Topeka's deputy mayor says mayor and interim city manager overstepping in hiring process

Deputy Mayor Christina Valdivia-Alcala said in an interview with The Topeka Capital-Journal that she was disappointed in how the city mayor and interim city manager discussed Tuesday evening's special city meeting.

During Tuesday morning's monthly news conference, Mayor Michael Padilla and interim city manager Richard Nienstedt said city council members won't choose the next city manager on Tuesday, adding that nothing is likely to be announced for another month.

Padilla said the governing body and selected community stakeholders are working diligently.

"I think that's important for the public to know, that we're taking this extra time to really vet the candidates, get to really know them and really feel comfortable as a body of who we will choose or recommend for the next city manager," Padilla said. "And that's an important position. It's probably one of the most important positions in the city level of government. Because that person really directs all the work."

Topeka's deputy mayor upset by lack of communication

Valdivia-Alcala said at no point had the governing body decided whether a vote would be taken Tuesday, and she had suggested holding a special meeting to make a decision after she ran last week's city meeting in Padilla's absence.

"We should determine that as a governing body," Valdivia-Alcala said. "It should not be laid out to the media and to the public. It's almost like — and I'm not saying this is the intent — but when I'm listening to that, I'm thinking, 'Well, is that a subtle message,' because instead of us dealing with you (the council) directly, we're just going tell you and that's wrong.

"That is wrong and that is lacking in transparency and that is not abiding by what the governing body is tasked to do."

In an email sent to The Capital-Journal, Padilla, Neinstedt and the governing body, Valdivia-Alcala said she was confused why decisions were shaped without the consideration of the city council and then made public.

"Is the full GB (governing body) in the dark as I am," Valdivia-Alcala's email read. "I am trying to understand why we as colleagues, as equals (one hopes) were not briefed on the information provided this morning. I also am saddened Mayor, that after the email I sent you, providing my insight on the meeting last week — that it did not even warrant a response. We are all busy. Thank you."

Padilla couldn't be reached for comment. City interim co-communications director Rosie Nichols later said neither Padilla nor Nienstedt expected to take a vote at the special meeting but didn't mean to say the governing body couldn't.

The governing body didn't take a vote during the meeting.

Alan Howze and Robert Perez are finalists for Topeka city manager post

The city has narrowed its search to two candidates: Alan Howze and Robert Perez.

Howze is a Kansas resident and works as the assistant administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Perez is the assistant city manager of infrastructure for Dallas.

Both candidates have more than 20 years of governmental experience.

New Topeka city manager will make police chief selection

Whoever is selected for the next city manager of Topeka will be responsible for selecting a new police chief.

During Tuesday's news conference, Padilla said the city won't begin that search until after a city manager is selected. He said an interim police chief will be selected and is likely to be an internal employee.

"It's important to have that interim come from within obviously, who knows the department at an executive level and who can keep the department running until that transition has been made," Padilla said.

Current police chief Bryan Wheeles will retire at the beginning of July. He has served as police chief since November 2021 and has worked for the police department for 30 years.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka leaders not on the same page in city manager hiring process