City News

Governor Laura Kelly[1] announced on June 29^th that she will sign an Executive Order on Thursday, July 2^nd mandating masks in public places effective Friday, July 3^rd.  In expectation of that order, all visitors to the Topeka Municipal Court are being notified that masks or cloth face coverings will be required while in the building once Governor Kelly’s order takes effect. The court has a very limited supply of disposable masks, but all visitors will be expected to bring their own. Persons who do not have a cloth face covering or mask will not be allowed to enter the courthouse beginning the effective date of the executive order.

The Court will continue to observe the following:

• Only those with court business/probation appointments will be permitted in the building. Defendants should not bring family/friends/observers to their court hearings and should make all attempts for alternate childcare arrangements.
• To maintain appropriate social distancing and the maximum number of persons allowed in the courtrooms, defendants may be required to wait in the lobby or other areas during larger dockets.
• Defendants who report or are displaying symptoms of illness, are caring for someone ill, or are in a high risk category, should contact their attorney to request a continuance. Defendants without an attorney may file a motion for continuance. Defendants should expect to attend their court hearing until the continuance has been granted by a judge.
• Anyone entering the courthouse or probation office will be denied access as follows:
  • If the person has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have had, COVID-19 within the last 14 days;
  • If the person is experiencing two or more of the COVID-19 symptoms[2] identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or
  • If the person has traveled within the previous 14 days to an area subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment[3]

Anyone denied access to the courthouse for the above reasons, or who needs to request a continuance, may contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 785-368-3776 for instructions on rescheduling or otherwise completing their court business.

Please plan ahead when reporting to the courthouse to ensure you are able to complete your court business while keeping everyone safe.

^[1]   See Governor Laura Kelly’s official post on June 29th

^[1]   See CDC’s list of COVID-19 symptoms

^[1]   See KDHE’s Travel Exposure Related Isolation/Quarantine list

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.

The City of Topeka Finance Department has posted the 2021 Preliminary Budget on the City of Topeka website. The city-wide 2021 budget is $312.6 million and the seventh consecutive budget proposal that has not included an increase to the property tax mill rate. The ability to continue to provide the current service levels while not increasing the City’s largest revenue source becomes increasingly challenging. City-wide, the budget proposes to eliminate 32.5 full-time equivalent positions when compared to the 2020 Adopted Budget along with other non-personnel related expense reductions. The 2021 Preliminary Budget continues to support the budget priorities that were established by the Governing Body – investing in infrastructure, continuing commitment to public safety, continuing a commitment to developing neighborhoods, selected strategic investment toward quality of life and improving fiscal sustainability.

The General Fund budget is $96.2 million, a 0.3% decrease. The City began the 2021 budget process with an estimated operating deficit of more than $5 million in the General Fund. To close this gap, both personnel and non-personnel related reductions have been proposed. The 2021 Preliminary Budget can be viewed on the City of Topeka website, with the City Manager’s transmittal letter beginning on page 7: https://www.topeka.org/finance/budget/

Budget Highlights:

• Personnel related expenses represent the largest portion of the General Fund at $76.5 million, or approximately 79% of total expenditures. Personnel costs, including wages and benefits, increased $360,000, or 0.5%, over the 2020 Adopted Budget. Such personnel costs include finalized union contracts along with assumptions regarding negotiations in progress, as well as a 1% wage increase for non-union staff.
• Property and sales tax collectively make up 61% of the General Fund’s revenue, 30% and 31% respectively.
• Property tax is budgeted to increase over the 2020 Adopted Budget by $1.1 million, as the City has experienced strong assessed valuation growth ($33.76 million or 3%) compared to the prior year. The strong assessed valuation growth allows the City to capture additional revenue as more taxable value has been added to the tax rolls while keeping the mill levy rate the same.
• Sales tax projections reflect a 3% decline over the 2020 Adopted Budget as the long-term economic impact from the current public health emergency (COVID-19) is still being evaluated.
• A reduction in interest income of $536,000 has also been projected in the General Fund, reducing the budget to $268,000 as interest rates are expected to remain below historic averages.
• General Fund departments were asked to identify budget reduction options totaling at least $5 million while also providing feedback on any potential service reductions. Various reduction scenarios were presented to the City Manager for his review. The reductions that have been included in the budget were difficult decisions made after thoughtful consideration. These reductions are likely to place additional strain on staff as responsibilities are shifted and prioritized.

Topeka is proud to share it has been recognized for achieving 2020 What Works Cities Certification at the silver level. What Works Cities (WWC) Certification evaluates how effectively cities are managed by measuring the extent to which city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making – whether they have the right people, processes, and policies in place to put data and evidence at the center of decision-making – against a national standard of excellence. WWC is a national initiative launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2015.
Topeka is one of 16 cities to achieve Certification at the silver level. Over the past year, the city has demonstrated measurable progress on foundational data practices, representing Topeka’s commitment to advancing how data is used to better serve residents.
“The City of Topeka is data driven when establishing our strategic goals and priorities,” said by Mayor De La Isla. “By identifying the key issues our community is facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and comparing them to our strategic goals and priorities, we can begin to formulate tailor-made community recovery decisions that provides actionable, long-lasting solutions.”
Through improved data-driven management, Topeka has:
● Improved transparency efforts.
● Improved reporting to the Governing Body.
● Improved tracking of responsiveness to constituents.
What Works Cities Certification is inspiring a movement of cities that are doubling down on their commitment to building a more effective, more efficient, and more equitable local government that works for its residents, and using Certification as a roadmap for doing so. Nearly 200 U.S. cities have completed a What Works Cities Assessment; to date, only 24 cities have met the What Works Cities national standard in achieving Certification.

About What Works Cities: What Work Cities, launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in April 2015, is a national initiative that helps cities use data and evidence more effectively to tackle their most pressing challenges and improve residents’ lives. It is one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance cities’ use of data and evidence. Through the initiative’s expert partners, cities around the country are receiving technical assistance, guidance and resources to succeed in making more informed decisions, tackling local challenges, and delivering more effective services and programs for their residents. Cities in the What Works Cities network also gain access to a collaborative network of peers in cities across the country. For more information, visit whatworkscities.org.

The City of Topeka Utilities Department will resume utility disconnections next week. Utility accounts not in good standing may be subject to disconnect. We encourage customers wanting to make payment arrangements or having difficulty paying their bills to call us at 368-3111 to take advantage of the various options we have available.

Utility bills can be paid at City Express at 620 SE Madison, the customer service call center or at authorized US Bank locations. City Express is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Customer Service Call Center is open between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is available to work with customers to help keep their balances due manageable during this time. Customers who need to pay their water bill in cash can do so at authorized US Bank locations at the drive through window. US Bank hours vary by location. Bills can also be paid by phone at 785-368-3111 or online at www.topeka.org/payonline.

Doorstep, Let’s Help, the Salvation Army and the City of Topeka created the Water Share Program to assist citizens in need with their COT water utility bill. Please contact one of the agencies directly to request assistance.

• Doorstep 785-357-5341
• Let’s Help 785-234-6208
• Salvation Army 785-233-9648

The Utilities Refund Program (Franchise Fee Program) also offers assistance for utility bills. Please contact the Community Resources Council to apply 785-233-1365. For citizens looking for a way to help, you may go to www.topeka.org/utilities/watershare or call 785-368-3111. Donations may be set up as reoccurring monthly or you may select to make a one-time donation. The donation amount will be added to your next City of Topeka water bill.

In coordination with the Shawnee County Reopening Plan, beginning Monday, June 8, the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center will begin reopening some of its buildings. The first buildings to be reopened will include Camp Cowabunga, the Lianas Forest and the Animals and Man building. By the end of next week, the Zoo also plans to reopen the Saving Sharks and Lorikeet Aviary experiences.  During phase three of the reopening plan, building and experience opportunities will be limited to less than 45 people at a time and the zoo will maintain a maximum occupancy of 900 people at any given time.

Monday will also be the debut of the Zoo’s newest resident, a baby black and white ruffed lemur that was born in the early morning hours on Friday May 28 to parents Cleo and Sorabe. This birth marks the first successful breeding of black and white ruffed lemurs at the Topeka Zoo. Black and white ruffed lemurs are an endangered species endemic to the Island of Madagascar. The lemur infant can be viewed daily during normal operating hours at the Zoo’s Animals and Man building beginning June 8 when she is out of the nest box.

The City of Topeka is making staffing changes due to budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Personnel have been notified of their position elimination and currently remain employed by the city. These staff members are currently working to transition their duties to other departments and staff.

The specific positions eliminated include the Deputy City Manager, Director of Neighborhood Relations and Emergency Manager. The City of Topeka will continue to work closely with Shawnee County Emergency Management for city emergency response. The Neighborhood Relations Department will be absorbed into another department, which will be decided at a later date.

These individuals are not being dismissed due to any conduct or performance issues.  However, the effect the pandemic is anticipated to have on the city budget is likely to be severe.  This requires that steps be taken to responsibly navigate through this unprecedented event, including the elimination of positions.

“Eliminating these positions was a difficult decision. I want to thank Doug, Sasha and Jim for the hard work and years of service that they gave to the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Their contributions helped to make the city a better community to live and work in.”

The elimination of these three positions, including salaries and benefits, will save the city approximately $446,000 in 2021.

The City of Topeka will reopen its buildings to the public on May 18^th. Social distancing and other restrictive measures will be enforced in all city buildings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Plexiglas partitions have been installed in the City Express Payment Center at the Holliday Building and at the clerk’s office in the Municipal Court to help lessen person to person contact. Anyone who needs to meet with staff in person can meet in the first floor conference room of City Hall or the Holliday building. Everyone who does business in city buildings is strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times while in the building.

The Municipal Court will open to the public on May 18^th. Municipal Court hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In order to comply with guidelines from the State of Kansas, Shawnee County Health Authority, and the Kansas Supreme Court, restrictions are being put into place for visitors to the courthouse and probation. Social distancing and other restrictive measures will be enforced for the safety of the staff and the public. All persons entering the courthouse or probation offices are strongly encouraged to wear masks at all times while in the building.

• Defendants are encouraged to check the status of their case on public access at: https://court.topeka.org/fullcourtweb/start.do
• Defendants can call the Municipal Court to check the status of their case 785-368-3776.
• The number of individuals in the courthouse at one time will be limited and is dependent upon which phase Shawnee County is in each week. This means that at certain times, it may be a “one-in, one-out” situation and persons will be required to wait outside the courthouse before being allowed in to conduct their business.
  • Only those with court business/probation appointments will be permitted in the building. Defendants should not bring family/friends/observers to their court hearings and should make all attempts for alternate childcare arrangements.
  • To maintain appropriate social distancing in the courtrooms, defendants may be required to wait in the lobby or outside the building during larger dockets.
• Defendants who report or are displaying symptoms of illness, are caring for someone ill, or are in a high risk category, should contact their attorney to request a continuance. Defendants without an attorney may file a motion for continuance by email or fax. Defendants should expect to attend their court hearing until the continuance has been granted by a judge.
• Defendants are advised:
  • Anyone entering the courthouse or probation office will be denied access as follows:
    • If the person has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have had, COVID-19 within the last 14 days;
    • If the person is experiencing two or more of the COVID-19 symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or
    • If the person has traveled within the previous 14 days to an area subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
  • Anyone denied access to the courthouse for the above reasons may contact the clerk’s office at 785-368-3776 for instructions on rescheduling or otherwise completing their court business.

Phase 1 –Open Air Park

Phase 1 of the Topeka Zoo’s reopening plan will allow for high level restrictions to accommodate social distancing and prevent Covid-19 transmission. Phase 1 will be initiated after Stay at Home Order expires and social distancing is still required when the maximum gathering limit is set at ten or less.

 

Applicable Dates – Through the end of Shawnee County’s Phase 1 for Reopening

• May 14 – 17, 2020 – Soft limited opening for Friends of the Zoo Members. Single use or daily tickets will not be sold.
• May 18 till the end of Shawnee County’s Phase 1 – Single use daily admission tickets will be sold at regular admission price.

Phase 1 Zoo Guidelines:

• Total number of guests in the Zoo will be limited to no more than 500. At an occupancy level of 500, family groups within the Zoo will have enough space to social distance at 17 – 20 feet apart.
• Employees working at the Zoo will be required to wear masks when the Zoo is open when there is a chance that they may come within six feet of contact with a Zoo guest.
• Guests visiting the Zoo will be highly encouraged to wear masks or other partial facial coverings.
• Employees working in point of sale public areas will be working behind plastic or glass shields and will be required to wipe down or spray with disinfectant their work stations hourly.
• When the Zoo is open, there will be an Environmental Services crew on site continuously working their way through the Zoo wiping down or disinfecting high touch areas and other hard surfaces.
• Brochures and maps will not be available during Phase 1.
• Membership purchases or renewals will be encouraged to be completed online.
• Single day ticket purchases will be encouraged to be made online prior to arrival.
• When making financial transactions, guests will be encouraged to make that transaction with a debit or credit card.
• Guest flow through the Zoo will be in one direction and will utilize a figure eight configuration.
• All buildings will be closed to guests with two exceptions:
  • One bathroom near the Zoo’s café will be kept open. This bathroom will be sanitized and disinfected every other hour.
  • Camp Cowabunga Building will be utilized only to allow guests to pass through a stanchioned area to exit to the connecting path.
• The sidewalk leading to the Zoo’s entry will be marked with symbols to help guests social distance while waiting in line to enter. A similar spacing system will be utilized in front of exhibit viewing areas.
• During phase 1, guests will not have access to feeding machines or animal encounters.
• Animal interaction exhibits will not be open during Phase 1. This includes the Lorikeet Feeding Aviary, Farm Yard and Saving Sharks touch pool.
• Playgrounds and drinking fountains will be closed.
• Café food and beverage and Kona Ice may be available for purchase.
• While a limited number of trashcans will be available, guests will be encouraged to take their trash with them.
• Throughout the facility signage will remind guests to maintain social distance.

 

Phase 2 –Open Air Park with Limited Access to Buildings

Phase 2 of the Topeka Zoo’s reopening plan will allow for moderate level restrictions to accommodate social distancing and prevent Covid-19 transmission.  Phase 2 may be initiated when social distancing is still required but the maximum gathering limit is increased to 50.

 

Applicable Dates – The Topeka Zoo will transition to Phase 2 of its reopening plan at the same time Shawnee County initiates Phase 2 of its reopening plan.

 

Phase 2 Zoo Guidelines:

• Total number of guests in the Zoo will be limited to no more than 900. At an occupancy level of 900, family groups within the Zoo will have enough space to social distance at 8 – 10 feet apart.
• Employees working at the Zoo will be required to wear masks when the Zoo is open when there is a chance that they may come within six feet of contact with a Zoo guest.
• Guests visiting the Zoo will be highly encouraged to wear masks or other partial facial coverings.
• Employees working in point of sale public areas will be working behind plastic or glass shields and will be required to wipe down or spray with disinfectant their work stations hourly.
• When the Zoo is open, there will be an Environmental Services crew on site continuously working their way through the Zoo wiping down or spraying with disinfectant high touch areas and other hard surfaces.
• Brochures and maps will not be available during Phase 2.
• Guests that plan to purchase single day use tickets will be encouraged to do so online.
• Membership purchases or renewals will be encouraged to be completed online.
• In the event a financial transaction needs to occur at the Zoo, guests will be encouraged to make that transaction with a debit or credit card.
• Guest flow through the Zoo will be in one direction and will utilize a figure eight configuration.
• The following three buildings will be open during Phase 2:
  • One bathroom near the Zoo’s café will be kept open. This bathroom will be sanitized and disinfected every other hour.
  • Camp Cowabunga Building will be open.
  • The Animals and Man Building will be open.
• The sidewalk leading to the Zoo’s entry will be marked with symbols to help guests social distance while waiting in line to enter. A similar spacing system will be utilized in front of exhibit viewing areas.
• Guests will have access to feed machines.
• Animal interaction exhibits will not be open during Phase 2. This includes the Lorikeet Feeding Aviary, Farm Yard and Saving Sharks touch pool.  However, on a low traffic day Saving Sharks or the Lorikeet Feeding Aviary may be opened for short periods of time.
• Playgrounds and drinking fountains will be open.
• Café food and beverage and Kona Ice may be available for purchase.
• While a limited number of trashcans will be available, guests will be encouraged to take their trash with them.
• Throughout the facility signage will remind guests to maintain social distance.

The Topeka Zoo is holding its annual Native Wildflower Sale on Saturday, May 9^th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The selection will include flowers to cover all blooming seasons through spring, summer, and fall. There will be more than 1,700 native wildflowers available representing over two dozen different varieties of available at this sale. Native wild flowers are hardy and already adapted to our local soils and climate, and to our local pollinators! Once established, native wild flowers are care free and return to you every year with minimal or no maintenance for care. All plants sold will be native to this part of NE Kansas.

Sale location will be near the zoos parking lot entrance and social distancing rules will apply. All flowers are $4.00 each. 100% of proceeds from the sale will go to the zoos conservation fund to support conservation of endangered species here at home and around the globe.

Due to the Covid-19 situation there are some enhancements to the sale. Plants can be purchased online by going to the Zoo’s Facebook page or Website. If purchased on line, the plants will be delivered to your car when you arrive between 8:00 and 2:00 tomorrow.

The zoos wildflower sale will occur on the day before Mother’s Day! So come to the zoo on May 9^th and pick up some flowers for mom!

For questions or more information, contact Dennis Dinwiddie at 368-9134, or ddinwiddie@topeka.org.