District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Minutes for July 7, 2014 District IV Advisory Board Minutes July 7, 2014 www.wichita.gov The District IV Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Alford Library at 3447 S. Meridian; Vice Mayor Blubaugh, seven District Advisory Board members; four City staff, and one member of the public were present. Members Present John Whitmer Nancy Wilhite Don McManamy Staff Present Hestel Sewell Case Bell, Community Liaison Matt Lashley Officer Arroyo, Wichita Police Department Josh Shorter Officer Douty, Wichita Police Department David Kapaun Lt. Bowen, Wichita Fire Department Vice Mayor Jeff Blubaugh Alex Garcia (Youth Member)* Guests *Youth Members are not voting members Listed on last page Members Absent Benny Boman Craig Gabel Michael Gomm ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:30 p.m. Vice Mayor Blubaugh called the meeting to order. Minutes from the June 2, 2014 meeting were approved. Agenda for the current meeting was approved. STAFF AGENDA Officer Arroyo, Wichita Police Department, spoke concerning Beat 28. He reported that there are some new supervisors down south: Sergeants Deihl, Lacey, and Manchester. Recently the police have helped with the Southwest Neighborhood Association Cleanup, the South Lake Park cleanup with another cleanup planned for the fall, for which they are looking for more volunteers. The Beat 24 Community Policing Officer, Officer Kern, is now managing Beat 27. There is a recruiting class coming out in January for the police department. Until they arrive, the South Bureau Community Policing Officers and SCAT officers are patrolling Old Town on Saturday nights. Troubles that have occurred in Old Town include clubs that are promoting bands that promote specific gang affiliations. There is also currently talk of using off duty police officers to help in down town and blocking off streets so that people can safely walk in the street. DAB? Why is South Patrol responsible for old Town? A: Can’t really say except that it’s been talked about for years. Vice Mayor Blubaugh: Why is Sedgwick County not helping with the Officers? A: It’s a jurisdictional problem and there is not a lot of communication between the City and County Police Departments. 1  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for July 7, 2014 Officer Douty, Wichita Police Department, spoke concerning Beat 13. She also reported on the Southwest Neighborhood Association cleanup and said that it was a good size. North and West Bureaus have been working special assignments in the Riverside area to address problems with drinking and muggings. 13 and 17 Beats have seen a lot more trailer thefts in June. Some trailers are turning up, but flat beds are not being found. DAB? Could the Officer that runs radar on 31st and Pawnee direct traffic instead of radaring during high congestion times? A: The radaring officers don’t really know where they will be at any given time. Captain Jim Heath, Wichita Fire Department, reported that nothing major happened in June. Only two fireworks related fires were reported, however the firework complaint line was overwhelmed again this year. DAB? How are fireworks handled by City Ordinance? A: They operate by the six foot rule, whereby you can’t light it in the City Limits if it goes above six feet. DAB? Why can’t we have uniformity around the county? A: The problem is that you can buy illegal fireworks that are legal in the county. A statewide ban is the only way to get it to work. DAB? Were there many injuries this year? A: There was only one medical call this year with a three year old that put a sparkler in her eye. DAB? Who mans the firework complaint hotline? A: 911 brings in extra people to work it. There were over 500 complaints in two hours this year. PUBLIC AGENDA No Scheduled Items Off Agenda items Ron Tracy spoke regarding the trucking routes during snowy or icy conditions. Tracy requested that the City require truckers to go up West Street instead of the 235 loop. NEW BUSINESS No Scheduled Items BOARD AGENDA Vice Mayor Blubaugh welcomed David Kapaun to the District Advisory Board. A DAB member suggested that the traffic light timing on Kellogg, Meridian, and Southwest Boulevard be examined due to not being able to make it through consecutive lights. A DAB member reported that the Church of Christ work camp has been painting over graffiti. Vice Mayor Blubaugh reported that there was a good turnout at the sales tax/budget meeting at Alford Library the previous week. There was a good conversation and the Council will be discussing it again in August. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting for District Advisory Board IV will be held at 6:30 p.m., August 4, 2014, at Lionel Alford Library, 3447 S. Meridian. Respectfully submitted, Case Bell, Community Liaison – Districts III and IV Guests Ron Tracy 2