mental illness, chronic substance abuse, and/or HIV/AIDS
• You are receiving case management services through one of the designated agencies

For a full list of criteria, and for more information about Shelter Plus Care, visit https://www.topeka.org/housing-services/shelter-plus-care/.

Shelter Plus Care can only accept referrals from the agencies providing case management.

Over the last year, Topeka and Shawnee County saw its homeless population grow, according to the annual Point in Time Homeless Count.

The count took place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. The one-day event provides a snapshot of the individuals in our community who are experiencing homelessness, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Nearly 50 people helped with this year’s count.

According to the count, 365 people, and 297 households are experiencing homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County. 64% of those who are homeless are male, while 36% are female. 40% of the homeless population are unsheltered, meaning they are not living in an emergency shelter or in transitional housing.

“The increase in the number of unsheltered homeless is no surprise to the Topeka/Shawnee County Homeless Task Force,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. “The pandemic has made it more challenging to house people and we are desperately working on the solution. The count helps us recognize this disparity and fix it as quickly as possible.”

Below is a chart that breaks down the numbers from 2020, 2021 and 2022. For a more detailed look at the 2022 numbers, visit https://cot-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/HousingSvcs/Point+in+Time+Count+-+2022.pdf.

To receive funding for programs, HUD requires communities complete a count each year. The count ensures the City can obtain the appropriate level of funding to be able to provide needed services to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk for homelessness.

The Topeka City Council’s Policy and Finance Committee will host a public input session on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the City’s Holliday Building located at 620 SE Madison St.

The purpose of the session is to solicit feedback from the community regarding what criteria and qualifications should be met, in order to be eligible to apply for the $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Council voted to allocate for social services.

“This will be a deliberative process with decisions made based on input we receive from Topekans,” said Topeka’s Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan, and the Chair of the Policy and Finance Committee. “This is just one step in a layered process, and we look forward to hearing directly from citizens regarding their expectations of us during this process.”

The Policy and Finance Committee is currently working with City staff on the application and process for social services.

To sign up for public comment, visit https://www.topeka.org/cityclerk/sign-up-to-speak-at-a-governing-body-meeting/. The deadline to sign up for public comment is 5:00 p.m. the date of the meeting. Public comment can be made in person or by Zoom. Public comment is limited to four minutes per person. Time extensions will not be granted.

On February 12, the Council voted to approve setting aside $35,676,831 to be allocated for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and $10 million to be allocated for social services. The City received $45,676,831 in ARPA funds.

Interim City Manager Bill Cochran announced Wednesday that Randy Phillips was selected to be the next Fire Chief for the City of Topeka.

Chief Phillips has 26 years of experience in fire service, all of which has been spent at the Topeka Fire Department (TFD). Chief Phillips rose through TFD’s ranks, and had been serving as the Interim Deputy Chief since December 2021.

Chief Phillips’ father, Dennis Phillips, was the Topeka Fire Chief from 2002 to 2004.

“I am very excited that Randy Phillips will serve as Fire Chief. Randy is a life-long Topekan, and seeing homegrown talent serve in key leadership roles is extremely important to me, and many others in our community,” said Interim City Manager Cochran. “I am confident with Chief Phillips’ strong leadership qualities and experience, he will ensure the strategic planning and vision for the department continues to move forward.”

Chief Phillips was selected out of five finalists. This selection is effective March 4, when Chief Craig Duke retires.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the brave men and women that make up the Topeka Fire Department,” said Chief Phillips. “The fire service is a team effort and I am excited to work together to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Topeka.”

The City of Topeka is kicking off another “Fix Our Streets” construction season, which will run from the first of March through November.

There are 13 reconstruction projects, and an additional 14 street rehabilitation, repair, or mill and overlay projects slated for the 2022 construction season.

Through the City’s various programs, crews will repair, replace or build new infrastructure, to include new sidewalks that didn’t exist before.

The following reconstruction projects are slated for 2022:

• NW Tyler St. – NW Lyman Rd. to NW Beverly St.
• NW Tyler – Lyman to US 24
• SE California Ave. – SE 37th St. to SE 45th St.
• SW 17th St. – I-470 Bridge to SW Wanamaker Rd. and SW Westport Dr. – SW 17th St. to SW Wanamaker Rd.
• SW Gage Blvd. from SW Emland Dr. to SW 6th St.
• SW 12th St. – SW Gage Blvd. to S Kansas Ave.
• SE Quincy St. – SE 6^th St. to SE 8^th St.
• SW 30^th St./SW Hillcrest Rd./SW Twilight Dr./SW Eveningside Dr.
• N Kansas Ave. – NW Morse St. to NE Soldier St.
• SE 6^th St. – Shunga Creek Bridge Deck
• SE Carnahan Ave. – I‐70 to SE 21st St.
• Private Drive – SW Knollwood Dr. to SW 28th St., and west of SW Washburn Ave.
• SW Kent Pl. – street and cul-de-sac north of SW 10th Ave.

Funding for Fix Our Streets is primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.

For more information on projects scheduled for 2022, visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.

Topeka City Council took action during Saturday’s Special Meeting to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for two funding priorities, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Social Service Programs.

The Council voted to approve setting aside $35,676,831 to be allocated for CIP, and $10 million to be allocated for Social Service Programs.

The Council’s Policy and Finance Committee will meet on March 1 to work on the application and process for funding Social Service Programs. The Policy and Finance Committee members include Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan, Councilwoman Hannah Naeger, and Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcalá.

The City received $45,676,831 in ARPA funds. No ARPA funds have been spent to date.

Additionally, the City encourages organizations to apply for the State of Kansas’ Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funds to maximize our community’s potential for ARPA funds. The application for SPARK is due on Wednesday, February 16. A link to the application can be found here: https://covid.ks.gov/spark-submission-form/.

Beginning Thursday, February 10, masks will no longer required to be worn in City of Topeka buildings by employees or visitors, with the exception of Municipal Court. Municipal Court will continue to require masks until further notice.

The City encourages employees and visitors to practice social distancing and mask-wearing when possible.

The City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program received a $750,000 grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. Capitol Federal® Savings Bank is the sponsor for the grant, and will be assisting the City with the program.

The City’s Housing Services Division administers the Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program, which assists low-income homeowners who need repairs to bring their homes up to code.

“We are very excited to be helping more low-income families in Topeka. Many of the people we serve are not only low-income, but elderly, and sometimes disabled. This grant will allow us to help over 50 families with property maintenance rehabilitation on their homes this year,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services.

The Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program helps residents to maintain a safe environment in their home. Qualifying repairs include; collapsed or badly deteriorated sewer line, roof replacement, guttering, replacement of windows, weatherization, siding and other items as determined on a case by case basis the City’s Housing Services Division.

The rehabilitation is a grant to the homeowner with a maximum benefit of $20,000 and a minimum of assistance of $2,500. The homeowner does not have to pay the grant back.

Eligible households must have an active property maintenance code violation, and be on the deed of the property. Housing code violations must be for the home the person is residing in. Violations for detached garages, weeds, trees and trash removal are not eligible.

The City’s Housing Services Division determines eligibility for the Property Maintenance Rehabilitation Program. To request an application, call 785-368-3711.