City of Topeka announces new shelter, affordable housing options

Topeka will soon be home to a new non-congregate shelter, and additional affordable housing options, the City of Topeka announced Monday. A non-congregate shelter, commonly known as a temporary shelter, provides rooms to individuals and families, and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement.

The projects are made possible by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP), which provided the City $1,754,961. HOME-ARP aims to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country. Topeka’s Governing Body approved the HOME-ARP funding on June 14, 2022 through the 2021 Amended Consolidated Action Plan. These dollars are not affiliated with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The City of Topeka sought requests for proposals (RFPs) for the shelter and affordable housing projects, and received 14 responses. The responses were then reviewed by an external review and ranking committee with expertise in grant writing, real estate or construction.

The City will award $1 million to YWCA of Northeast Kansas to fund the non-congregate shelter, and $754,961 to SENT, Inc. to fund new construction on three homes, and eight rehabilitations on homes for our most vulnerable citizens.

“We are so excited to add 11 new affordable housing options for Topekans. Additionally, being able to assist the YWCA in expanding their shelter is so needed and beneficial to those experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking or stalking. We all know domestic violence has been increasing across the nation. This grant will allow us to address that here in Topeka,” said Corrie Wright, the City’s Division Director of Housing Services.

All projects must fund and serve the qualifying population as outlined by HUD, which includes individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. HUD requires that all tenants and homeowners must have income levels of no more than 80% of the median household income, meaning a family of four can make no more than $66,150. City staff will review files to ensure compliance with HUD’s requirements.

The location of the shelter is not being disclosed for security purposes. The affordable housing projects will take place in Hi-Crest.

 

City of Topeka to host drive-thru e-cycle event

The City of Topeka and PC’s for People, an area technology refurbishing company, are partnering together to host a free digital e-cycle event.

The drive-thru event will take place on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the City Hall parking lot. City Hall is located in downtown Topeka at 215 SE 7th St.

During the event, area residents will have the opportunity to dispose of unused computers, while making a difference in the community. Recycled computers are refurbished and distributed back into the community to support equal access to technology for low-income families. If items are not reusable, PC’s for People will recycle every component, keeping millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.

Devices that are being accepted include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and tablets. The devices can be in working or non-working condition. After collection, PC’s for People will safely wipe all existing data from the donated computers. The computers will then be provided to individuals in Topeka who are in need of digital devices.

This event is a part of the City’s digital equity program, TSC – Get Digital. TSC – Get Digital is a coalition made up of community members and stakeholders who want to help close the digital divide in Topeka. The coalition hosted a similar collection event in April 2022, and to date, 497 computers have been donated back into the community.

Other electronic items can be disposed of at the Shawnee County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 131 NE 46th St. There is no charge for disposal with the exception of CRT TVs and monitors. For additional information, please contact the County at 785-286-4381.

 

City of Topeka opens community contest to name snow plow

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.

 

City of Topeka Announces Celebration Honoring Efforts to Beautify Community Neighborhoods; Schendel Lawn & Landscape to Sponsor

The City of Topeka, alongside the Greater Topeka Partnership, announced today that Schendel Lawn & Landscape signed on to serve as the presenting sponsor for a celebration honoring community efforts to beautify Topeka’s neighborhoods. The event will be held at downtown Topeka’s Evergy Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 12-2 p.m., featuring a food truck, music by DJ 151 Entertainment, and multiple family-friendly activities. The entire Topeka community is welcome to attend this event to help celebrate and recognize those who’ve contributed to the success and mission of the program.

Schendel Lawn & Landscape will host a raffle for attendees, with giveaway items expected to include two new lawn mowers, and a new string trimmer. The giveaway items were donated by Schendel Lawn & Landscape, Smitty’s Lawn & Garden, and DH Lawn & Garden Equipment. Additional giveaway items will be raffled off for adults and children.

“Schendel Lawn & Landscape is proud to sponsor this year’s inaugural ‘Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance’ celebration,” said Cassidy Roberson, Schendel’s director of customer experience. “We believe that a beautiful city begins with beautiful lawns. We are excited to partner with the City of Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership to empower more families across Topeka, by giving them the tools they need to elevate their residential lawns and landscapes.”

“We are so proud of the response to this program from our community,” said Karen Hiller, Topeka city council member representing District 1. “Our goal was to create an atmosphere where residents feel inspired to take responsibility for their properties and work together to address problems. We are thrilled to have Schendel Lawn & Landscape present this year’s end-of-season celebration. They are an incredible local business that makes our downtown landscaping the envy of communities across Kansas. I am so happy they are working with us to inspire the rest of Topeka to care equally for their own lawncare needs.”

“This truly is a game-changing initiative,” said Christina Valdivia-Alcala, city council member for District 2. “Growing up in Topeka, neighbors looked out for each other. When your neighbor struggled to keep up with their needs, they could count on you for help. This program reaches back to that legacy. I am very proud of our local partners, like Omni Circle Group, that have stepped up to offer support to our low- and moderate-income residents. It takes a community working together to truly become beautiful, and Topeka knows how to work together.”

“I applaud councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala for driving this program forward,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership. “They recognize that addressing blight often starts with a helping hand, not a condemning heart. Everyone wants the opportunity to live better and have pride in their home. Some people, due to age, infirmity, or limited resources, just don’t know where to begin. I am happy to say that journey begins in Topeka with neighbors helping neighbors. I look forward to celebrating those who participated this October at Evergy Plaza!”

About the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative:

Councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala kicked off the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative by hosting a series of public input sessions to hear directly from community members about their visions for local property maintenance. From there, the initiative blossomed into a program that aims to improve property conditions, reduce substandard housing, motivate property owners to care for their properties, and encourage investment in vacant and deteriorated properties. In the initiative’s first year, the City launched a community-led mowing program that operates in Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) areas.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact the GTP’s Bob Ross at Bob.Ross@TopekaPartnership.com or the City of Topeka’s Gretchen Spiker at GSpiker@Topeka.org.

City of Topeka announces Stephen Wade as new City Manager

The City of Topeka’s Governing Body selected Stephen Wade to serve as the next City Manager. Wade currently serves as the City’s Director of Administrative and Financial Services.

“Stephen’s experience in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, and his vision for equity in government are some of the many reasons we selected him to lead the City of Topeka as our next City Manager,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla.

Wade is a Shawnee Heights graduate and a Topeka resident. Prior to his role as the City’s Finance Director, he was the publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Wade 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.

Wade 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.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve in this role in the place I truly call home. I’m excited to represent our more than 1,000 City employees as we work to collectively make Topeka a better place to live, work and play,” Wade said. “I’ve pledged to the Governing Body that we will work with all neighborhoods and community members to ensure an atmosphere of fairness and equity.”

Topeka’s Governing Body approved Wade’s contract at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting. The three-year contract includes Wade’s base salary, which will be $200,000.

Wade’s start date will be September 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

On August 30, the City Manager finalists participated in interview panels with the Governing Body and community stakeholders. Wade was selected by the Governing Body out of a pool of more than 40 City Manager candidates from across the country. 13 candidates had ties to Kansas.

 

City of Topeka Utilities leader receives national award

Sylvia Davis, a Deputy Director in the City’s Utilities Department was recently recognized with a national leadership award.

The honor, known as the “Women Who SPARK (WWS) Award,” is given by the Utility 2030 Collaborative (U2030). U2030 offers the awards program, which aims to close the gender gap in energy and utility innovation, by recognizing women for their innovation, leadership, and mentoring.

“Sylvia is a changemaker and leader here at the City of Topeka, and we couldn’t be more proud of her to receive this very impressive award,” said Interim City Manager Bill Cochran.

Davis was one of seven women across the country to be recognized.

List of award winners

Jody Allison, Algonquin Power & Utilities/Liberty
Maureen Bolen, Utegration
Sylvia Davis, City of Topeka, KS
Terri-Lynn Duque, ENMAX
Becky Ivester, SEMO Electric & GoSEMO Fiber
Jessica Mammel, Consumers Energy
Jessica Sutorus, City of Colton, CA

To learn more about U2030 and the WWS Awards Program, visit https://utility2030.org/page/awards.

 

TPD to host public input sessions on police training practices

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) will host two public input sessions in September to allow community members to learn more about the department’s training practices, and to provide individuals with the opportunity to give input.

At the sessions, TPD’s Training staff will present the current curriculum for the Basic Police Training Academy, as well as continuing education for veteran officers.

After the presentation, community members will be able to provide public comment and ask questions, with a limit of four minutes per person.

 

Public Input Sessions

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Washburn Tech East, 2014 SE Washington St.

 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Washburn University, 1700 SE College Ave., Henderson Room 112

 

The public input sessions aim to fulfill one of the recommendations listed in the Police and Community Special Committee’s report that Topeka’s Governing Body approved in July.

The sessions will be recorded and later uploaded to the City’s YouTube page.

 

Topeka firefighter wins prestigious military award while deployed

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 190th 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/.

 

Topeka City Manager finalists announced

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.

 

City of Topeka helps improve Kaw River State Park through ongoing excavation work

Visitors of the popular Kaw River State Park may notice excavation work near the boat ramp located in the northeast corner of the park. This earth and excavation work, led by the City of Topeka, is part of the greater Topeka Riverbank Restoration Project.

The Topeka Riverbank Restoration Project is a two-year project, and encompasses 22 acres of land in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ 76-acre Kaw River State Park. The restoration project, led by Friends of the Kaw (FOK), aims to remove non-native plants and invasive species from the area.

Currently, the City’s contractor is making improvements in the boat ramp area to reduce erosion and sediment loss. Additionally, the contractor will be constructing some nested basins near the parking lot to promote water quality by infiltration and filtration. The excavation work is expected to be complete in the next few weeks, weather permitting.

Once complete, FOK and project partners will work with volunteers to return native grasses, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs to the area. Returning native plants will stabilize soil, while improving drainage and water quality of the river. All of the City’s water originates from the Kansas River.

The Topeka Riverbank Restoration Project is made possible by FOK, Native Lands LLC, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the City of Topeka Utilities Department, and Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners.

To learn more about the Topeka Riverbank Restoration Project, including volunteer opportunities, visit https://kansasriver.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverbank-restoration-volunteer-opportunities/.

For more on Kaw River State Park, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Kaw-River.