Press Releases

The City of Topeka’s Governing Body has selected four candidates to interview for the Topeka City Manager position.

About the candidates

Mike Harmon earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Northern Iowa and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota with a concentration in state and local government administration. After Mike’s formal education, he went on to pursue a career in public service and has over twenty-four years of combined governmental experience at the state and local level. During Mike’s career he served as a police officer in the capital city of Pierre, SD and later as a city administrator for Fairfield, IA and Spearfish, SD. Mike currently serves as the chief operating officer for an electric utility in Wyoming and is eager to return to public service and to be nearer to his extended family.

David Johnston has over 25 years of local government management experience. He served as the City Manager for Covington, Kentucky and Maple Valley, Washington. Covington is a rejuvenating historic Ohio River community located across from Cincinnati. He served as the village administrator for Rantoul, Illinois – home of the closed Chanute Air Force Base. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University. He also earned a certificate of economic development from the University of Oklahoma. He is an International City Manager Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager.

Stephen Wade is a Shawnee Heights graduate and a Topeka resident. He serves as the Director of Administrative and Financial Services for the City of Topeka. Stephen spent 30 years in the media industry and has extensive experience at the CEO level. He was formerly the publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal and The Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, Georgia. Stephen holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is currently working on an academic research project that calls for a greater emphasis on equity in municipal budgeting. Stephen currently serves on the board of directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, and he previously held board seats on Go Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

Abbe Yacoben is currently the Deputy Finance Director and City Treasurer for the City of Las Vegas,
Nevada where she has served for the past five and a half years. She has nearly 20 years of municipal
government leadership experience, and has held roles in Arizona, Illinois and her home state of Maine.
Abbe has a Master’s degree in Public Policy with a finance concentration from the University of Chicago,
and she is a Certified Public Finance Officer. Abbe is passionate about and skilled at leadership, teambuilding,
open communication, working with different public groups and ensuring the City’s initiatives
truly improve quality of life for all residents and stakeholders.

Interview process

The candidates will participate in two interview panels on Tuesday, August 30. One interview panel will
be with the Governing Body, and the other will be with community stakeholders.

Public meet and greet

In addition to the interview panels, the candidates will also attend a public meet and greet. Community
members are invited to attend the meet and greet, which will take place on Tuesday, August 30 from
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bishop Professional Development Center located at 3601 SW 31st St. Light
refreshments will be provided at the event.

Attendees will be able to provide feedback on the candidates to the Governing Body by filling out
comment cards at the meet and greet, or by emailing comments to cmsearch@premierks.com.

Recruitment process

Kansas Personnel Services, Inc., doing business as Premier Employment Solutions and Key Staffing, led
the recruitment campaign for the Topeka City Manager position.

40 candidates applied for the position. Of the 40 candidates, 13 had ties to Kansas. After review of all
candidates, the Governing Body selected the above four candidates to interview.

The City of Topeka has announced the five finalists for the Topeka City Manager position.

Jeffrey Dingman currently serves as the Deputy City Administrator for the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dingman has more than 20 years of government leadership experience and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. He has been a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) since 2006. Dingman has also previously served in similar administration roles in the City of Baldwin City, Kansas and Sebastian County, Arkansas. Throughout his career, he has worked to develop short- and long-range strategic plans for communities of varying populations and has managed city budgets ranging from $13-160 million.

Alan Howze is an experienced public sector executive focused on building strong, financially sustainable communities and delivering high-quality public services. Howze has more than 20 years of professional government experience and is currently serving as the Assistant Administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Anthropology from James Madison University. Throughout his career, Howze has worked in government on the local, state and federal levels and has a background in information technology and communications.

William Jones has over 24 years of local government management experience. He is currently the City Administrator for the City of Mequon, Wisconsin and previously served in similar roles for the Village of Glencoe, Illinois and the City of Highland Park, Illinois. Jones obtained his Master of Public Administration from Indiana University and is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association, Certified Public Finance Officer from the Government Finance Officers Association, and a Certified Labor Relations Professional from the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association. In his current role, Jones has helped expand the tax base, assisted with debt issues, developed an asset management plan, revised an ethics ordinance, restructured organizational staffing, hired a new police chief, initiated a full-time staffing model for Fire and EMS and enhanced health and safety in schools via a new water source and an additional school resource officer.

Robert Perez serves as an Assistant City Manager of Infrastructure for the City of Dallas, Texas. Perez has gained over 20 years of municipal government experience while working for the City of Dallas and the City of San Antonio and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a concentration in organizational leadership, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in political science. Perez’s background is in Public Works, and he has published several academic articles ranging in topics from the relationship between data and infrastructure as well as innovation in local government. In his current role, Perez provides executive leadership to the City of Dallas’ Department of Public Works, Transportation, Bond and Construction Management, Equipment and Fleet Services and Building Services. 

Abbe Yacoben is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Washoe County, Nevada, serving the Board of County Commissioners for the last year and a half. She has nearly 20 years of municipal government leadership experience, and has held roles in Arizona, Illinois and her home state of Maine. Yacoben holds a Master of Public Policy with a finance concentration from the University of Chicago, and she is a Certified Public Finance Officer. In her current role, Yacoben leads Washoe County Commissioners in their strategic planning process and benchmarking as well as human resources initiatives in the county. Yacoben is passionate about and skilled at leadership, teambuilding, open communication, working with different public groups and ensuring the City’s initiatives truly improve the quality of life for all residents and stakeholders.

The finalists will participate in two interview panels on Monday, April 8. One interview panel will be with the Governing Body, and the other will be with a panel of community stakeholders selected by the Mayor. The interview panels will not be open to the public, but the finalists will also attend a public meet and greet where community members are invited to attend. The meet and greet will take place on Monday, April 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hotel Topeka Emerald Ballroom located at 1717 SW Topeka Blvd. Light refreshments will be provided at the event.

Attendees will be able to provide feedback on the candidates to the Governing Body by filling out comment cards at the meet and greet.

The City of Topeka would like to invite the public to a special event to meet the newly appointed City Manager, Dr. Robert Perez. The event will take place on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Tee Box, located at 906 S Kansas Ave Ste 100, Topeka, KS 66612. Snacks will be provided, and the event is held in partnership with the Greater Topeka Partnership.

This is an opportunity for Topeka residents to engage with Dr. Perez and give him a warm welcome to our community. Dr. Perez, who brings a wealth of experience in city management, is eager to meet with community members and discuss his vision for the future of Topeka.

Mayor Mike Padilla expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This is an exciting opportunity for the people of Topeka to come out and meet Dr. Robert Perez. We are confident that under his leadership, our city will continue to thrive and grow. I encourage everyone to take this chance to connect with Dr. Perez, share your thoughts, and extend a warm welcome to our new City Manager.”

“The Partnership is proud to partner with the City of Topeka in welcoming our new City Manager, Dr. Robert Perez. This open house event at The Tee Box is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, get to know Dr. Perez, and experience the warm hospitality that our downtown businesses are known for. We believe in fostering strong relationships between our city’s leadership and the residents, and this event is a perfect way to kick off what we know will be a successful tenure for the City Manager here in Topeka,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO Greater Topeka Partnership.

We look forward to seeing you at The Tee Box on September 26th. Join us in welcoming Dr. Perez to our community and learn more about his plans for the City of Topeka.

The City of Topeka is excited to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for the City Manager position. The job posting and position description can be found at https://www.topeka.org/careers.

The posting comes after a public input survey, where nearly 200 responses from community members were received.

The City of Topeka and Kansas Personnel Services, Inc., doing business as Premier Employment Solutions and Key Staffing, the Executive Recruitment Firm the City hired to assist with the recruitment process, are launching a broad City Manager recruitment search.

The search includes a recruitment video featuring Mayor Michael Padilla, Councilwoman Karen Hiller and Councilwoman Hannah Naeger, who share their thoughts about the ideal candidate. You can watch the video at https://youtu.be/lf86vgXBgOg.

The initial recruitment campaign is expected to last 45 days. After the job posting closes, Topeka’s Governing Body will review applications from qualified candidates. Interviews are expected to occur in August with the Governing Body, City of Topeka leadership staff, and community members who are selected by the Governing Body. There will also be a public meet and greet with the final candidates.

The Topeka Fire Department is pleased to recognize the following individuals on their promotions and retirements. As we continue to face the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, employees are having to navigate a new normal in order to get the job done. Between learning and implementing new safety precautions, managing family needs and more, it’s a tough time for everyone – which is why it’s important to express our appreciation to our first responders. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Promotion and Retirement ceremonies have been postponed indefinitely.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to these individuals for their hard work and dedication in providing essential services to the Topeka community,” said Topeka Fire Chief Craig Duke. “Their sacrifice, determination and perseverance are admirable contributions to the Topeka Fire Department”.

Below is a list of retirements and promotions for the Topeka Fire Department:

RETIREMENTS

February 2020

Zachary L. Bottenberg, Investigator III – 24 years

March 2020

Captain David D. Owen – 32 years

Captain Claude E. Clark – 32 years

Captain Michael L. Claassen – 31 years

Captain Robert S. Williams – 28 years

Captain Jerome A. Benning – 28 years

Captain Thomas D. Wolfley – 31 years

June 2020

Captain Michelle M. Radmacher – 20 years

July 2020

Captain James J. Simpson – 24 years

August 2020

Exzetta Steele Accounting Specialist III – 29 years

September 2020

Deputy Chief Kelly R. Adams – 34 years

PROMOTIONS

January 2020

Advanced Firefighter

Matthew J. Conner

Brandon J. Wenger

Macon J. Ezell

Matthew M. Gromer

John G. Bills

Chase D. Labrador

Joshua L. Osborn

Firefighter 2nd Class

Coty R. Freiss

Cory A. Petit

James D. Klepees

Brooks W. McClane

Thomas N. Treantafeles

February 2020

Fire Inspector II Chadwick J. Holthaus promoted to Fire Inspector III

Fire Inspector II Adam J. Appelhanz promoted to Fire Inspector III

March 2020

Shift Commander Ty D. Christian promoted to Division Chief of Operations

Battalion Chief Melvin D. Bouton promoted to Shift Commander

April 2020

Lieutenant Prentiss J. Rice Jr. promoted to Captain

Lieutenant Michael D. Stapleton promoted to Captain

Lieutenant William C. Miller promoted to Captain

Lieutenant Jeffery R. Reynolds promoted to Captain

Lieutenant Keith J. Czechanski promoted to Captain

Lieutenant Mark D. Johnson promoted to Captain

Apparatus Operator Ryan R. Gay promoted to Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator John R. Crites promoted to Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator Robert D. Forman promoted Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator Brian J. Flott promoted to Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator Nathan D. Hibbert promoted to Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator Daniel J. Jacobs promoted to Lieutenant

Advanced Firefighter Jesse B. Moyer promoted to Apparatus Operator

Advanced Firefighter Nathan W. Decker promoted to Apparatus Operator

April 2020

Advanced Firefighter Dustin J. Howbert promoted to Apparatus Operator

Advanced Firefighter Kyle A. Hamilton promoted to Apparatus Operator

Advanced Firefighter Austin L. McClane promoted to Apparatus Operator

Advanced Firefighter Gabriel M. Schultz promoted to Apparatus Operator

New Hires

Firefighter 3^rd Class

Tyler A. Abernathy

Kaleb D. Chockley

Chelsea D. Foster

Jonah M. Domann

Jacob M. Gardner

Mitchell A. Ridder

Cole E. Searles

May 2020

Battalion Chief Todd A. Harrison promoted to Fire Marshal

Firefighter 1^st Class

Jeremy A. Steimel

John K. Bentler

Craig A. Stevenson

Jacob W. Pera

June 2020

Lieutenant Robert R. Aurner III promoted to Captain

Apparatus Operator Chad R. Swift promoted to Lieutenant

Advanced Firefighter Christopher R. Reece promoted to Apparatus Operator

July 2020

Captain Alan J. McKenzie promoted to Battalion Chief

August 2020

Lieutenant Ty C. Forshee promoted to Captain

Lieutenant Travis J. Thompson promoted to Captain

Apparatus Operator Charles A. Ridder promoted to Lieutenant

Apparatus Operator Joshua M. Mayer promoted to Lieutenant

Advanced Firefighter Chance W. Boyle promoted to Apparatus Operator

Advanced Firefighter Zachary R. Bradford promoted to Apparatus Operator

A Topeka firefighter is receiving national recognition for his service to our community.

Firefighter Nicholas Tafanelli joined the Topeka Fire Department in 2019. Not only does Tafanelli serve the citizens of Topeka, but he’s also a guard member for the 190^th Air Refueling Wing, which is based out of Forbes Field Air National Guard Base.

Tafanelli, a Staff Sgt. currently deployed in Kuwait, was recently recognized as one of the United Service Organization’s (USO) service members of the year. This award recognizes those who performed extraordinary acts of bravery that exemplify the values of the Armed Forces and the USO.

“We at the City of Topeka are extremely proud of Firefighter Tafanelli, and celebrate this incredible national recognition. Topeka is lucky to have such a dedicated public servant, and we look forward to welcoming him home after his deployment,” said Interim City Manager Bill Cochran.

Tafanelli received the award for saving countless lives with his Topeka Fire Department company, and for responding to 318 emergencies, including fires, medical calls, and car crashes.

“I’m very honored, but I don’t think I deserve it,” said Tafanelli. “Looking back, I just want to think that all of those calls we responded to made a small difference to those people.”

Tafanelli was also recognized for the weight-loss journey he underwent in order to be able to enlist as a firefighter in the Air Force.

“This award reinforces to everyone the level of commitment and dedication Nick has to himself, his community, and his country,” said Topeka Fire Chief Randy Phillips.

To read more about Tafanelli’s story, and the USO Service Member of the Year award, visit https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/386th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/3131847/386th-eces-airman-wins-uso-service-member-of-the-year/.

The Topeka Human Relations Commission (THRC) is eager to announce Washburn Law Dean Carla Pratt as the individual recipient, and Omni Circle Group as the organization recipient of the 2021 Troy Scroggins Awards. Dean Pratt and Omni Circle Group will be presented with the awards at the January 18 City Council Meeting.

The Troy Scroggins Awards are presented to deserving individuals and organizations for their efforts in furthering the THRC’s mission. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in ameliorating discrimination and prejudice based on race, sex, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, and sexual orientation and advancing diversity in the City of Topeka. The two award categories are Outstanding Individual Achievement and Outstanding Organizational Achievement.

“Dean Pratt’s scholarship and advocacy on race and the legal profession have served as a motivating factor for increasing diversity within Topeka, Washburn Law, and the Kansas legal community,” said Commissioner Nicholas Smith, Chair of the THRC. “Through Dean Pratt’s leadership, Washburn Law has implemented new programs to increase access to legal education for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students who are differently abled, which continues its legacy as an exemplary institution becoming of Topeka.”

“Omni Circle Group has made strides at advancing multicultural and multigenerational opportunities for Topeka’s African American community,” said Smith. “Through its community development program, Omni Circle Group acts as an entrepreneurial incubator for minority-owned Topeka businesses. The organization continues to serve the community through its food programs, mentorship, mental health workshops, and providing school supplies to students.”

Pratt is Dean at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Previously, she served as the Nancy J. LaMont Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law. Her scholarship is at the intersection of Constitutional Law, Federal Indian Law, Education Law, and Race and American Law with emphasis on understanding the role of identity in law and legal institutions. From 2012 to March 2018, she served as an Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Fort Yates, North Dakota.

Michael Odupitan, CEO and President, started Omni Circle Group with a vision for change and a mission to unite and strengthen communities through personal and professional development. A former Washburn University student, Odupitan returned to Topeka to give back to the community that he believes saved him. In its three years, Omni Circle Group has launched numerous support groups and workshops to help minorities with business success, improve community mental health, inspire youth through mentorship and community building, and developing a strong e-commerce community in Topeka.

The THRC is a nine-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. The mission of the THRC is to conduct outreach and educational activities that promote justice and cultural understanding and improve relationships among all citizens of Topeka. You can learn more about the current THRC Commissioners on the City’s website.

The City of Topeka is excited to announce a pilot mowing program as part of the first year of its Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative.

The pilot program will provide backup mowing services for those living in Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) areas, by making sure that a fixed and affordable rate model is available.

“The goal of having all yards mowed and trimmed without City involvement has been years in the making. We are thrilled to have the program up and running for our neighbors,” said Councilwoman Karen Hiller. “The City is supporting Omni Circle Group and the Gil Carter Initiative by providing loaned mowing equipment, which demonstrates our commitment to them, and the community at-large to see this program through. The long-term goal is for the program to become self-sustaining, and independent from the City.”

In the program’s first year, three different non-City of Topeka entities will be providing services related to the program, some on a paid, and some on a volunteer basis, to assist residents who do not have regular mowing arrangements.
These three providers have limited availability, and are not entities of the City. If the providers don’t have the capacity to offer services at this time, residents may refer to social media or other resources to locate a provider, but know the City hasn’t vetted other providers for these services.

The City created a tip sheet with information on how to find someone to mow, how to check references, as well as educational materials on mowing, trimming, and cutting back vegetation.

All NIA areas fixed-rate mowing

Tsquared Lawn Care is offering a low fixed rate of $30 per mow for residents living within NIA areas.

Highland Acres NIA

Gil Carter Initiative is offering a standard fixed rate range of $40-70 per mow for residents living within the Highland Acres NIA area. Gil Carter Initiative may offer lower costs depending on criteria they set.

Central Park NIA

Omni Circle Group is volunteering to mow lawns for residents living within the Central Park NIA area, in order to help the area achieve a goal of 100% of lawns mowed.

Finding a NIA

To learn if you live in a NIA area, please visit the database on the City website and search your address.

Volunteer opportunities

An additional component to the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative focuses on neighbors helping neighbors through volunteerism.

Sign up to volunteer

Individuals, families, businesses, churches, organizations, and any neighbor wanting to get engaged with helping residents with mowing can sign up to volunteer through the United Way of Greater Topeka’s Topeka Volunteers portal.

Request a volunteer

Individuals who are unable to pay for mowing services, or those who live outside of NIA areas in the City of Topeka limits, are able to request their lawn be mowed. The City, however, cannot guarantee a volunteer match, and is not responsible for vetting volunteers.

Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance assistance line

To find out more about the program, request a provider or volunteer to mow your lawn, or to record your volunteer arrangement, call 785-368-9530.

“I just want to say to all of our community members – the time is finally here! It’s about leaning in to our neighbors, churches and family members to help get mowing done,” said Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala. “We heard in various community meetings how folks wanted to get back to the time when we helped one another. We can do this. Extend a hand.”

Celebration

At the conclusion of the 2022 mowing season, there will be an event to celebrate those who volunteered to mow through the United Way’s portal, as well as others who helped in any way to make the initiative successful. Stay tuned for additional details about the celebration.

The Topeka Landmarks Commission in partnership with the City of Topeka’s Planning Division will begin a process in January to survey the city’s historical African American places.

This project will focus on documenting buildings, districts, sites and structures that are significant to the development and history of African American life and culture within the City of Topeka.

While previous city surveys focused on neighborhoods such as Old Town and Tennessee Town, this survey aims to take a holistic approach, covering all city locations and time periods significant to Topeka’s African American history.

Additionally, a goal of the survey is to identify and designate at least two locations to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“What defines a community is its history and the people who live there,” said Dan Warner, the city’s Planning Division Director. “Through this survey, we hope to increase community awareness and appreciation for the places in our community that have made an impact on Topeka’s African American history.”

The city, commission and project partners are hosting a public meeting where community members can learn about the survey process and provide input. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in room 114. The library is located at 1515 SW 10^th Ave.

Additional partners for the project include the city’s consultant Impact7G, the Kansas Historical Society and the National Park Service.

The survey and cataloging process is expected to continue through most of 2023.