District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Minutes November 07, 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. There were ten (10) District Advisory Board members. Council Member Blubaugh was absent due to family commitment, and asked that DAB member Don McManamey chair the meeting. There were four (4) City Staff, and four (4) members of the public present. Members Present Staff Present Kit Corby WPD – CP Officer Williams – 15 Beat Michael Gomm WFD – Lt. Matt Schulte Rob Hartman Rebecca Fields – Community Services Rep IV Nick Hoheisel Bill Longnecker – Senior Planner with MAPD David Kapaun Jr. Matt Lashley Don McManamey Alex Martinez Jason Platter Rebecca Robertson Members Absent Guests Councilman Jeff Blubaugh Lonnie Wright Benny Boman Brit Mitchell, SSC Inc. (Verizon Wireless) Vincent Hancock (Delano United) Geoff Vail (Lexington/Cambridge HOA) ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:31 p.m. the meeting was called to order by DAB Member Don McManamey who led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a motion to approve the agenda by Rob Hartman, and Michael Gomm gave a 2nd. Motion passed 10-0. Don McManamey asked for approval of September’s DAB minutes, and Jason Platter motioned that they be approved, with Rob Hartman giving the 2nd motion. Motion passed 10-0. Mr. McManamey then asked for approval of October’s meeting (that did not have a quorum), and Jason Platter motioned that October’s minutes be approved, with Michael Gomm giving the 2nd motion. Motion passed 10-0. STAFF REPORTS Community Police Officer Darrin Williams, Patrol West Beat 15, stated that there was an increase in larcenies, burglaries, and auto thefts. He stated that most of the larcenies to autos were due to thieves seeing items in the vehicle (backpacks, purse, tools, etc.) that were of value to the thief. There were also several items stolen from open and/or unlocked garages. He reminded everyone to be vigilant of packages left on porches during the increase of deliveries Page 1 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes November 07, 2016 www.wichita.gov due to the holidays. If you can have packages delivered to an address where someone is there to receive it (neighbors or your business) to do so. Officer Williams then spoke on the topic of egrets that had roosted in a neighborhood in beat 15 as well as the Sedgwick County Zoo. These egrets are very destructive and will attack humans and animals that get near their nests. They become very territorial and they also defecate all over yards and trees. Currently, shooting these birds can result in a felony, and therefore the residents that had to put up with this felt very helpless. At this point, Rebecca Fields interjected that she had been speaking with Charlie Cope, District Wildlife Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, who is stationed at the Great Plains Nature Center, Region 3 Office, 6232 E 29th St N, Wichita, KS. Rebecca stated that Mr. Cope is putting together a task force about egrets and that they will probably be changing State and Local policies on how to eradicate this problem. Mr. Cope will be keeping the City informed as this progresses. Officer Williams stressed that the key is early prevention before they roost, as deterrents will more than likely drive them to another area/neighborhood in Wichita. Patrol South was not represented this evening due to the high volume of traffic accidents and shootings across Wichita. WFD Station 12 was represented by Lt. Matt Schulte. Lt. Schulte stated that even though October was Fire Prevention Month, there were 25 fires throughout the City, one being an arson case at the old fire station #3 at 18th and Market Streets. District IV had two fires; 1 on south Vine and 1 on south Sycamore. Together these fires caused $90,000 structural damage, and $32,000 in loss of contents. A candle that remained lit when residents left their home was the cause of one of the fires, so remember to blow out any candles when you are away. Total losses City-wide were over $1 M in October. Lt. Schulte also reminded everyone that smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years with a new detector, and that batteries need to be changed in these yearly. If you know anyone that needs a new smoke detector, please call 268-4441 and the fire department can install/replace. DAB member McManamey asked if most arson fires are started inside or outside of a structure. Lt. Schulte replied that there was no easy answer. If a structure was vacant and someone could gain access that it is easy to start one from the inside where they are not detected. Vacant houses are main targets for arsonists. But fires have also been started outside of structures, usually by an arsonist throwing accelerants on the outside of the building and setting it on fire. Lt. Schulte also reminded everyone how volatile bug “bombs” are, noting that the instructions say to extinguish all pilot lights (stoves, furnace, etc.) before setting off. This includes extinguishing any candles. Community Police Officer Darrin Williams then asked to speak on one more topic. He stated that he had been running a Christmas children’s gift program for the past four (4) years and that it had become overwhelming. He targets the children that are living in domestic violence Page 2 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes November 07, 2016 www.wichita.gov shelters and that there is an average of 240 – 250 children in need each year. Last year he was awarded the Kansas Ally of the Year Award for this program. They serve children from the ages of newborn to 18 years old. Gifts can be dropped off at Patrol West, or Officer Williams will come pick up the gift if you call him – 350-3400. PUBLIC AGENDA No one was scheduled for the Public Agenda, and no guests wanted to speak on any topic. NEW BUSINESS CON2016-00051 - Bill Longnecker, Senior Planner with MAPD, presented that Verizon Wireless is requesting a Conditional Use to permit the construction of a wireless communication facility with a 105-foot tall, galvanized steel, monopole cell phone tower on the U University (U) zoned Friends University site. The proposed monopole will replace a 76-foot tall football stadium light pole and will be designed to look and function like the existing stadium light pole, including have lights and speakers placed on its lower portion. Wireless communication providers are particularly encouraged to modify or rebuild stadium light poles that are substantially similar in appearance to the removed stadium light pole. The DAB members had been given a staff report from MAPD, and a detailed project plan had been submitted by Verizon Wireless. The City Council was voting on November 8th (the next day) Amendments to the Wichita- Sedgwick County of the Unified Zoning Code Required by Senate Substitute for House Bill No. 2131 and Including Recommended Delano Overlay Amendments that might or might not affect the outcome of this cell phone tower. However, there were no objections from Delano United who was represented at the DAB IV meeting on November 7, 2016. There will be a public hearing on this request at MAPD (Metropolitan Area Planning Department), November 17th. Matt Lashley motioned that that CON2016-00051 be approved, and Nick Hoheisel gave a 2nd motion. The motion passed 10-0. Next on the agenda was CON2016-00048 - Bill Longnecker, Senior Planner with MAPD, presented the City Conditional Use request for personal improvement service, massage therapist, on GO General Office zoned property generally located south of Harry Street and east of Seneca Street (1724 S Seneca). Bill stated that due to the recent requirements that all massage businesses be licensed, that each and every licensed massage business was going through this process. There was no one at the meeting that represented this business. Rebecca Fields verified that this particular business was legitimate and had been in business for a very long time without any known incidents. Page 3 of 4  District IV Advisory Board Minutes November 07, 2016 www.wichita.gov Nick Hoheisel motioned that the DAB approve CON2016-00048, and multiple DAB members gave a 2nd motion. The motion passed 10-0. OLD BUSINESS No old business. BOARD AGENDA Being that no one from the board spoke on any subject except to remind everyone to vote the following day in the General Elections, Rebecca Robertson motioned for the meeting to adjourn. Again, multiple DAB members gave a 2nd motion. Motion passed 10-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm. Page 4 of 4