Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City highlights outreach: community navigator, renter education and 'Coffee with Code' events
Summary
City communications and public‑health staff outlined outreach tied to the 'Changing Our Culture' property‑maintenance initiative, including a popular 'Yard of the Month' video, a new community navigator position, a renter‑education session Nov. 6 and local Coffee with Code meetings beginning Sept. 20.
Topeka — During the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on Sept. 17, city staff described ongoing outreach tied to the "Changing Our Culture" property‑maintenance initiative, including social‑media promotion, community navigation and tenant education.
Dan Garrett, Director of Communications, said the initiative’s first "yard of the month" video "received more than 14,000 views" and that the city will recognize another winner at an award presentation. Garrett said staff are promoting "Coffee with Code" events with inspectors, fire and zoning staff to give residents a chance for one‑on‑one conversations; staff reported 137 people had responded to the Coffee with Code invite.
Leo Hope, introduced as the City of Topeka’s new community navigator, said his role is to connect neighbors to organizations and resources, meet community partners, and help people facing property‑maintenance violations access programs and referrals. "My goal is simple. To strengthen connections, provide support where it's needed, and help create a more resilient community for everyone," he said.
Chair Hiller announced a renter‑education program run with Kansas Legal Services scheduled for Nov. 6 at the library; the session will include a discussion of small‑claims court to help tenants avoid eviction and learn remedies such as temporary relocation through landlord insurance, staff said.
Staff emphasized that outreach and education are intended to promote voluntary compliance and reduce the need for enforcement actions, while also encouraging community trust and participation in reporting and problem solving.
Next steps: city staff will continue marketing outreach, host Coffee with Code events starting Sept. 20 and proceed with renter education and neighborhood engagement through the Changing Our Culture initiative.
Sources: Public Health and Safety Committee meeting transcript, Sept. 17, 2024 (social media metrics SEG 424–426; community navigator SEG 485–496; renter education SEG 531–546; Coffee with Code RSVPs SEG 442).
