Disagreement emerges in Topeka council debate over employee residency

Disagreement emerged Tuesday evening as members of Topeka’s governing body debated a proposal that would do away with the city’s residency requirement for employees.

Councilwoman Sandra Clear suggested she was willing to join council members Karen Hiller, Jeff Coen and Tony Emerson in supporting the proposed change.

But Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and Mayor Michelle De La Isla expressed opposition to it.

Councilman Brendan Jensen said he was open to having his mind changed but had reservations about the proposal, which he said was counterintuitive to efforts he and other advocates for this community have undertaken to make Topeka a place where people want to live.

“This really hurts my heart,” Jensen said.