District I Newsletter
 from the
 Office of Community Services
 
January 8, 2016
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City Announcements & Activities
  City Hires Housing Director

C ity Manager Robert Layton on Thursday announced John E. Hall as the new director of Housing and Community Services, a department that provides housing and related social services to residents who are eligible for assistance under federal guidelines.
 
Hall has 15 years of experience in housing and community services with governmental organizations where he has effectively used resources to produce 1,400 units of housing, develop commercial real estate, and revitalize low-to-moderate income census tracts.  He currently serves as deputy director of the Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C., providing program administration for federally insured and assisted projects.
 
As head of the City's Housing department, Hall will oversee 81 employees and a nearly $24 million budget. The Housing department supports community goals related to affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, self-sufficiency initiatives, and other social services. It uses federal funds to provide direct services and to contract with community service providers. Specifically, the department assists eligible residents with rental assistance vouchers, exterior rehabilitation grants and loans, and free paint assistance among other services. It also provides clean and safe housing to the chronically homeless. Hall succeeds Mary Kay Vaughn who retired in October. Since then, Mark Manning, the City's Budget Director, has been serving as interim .
Neighborhood Clean-up Program
It's time to submit applications for the 2016 Neighborhood Clean-up program.  If you have never applied before, all of the information is included in the application packet.  

Click here to access to the application. The application is also available on the City's website  www.wichita.gov    under the "documents" section under District I page.  

Questions?  
Call 268-4197 or e-mail Rebecca Fields at  rfields@wichita.gov
Citizen Police Academy taking applications 
for the Spring class

Applications are being accepted for the academy that will run from  February 22 to May 16, 2016




The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a 13-week program designed to provide a working knowledge and background of the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, and to foster a closer relationship between the agencies and the community.  It provides an avenue for community involvement and provides firsthand experience of policing. 
 
The Academy provides an opportunity for citizens to learn more about local law enforcement, ask questions, and gain a more thorough understanding of the inner workings of the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.  The Academy is also a means for participants and police personnel to share information and ideas about the police profession.  The Academy provides for improved community/police relationships, enhanced cooperation, and reduced stereotyping. 
 
Persons interested in attending a Citizen Police Academy must live, work, or attend school within Sedgwick County.  Persons must be at least 20 years of age, have no prior felony convictions and no outstanding warrants.  Applicants must provide two personal references. 

The Citizen Police Academy is held at the Wichita - Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center, 2235 W. 37th St. N. There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.  Click here  to fill out an application , or call 660-3810 for more information. 
Tour de Wichita
January 4 - March 18
 
Please see the attached flyers for the Wichita Public Library's Adult Winter Reading Program. Find out how you can win prizes. Click here for more information.
Wichita Participates in 
National Citizen Survey

City of Wichita officials said today they are seeking feedback from residents about service delivery and community priorities as part of the National Citizen Survey.
  
During his regularly scheduled media briefing Thursday morning at City Hall, Mayor Longwell said next week 1,400 randomly selected households will receive questionnaires that ask residents to rate a variety of local government services, such as snow removal, utility billing, parks, and fire services. Additionally, residents are asked more general questions regarding the quality of life in Wichita as well as community priorities. Results are compared to prior Wichita surveys as well as peer communities in the region. The 2016 questionnaire marks the fifth time the City has participated in the national survey.
 
"This is a very efficient way to measure citizen opinion," Longwell said. "Please keep in mind that this survey is one of the many ways the City is regularly reaching out to residents for their feedback. Some of the other examples include topical surveys, social media, town halls, DABs, Council meetings, workshops, and advisory boards. It's important to us that we make the effort to reach residents where they live."
  
Administered by National Research Center, Inc., the National Citizen Survey was designed based on the experience of hundreds of local governments. It is the only citizen survey tool endorsed by the International City/County Management Association and the National League of Cities. Scientific sampling and weighting of the responses in each city ensure accurate and reliable results. Since its 2001 inception, the survey has been administered to 350 cities and counties. Wichita participated in the survey in 2006, 2010, 2012, and 2014. Residents may provide feedback regarding budget development by emailing budgetquestions@wichita.gov

Community Activities
WICHITA INDEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOODS, INC. EVENTS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER MEETING:

Date: Monday, January 11, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas Avenue

Cost: $20.00/Advance and $25.00/Door 
Call: 316-260-8000 for tickets

The event includes a dinner, awards ceremony, election of officers, and silent auction.  Speaker is from the US CENSUS BUREAU.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION:

Wednesday, January 13, 2016
6:00 p.m. to 7:0 p.m.

Please join Ms. Ortega for her public presentation Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Downtown Wichita Public Library Auditorium from  6 - 7 pm. Her talk, "Discovering Your Neighborhood" will showcase how our City's neighborhoods compare with others across the region.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Information
 
Friday, January 15th
6:00 pm: "A Birthday Celebration for a King" Calvary Baptist Church 2653 N. Hillside

Saturday, January 16th 
 
7:00 am:  Pancake Breakfast at Christian Faith Center
 
10:00 am: Community Wide MLK Parade  (Starting at Christian Faith Centre 1130 S Broadway to Chester L. Lewis Reflection Park)

6:00 pm: MLK Celebration @ Chapel Hill UMC 1550 N. Chapel Hill (Near East 13th St. Warren Theater) 
 
Monday, January 18th
 
Noon: MLK Celebration @ Wichita State University's Metropolitan Complex 5015 E. 29th St.  
Are you signed up for Healthcare?

Who: The uninsured

What: Affordable Healthcare Act, Market Place Healthcare Insurance, Healthcare Navigators, Healthcare.gov

When: You must sign up by the 15th in order to have coverage by the start of the coming month. When Open Enrollment ends, or after January 31, 2016, the "Special Enrollment Period" kicks-in. 

Where: Healthcare.gov or call a Healthcare Agent: 800-318-2596
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KANSEL Construction Training Program

Information Sessions on 
Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 10 a.m.
 
KANSEL has a great workforce training opportunity for adults interested in a career in construction.  This free program prepares students for entry level construction work.  They are trained in power & hand tools, construction math, blueprint reading, and receive OSHA, physical fitness, and life management skills instruction.  Students who complete the course have an opportunity to interview with local construction companies.  Both men and women are encouraged to apply.  Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and be legally employable in the U.S.

The next class begins on January 25th and interested individuals should attend an information session on Monday, 1/11/16, at 2 pm or Wednesday, 1/13/16, at 10 am, at KANSEL, 2212 E. Central Ave.  

Call 263-9620 for more information. This program is FREE. 
 
FREE TUTORING

Check out what's happening 
 
 
Find out about Park and Recreation classes by 
  
Sign up now for classes at CityArts by  clicking here!
Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
Updates from District I & 
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center
District I Advisory Board, Breakfast and Neighborhood Association Information
The District I Advisory Board meets on the 1st Monday of the month at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), 2755 E. 19th St. N., Wichita, KS 67214.  Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. 

The District I Breakfast is held on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Atwater NRC, 2755 E. 19th St. N. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m.

For the 2016 meeting schedule, click  here .

Like us on Facebook: Atwater  Neighborhood Resource Center

Resume building, resume reviews, job search tools and 1-on-1 assistance is available at Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center on Thursdays from 9:30 am to Noon. Please call 303-8016 for more information.


Need help preparing or filing your taxes?

If your annual income was less than $52,000 in 2015 
you can receive  FREE filing services !

Contact Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center 
at 303-8016 to schedule an appointment.
Helpful Information
Street Light Out? Click Here to report your findings to Westar Energy
     

Click here to find up-to-date information regarding street maintenance in your area.
 
Website
Links  
City Council Agendas, Minutes and streaming video link

Environmental Court dockets and dispositions

    

Sites in District I & City of Wichita
  223 S. Main

Century II Performing Arts/Convention Center

225 W. Douglas

Lynette Woodard Recreation Center

2750 E 18th St. N.

Linwood Recreation Center

1901 S. Kansas St.

Maya Angelou Northeast Library Branch

3051 E. 21st St. N.

McAdams Recreation Center

Located just North of E 15th St. N,

west of I-135

Have questions or concerns?
City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8016 |
2755 E. 19th St. N.  Wichita, KS 67214
or call 316-268-4331