[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6346852,"mediaKeyId","2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d","parentId",2246407,"title","Council debates proposed citywide sales tax for public safety, affordable housing and homelessness; no ballot decision tonight","audioSeconds",4555,"startMs",7377000,"endMs",11932000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d&start=7377&end=11932","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d/thumbnail_7377000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346852/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Council-debates-proposed-citywide-sales-tax-for-public-safety-affordable-housing-and-homelessness-no-ballot-decision-tonight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346852-eb8b3adfec5311b1b09e302080f0d73d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967123&Signature=VFLhOlFtaKVTARNfXUksI4A9FC8kBLruz8y695nnQZISwBUy3F5m8VUHXQ8TLHkL83dA~MJo-63CDaPVfReIFhzWN4~95yCTIQzU5ClGeYvPI9Spms5S1i5x7K9PT8xTx-MWfelUPv0YXIF8VyAHS0WmLHAYnYosnT7GkA-COmQYEc~ncupbYFhz4Iq8d5UwDde8rqPAsBivGKCtKZr5QJUCK8o6r3GwSqnkOfNBoEqiCYAb84bNNa0y8g5Qaq01tUbvqzr339gXqiRDi4ga8rrlVVrec0~46cfHaKzevQRznF4BCQAleoy-omjFqoaPrKI-z8ubNi5dmTfN64NBNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Topeka, KS","date","2025-02-05T16:19:35Z","article","The governing body discussed a city manager proposal to ask voters to approve an additional 0.5 percent citywide sales tax to provide ongoing support for public safety, build affordable housing, and fund homelessness services. The discussion on Feb. 4 included a staff presentation, public comment from residents and stakeholders, and extended council debate about timing, earmarking and alternatives.

Budget staff told the council the city faces a projected $17 million operating shortfall for fiscal year 2026 if no changes are made; staff outlined a mix of options to close the gap including internal cuts, shifting capital funding sources, spending reserves and, as one revenue option, a sales tax increase. Finance staff said the city’s 2024 citywide sales tax receipts were about $19 million annually as context for the scale of a new tax.

The city manager and budget director framed the proposed ballot timing as an April 28, 2025 vote that could raise revenue beginning Oct. 1 if approved. Staff also briefed the governing body about other one‑time and recurring budget reductions they could make to limit the shortfall, noting that some items are one‑time funds and would not solve multi‑year structural deficits.

Public commenters and advocacy organizations urged specificity and transparency. Speakers asked that any ballot language specify how funds will be split among public safety, affordable housing and homelessness programs, and that voters be told whether funds would be dedicated to salaries, capital, or programs. Several advocates specifically asked the council to activate and sufficiently fund the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and recommended that any new local revenue include a dedicated, time‑limited allocation for housing production plus a recurring allocation for wrap‑around services and navigation.

Council members were divided. Some councilmembers argued that the public should have the short‑term choice to approve new revenue now so staff can plan for 2026; others said it would be better to exhaust additional cuts, process changes, clearer budget auditing and other measures before asking voters for a regressive tax and to consider a November ballot date instead.

Councilmember Jeff Dobler proposed a narrower compromise option in discussion: a smaller, targeted split for voters to consider — 0.2 percent for public safety (ongoing) and 0.1 percent for affordable housing/homelessness (five‑year limited levy) — which he argued would be more specific and address public concerns. City staff noted sample language from other jurisdictions that can include percentage allocations in ballot questions. The city manager said staff would continue to refine options and would return with recommended ballot language if the council asks.

Ending: No final action was taken Feb. 4. Staff will continue budget work and return with options, language and timelines; councilmembers asked for more detail on how funds would be allocated and for clearer cost/benefit modeling before placing a measure before voters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a proposal to place a 0.5% citywide sales tax on the April ballot to fund public safety, affordable housing and homelessness programs; council and public commenters split on timing, specificity and fairness, and the council did not vote on placing the question on the ballot that night.","taxTitle","Topeka City, Shawnee County, Kansas","taxId",4988,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6346857,"Council amends camping ordinance to expand prohibitions; ordinance passes after extended debate",1150,4593000,5743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d&start=4593&end=5743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d/thumbnail_4593000.jpg","/articles/6346857/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Council-amends-camping-ordinance-to-expand-prohibitions-ordinance-passes-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346857-1560a40ff856b0e567fa7376e8eb0b58/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967123&Signature=Nar8eKnb~iFNAEmpV4tbjjuNZgUT4jWq6R4297zJN9PLokzaoVuzh2msNIhhNxb~k4jL3guTUvkwDMKU~0n8Eq5jBQWhB6PwlFNWBhKgGpwd-vC64WWjScq7Ikw0TZNxEBdNgy9oPcJh-Jg3Jkf7VXoQVYb6r11VZ~wMy4AaF-ZF3pwvYjU90krMNjopdR1X4x5l5KCSBOAh2qe~z-7KfLjxJ6R7E9xuvP36axYnJMirLU91~uha0HAABKxzprhSf8nGhqiH56ZJhnc7fFCN5b~WLucNf8~3EGapMIP-4iF0Kr-ILWoSE-4lKCtojWw27gUL7NY7SOaUUiehv1dN6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An ordinance amending the city’s camping prohibitions (amending sections 9‑45, 3‑50 and 3‑60 of the Topeka Municipal Code) passed the Topeka City Council on Feb. 4 after extended discussion and public comment.

Council members Ricardo Valdivia Alcala and Jeff Dobler introduced and led the ordinance. The updated language tightens definitions, adds private‑property restrictions with a 10‑day limit for temporary camping on private parcels, and reduces certain buffer distances from 500 feet to 100 feet around public infrastructure in some provisions, sponsors said. Councilman Dobler moved to approve the ordinance and Deputy Mayor seconded the motion.

Council members and the city attorney debated precise effects: whether the ordinance would prohibit temporarily camping in a backyard for family activities, whether a person living in a vehicle (for example, a person who stays in a car overnight while searching housing) would be criminalized citywide, and how the rules interact with the separate RV code. The city attorney said the 10‑day figure was added by the governing body during prior policy discussions and that the ordinance does not ban people from ever living in a vehicle, but does prohibit camping in the defined restricted zones; she also advised that modifcations to the RV code would require a separate ordinance.

Councilwoman Hiller raised concerns about private‑property restrictions and the potential effect on people fleeing dangerous situations who use a vehicle or an RV as temporary shelter. Several council members said the ordinance responds to persistent and sometimes violent encampment‑related complaints on private and public property and to safety concerns cited by constituents. After procedural motions (a call of the question was moved and seconded), the council voted to approve the ordinance. The council recorded the final outcome as an approval; the mayor did not vote on the ordinance and the clerk reported that the motion carried with eight yes votes and one no vote (Councilwoman Hiller voting no).

Ending: The ordinance was approved as amended; the city attorney and staff indicated future work on RV rules could be pursued as a separate ordinance and staff will continue outreach and enforcement under the revised municipal code.","The council voted to approve amendments tightening definitions and expanding locations where camping is prohibited, including a 10‑day limit on private‑property temporary camping; the change drew sustained debate over effects on people living in vehicles and on private property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6346862,"Council hears full‑depth Huntoon Street reconstruction plan; water mains and pedestrian connectivity drive design",605,5765000,6370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d&start=5765&end=6370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d/thumbnail_5765000.jpg","/articles/6346862/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Council-hears-fulldepth-Huntoon-Street-reconstruction-plan-water-mains-and-pedestrian-connectivity-drive-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346862-cbb3590dec0fe46c56cd98d58fd5888f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967123&Signature=AgqVSbESryiiusVKFSwAbK-okktItGNB4T8V~PlO1mToXDBPsS9GNMB-KjRTsDCU99OoqY2BVEB~T16vmtWR2mQPxgjg7ZhKOiv8HMe54ZJSiEuppUBhPOuw2eh5opfRKehQVZni9fNC5vGFsDHLffffbTccQPqDe5-igDMl3K~PH~utBwt7RQnN8~tEh35h5bGQ8psGWVPMb4NDhbk3MsEf4-eJb2Wjju7YGjtTecjC8W4sQWvPTJyfjqWzWJCFexNVcHcvkh7ruSsERfiCtrTuVnG0Y82UFDosJ6l~uM4y9hte-OeogeUZlEk3TTpFOYV7EESWcLtKQGcv96N5ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultants returned to the Topeka City Council on Feb. 4 with an update on the Huntoon Street (Gage Boulevard to Harrison) reconstruction funded by the Shawnee County sales tax extension.

Presenters said the corridor has aging and partly missing water mains, frequent pavement segments rated poor or very poor, and accident hotspots. A 12‑inch water main replacement across much of the corridor is recommended; staff presented a $6,300,000 estimate for waterline work after a detailed review. Full roadway reconstruction would allow the city to replace utilities and avoid future “Swiss cheese” patches that would come from piecemeal repair, staff said.

The proposed typical section includes a single through driving lane in each direction with a protected bike lane, a 10‑foot two‑way shared use path on one side, a buffer, and parallel parking on one side where appropriate. Staff showed traffic counts and modeling that indicated the corridor could operate within capacity with a single driving lane in many segments while improving pedestrian safety and reducing conflict points that have contributed to crashes.

Council members asked about the 10‑foot shared‑use path width (several council members suggested narrower widths in constrained locations to preserve front yards and reduce impervious area), how abandoned lateral water lines would be handled (staff said they plan to remove old mains when feasible to avoid subgrade issues) and how bump‑outs and other geometric changes will accommodate emergency vehicles and delivery trucks (staff said they will run emergency vehicle turning templates and incorporate fire and police feedback in final design).

Staff said the proposed reconstruction costs, including water and storm work, remain within the Shawnee County sales tax project budget for the corridor and that some two‑lane sections approaching major cross streets will retain turn lanes where required.

Ending: Staff will continue design, coordinate with Topeka Fire and Police on turning templates and refine shared‑use path widths where constraints require; final design updates will return to council for budget appropriation before construction.","Staff and consultants recommended replacing undersized or missing water mains and building a complete‑street section on Huntoon from Gage to Harrison, including a shared use path, bike lane and curb work; the project budget includes a $6.3 million water line estimate.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6346867,"KDOT and city outline Polk‑Quincy (I‑70) viaduct rebuild, lane and ramp impacts to start in 2025",741,2699000,3440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d&start=2699&end=3440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d/thumbnail_2699000.jpg","/articles/6346867/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/KDOT-and-city-outline-PolkQuincy-I70-viaduct-rebuild-lane-and-ramp-impacts-to-start-in-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346867-74c8fdc7205182a36f9634d468f744cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967123&Signature=gqhoYEC4SV8sGVQkgzAmSeeP6vchXafvLM-LzmDIPuPgLMqAanwR86sAdZcvAzNdwrmkLN3hQA2xiw~7HyNBmFV~AwJYrhVliQWcSSLiTmExUAZc5Hb36IZgw4g6rAeHhbmyztOSR9c-NzV5mMB9UV14KF004Qflm-RQCb3VRjCN81IyoQ~sEdrB4L4RENIrWk8kKEw5sSwELBPSi~HAQEPrfjAfzlmwdT5bLzYQybO1Ay4HPp9byPs1nMfbg2HsnSGq~sU2dr1zvfwMxfEuNUa1mZSeAbnPUDdZ75Z9SnhbrHmXYl5SoRGpsYLQGhokCgvHAR0AgvPFtpj7uRWkJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of KDOT and Bartlett West updated the Topeka City Council on Feb. 4 about the Polk‑Quincy project, a multi‑year program to replace the aging I‑70 viaduct through downtown Topeka and flatten a sharp curvature of the interstate.

Bartlett West consultant Brian Armstrong and KDOT staff described the West half of the project — selected first because of bridge condition — as the immediate focus. Construction will replace the single, narrow viaduct with two separate bridges (one eastbound, one westbound), each with two traffic lanes plus inside and outside shoulders. KDOT said the new alignment will move the viaduct north and reduce the curve currently described as the sharpest between St. Louis and Denver.

The 2025 schedule will include lane restrictions on Topeka Boulevard and a local detour using Candaice/Kansas Avenue and Quincy; KDOT said Topeka Boulevard would be reconstructed in 2025, Candace Avenue reconstructed in 2026 and the old viaduct removed in a later year of the schedule. Weekend closures of I‑70 in the viaduct area and night work for overlays are already planned. KDOT noted bridge demolition and reconstruction will extend through 2027 with final tasks into 2028.

Armstrong said the project team will run an additional public information meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27, 5–7 p.m. at the Cyrus K. Holiday Building to explain traffic impacts, construction phasing and demolition plans and to give the public and business owners the chance to meet contractors. The Bartlett West team and KDOT public information staff will be present, Armstrong said.

Council members asked about demolition impacts to buildings adjacent to Kansas Avenue and whether lane closures would be needed for demolition; KDOT said demolition subcontractors plan to contain demolition within building footprints when possible and that demolition sequencing will be shared at the public meeting. Councilmembers also discussed routing of semis through neighborhoods, and KDOT said it has been coordinating mapping and work‑zone data with consumer mapping vendors to limit GPS routing through small residential streets.

Ending: KDOT and Bartlett West emphasized ongoing neighborhood outreach and a Feb. 27 public meeting; no formal council action was requested that evening.","KDOT and consulting teams told the council that major work will begin this year on the Polk‑Quincy viaduct project, with Topeka Boulevard lane restrictions, local detours and weekend interstate closures planned; public meeting set for Feb. 27.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6346872,"Topeka public works outlines response, shortfalls and upgrades after historic January storm",805,617000,1422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d&start=617&end=1422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246407-e3619c9d0e96d7b6bae6643eaf10a77d/thumbnail_617000.jpg","/articles/6346872/Topeka-City/Shawnee-County/Kansas/Topeka-public-works-outlines-response-shortfalls-and-upgrades-after-historic-January-storm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346872-efd212821e4cd81637335aad387537da/orig.mp4?Expires=1774967123&Signature=XRY52l5BnYo~JEvgj~Yx2TvZioxS5LPncIxdKdDJGsAJosDd5ahWEof86YK97c3OmzvyJnWeZp47KNmqmcgwwhJM5TicAj7tvqXAJUiSgNZaUkqlsr-AQIF4wsMf6ZDY1VKbq7tWYIikgVn8joxRTZDWCIcmsGVkZ9EYUrxpOsQZQ7gmALm-8EBfT7avQ0TytCXoTfyjXEEXsVcGiY61w3u3yze8qU65iEm8ZgbmSgbIe6aRzbkzeDeTXM1H37GeMJ11wJ2N~yDddzH~0COEN9bjiQ3dhUQG7d4F0sr0~Z2~KX3sQrpGr667VjRE0LvssIHvE~OGfF7Z7JVxsDIpLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Topeka City Council on Feb. 4 heard a detailed briefing from Public Works on the city’s response to a mid‑winter blizzard that dropped about 14 inches of snow and became one of Topeka’s largest single‑day storms.

Public Works Director Steve Grone told the council crews and contractors moved to 12‑hour shifts and operated 24 hours a day during the peak of the storm, prioritized arterial routes, bridges and emergency access, and later shifted contractors and city crews to neighborhood streets. The department’s direct costs for the event — through Jan. 17 — were “just under $1 million,” Grone said; when water, police, fire and facility costs are added the city’s total was “just over $1,300,000.”

City officials said the response succeeded in clearing major arterials and supporting emergency vehicles, but staff identified three major gaps: the city’s AVL/GPS truck‑tracking system was not fully reliable, limiting real‑time public updates; few local contractors submitted bids to supplement crews; and communications to residents, including the timing of “all roads treated” messages, needed improvement.

Grone described plans to replace or upgrade the AVL system so residents can view in real time whether a plow has been on a street. He also said staff are exploring “pucks” or similar check‑in devices for contractor trucks to improve tracking when contractors work for the city. The city manager and staff told the council procurement reached out widely for contractor support during the storm and received only 1 low‑capacity bid and limited interest from local contractors, which staff said reflected liability, equipment wear and market demand for private work.

Council members pressed staff on operational details: whether school bus routes could be prioritized (staff said they already coordinate with USD 501 and plan to expand those contacts), whether county or township plows could be used in extreme events (staff said they coordinate with Shawnee County and some townships but those agencies were also strained during the storm), and how the city decides whether to enter narrow residential streets (drivers use discretion; parked cars often block access). Staff said pump trucks and single‑axle dump trucks are being reallocated to better reach cul‑de‑sacs and that engineering will check contractor performance sooner in future events.

Staff and council members also discussed the cost of expanding operations to plow all residential streets concurrent with arterials: staff estimates adding nearly 900 miles of plow routes would require roughly 28 additional plow trucks, new salt distributors and an estimated capital cost above $6 million and roughly $1.7 million a year in recurring costs — a level of expansion staff said the city is not currently resourced to sustain.

Council members and the city manager praised public works crews, facilities and fleet staff for limited equipment failures and sustained operations. Several council members and members of the public also urged clearer pre‑storm messaging and faster, more precise post‑storm updates once the AVL system is replaced. Staff said some changes — earlier engineering inspections of contractor routes, better coordination with downtown parking to clear cars that blocked plow access, and improvements to public phone/online reporting — are already planned.

Ending: The council did not take a formal vote on changes to snow policy that night; staff said they would return with progress updates on AVL procurement and on measures to coordinate contractors, school bus routing and cul‑de‑sac service.","City officials said public works ran 24-hour operations during the Jan. blizzard, spending about $1.3 million citywide and identifying GPS tracking, contractor availability and communications as areas for improvement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates proposed citywide sales tax for public safety, affordable housing and homelessness; no ballot decision tonight

Council amends camping ordinance to expand prohibitions; ordinance passes after extended debate

Council hears full‑depth Huntoon Street reconstruction plan; water mains and pedestrian connectivity drive design

KDOT and city outline Polk‑Quincy (I‑70) viaduct rebuild, lane and ramp impacts to start in 2025

Topeka public works outlines response, shortfalls and upgrades after historic January storm