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WICHITA DISTRICT II NEWSLETTER |
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A message from Council Member Pete Meitzner...
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City staff are in the beginning stages of preparing the 2019-2020 City Budget. The budget process is designed to ensure that the City is funding the most important things, and funding those things at a level that allows City services to provide excellent service to customers and residents. The first step in the process is reviewing what services the City provides, and comparing those to the City Council's mission and focus area: The City of Wichita is a well-run City focused on keeping you safe, providing a dependable transportation network and infrastructure, creating an environment that fosters economic growth, facilitating a sense of living well. Everything the City funds should be aligned to that mission and focus areas.
Since revenue shortfalls are projected in the future, city staff will develop decision packages that offer options to reduce expenditures and eliminate or re-structure certain services. These decision packages will form the basis of the engagement process this year. They will identify certain areas of the City budget, and offer alternatively operating strategies or different outcome expectations, or perhaps a complete elimination of a particular service. In addition, the City is seeking to recover more of the costs of certain activities though user fees. Activities that benefit a small or unique group of individuals most likely will be identified for potential fee increases.
Engagement is very important in the budget process. Feedback from residents has helped shape which recommendations are included in the budget. Staff anticipate visiting the District Advisory Boards beginning in the middle of June and continuing into July. In addition, the City will hold a Social Media Town hall session on June 21. This provides residents the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, or just find out what ideas are being discussed for the 2019-2020 budget. Best of all, residents can do this via social media, without having to visit City Hall or come another evening meeting. In the past, the City has received over 700 comments during this event, and these comments are recorded and summarized for the City Council.
Based on the feedback received, the City Manager will finish up his budget recommendations in early July. He is scheduled to present his proposed budget to the City Council on July 17, 2018. This presentation will also be streamed live on the City's website and on public access cable channel 7. The budget will also be posted on-line. Council meetings on August 7 and August 14 provide the public additional opportunities to comment about the proposed City budget. On August 14, the City Council will adopt the budget, in accordance with State statute.
I encourage you to get involved and provide input either at the District II Advisory Board meeting on June 11 or during the Social Media Town Hall meeting on June 21 or at one of the Council meetings on August 7 or 14. If these opportunities don't work with your schedule, please send me an email at
pmeitzner@wichita.gov
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Hope to see you there!
Pete Meitzner
Wichita City Council
District II Council Member
Ph: 316.268.4331
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DISTRICT II NEWS & EVENTS
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2018 Wichita Riverfest Starts Today!
Regardless of what it has been called over the years, Riverfest has always been about bringing people together. From the beginning, as part of the City's Centennial celebration in 1970, the goal was to bring the entire community together to build community pride and focus on Wichita's beautiful natural resource, the Arkansas River. The original founders would be proud to know what they initiated more than 45 years ago is still going strong today!
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East Kellogg Improvements
Kellogg and Webb Interchange: Kellogg will be improved to a six-lane freeway with an interchange at Webb Road. The project improvements include the following: one-way frontage roads on the north and south sides of Kellogg; Webb Road Bridge over Kellogg; new traffic signals at Webb and at Corporate Hills; six-foot sidewalks; aesthetic enhancements; waterline, sanitary sewer, and storm water improvements; and landscaping following construction
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KTA exit 50 will remain open but with modified access from the frontage road and not directly from Kellogg.
Traffic Impact:
- Speed limits are reduced to 40 mph on Kellogg and 30 mph on Webb throughout the construction zone
- Kellogg traffic is shifted to the frontage roads
- No left turns at Webb for any direction
- For eastbound traffic wanting to go north on Webb, proceed to the U-turn traffic light ½ mile east of Webb
- Access to and from the KTA
- Eastbound Kellogg: to access the KTA, proceed to K-96 (2 miles east of Webb) and then use the exit for I-35/127th. The toll plaza near Webb is still open with access only from the south frontage road; there is no longer direct access from Kellogg
- Westbound Kellogg: to access the KTA, proceed to Rock Rd and make a U-turn and stay on the south frontage road
- KTA traffic exiting at Exit 50: to go westbound on Kellogg, proceed east after exiting the turnpike and use the U-turn ½ mile east of Webb
Kellogg, Greenwich and I-35 Interchanges:
Kellogg will be improved to a six-lane freeway with an interchange at Greenwich Road and new interchange connections to I-35 (KTA). The connections to I-35 will allow access for EB Kellogg to NB & SB I-35, and for SB I-35 to WB Kellogg. The project improvements include the following: Kellogg bridges over Greenwich, Zelta, and I-35; interchange ramps to I-35; one-way frontage roads on the north and south sides of Kellogg; connection of 127th
(south of Kellogg) to
Zelta with a bridge over I-35; new traffic signals to replace existing signals at Greenwich, Zelta and the entrance to One Kellogg Place on Greenwich; ten-foot shared-use-path along Greenwich for pedestrians and bicyclists; aesthetic
enhancements
; waterline, sanitary sewer, and storm water improvements; and landscaping following construction.
Traffic Impact:
- Greenwich is reduced to one lane each direction through the end of the year. Expect delays!
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Lefts turns are prohibited from southbound Greenwich to Walmart Drive. Left turns are allowed from Walmart Drive to southbound Greenwich
- Kellogg traffic is shifted to the frontage roads
- Speed limit is reduced to 40 mph on Kellogg
- Westbound is reduced to one-lane at K-96
- SB K-96 ramp to WB Kellogg is closed for the duration of the project (until 2021).
- The direct connection between 127th Street East and Kellogg is permanently closed. Upon completion of the project, 127th will curve to the west and connect to Zelta
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
143rd Street Improvements
This project will widen 143rd Street to a five-lane roadway with two through lanes in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane. Additional turn lanes south of Kellogg are included, along with drainage and water line improvements. Sidewalk will be constructed, including a 10-foot wide multi-use path on the west side of 143rd Street and a pedestrian crossing signal at the north end of the project between Siefkes Street and the Kansas Turnpike Authority Bridge.
Traffic Impact: 143rd is one lane in each direction. Intermittent flagging of traffic may occur during work hours for utility installation.
127th Street Improvements
This project will widen 127th Street to a three-lane roadway with one through lane in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane along with five feet wide bike lanes on both sides and drainage improvements. Sidewalk will be constructed on the west side of 127th between 13th St. N. and Rocky Creek Parkway and both sides of the street north of Rock Creek Parkway with a bike and pedestrian crossing at the old railroad tracks (Red Bud Trail).
Traffic Impact: 127th Street is northbound only for the duration of the project.
29th Street and 127th Street Intersection
This project will construct Paving & Stormwater Improvements to serve 29th Street from Boulder Drive to 127th Street & 127th Street from 29th Street to 27th Street.
Traffic Impact: The intersection of 29th and 127th is OPEN to traffic.
WICHway traffic alerts available by text or email
WICHway, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on Wichita's highways, offers a new feature sending subscribers texts and/or emails that share special traffic alerts created by operators at the WICHway Traffic Management Center. The alerts are created when a traffic problem such as a major crash, a highway closure or a similar event causes a significant disruption on a Wichita highway. The alerts are an extension of the WICHway website (
www.WICHway.org), an informational resource the public can consult before traveling on Wichita's highways.
The website adjusts to the type of device being used - a computer, a tablet or a smartphone - and can be bookmarked on a smartphone so that it performs similarly to an app. A short video showing how to bookmark any page from the site can be viewed at
KDOT's YouTube page.
WICHway shares information that is gathered from 55 roadside cameras and 63 traffic sensors. Messages are displayed on 25 electronic message signs, shared on the website and can now be sent to subscribers so that travelers, commuters, freight operators and others using Wichita's highways can make informed decisions about their route.
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Wichita District II Facebook Page 
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Getting to Know City Staff:
Deputy Chief Anna Hatter
Wichita Police Department
During her tenure, she has been assigned to Patrol East and Patrol North as a patrol officer, community policing officer, and Special Community Action Team (SCAT) officer. Hatter also worked as a School
Liaison Officer and DARE Officer. As a Detective, Hatter worked in the burglary section and sex crimes section.
In 2007, Hatter was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, assigned to both the Patrol East and Patrol South bureaus. As a Lieutenant, she commanded the 4th Watch Patrol West section and Auto Theft section
in Investigations before being promoted in 2016 to Captain. As Captain, Hatter was assigned to the WPD Records Bureau and was very instrumental in assisting the department in transitioning to a new Records Management System.
In May 2018, Hatter was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief.
Hatter and her husband, Chris, have a total of five children and nine grandchildren.
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City Fire Protection Rating: Among Nation's Best
The Wichita area's fire-protection services rating has improved to among the best in the nation, boasting a top-level status enjoyed by only 315 of 47,000 American communities and only one of six communities in Kansas.
Fire-protection services ratings are provided about every five years by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), a leading supplier of data and analysis for the insurance industry that collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts. ISO analyzes relevant data using a fire-suppression rating schedule then assigns communities a Public Protection Classification (PPC) ranging from 1 to 10 - with 1 representing superior property fire protection and 10 indicating an insufficient property fire protection that fails to meet minimum ISO standards. Wichita's PPC rating improved to Class 1/10 from a Class 3, following a recent survey.
The improved fire-protection services rating, which takes effect July 1, represents possible cost-savings for local residents, businesses and industries. Most insurers use PPC classifications for underwriting and calculating premiums for residential, commercial and industrial properties. Communities whose PPC improves may get lower insurance prices.
"The new rating is welcome news," Wichita Fire Department Chief Tammy Snow said onThursday during Mayor Jeff Longwell's weekly news conference. "The department has worked very hard to maintain the rigorous standards required by the ISO. I want to thank our community partners, including Sedgwick County 911, Sedgwick County Fire District #1, and City of Wichita Public Works & Utilities for their assistance."
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New Fireworks Ordinance Takes Effect in the City of Wichita
As July 4th approaches, most members of our community look forward to all the fun in the sun, including picnics, outings to the lake and relaxing around the pool. Along with these fun activities, the use of fireworks has been a part of the festivities dating back to 1777.
The Wichita Fire Department (WFD) encourages citizens who wish to partake in the use of fireworks to do so safely and to follow the local laws. For many years, the City of Wichita has restricted the use of fireworks to only those items which produce sparks and travel less than 6' from the device. The use of larger consumer fireworks such as mortars, rockets and roman candles are not allowed. This situation has worsened over the years because most of the surrounding communities allow the larger fireworks and some individuals choose to bring those into the City limits of Wichita, which is illegal.
In the past year, the Wichita Fire Department has been developing and presenting options to the community and the City Council for changes to the fireworks ordinance. On May 1, 2018 the City Council approved some changes that will be in effect staring this 4th of July season. Here is what you need to know about the current ordinance.
- Fireworks can be sold and shot from June 27 through July 5
- Fireworks use is limited between the times of 10 a.m. and midnight
- Fireworks used in the City of Wichita must not travel more than 6'
- The WFD tests and approves the items sold in the City of Wichita
- Any fireworks with the label "emits flaming balls" are illegal in the City of Wichita
- Adults can be ticketed for juveniles found in violation of the ordinance
- Property owners/occupants can be ticketed for violations on their property
- Each ticket carries at $250 fine, plus the confiscation of illegal fireworks
Increased enforcement efforts will be seen in the City this season, as well. Teams of police and firefighters will be out writing tickets and confiscating illegal fireworks. The City of Wichita wants all citizens to have a fun and safe holiday. To achieve this goal, here are some tips:
- "Shoot'em where you buy'em." If you choose to buy fireworks in a neighboring community, then shoot them there, do not bring them back into the City of Wichita
- Be respectful to your neighbors
- Follow the ordinance on allowed times and dates of us
- Clean up after yourselves and don't leave fireworks trash lying around
- When you clean up, NEVER throw used fireworks directly in the trash. Wet them down and let them sit overnight. If you must collect them right away, put them in a metal container with a lid
- Keep Wichita Safe, never let children use fireworks without close supervision
- Attend a professional fireworks show
The approved list of fireworks for the City of Wichita will be posted on the Wichita Fire Department's webpage at
www.wichita.gov/fire. Any questions can be sent to the Fire Prevention Division by email,
WichitaFire@wichita.gov, or by phone at 316-268-4441.
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The project is called
I Fly Wichita. It is an economic development initiative in which the above organizations and area chambers of commerce have a common goal to improve the economic vitality and business climate of the region. Quality air service is vital to achieving this goal. In order to attract companies to the region, increase jobs, and attract new talent the region must have affordable and accessible air service. I Fly Wichita is an initiative focused primarily on the business community to encourage their companies and employees to "Get On Board" and fly out of ICT whenever possible.
When you fly out of Wichita, you help our region prosper. And when you fly the low-fare airlines at Eisenhower, you help keep fares low, which leads to better air service. The better our air service, the more opportunities for economic expansion. You have the power. Make travel decisions that fuel our region's growth.
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Public Works & Utility Staff Participates in Elementary School Career Day
Engineering staff recently participated in a Career Day activity at Griffith Elementary School. Julianne Kallman, Subdivision Engineer, and Deb Ary, Utility Project Engineer, spoke with 3rd through 5th graders about a variety of issues related to how public works and utility functions impact their daily lives. Students heard about how the department and its mission are a part of the local government, and what that means. They were able to see a design plan sheet as well as pictures of construction. Staff also discussed the full water and sewer cycle, treatment plants, and how we deal with leaky pipes. The last part of the presentation included showing jar samples of treated and untreated water and waste water to demonstrate the impacts of the treatment processes.
Rodney Peterson, Guidance Counselor at Griffith, followed up the career fair with the following positive message to staff: "The students were still talking the next day about 'clean water' and what makes it possible to drink. One parent commented to me later that they received a 'lecture' on where water comes from and why we should not waste it in our homes. And not only how important it is but that we should be thankful for those who take care of it for us."
Peterson also added, "A warm glow grows inside when a student gains insight into the world around them. Thank you for sharing with the students and helping them understand the world around them. Several were calling the firefighters and police officers heroes but some others were commenting about how the public works people were the 'unsung heroes' of our city. So our hats are off to you, the unsung heroes of our city."
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Mr. Chavez, is seated front row, third from the left
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Navy Veteran, Survivor of Pearl Harbor Attack, Visits Wichita
Eisenhower National Airport welcomed Ray Chavez, a US Navy veteran who is the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, at a special ceremony last week. Mr. Chavez is 106 years old and was en route to Washington, D.C. for the National Memorial Day program.
In Washington, Mr. Chavez's packed schedule included meeting with President Trump, and the Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis. On his way to the capital, he landed at Eisenhower for a meet and greet hosted by
Kansas Honor Flight at Yingling Aviation. At the event, he was joined by other WWII veterans and active duty service men and women.
The event and flight were sponsored by the
Spirit of Liberty Foundation. Mr. Chavez recounted his story from December 7, 1941, to attendees. He recalled going home after his shift had ended at 6:00 a.m. His wife was outside and saw a foreign airplane flying very low and woke him up saying they were being attacked. He immediately got back up and returned to his ship. During the war, he was assigned to the USS La Sala and participated in eight battle campaigns.
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Julia Cox (left) and Jianna Cousin
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Mayor's Youth Council Wraps Up Productive Year
On Saturday, May 19, the
Mayor's Youth Council (MYC) held its annual Spring Banquet at the Visitor's Center in Cowtown. Approximately 75 members and their families, along with City Council Members, City staff, and representatives from sponsor and partner organizations attended.
Vice Mayor Bryan Frye, talked about the importance and impact these future leaders have on Wichita. Don Sherman, the Vice President, Community Relations and Strategic Partnership at Westar Energy, and Sam Sackett, the Senior Manager Government Relations and Corporate Communications at Spirit AeroSystems, spoke on how their organizations help fund the Council to create critical opportunities for Wichita's youth.
This year's Council formed four issue groups:
- Education: Partnered with the Wichita Community Foundation to build Little Free Libraries in downtown Wichita, where people can donate and pick-up books freely
- Environment: Formed a partnership with Waste Connections to start a recycling pilot project in Riverside Park and expanding recycling options for the public
- Mental Health: Worked with other youth organizations such as ICTeens in Mind to organize a group where teens can safely discuss mental health issues they are facing in their lives and seeing in their communities
- Women's Rights: Hosted their own 'Fight for Fem' event in Fairmount Park, gathering people to raise awareness around women's issues and including guest speakers from organizations advocating against domestic violence.
The outgoing Youth Mayor, Jianna Cousin, who graduated from Northeast Magnet this spring, presented an overview of the Council's activities this past year. Ms. Cousin presented the incoming Youth Mayor, Julia Cox, who will be a senior at Wichita Collegiate next year, with the Mayor's gavel, and Ms. Cox gave an outline of her hopes and plans for MYC in the coming year.
To end the evening, the MYC Coordinator Ian Hutcheson presented seven individuals with awards and scholarships:
- Ms. Cousin received the Activist Award for her work on spreading awareness of public policy issues among her peers
- Ms. Cox received the Vision Award for continuing to challenge herself to grow as a leader who can unite diverse groups around a common idea
- Meredith Herter, who will be a junior at Maize High School this fall, received the Dedication Award for being the most engaged in Council activities throughout the year
- Khanh Le, who graduated from Southeast High this spring, received the Service Award for her commitment to bettering the lives of others in the community
- Abraham Arias, Jody Cho, Ms. Le, and Nicolas Quinones, all received $500 college scholarships for their ongoing commitment to the Council during their senior years
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Start Neighborhood Night Out Planning Now
The City of Wichita will celebrate
Neighborhood Night Out from
5:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, and Mayor Longwell is encouraging residents to start their planning now.
Neighborhood Night Out, formerly celebrated as National Night Out and Celebrate Safe Communities, is in its second year. It's an annual event that promotes neighborhood safety and combats crime by encouraging neighbors to get to know one other through neighborhood parties, picnics, cookouts and other social gatherings over one designated evening.
"Neighborhood Night Out is a great way to get to know your neighbors, so you can look out for one another and keep your area safe," Mayor Jeff Longwell said.
To encourage participation, the City will waive park fees for groups who want to hold their gathering in a neighborhood park. While supplies last, the City will also provide barricades at no charge to groups that want to block off a portion of the street for their event. The registration form for parties is available online, as well as information on how to plan a block party that includes the form for street closures.
It's up to neighborhoods to decide how to celebrate. The options are limitless; they can hold a block party, picnic, ice cream social, cookout, etc.
Police Officers, Firefighters, elected officials and other City staff will attend as many of the neighborhood parties as possible. For more information, please contact the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4165.
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Auburn Hills Golf Course
June 2 at 1pm - $50/player
18-hole shotgun | 2-person scramble
Our mission is to grow the game of golf through juniors in our community. Help us by playing in this fundraising event. The majority of funds raised will help Wichita Public Golf Courses (WPGC) offer two Hook A Kid On Golf programs in 2019, sending 150 kids home with new golf clubs to continue playing golf!
This is an 18-hole shotgun with 2-person teams. Includes lunch, drinks, complimentary 18-hole round to any WPGC, range access and hole contests. A hole in one contest will take place, and the winner will win a yearlong season pass!
Sponsor a hole for $135 and receive an ad in our Golf Wichita mobile app. This money creates scholarships for junior golfers that are not financially able to participate in Hook A Kid.
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Join the
Wichita Parks Foundation for our inaugural
Dinner in the Park, a fundraiser for our scholarship fund. The dinner will be held at Reflection Square Park on Douglas in downtown on
Friday, June 29, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Learn about the Foundation and listen to local jazz and blues band
Skinny Slim and the Fat Tuesday Brass Band. We'll also have a special guest joining us. Dinner will be provided by Corporate Caterers, with a cash bar from Xclusive Events- Tin Shaker.
Proceeds from each ticket sold will go toward the Wichita Parks Foundation Scholarship Fund. Annually, we provide financial assistance to area children to attend the park department's Summer of Discovery Program. However, we want to serve more children and more programs. We hope you will join us and make this goal a reality.
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Senior Wednesdays in Wichita
Senior Wednesdays are always fun and there is something different to do; someone new to meet. There are also many senior activity centers in Wichita and the surrounding areas, so be informed.
Be entertained. Be active.
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At the Center of It All
Downtown is everybody's neighborhood, the nexus of activity and exploration for locals and out-of-towners alike. Explore the sights and sounds of local life around some of Wichita's favorite attractions, historic landmarks and public spaces. Plan a creative daytrip, find a green space to relax in, or unwind with an evening of live entertainment: Downtown's diverse scene has something for everyone.
Within easy distance of world-class entertainment, buzz-worthy dining, craft coffees, cocktails and microbrews, richly colored with street art and offering a full calendar of unique local events, Downtown is where you want to be.
Building on a thriving history of innovation and creativity as old as its signature warehouses and brick alleys, every city block offers a new adventure. Come down for a show, a casual afternoon or a meal with friends, and find yourself swept away by the colorful energy and Midwestern hospitality of our city's core.
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| A job board with local, Wichita Area jobs only! |
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| JOB SEEKERS, TRAINING & EDUCATION, RESOURCES, AND PROGRAMS |
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CLICK ON ANY OF THE THREE LINKS ABOVE TO FIND A JOB THAT WILL SUIT YOUR NEEDS!
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Fly Away to La La Land
Ah, Los Angeles. Land of movie studios, palm-studded beaches, and Disneyland. Plan a vacation to L.A., pack your sunglasses and sunscreen, and strut like a star. But be careful of the paparazzi! Once you get off the beaten path, you'll find trendy neighborhoods that are easy to explore. We have some cool ideas for your L.A. vacation. And starting June 6, you can fly there nonstop on Allegiant.
Did you know that Wichita is a a Port City? It is, according to Chris Angel Gomez, director of guest sales and services for Celebrity Cruises. Chris loves to take cruises and has some recommendations for you. We'll give you some suggestions on what airlines to take, airports to fly into, and what cruise ports to use.
Sit back, relax, and take a breath of fresh Air.
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 District II Advisory Board Information
The District II Advisory Board (DAB II) meets the second Monday of the month at Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St. Wichita, KS 67208. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2018 meeting calendar,
To find DAB II agendas and minutes,
The District II Breakfast
occurs quarterly. The next breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., at The Regent Senior Living Residence at 2050 N. Webb Rd. (In the theater on the second floor).
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The booklet is designed to provide you with important tips and information on a variety of community issues.
By working together, we can help prevent and solve crimes, improve and make neighborhoods safer, resolve conflicts and enhance our quality of life. You can download the booklet for future references
HERE!
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Online Reporting for
Animal Control Problems
Wichita Animal Control has launched an online form to report non-emergency animal control problems as part of an ongoing effort to improve services. The form can be accessed by
clicking here
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Don't be left in the
dark
If
you notice outages within
your neighborhood, fill out
Westar Energy's website
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Debris found in a culvert between two ponds
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CULVERTS GET CLOGGED UP WITH THE STRANGEST THINGS!
Proper maintenance of ponds and ditches is necessary to prevent flooding as well as to preserve the natural vegetation and wildlife in our community.
If you have questions about this or see someone disposing of unknown substances in a pond or ditch, please make a call...
Report Illegal Discharges - 268-4498
Storm Water Issues - 268-4090
Recycling Questions - 660-7200
Stormwater Utility Charges - 265-1300
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CRIME STOPPERS OF WICHITA/SEDGWICK COUNTY
Still completely anonymous, tips submitted through the P3 mobile app, unlike SMS text tips, have no length limitations and allow images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip. Anderson Software's sophisticated encryption processes obscure any and all identifying information and provides assured anonymity for tipsters.
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily
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F
ind out about Park and Recreation Summer 2018 Classes by
clicking here!
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I
CT SOS is a project-based human trafficking organization that acts as a liaison between specific local professional groups who work with trafficked youth and the Wichita volunteers who seek ways to be involved in finding solutions to fight sex trafficking. You can help in so many ways.
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-352-4886 |
City Hall, 455 N Main St.
Wichita, KS 67202
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