District 4 Advisory Board

District 4 Advisory Board Minutes Monday, July 12, 2021 • 6:30 p.m. In-person and virtual Meeting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Order of Business The District 4 Advisory Board meeting was held at the Riverfront Stadium, 300 S Sycamore, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was also available by via Zoom. Council Member Jeff Blubaugh, seven (7) DAB members, five (5) City staff, and six (6) guests in attendance. DAB Members Present Staff Present Dalton Glasscock Rebecca Fields – Community Representative Michael Gomm Deputy Chief John Eck - WFD June Johnson Robyn Belt – Library Manager Matt Lashley CP Officer Richard West – WPD P/W Alex Martinez Elisa Accardi-Harrison – Park & Rec Dept. Laura Rainwater Rebecca Robertson Guests Present Brian Lindebak - MKEC DAB Members Absent Beckie Jenek Wally Bell Chris Stark Grant Delmar Lonny Wright Jonathan McRoy Unknown (via Zoom) Jordan Kobritz, CEO of Wichita Wind Surge Council Member Present Jeff Blubaugh DAB Member Michael Gomm, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Mr. Gomm proceeded with the agenda and asked approval for the July 12, 2021 agenda. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock made a motion to approve and DAB Member Matt Lashley gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 7/0. The next item was approval for the June 7, 2021 DAB 4 meeting minutes. DAB Member Laura Rainwater motioned to approve and DAB Member June Johnson gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 7/0. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Page 1 of 6 Staff Reports Chairman Gomm asked for the Police staff report. Officer Richard West, Community Police Officer from Patrol West, Beats 17/18, was standing by to give a report. Officer West stated that he is covering an area west of Meridian and south of Maple St. Officer West reported that they are working on vandalism cases occurring at Pawnee Prairie Park in the restrooms and Patrol West will be beefing up patrol there. Another issue that Patrol West is addressing is the homeless activity along west Kellogg. Officer are meeting with local businesses in the area and brining in HOT (Homeless Outreach Team) and supervisors to assist. Patrol West is continuing Second Chance Thursdays, an initiative to clear traffic and environmental warrants. This initiative can also help driver’s get a suspended driver’s license reinstated. Officer West then spoke about a Police Foundation initiative named “Random Acts of Kindness” that assists with residents who have urgent needs. He stated that they recently helped a mother with two children who had moved to Wichita from California. Their apartment was in a questionable area not conducive to a young family, so officers were able to help her move to a better area. Officer West concluded by reminding everyone to keep their garage doors closed and secured, even if you are home because it takes only a few seconds for someone to run in and steal something. There were no questions for Officer West, so Chairman Gomm moved on to the Library report. Robyn Belt, Library Manager, gave the following report: The Alford Branch Library attendance for June was 3,362, and 6,360 items were checked out. The Summer Reading Program continues this month with tons of great programming – both virtual and in person – along with early learning activities for ages 0-2 and reading challenges for ages 3-18. It’s not too late to sign up. And don’t forget – if you have a child or teen registered for the Summer Reading Program already, they can now stop by their Library location and redeem prizes Beginning July 12, customers can place holds to borrow a telescope from the Library. The Orion StarBlast Astronomical Telescope has been reviewed by a number of astronomical publications and is found to be a great resource for stargazing and learning about the solar system. Each telescope is mounted on a base and has a large optical tube, meaning objects will appear in great detail. There are 11 telescopes available. Customers may borrow a telescope for 14 days. The Georgia Eakins Family through the Wichita Public Library Foundation generously underwrites telescopes. Visit www.wichitalibrary.org/things to learn more. If you want to learn more about book recommendations for the ReadICT Reading Challenge, as well as discuss different topics with professionals in Wichita and across the United States, listen to the Library’s podcast, “Read. Return. Repeat.” available wherever you get your podcasts. This month, we’re discussing ReadICT category nine, “a challenged book.” Host Sara McNeil interviews Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of the Page 2 of 6 American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom to explore the roles the Office has in supporting libraries to collect and customers to freely access information. You can listen to this and past episodes of the podcast at www.wichitalibrary.org/podcast. For other programming opportunities, visit www.wichitalibrary.org/events. Chairman Gomm inquired as to where he could check out a telescope. Ms. Belt explained that they were all at the Advanced Learning Library downtown due to the size of these telescopes, but if you wanted to have a telescope available to pick up from one of the library branches to go on line and reserve one to pick up at a specific library location. The CEO of the Wichita Wind Surge, Jordan Kobritz, dropped by the meeting and Councilman Blubaugh introduced him. Mr. Kobritz thanked the board for using the Riverfront Stadium venue for the meeting and for supporting the Wind Surge. He then commended Councilman Blubaugh for being a loyal supporter of the stadium and the Wichita Wind Surge. Mr. Kobritz commented about how the pandemic made it difficult to open the stadium and that they did not have an opening date for this year’s season until late February at which time they began to hire crews for concessions, etc. He thanked the board for their support and their game attendance and is looking forward to opening up the stadium for more community events. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson commented that she attended a game the past Saturday night with the firm for which she works. The company had reserved the Dillon’s picnic area and everyone had a wonderful time. Ms. Robertson said that she was impressed by the cleanliness of the stadium as well as the staff. Chairman Gomm moved on to a report from the Park & Recreation Department. Elisa Accardi-Harrison provided the District Advisory Board with the following information. The Red, White & Boom event on July 4 had 6000 people in Riverfront Stadium and 6000 in attendance on the Hyatt Lawn for a total of 12,000. Additional events from the Park & Recreation Department that are coming soon: Tomorrow, July 13: Storytime in the Park at Naftzger Park 10:00a.m. Two storybooks followed by T-ball and Egg races. In previous event 40 people in attendance.  July 14th: Float on the River – Sunset Tour 7:30 – 9:30. Also scheduled for July 30th.  July 23 – July 25th: North American Open Masters Tree Climbing Competition  July 24th: Clapp for Margaritas 3 mile Run Cancelled due to low enrollment Page 3 of 6   July 25 – August 1: World Series of Beep Baseball in Wichita July 25 through Aug. 1 at South Lakes Soccer Complex. One team from Kansas – the Wichita Falcons – and approximately 20 teams from across the United States, Canada, and other countries will be traveling to Wichita. Additionally, more than 400 beep baseball players will compete, creating a considerable tourism boost to the local community.  July 31st: City Crew event at Watson Park from 5 – 7pm. Sign-ups, golf, train rides, paddle boat rides.  August 6th: Movie in the Park at Naftzger Park 7:00pm. Raya and the Last Dragon  August 7th: Sunset Summer Feast at McAdams Park from 6:00 – 9:00pm There were no questions for Ms. Accardi-Harrison, so Chairman Gomm asked Chief Eck for the Fire Department report. Chief Eck reported there was a fire on south All Hallows resulting in damages of $15 K. At 2700 S Seneca there was a small fire due to arson and it is under investigation. There was some electrical arcing at another location at a house that is owned by the City of Wichita. The house was vacant. Chief Eck then expounded on the 743 incidents (alarms) that occurred during June in District 4. There were a total of 24 fires. Chief Eck reported that between June 27 and July 5, that 911 calls went up 25%. There were eight (8) structure fires on July 4, with three (3) fires due to fireworks. The department distributed 2,000 fliers in known problem areas. During July 3 – July 4 there were ten (10) teams that confiscated illegal fireworks and wrote a total of 88 citations. There were no further questions for Chief Eck. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Public Agenda Scheduled Items There was no one schedule for this portion of the agenda. Off-Agenda Items Beckie Jenek, 5520 W 37 St S, was in attendance and asked the board for support in passing the proposed Non-Discrimination Ordinance that would be presented for a 2nd reading at the City Council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Page 4 of 6 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New Business ZON2021-00032: The applicant is requesting a zone change from SF-5 Single Family Residential to GO General Office for a 22.73 acre parcel at 3310 West MacArthur Road, which is generally located on the one-half mile west of South Meridian Avenue and one-quarter mile north of West MacArthur Road. The purpose of the request is to permit General Office uses. The site is currently developed as a church. Access to the current church structures and parking is by a long driveway connecting south to MacArthur. General Office zoning provides the opportunity to develop a variety of residential, public and civic, commercial, and industrial/manufacturing/ and extractive uses. The commercial uses permitted in GO are deem more appropriate in close proximity to nearby residential uses than uses in Limited Commercial or more intensive zoning classifications. As discussed in more detail, the Community Investments Plan identifies this area as appropriate for new residential. Staff recommends a protective overlay in order to meet the needs of the applicant’s desire to develop the property and minimize negative impacts to surrounding properties. The protective overlay would restrict the site to certain uses permitted within General Office zoning in addition to limiting the area on which those uses can be developed. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked if there had been any protests from the area, and Mr. Longnecker replied no. The official end date for protest petitions was July 1st and no one submitted a petition. Councilman Blubaugh asked if the property would revert back to the tax roles when the zoning changes. Mr. Brian Lindebak, MKEC Engineering, answered this question and stated yes, that it will go back on the tax role. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock made a motion to approve and DAB Member Laura Rainwater gave a 2nd. The motion passed 7/0. Chairman Gomm then moved on to the Board Agenda. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Board Agenda Councilman Blubaugh thanked everyone for being at the meeting and let everyone know that he is pushing for a south Wichita bicycle connection and will continue pushing for the next 2 ½ years. DAB Member Matt Lashley asked if there could be pickle ball courts in west Wichita. DAB Member Laura Rainwater stated that these courts are being planned for Buffalo Park. Councilman Blubaugh further commented that he would like to see pickle ball courts installed on the west side of Pawnee Prairie Park near the playground. Page 5 of 6 DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked to discuss the Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO), and how this even became a topic for the City Council. Councilman Blubaugh replied that the Mayor drafted this ordinance and then presented to the Council. Ms. Robertson feels that this ordinance will be an extra burden on the City of Wichita and feels that it could open up lawsuits against religious organizations and individuals. Ms. Robertson asked how the fine would be imposed because there did not seem to be enough information in the ordinance. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock commented that the entire NDO process has been embarrassing and that some of the speeches heard during the Council meetings were embarrassing. Mr. Glasscock expounded further on his personal experiences. DAB Member Matt Lashley asked if those in favor of this ordinance who have claimed discrimination have taken steps to file their claims with Federal/State agencies. These lawsuits can cost businesses and individuals a minimum of $10-15K and is worried about protection against frivolous lawsuits. Councilman Blubaugh suggest that these matters be taken to the current State and Federal agencies that are already in place to defend human rights. A fine had been added to the proposed ordinance for $2K for each violation and that each party is to bear their own attorneys’ fees. This could cause hardships for small business and non-profits. DAB Member Michael Gomm commented on the timing of the traffic light at West Street and Harry Street taking minutes for the light to turn, even if there is no traffic on the cross street. Staff Rebecca Fields verified that she was southbound on West Street on a Sunday afternoon and was stopped on West Street at Harry Street for about 3 minutes. Not one vehicle traveled on Harry Street during this stop. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Adjournment Chairman Gomm asked for a motion to adjourn. DAB Member Matt Lashley made a motion to adjourn and DAB Member Rebecca Robertson gave the 2nd motion. Motion was approved 7/0. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The next DAB 4 meeting will be held live at the Alford Branch Library for the Board Members, staff, and guests, as well as online for staff and guests, August 2, 2021 at 6:30 pm. Page 6 of 6