District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Meeting Minutes December 10, 2012 www.wichita.gov The District IV Advisory Board Meeting was held at the 6:30 p.m. at the Lionel Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian. Eleven (11) DAB members, eight (8) staff and seven (7) citizens were present. Members Present Staff Present Councilmember O’Donnell II Kelli Geier, City Manager’s Office Nancy Wilhite Karen Holmes, Park and Recreation June Bailey Lesa Lank, Housing and Community Services Jerry Warren 3 police staff John Whitmer 2 fire staff Bruce Werth Jay Hinkel, Law Matt Goolsby Don McManamey Craig Gabel Don Richter Ben Sauceda Michael Ackermann, Jr. Order of Business Call To Order Councilmember O’Donnell II called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The December 10, 2012 agenda was approved as submitted. (Whitmer/Sauceda: 9-0*) The November 5, 2012 meeting minutes were approved with a correction to include Goolsby in attendance at the meeting. (Whitmer/Bailey: 9-0*) *McManamey and Gabel arrived after approval of the agenda and minutes PUBLIC AGENDA The public agenda allows members of the public to present issues not on the agenda to the District Advisory Board. Each presentation is limited to five minutes unless extended by the Board. 1. Scheduled Items No items were submitted. 2. Off-Agenda Items No items were submitted.  STAFF PRESENTATIONS Public Safety Reports 3. Community Police Report Police staff reported the following:  Auto thefts have increased citywide. Reminder to citizens to not leave vehicles running, cars unlocked or valuables in the car.  Residential burglaries have decreased in the area due to an officer catching a suspect on a suspicious character call. There have been three other burglaries since then, so not sure who else is responsible for these thefts.  Copper thefts are continuing. There was an arrest made in west Wichita, but citywide they are targeting vacant houses and leaving few clues.  Trying to address illegal dumping and are meeting on this issue again in two weeks.  Special assignment around Towne West including two or three officers and a supervisor doing warrant sweeps and hotel occupancy checks resulting in an 87% decrease in auto thefts and 32% decrease in shoplifting. Lonnie Wright, 1721 S Lulu, asked if the WPD got new vests? The officers responded that they were given the option to wear different vests a couple of months ago and that the new ones hold the equipment from their belts and are more comfortable. Richter asked if the cold weather decreases burglaries? The officers state that the weather doesn’t make a difference. Lately, the suspects have been approaching residences in mid- afternoon knocking on the door and if there is no answer they kick in the door and steal the stuff and sell it to pawn stores, so officers regularly check with pawn shops for stolen goods. Werth stated that at 3305 S West Street someone has cut cables and stolen batteries four times in a month and a half. Officers stated that they would look into this. McManamey asked what the best way to report criminal activity patterns. The officers responded that the best way to do this is to contact you community police officer. Action Taken: Received and filed. 4. Fire Report Fire staff reported the following:  22 structural fires citywide last month o 10 accidental o 8 incendiary o 4 under investigation  2 fires in the district last month o 1 accidental (1100 S Martinson) o 1 under investigation (2900 S Millwood)  Watch furnaces and fire places carefully and get a carbon monoxide detector  NEW BUSINESS 5. Nomination of 2013-2014 Grants Review Committee Representative – District IV Lesa Lank Vinson, Housing and Community Services, presented information on the nomination process for the Grants Review Committee. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that cities involve citizens in the allocation process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. The City of Wichita accomplishes this through a series of public presentations, electronic feedback, public hearings before the City Council, and through the appointment of a Grants Review Committee (GRC) which reviews proposals and applications. The Grants Review Committee includes representation from all District Advisory Boards, Wichita Independent Neighborhood Association, the United Way, Sedgwick County, USD #259, Wichita State University, and large and small businesses. The 12 GRC members are appointed annually by the City Council. Housing and Community Services Department staff meets with them as they review applications from agencies who apply for HOME and proposals for CDBG Public Services and ESG programs. After review of the proposals and receipt of public comments, the GRC makes recommendations to the City Council for HOME, ESG and CDBG funding for the next program year. The 2012-2013 GRC representative from District IV was June Bailey. Action Taken: Councilmember O’Donnell reappointed June Bailey as District IV Grants Review Committee Representative. 6. Master Aquatic Plan Karen Holmes, Parks and Recreation, presented the City of Wichita Aquatic Master Plan. Neighborhood aquatics facilities are aging and in need of repairs and/or replacement. Current facilities are between 30 and 50 years old and offer limited amenities. Additionally, there are new ADA requirements with which the neighborhood aquatic centers must comply. Furthermore, this summer there were several drownings in private pools in Wichita and even one drowning is too many. Inadequate training on pool safety, as well as a number of pool users that do not know how to swim are contributing factors. Neighborhood aquatics centers are an important part of the community as they provide opportunities for recreation, exercise, and aquatics therapy. Data suggests aquatics centers even enhance the safety of the community by providing positive recreational opportunities and thereby decreasing juvenile crime rates. Due to the advanced age, lack of amenities, and non-compliance with ADA regulations, there is a need to enhance these facilities. Improving facilities to address these concerns would expand the user base by accommodating seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. Enhancing the neighborhood aquatics centers would increase the number of users, which would make the facilities more financially viable. Wichita experienced a high number of drownings at private pools this summer. By providing increased opportunities for community members to participate in swimming lessons and to swim under the supervision of a lifeguard, child drowning rates are likely to decrease. Neighborhood aquatics centers typically provide for these needs, which should be considered when weighing decisions on whether (and how much) to invest. Surveys will be distributed to solicit community feedback and to determine which amenities and features are most important for neighborhood aquatics centers. Additionally, volunteers and participants will be sought from the community to participate in planning meetings and to partner with members of the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Department to increase community education on the benefits of aquatics health and safety programs. Holmes was asked who comes to the pools. She responded families and kids. It was asked if the fee structure for the pools will change. Holmes replied that it could be. For example, the pool fees are $2 a person right now and could increase to $2.50 or $3. Holmes was asked if the College Hill pool was funded by special assessments. She answered that it was. Neighbors got together and got a petition signed to build it. When asked, Holmes stated that McAdams daily attendance is around 40 which is low, but are trying to encourage groups like the ARC and the Boys and Girls club to participate. Josh Blick, 2035 S Everett, asked how old Aley pool is and why there is so much traffic at that pool at times. Holmes responded that Aley pool was built in the 1960’s and that the increased traffic at the pool is a result of swim meets that are held there. Gabel asked if there were still going to be regular pools providing swim lessons. Holmes stated that yes there would be with an even bigger emphasis on citizens to participate in this and with facilities that would have more amenities. When asked about a partnership with the YMCA, Holmes stated that they have not discussed this yet, but the master plan will include all pools in the City of Wichita. Paul Gray, 4416 S Doris Ct, stated that he like Councilmember O’Donnell II’s idea to partner with the YMCA so that the City can share the financial burden of these projects with another organization and not have to compete with them. Holmes stated that staff is willing to look into these partnerships. Gabel suggested that the City spend money to for big water park to attract tourists. Action Taken: Provided feedback regarding the proposed aquatic master plan. 7.) Councilmember Transition Jay Hinkel, Law, described to the Board the process of selecting an interim City Council member for District IV from January until the general election on April 9. He outlined the following rules and requirements for the process:  The city council member must give his resignation to the City Council Candidates who seek appointment to the coming vacancy for a temporary District IV City Council seat must meet the following threshold requirements: • Must be 18 years of age or older • Must be a citizen of the United States • Must be a registered voter • Must reside within the current boundaries of the City of Wichita District IV. A valid petition signer must be a qualified elector. To be a qualified elector, a petition signer: • Must be 18 years of age or older • Must be a citizen of the United States • Must be a registered voter • Must reside within the current boundaries of the City of Wichita District IV. Any person circulating a petition must meet the following requirements: • Must be one of the signers on the petition document that he or she is circulating • Must be a resident of District IV at the time he or she signs the petition • Must personally observe each signer fill out and sign the petition • Must be sure that for each signature, there is a corresponding printed name, specific address of residence in District IV and the date of signature • Must swear an oath before an approved official (City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk is suggested) stating that the signatures appearing on the petition are genuine, the identifying data associated with that signature is accurate and that he or she believes this information to be true. No particular form is required. Multiple pages can be used. However, each page of the petition shall clearly identify the name and specific address within District IV of the Candidate. No prior approval of a Candidate’s form is required, nor notice to the City that any Candidate is circulating a petition. All petitions will be evaluated for sufficiency validity when received, if presented to the City Clerk before the deadline at noon on Tuesday December 18, 2012. Submissions after that time and date will not be considered. Once submissions are received and validated the District Advisory Board will hold a public forum to interview the candidates between December 18 and January 7 when the City Council interviews the candidates. The District Advisory Board shall submit no less than four and no more than five candidates to the City Council for submission. All candidates will be considered and voted upon at the January 8 City Council meeting. It was asked if the candidates can only file for this City Council seat by petition. Mr. Hinkel replied yes. It was also asked if you could only sign one candidate’s petition. Mr. Hinkel stated that this would be the election commissioner’s call since the City ordinance for this process does not address this issue. Lonnie Wright, 1721 S Lulu, asked if there would be public comment allowed on this issue at the January 8 City Council meeting. Mr. Hinkel responded that would be up to City Council to determine. Gabel asked how many names have to be on the petition for it to be considered valid. Mr. Hinkel stated that there needs to be 100 signatures for a valid petition. Paul Gray, 4416 S Doris Ct, asked if the people who sign the petitions have to be registered voters. Mr. Hinkel stated that citizens do have to be a registered voter to sign the petition. Whitmer asked if the DAB members can make a candidate recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Hinkel advised that the DAB cannot make a recommendation, they can only submit the 4 or 5 names selected in alphabetical order. Whitmer also commended Councilmember O’Donnell II on resigning before the first of the year and do what is best for the district. Action Taken: Whitmer/Gabel moved to hold the District Advisory Board Interim City Council Candidate public forum on Wednesday, January 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Lionel Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian. Motion passed 11-0. OLD BUSINESS 7. Trash Service Funding Assistance Bailey suggested at the last meeting that if an older person receives a notice of violation for lack of trash service that we set-up funds to assist in providing the trash service. Geier stated that she check with Housing staff to see if this is possible and found out that there were no funds available for this type of service. However, Ms. Vaughn stated that she is working with a private contractor to see if they can fund this program. BOARD AGENDA 8. Board Updates and Issues  The Lights on St. Paul is currently up and running 9. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.