District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 3, 2014 District IV Advisory Board Minutes Feb 3, 2014 www.wichita.gov The District IV Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at Lionel Alford Public Library, 3447 S. Meridian; Council Member Blubaugh, eight District Advisory Board members; four City staff and six members of the public were present. Members Present Staff Present Jim Underwood Paul Gunzelman, Public Works Benny Boman Case Bell, Community Liaison Don McManamy Officer Arroyo, Wichita Police Department Matt Lashley Lt. Zimmerman, Wichita Fire Department June Bailey Nancy Wilhite Guests Craig Gabel Listed on last page Alex Garcia (Youth Member) Council Member Jeff Blubaugh Members Absent Matt Goolsby John Whitmer Michael Pochek Michael Gomm ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:30 p.m. Council Member Blubaugh called the meeting to order. Minutes from the January 6, 2014, meeting were approved. Agenda for the current meeting was approved. PUBLIC AGENDA Scheduled items Miguel Santos and Anna Monette Avid, spoke to the DAB regarding issues in the Laclede Neighborhood 67213. The neighbors in this area are concerned about the corner of McLean and Taft. There have been several instances of vehicle and home burglaries. The land is not well maintained and they are unsure who owns the land. Vagrants and youth are using the area as a hang out spot. There is always trash there such as beer cans. They are also concerned that criminals use the area as an egress when running too and from the scene of the crime. The neighborhood is requesting that the land be given to the neighborhood or at least the rights to manage the land so that they can clean it, beautify it, maintain it, and possibly fence it. DAB? DAB member suggested that it is old railroad land and is therefore in limbo regarding ownership. No one would care if they maintained it. Councilman Blubaugh? Have you had any response from the City on previous requests. A: Yes, but the response was to come to the DAB. Police reported that they had been made aware of the situation and have stepped up police presense in the area. Bill Gale of Parkview Baptist Church spoke on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The VFW is looking for candidates for Police Officer of the Year, Fireman of the Year, and EMS Worker of the Year. If anyone would like to submit a candidate, please contact Bill Gale at 943-9539 or email him at CHAPLAINBILL112@COX.NET. 1  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 3, 2014 STAFF AGENDA Officer Arroyo, Wichita Police Department, spoke concerning 28 Beat of the South Bureau which covers Hydraulic to Meridian and 31st to 47th Streets. The officer reported that people are still leaving their cars running in the morning and there have been several thefts. State Statute says that you are not allowed to run your car unattended. He suggested that remote start may be a solution. Officer Arroyo also reported that there have been several Subway restaruants robbed in the area all by the same white male in his late 20s with a shaved head. He has been wearing combat boots/tan shoes, a dark jacket and drives a white Chrystler. Officer Arroyo also suggested that to be safe during bad weather, if you don’t have to leave your house, then don’t. Citizen? There have been problems on 47th and Seneca with drag racing at around 5pm. A: The officer reported they would look into it. DAB? If a gun is the glove box loaded is it considered concealed for Conceal and Carry Handgun laws? A: Yes. Lt. Zimmerman, Wichita Fire Department, reported that in the month of January there were no structure fires, a few grass fires, and nothing as far as property damage. Some of their calls have been regarding traffic issues with slipping and sliding on 235. NEW BUSINESS Improvements near 34th Street South and Meridian Paul Gunzelman, Public Works, reported on the possibility of placing a new stop light at 34th Street South and Meridian in conjunction with proposed South YMCA Improvements (expanding soccer fields). The 2011-2020 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes funding for new traffic signals at intersections that meet warrants. The south YMCA approached the City of Wichita about installing a traffic signal where the drive approach intersects with Meridian south of 33rd Street. A traffic study was conducted and it was determined that the location does meet warrants for signalization. City staff and YMCA representatives have developed various concepts to provide an additional exit for YMCA traffic to access Meridian. One proposal is to extend the access road between Village Inn and Taco Bell west to connect to the Alford Branch Library and the YMCA. This location is the fourth leg of the intersection of 34th & Meridian and would also meet warrants for signalization. The estimated cost of the project would be $400,000 in which the City of Wichita would pay for the traffic signal and the YMCA would fund any road construction to connect their drive with Meridian. Paul Gunzelman, Public Works, recommends that the District IV Advisory Board recommend approval of the project. DAB? Why wasn’t 33rd Street Considered as opposed to 34th Street. A: 34th Street offers more benefits to other entities. DAB: DAB Member suggested that instead of a traffic signal that a road be built to 34th Street and an entrance on 33rd Street. DAB? Is the majority of travel on Saturday? A: It’s about even. DAB? Is there enough space between 34th Street and the light at 235? A: They will need to coordinate the traffic signals. DAB? Will anything be done to the two existing drives? A: Not with this project. In the future the old entrance may be redone. Citizen? What is the City’s involvement with the YMCA on this project. A: The City was approached by the YMCA. Citizen? Where does the $400,000 come from to pay for the project. A: The City would pay about $120,000 for the singal and the YMCA would pay the rest for road construction. 2  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 3, 2014 Citizen: Citizen commented that on Wednesday nights it’s hard to get out of their church because of traffic from the YMCA and that something needs to be done. They support an exit on 33rd. DAB: DAB member responded that if people took 33rd and then turned right onto Meridian that might work, but if they turned left they would be going through residential neighborhoods. Citizen? What would happen to the crosswalk. A: They would consider moving it down to the new signal. Proprietor of Villige Inn? Will utilities be affected and what is the duration of the project. A: The soccer field renovation is scheduled for October and they would like to hire a consultant as soon as they can to design the project. Utilities should not be affected. Proprietor of Village Inn? Will construction affect access to the businesses? A: It shouldn’t affect the existing drive and might affect one lane of Meridian. DAB? How will storm water be affected. A: Water detention will have a new place to go, but it has not be decided where that will be. June Bailey made a motion to recommend that the recommendation be approved. Don McManamy seconded. Action: Motion passed 7-0. BOARD AGENDA DAB Member: The storm sewer project on Dora, East of Sedgwick is right on schedule assuming no more delays for weather. Councilman Blubaugh: The councilman reported that there needs to be a greater focus on job creation. The district is currently losing net jobs. Councilman Blubaugh: The councilman reported that is on the committee to redo the bid process for the City of Wichita. DAB Member suggested that if it’s public money it should be a completely public bid process. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting for District Advisory Board IV will be held at 6:30 p.m., March 3, 2014, at Alford Public Library, 3447 S. Meridian. Respectfully submitted, Case Bell, Community Liaison – Districts III and IV Guests Vaughn Fox Greg Allison, MKEC Engineer Bill Gale Miguel Santos Anna Monette Avid Ron McHemm 3