District 6 Advisory Board

Minutes 1 July 1, 2013 District VI Advisory Board Minutes www.wichita.gov Monday Evergreen Recreation Center July 1, 2013 2700 N. Woodland 6:30 p.m. Lounge Clubroom The District VI Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Recreation Center Lounge Clubroom 2700 N. Woodland. There were five (5) District Advisory Board members in attendance, eight (8) City staff and eleven (11) members of the public who signed in. Members Present Members Absent Deborah Sanders Joel Weihe Charlie Claycomb Denice Bruce John VanWalleghen Denise O’Leary-Siemer Cathy Landwehr Scott Dunakey Staff Present Dale Miller, Planning Terri Dozal, Neighborhood Services Officer Carlson, Patrol South Officer Guzman, Patrol North Officer Long, Patrol West Lt. Mullin Station #7Fire Council Member Miller called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. welcoming everyone. Miller asked members to introduce themselves and state their representation for serving on the board. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as submitted (Dunakey/VanWalleghen 5 -0) Approval of Minutes The minutes for June 3, 2013 were approved with an amendment (Dunakey/Claycomb 5-0) Public Agenda 1. Scheduled items: Delora Donovan, 1559 Ferrell Dr. asked why the city was not picking up the limbs from the storm. Miller stated that before we could use FEMA dollars to pick up storm debris when we had the money. But now with budget reductions we are not able to do so. Residents can call if fallen branches are on the easements. If you have private property with fallen trees or branches you will need to hire a tree service. The City Council would like to be able to pay for the pickup but there is just no money to do so. 2. Off-agenda items: None *****Action: Provide comments/take appropriate action. Staff Presentations 3. Fire Department Report Lt. Darrin Mullin, Station 7 reported for June there had been five fires with three accidental and two arsons with a total damage of $40,000. One arrest was made. One fire was from careless smoking at an apartment where a person put out the cigarette in potting soil. Potting soil has an ingredient that is flammable which started the fire. With the 4th of July coming we will be very busy. Remember to use caution when using fireworks. Keep a  Minutes 2 July 1, 2013 bucket of water or a garden hose close in case a fire would start. Our crews will be out on both July 3rd and 4th. There is a non-emergency phone number to use on July 4, 5, &6 for fireworks. You can call 290-1011 to report. Sanders asked if we call the non-emergency number what will happen. Mullin said we will get to the call when we can. *****Action: Receive and file 4. Community Police Report Patrol West: Officer Long said on 11Beat there was nothing to report, 15 Beat had 24 larcenies and one vehicular homicide, 12 Beat has had auto larcenies near McLean at Exploration Place and the Indian Center because people are leaving their items in the car in plain sight. With the non-emergency phone number during the 4th of July your call will be put on a waiting list. If you see active disturbances, please call 911. Sanders asked about fireworks going up into the air will there be charges. Long responded yes if the officer sees this he will confiscate the items and get the contact info for a detective to follow up. Miller asked who the officer was for the area of 1000 N. Custer. Long responded that area is covered by Officer Williams. Patrol North: Officer Guzman reported on 41 and 48 Beats there was an increase in year 90’s Honda auto thefts and then suddenly mid June it stopped. We are looking to see if the suspects might have been arrested. 42 Beat on June 20th had zero tolerance and on the 600 block of N. Topeka there were aggravated assaults and aggravated battery happening. We enforced moving and traffic violations and looking for drugs. Since then the issues have quieted. We also held a John Sting along 1400 N. Broadway with 10 arrests as misdemeanors and one arrest with drugs. 49 Beat has been quiet and we have been working with the Summer Activity Camp officers are interacting with the kids. We will hold an end of camp picnic on Friday, July 19th the camps last day. VanWalleghen from Benjamin Hills/Pleasant Valley association asked about the rolled car next to the trailer park if it was a stolen vehicle. Guzman replied the suspect abandoned the vehicle and we are still investigating. VanWalleghen said some of the residents caught it on their cell phones so you could come to our neighborhood meeting and see the pictures. Guzman said he was helping with an IMPACT meeting but may come if he had time. Patrol South: Officer Carlson reported the summer patrons are out and about and no issues happening like last summer. If it’s needed we utilize resources from SCAT teams or other units to assist. We’re reviewing the map of Old Town at present to review the foot and vehicle traffic. There have been no major incidents in Old Town this past month. *****Action: Receive and file New Business 5. New Central Library Architectural Services Brett Barrientos, 3rd term Library Board member thanked the DAB for allowing him to attend and presented on the next steps in the project process to identify an architectural firm and its consultants to comprise a building design team to continue the project through schematic design, design development and creation of construction documents. A power point presentation was used. The Board asked/made the following questions/comments: Responses in Italics  Is the architectural design included in the 2014 CIP? Yes the first phase.  The new library would be a huge asset to Wichita and downtown. This revitalizes the area. It’s worth having a tax increase because the new library is that important.  If we think that we can’t improve our Library system now, wait until the economic impact. Wichita has so much pride. This is a difficult time to recruit businesses and this would be a tremendous impact if we let  Minutes 3 July 1, 2013 the library fall into shambles. This is a key component to the downtown master plan and the impact will be felt if not pursued. I support this project and would pay additional taxes.  I support this project and would pay a tax increase.  I 100% support the library as everything gets more technical each year. Students can use the library and poor families can go. The aging heating/air condition is costing tax dollars. I’m willing to pay extra sales tax.  I support.  With the budget the way it is, what will the city do about the new conceal/carry law for the library? We are working with the Law department to see how this would be handled. Mary Knecht, 1634 N. Athenian of the Wichita League of Women Voters supports the new library. We co- sponsor a program on Tuesday called Tuesday for Toddlers. The downtown library can be a new community center. Since the schools are cutting back on their libraries the central library can serve the schools. Joan Joans, 1920 N. Richmond sated she is an advocate for the library and an advocate for the St. Joan of Arc statue. What are the plans for the statue? Barrientos said he would have to check on that. Miller said it would go with the new library if we have one or it will be on display somewhere else. Miller said this is an important time to let the entire council know your thoughts. Share all this information with your friends and neighbors and tell them to let us know before the July 9th deadline. *****Action: The District VI Advisory Board provided feedback before the City Council receives a July 9th request to release a Request for Qualifications for building design services. 6. ZON2013-00014 The District VI Advisory Board (DAB) considered City zone change from SF-5 Single-Family Residential to NR Neighborhood Retail, generally located west of Arkansas Avenue, on the northeast corner of 21st Street North and Jeanette Avenue. The members were provided the MAPD staff report for review prior to the meeting. Dale Miller, Planner presented the case background, reviewed the staff recommendation and answered questions of members and the public. The Board asked/made the following questions/comments: Responses in Italics  Is the building being used as a barber shop now? They want to convert the garage for the barber shop.  Does he have a basement he can use instead for his business? There were two members of the public to speak in opposition of this request stating: Responses in Italics  Why does this area have to be rezoned? In order for the request to process the area has to be rezoned.  I’m concerned about where people will park. If the request is approved, the applicant will have to park on his property. ****Action: The District VI Advisory Board members made a motion to recommend to City Council Denial (Dunakey/Landwehr 4-1Sanders) for the zone change based on staff recommendations. Board Agenda 7. Problem Properties 906 E. 3rd: Tall grass and weeds 355 N. Mosley: Tall grass and weeds 1300-1400 N. Santa Fe: Tall grass and weeds on business properties. *****Action: Receive and propose appropriate action.  Minutes 4 July 1, 2013 8. Neighborhood Reports Riverside Citizens Association: the Annual July 4th Pancake Breakfast and Children’s Parade to be held in Riverside Park from 7-11am. Comments from DAB members pertaining to the 2014 Budget:  There are several disturbing items for reduction in the budget such as eliminating the Central Riverside zoo. Closing the facility and transferring the animals. The Great Plains Nature center had not heard of this and wondered where the animals would go.  What will happen to the employee?  The Riverside 4th of July fundraiser is for the Park and the zoo. It’s wrong to destroy something in the park and take it away.  This was my favorite place to go as a child. What are they going to move next?  The city is not the only one providing for the zoo as the Great Plains Nature Center helps provide for it. Miller asked VanWalleghen to find out the value provided to the zoo and also the vet services. Miller stated that anyone with suggestions on the budget to please send her their ideas. *****Action: Receive and file. Updates from the Councilmember Announcements  The next DAB VI meeting will be held on Wednesday July 17, 2013 for two zoning cases.  ZON2013-00016 City request for a zone change form SF-5 Single-Family Residential to TF-3 Duplex, on property generally located east of the Arkansas River, north of 13th Street North, on the southeast corner of Garland Avenue and 14th Street North.  CON2013-00014 Amendment of the oil and gas well district map; approval of a special permit for the drilling of an oil or gas well and approval of a Conditional Use to permit the drilling of an oil or gas well. With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m Guests Sarah Shetlar Greg Boyajian Ernest Graves Paul Hawkins Delora Donovan Herschel West Richard and Irene Cade Joan E. Jones Mary Knecht Brett Barrientos Respectfully Submitted, Terri Dozal, Neighborhood Assistant