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.
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.
The City of Topeka is taking steps to identify conference hotel industry experts to help the city determine how to best re-develop Hotel Topeka at City Center. The city won the auction bid to purchase the hotel early June.
The City of Topeka recently released two requests for proposals (RFP) related to the hotel. The first RFP seeks to contract with an asset manager who would oversee the hotel and any future hotel operator, while the second RFP looks to identify a vendor to evaluate the existing hotel facilities and systems.
“Our research tells us that successful hotel properties, particularly ones owned by public entities, even on a temporary basis, contract with hotel experts to assist them with strategic and operational decisions regarding their hotel properties,” said Acting City Manager Richard Nienstedt.
“These are the first steps by the city to help us understand the current status of the hotel, and help us find a company to manage the asset. Purchasing the hotel allowed the city to take the future of the hotel into our own hands, in order to ensure we’ll have a successful hotel and convention center for many years to come,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla.
The city expects to rely on the guidance of the asset manager to identify an appropriate brand for the hotel and to help select a private operator.
The purchase of Hotel Topeka at City Center is not yet final. Because the hotel is in receivership, the purchase has to be approved by the court. The case is scheduled to be heard in Shawnee County District Court in late-July. The sale of the hotel will not be final until it is court approved.
The RFPs can be viewed at the city’s online bid portal. The asset manager RFP closes on July 19, 2023, while the assessment RFP closes on July 7, 2023. To learn how to do business with the City of Topeka, visit https://www.topeka.org/procurement/vendor-guide/.
This month the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO), in coordination with the City of Topeka, will host its second community open house and presentation on the Update of the City’s 2016 Pedestrian Plan. The plan’s goal is to continue creating safe and connected walkways between schools, parks, shopping districts, workplaces, and other popular destinations. Anyone interested in the walkability and connectivity of Topeka is encouraged to attend this open house and presentation from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Marvin Auditorium, Room B. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.
In this second public meeting, City staff and project professionals from JEO Consulting Group will share the results of an analysis that produced a transparent, objective, and data-driven approach to prioritizing sidewalk improvement projects, ensuring that future investments align with local goals and needs. The meeting will be an open house, with attendees visiting stations sequentially. A presentation will also be included, and seating will be arranged for attendees.
“This plan is just one piece of a more considerable effort to improve the quality of life through vibrant neighborhoods and better transportation choices for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists,” says Carlton Scroggins, Transportation Planning Manager.
For more information, visit the MTPO website at https://topekampo.org/pedestrian-master-plan/ or contact the City of Topeka Planning Department at (785) 368-3728.
Topeka’s drinking water is currently experiencing an issue with taste and odor. Recent rainfall and releases from reservoirs have caused a river flow and turbidity increase in the Kansas River. Topeka’s water comes from the Kansas River and occasionally the river has unusually high levels of organic matter which can cause taste and odor issues. The water continues to meet all of the drinking water standards established by EPA and KDHE and is safe to drink.
The water is currently being treated by the City of Topeka’s multiple barrier water treatment process. The City of Topeka will continue to monitor levels of taste and odor in the drinking water. Questions can be directed to the City of Topeka call center at 368-3111.
Topeka’s drinking water is currently experiencing an issue with taste, odor and color.
All of Topeka’s water comes from the Kansas River and occasionally the river has unusually high levels of organic matter which can cause taste, odor and color issues. These organic substances are not harmful to health and the tap water remains safe to drink.
The Utilities department has tested for algal toxins which resulted in a non-detect level at multiple sites throughout the distribution system.
The water is currently being treated by the City of Topeka’s multiple barrier water treatment process. The City of Topeka will continue to monitor levels of taste, odor and color in the drinking water and will post an update if there are any changes to the condition of this issue.
In the last five days the Utilities Department has had thirteen complaints on taste, odor and color. Historically these taste, odor and color issues last for several days and then dissipate.
Anyone wanting additional information about this event is encouraged to contact the Utilities Water Systems General Manager Jack Mason 785-368-1966.
Clean Slate Day will take place on Friday, September 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Topeka Municipal Court. Clean Slate Day is an opportunity for a fresh start for people with Topeka Municipal Court offenses. This allows them to begin payment plans for outstanding fines and fees, setting new court dates for outstanding warrants and getting old violations expunged all without the fear of arrest.
The Topeka Community Foundation has provided a $3,500 grant to help those who income qualify to pay their outstanding fees and fines. The funds are available on a first come first serve basis.
“I am glad to have the opportunity to continue offering Clean Slate Day to Municipal Court defendants,” said Municipal Court Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel. “This could be their chance to obtain a driver’s license after being suspended for years. This could be their chance to have a case expunged which has kept them from pursuing an employment opportunity in our community. We have the ability to help our community members and I am grateful for all our partners that help make this day possible through donations of time, resources, and money.”
Several other services will also be provided during Clean Slate Day including, free legal advice, employment opportunities, options for drivers’ licenses, housing, financial, education, city services, food resources and other social service needs.
Participants in Clean Slate Day need to bring a driver’s license or government issued photo I.D., information about Topeka Municipal Court offenses, proof of household income and a social security card.
Clean Slate Day will take place on Friday, September 20th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Topeka Municipal Court. Clean Slate Day is an opportunity for a fresh start for people with Topeka Municipal Court offenses. This allows them to begin payment plans for outstanding fines and fees, setting new court dates for outstanding warrants and getting old violations expunged all without the fear of arrest.
The Topeka Community Foundation has provided a $5,000 grant to help those who income qualify to pay their outstanding fees and fines. The funds are available on a first come first serve basis.
“Clean Slate Day was a success last year and I’m excited to continue the program and see it grow,” said Municipal Court Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel. “This is a chance to obtain a driver’s license after being suspended for years. This could be someone’s chance to have a case expunged which has kept them from pursuing an employment opportunity in our community. We have the ability to help our community members and I am grateful for all our partners that help make this day possible through donations of time, resources, and money.”
Several other services will also be provided during Clean Slate Day including, free legal advice, employment opportunities, options for drivers’ licenses, housing, financial, education, city services, food resources and other social service needs.
Participants in Clean Slate Day need to bring a driver’s license or government issued photo I.D., information about Topeka Municipal Court offenses, proof of household income and a social security card.
When staff at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center confirmed with ultrasound that Cleo, an eleven year old black and white ruffed lemur, was pregnant, they were excited. The pregnancy was Cleo’s first. Cleo was pregnant with multiple babies. The excitement turned to sadness late Saturday evening as Cleo gave birth to a motionless baby.
As her due date approached, Cleo began spending more and more time in a nest box last Tuesday. A camera was placed near the box and staff began making periodic night time checks. Around 8:00 Saturday evening, Cleo gave birth to the first baby. When the baby appeared to be motionless, staff began to intervene.
Once it was determined that the baby monkey was stillborn, attention was focused on Cleo. Ultrasound confirmed that there was at least one more heartbeat in Cleo’s uterus. A radiograph confirmed three remaining babies inside Cleo.
Cleo was given a medication to help stimulate labor. After 90 minutes had passed with no further delivery progress, the decision was made to do an emergency caesarian section. Two of the remaining three had died in utero. One was born with a heartbeat but never took a breath. Each baby had some sort of abnormality.
Cleo continues to recover from her surgery and is doing well. She is getting extra of her favorite fruits. She will continue to stay at the Zoo’s hospital for another five to seven days so that her incision and medication intake can be monitored.
“It was a very sad night Saturday for the staff that were here taking care of Cleo and for our entire team as the news spread,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “We were all really looking forward to this birth. I am always amazed at what our staff accomplishes and the efforts they give to the animals that live here. The compassion that they displayed during this event was incredible.”
In December 2023, the City of Topeka Governing Body voted to approve the establishment of two Common Consumption Areas (CCA) in Downtown Topeka and the NOTO Arts District. The adjustment of city rules around drinking in public creates regulated “social drinking zones” where patrons can drink within the designated boundaries of the area outside of a licensed bar, restaurant, or other eligible establishment that is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages by the State of Kansas and the City of Topeka.
The Downtown Common Consumption Area encompasses 4th Street on the north; 10th Avenue on the south; Quincy Street on the east; and Jackson Street on the west. The NOTO Common Consumption Area encompasses Fairchild Street on the north; Norris Street on the South; Quincy Street on the east; and Jackson Street on the west.
Boundaries of the CCA will be clearly marked with the below signage and pavement markings. Designated areas are operational between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., seven days a week.
Individuals are not permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages into the CCA for consumption and must purchase alcoholic beverages from a licensed, participating establishment within the boundaries of the designated CCA. Alcoholic beverages must be sold in non-glass containers with the logo or identifying imagery of the participating business visible on the container.
Both CCAs will go into effect on April 15. Businesses located within the designated area can elect not to participate in the CCA, but if they wish to do so they will need to submit the proper paperwork to the State of Kansas ABC and the City of Topeka Clerk’s Office.
“Common Consumption is a natural evolution of our continued development efforts to support businesses while providing exciting environments for Topekans,” said Councilman Spencer Duncan. “Topeka isn’t just putting this in place here but also led the effort at the state level that is now bringing it to all Kansans, as other communities implement it. It continues our commitment to listening to our citizens and businesses and working with them to be a premier Capital City.”
To learn more about the Downtown Topeka and NOTO Arts District Common Consumption Areas, please visit https://www.topeka.org/cityclerk/common-consumption-areas/.