Topeka local news summary

Council expands abandoned vehicle enforcement in 7-2 vote

Downtown Topeka to pilot four digital kiosks

Council debates allowing uniformed police to work private security

Council reviews over $720,000 in alcohol and drug program funding

Landlords voice opposition to potential rental licensing program

County seeks public input on new solar farm regulations

Debate centers on proposed acreage limits and setbacks

Commission defends ban on battery storage in draft rules

Tax revenue for fire districts emerges as key issue

Maintenance of existing solar farm prompts review

Council expands abandoned vehicle enforcement in 7-2 vote

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Topeka City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday to grant property maintenance inspectors the authority to issue citations for abandoned vehicles, a power previously held only by police officers. In a presentation, Capt. Colleen Stuart of the Topeka Police Department argued the change would improve efficiency and accountability in addressing nuisance vehicles, which account for 65 percent of non-emergency reports. Stuart explained that property inspectors work consistent routes and can more easily follow up within the required 48-hour window, unlike police officers whose shifts and patrol areas frequently change. The ordinance passed after a motion to delay the vote for one week failed. Council Member Marcus D.L. Miller, who introduced the failed motion, and Mayor Mike Padilla expressed concern that the policy could unfairly penalize residents who are unable to move their cars due to travel or medical reasons. The ordinance ultimately passed, with Miller and Deputy Mayor Brett Kell voting in opposition.

Downtown Topeka to pilot four digital kiosks

TOPEKA, Kan. - A two-year pilot program will bring four interactive digital kiosks to downtown Topeka at no cost to the city, officials announced Tuesday. The ADA-compliant kiosks will provide wayfinding, information on local events, city communications and emergency alerts in both English and Spanish. They will also be equipped with security cameras and a panic button to alert law enforcement. Public Works Director Steve Groen said the program, developed in partnership with Downtown Topeka Inc. and the NOTO Arts District, has been met with enthusiasm from local businesses. The city will receive a guaranteed minimum annual payment from advertising revenue and will reserve 12 percent of screen time for its own messaging. The kiosks are expected to go live by Feb. 2026.

Council debates allowing uniformed police to work private security

TOPEKA, Kan. - Topeka Police Chief Chris G. Vallejo proposed an ordinance change Tuesday that would grant him the authority to allow uniformed Topeka Police Department officers to work off-duty security jobs for private businesses. Chief Vallejo argued the visible presence of uniformed officers acts as a crime deterrent and reduces the call load for on-duty personnel. The proposal sparked a debate over liability, with Deputy Mayor Brett Kell voicing strong opposition. Kell cited concerns about accountability, questioning whether the city or the private employer would be responsible for an officer’s actions and who would handle public complaints, creating a potential “runaround” for citizens. Councilman Spencer Duncan requested a memo from the city’s legal department on liability before the item returns for a vote.

Council reviews over $720,000 in alcohol and drug program funding

TOPEKA, Kan. - The council reviewed recommendations to allocate $720,026 in funds from the state liquor tax to local alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs for 2026. Carrie Higgins, the city’s Housing Services Division director, reported that an excess in the fund allowed the grant review committee to recommend funding every applicant at their full requested amount. The recommendations include funding for one new agency, Mirror, Inc., for its justice-involved recovery services program. The council is scheduled to take final action on the funding recommendations at its next meeting.

Landlords voice opposition to potential rental licensing program

TOPEKA, Kan. - Though the item was not on the official agenda, two local landlords used the public comment period to speak out against a potential rental registration and licensing ordinance being developed by the city. Greg Debbacher and Steve Vogel, president of the Shawnee County Landlords Association, argued that such a program would unfairly punish good landlords, increase costs that would be passed on to tenants and fail to address the core problem of property maintenance code enforcement. Both questioned the cost and effectiveness of a licensing system, urging the city to focus on enforcing existing codes instead.

County seeks public input on new solar farm regulations

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The Shawnee County Planning Commission held a town hall meeting Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to gather public feedback on new draft regulations for solar energy systems. The proposed rules, developed over the past year following a moratorium on new projects, aim to guide future solar development in the county. Commission members said the goal is to allow for solar energy while protecting community interests, with a formal public hearing on the regulations expected in December or January.

Debate centers on proposed acreage limits and setbacks

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A key point of contention during Monday’s town hall on solar regulations was the proposed cap on project size and the distance required from neighboring properties. The current draft limits solar farms to 240 acres and requires a 500-foot setback from existing residences. The League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County argued the acreage limit is too small to attract significant investment, while some residents advocated for much larger setbacks of up to a quarter-mile for fire safety.

Commission defends ban on battery storage in draft rules

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Planning commissioners are standing by a provision in the draft solar regulations that prohibits on-site battery storage systems, a decision that drew both praise and criticism at a town hall meeting. While a representative from the League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County stated the ban would deter large-scale solar developers, other residents supported it, citing fire and contamination risks. Commission staff noted that energy-storage policy is being considered separately for potential county-wide regulations and could be revisited alongside the solar rules later.

Tax revenue for fire districts emerges as key issue

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The financial impact of solar farms on local fire districts has become a significant concern for county planners. Staff reported Monday that a fire district raised the issue of providing emergency services to solar facilities that are exempt from property taxes under state law. The commission plans to review the “payment in lieu of taxes” language in its draft regulations to ensure it can be structured to compensate all affected taxing entities, not just the county.

Maintenance of existing solar farm prompts review

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — A resident’s complaint about overgrown grass at an existing solar farm has prompted the Planning Commission to consider adding specific maintenance standards to its new regulations. After a resident described a local solar facility as a “tinder factory” due to a lack of mowing, commissioners discussed how to balance aesthetic and fire safety concerns with the use of native grasses for wildlife habitats. Staff advised the resident to file a formal complaint, as maintenance falls under the existing facility’s conditional use permit.

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