District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 2, 2015 District IV Advisory Board Minutes February 2, 2015 www.wichita.gov The District IV Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Alford Library at 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67217; Vice Mayor Blubaugh, nine District Advisory Board members; seven City staff, and 51 members of the public were present. Members Present Hestel Sewell Nick Hoheisel Staff Present Don McManamey Case Bell, Community Liaison Rebecca Robertson Firefighter Jabara, Wichita Fire Michael Gomm Officer Cavanaugh, Wichita Police Nancy Wilhite Rebecca Greif, Public Works Matt Lashley Gary Janzen, Public Works David Kapaun Scott Wadle, Planning Josh Shorter Larry Hoetmer, Park and Recreation Vice Mayor Jeff Blubaugh Alex Garcia (Youth Member)* Guests *Youth Members are not voting members Listed on last page Members Absent John Whitmer Benny Boman ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:30 p.m. Vice Mayor Blubaugh called the meeting to order. Minutes from the January 5, 2015 meeting were approved. Agenda for the current meeting was approved. STAFF AGENDA Officer Cavanaugh, Wichita Police, reported on Beat 27. There has been a hot spot of residential and non-residential burglaries in the area with most taking place during the daytime. DAB? Are there any leads on the burglaries? A: There was a vehicle that was reported in the area, possibly a white van. The criminals are possibly waiting in the area and watching for people to leave in the morning. Firefighter Jabara, Wichita Fire, reported that in 2014 there were around 70,000 fire alarms activated in the City. He also advised citizens to make sure to check their smoke detectors. 1  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 2, 2015 PUBLIC AGENDA Scheduled Items None Off Agenda items None NEW BUSINESS Scheduled Items Rebecca Greif, Public Works, presented on proposed improvement which consists of extending sanitary sewer to serve large residential lots along the south side of 55th. The signature on the petition represents 2 of 4 (50%) resident owners and 70.4% of the improvement district area. The two property owners that would be assessed on this improvement reside at 735 W 55th St S and 721 W 55th St S and both properties would equate to a $22,500 assessment to each property with a combined annual payment of $3,837. The resident owners of 735 W 55th St S were the only resident owners in the improvement district to sign the petition, both resident owners residing at 721 W 55th St S opposed the petition. The purpose of the citizen initiated petition was to bring the properties into sewer service to address failing septic tanks. DAB? Will the proposed eight inch line be sufficient to expand further west if other property owners wished to have sewer service? A: Yes it would. Public? Will any new expansion have to pay for any work done for the current proposed expansion? A: They would pay for some of it. Public? Why do the owners at 721 W 55th St S have to pay for 50% of the improvement when their property only accounts for 25% of the improvement area? A: This is due to State Statutes. DAB? Does having City services add value to the property? A: The City does not have any data on this, but they have heard that it does. DAB? If the City does the work is it up to the homeowner to hook up to the sewer? A: Yes, they still have to pay the cost of construction to run sewer from the house to the main and the cost of the hookup. As long as the septic system still works they can wait. If their system begins to fail they will be required by State Statute to hook up. DAB? Are the fees assessed on property tax? A: Yes, once per year. If the project comes in cheaper then they will reap the savings. They can also save money by paying more. Motion: That staff postpone the project till the next month so that Public Works can contact the other owners and research other solutions. Result: Motion passed 9-0. Matt Freund, Prairie Travelers, Inc., spoke regarding proposed Sunset Trail bike/walk path expansion which would connect Goddard with Hoover Road in Wichita. Prairie Travelers is a 501(c)3 organization that owns eight miles of trail and has ten years of experience. They are suggesting a public/private partnership as the most beneficial way to expand the trail. In 2002 the railroad donated the land to the City and an MOU to use the land for the trail is currently in progress. There would be zero cost to the City. It is an urgent matter due to the potential for 6000 man hours of donated time by AmeriCorps and a Sunflower Foundation grant which provides $55,000 in matching funds. Prairie Travelers, Inc. is suggesting four phases of development with Prairie Travelers, Inc., handling phases 1-3 which would include the creation of the trails and management of the flora as well as any obstacles. Phase 4 would be for improvements such as park benches and drinking fountains (funding was not addressed for this phase). Several pedestrian and biking groups spoke in support of the proposal, no one from the public opposed the proposal. DAB? How sure is the grant? A: They have been told that it is very likely they will qualify. 2  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 2, 2015 DAB? What about low-water crossings? A: The railroad trestles still exist and would be decked and have railings added. DAB? How are you crossing the Cowskin? A: That portion still needs the pathway defined. DAB? Where would the trail end? A: Hoover Road but they would like to expand further in the future. Public: Crossing Tyler is an issue, but there is currently a stoplight that can be used about 50 feet away from the trail. DAB? How will you cross major intersections? A: Current instances involve a stop sign on the trails, because the trail does not have the right of way, and painted streets and signs identifying the crossing. Motion: To recommend to the City Council that they approve the partnership. Result: Motion passed 9-0. BOARD AGENDA Vice Mayor Blubaugh: The water main break and subsequent repair was a dodged bullet by the City emphasizing the need to improve the water infrastructure. DAB? Why did the Vice Mayor vote to rescind the Illegal Immigrant Driver’s License proposal on the 2015 City of Wichita Legislative Agenda? Vice Mayor Blubaugh: He felt that it was not a Wichita issue, that it was a Western Kansas issue. DAB: The CSBG Review Committee will have recommendations for the City Council on the 10th of February. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting for District Advisory Board IV will be held at 6:30 p.m., March 2, 2015, at Lionel Alford Library, 3447 S. Meridian. Respectfully submitted, Case Bell, Community Liaison – Districts III and IV 3  District IV Advisory Board Minutes for February 2, 2015 Guests Cindy Claycomb Matt Freund Charlie Claycomb Danielle Fruend Ed Knox Don Henry Freund Laura Knox Zach Koch David Levy David Ham Earnest Roberts Amy Drassen Ham Sarah Roberts Charlie Fair Roy Griffin Paula Harms Clayton Kish Mike Harms Jim House Jim Harms Wayne Latshaw Bob Blian Ron Hourz Randy Van Madison Hum Nova Van Scott Forma Mitch Clother Geof Kisch Joyce Price Tony Conrady Lee Engler Andy Cramb Chris Wacker Larry Hatfield Van Tubbsa Dan Robertson Vick Carter Jerry Griggs Bob Lavelle Ruth Holiday Caroni Lombard Hoyt Hillman Doug Hye Clarence Mills Larry Heinerr Dave Hewitt Jane Barnes Sharon Hewitt Melany Barnes 4