District 1 Advisory Board

DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD (DAB) I MEETING MINUTES Monday, November 5, 2012 6:30 p.m. Atwater Community Center, 2755 E. 19th, Wichita, Kansas 67214 Members Present Members Absent Guests Janice Rich KC Ohaebosim James T. Calhoun Beverly Domitrovic Brandon James Steve Roberts Twila Chaloupek Julie Lusk Jack Murphy Janet Wilson Gerry Domitrovic James Roseboro Javen Brown Dan Heflin Janice Bradley Bill Wynne Judy Meadows City of Wichita Staff Present Council Member Lavonta Williams Firefighter McElroy, Wichita Fire Department Officer Tiede Beat 33, Wichita Police Department Officer Broussard Beat 47, Wichita Police Department Officer Recio Beat 23, Wichita Police Department Mark Stanberry, Housing & Community Service Department Cheryl Busada, Operations Manager Public Works & Utilities Department Paul Gunzelman, Traffic Engineer Public Works & Utilities Department Gary Janzen, Engineer Public Works & Utilities Department LaShonda Garnes, District 1 Neighborhood Assistant Order of Business Call to Order Council Member Williams called the meeting to order at 6:29p.m. and welcomed staff and guest. She thanked everyone for coming and proceeded with the first order of business. Approval of Agenda Roseboro (Wilson) made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried. 6:0 Approval of Minutes Roseboro (Wilson) made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried. 6:0 Twila Chaloupek arrived at 6:30 p.m. Public Agenda 1. Agenda Items  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 2 of 7 No items submitted. 2. Off Agenda Items No items submitted. Staff Report 3. Park and Recreation Report No items submitted. 4. Fire Report Firefighter McElroy, Wichita Fire Department provided the statistics for October 2012 which included 26 fires, in which, 11 were structure fires. Wilson wanted to know how many fires we had in October 2011. McElroy advised 20. McElroy advised that the Fire Department would be out at intersections with their boots helping to raise funds for the Salvation Army. McElroy also encouraged everyone to have their furnaces and chimneys inspected Council Member Williams thanked the Firefighter McElroy for his updates. Action Taken: Received and filed. 5. Police Report Officer Tiede Beat 33, Wichita Police Department advised of the following statistics for her beat: 5 sexual assaults 8 robberies 5 aggravated assaults (1 drive by shooting) 2 non-residential burglaries 26 residential burglaries 18 auto thefts Tiede advised that citizens should call in suspicious activity they see in the neighborhoods. Roseboro wanted to know the boundaries for Officer Tiede’s beat. Officer Tiede advised Pawnee to Harry and I-135 to Edgemoor. Wynne wanted to know if Officer Tiede had any information on the drive by shooting in the 1200 block of Dellrose. Office Tiede advised that it involved some known gang members in the front yard of the property. Officer Bussard Beat 47, Wichita Police Department advised that he is working with the Union Rescue Mission to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. He advised that he has a total of 85 meals to distribute and will do Christmas as well with delivery on the 20th of the month. Roseboro asked if contributions were needed. Officer Bussard advised that donations could be made to the Union Rescue Mission pantry; they are in need of can goods and non-perishable food items. 2  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 3 of 7 Officer Recio Beat 23 advised that they completed a special assignment in Old Town and during this assignment they made several arrest. He advised that cameras would be installed in Old Town and that Doc Howards would be hiring off duty Officers on Thursday through Saturday evenings. Officer Recio also advised that they were having issues with robberies in the 200 block of Washington. Council Member Williams thanked Officers for their reports. Action Taken: Received and filed. New Business 6. Recommendations for FY 2013-2014 Funding Allocations: CDBG, HOME, ESG Funds Mark Stanberry, Manager, HOME/Neighborhood Improvement Services – Housing & Community Services Department presented the information on the spending for the fiscal year 2013-2014. Stanberry advised that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers the City of Wichita to be an entitlement city and as such Wichita receives annual allocations of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. In order to receive these funds the City is required to prepare a 5 year consolidation plan. Then each year the City is required to submit an annual spending plan which addresses the priorities identified in the 5 year plan. Stanberry advised that staff is soliciting community input to develop a spending plan for the fiscal year which starts July 1, 2013 and ends of June 30, 2014. HUD has not announced the City’s allocations however in order to meet regulatory dates and deadlines, City staff is soliciting public input so that when the allocations are announced stall will know how to budget the funds to reflect the community’s priorities. All District Advisory Board members and the general public are being asked to identify spending priorities for CDBG, HOME, and ESG for budget that anticipates an 8 percent reduction. Comments may be submitted in writing at 332 N. Riverview, by email at llank@wichita.gov or in person at DAB meetings during the month of November. Stanberry advised that there were 3 options and they included the following: Community Development Block Grant A. 8% Reduction across the board B. Leave Public Services as is and reduce all other categories C. Eliminate programs which are also funded with General Fund and add $19,420 to: 1. Sidewalks 2. Dangerous building demolition 3. Neighborhood cleanups HOME Investment Partnership0s Program (HOME) 3  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 4 of 7 A. 8% Reduction across the board B. Reduce Administration, HOME 80 and Housing Development Loan Program C. Reduce Administration and Housing Development Loan Program – add Home Rehab Stanberry advised that the surveys could also be completed online and they must be completed by November 19th. Wynne advised that Option C is not a good option as neighborhood cleanups have already been cut. Roseboro added that they would like to see the cleanup funding to be put back. Heflin commented that the neighborhood cleanup is a great citizen engagement and that his neighborhood is welcoming the new program that includes the neighborhoods splitting the cost. Wilson asked why streets were eliminated from the capital projects program. Stanberry advised that they have not funded streets as of late because of all of the cuts. Roseboro wanted to know how many people apply for the HOME 80 program. Stanberry stated more than we can fund. He noted that in 2012 that 15 families were assisted. He also advised that they provide up to $9,000 for down payment and closing cost. Janice Bradley 214 Buckeridge Court asked if that was 20% of the loan cost. Stanberry advised yes. Wynne wanted to know if the $9,000 was a loan or grant. Stanberry advised that it is a deferred zero-interest loan that is forgivable by 50% after 5 years of the owner living in the home. Action Taken: Provided feedback. 7. Water and Sewer Rate Proposals Cheryl Busada, Operation Manager Public Works & Utilities presented information on the proposed water and sewer rate increases. She noted that a series of water and sewer rate scenarios were presented to the City Council during a workshop on February 28, 2012. These scenarios laid out different options for funding the utilities through the next decade. Busada advised that previous efforts relied on changes to the staffing structure. The City has held vacant 19 unfilled positions, as well as 19 additional positions that were vacated through layoffs in 20096. In 2010, 5 other positions were eliminated, in which, over the last 2 years that would equate to 43 positions being held or eliminated resulting in annual savings of $2.75 million. Busada advised that they are making continued progress and the recommended rate model costs 31.6% less than the initial March 2010 projections. Busada advised that Water Advisory Committee also provided feedback, which included: Maintenance projects are a priority Growth projects should sync up with economic recovery Inventory of buildable lots should inform the rate decision Operations and maintenance reductions can be factored into the rate models 4  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 5 of 7 Wilson wanted to know that if the sewer rates would increase from 2013 – 2022. Busada advised yes. Wynne wanted to know what would the scenarios due to replace old pipes. Busada noted that the Hybrid proposal includes all capital projects. Wilson wanted to know why the delay and where does the ASR fit in this proposal. Busada advised that it’s already included in the presented scenarios. She also noted that the delay was because the economy has slowed down, so this will allow them to meet the demand with the current inventory. Roseboro wanted to know if the developers would be required to pay for their own sewer lines. Busada advised that typically new developments pay for their own sewer lines through special assessments on the property. Roseboro followed up with another question asking where the money will come from if the vote for fluoride is approved. Busada advised that has not been included in the projections being presented Wilson wanted to know what phase the ASR project is in. Busada advised Phase II Action Taken: Provide feedback. 8. Improvements to Williams Street, Main to Emporia Conversion (2 way Street) Paul Gunzelman, Traffic Engineer Public Works & Utilities presented information of the conversion of Williams Street to a 2 way Street. Gunzelman advised that the Downtown Master Plan recommends the conversion of Williams Street to assist with move traffic in the area. The project would include traffic signal improvements, pavement improvements where necessary, and new pavement markings. He noted that construction is planned to begin in 2013. Gunzelman advised that curb lines or parking restrictions will not be removed and that all adjacent property owners have been notified. Heflin noted that Williams is a very narrow street, so was concerned with how two-way traffic would flow. Gunzelman advised that the lanes are about 10ft. wide. Wilson noted that the State building has parallel parking and wanted to know if that would remain. Gunzelman advised that yes parallel parking would remain intact. Tom 13818 Hardtner Court noted that there is a lot of double parking in this area and many handicap pedestrians. He wanted to be sure that this was considered as they were looking make this a two-way street. Heflin asked what Mr. Tom what he suggests for this street. Tom stated that he thought it was best the way it is now as a one way-street and his preference was for it to remain that way. Wilson asked what about stopping the two-way street at Broadway instead. Williams wanted clarification on what street the Macy garage was on Main or Market. Gunzelman advised that it was on Market. 5  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 6 of 7 Domitrovic motioned that the item be deferred to allow staff to look at the safety concerns, address the questions regarding lane widths, and stopping at Broadway. Heflin advised that he could not vote yes for this proposal as proposed and that he recommends on gong to Broadway instead of Emporia. Action Taken: Action deferred to allow staff to review safety concerns, parking, and length of the two-street conversion. (Domitrovic) Wilson. Motion carried. 7:0 9. Redbud Multi-Use Path, I-135 to Oliver Gary Janzen, Engineer Public Works & Utilities presented information on the design concept for the Redbud Multi-Use path. The design concept provides for a multi-use path on Hydraulic between Central and Murdock to the intersection of 17th & Oliver along an abandon rail corridor. The path is one of the recommended paths in the Wichita Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and connects to the multi-use path that runs with the canal route. Janzen advised that the design proposal had been presented at the following meetings: Design Council October 17th Neighborhood Meeting October 22nd District 1 Advisory Board November 5th He advised that it would go back to Design Council on November 14th and then to the City Council on December 4th. Janzen advised that the 2011-2020 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted by the City Council includes the completion of the bicycle/pedestrian path along the abandon corridor from Hydraulic and I-135 to 17th & Oliver. Janzen went over the design proposal and indicated that the estimated construction cost is $2,600,000 to be paid by $950,000 of General Obligation bonds, and $1,650,000 of Federal funding to be administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Janzen also advised that the city would be applying for Transportation Enhancement funding to take the project further east. Janzen that lighting was a primary concern that had been expressed. He noted that they planned to trim a lot of the trees, remove the overgrowth and use existing Westar poles for additional lighting in the area. Phil Meyer, Baughman Co. provided an overview of what the path would like describing the different connection points. He indicated that at the I-135 connection there would be parking across from Hydraulic, expanded pavement patterns and benches. He noted that on Piatt, Grove, and Green there will be some street repairs made. Meyers showed the pause point that will be located at Hillside where there would be a gathering space and seating available. Janzen noted that there would be some landscaping but not an extensive amount because of contamination issues. Domitrovic wanted to know how wide the path would be. Janzen advised 10ft. wide. Roseboro wanted to know is there enough lighting between 13th and 17th. Janzen advised that there are enough places to add lights were needed. Wynne advised that there is a walking path in the park and the concrete wasn’t as thin\ck as it should have been. He wanted to know if there would be monitoring on this project to ensure things are done correctly. Janzen advised yes. 6  District I Advisory Board Minutes November 5, 2012 Page 7 of 7 Wilson asked if letters of support was needed from neighborhoods. Janzen advised that yes when they get to point for applying for additional funds. Janice Bradley wanted to know if they were planting more trees than they were taking out. Janzen advised that they were not taking any trees out. Wynne advised that he really likes the plan, but has concerns that we will not be able to fund the plan. Janzen assured him that the funding was in place. Helfin wanted to know the anticipated utilization of the path. Janzen advised that they did not have that figure but knows that the path is currently being used. Action Taken: Recommends approval of the project. Roseboro:Heflin. Motion carried 7:0. Updates, Issues and Reports Wilson advised that A Price Woodard would have their Thanksgiving Dinner on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Chaloupek advised that they are still trying to identify a meeting place for their neighborhood association meeting. Domitrovic announced the ground breaking for the new Grandparents Park at Kellogg & Estelle would be on November 9th. Heflin advised that the neighborhood clean up on October 24th went well and the park is looking beautiful. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:11p.m. Respectfully Submitted, LaShonda Garnes Neighborhood Assistant 7