Best Topeka Tweet-A-Longs of 2015

TL;DR Y'all are gluttons for bleak stuff. And the update to our budget portal is pretty slick. Happy New Years, everyone. 2015 has been real.

Today I found a new threshold for bad smells

TL;DR Our pump crews inspect our 84 pump stations every week to make sure they're in top working order, and there are always crews on call just in case (yes, even during the holidays). Some of those have nightmare rooms with bar screens, that catch the big materials that can't make it through our system. I'll never smell the world the same again.

FYI: Starting pay for this position is $14.26.

What property code maintenance looks like with some teeth

TL;DR Property maintenance violations can come with jail time, and now that's totally plausible. Topeka's new code docket allows the City to better track and enforce code violations, with compliance as the goal.

View Code Docket Map in a full screen map

Demolishing an abandoned home in SE Topeka

TL;DR Demolition contracts have the best job. Demolishing a structure takes at least 6 months, generally longer with all the legal notifications. The City will focus on identifying unsafe abandoned properties next year, with the goal of demolishing about 40. Cities throughout Kansas want to gain legal control earlier, to prevent demolishing good homes and get them to people who need affordable housing.

Forestry has all the fun

TL;DR Forestry will cut down trees and plant them (if you buy them) in the public rights of way. Their toys equipment is impressive, and the crews make it look way easier than it is to operate them. Source: I tried two of them today.

If you missed the last tweet-a-long with forestry, when we took down a Sycamore, check it out, too.

Applying to be a Topeka Police Officer

TL;DR Math without a calculator is more difficult than you remember. Don't eat a big meal before you take the physical agility test. If you fail once, try, try again.

Click to learn more about the Topeka Police Officer exam or call Officer Brandon Gogian, recruiting and hiring officer, at 785-368-9490.

Speed Lightning.