Press Releases

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.

 

James Jackson has been hired as the Public Works Director for the City of Topeka. Jackson was previously the Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Atlanta Georgia. Jackson will start as the Director of Public Works on April 5^th.

“Today I am excited to announce that James Jackson has accepted the position of Public Works Director for the City of Topeka. He brings a tremendous amount of experience that will fit perfectly into the needs of our community,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “I believe James is the right person for this job and will continue the city’s mission to improve our infrastructure and fix our streets.”

Jackson is a certified Public Works Executive (PWE, APWA) as well as an ICMA Credential Manager Candidate. He has 27 years of experience and served as interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Operations and Department of Public Works director for the cities Richmond, Virginia and Detroit, Michigan. He has also served as the Public Services director for Wayne County, Michigan and the Streets and Sanitation director for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Atlanta.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of the City of Topeka, and to support the public works professionals who serve the City every day. City Manager Trout, HR Manager Michele Smith, HR Director Jacque Russell and Chief of Staff Bill Cochran have all been very helpful in getting me and my family situated there in the City of Topeka.  I look forward to onboarding and getting up to speed as expeditiously as possible,” said Jackson.

Jackson received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Knoxville College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbus State University.  He is a former Marine and also served as President of the Knoxville College National Alumni Association. Jackson’s salary as Public Works Director will be $142,000.

 

The City of Topeka is pleased to announce that Deputy Police Chief Jamey Haltom has been appointed as Interim Police Chief, effective June 25, following the retirement of Chief Bryan Wheeles.

Interim Chief Haltom brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having been with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) since June 1999. He has served as Deputy Chief since November of 2021, showcasing his dedication to the department and the community.

Throughout his extensive career in law enforcement, Interim Chief Haltom has held various leadership positions including roles as a corporal and sergeant in the field operations bureau and the support operations bureau. As a commander, he was promoted to lieutenant where he led teams in the support operations bureau. He was then promoted to captain where he made strategic decisions in the field operations bureau (patrol) and in the criminal investigations bureau, prior to assuming the position of deputy chief.

Haltom holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Washburn University and is a Certified Public Manager. He has also completed executive leadership training programs through the Northwestern Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command as well as the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy Command School. He is rooted in the community, having previously served on the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors. Haltom is from Pratt, Kansas, and he resides in Topeka with his wife and their three children.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Interim Police Chief for the Topeka Police Department,” said Haltom. “Over the past 25 years with this department, I have seen firsthand the dedication and hard work of our officers in keeping our community safe, and I look forward to leading the department as we search for a new police chief.”

“I am confident that Interim Chief Haltom will provide strong and steady leadership for TPD during this transition period,” said Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt. “His experience and deep commitment to serving others makes him well-suited to guide the department as the city searches for a permanent police chief.”

Haltom will serve as Interim Chief until the governing body selects a permanent police chief.

Jessica Lamendola will be the City of Topeka’s Administrative and Financial Services Director starting March 4, 2019. Topeka’s former Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Nickie Lee, accepted a job as the Assistant City Administrator for the City of Smithville, Missouri. Her last day at the City of Topeka was November 9, 2018. Since her departure, Budget and Performance Manager Nick Hawkins has been serving as the Interim Director.

Lamendola is a Kansas native and has been with the City of North Hempstead, New York since July of 2016 where she served as the Director of Finance and Acting Comptroller. Prior to that position she had experience in the Nassau County Office of Management and Budget. Lamendola brings additional relevant experience to the City from working for Moody’s Investor Services for just over 3 years as a Senior Credit and financial analyst responsible for a large portfolio of municipal issuers. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Portland.

“Lamendola’s education, background and experiences will be very beneficial to the City of Topeka as we start work on the 2020 budget and CIP process,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

Lamedola said she is excited to return to Kansas and begin working in the City of Topeka where she can work on the city’s strong financial management and constituent needs.

Lamendola was selected though a competitive hiring process in which 34 people applied and 4 were interviewed. Her starting salary will be $132,500.

With lights flashing and sirens blaring, Topeka law enforcement and fire personnel often arrive first at emergencies, always ready to help. These local first responders will help ensure blood is available during medical emergencies by partnering with the American Red Cross for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Thursday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison.

“The City of Topeka is excited to host another Battle of the Badges event. Last year was extremely competitive with the Fire Department winning by one donation,” said Fire Marshal Mike Martin. “We encourage everyone to come out and support the Topeka Police and Fire Departments and help save lives.”

During the blood drive, the Topeka Fire Department and the Topeka Police Department will compete to see who can recruit the most blood donors. Everyone who comes to give blood can cast a vote to determine who will win this year’s bragging rights.
“Thanks to first responders for not only keeping the community safe, but also helping with blood collection this spring,” said Susan Faler, Central Plains Blood Services Region account manager. “The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive offers a way for Topeka residents to support our local heroes and help save lives by giving blood.”

This May, during Trauma Awareness Month, the Red Cross is calling for donors to give blood regularly to be prepared to meet the needs of patients in emergency situations. According to the National Trauma Institute, trauma accounts for approximately 41 million emergency department visits and 2 million hospital admissions each year.

In trauma situations, when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma because they can be transfused to any patient, regardless of blood type. Less than 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood.

Donors of all blood types are urged to roll up a sleeve to help meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions.

To make an appointment for the 2018 Topeka Battle of the Badges, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code Topeka.

How to donate blood:
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The City of Topeka is hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kansas River Levee improvements on Tuesday, May 18^th. The Kansas River Levee improvements are part of the Topeka flood risk mitigation project. This is a $30 million project funded between the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Topeka.

“The Kansas River Levee improvement project is a critical step to create stability at the flood wall during significant events such as flooding and heavy rainfall,” said Braxton Copley, Interim Director of Utilities. “This project will ensure that the floodplain is safer for our community with the installation of the buttresses and relief wells.”

“This is one of many projects at that the City of Topeka has completed at the Kansas River this year. I am proud of the Utilities Department for all of their hard work with the levee project to create a safer environment for our community,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

These improvements were to address vulnerabilities such as underseepage and flood wall stability that the Corps identified through inspection of the Topeka levee units.  The improvements are designed to prevent critical failure of the levees experienced in other communities across the country in recent years during flood events caused by hurricanes and significant rain events.  The improvements included the addition of relief wells and underseepage berms along with construction of approximately 230 concrete buttresses at the flood wall.

The City of Topeka Utilities Department has completed Phase 1 of the Kansas River Weir Project. The river weir project constructed a north bank fish passage and recreation enhancement including boat chutes and fish ladders, energy dissipation rock placement, stairs, downstream boat ramp and parking lot resurfacing.

The project includes include a bypass channel which will allow safe navigation around the existing river weir without having to portage. The other features of the project include alteration of existing wing dikes and installation of rock and concrete surfaces below the weir to improve public safety. The new parking area will feature a more reliable access road aimed to reduce illegal dumping and destruction of property.

“The river weir is a vital project that creates a safe river for everyone to enjoy, it proves an essential connection between downtown and North Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

Phase 2 of the Kansas River Weir project will start in the fall of 2021. Phase 2 will include an additional safety enhancements including the installation of rock and concrete surfaces on the downstream side of the weir to improve public safety.

The ribbon cutting for the Kansas River Weir will take place on Friday May 7^th at 2:00 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature kayakers, Topeka Fire Department water rescue equipment, and the Kansas Department of Parks Wildlife and Tourism airboat and other equipment.  After the ceremony attendants are encouraged to walk to the Great Overland station on the levee trail to participate in First Fridays in NOTO. Community partners for the Kansas River Weir project include the City of Topeka, Greater Topeka Partnership, Shawnee County, the Kansas Department of Parks Wildlife and Tourism and the Riverfront Advisory Council.

 

The City of Topeka recently completed Phase 1 of the Kansas River Weir Project, creating a safe passage for recreation and use of the Kansas River. Anyone using the river for recreation should only pass through the boat chute, which includes the fish ladder, adjacent to the north bank as it is the only safe passage. There is a galvanized pole sticking out of the water at the signal boulder approximately 50’ from the bank which signals boaters, kayakers and others enjoying the river to stay left to enter the boat chute. The river weir project constructed a north bank fish passage and recreation enhancement including boat chutes and fish ladders, energy dissipation rock placement, stairs, downstream boat ramp and parking lot resurfacing.

Phase 2 of the River Weir project will be completed in September 2021 and will add safety enhancements to the low water notch and the mid-level of the weir. However, it will not create a safe passage for those accessing the river. The low water notch near the south bank is not safe for those accessing and traversing the river. It is dangerous because of the hydraulic drop. Anyone using the river should pass through the boat chute at the north bank.

A map of the Kansas River Weir and safe access points is attached to the release.

Starting Monday, March 16th, public access to the Kansas River on Saline Road in North Topeka will be closed while necessary construction takes place at the river weir and boat ramp area. This is a popular area for fisherman and canoe access, but for safety reasons the entire area will be closed to the public during construction which is expected to last until April 2021.
The project underway at this location will include a bypass channel which will allow safe navigation around the existing river weir without having to portage. The other features of the project include alteration of existing wing dikes and installation of rock and concrete surfaces below the weir to improve public safety. When the project is completed next year, a new parking area will be constructed which will feature a more reliable access road aimed to reduce illegal dumping and destruction of property.
For river users, recommended alternate locations for river access during construction are the boat ramps in Kaw River State Park or Seward Avenue Access.
You can learn more and follow the progress of the project using the Topeka Open Projects Dashboard under Project Number T-281058.01, KS River Weir Upstream Modifications. https://topeka.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6b1035a84c384206a3bbecb3386a3ce0

The City of Topeka has hired Karan Thadani as the Administrative Municipal Court Judge. Thadani has fourteen years of experience practicing law in the State of Kansas, having worked in both private practice and the government sector, most recently as the Chief of Prosecution for the City of Topeka.

“The City of Topeka is excited to welcome Karan to preside over the City’s court. We believe that his knowledge and experience working in Kansas as a defense attorney and prosecutor will give the City a solid judicial foundation,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

Thadani has fourteen years of experience practicing law in the State of Kansas, having worked in both private practice and the government sector.  Thadani graduated from the University of Texas in 2001 and earned his juris doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in 2006.

“My family and I are grateful to the City of Topeka for selecting me to serve as the next administrative Municipal Court Judge.  I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected and thankful for the opportunity to continue my work with the City and in public service.  The responsibility that comes with a judgeship is not one that I take lightly and I will do my very best to uphold the law and ensure that the citizens in our community are treated with impartiality and fairness,” said Thadani.

Throughout his entire career, Thadani has served in the capacity of either a defense attorney or prosecutor.  He began his career in civil litigation and criminal defense work in Lawrence, Kansas, after which he and his family moved to St Francis, Kansas where he continued in private practice.  While in western Kansas, Thadani was elected as the Cheyenne County Attorney and County Counselor to the Board of County Commissioners.  He returned to the Topeka area where he began his work with the City of Topeka Prosecution office as an associate prosecutor.  Thadani has served that office as the Chief of Prosecution since 2017.

Thadani’s start date will be July 27^th, with a salary of $111,335.