District 6 Advisory Board

District VI Advisory Board Minutes www.wichita.gov Monday Evergreen Branch Library June 4, 2018 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204 6:30 p.m. Conference Room The District VI Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Branch Library conference room, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204. There were nine District Advisory Board members, the Council Member, seven staff members and seven members of the public in attendance. Members Present Staff Present James Deckard Officer Steve Jerrell, WPD Joel Weihe Officer Nate Schwiethale, WPD Shaun Rojas Lieutenant Gerald Johnson, WFD Denise O’Leary-Siemer Three WFD firefighters Lorenza Snyder Brandon Findley, Office of Community Services Gregory Boyajian Bill Longnecker Matt Brown Carrington Thom (Youth member) Council Member Cindy Claycomb Members Absent Guests Angela Martinez Clayton Pearson Gisela Peña James Byrnes Linda Matney Don Sherman Deb Kinkor Mistie Sifford Vince Hancock Alan Trenary Call to Order Council Member Cindy Claycomb called the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes The minutes for May 7, 2018 were approved. Motion passed (8-0) Citizen Agenda Scheduled items: None Action Taken: Receive and file Off-agenda items: Resident- There will be a walkability audit with Bike/Walk Wichita. This audit will determine if sidewalks are suitable for walking on and then we will plug that information into our general database which is placed on an online map so we can fix walkability issues in our city. Until the end of June any group of 20 or more who do audits for 20 blocks will get a $100 stipend for their efforts from Buffalo Wild Wings!  April 2, 2018 Resident- As a cyclist I’ve found that businesses have had a hard time installing bike racks for customers. Strategy 5 actions 3 & 7 of the Masterplan have a matching fund strategy for bike rack implementation but I would like more information. I also noticed that the in the Douglas Design District original plan there were bike lanes on both sides of the street and now it seems as if both of those lanes have been sacrificed for angled parking. Denise O’Leary-Siemer- It’s true there aren’t many bike racks at businesses and if we are charging for bicycle racks as a City, we aren’t promoting cycling. Council Member Claycomb – The fee is more about protecting the right of way on the sidewalk, not to discourage bicyclists from cycling to downtown businesses. The current ordinance might not have taken the eventual need for bike racks from increased cycling into consideration. Action Taken: Receive and file Staff Reports Fire Department Report: Lieutenant Gerald Johnson – There was only one major fire event to report. A fire injured a couple of individuals at 512 W. 21st St. The Fire Recruit Academy is currently training ten new recruits. We also just had a “Boot Block,’ and raised about $30,000 for Muscular Dystrophy. With the new fireworks ordinance, the Fire Department will be writing citations with the Wichita Police Department this year. A $250 ticket will be written to those who violate the ordinance and fireworks belonging to offenders will be confiscated. Action Taken: Receive and file Community Police Report: Council Member Claycomb - I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Community Police Officer Steve Jerrell. He was recently presented with the prestigious salute the badge award. Every month KWCH Channel 12, Davis-Moore Auto Group and Freddy’s Frozen Custard recognize a deserving Wichita Police Department or Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department Officer to receive this award. These local businesses solicit the public for nominations of exceptional law enforcement personnel, and then the Fraternal Order of Police or the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department will select from that pool of nominees to award a deserving officer. Officer Jerrell was recognized in the month of May for regularly going above and beyond the call of duty to assist the residents of District 6, and we are very thankful to have him as part of our team. With that being said, would you all please join me in once again congratulating Officer Jerrell. Officer Nate Schwiethale- Old Town crime is relatively low at the moment and we believe that is due to the new camera system. Wichita Police Department recently began using Lexus Nexus and now citizens can see active crime statistics at communitycrimemap.com. I’ve brought HOT (Homeless Outreach Team) cards for you to have and these cards can also be found at any police department substation. These cards contain information and resources to aid homeless individuals. I would also like to thank Bike/Walk Wichita who recondition bicycles and give them to homeless individuals who are in need. Officer Steve Jerrell - We have had increased auto thefts in the Riverside area as of late. Please lock your doors and remove your valuables. We’ve done some special assignments to catch the suspected thieves in these cases, but so far we have not been successful. Please be cautious and protect your property.  April 2, 2018 Action Taken: Receive and file New Business Streetlight Updates Don Sherman, Westar Energy, addressed and answered questions/concerns about streetlight updates that will be happening in the Wichita area soon. Don Sherman - In March of 2018 we began lighting downtown Wichita with L.E.D lights. This led us to think we should just replace the entire city lighting system with L.E.D lights. We should be done with the Wichita metro area by the end of 2018. Since we are changing the entire system over to L.E.D, we have temporarily suspended the traditional street light out program in lieu of the complete replacement, unless there is a safety concern conveyed to us by law enforcement. Denise O’Leary-Siemer – Will you be removing any light poles during the change over? Don Sherman – If the L.E.D lights light a larger area that cause us to require less light poles, then we will remove poles accordingly. Council Member Claycomb – Will L.E.D lights be used on any public safety replacements that may happen during the change over? Don Sherman – Yes we will replace those lights with L.E.D should that occur. Don Sherman – I would also like to point out that today is bittersweet day because we both closed on our merger with K.C Power and Light and will be known as Evergy beginning in 2019, and we also had a tragic accident at the Jeffery Energy Center where we lost 2 of our employees that we see as heroes. We would ask that you please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers. Action Taken: Receive and file Election of DAB Pro-tem DAB members voted for Pro-tem Council Member Claycomb – Now is the time that we will need to elect a new Pro-tem. The Pro-tem will conduct the DAB meeting in the unlikely event that I am not able to attend a meeting. Do I have any nominations for the position? Shaun Rojas - I would like to nominate James Deckard. Lorenza Snyder - I would like to nominate Denise O’Leary-Siemer. Council Member Claycomb – James do you accept the nomination? James Deckard – Yes I accept. Council Member Claycomb – Denise do you accept the nomination? Denise O’Leary-Siemer – Yes I accept the nomination. Council Member Claycomb - Would either of you like to say anything before the vote takes place?  April 2, 2018 Denise O’Leary-Siemer – I would like to say that I have been a member of this group for 7 years, I am a member of the Indian Hills/Riverbend Neighborhood Association. I am also a member of the Infill Development Committee and I’ve also severed as the Community Block Grant Chair and I am very passionate about the City and where it’s going. James Deckard – I’ve been on this particular board for a couple of years now. I am very familiar with how the meeting is ran and with Robert’s Rules of Order. I also sit on my fraternity’s alumni association. I am very involved with downtown Wichita and I’m interested in helping the City and watching it grow. Council Member Claycomb – Ok I would ask that you all cast your vote. Brandon Findley - Denise O’Leary-Siemer was elected 6-2 and is now the new Pro-tem for the District VI Advisory Board. Council Member Claycomb - Are there any other issues the DAB would like to bring to attention at this time? Gregory Boyajian – I would like to mention two problem properties. 3318 W. 9th St. is vacant and not being mowed. A lot at 3401 W. 13th St. is also not being cared for. There is also an automobile on the property that has been there for years, so that automobile may be officially abandoned as well. Denise O’Leary-Siemer – The bike lanes east of Old Town get sandy and need to be cleaned, preferably the next time the streets are cleaned it would be nice if the street cleaners had that added to their work order. Matt Brown - 807 N. Florence looks as if it has been vacated. I do know that it was foreclosed on and nobody is mowing. The backyard is currently about 2 feet tall. Matt Brown - I would also like to mention that Orchard Park Neighborhood Association is having is having a pool party at Orchard Park from 6-8 p.m. this Sunday, June 10. We are just letting folks know that we are here for them and that we hope to serve them. We have some food sponsors and will be cooking hotdogs and other foods for those in attendance. Council Member Claycomb – I am looking for someone to serve on the Wichita Employers Retirement Board. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for this position or would like to fill the position yourself, please get them in touch with me or let me know you are interested. Action Taken: Receive and file ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Brandon Findley District VI Community Service Representative Office of Community Services