District 4 Advisory Board

District 4 Advisory Board Minutes Monday, July 11, 2022 • 6:30 p.m. In-person and virtual Meeting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Order of Business The District 4 Advisory Board meeting was held via Zoom and Facebook Live. Councilman Blubaugh, nine (9) DAB members, seven (7) City staff, and three (3) guests attended. DAB Members Present Staff Present Wally Bell Scott Wadle – MAPC Director Grant Delmar – via Zoom Rebecca Fields – Community Services Dalton Glasscock Robyn Belt – Manager for Wichita Libraries Beckie Jenek Elizabeth Goltry - Finance June Johnson Lt. Matt Lang – Patrol West PD Jim Kelly Chief Jon Eck – Wichita Fire Department Laura Rainwater - Chair Sgt. Nichelle Woodrow – Patrol West PD Rebecca Robertson Ngoc Vuong – via Zoom DAB Members Absent Guests Present Alex Martinez Marisa Ackeret Jonathan McRoy Vincent Hancock – via Zoom Council Member Jeff Blubaugh DAB Member Laura Rainwater chaired this meeting and called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Board Chair then had the DAB members introduce themselves and tell the audience the neighborhood/area of Wichita District 4 in which they reside. Nine (9) DAB Members introduced themselves as well as Councilman Blubaugh. The Chair followed by asking the board to approve the July 11, 2022 agenda. DAB Member Wally Bell made a motion to approve and DAB Member Rebecca Robertson gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 9/0. The next item was approval for the June 6, 2022 DAB 4 meeting minutes. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson motioned to approve and DAB Member June Johnson gave a 2nd. Motion was approved 9/0. Page 1 of 10 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Staff Reports WICHITA POLICE DEPARTMENT: Lt. Matt Lang with Patrol West reported that since school has recessed for the summer, there have been break-ins at Aley Park swimming pool. The window on the north side has been boarded up temporarily and staff has been advised not to leave anything of value inside the building. WPD has suspects that they are pursuing. WPD has been approved to hire some mental health professionals that will be valuable for helping with many situations that officers are having to handle. These new positions will be employees of the City. Patrol West conducted a traffic study and enforcement at Kellogg & Seneca due to increased traffic accidents. Lt. Lang stated that most of the accidents were caused by drivers running red lights on Seneca. Kellogg & Ridge Road is a close second as far as traffic accidents. Sgt. Woodrow, Patrol West, then spoke about 2nd Chance Thursday that took place at the old Southeast High School building (Lincoln & Edgemoor). There were over 275 participants. 98 warrants were cleared, 119 people worked with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to reinstate their driver’s license, and Municipal Court representatives were on sight to take money and to help with clearing warrants. USD259 provided an excellent room location and they even had a driver’s education representative who provided pamphlets to those who are required to take a class before receiving their license. In addition, there was someone from Next Step who was able to talk to those with felony warrants about possible job positions. This was the most successful 2 nd Chance Thursday to date. There were some who were turned away due to the USD259 building closing at 5 pm. Due to the number of people who showed up, there will probably be another 2nd Chance Thursday in September. Chair Laura Rainwater asked Sgt. Woodrow who coordinates THE 2nd Chance Thursdays because Work Force Alliance has a community liaison that would be able to represent their organization at these events. Sgt. Woodrow suggested that Chair Rainwater contact Officer Lori Kimrey about adding Work Force Alliance to these events. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked how/where 2nd Chance Thursdays are advertised. Sgt. Woodrow stated that there is social media and that fliers are handed out in the area around the location of the event. Patrol West has their own Facebook page and Sgt. Woodrow suggests that you “follow” it. DAB Member Wally Bell asked why the fireworks ordinance wasn’t being enforced. He stated that there were 2 house fires due to roman candles, and that what’s the point of having an ordinance if it is not going to be enforced. Councilman Blubaugh responded by saying that he is aware that it is “painful” for firefighters and officers to interrupt a celebration going on by issuing tickets to those who Page 2 of 10 are shooting off fireworks. Sgt. Woodrow stated that she worked the evening of July 4th and it was so busy that it was all they could do to handle disturbance calls (fights) that were coming in. Sgt. Woodrow said that there were fire trucks and police vehicles all over Wichita that night and it was extremely busy. Mr. Bell replied that he understood, but if the ordinance cannot be enforced, then they don’t need the ordinance. Sgt. Woodrow stated that there were some 13 & 14 year old juveniles who robbed a woman of her purse near Aley Park by shooting her with a roman candle. The juveniles were apprehended a few blocks away and taken to jail. These are the types of calls that were priority before issuing tickets to those just having fun. There were no further questions for Sgt. Woodrow. ALFORD BRANCH LIBRARY REPORT: Robyn Belt, Library Manager, gave the following report: The Alford Branch Library circulation in June was 4,004 items, and attendance for June was 4,452. The Summer Reading Program ends July 28. There is still time for toddlers, kids and teens to register for the program, read and earn some prizes! Visit any of our seven Wichita Public Library locations or visit www.wichitalibrary.org/summerreading to register. If you’re looking for a quiet and professional setting to conduct an online job interview, we have you covered. Last month, we introduced a virtual interview service exclusively at the Walters Branch. Customers needing technology and a quiet place to interview for a job online can call the branch (316-337-9125) to reserve a time to reserve the meeting room. Customers may bring their own laptop and camera, or they can borrow one from the Library. The Library is working with USD 259 to give middle and high school students the opportunity to “opt-in” for a Wichita Public Library e-card when they enroll. This initiative is a step in providing services and resources to students in Wichita, including access to high- quality research databases, e-books, audiobooks, public computers, printing and free wi-fi. When students enroll for school, their parent or caregiver will be asked if they wish to register for an e-card. The student’s school ID and number will be logged into the Library’s system for ease of use. The Library has a busy schedule of programming, available to view at www.wichitalibrary.org/summerreading. Alford’s Family Storytime is happening every Monday morning at 10:30am for ages 0 to 6. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock thanked the library, stating that every time that Robyn gives a report that there are new innovative ways in which the libraries are engaging people. DAB Member Ngoc Vuong asked Ms. Belt to find out how many students enroll for the e-card. Ms. Belt said that she should have those numbers by late August or early September. There were no further questions or comments for Ms. Belt. Page 3 of 10 WICHITA FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Eck reported that District 4 in June had a total of 678 alarms; 24 fire alarms, 426 medical alarms, and 228 miscellaneous alarms They also responded 156 times in the County per the agreement and the County assisted WFD 305 times throughout the entire City. The bulk of the alarms in District 4 were handled by WFD Station 4, then Station 12, and last was Station 17. On June 8 there was a fire in an abandoned house, and another fire on a deck. For the 4th of July, a non-emergency complaint line was set up by WFD so as not to overwhelm 911. There were joint patrols out that night and tickets were issued that cost $250. All the data has not been collected, and it was a very busy night making it difficult to write tickets when there were multiple fires and medical alarms occurring. Chief Snow is currently compiling the numbers (tickets issues, resulting fires and medical incidents, etc) incurred over the 4th of July holiday and will make a presentation to the City Council next month. DAB Member Grant Delmar asked Chief Eck what makes Wichita different than Andover in the use of fireworks. Why is Wichita more strict? Chief Eck replied that he does not know Andover’s ordinances. Councilman Blubaugh stated that it is probably time for the City to revisit the current ordinance. There were no further questions for Chief Eck. Chair Rainwater moved on to the Public Agenda. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Public Agenda Scheduled Item: Marisa Ackeret spoke to the DAB about using the building at Pawnee Prairie Park for an animal rescue shelter and having a dog park or fenced-in area on the south side of the building for dogs to run. Ms. Ackeret had a PowerPoint presentation with photos of the building and the area around it. (The presentation is available upon request) The building is approximately 5900 square feet and has been vacant for over 7 years. The building has a small kitchen, restrooms, and there is currently no HVAC system because it was removed due to vandalism. If the building was occupied, it would decrease the likelihood of future break-ins and vandalism. There are dozens of animal rescue organizations around the City of Wichita that contend with limited building space to care for animals. This particular building is accessible due to the large nearby parking lot and the outdoor space located on the south side of the building. The front doors could be for the general public, and the backdoors on the south side of the building give staff access to the building and to exercise animals. Pawnee Prairie Park would be a great location for this type of service due to the variety of trails and open spaces. The trails are away from traffic and other loud noises. There is also Page 4 of 10 a covered shelter area on the west side of the building that would allow interested adopters to meet animals outside regardless of the weather. Chair Rainwater asked Ms. Ackeret if she was involved in a particular animal rescue group and Ms. Ackeret replied no, but she does support several rescue groups. DAB Member June Johnson thinks this is a great idea but wonders how animals would handle the noise from the airport on the east side of Tyler Road. Ms. Ackeret sees this as a training opportunity and thinks that noise would be greatly reduced inside the building. Councilman Blubaugh stated that there are some current plans in the works for this building, and in the past there have been outside organizations that have used this building but found that the utilities, especially for the HVAC system, were just too expensive to maintain. There is a possibility that the building will become a community center since District 4 does not have any community buildings at this time. However, there have been several requests for a dog park in this area. The south side of the building is separate from the main area, so it is possible that this part of the building could be used for a rescue. We would need to talk about it. DAB Member Beckie Jenek commented that there would have to be a bid process for the rescue organizations to care for their portion of the building and for it to be a fair process. Would the building house animals, or would it be used as a training facility for rescue animals. Ms. Ackeret replied that it would be up to the rescue organizations to decide this. DAB Member Jim Kelly thinks the building would be a good location for animal rescue groups but is concerned as to how it would be organized and maintained. He asked how many rescue organizations are in the Wichita area, and Ms. Ackeret replied there are dozens. Chair Rainwater stated that in order to accommodate an idea like this, a bid process would need to be opened to other types of agencies that might be interested in utilizing this building for various functions. The Chair then thanked Ms. Ackeret for the presentation because no one had thought about using the building in this manner. DAB Member Grant Delmar suggested that this is a project that WABA (Wichita Area Builders Association) might be interested in volunteering their time and materials to accommodate a use for this building. Chair Rainwater reminded Mr. Delmar that this is a city owned building and in order to proceed with any additions or remodels a Request for Proposal (RFP) would have to be opened for all agencies to bid on. Ms. Ackeret asked what the next step would be, and the Chair told her that Councilman Blubaugh could take it to staff and that his assistant, Becky Fields, could keep her updated. Off-Agenda Items There were no comments from the public. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Page 5 of 10 New Business - Scott Wadle, Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding a proposed zoning code change. (The PowerPoint is available on request.) Nightclub in the City & Unified Zoning Code: Mr. Wadle stated that “nightclub in the City” is a term used in the zoning code and why this term is so important. MAPD staff is recommending approval of the proposed amendments to the Unified Zoning Code relating to Nightclubs in the City. Multiple stakeholders (residents, businesses, and officials) have expressed concern and confusion with the use of the Unified Zoning Code term, Nightclub in the City. If a restaurant that serves alcohol is wanting to have a small combo/band or even karaoke, then the current code requires the business to apply for rezoning as “Nightclub in the City”. This creates a negative response to nearby properties that there would be possible loud noise, fights, and late hours. Some recent examples that have been confusing for the applicant are: bowling alley with karaoke rooms; restaurant with small live band; and non-profit with fundraising events. The proposed changes are as follows: • The Unified Zoning Code defined term Entertainment Establishment(s) in the City will now include the offering of alcohol. This brings it in line with the existing definition of Nightclub in the City. • The Unified Zoning Code defined term Nightclub in the City will only apply to uses with a capacity of 300 or more persons. This will exclude many smaller restaurants, venues, or cafes that serve alcohol and provide entertainment. • Entertainment Establishment(s) in the City will now be considered Conditional Uses when located within 300 feet of a Church or Place of Worship, public park, public or parochial school, or residential zoning District (up from 200 feet in the existing UZC). MAPD staff is in the process of presenting this to the District Advisory Boards and “nightclub” owners and stakeholders. It will then be discussed at the MAPC Advance Plans Committee and updates identified before a decision is made by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC). After this process, it will go before the City Council and Board of County Commissioners for a final vote. Mr. Wadle then took questions and comments. Chair Rainwater asked Mr. Wadle how a capacity of 300 was decided. Mr. Wadle replied that the capacities were at some existing businesses, and also discussed this with the Fire Department. If this zoning code is changed it will not affect any businesses that already have the Nightclub in the City status. Page 6 of 10 DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked if the businesses that are now classified as Nightclub in the City, but they are under the 300 capacity, will their zoning automatically change to Entertainment? Mr. Wadle replied that this will not affect them as they are currently operating. DAB Member Beckie Jenek asked if this would change when they reapply for their permit. Mr. Wadle is unsure but did reiterate that it would not affect their current operations. He gave an example of a restaurant chain, On The Border. He said there was one restaurant in town that had a 304 capacity and another one has a 277 capacity. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock asked if this was the total capacity of the property and not just inside since many of these restaurants have outdoor seating. Mr. Wadle replied that it is total property. Staff Rebecca Fields asked about a solo guitarist/musician at a restaurant, and Mr. Wadle replied that they will not consider these types of solo acts to be included as “entertainment” as it pertains to this proposed code. If it is a small band that creates more amplified noise, then that would be considered entertainment and fall under this zoning. Mr. Wadle then asked the board members if this proposed change makes sense to them, and should the Planning Department continue going forward. DAB Member Beckie Jenek replied that the type of license an establishment has would be based on the type of zoning that is required. There were no further questions for Mr. Wadle. 2023-2024 Proposed City Budget and 2023-2032 CIP: Elizabeth Goltry presented a report and PowerPoint presentation on the 2023-2024 Proposed City Budget and 2023-2032 Proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP). On July 12, 2022, the City Manager will be presenting this to the City Council. The development of the budget has included resident engagement opportunities such as the Online Budget Simulator, the Social Media Town Hall, District Advisory Board meetings, and other community groups. Ms. Goltry stated that the budget and CIP documents are available online for you to review, and they will soon have hardcopies at the Wichita Public Libraries. There is also a QR code available for easy access. The Finance Department has revised estimates due to strong local conditions, and inflation. Residential engagement is ongoing since June, and also ongoing planning efforts (new tree policy, affordable housing, etc.). Much of the ARPA funding that Wichita received last year has been directed to capital projects. City officials have been identifying sustainability finance for the long-term. The development of the budget is based on the city’s mission statement: keep Wichita safe; grow our economy; build and maintain dependable infrastructure; and provide conditions for living well. Keep Wichita Safe The new budget will include the Fire Response Optimization Plan to build new, or replace current, nine fire stations ($45M) and have $1M in annual operating expenditures. Three Page 7 of 10 new Police stations are recommended at $31M, and another $74M is included for equipment including $40M for fire trucks. Grow Out Economy The Planning Department has had a record high of development activity, and the budget will fund 2 new staff positions in that department. There will now be a 20-year special assessment pilot program, and additional money for illegal dumping cleanups and enforcement efforts. Build and Maintain Dependable Infrastructure Street maintenance is always a high priority in the citizens’ response to the survey, and a total of $141M is included for maintain City streets over the next 10 years. A new initiative will provide $31M to pave 40 lane miles of dirt streets in the low-income districts. The initial dirt streets to be paved will occur around schools, and then in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Provide Conditions for Living Well This includes new dog parks, park shelters, including the Aley Park shelter that burned down several years ago, ballfield improvements, and facility enhancements. The LW Clapp Park master plan improvements are included as well as projects at Watson Park and the Pracht Wetlands. In addition, four branch libraries, including the Alford Branch Library, will be renovated with $6.5M in ARPA funding. To further explain the CIP (Capital Improvement Program), this is a ten-year plan for long- term infrastructure improvements (roads, buildings, freeways, water and sewer, etc.). The CIP is funded with City mill levy funds, water and sewer local sales tax, federal and state revenues, and other revenues. The CIP is financed with a mixture of debt and cash payments. ARPA funding will stabilize the budget through 2024. The next year is very positive, but the five-year outlook is challenging due to the structure of the General Fund revenue base and the expiration of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds. The proposed budget will be presented to the City Council on July 12. On August 4 there will be a public budget hearing in the evening. Another public budget hearing is scheduled for August 16 during the City Council meeting, and on August 23 the City Council will be voting on the final proposed budget. This ended the presentation. Chair Laura Rainwater stated that she had seen posts on social media about the low firefighter pay in Wichita. She asked Ms. Goltry if she knew how much of the budget was going towards the Fire Department to increase the pay for firefighters. Ms. Goltry replied that the Firefighter contract ends on December 31, 2022, so the City is currently in negotiations regarding a new contract for firefighters. The new budget does not reflect more than the normal merit pay increases and cost-of-living increases. The cost does not reflect in the Fire Department budget, but in the General Fund budget. Page 8 of 10 DAB Member Jim Kelly asked if there is a list of dirt roads that are targeted for being paved. Councilman Blubaugh responded by saying that the Council came to an agreement that dirt roads needed to be addressed, but there is no set rule in place as to the priority of which ones will be paved first. Several Council Members want to go by the lowest income areas as priority, but Councilman Blubaugh would like to have the areas paved that can support new growth. He wants to get the best return possible on this investment into our neighborhoods. Elizabeth Goltry added that there are some people who like the “rural feeling” of living on a dirt road, and if that’s the consensus in some areas then of course those would not need to be paved. Councilman Blubaugh would also like the option of paving roads without having to add curbs/gutters because a lot more could be paved for the money being allocated. DAB Member Kelly stated that he lives on a 1/4mile dirt road and that Public Works told him that they couldn’t just lay down asphalt, that they would have to put in curb and gutter, as well as stormwater drains. Elizabeth Goltry said that she is certain this initiative will be revisited and that there will be plenty of feedback and cost analysis now that it has been added to the CIP. There were no further comments or questions for Ms. Goltry. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Board Agenda Councilman Blubaugh commented that the budget is consuming much of the Council’s time and that now is the opportunity to give your feedback and ask questions. As for the firefighters’ pay, he was told by the City Manager that the average firefighter is making $60K a year, but CM Blubaugh said that when he relayed this to a couple of firefighters, their reply was that they work 2800 hours a year (which amounts to $21.43 an hour). Also, due to the hazard of their work and breathing in the fumes that they encounter as well as their skin, their bodies are paying a physical price for this. Chair Rainwater replied that it was embarrassing to see the pay difference in similar sized cities as to what our firefighters are paid. DAB Member Jim Kelly said that if the City is going to spend all the time and money training an employee, you certainly wanted to be able to keep that employee. Otherwise, you are just wasting funds. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson commented that they also need to be compensated for hazard pay because many firefighters cannot continue as long as they need to for a comfortable retirement. DAB Member Dalton Glasscock stated that this seems to be a universal consensus that the pay needs to be increased for firefighters. How does City Hall view this as actually being able to accommodate a pay increase? Councilman Blubaugh replied that this is all being done through contract negotiations, but personally he will continue to fight hard for compensating our first responders. DAB Member Rebecca Robertson asked if this is the same with our Police Officers when comparing current pay with other large cities. Councilman Blubaugh stated that the budget has had money to acquire more officers, but then when that doesn’t happen the budget money gets shuffled around. DAB Member Beckie Jenek commented that the fire fighters starting salary is lower than the police officers starting wage, but when looking at several departments (fire, police, public works, etc.) it’s like Jim Kelly stated, we train them and then they go to work somewhere else that offers more pay and that costs the City lots of Page 9 of 10 money. Councilman Blubaugh added that the City does give better benefits and pensions than many other cities. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Adjournment Chair Rainwater asked for a motion to adjourn. DAB Member Beckie Jenek made a motion to adjourn and DAB Member June Johnson gave the 2nd motion. Motion was approved 9/0. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The next DAB 4 meeting will be held in person at the Alford Branch Library and via Zoom, August 1, 2022 at 6:30 pm. Page 10 of 10