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WICHITA DISTRICT VI NEWSLETTER |
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A message from Council Member Cindy Claycomb...
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Greetings District 6 Friends,
There is a new community engagement initiative that is sweeping across Wichita.
Project Wichita is your chance to share your vision for Wichita over the next ten years.
Wichita State University's Public Policy and Management Center will facilitate the engagement process with a series of surveys, focus groups and interviews. As a result of the survey process, an action plan will be created to identify strategic steps for the future of our home.
We need as many people as possible from throughout the city and region to participate. You can have input to the vision process through focus groups, an online survey following the focus groups plus ongoing social media engagement. You can respond with a
"Do-it-Yourself" (DIY) focus group or participate in one of the many WSU or volunteer-led focus groups. You can
sign up for more information and for regular email updates. You can also get more involved by
signing up to volunteer during the process.
This initiative is being led by four volunteer co-chairs:
- Aaron Bastian, President of Fidelity Bank
- Debbie Gann, VP Communications & Public Affairs of Spirit AeroSystems
- Scott Schwindaman, President & CEO of Lubrication Engineers
- Juston White, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas
More than 70 organizations and businesses make up a Vision Team and they are committed to helping shepherd and fund the process. They include small and large businesses, non-profit organizations, civic and regional organizations and community groups. They plan on sharing the opportunity to provide input with their stakeholder groups such as employees, members, donors, boards, etc.
You may ask why are we doing this and the reason is quite simple. Just like successful organizations and businesses have a vision and action plan to guide their decisions and focus their efforts, successful communities listen to their residents and develop a vision that is based on community input and creates a shared outcome. In the last few years, Wichita has celebrated some big wins and increased pride. People have noticed a new energy developing in our city through a wide variety of efforts including increased development, new jobs, investment and amplified local pride. So the time is right to ask the citizens of Wichita what you want the future to hold for the next generation.
Speaking of volunteering, the weather is going to be beautiful so come join me tomorrow, May 5, down on the river for the
2018 Arkansas River Trash Roundup! Registration is at 8:30am at 151 N. Waco. There you can pick up trash bags and gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Sunscreen, a hat and bug spray are a good idea, too. After you fill a few bags, enjoy a post-cleanup cookout with the City of Wichita, Cargill, and Ducks Unlimited back at check-in. When you pick up river trash you protect water quality, animals that call the river "home," Wichita's image, and all the communities downstream - from Derby to the Gulf of Mexico. You can help speed up the check-in process by filling out the
Registration Form early and bringing it with you. Hope to see you there!
Have a great weekend!
Cindy Claycomb
Wichita City Council
District VI Council Member
316-268-4331
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DISTRICT VI NEWS & EVENTS
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District VI Advisory Board Information
The District VI Advisory Board (DAB VI) meets the first Monday of the month (and the third Wednesday of the month is optional) at the Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas, Wichita, KS, 67204. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
Next meeting: May 7, 2018
 District VI Monthly Coffee
District VI Coffee is held on the fourth Saturday of the month. These gatherings are a chance to discuss local city projects/issues, provide your input and ask questions. We meet from 9am to 10:30am at Downtown YMCA (402 N Market St). Coffee and pastries are available for purchase.
Hope to see you there!
Next meeting: May 26, 2018
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Wichita District VI Facebook Page 
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Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center Update
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On Saturday, April 21st the Office of Community Services together with the Park and Recreation Department hosted a Community Fair at Evergreen Recreation Center. The fair consisted of over 50 different vendors and offered a variety of educational, community and healthcare related services, including seven different health care screening clinics. Free food was provided and approximately 100 citizens attended the Fair in spite of the inclement weather!
The 1st of four Civic Engagement Academies, held its final class of the semester on May
2nd at the Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center. Academy attendees learned how to effectively interact with their local municipal government, constructive civil discourse and adaptive leadership principles. All graduates of the program received certifications recognized by the Kansas Leadership Center
.
If you are interested in participating in next semester's class,
contact:
Community Services Representative Brandon Findley at 316-303-8043 or via email at
bfindley@wichita.gov
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Council Member Cindy Claycomb and many members of the community attended the Storytime Villiage event at the Evergreen Public Library. Storytime Village's mission is to inspire a lifelong love of reading for under-served children from birth to age 8. To learn more about Storytime Villiage and how you can get involved with the program, visit
www.storytimevillage.org
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Wichita Flag
License Plate Bill
Signed Into Law
Followed by Groundbreaking for Pracht Wetlands Park
Vice Mayor Bryan Frye welcomed Governor Jeff Colyer and many State legislators, to the Hampton Inn Northwest on April 21, for the witness signing HB2599, the
Plates For Parks license plate bill, into law. This bill will allow the sale of a specialty license plate bearing the Wichita city flag. Proceeds from the plate - an annual $50 per plate royalty fee - will go to improving our City-owned parks. The plate will be available for purchase beginning in 2019.
Following the signing of the bill, there was a groundbre
aking ceremony for the nearly $2 million in improvements that are set to begin at Pracht Wetlands Park. Members of the Pracht family along with Judy and Craig Slawson were in attendance to celebrate. The Pracht family farmed the land for about a century. After its sale to Slawson Co., 41 acres of the parcel was donated to the City of Wichita in 2015.
The park will be the first of its kind in the Midwest; a wetland inside an urban-suburban area is very rare. This area is home to a diverse collection of wildlife and plant life. Wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate and we have the opportunity to retain this one and develop it in such a way that the community can enjoy its features. The park will be outfitted with walking paths, a boardwalk and blinds, perfect for observing a myriad of waterfowl. The project will be completed in four phases at a cost of approximately $7.2 million.
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Construction and Maintenance Projects
River Vista Development
Project includes construction of apartments and commercial retail on the west bank of the Arkansas River between Douglas and 1st Street.
Traffic Impact: The sidewalk on the south side of 1st Street is closed between McLean and Waco. Pedestrians will be detoured south to Douglas.
Contractor: Key Construction
Estimated completion: Spring 2018
Large Water Valve Replacements
This project will replace large water valves on large diameter water mains.
Traffic Impact: Nims is reduced to one lane north of Central.
Contractor: Pearson Construction
Estimated completion: Summer 2018
21st Street North, Ridge Road to Lakeway
This project will perform asphalt street repairs in preparation of a surface treatment along 21st Street North, between Ridge Road and Lakeway.
Traffic Impact: 21st is one lane in each direction throughout the area of construction.
Contractor: PPJ Construction
Estimated completion: Summer 2018
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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Getting to Know City Staff:
Charley Davidson
Public Information Officer
Wichita Police Department
Officer Charley Davidson graduated from Wichita State University (WSU) with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice in May 2002 and was hired by the
Wichita Police Department (WPD) in July 2002. He graduated the Police Academy in November of 2002 and after completing the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, he has held assignments in Patrol East, Patrol West, and the Office of the Chief of Police. Additionally, Davidson graduated from WSU with a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice in July 2005.
Davidson worked as a patrol officer while assigned to Patrol East and was assigned to community poling when he moved to the Patrol West bureau. During his tenure as a community policing officer he worked several different beats and worked hand-in-hand with community members, stakeholders, business owners, and others striving to improve the quality of life in each beat area. In June 2016, Davidson was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police where he currently serves as the WPD Public Information Officer. In this assignment, he works daily with local media in disseminating information to the community. He also maintains the WPD social media pages and website.
In 2009, Charley was selected to become a member of the WPD Honor Guard, where he represented the department at numerous retiree deaths and on-duty deaths. In 2010, Charley was selected to become a member of the WPD Mounted Unit. He also has worked as a bicycle patrol officer, and Crisis Intervention Team Officer.
Charley is fluent in American Sign Language. His mother has been deaf since she was young. Being raised by a deaf parent, he was able to use sign language before he could even speak. This skill has become valuable to the WPD as he is the only sign language interpreter on the department. He has utilized this skill in communicating with victims, suspects, and witnesses in a variety of situations. He also has assisted other agencies in their investigations involving deaf community members. Currently, he serves as the deaf community liaison between WPD and the deaf community. Charley taught the entire WPD department a class on interaction with the deaf community, and teaches each recruit class on the same topic. Additionally, Charley has taught various other subjects to department members.
Charley has received a distinguished service award, commendation bar, five-year safe driving award, and 10-year safe driving award. He has also received multiple certificate of commendation awards during his tenure on the department, and been named officer of the month twice while assigned to the Patrol West Bureau.
Charley was born and raised in Valley Center and graduated from Valley Center High School in 1999. After starting the police academy, he began dating Rachel, his wife. They were married in 2005 and have two children, ages 10 and 6, who are very active in sports. Rachel is self-employed and recently started her own business, Old Made New Designs, where she refinishes furniture.
Charley and his family are also very active in their church. Charley is an Ordained Minister and has worked in children ministries, youth ministries, and providing pulpit supply in the absence of pastors during Sunday Services.
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W.F.D Annual Fire Hydrant Inspections
The Wichita Fire Department begins their annual fire hydrant inspection in the month of March and it must be completed by November. The City of Wichita has approximately 13,000 active fire hydrants. During this time period you may see W.F.D. crews at fire hydrants performing the inspection. The process for checking a hydrant includes opening the caps, flushing the system, and checking for leaks. The fire crews may also remove debris or ask a homeowner or property representative to trim back a bush or plant that may be blocking access to the hydrant. The annual inspection ensures all hydrants are in working condition, easily accessible, and verifies the location of the hydrant. When defects are discovered on a hydrant, a request is sent to the City of Wichita Public Works department for repairs.
Fire code requires a three foot clearance around all city hydrants, and no parking within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant.
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Do you like walking in your neighborhood?
If so, your neighborhood is "walkable" - that is, friendly to all walkers, including seniors, children, and folks with wheelchairs and strollers. If your area is not walker-friendly, identify its obstacles! To score your streets or other areas, find the mobile-friendly survey link and paper form
here. If you take the survey using your cell phone, you will automatically update a map that City and County planners, transit, and others can use to prioritize improvements. In less than five minutes, you can input data!
Bike Walk Wichita will give a $100 check to the first 25 organizations that score 20 or more blocks by mid-June 2018! Further details are
online. Smooth sidewalks and bright crosswalks help you reach bus stops, churches, schools, parks, shops, and your other local destinations.
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Project Wichita is a community engagement process to discover the community's vision for Wichita in the next 10 years. What does that mean to you? That means "any group, anywhere, anytime" can share their thoughts about the future of Wichita and the region by discussing five questions and sharing their answers. Have a group of friends or coworkers who care about where Wichita and the region should go? Project Wichita features multiple ways to get involved. Wichita State University's Public Policy and Management Center will facilitate the engagement process with a series of surveys, focus groups and interviews. As a result of the survey process, an action plan will be created to identify strategic steps for the future of our home.
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2nd Annual Blight Tow Project
To support local cleanup efforts, the Wichita Police Department is holding its second annual citywide operation to remove inoperable vehicles, stored trailers, and vehicles without current tags from city streets.
The city will give a seven-day media notice to all citizens for removal of such vehicles. Once the vehicle is marked for tow with a green sticker, the owner will have 48 hours to remove the vehicle from the street or the vehicle will be towed on May 9, per City Ordinance 11.97.010 (b) (1).
These efforts are to help keep vehicles from becoming a nuisance or creating potentially hazardous conditions. WPD is working to improve the appearance of local neighborhoods and maintain safety.
To report a nuisance vehicle, please call or visit a WPD substation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Those locations and phone numbers are:
* Patrol East, 350 S. Edgemoor, (316) 350-3420
* Patrol North, 3015 E. 21st St., (316) 350-3400
* Patrol South, 211 E. Pawnee, (316) 350-3440
* Patrol West, 661 N. Elder, (316) 350-3460
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Recent City Hall Maintenance and Project Efforts
Multiple maintenance efforts at City Hall were completed during March by the Facilities Division.
A "Bottle Filling Station" was installed for testing and feasibility purposes on the 8th floor.
This station provides drinking water from a traditional fountain bubbler and also allows for the filling of water bottles.
For the bottling feature a sanitary no-touch sensor activates the filling function. In support of our environment a "
Green Counter™" displays the number of plastic bottles saved from waste streams and landfills.
Through life cycle replacement and by incorporating with other projects these stations will be phased in to City Hall and other City Facilities.
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Get Rid of Unwanted Newspaper Delivery
The City of Wichita worked with the Wichita Eagle and American Newspaper Solutions (ANS) to create an easy way to stop delivery of the free Eagle flyers. There is now an option on the City's website where citizens can contact ANS directly.
Please note the City's only involvement in this process is to provide an easy-to-find link where you can unsubscribe. The City has no control over how ANS responds to the unsubscribe requests. Sometimes delivery stops, but then starts up again when there is a new delivery person. If this happens, simply go to the link and unsubscribe again. To discontinue delivery, please click HERE to fill out the form or call 316-268-6000.
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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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May is National Bike Month
SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU
On any given day, you'll find Wichita streets filled with people walking, biking and driving. Crashes happen, and while the City of Wichita continues to improve our roads and paths to better accommodate everyone who uses them, preventing these crashes is a job for all of us.
No matter how you roll, you can do your part by following the simple
Rules of the Road. Together, we can make our streets safer for everyone.
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Let's be friends! When bicyclists and walkers share the same path, whether its the wide Redbud Trail or narrow neighborhood sidewalks, the etiquette may be similar to big ships and small boats sharing the same waterway:
- Share the space.
- The smallest has the right of way.
- When in doubt, be alert, kind and generous. Give way, whydon'tcha.
Some cautions include a pedestrian whose dog is on a long leash
that could trip a speedy bicyclist; a bicyclist who doesn't call out a "on your left" to unwary walkers in front of him/her; or children who dash into bicyclists' paths.
Let's be friends, polite and SAFE for everyone!
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Take the Pledge: Be Air Aware
The City is launching a new initiative as part of its annual "Be Air Aware" campaign, asking residents to take a pledge to improve air quality during ozone season, which runs March 1 through Oct. 31.
To take the pledge, residents should visit
www.BeAirAwareKS.org
and choose one or more of the simple actions listed. By selecting one action, residents can help improve air quality for the community. The website features more information, such as how ground-level ozone is formed, how it affects the air and the risks of not taking action to prevent ozone forming emissions. Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant. Heat and sunlight bake emissions from vehicles, mowers, energy production and industries, forming ground-level ozone.
Keeping Wichita's ozone levels under federal standards is important for personal health, community health and the regional economy. Here's how residents can stay engaged during ozone season:
- Visit www.BeAirAwareKS.org;
- Sign up for ozone alerts, issued when there's a risk of high ozone;
- Follow BeAirAwareKS on Twitter and Instagram for daily ozone forecasts;
- Join the new Be Air Aware KS Facebook group, located through the City's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/cityofwichita/, for air quality news and tips;
- Visit http://www.wichita.gov/ozone for more information on air quality; and
- Watch City7 on Cox Cable Channel 7.
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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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Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport has a magazine just for you travelers.
Check it out
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And are you looking for a get-away?
HOT FARES can help you get there.
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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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Use the link below to filter sales by area or by items of interest. Read descriptions of the sale submitted by the host, and in some cases, pictures are provided. View a map that provides pinpoints for where garage sales are being held. A report of sales based on search criteria can be printed or downloaded into an Excel sheet.
Permits can be obtained online; simply set up an account (username and password) and purchase a permit ($2.50/day). The online system allows you to post a description of your sale and upload up to five photos.
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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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Health Care for Uninsured,
Low-income Available
In 1999,
Project Access began coordinating access to donated medical care for uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County. Thanks to the founding funders - United Way of the Plains, the City of Wichita (CSBG) and Sedgwick County - Project Access is still able to serve the community today.
Project Access and its community partners serve patients in many locations. Eligible uninsured patients are enrolled for limited periods of time to address immediate medical needs. Once enrolled, patients have access to a variety of specialists, as well as prescription medication, durable medical equipment and diabetic supplies.
Eligible patients can be referred by participating physicians throughout Sedgwick County.
Additional key partners are community clinics and the Department for Children and Families (DCF). Patients who receive primary care at certain community clinics may be referred to Project Access and enrolled by an onsite DCF eligibility specialist.
Eligible patients are referred to Project Access by providers at the following sites:
For more information call 316-688-0600
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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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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8042 |
2700 N. Woodland
Wichita, KS 67204
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