District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Minutes March 7, 2016 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. Council Member Blubaugh, eleven District Advisory Board members, seven City staff, and two members of the public were present. Members Present Staff Present Benny Boman Officer William Perkins – WPD Kit Corby Officer Chris Robinson – WPD Michael Gomm Jim Heath – WFD Nick Hoheisel Matt White - WFD David Kapaun Jr. Bill Longnecker - MAPD Don McManamey Becky Fields – Community Services Rep for Dist. 4 Alex Martinez Guests Rebecca Robertson Hoyt Hillman Cory Tourville Vincent Hancock Council Member Jeff Blubaugh Jim Hudson Members Absent James Kilpatrick Matt Lashley Mitchell Ramsey – West High student John Whitmer Abbagail Blick – West High student Alex Garcia – Youth Member Joshua Blick Christie Ramsey ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:32 p.m. the meeting was called to order by Council Member Blubaugh who led the Pledge of Allegiance. A motion was made to approve the agenda by Benny Boman and 2nd by Michael Gomm. Motion carried 10-0. Don McManamey made the motion to approve the minutes from the February 1, 2016 meeting, and 2nd by Kit Corby. Motion carried 10-0. Councilman Blubaugh then asked for City of Wichita staff reports, beginning with WFD. STAFF REPORTS Firefighter Jim Heath, reported that in the month of January there were 498 medical calls and 220 other calls. There were lots of grass fires during the burn ban that would be lifted upon the next rain projected for tomorrow, and that there were several people burning leaves that were creating many of the grass fires. Officer Chris Robinson, Patrol South, 299 beat, reported that there was an increase in auto thefts and burglaries, some due to residents forgetting to close open windows at home when leaving their house during the nice weather. The majority of auto thefts were Hondas. There was a 30% increase in drug complaints, with speculation that this was due to what some were spending their tax returns on. There was an increase in violent behaviors in the Old Town area that is patrolled by Patrol South precinct, more than likely due to nicer weather. Officer Robinson encouraged everyone to keep calling in suspicious characters to 911. Page 1 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes March 7, 2016 www.wichita.gov Officer William Perkins, Patrol West, 18 beat, reported that criminal incidents were down in February (from January), but were increased from last year at this same time. There were 24 auto thefts in February. The area of Seneca/Kellogg had eight (8) assault cases, and there was a trailer stolen out of the old Harley Davidson building on west Kellogg, but due to an off-duty officer driving by, the suspects were apprehended. There were several mail thefts reported from the Central Ave/West St area, especially from Memory Lane. Officer Perkins reminded everyone it is best not to put any outgoing bill payments in your personal mailbox for the postal carrier to retrieve, as often times these payments were taken from the mailbox in order to obtain the personal information located on the checks. There were also a couple of catalytic converters stolen from older vehicles, but the scrap yards here will not accept them and more than likely are taken to the state of Oklahoma to sell. Officer Perkins credits the public being on the look-out for helping to solve many of the neighborhood crimes. Officer Chris Robinson, Patrol South, 299 beat, then reiterated to the DAB about groups of kids selling magazines, perfume, or other items, and that the kids are being brought up via a van from other states, noticeably Texas. He said that if you see this activity in your neighborhood, please call 911 with a description of any van or vehicle associated with these kids so that Police can apprehend and question these individuals because WPD suspects human trafficking. Councilman Blubaugh thanked the Police Officers and moved on to the Public Agenda, with Vincent Hancock, Delano Neighborhood Association President, presenting the Chisholm Trail Parkway System. PUBLIC AGENDA Vincent Hancock had handouts along with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed bike paths that would connect the bike-path gap in Wichita with the Prairie Sunset Trail, Redbud Trail, and Great Osage Trail in the Delano District of Wichita. The proposal included two parks, one on the west side and one on the east side (by the new library site), and some of the paths would be along existing railroad tracks the same as what is currently along the tracks running parallel to Zoo Boulevard. Vincent states that 2017 marks the 150 year anniversary of the Chisholm Trail that runs through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas and that some of the bike paths would actually be on the original path of the Chisholm Trail, thus the proposed name. Each portion of the project included estimated costs, and there were several stakeholders already committed to help with the costs, but there were still more efforts needed to offset costs. You can read more about the plans and/or complete a survey online at: www.historicdelano.com/DelanoUnited/parkway.php A motion was made by Michael Gomm to support the plan pending supportive documentation, and a 2nd was made by Nick Hoheisel. The DAB vote was unanimous, 10-0. Abbagail Blick and Mitchell Ramsey, both West High School students, then presented the need for crosswalks at West High School. There has never been a crosswalk with lights at West High School, and to date three (3) students have been hit by vehicles trying to cross the street either before or after school. Abbagail and Mitchell had a PowerPoint presentation that showed Page 2 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes March 7, 2016 www.wichita.gov two (2) proposed crosswalk locations, one being at Lincoln St. and Sycamore St. where students cross over to one of the athletic fields (called the South Crosswalk), and another one at Lincoln St. and Osage St. where Lincoln then curves and becomes McCormick Street for westbound traffic (named the SouthWest Corner Crosswalk). There was another crosswalk suggested for the front of West High School, middle of Osage Street near a bus lane (West Crosswalk), but this one was not emphasized as strongly. The students have been trying to raise money for this project in order to offset the funding deficit for USD259 by the State of Kansas. The total projected costs are $70,000 which includes operating costs for power and installation. USD259 has committed to $25,000 and the City of Wichita has committed to $35,000. There are two (2) DAB members that had attended West High School and they agreed that trying to cross these streets, especially on Lincoln, were extremely dangerous. DAB member Cory Tourville asked why this had not been done prior to now as to comply with ADA requirements. No one knew this answer. David Kapaun motioned that this be brought to the City Manager at once for expediting, and a 2nd motion was made by Nick Hoheisel. The motion carried 10-0. DAB member Benny Boman commented that Lincoln, a 4-lane street, becomes very dangerous when it curves to the north to meet McCormick Street. Joshua Blick, President of the Southwest Neighborhood Association, states that he and the West High School principal have been working with the USD259 and City engineers on this project. DAB member Don McManamey observed that drivers are not heeding the speed limits and that WPD Officers should be more present at lunch times and after school. Before moving on, Joshua Blick stated that an auto mechanic, whose shop is on the corner of Meridian and Esthner streets, had no access at all to his business due to the south Meridian street construction. The mechanic was told that it would be for two days, and so far it had been five days since being able to have access to his company. Becky Fields stated that she would contact the project manager right away to find out about this problem. NEW BUSINESS Bill Longnecker, Senior Planner, MAPD, presented a request for zone change (ZON2016- 00006) that is generally located on the NW corner of Meridian/Kellogg, from Multi-family Residential to Limited Commercial. Mr. Longnecker states that they were working with Friends University (which is located to the east of this intersection) and that there were two possible ideas for this property; a convenience store or some type of apartments whose target audience would be students. Bill states that there is currently a single-wide trailer and several houses that were in need of repairs on this property. The property does not have sidewalks. David Kapaun asked about access drives for new construction, and Mr. Longnecker replied that three (3) access drives could be safely installed for this location which would be able to work around the median strip/divider located at the traffic light for Kellogg Drive and Meridian. Page 3 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes March 7, 2016 www.wichita.gov Nick Hoheisel motioned to approve and Rebecca Robertson made a 2nd motion. Motion passed 10-0. OLD BUSINESS No old business. BOARD AGENDA The next District IV breakfast is on Saturday, April 2nd, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM, with WPD Chief Ramsay as the guest speaker. It will be held at a new venue, the Golden Corral at 616 S Ridge Road Ct. which has a larger meeting room and more food choices. Becky Fields commented that there will be three (3) media blasts going out to District IV regarding this event, not including the mention in the District IV newsletter. Councilman Blubaugh spoke briefly about Old Town safety and the measures that are being taken by Chief Ramsay after last weekend’s shootings. Cory Tourville said that there was graffiti at Pawnee Prairie Park on some of the trail markers, west side of the park. He further stated that he saw two pregnant does (female deer) and he had picked up three ticks while in the park. A comment was made that the insects would be out in full force this summer due to our extremely mild winter. With the library getting ready to close, DAB member Don McManamey motioned for the meeting to be dismissed, and David Kapaun made a 2nd. Motion carried 10-0, and DAB IV adjourned at 7:50 pm. Page 4 of 4