City of Wichita   Wichita Logo Seal
District I 
Newsletter

 
July 22, 2016
Vice Mayor's Announcements & Updates
From the desk of Lavonta Williams...

1. The Advanced Learning Library's ceremonial groundbreaking occurred on Wednesday, July 6. 
I am excited for this next level of technology and learning.


2. On Sunday, July 17th the City of Wichita drew positive national media attention. There was a remarkable event that took place in McAdams Park. This event brought our community together when other communities around the country that are struggling to get along.  This event was so successful that it was the number one trending topic on social media.  

The success of the First Steps Cookout was only possible because everyone involved made a conscious effort to make our community a great place to live.  The first step is always the hardest to take...Our community took a giant leap!   Thank you Chief Gordon Ramsey and the Wichita police force, Sheriff Jeff Easter and his officers, the Wagon Masters for their cooking efforts, and the active community members who helped make the First Steps Cookout a huge success!





3. Please join me on July 30th by volunteering and celebrating the life of District I Advisory Board Member, David Buckmaster. Information is listed below.
Food Packaging Event to Fight Hunger

In Memory of David Buckmaster

July 30 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

On July 30, Risen Savior Lutheran Church-6770 E. 34th St. N. Wichita, KS 67226, Numana and the Northeast Wichita Community will  come together for an event to honor and in memory of David Buckmaster. David had a passion  for his church where he worshiped and volunteered countless hours for the Northeast Wichita  community where he lived, was President of the NE K-96 Neighborhood Association, District I Advisory Board member, and Numana  where he spent countless hours at food packaging events to help in the fight against hunger. In  honor and memory of David, the three are partnering together to work towards David's goal of  packaging 77,000 meals to fight hunger for Mission of Hope in Haiti. Please help us meet that  goal by donating your time and/or money towards a worthy cause! 

We invite you to join us on July 30th to help package food. To volunteer, simply register online  at http://numanainc.com/event/risen-savior-lutheran-church/.

Numana and Risen Savior thank you for your consideration. If you have questions regarding this  event, please contact me at 683-5538 or email me at [email protected]. For more  information on Numana and their efforts go to www.numanainc.com.

City Announcements & Activities
S tay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines 
by reading our daily News Releases
Is your home ready for a fresh coat of paint?  
purple_blues_brush.jpg
This program provides assistance to homeowners to update and preserve their property with a fresh coat of paint. The paint is free and homeowners can choose the color of paint from a wide selection. The paint is available between April 1 and September 15. To qualify for the free paint:
  1. The house must be located within the City of Wichita.
  2. Eligible household income must not exceed eighty percent (80%) of median income.  2016 Federal Income Limits
  3. The house must be owner-occupied, and real estate taxes must be paid current.
  4. The owner must apply the paint to the structure within six months of receiving it.
  5. Senior citizens, 62 years of age or older, may qualify for labor grants, provided they are owner-occupants and provided funding is available.
For more information or to apply for paint, call (316) 462-3713 during the paint program period.


Sign Code

With the 2016 elections approaching, City of Wichita officials are reminding candidates and citizens that the  City's Sign Code (Title 24.04.215 of the City Code) prohibits all signs, including political signs, on public rights-of-way, or on public property. The City rights-of -way are part of a street lying between adjacent property lines, including the vehicle travel area, and may include a public sidewalk, and unpaved areas between the travel lanes and adjacent property lines. Examples of public property are public buildings, parks, drainage ways and creeks.
 
Signs are not allowed on City rights-of-way for various reasons. Not only are they unsightly and can contribute to urban blight, but, more importantly, they can present a public safety hazard. Temporary signs improperly placed in City rights-of-way or on public property can:
  • Cause sight obstructions and distractions endangering motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
  • Block sight lines at driveways and intersections, endangering motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
  • Blow into traffic, possibly causing property damage or accidents; and
  • Pose a hazard to utility workers.
For these reasons, no temporary signs, including political signs, are allowed on City rights-of-way, or on public property. Signs improperly placed on City rights-of-way or public property may be removed by either City staff, a volunteer sign removal group, or by an adjacent property owner. Any sign that is removed may be recovered by payment of a $25 per sign recovery fee. If placement on the rights-of-way or public property continues, charges may be filed in Municipal Court.

For more information, please contact Zoning/License/Sign Section staff at 316-268-4479.





Check out what's happening 
by  clicking here


Sign up now for classes at  City Arts by clicking here!
View Park and Recreation Classes by clicking here!
Updates from District I & 
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center
August 6th, District I Breakfast
9 am District I breakfast on Saturday, August 6th, will be  catered by TOPS: Taste of Philadelphia Style

$5 per person - ham, sausage or turkey bacon & egg sandwich with fruit.  Those who have already eaten breakfast or prefer not to eat can come for coffee and conversation. 
 
Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 30th by calling 303-8016 or emailing [email protected]

Guest Speaker:  Susanne Welshans,  Code Enforcement Liaison with the  City of Wichita  Metropolitan Area Building & Construction Department.
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
Need Employment or Training Assistance?

Resume building, resume reviews, job search tools and 1-on-1 assistance is available at Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center. Please call 303-8016 to schedule an appointment.   Click here for job daily job postings.
Community Activities & Services

EVENT INFORMATION

The Shadyway Blues and BBQ Festival will be held Saturday, July 23 from 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Shadyway Plaza Park, 1421 N. Spruce Ave., Wichita, KS  67214.

QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about being a vendor at the 2016 Blues and BBQ Festival, please contact Pamela Williams at [email protected] or at [316] 267-2500.




Find Out How You Can Own an Affordable Home

Come to an informational meeting with Wichita Habitat for Humanity !  You'll learn about our home-ownership program and how to apply. 

Meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m.  on July 27, August 4 and  August 10. A meet ing in English and Spanish will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 10 a.m. 

All meetings are at Habitat's offices at 130 E. Murdock, between Main and Market streets.  Please RSVP to Katharine at 269-0755 or [email protected] .


Free Bulky Waste Coupons

Sedgwick County residents are eligible to use a coupon to dispose of up to 1,000 pounds of bulky waste. Click on the bulky waste link below and register. After information has been submitted, coupons will be mailed out to you.


What is a Maker Faire?
Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement
 It's a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning.
How to Build a Safer Neighborhood
Nextdoor is the free private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. It's the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. And it's free!

Thousands of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home.
  
And it's only for you and your neighbors!!
People are using Nextdoor to:

  • Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
  • Track down a trustworthy babysitter
  • Find out who does the best paint job in town
  • Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
  • Find a new home for an outgrown bike
  • Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name
Nextdoor's mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods.   Click here   for more information.

TOP 10 REASONS TO WALK






(WITH APOLOGIES TO DAVID LETTERMAN)
10. Speeding tickets are rare.
9. You'll never have a flat tire.
8. Your vet said your dog is too fat.
7. You get to know your community.
6. You don't need a tail light.
5. You can talk with your friends while you walk.
4. Gas mileage is great.
3. You can practice your dance steps.
2. You can stop and smell the roses.
AND THE NUMBER 1 REASON TO WALK:
NO SPANDEX REQUIRED!

Brought to you by BikeWalkWichita.org
From year-round to seasonal events, Downtown
is the preferred location for Wichita to celebrate
throughout the year. A variety of events cater to
the diverse interests of Wichita residents and
many visitors from Kansas and throughout the
regional area. Downtown Event Calendar

The KanCare Volunteer Ombudsman Project 
is looking for you!
The project, launched in November 2015, was developed to give Kansans a customer service oriented experience when seeking help in accessing Kansas Medicaid information and access.  Through training, shadowing, and direct experience with consumers both on the phone and in person, the Volunteer Ombudsman Project has served hundreds of Kansans since its start in November.  In these difficult times, the Ombudsman program looks to lend a personal approach to those in need of information. 
  • Training is Free:  we will work around your schedule and we provide continuing education to make sure volunteers are up to date as things in the world of Medicaid changes.
  • Schedules are flexible: we ask for 3-10 hours weekly, but this can be tailored to fit any need.  Only have 2 hours?  No problem!  Want to work 16 hours?  No problem!
  • Volunteers are needed in Wichita, Olathe, and Kansas City
  • Application and background checks are required.
  • Face to face meetings are by appointment as well- great for direct consumer experience!
 
One in seven Kansans are affected by Medicaid- that number is consistently growing.  With all of our neighbors seeking help they need, the Ombudsman's office volunteers have a unique opportunity to directly affect the lives of various Kansas populations.  Contact Percy Turner at 316 978 3566 for more details.  
Helpful Information
Connect 2 Compete with COX
 
 
Get Internet at home today for a better future tomorrow.
 
     The Internet is essential for success. See how you can get connected.
                        
     DOES MY FAMILY QUALIFY?
  • At least one child eligible for free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program
  • No outstanding Cox bills or unreturned equipment
  • Have not subscribed to Cox High Speed Internet service for the last 90 days

Call 1-855-222-3252 for more 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

    

The program encourages citizens to call Crime Stoppers if they have information about a felony crime, and wish to remain anonymous.  This means that they have not directly contacted law enforcement.  Crime Stoppers always encourages cooperation with law enforcement, but in those cases where citizens do not want to call police, they are encouraged to provide the information they have anonymously through Crime Stoppers by one of the following ways:  

Call (316) 267-2111 or 1-800-222-TIPS

Text TIP217 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637) or


If you would like more information on the program or you are interested in volunteering you may call the Wichita Crime Commission at 267-1235 or click here
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