District 2 Advisory Board

District II Advisory Board Minutes May 7, 2012 www.wichita.gov The District II Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station #20 located at 2255 S. Greenwich Road. CM Meitzner was in attendance, (9) board members, and (4) staff attended. Members Present April Leason Steve Harris Blaine Knott Max Weddle Aaron Mayes Joe Yager Staff Present Nick Howell Antione Sherfield- Neighborhood Assistant David Babich Jess McNeely – Planning Department Tom Roth Dale Miller – Planning Department Brian Carduff Officer Lloyd – Wichita Police Department Cynthia Colbert Captain Rogers -Wichita Fire Department Members Absent ORDER OF BUSINESS CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. DAB Chairman Steve Harris welcomed everyone and explained how the DAB meeting is conducted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND AGENDA May Agenda approved (9-0) April Minutes approved (9-0) PUBLIC AGENDA 1. Off-Agenda Items No items submitted STAFF REPORT 2. Community Police Report Officer Lloyd provided information pertaining to current crime trends in District II. Officer Lloyd stated that WPD spent a week handling traffic issues in the  area of Pawnee Street and Rock Road due to the severe tornado that hit the City last month. DAB Chairman Steve Harris thanked Officer Lloyd and the Police Department for the fine work they provide our community. Recommended Action: Receive and file 3. Community Fire Report Captain Rogers provided information pertaining to Fire Service calls in District II. Captain Rogers stated there were eighteen fires across the City of Wichita in the month of April. He also stated that they have a suspect in custody for arson of a police vehicle. DAB Chairman Steve Harris thanked Captain Rogers and the Fire Department for the fine work and service they provide our community. Recommended Action: Receive and file NEW BUSINESS 4. Park and Recreation Update Alan Taber, Karen Holmes, Park and Recreation provided a Park and Recreation update. Karen Holmes stated that due to the current economic situation, the City of Wichita is looking at closing two City pools for the summer. They will provide the community with shuttle service to the closest pool in the area. Allen Taber made the audience aware of the Summer Discovery Program at the local recreation centers. He also stated that the Park and Recreation is looking for volunteers to teach classes in the community. Recommended Action: Receive and file 5. CUP2012-08 Jess McNelly, Planning Department provide information in regard to potential amendment to DP-273 to permit “vehicle and equipment sales, outdoor”. The applicant is seeking an amendment to Parcel 4b of the Prairie Pond Plaza Community Unit Plan (CUP) DP-273 to permit “vehicle and equipment sales, outdoor.” Parcel 4b is zoned LC Limited Commercial (“LC”) subject to the development standards contained in DP-273 that includes a prohibition against “vehicle and equipment sales, outdoor” (General Provision 22). Uses permitted in Parcel 4b, as well as the rest of the parcels within DP-273, except Parcel 3, “include uses defined by the limited commercial district, including, but not limited to: banks or financial institutions, assisted living, general retail and drive-thru restaurants. Restaurants that serve liquor can be developed as long as food is the primary service.” The application area contains 1.40 acres, and is located north of East Kellogg, approximately 389 feet east of North 143rd Street East. The subject site is currently undeveloped. Access from 143rd Street to the site is provided in two ways: Kellogg Drive and a private drive. Kellogg Drive, at this location, is a frontage road with 50 feet of full street right-of-way that exits 143rd Street eastward (354.56 feet north of Kellogg) along the north side of Parcels 4a, that contains the existing Quiktrip, and 4b, the application area, turns south, forming the eastern boundary of the application area, before it turns back east, and runs further east along the north side of Kellogg/U.S. 54/400 where it dead ends approximately 770 feet further east of the application area; at the eastern boundary of DP-273. The second point of access to the site is via a driveway that runs east from 143rd Street, just north of the Kellogg/U.S. 54/400 right-of-way through the Quiktrip parking lot, and connects with Kellogg Drive at the southeast corner of the subject site. The site does not have direct access to Kellogg/US 54/400. The applicant’s site plan depicts one point of access via a drive to East Kellogg Drive located on the east side of the property. The site plan also shows one building located on the northern end of the lot, approximately 45 feet from the site’s northern lot line. A fence is shown encircling the site. The applicant’s agent indicates it is a two-foot high railing designed to prevent ingress and egress to the site except at the proposed driveway. The site plan also shows a 35-foot building setback along the north and east property line but does not indicate building setback lines along the south and western property line. The existing CUP depicts a 35-foot building setback along the south property line and a 15-foot building setback along the west parcel line. Along the western border of the site plan there is a 98-foot by 7.28-foot indention. If that land is to be excepted from Parcel 4b for use by Parcel 4a, a revised CUP drawing and parcel calculations should be provided if this request is approved. DP-273 contains 17.11 acres that are divided between eight other parcels and one reserve. Except for one parcel, Parcel 4a, all the parcels within DP-273 are vacant. Parcel 4a, located west of the subject property, is zoned LC subject to the development standards of DP-237, and is developed with a Quiktrip convenience store. (At an earlier time, the application area was part of a larger parcel but has since been divided to create Parcels 4a and 4b.) DP-273 has a row of parcels (Parcels 1A, 1B and 3 with a minimum lot depth of 185 feet) located north of subject site and Kellogg Drive that separates the subject tract from a single-family residential subdivision, the Park East Addition, zoned SF-5 Single-family Residential (“SF-5”), that is located north of DP-273. Land immediately to the east, across Kellogg Drive, is zoned LC, subject to the development standards of DP-273, and is undeveloped. Further east are approximately 78 acres zoned SF-20 Single-family Residential (“SF- 20”), developed with a residence. Property to the south, across Kellogg/U.S. 54/400, is zoned SF-20, and is developed with large-lot residences, approximately 26,136 square feet. The closest vehicle sales to the application area that staff is aware of are located one mile to the west, west of 127th Street, and one mile to the east, southeast corner of 159th Street and U.S. 54/400 (Andover). “Vehicle and equipment sales, outdoor” are permitted in the LC zoning district only with Conditional Use approval, subject to Supplementary Use Regulations, Article III, Section III.D.6.x and D.6.hh. Supplementary Use Regulation Section III-D.6.x indicates vehicle and equipment sales: (1) Locations shall be contiguous to a major street. (2) Visual screening of areas adjacent to residential zoning districts shall be provided to protect adjacent properties from light, debris and noise. (3) All parking, outdoor storage and display areas shall be paved with concrete, asphalt or asphaltic concrete or any comparable hard surfacing material. (4) Lighting sources, including base or pedestal, pole and fixture, shall employ cut-off luminaries to minimize light trespass and glare, and shall be mounted at a height not exceeding one-half the distance from the neighboring lot, unless evidence is presented the light source will be aimed or shielded such that the light source is not visible from the neighboring lot. Light sources shall be limited to 15 feet in height within 200 feet of residential zoning districts. (5) No sound amplification system for projecting music or human voices shall be permitted on any property zoned NO or more intensive if the music and/or voices can be heard within any residential zoning district that is located within a 500-foot radius of the subject site. Outdoor speakers and sound amplification systems are not permitted. (6) No repair work shall be conducted except in an enclosed building, and no fender or body work is allowed. (7) No portable, flashing, moving or off-site signs shall be permitted and no streamers, banners, pennants, pinwheels, commercial flags, bunting or similar devices shall be permitted. With respect to development standards listed above: (1) The subject location is adjacent to a major street (U. S. 54/400). (2) The subject site is separated from SF-5 zoning located to the north by 235 feet of street right-of-way and LC zoned land that is required by General Provision 14 of DP-273 to provide a screening wall as each parcel develops. (3) Recommended condition of approval number 7 below mirrors that requirement. (4) Parcel 4b is located 213 feet from residential zoning to the south, 235 feet from the north; 445 feet to the east and 805 feet to the east; therefore, this development standard does not apply. (Parcel 4b is permitted by General Provision17 to have light poles up to 25 feet between the street wall line of the building and U.S. Highway 54; otherwise light poles are limited to 20 feet. General Provision 16 requires exterior lighting to be shielded to prevent light disbursement in all directions.) (5) Recommended condition of approval number 8 below mirrors that requirement. (6) Recommended condition of approval number 2 below mirrors that requirement. (7) Recommended condition of approval number 6 below mirrors that requirement. For those lots zoned LC but located in a CUP, an amendment to the CUP takes the place of Conditional Use approval. Signage is controlled by CUP General Provision No. 13 which states, in part, signs shall be in accordance with the Sign Code. Monument type signs are permitted along arterial roadways, spaced 150 feet apart. Flashing signs (except for signs showing only time, temperature and other public service messages), rotating or moving signs, signs with moving lights or signs which create illusions of movement are not permitted. No signs shall be allowed on the rear of any buildings. Freestanding monument signs are limited to a maximum height of 20 feet, except for Parcel 4a, which can have one monument type sign with a maximum height of 25 feet along the frontage of U.S. Highway 54. The maximum square footage of sign face allowed in Parcel 4b shall not exceed 80% of lot frontage. All parcels are required to share similar parking lot lighting elements, and are to be shielded to prevent light disbursement in all directions. Parcel 4b is permitted to have light poles up to 25 feet between the street wall line of the building and U.S. Highway 54; otherwise light poles are limited to 20 feet (General Provisions No. 16 and 17). Exterior audio systems that project sound beyond the boundary of the CUP are prohibited (General Provision No. 20). All building exteriors within the CUP shall share consistent architectural design, earth tone colors and textures, unless waived as outlined in General Provision No. 23. Parcel 4b shall maintain compatibility with either Parcel 4a or Parcels 1a, 1b, 1c and 2 as a group (General Provision No. 23). CASE HISTORY: The Prairie Pond Plaza CUP and LC zoning (CUP2003-00075 and ZON2003- 65) were approved by the MAPC on May 6, 2004; City Council approval was on June 8, 2004. The Prairie Pond Plaza 2nd Addition was recorded in 2007. Case number CUP2008-00036 (September 30, 2008) was an Administrative Adjustment to divide Parcel 1 into three parcels; consolidate Parcels 4 and 5; relocate the alignment of Kellogg Drive; increase the height of lighting to 25 feet on Parcel 4 and increase the sign height to 25 feet on Parcel 4. CUP2008-04 (March 21, 2008) was an Administrative Adjustment to divide Parcel 1 into three parcels; consolidate Parcels 4 and 5; relocate the alignment of Kellogg Drive; increase light height to 25 feet on Parcel 4 and increase sign height to 25 feet on Parcel 4. Additional Administrative Adjustments were completed on December 12, 2004 and June 1, 2007.  ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE: NORTH: LC, subject to DP-273, SF-5; vacant, single-family residences SOUTH: SF-20; large lot single-family residential (Springdale Country Club Estate) EAST: LC, subject to DP-273; vacant WEST: LC, subject to DP-273; Quick Trip convenience store Citizen Questions/Concerns Car lot will diminish home values in the area. Potential noise, traffic, trash in the area. Parking issues at the potential site. Potential waste water run offs. o Standing water from the use of car washing. o Lighting concerns for residents in the area. o Vehicle delivery access. o How many vehicles will be on the car lot? Recommended Action: The DAB voted (7-2) to deny the Planning Departments recommendation. 6. ZON2012-09 Jess McNelly, Planning Department will provide information in regard to potential zone change from Neighborhood Office (NO) to Limited Commercial (LC) and General Office (GO). This vacant site was originally zoned SF-5 Single-family Residential (“SF-5”) and owned by a church. The site was rezoned to NO Neighborhood Office (“NO”) with Protective Overlay PO-170 in 2006 with the intent of developing the site for senior housing and offices. The existing PO limits residential development to SF-5 density and prohibits the following NO uses: multi-family residential, duplex, church or place of worship, day care limited and general, recycling collection station (private), utility (minor), automated teller machine, parking area (commercial), wireless communication facility, asphalt or concrete plant (limited), and agriculture. The PO requires a 125 foot building and parking setback from the south property line. The PO also requires an 8-10 foot tall masonry wall on the southern edge of parking located within 200 feet of the south property line, along with six 8-10 foot tall evergreen trees south of the wall, and tree screening along the southern 300 feet of Cranbrook. The original 2006 request was for GO General Office (“GO”) zoning, but was reduced to NO zoning with the protective overlay after significant communication with residential neighbors. The developer seeking the zone change in 2006 submitted a letter to surrounding home owners stating that proposed buildings would be residential in character with pitched roofs and masonry incorporated into building facades. The property has a 40- foot pipeline easement running from the southeast corner to the northwest corner of the site. The site has an “L”-shaped platted reserve with an existing detention pond along the south  and west property lines. The subject property plat has access control with two openings on to 21st Street North, and no access controls to Cranbrook. The applicant now requests a zone change from the existing NO to LC Limited Commercial (“LC”) on the north 250 feet of the property, and GO on the balance of the property, along with an amendment to PO-170, see the attached zoning graphic and proposed Protective Overlay amendment from the applicant. The applicant indicates to staff that he wishes to develop a bank with drive through at the northeast corner of the property, and develop the balance of the property with an office development. Banks are not a permitted use in the existing NO zoning. The applicant indicates that he does not want to be restricted by the NO zoning limitation of 8,000 square feet per business for office use, nor does he want to be restricted by the existing PO 125 foot setback requirement from the south property line. The applicant’s proposed PO amendment only adds the bank with drive through and ATM uses on the property, it reduces the southern building and parking setback to 50 feet, it eliminates the masonry wall requirement and replaces it with evergreen trees spaced 8 feet. It prohibits trash enclosures within 100 feet of the south property line, limits building height to 35 feet (same as NO standards), prohibits metal building facades, and requires that building facades be masonry, stone, stucco, glass, or a combination thereof. The PO proposes sign restrictions that prohibit LED, off-site (billboard), and portable signs; and requires that signs be monuments and a maximum of 22 feet in height. Signage would be prohibited along the south and east property lines, and would be limited to two 150 square-foot signs along 21st Street; the proposed signage in LC zoning exceeds what would be permitted in NO or GO zoning. Property north of this site, across 21st Street North, is zoned SF-5 and developed with single- family residences; backyards of these residences face the subject property. South of the site is also zoned SF-5 and developed with residences with direct views of the site from backyards. East of the site, across Cranbrook, is predominantly zoned SF-5 and developed with single- family residences with side yards facing the subject site. Most houses south and east of the site have brick masonry incorporated into their designs. East of the site, across Cranbrook, the north 215 feet of the application area faces an NO zoned neighborhood office development, rezoned from SF-5 in 2001. This NO zoned office development to the east is separated from SF-5 houses by a water detention reserve, the development buildings are 100% brick masonry with hipped slate roofs, brick masonry walls exist adjacent to parking and drive aisle areas, and trash enclosures are brick masonry. Staff and surrounding neighbors feel that the NO zoned office development to the east is a good example of an office development compatible with the residential neighborhood. Property west of the site is zoned B Multi-family (“B”) and developed with apartment buildings; the apartment buildings have gabled roofs, brick columns, and brick chimneys, and are also visually compatible with the surrounding single-family development. This mile portion of 21st Street North has LC zoned Commercial Community Unit Plans (CUPs) at the northeast and southeast corner with Webb, and also has LC zoned CUPs at the northwest and southwest corners with Greenwich. The intervening mile section is primarily residential zoning and development, with the exception of office zoning on the subject NO zoned property, the discussed NO zoned property immediately to the east, and another NO zoned property further east. CASE HISTORY: The property was rezoned from SF-5 to GO with PO-170 in 2006, and platted as Lot 1, Block 1 and Reserve N of the Remington Place Addition in 2001. ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE: NORTH SF-5 Single-family residences SOUTH SF-5 Single-family residences EAST SF-5, NO Single-family residences, neighborhood offices WEST B Multi-family residences Recommended Action: The DAB voted (7-1) in support of the Planning Departments recommendation. The Planning Staff recommended that the request for LC zoning and PO- 170 amendment as requested by the applicant be DENIED, but that the request for GO zoning with a staff recommended PO amendment on the property, along with a Conditional Use for a bank with drive through on the north 250 feet of the property, be APPROVED, with the following staff recommended Conditional Use conditions and Protective Overlay amendment: 7. CON2012-00014 Jess McNelly, Planning Department will provide information in regard to a Conditional Use to permit a “Day Care”, generally located at the northwest corner of the intersection of East 21st Street North and North 127th Street East. The applicant is seeking Conditional Use approval to permit a “day care, general” on 27.45 acres located at 12626 East 21st Street North, at the northwest corner of the intersection of East 21st Street North and North 127th Street East. The subject site is currently developed with a large church campus. The applicant proposes to use existing parts of the site for a pick-up and drop-off location for YMCA summer programs, and rooms within the existing church for activities. The request would allow parents to drop off their children at this location, have the children participate in activities until the bus arrives to deliver the children to the YMCA and its summer programs. When the program is complete for the day, the children are brought back to the church and participate in more activities until the parents are available to pick up their children. The site plan that was submitted shows the aerial of the subject site. While it is known that there will be no changes to the site, staff will request as a condition a site plan that shows the location of the pick-up and drop-off location on the site and the location of the building on the campus that the applicant intends to use classrooms for the activities. Per the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code (“UZC”), a “day care, general” is permitted in the SF-5 district only by Conditional Use approval. The UZC defines a “day care, general” as a day care center that provides care, protection and supervision for more than ten individuals at any one time, including those under the supervision or custody of employees, or a day care center for ten or fewer individuals at any one time that is not operated as a home occupation. Property north of the subject site is zoned MF-18, and is developed with single-family residences. Property east of the subject site is zoned LC and is currently undeveloped. Property south of the subject site is zoned SF-5 and LC, and is developed with a school and  some undeveloped commercial property. Property west of the subject site is zoned SF-5, and is developed with a church. CASE HISTORY: The property is platted as Lot 1, Block A, Church of the Magdalen 2nd Addition, to Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, recorded on October 31, 2002. The site has had two administrative adjustments approved to allow for parking within the front setback (BZA2000-00065) and to allow a L.E.D. sign (BZA2007-00054). ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE: NORTH: MF-18 Residential SOUTH: SF-5 School and Vacant Commercial Land EAST: LC Vacant Commercial Land WEST: SF-5 Church Recommended Action: The DAB voted (8-0) in approval of the request. 8. ZON2012-00012 Jess McNelly, Planning Department will provide information in regard to potentially zoning change from SF-5 Single-family Residential (“SF-5”) to TF-3 Two-family Residential (“TF-3”) generally located at midway between East 13th Street North and East 21st Street North, along the west side of North 127th Street East (1815 North 127th Street East). Two-family Residential (“TF-3”) on two acres consisting of Lot 1 and 1/13th undivided interest in the Lake facility and Lot 2 and 1/13th undivided interest in the Lake facility, Lakeside Acres 1st Addition, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. The subject site is located approximately one-half mile between East 13th Street North and East 21st Street North, along the west side of North 127th Street East (1815 North 127th Street East). The applicant proposes to develop the property with upper-scale, executive duplex structures. The Unified Zoning Code (UZC) defines a duplex as…“the use of a lot for two principal dwelling units within a single building.” The code permits building heights up to 35 feet in the TF-3 district, which is the same maximum height allowed in the SF-5 district. If the request were to be approved, the existing property would allow only one duplex structure with two living units or one single-family structure (permitted by right in the TF-3 district); however it is possible to replat or lot split the existing 1.76-acre (or 75,358 square feet) lot into twelve 6,279 square-foot lots that could allow twelve duplex structures (3,000 square feet minimum lot area per dwelling unit for duplex or 6,000 square feet per duplex). However, the applicant only intends to build four duplex structures containing a total of eight dwelling units. All property surrounding the subject site is zoned SF-5, and is developed with single-family residences. The properties to the east are separated from the subject site by 127th Street East and the properties to the south are separated from the subject site by the old railroad right- of-way.  CASE HISTORY: Lot 1 and 1/13th undivided interest in the Lake Facility and Lot 2 and 1/13th undivided interest in the Lake facility, Lakeside Acres 1st Addition, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, was recorded with the Register of Deeds on April 6, 1955. ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE: NORTH: SF-5 Single-family Residences SOUTH: SF-5 Single-family Residences EAST: SF-5 Single-family Residences WEST: SF-5 Single-family Residences Recommended Action: The DAB voted (8-0) in approval of the request. 9. Preliminary Budget Overview: 2013-2014 Mark Manning, Finance Department provided information in regard to 2013-2014 Budget. Background: The City Manager is in the process of coordinating the development of the 2013 – 2014 Proposed Budget. The process is at a preliminary stage. Community input is being sought to define priorities and develop ideas to incorporate into the budget. Analysis: This is the first of three potential meetings with the District Advisory Boards. This meeting will provide preliminary budget projections and issues to shape further discussion on the 2013-2014 Proposed Budget. Later, a joint meeting of all the DABs is tentatively scheduled for last week of June. This meeting should include the presentation of specific strategies considered as the 2013 – 2014 Proposed Budget is finalized. Staff also expects to visit each DAB individually in the first week of July for additional budget discussion. Financial Considerations: The 2013 – 2014 Proposed Budget sets the service level priorities and projected expenditures for the City of Wichita. Goal Impact: The budget affects service levels in all areas. Legal Considerations: The operating budget will be reviewed by the City Council in July and adopted on August 14th to be in compliance with state law. Recommended Action: The DAB received and filed the presentation but recommended that Mark Manning return to next month’s DAB Meeting for a more complete overview of Budget presentation. 10. Monthly REAP Update The following are highlights of the May 14, 2012 REAP Board Meeting provided by REAP Official Joe Yager. 2012 Officer Elections In accordance with the REAP bylaws, the 2010 REAP Nominating Committee Chairman officially nominated Commissioner Dave Unruh, Sedgwick County, to serve as Chair and Commissioner Brad Dillon, Reno County, to serve as Vice-Chair. Upon a vote of the REAP Board these nominations were accepted and it was recommended that Chairman Unruh nominate members to serve on the Executive Committee and seek approval of the nominations no later than the June REAP meeting. CONGRATULATIONS TO COMMISSIONER UNRUH AND COMMISSIONER DILLON! Also, special thanks to the members of the Nominating Committee: Mayor Kristey Williams (Augusta) – Chair, Commissioner Willis Heck (Newton), Mr. Tom Winters (Kingman County), Mr. John Deardoff (Hutchinson), and Mr. Joe Yager (REAP CEO). Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Update REAP has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a long-term regional plan for ensuring the health and productivity of our local economy. The grant will support community engagement to identify common values and goals, followed by local and regional efforts to enhance economic development, connect people with jobs, reduce housing and transportation costs, ensure public safety, and use of limited public funds efficiently in the years ahead. Additional information pertaining to this grant is available on the REAP website. Focus Statement The REAP governing body is the managing entity of the Consortium and has final decision making authority. While the planning process will help in enhancing the capacity of our region to grow economically and compete both nationally and globally, REAP believes sustainability in South Central Kansas will ultimately be defined by the citizens of our region and their elected representatives. As a first step in assuring local control, REAP adopted the following focus statement for our region to guide all work conducted under the grant: REAP Mission: To guide state and national actions that affect economic development in the region, and to adopt joint actions among member governments that enhance the regional economy. Consistent with its mission, REAP will focus all work relative to the sustainability grant on enhancing the capacity of South Central Kansas to grow economically and compete both nationally and globally. Activity conducted through the grant will address, as highest priority, the cost of living and doing business in South Central Kansas. Specific plans that lower our cost of living and doing business and result in greater competitiveness for our region will be identified. This focus will include community engagement to address housing, transportation, economic development, water resources, workforce development, and natural resource conservation. In addressing the cost of living and doing business, grant funds will also be applied to understanding the fiscal impact of government on area residents within our region in comparison to other regions. The impact of taxing, spending, and borrowing by government—national, state, and local—will be analyzed in conjunction with all grant work. This focus statement provides a starting point for work conducted under the grant. Furthermore, this statement aligns with REAP’s mission and with the alliance’s work and accomplishments over the past fourteen years. Grant Project Director Position Update A key component for the grant process is the project manager who is to be hired by the Hugo Wall School at Wichita State University, which already provides staff support to REAP. The project management staff will assist the Consortium Leadership Team and work teams in creating the Regional Plan. Staff was able to utilize the formal process that is required by WSU to evaluate 34 applicants and identify five candidates that were interviewed between Monday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 9. Consortium Agreement Update A draft consortium agreement was developed and vetted by Sedgwick County legal. Staff received affirmation from our HUD Grant Technical Representative (GTR) Stephen Cerny that we could proceed with initiating the consortium agreement. Sedgwick County voted to approve participation in the Consortium and agreed to serve as the fiscal agent on April 4, 2012. The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) voted to approve participation in the Consortium on April 10, 2012. The City of Wichita voted to approve participation in the Consortium on April 17, 2012. Although we do not have a time constraint on passage by the other partners, we would like to proceed quickly and staff will work to schedule with the other partners. Work Plan Development Update A key deliverable is the work plan. This document will be able to be amended throughout the process, but the initial plan was due by April 13. A draft was forwarded out to all partners and feedback is requested to determine if there are concerns, questions, and if it is moving in the right direction. This draft work plan is available on the REAP website at: http://www.reap- ks.org/grant.html. Financial Oversight Update In accord with the REAP Consortium for Sustainable Communities Consortium Agreement, REAP made a formal request of Sedgwick County through its Division of Finance to manage the financial responsibilities for the HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant that established an official process from Budget Establishment through Audit Completion. REAP acknowledged that in doing so the County will assume responsibility for compliance with all financial terms and conditions of the grant and will bear any cost of noncompliance. To minimize the County’s risk, regarding this grant REAP agreed to adhere to procedures and direction of the County, and promptly respond to the County’s requests for data or documentation. Special Presentation on Workforce Development Mr. Keith Lawing, Executive Director of the Workforce Alliance provided an overview the workforce system as it works in our region. The presentation covered the basics of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and covered the workforce development system (programs, funding, role of elected officials, role of businesses, etc.). The presentation in its entirety can be found through the link above or on the REAP website meeting page. Workforce Development Discussion In order to further understand the complex issue of workforce development, several experts were gathered to provide insight into our region’s workforce system, labor market, and some perspectives from business and education/training looking forward. Mr. Jeremy Hill, CEDBR, provided a brief overview of the economic outlook for the region. This presentation focused on trends we are seeing in our region in regards to the labor market, including different business practices and needs. He provided some perspective into future projections in regards to what is happening with our current regional developments (like wind production, oil and gas exploration, etc.). This was followed by discussion of a panel consisting of: Dr. Tony Kinkel, President, WATC; Ms. Martha Webb-Jones, Senior Manager of Workforce Planning, Spirit; and Gabe Schlickau, Manager of Economic Development, Black Hills Energy and current President of the Wichita Manufacturing Association. REMINDER: 2012 REAP Regional Water Conference “Hang Together, or Hang Separately” On Thursday, May 24, 2012, the REAP Water Resources Committee will hold its 2012 Regional Water Conference in Newton at the Meridian Center (1420 E. Broadway Ct.) titled “Hang Together, or Hang  Separately." The featured keynote speaker is Carolyn Brittin of the Texas Water Development Board. To accomplish its goals of planning for the state's water resources and for providing affordable water and wastewater services, the Texas Water Development Board provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. 7. Updates, Issues, and Report With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next DAB II Meeting will be June 4, 2012. Respectfully Submitted, Antione Sherfield, Neighborhood Assistant