District 4 Advisory Board

District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov The District 4 Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Alford Library at 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67217. There were eight (8) District Advisory Board members in attendance. DAB Member Michael Gomm officiated. There were six (6) City Staff and seven (7) members of the public present. DAB Members Present DAB Members Absent Dalton Glasscock Kit Corby Michael Gomm Stephanie Hartman June Johnson Matt Lashley David Kapaun Alex Martinez Guests Don McManamey Vincent Hancock Jonathan McRoy Luke Snow Rebecca Robertson Paul Wilcoxen & spouse Donna Bridges Council Member Matthew Donham Jeff Blubaugh - Absent Peter Roenne Staff Present Staff (Continued) Rebecca Fields – Community Services Dist. 4 Robyn Belt – Library Branch Manager CP Officer Roddy Winder – Patrol West Dave Yearout - MAPD CP Officer Jesston Seachris – Patrol South Lt. Tim Deneen – Fire Department PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH THE FACEBOOK LIVE FEED DURING THIS MEETING! ORDER OF BUSINESS At 6:33 p.m. DAB Member Michael Gomm opened and called the meeting to order. He then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Gomm proceeded with the agenda and asked approval for the March 2, 2020 agenda. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock made a motion to approve and DAB Member Jonathan McRoy gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 8/0. The next item was approval for the February 3, 2020 DAB meeting minutes. DAB Member David Kapaun motioned to approve and DAB Member Rebecca Robertson gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 8/0. STAFF REPORTS DAB Member Michael Gomm asked for the Fire Department report and Lt. Tim Deneen was present. Lt. Deneen reported there were no fires in this part of the City last month. However, he Page 1 of 6  District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov did have some fire prevention tips to share. He mentioned the upcoming time change (Spring Forward) and that this is the time to change out batteries in your smoke alarms, even the ones that are hard-wired into your home or business. Also, smoke alarms have an average life span of 10 years, so if your smoke alarm is older than 10 years, you should consider replacing it. Lt. Deneen continued that we have had a very wet winter, however the grass is still brown and dry and numerous grass fires are still happening. The main cause is from people flicking cigarettes out of their vehicles. Another cause of fires is from barbeque grills. These need to be kept off any structure, including decks, that are flammable, and to dispose of the coals properly, which would be in an airtight metal container. Another concern is the bad weather that occurs during late winter and spring, and this causes multiple vehicle accidents. The last snow created a lot of ice and subsequent road accidents, so slow down and use caution when driving. There were no questions for Lt. Deneen and Chair Michael Gomm asked for the Police Reports. Officer Winder from Patrol West was in attendance and spoke about auto larcenies and auto thefts, stating that many of the cases reported were residents who had left the keys in the vehicles. He also mentioned that catalytic converters were being stolen from vehicles and that the thieves could get upwards of $100.00 for each one. Officer Jesston Seachris from the Patrol South Bureau then stepped up to the podium and reported that he is new to this position and has been a Community Police Officer for only a few weeks. This officer had been out on special assignment and that several arrests were made for auto thefts and drugs. DAB Member Don McManamey stated that he has been on the District Advisory Board for 8 years and he wanted to take the opportunity to say that how much he appreciated all the Police and Fire Department did for the City of Wichita. There were no further comments or questions for the Officers in attendance, so Chairman Gomm asked for the Library report. Robyn Belt, Manager of the Alford Branch Library then took the podium. Ms. Belt reports that Alford’s Circulation count for February was 9,276 items. Alford’s gate count for February was 5,938 visits. All Wichita Public Library locations provide fax service to the public at $1.00 per page. Due to recent layoffs in the aircraft industry, we have been waiving the fee for anyone sending a fax relating to their unemployment. The Alford Branch by far has the highest number, and has sent over 80 pages of free faxes on behalf of citizens during the month of February. Our Youth Services Librarian has some fun planned for Spring Break. We have a Teen Program on Wednesday, March 18th, at 2:30pm where we will Build Catapults. Learn about the history and physics of catapults, then make your own! For ages 12-18. Then, on Friday, March 20th at 2:30, we’ll have a program for ages 6-11 to explore the silly legend of three warriors called Rock, Paper, Scissors. Page 2 of 6  District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov This Saturday at the Westlink Branch, All Nations Welcome Except Carry… 2:30. Carry Amelia Nation, born in Kentucky in 1846 and living much of her life in Kansas, became the best-known advocate for the prohibition of alcohol in the country. Let Mrs. Nation tell you how she would come to be willing to endure mob attacks and multiple arrests. Carry will be portrayed by Diane Bernheimer. There were no questions for Ms. Belt. PUBLIC AGENDA David Foster, Branch Director of the South YMCA, was on hand to give updates and some fascinating statistics about the YMCA organization. Mr. Foster gave some quick facts about the YMCA: o The south Y (Richard A Devore YMCA is one of 10 branches in the Greater Wichita area, including the new branch at Wichita State University. o Basketball was invented at a YMCA in Springfield, MA by Dr. James Naismith. o Other innovations from the YMCA include racquetball, volleyball, and Father’s Day. o The South YMCA has a membership base of over 8,730 total membership units which equate to over 24,260 total members. o In 2018 the South Y served over 7,000 program participants in a variety of programs from child care, summer camp, youth sports, gymnastics, dance, and aquatics. o The YMCA mission statement continues to be: put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote healthy lifestyles, strong families and positive youth development, to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all regardless of ability to pay. Mr. Foster then spoke about some of their signature programs such as the Y’s SPLASH Program that provides an opportunity for 2nd graders from low-income elementary schools to learn basic life-saving swim skills through a free six-week program at the Y. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a free community-based program designed to provide support for individuals that have been diagnosed with cancer. Once a participant completes the 12-week class, they receive a free 1- year membership to the YMCA to continue their health and wellness journey. SATURDAY LATE NIGHT is a Community Development initiative and a recognized adolescent program that is every Saturday night from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm. This is a free program for all teen participants and promoted through Wichita and area public schools, but the majority of participants come from South High School. Chairman Michael Gomm then asked if there was anyone in attendance who wanted to speak on the open public agenda, and there was no response. Page 3 of 6  District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov NEW BUSINESS Luke Snow with the Wichita/Sedgwick County Food System Master Plan gave a PowerPoint presentation about the long-range planning that lays out a community’s vision for its growth. A food system master plan aligns policies such as ordinances, zoning, and incentives to support a robust local food system. Luke owns a company called Farm Shop, and they own and operate the Farm and Art Market in Old Town. Mr. Snow stated that there are 44 miles of food deserts in the City of Wichita, and they are currently in the community engagement part of the plan where they are gathering information from the public/residents. By December of 2020, the information will be compiled before moving forward. You can view the entire PowerPoint presentation and more information on these links: http://www.wichita.gov/FoodPlan/Pages/default.aspx http://hwcwichita.org/food-policy/ http://allevents.in/wichita/city-of-wichita-sedgwick-county-food-system-master- plan/200019219915641 At the end of the presentation, Mr. Snow took questions from the Board. DAB Member Jonathan McRoy asked what kind of policies are they suggesting to the government to subsidize grocery stores in the identified food deserts. Mr. Snow replied that not only was that a tough question, but good luck getting this. There is a reason financially as to why the grocery stores are not in these areas, and yet these are folks that need groceries just like everyone else. Mr. McRoy then asked if they (committee) had considered asking the School systems what they would like to see as far as food programs in the schools. Mr. Snow replied, yes, and that there are members on the committee that are part of the school systems that are helping to guide what this could look like. However, even with an expanding food supply, they are not at the point where the schools can be supplied with locally sourced foods. Mr. McRoy asked if this is something that could grow where they start with one school and keep expanding the program, and Mr. Snow replied definitely, that’s exactly what they would do. DAB Member David Kapaun asked if the only way to obtain locally sourced food was through the farmer markets, and Mr. Snow replied that there are several area restaurants that use as many local options as possible, but the supply hasn’t been large enough yet to supply grocery stores. What you find is that there is a high demand in Wichita for locally sourced foods and entire farms are moving into Kansas to serve the Wichita population. Mr. Snow said that what is really exciting is that all the stakeholders are working together to make this happen. Mr. Snow then asked the question, “Who gardens?” A few people raised their hands. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock then asked if the City and County governments were involved in the Page 4 of 6  District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov legislative part of this initiative, and Mr. Snow replied that he works with the State Legislators but is unsure if the County or the City have instigated any policies. But then this (the master food plan) is new to all the stakeholders right now. The survey is very important and Mr. Snow encouraged everyone to take part in completing the survey. The next item under New Business was a case from the Planning Department. Mr. Dave Yearout, Principal Planner with the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) presented the scheduled Planning case: ZON2020-00001 and CON2020-00002: The District IV Advisory Board considered an application to rezone the properties on the east side of South Seneca Street that are south of West Dayton Avenue from MF-29 Multi-Family residential (MF-29) to LC Limited Commercial (LC) and obtain a conditional use permit to operate an outdoor vehicle sales lot on both properties. This application was filed following denial of a request to obtain a vehicle dealers license on this property from the State of Kansas and the City of Wichita. The subject property is owned by two separate individuals and this is being combined for purposes of the proposed business use. Principal Planner Dave Yearout with MAPD stated that there was no opposition at the MAPC hearing, and that the building was formerly a detail shop next to a vacant lot. There is a nightclub across the street to the west. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked about customer parking, and it was explained that the applicants would need to modify their plan before it goes to the City Council for final approval. There was no one in attendance at the DAB meeting who objected to this case. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock motioned for the DAB to approve and DAB Member June Johnson gave a 2nd motion. The request was approved 8/0. BOARD AGENDA Chairman Gomm wanted to know who the next longest-served member is after Don McManamey. It was undetermined who would be the next person in line to carry on the “mantle” of longest serving board member. Chairman Gomm then explained that Councilman Blubaugh was ill as were several other DAB members, so he was charged with a special presentation to honor the eight (8) years of service that Mr. McManamey had with District 4. Mr. McManamey was presented with an official certificate of service and a City of Wichita bronze medallion. After everyone who was present gave him a standing ovation, Mr. McManamey replied stating that his wife was now handicapped and required extra effort and time on his part. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. McManamey have both been recently ill. Chairman Gomm graciously allowed Mr. McManamey to speak for over 20 minutes about issues he feels passionately about, including the Century II building. Page 5 of 6  District 4 Advisory Board Minutes March 2, 2020 www.wichita.gov Following Mr. McManamey, a guest in attendance, Paul Wilcoxen, asked if he could speak about Century II. Chairman Gomm allowed this, and Mr. Wilcoxen gave a lengthy briefing about his recent personal tour of Century II. Mr. Wilcoxen stated that he has had 35 years of experience with construction, including the Kennedy Space Center and that he did not see that the Century II building was in as bad of shape as what the public had been told. He said that the maintenance has not been kept up with this, and he was very upset that the City of Wichita has allowed this to happen. Mr. Wilcoxen mentioned the Wurlitzer organ that is housed inside Century II, and that this is a very special instrument inside a very special building. Mr. Wilcoxen delivered a passionate soliloquy for over 11 minutes regarding the history of the building, the organ, and how residents need to be wary of what is going on with special interest groups. Chairman Gomm pointed out to Mr. Wilcoxen that the District 4 Advisory Board is a group of citizens who live within the District 4 boundaries, and when it comes to the major issues such as public buildings in another District, this group has very little clout because we are a sounding board for issues in District 4. However, Chairman Gomm followed this by saying that Councilman Blubaugh is very fiscally responsible and is very wary about the City spending this much money without repurposing Century II. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson mentioned that Councilman Blubaugh states that after spending a large amount of money on the construction of a new ballpark and surrounding area that the City is not fiscally ready to take on another large project the size of the east bank development until much more investigation and research takes place. DAB Member June Johnson commended Mr. Wilcoxen on taking the time to lend his expertise to the Century II conversation. Chairman Gomm then asked for a motion to adjourn. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock made a motion and DAB Member David Kapaun gave the 2nd motion. Motion was approved 8/0. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm. Page 6 of 6