Topeka – Week of June 15 2025
Police Accountability; Utility Lien Process; Rochester Road Overhaul; Hotel Topeka Funding; Housing Report; Zamboni Purchase
Emotional Pleas for Police Accountability Dominate City Meeting
Council Halts Utility Lien Process Amid "Readiness to Serve" Fee Backlash
County Commits $1.37M for Design of Massive Rochester Road Overhaul
City Council Approves Additional $291,000 for Hotel Topeka in Split Vote
Report Details Over 1,000 Housing Units Built or Rehabbed Since 2022; Key Topeka Housing Bill Fails in State Legislature
BONUS County Buys Used Zamboni for $49,300 as Pro Hockey Returns
1. Emotional Pleas for Police Accountability Dominate City Meeting
Emotional and raw testimony regarding police conduct marked the public comment section of the June 3 city council meeting. Kerry Bell, mother of Dylan Walsterm, stated her son was "tragically lost to his life after being shot in the face nine times by a Topeka police officer" while asleep in a vehicle. She traveled from Fort Worth, Texas, to speak, alleging discrepancies in the police account and a 45-second gap in body camera footage. Attorney Larona Alasseter Saunders followed, announcing the voluntary dismissal of a lawsuit in the Taylor Lowry case to "speak freely in the public" and alleged the city has tried to "keep the public from finding out the truth". The testimony prompted heartfelt responses from council members, with Councilwoman Valdivia Ocala stating, "I am totally fed up. Who the hell should somebody nine times in the face, man?".
Editors note: see #2 from last issue
Greg Loving
2. Council Halts Utility Lien Process Amid "Readiness to Serve" Fee Backlash
Following intense debate and criticism from both the public and council members, a plan to place liens on 792 properties for delinquent utility charges was put on hold. The discussion centered on the controversial "readiness to serve" fee, which applies to all properties connected to the city's water and wastewater systems, regardless of usage. Councilwoman Valdivia Ocala called the fee a "grab for money" and stated, "People are not happy about this". Councilman Spencer Duncan noted the issue exemplifies a problem with the fee itself, not with residents, calling it "an us problem". At the council's direction, City Manager Robert Perez will refer the entire readiness to serve fee structure to the Public Infrastructure Committee for further discussion and review.
3. County Commits $1.37M for Design of Massive Rochester Road Overhaul
The Shawnee County Commission approved a contract not to exceed $1,378,355 with Bartlett and West Inc. for professional design services on a major reconstruction of Rochester Road. The project, estimated to cost $27 million in total, will cover a three-mile stretch between Dillon's and Northwest 50th Street and will include a number of roundabouts. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus noted the complexity of the project, which will involve numerous landowners, school districts, and coordination with the City of Topeka. The design phase is expected to be lengthy, with the first phase of construction planned to begin in late 2028 or 2029.
4. City Council Approves Additional $291,000 for Hotel Topeka in Split Vote
In a 7-3 split vote, the Topeka City Council authorized an additional $291,086 for the operations and maintenance of the city-owned Hotel Topeka. Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley informed the council that funds in the hotel's operating account were "critically low" and that the infusion was necessary to meet obligations under the city's management agreement for the property. Council members Valdivia Ocala, Ortiz, and Banks voted against the funding measure. This vote continues the governing body's ongoing financial support for the hotel, which remains a recurring and often debated expense for the city.
5. Report Details Over 1,000 Housing Units Built or Rehabbed Since 2022; Key Topeka Housing Bill Fails in State Legislature
Between 2022 and 2025, the City of Topeka supported the creation of 615 new housing units and assisted with the rehabilitation of 403 existing properties, according to a Citywide Housing Investment Summary report. The presentation, delivered by the city's planning and housing departments, provided a district-by-district breakdown of investments from a wide range of programs, including federal HUD funds, local incentives like the RHID (Reinvestment Housing Incentive District), and state LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) projects. The report aimed to demonstrate that despite varying program requirements, housing investment and rehabilitation are occurring across all city districts, addressing needs from affordable to market-rate housing.
A week prior, the council discussed a bill designed to give the City of Topeka authority to inspect certain HUD properties, which failed to pass during the 2025 legislative session, according to a report from the city's lobbyist, Whitney Damron. The bill, which passed the House with a strong 111-12 vote, was never scheduled for a final debate on the Senate floor, with Damron stating it became clear "certain members of senate leadership just didn't like the bill". The city had supported the legislation to gain enforcement action over problematic properties. On a more positive note, Damron reported that lobbyists were successful in securing $10 million in the state budget for a maintenance, rehabilitation, and overhaul (MRO) hangar at the request of the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority.
6. BONUS County Buys Used Zamboni for $49,300 as Pro Hockey Returns
To prepare for the upcoming season of the Topeka Scarecrows hockey team, the Shawnee County Commission approved the purchase of a used 2015 Zamboni for $49,300. Matt Rockers, Director of Operations for the Stormont Vail Events Center, explained that the existing 1998 Zamboni is unreliable, requiring five service calls during a brief two-and-a-half-week period of exhibition games earlier this year. The newly purchased machine, which comes from Western Colorado University, is considered to be in excellent condition and should fit the county's needs well. The old Zamboni has no trade-in value and will be kept as an emergency backup for one season before being disposed of.
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Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZs-BdmPtJo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CzZPUAWg4U
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jYzU15c-GQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZs-BdmPtJo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CzZPUAWg4U,
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZs-BdmPtJo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jYzU1
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Contact: greg@loql.ai
