Topeka staff propose letting property‑maintenance inspectors cite abandoned cars to speed removal

Topeka — City staff asked the Public Health and Safety Committee on Sept. 17 to expand an ordinance so Property Maintenance Unit inspectors can issue citations for abandoned or illegally parked vehicles on public roadways while conducting their regular inspections.

Commander Colleen Stewart of the Police Department’s support bureau, who oversees property maintenance, told the committee that assigning these cases to PMU inspectors would improve continuity and tracking because those inspectors work in a consistent geographic area and “know what cars they've already addressed and when they need to come back”. She said the change would let PMU inspectors "write the citation themselves, call for the tow truck, and take the vehicle out of the area without having to call in a patrol officer".

Stewart noted the scale of community requests: staff reviewed city records and reported "973 click fix requests solely to the police department" and that “65% were about abandoned vehicles”. Under current practice, patrol officers typically mark and then must return to confirm a vehicle has not moved before further action; that staffing model makes abandoned-vehicle follow-up difficult, Stewart said. She said PMU inspectors already have access to criminal-justice information systems and the city is working to equip them with electronic ticketing devices.

Council members pressed staff about scope and timing. The ordinance change would initially apply only to vehicles on public roadways; PMU inspectors already address inoperable vehicles on private property under the property‑maintenance code, but they cannot issue roadway citations for operable vehicles parked on the street. On public roadways, the typical threshold staff cited is 48 hours before an inoperable/abandoned determination is acted on. By contrast, administrative abatement on private property involves a notice and reinspection timeline — staff said that process typically includes a 13-day notice followed by reinspection and, if needed, administrative warrants for entry.

Robert Betts, the city manager, said PMU taking this responsibility would "basically just take over that function" from police, operating under similar timelines. Chair Karen Hiller and Councilman David Banks indicated support, but Deputy City Counsel noted the committee did not have a quorum that day, so the panel could not take final action; Hiller said she would ask the city manager whether the item should be forwarded to full council for consideration.

Supporters said the change could improve neighborhood quality and reduce repeat reports by allowing the same inspector to follow a vehicle through the process rather than relying on patrol staffing. Some members also emphasized the need for clear standard‑operating procedures before broad implementation so inspectors understand notice timelines, towing authority and how citations interact with abatement and municipal‑court processes.

Next steps: staff will refine procedures, consider training and eticketing needs, and the city manager will decide whether to forward the ordinance amendment to the full City Council for a vote.

Sources: Public Health and Safety Committee meeting transcript, Sept. 17, 2024 (topic introduction SEG 644; discussion and proposal SEG 659–SEG 953; quorum/next steps SEG 1099–SEG 1111).