District 3 Advisory Board

District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 District III Advisory Board Minutes April 4, 2012 www.wichita.gov The District III Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Wichita Water Center at 101 E Pawnee; eight District Advisory Board members were in attendance; eight City staff and 15 members of the public were present (two did not sign in). Members Present Staff Present Jody Bennett Officer Claudale Cavanaugh, Patrol South Terry Brewster Officer Genaro Arroyo, Patrol South Paul Davis Officer Rebekah Johnson, Patrol East Elena Ingle Mark Stanberry, Housing Danny Johnson Capt. Frank Buck, WFD Gay Quisenberry Lt. Jose Ocadiz, WFD Wendy Ratliff Bill Longnecker, Planning David Robbins Janet Johnson, Neighborhood Services Council Member James Clendenin Guests Members Absent Listed on the last page ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:35 p.m. Council Member Clendenin called the meeting to order. Minutes from the March 7, 2012, meeting were approved as submitted. PUBLIC AGENDA Scheduled items Wendy Aylworth, 1700 S. Spruce, was seeking input on closing all, or a portion of, the alley in the 1700 block between Madison and Spruce Streets. She said citizens feel the alley is unsafe because it provides easy access to burglars, is used for illegal dumping purposes and people hiding from police can use alleys to do that. She said recently someone dumped a mattress in her alley and then some kids set it on fire. They would like to entirely, or partially, close the alley. Bill Longnecker, Planning Department, explained there is a process for vacating an alley, but is retained as a utility easement. Also, he said all the properties on both sides of the alley must agree to it. Members of the DAB and the public offered a number of solutions including: increasing visibility by mowing down weeds and removing volunteer trees; security lights; and infrared cameras. Longnecker provided his phone number and encouraged Aylworth to call him to discuss the options and the process. CM Clendenin asked to be kept apprised of progress on the issue Non-Scheduled items Elora Randleas, 911 supervisor, reported that April is 911 education month and they are working hard to provide information to the public on the proper uses of 911. She referred to a motorcycle accident that occurred over the Fourth of July, and the public wasn’t able to get through to 911 because all the lines were tied up on fire works calls. She also noted a similar situation last August, when citizens with actual emergencies couldn’t get through because all the lines were tied up with people reporting power outages and downed tree limbs, which were NOT presenting a safety issue. Randleas passed out flyers that explain what types of 911 calls are appropriation and what types aren’t. 1  District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 District V County Commissioner Jim Skelton presented a Certificate of Recognition to Janet Johnson for contributions to the betterment of the 5th District of Sedgwick County and thanked her for her service. STAFF REPORTS Community Police Report Officer Claudale Cavanaugh, Beat 26 Patrol South, said the Beat Boundaries changed significantly for Patrol South back in January and those changes have impacted the Patrol South Bureau crime trends. For example, the YMCA used to be in the Patrol West bureau, but now it’s in Patrol South. She said they are seeing a lot of auto larcenies and a lot of auto thefts. Specifically on her beat, she has been dealing with homeless people living under the bridge. She said under the Johnny Mack Bridge there was a little settlement with two couches, a pantry, four tents and a love seat. She said she forced them to move and they moved to an area under I-135. She said they have offered this person services and he isn’t interested. She is also having problems with people using the signs that say “will work for food,” etc, soliciting in the Wal- Mart parking lot. She said once they get drunk they get confrontational and start approaching shoppers and demanding money. Officer Cavanaugh asked that citizens call and report this type of soliciting activity when they see it so it doesn’t get out of hand. Paul Davis wanted to know what the coroner was doing under the Johnny Mack Bridge the other day. Officer Cavanaugh said a man who has an apartment liked to go down there and socialize with the homeless people and he died down there (believed to be of natural causes). Connie Klassen said she has seen homeless people hanging out in the lobby of the Post Office on south Hydraulic. Officer Cavanaugh said if they aren’t causing a disruption and the Post Office doesn’t ask to have them removed, there’s nothing the police can do. Officer Rebekah Johnson, Beat 33 Patrol East, reported there were 100 auto thefts during the first quarter of 2012; of those 63 were recovered and a large number of the vehicles being stolen were Honda Accords. She said Patrol East is also seeing a lot of vehicle larcenies. Wichita Fire Department Report Capt. Frank Buck reported March was a fairly quiet month for the Fire Department with only three structure fire: two were accidental and one is still being investigated. Elena Ingle asked if they have the Citizen’s Fire Academy more than once a year; Capt. Buck said it’s only one time per year, but it’s still not to late to apply. Dave Robbins asked if the Fire Department is currently fully staffed; Capt. Buck said yes. Jody Bennett wanted to know if the city is still under a burn ban. Buck said yes, for the entire month of April and possibly May as well. Council Member Clendenin said some may recall last year when the Flint Hills area did their burning and the smoke blew into Wichita and put the city “out of containment.” As a result, the region now implements a burn ban in order to offset the burning in the Flint Hills. Steven Walter commented that he is very thankful to have Station 22 in his neighborhood. Lt. Jose Ocadiz, Public Education and Fire Prevention, reminded everyone we are quickly approaching storm season and Wichita does not have public storm shelters, so it’s incumbent upon everyone to formulate a plan ahead of time on what they will do for shelter. 2  District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 Jody Bennett said she’s happy that the storm sirens are now more specific to location and don’t go off everywhere in the city. Commissioner Skelton said right now the system is still city-wide, but in the next 30 days the new program that is siren specific will go online. Lt. Ocadiz also reminded everyone about making sure their smoke alarms work. Elena Ingle asked what the best type of smoke alarm is to purchase. Lt. Ocadiz said whichever one you buy, it needs to have a UL test stamp on it. He also advised against using the combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm. He said smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Larry Manny said he was told not to put smoke alarms near the bathroom because hair spray can clog them up. Lt. Ocadiz said that’s true, but a more common problem is that steam will set them off so people may remove the battery while showering and then forget to put it back in. Jim Gulick asked how it works if you have a system like ADT. Lt. Ocadiz said they use commercial grade alarms, but they should still be replaced every 10 years. Capt. Buck reminded everyone about the fund raiser between the police officers and firefighters calls Guns and Hoses. It is slated for April 27th at the Beech Activity Center. Action: Receive and file. NEW BUSINESS Request for Resolution of Support for Application for Housing Tax Credits (Greenway Park Apartments) Mark Stanberry, Housing and Community Services, presented the request. The City has received a request from Intercontinental Affordable Housing, for a City Council resolution of support for an application for 4% Housing Tax Credits in connection with the acquisition and renovation of the Greenway Park Apartments. The developers are also applying for bond financing from the City, in the approximate amount of $4,600,000. The Greenway Park Apartments complex is located at 404 W. Pawnee. According to the documentation submitted in connection with the request, the apartment complex offers a total of 91 one-bedroom/one bathroom units, which are 567 square feet in size. The project scope involves a general renovation, including repairs to stucco and vinyl siding, new carpet in units and common areas, replacement of refrigerators/appliances as needed, installation of new kitchen cabinets, interior/exterior re-painting, new HVAC systems, replacement of light fixtures as needed, minor landscape updating and parking lot repairs/upgrades. The City's HTC Policy requires a set-aside of 20% of the units for market-rate tenants. The developer is requesting waiver of this requirement, because the project is currently subject to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Project-Based Rental Assistance Contract. The City’s Housing Tax Credit Policy includes a provision for a waiver of the market-rate unit requirement when the property is subject to this type of contract. Contract rent for the units is currently $570.00 per month. The tenant-occupants typically pay an amount equivalent to 30% of their monthly income toward the contract rent, and the balance is paid through the rental assistance contract. The total project cost is estimated to be $7,861,886. Financing includes proceeds from the sale of the HTCs, bond financing, seller financing, and deferred developer fees. Paul Feliciano, agent for the applicant, reminded everyone that he appeared before the DAB in 2009 requesting tax credits for this same property. The DAB, as well as the City Council, approved the application for support at that time, but due to the economy, the project never moved forward. 3  District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 Terry Brewster asked Stanberry if he has a history with this developer; Stanberry said no. Brewster wanted to know if there is a vetting process; Stanberry said yes. Brewster also asked if this is the same developer who applied last time and Feliciano said yes. He also wanted to know if the rent would go up and Feliciano said no. Wendy Ratliff asked if only senior citizens live there; Feliciano said primarily, but people with disabilities also qualify. Gay Quisenberry asked for clarification on the financing numbers presented; Feliciano explained that the numbers also include the purchase price, not just the renovations. Paul Davis asked if any additional property is being purchased; Feliciano said no. Elena Ingle asked if the all-purpose rooms and community areas would be retained under the new owner; Feliciano said yes, but they would be updated and made more appealing. Gay Quisenberry noted that everyone living there is 55 or older, so does that mean they are going to have a service provider on site? Feliciano said he doesn’t know, but it certainly would be a wonderful opportunity. Paul Davis asked if this is a for profit or nonprofit organization; Feliciano said nonprofit. Davis (Johnson) made a motion to recommend that the City Council approve a recommendation for adoption of the resolution of support for the Housing Tax Credit Application. Motion passed 8-0 ZON2012-00007 - 3150 Southeast Boulevard Bill Longnecker, Metropolitan Area Planning Department, presented a request seeking approval of an Amendment to Protective Overlay (“PO”) #221 on property located on the northeast corner of 31st Street South and K-15. Provision No. 2 of PO #221 states that “Signs are to be allowed by sign code except for no off-site or portable signs.” The applicant, Wayne Wayman, wishes to remove “off-site” from the provision, thus allowing for the possible future placement of an off-site sign on the subject site. Dave Robbins wanted to know if this action required a notification of the property’s neighbors; Longnecker said – everyone within 200 feet. Robbins asked if any of the neighbors had objected; Longnecker said no. Elena Ingle asked if changing the overlay would allow for a LED sign; Longnecker said yes. Council Member Clendenin wanted to know if someone applied to have a sign placed at that location, if they would be required to seek DAB and Council approval; Longnecker said yes. Elena Ingle said she felt like the people in this neighborhood have endured enough. Longnecker said the applicant has done a very good job at improving his property, which is in a location that many wouldn’t consider desirable due to the rock crusher across the street. Terry Brewster said the auto body place on the property looks very nice. Council Member Clendenin asked for clarification again, that this is indeed a two step process; first the DAB, MAPC and the City Council have to hear/approve the amendment to the protective overlay, and then any signs going up also have to be heard/approved by the DAB, MAPC and City Council. 4  District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 Jim Gulick asked how much of the area is included in the protective overlay; Longnecker said just Mr. Wayman’s property on the corner, nothing else. Brewster (Johnson) made a motion to recommend the MAPC and City Council approve the request, subject to amended provision #2 of Protective Overlay #221. Motion passed 6:2. Wayman thanked the DAB and said he has a good understanding of what the people in the neighborhood have been through. It’s his desire to make the neighborhood a better place. He encouraged citizens to try the new dog washing facility at his location. He said it makes washing the dog a family event. UPDATES, ISSUES AND REPORTS Terry Brewster recognized Steven Walter. Walter gave an update on how his Special Olympics team did at the Hays competition; he came home with two gold medals and a bronze. Wendy Ratliff reported they are getting ready to start taking applications for the Planeview Activity Camp for Kids. Referring back to the police report, Danny Johnson said homelessness continues to be an issue in the city of Wichita with more than 700 homeless individuals. Paul Davis made reference to the illegal sign issue. Gay Quisenberry said she is on board with addressing illegal signs. She also had questions about why there is no summer camp in Hilltop this year. She said she heard it was due to lack of interest, but she had a hard time believing that. Ratliff said last year Hilltop had around 20 children participate on a consistent basis and of those, on four of the children were actually from the Hilltop neighborhood. Quisenberry said if 20 children from Hilltop signed up for camp, Park and Rec will provide transportation to Planeview. Gerald Henry also expressed concern about there being no camp in Hilltop this year. Elena Ingle asked Jim Gulick for an update on Grandview Heights. He said last month they had someone from the County Clerk’s Office and the County Assessor’s office speak at their meeting. Jody Bennett said some of the South Area Association people did a neighborhood walk around with Council Member Clendenin, Janet Johnson, and Andrea Johnson from the Office of Central Inspection, looking at a portion of the neighborhood that needs some attention. The SANA will have a little clean up on Sept. 29th. Connie Klassen announced that at the next SANA meeting on April 8th, special guests will be Council Member Clendenin, Rep. Geraldine Flaherty and County Commissioner Tim Norton. Dave Robbins said he would like to have Lon Smith from the Aviation Museum make a presentation at a DAB meeting. Council Member Clendenin said he could use everyone at the next City Council meeting when the Southfork TIF will be heard. Jody Bennett asked if the figures related to the financing have been reconciled. Council Member Clendenin said yes – that the previous discrepancy was more of an interpretation issue, and has been worked out. Meeting was adjourned. 5  District III Advisory Board Minutes for April 4, 2012 The next meeting for District Advisory Board III will be held at 6:30 p.m., May 2, 2012, at the Water Center at 101 E. Pawnee. Respectfully submitted, Janet Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant – District III Guests Connie Klassen Jan Hunt Steven Walters Tom Strickland Betty Strickland Gerald Henry Kathy Manny Larry Manny Jim Gulick Elora Randleas Hazel Drummond Wayne Wayman Paul Feliciano 6