District III Newsletter

DAB III Breakfast

Open to the Public

Come enjoy a continental breakfast with your Vice Mayor/Councilman James Clendenin and gain a sneak peak of the new library coming soon to Wichita.

When: Saturday, February 27, 2016

Time: 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Where: Former Wichita Mall

3984 E. Harry (Entrance northeast door of MindFire)

It's not to late to RSVP contact Teia Wair at

[email protected] or 316 303-8030

Coming Soon to O.J. Watson Park!

3022 S Mclean Blvd

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo that is correct, coming soon to O.J. Watson Park is a new train. The new train is being manufactured by Chance Ride Manufacturing Inc. The estimated completion date for the train is April of 2016. The new train will take the place of the current outdated train which was manufactured in 1984 and has been operating at O.J. Watson Park for the last 31 years.

The cost of maintaining the old train is expensive and many of the parts are no longer available. The new train is economically friendly and will be able to pull up to three additional cars.

The picture below on the left features Vice-Mayor/Councilman James Clendenin from District III and Councilman Bryan Frye from District V, getting a sneak peak of the train in the assembly phase. The train on the right is a preview of what the finished product will resemble. The color will not be yellow and green but the design with be the same.

Looking for things to do in Wichita?Click Here for a variety of things to do!

It's Fun! It's Informative! It's the Women's Fair!

From FUN to INFORMATIVE! If it is of interest to Women it is at the Women's Fair. Over 300 exhibitors, 45 stage presentations and demonstrations, Cooking, Fashion & Hair Shows, Workshops, entertainment, Personality Appearances and Shopping Galore encompass the essence of the Women's Fair.

Filling the Gap- F ree Lunches for Children

Partners for Wichita, Congregations, Organizations and Individuals throughout the City of Wichita collaborate to serve free nutritious lunches to children and youth during Spring Break, March 14 ^th -18 ^th during the

noon hours. For additional information and

distribution locations Click here.

City Accepting Housing Voucher Applications

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program will begin accepting preliminary applications for a limited time from income eligible households seeking rental assistance on Monday, Feb. 22. The wait list has been closed since October 2014.

The application process is entirely online and can be accessed 24 hours a day, taking less than 10 minutes to submit electronically. Completing the preliminary application is the first step in the process and does not require any other documentation. The participant's name will be added to the waiting list to be called in order that the request was received as vouchers become available.

The application can be accessed through one of the following links:

Program staff will begin contacting families in March and continue as long as vouchers are available, said John E. Hall, the Director of Housing and Community Services. He added that there is no fee to apply for the department's housing programs.

"Beware of websites requiring payment to submit applications," Hall said. "We strongly discourages paying for services and we encourage anyone who needs assistance to contact the department directly" at (316) 462-3700.

In addition, there are community offices where people who do not have access to computers can apply and receive staff assistance:

Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center 2755 E. 19th St. N;
Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center 2820 S. Roosevelt;
Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center 2700 N. Woodland; and
Wichita Public Libraries (a library card is required to use library computers).

People with disabilities requiring computer assistance should submit their f ull name, address, phone number and/or email address for contact purposes . The request may be hand delivered or mailed to Housing and Community Services Department, 332 N. Riverview, Wichita, KS 67203, or emailed to [email protected]

Kick Off Spring on the Green! Provide a work experience opportunity for a youth!

The 2016 Jobs FORE Youth Golf tournament will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Auburn Hills Golf Course in Wichita.

This will be the 4th fundraising golf tournament for Jobs FORE Youth. Last year, they raised approximately $10,000 to support Youth Work Experience and Internships. They want to exceed last year's amount, and need sponsors and/or team registrations for the tournament.

The tournament will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and tee off at 12:30. Awards are anticipated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The cost to register a team of 4 is $360, and includes 18 hole green fees, cart, lunch, participant gift and unlimited warm up at the driving range. Individual Registration is available as well for $95 per person. The registration deadline is April 20 th , so get this on your calendar now and plan to register early to ensure that your team is in the running!

All funds raised from this event will go to support work experiences and summer jobs for youth!

Details and registration

Water Distribution System Sampling

In the fall of 2015, two divisions from Public Works & Utilities collaborated and found a way to expand water quality testing that was being performed on the distribution system. Water Distribution identified a staff person to collect water samples from 24 new sampling stations on a monthly basis and deliver these samples to the water quality testing lab within the Production and Pumping division. This staff person also has the ability and equipment that allows them to conduct some testing on-site. This allows a staff person already in the field to conduct the collection and some testing, while allowing the lab to focus on data analysis.

These 24 sampling stations are in addition to the sampling that had been conducted solely by Production and Pumping. These additional sites provide testing for more locations around the City, especially around the periphery. A major benefit of this process was demonstrated when an on-site test result indicated action was needed to restore acceptable water quality to an area. Staff was able to quickly respond without waiting the extra time for laboratory staff to arrive on site and confirm the test result. This collaborative effort increases the quality of water being provided, as well as promotes efficient work processes.

AARP Tax-Aide helps low- and middle-income taxpayers file their personal income tax returns. Volunteers are trained to assist in filing the 1040 tax form and basic schedules. Taxpayers with complex tax returns are advised to seek paid tax assistance. Electronic filing (e-filing) is offered. E-filing ensures a more accurate tax return and faster processing of tax refunds.

Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center located at 2820 S Roosevelt or call 303-8028 to schedule appointment.

Recognizing Excellent Public Service Employees

Nominations for public service employees are being accepted with for the annual Excellence in Public Service Award. The award, in its 29th year, recognizes City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public School employees who exhibit the highest standard of service.

The nomination process continues through 5 p.m., March 10.

Nominations will be accepted online from the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016epsnomination

Nomination forms are available in the City Manager's Office, the County Communications Office and Wichita Public Schools Marketing & Communications Office. Nomination forms can also be printed from the City's homepage and turned in at the City Manager's Office - City Hall 13th Floor.

Each honoree will receive $2,500. The Excellence in Public Service Award is designed to highlight public sector employees who go beyond the call of duty. Nominees should demonstrate the following attributes:

Exemplary performance that has contributed to the public interest,
Innovative problem-solving skills that have improved service delivery,
Adherence to high ethical standards in carrying out job responsibilities, &
A record of community involvement through participation in civic organizations.

Honorees are selected by an eight-member committee, comprised of public and private sector members. Winners are surprised at work by their supervisors, colleagues, awards committee members and the media in coordinated visits. Recipients are later honored at a reception attended by family, friends and co-workers. The Excellence in Public Service Award is sponsored by the DeVore Foundation and KSN.

clicking here!

CLEAN SLATE DAY

Wichita Bar Association

2016 Clean Slate Expungement Day

Friday, March 4, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The Wichita Bar Association Clean Slate Day is a pro bono service project designed to offer people who are economically disadvantaged the chance to have certain eligible criminal convictions expunged through a simplified process at no cost. Clean Slate Day will be Friday, March 4, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N. Main, 5th Floor, Wichita, Kansas 67202.

If you are interested in participating in Clean Slate Day, come to the Sedgwick County Courthouse any time between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016. After filling out the Expungement Personal Information Form, a background check will be performed to see if you are eligible for a no-cost Clean Slate expungement. If it is determined that you have eligible convictions that can be expunged. Clean Slate volunteers, including volunteer lawyers, will assist in preparing and filing the expungement paperwork. You will then appear before a judge who will decide if the expungement should be granted. Read More

Seeking resources but unsure where to turn or what is available? Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center located at 2820 S. Roosevelt in the Planeview Neighborhood or call 316 303-8028. Onsite staff can provide you with resources to help you overcome certain obstacles.

Click here to find up-to-date information regarding street maintenance in your area.

Need to complete an Application, Review, Interim Report or Report a Change? Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center to see the on-site benefit worker or call 303-8082

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

District III Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations

The District III Advisory Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at the WATER Center, 101 E. Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67211. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For a listing of the 2016 meeting schedule, click here.

To find DAB III agendas and minutes click here