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City of Wichita District V Newsletter |
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A Message from Council Member
Bryan Frye...
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Get to know your neighbors and help make your neighborhood safer during Wichita's Neighborhood Night Out on Tuesday, August 9 from 5:30 - 9:00 PM. It's one more way neighbors can work together to keep the community safe.
Neighborhood Night Out, formerly celebrated as National Night Out and Celebrate Safe Communities, is an annual event that promotes neighborhood safety. It helps combats crime by encouraging neighbors to get to know each other through a social gathering on a designated evening. The better you know your neighbors, the more likely you look out for each other.
To encourage participation, City of Wichita will waive park fees for groups who want to hold their gatherings in a city park. While supplies last, the City will also provide barricades at no charge to groups who want to block off a portion of their residential street for an event. To request barricades or to reserve a park, call 350-3400.
If you haven't organized an event yet, what's stopping you? Party ideas include ice cream socials, cookouts, picnics, etc. Be sure to register your event so police officers, firefighters and other City of Wichita staff can stop by. They will try to attend as many events as possible.
Have a great weekend!
Bryan Frye
District V City Council Member
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Wichita Police Department West Bureau to Host
Community Cookout: Kids, Cops and Cars
Patrol West Bureau is hosting a neighborhood cookout to show our appreciation for our community! Everyone has given us so much lately, we want to give back!
Join us from 11AM - 2PM, Saturday, August 13,
at Orchard Park,
4808 W 9th St N.
We will have food, bouncy houses, dunk tanks ( you can dunk an officer!) and other activities. There will be a lot of Officers to come hang out with! The Bomb unit will have their truck out and the Mounted unit will have their horses present.
*Brings folding chairs if you have them!
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City, WPD partner with Nextdoor
The private social network connects public agencies to neighborhoods
City of Wichita government and the Wichita Police Department (WPD) announced today a partnership with Nextdoor, a private social network for neighborhoods that improves citywide and neighbor-to-neighbor communications.
City government will use Nextdoor to engage residents on building stronger, safer communities, in part, by working with WPD to increase safety and strengthen virtual neighborhood watch efforts.
"We are giving residents more avenues to easily and effectively connect with city departments, and each other, about the things that matter most to their communities," Mayor Jeff Longwell said.
More than 200 Wichita neighborhoods are connected on Nextdoor, which allows residents to create private neighborhood websites to share information, including neighborhood public safety issues, community events and activities, local services, and even lost pets. Nextdoor is free for residents and the City. Each Wichita neighborhood has its own private Nextdoor neighborhood website, accessible only to residents of that neighborhood. Neighborhoods establish and manage their own website.
The City and its departments will not be able to access residents' websites, contact information, or content. Members must verify that they live within the neighborhood before joining Nextdoor. Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines.
"It's vital to maintain and increase safety in Wichita communities," said WPD Chief Gordon Ramsay. "Nextdoor empowers neighbors to keep their communities safe and connected."
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Getting to Know DAB V:
Jill Kerschen
I grew up in the small town of Sharon, Kansas, with a population of about 300 people. My husband, Roger, and I moved to the "big city" of Wichita after graduating from Fort Hays State University and have always lived in District V. West Wichita provides the small town comfort I had growing up. We have four children and two grandchildren.
I am very involved with church and children's activities. I enjoy working in the accounting department of IMA on the east side of Wichita but love coming home to the west side. My favorite pastimes include reading, baking and walking.
We love west Wichita. In particular, the accessibility to the Westlink Library, the many parks, church, theater and most recently, shopping at New Market Square make District V a great place to live. Our favorite restaurants include Pei Wei, Bricktown Brewery and Chipotle.
I met Jeff Longwell, now Mayor Longwell, thru mutual friends and church activities. He invited me to join the District V Advisory Board which has been a wonderful opportunity and given me a new perspective about the workings of the City Council. While on the board, I have met many great people including Councilman Bryan Frye, and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve as a member of the District V Advisory board. I enjoy giving my input as a resident of District V and watching our community grow.
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Wichita District V Facebook Page
Stay up-to-date with news and events in our District.
Click here to visit our Facebook page. Send us a message or request or simply "like" our posts.
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New Old Town Traffic Safety
Control Measures
In an effort to increase pedestrian and motorist safety in Old Town, the Wichita Police Department (WPD) will implement traffic-control measures on Friday and Saturday beginning at 11 p.m. and ending at 3 a.m.
The operation is part of an ongoing joint safety initiative involving WPD and Old Town businesses. It builds on best practices from other entertainment districts nationwide. The plan includes strategically blocking designated areas to vehicle traffic in the 100 and 200 blocks of North Mosley, Rock Island and parking lots on the west side of Washington on Friday and Saturday nights.
Vehicles will still have access to parking lots and garages.
Narrow streets (e.g. Mosley, Rock Island) become a safety hazard for pedestrians and impede traffic, when party buses or other vehicles stop.
To reduce the safety hazard, the traffic-control operation also includes designated parking areas for party buses, Uber and taxis to the parking lot located on St. Francis and 2nd Street.
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Mosquito Abatement,
West Nile & Zika Update
Public Works & Utilities continues collaborative efforts with Sedgwick County and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help control mosquitoes and educate the public on bite prevention. Mosquito control efforts target Culex species that carry West Nile virus by applying larvacide to areas of standing water on public property where trapping data indicate higher levels of Culex species. Other mosquitoes such as Aedes species
that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses, and other diseases, are best controlled through public education and efforts such as emptying water from containers like flower pots, frequently changing out the water in pet dishes, bird baths, etc. and cleaning up clutter and junk piles that can hold even the smallest amounts of water.
West Nile
West Nile was recently reported in a sick red tailed hawk in Riley County. The first human cases of West Nile were reported to local, public health officials August 2. One case occurred in Douglas County and the other occurred in Thomas County. Details are being investigated and a press release is expected this week.
Zika
The KDHE began conducting a 24-week long Zika Virus Mosquito Survey on May 18, 2016. Results of the survey will be published at the end of the study. It's important to note that the eight cases of Zika reported in Kansas were all travel related. State health officials are engaged in planning and tracking issues such as the newly emerged cases of Zika in Florida.
Mosquito Control Efforts
Stormwater staff has applied 311 mosquito dunks to areas of concern so far in 2016. Trapping data indicates mosquito numbers are down overall compared to years 2014 and 2015.
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2017-2018 Proposed Budget Highlights
- The mill levy rate is unchanged. The budget is based on an estimated mill levy rate equal to last year's rate. This is the 23rd consecutive year the mill levy has remained stable.
- Reserves are maintained at appropriate levels. The budget includes General Fund reserves of $27.9 million, which is greater than 10% of projected expenditures, in accordance with City Council policy.
- Community involvement helped shape budget recommendations. Staff engaged with the community through the June 14 Social Media Town Hall event, which had record levels of participation. Staff also presented information through traditional meeting channels, attending District Advisory Board meetings in each City Council district. This feedback has helped shape budget recommendations and strategies, as well as future programming and planning efforts.
- Transit service levels are maintained, but the long-term future remains unsustainable. The Transit budget is forecasted to be sustainable through 2019, through the depletion of grant carry forward balances. However, without an additional funding source, Transit is unlikely to be sustainable in the long-term.
- Parking and mobility will be combined. In order to develop and implement a more comprehensive approach to mobility options, particularly in downtown in coordination with transit, a position is moved to the Parking Fund to coordinate efforts.
- The Police Department is expected to reach full staffing. In order to increase the on-street presence and further improve community policing efforts, the Police Department expects to fill all funded positions by 2017. Additionally, the Police Department has applied for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant through the US Department of Justice to fund authorized positions that lacked funding due to budget constraints.
- The cultural arts plan is funded. The budget includes $4.3 million to fund the City's cultural arts plan, which includes funding for cultural institutions, as well as grants to a variety of organizations in the community.
- Funding for downtown development will increase. Increased funding from the Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) is recommended. This will require a one mill increase in the levy on properties within the SSMID. The funding will enhance efforts by the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation to improve and beautify downtown, particularly along the Douglas Avenue corridor. The mill levy increase is a three-year pilot program.
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Alaska Airlines Offers Nonstop to Seattle
Travelers from Wichita can fly nonstop to Seattle on Alaska Airlines, beginning April 13, 2017. Alaska will offer one daily round-trip flight, seven days a week. Flights are scheduled as follows:
- Depart Seattle @ 11:55 am, arrive ICT @ 5:13 pm
- Depart ICT @ 6:10 pm, arrive Seattle @ 7:55 pm
Tickets for new routes are now on sale. To purchase tickets and capture savings, please visit
www.alaskaair.com
. Media are invited to attend a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. today in the media conference room of the Eisenhower terminal.
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CityArts Exhibitions
August 6-20
CityArts currently has four art shows on display. "Artless" by various artists is an interactive experience and can be found in the main gallery. "Small Works" by Josh Tripoli is on display in the main hall gallery. Envision Artists and The ARC of Sedgwick County are also exhibiting.
Visit their
website for more info...
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Visit their
website for more information!
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Join us at 6:00pm on September 20 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport for the first ever walk/run on the airport campus!
The Take Off To Health 1 Mile/5K Fun Run & Walk is held in conjunction with the 2016 KPHA Annual Conference and everyone is invited to participate in this festive, unique opportunity to be active and walk or run an exciting course through the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport campus (safely out of the way of flight paths!). The cost to register is $25 and includes an inaugural event t-shirt. The 5K Run will be timed with prizes awarded to winners in a variety of categories!
Take Off to Health General Information:
1. The race is open to any one of all ages.
2. The race starts at 6:00 pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
3. The registration fee is $25.00.
4. You can participate in the race without attending the KPHA conference!
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Life Happens Here!
From year-round to seasonal events, Dow
ntown 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.
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It's that time again! WAMPO is seeking volunteers for September 22nd and/or 24th to assist with a manual count of bicyclists and pedestrians in the WAMPO region. Every year WAMPO coordinates an annual count of bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 different sites in Park City, Goddard, Andover, Mulvane and Wichita to name a few.
The data collected during the count helps to estimate the number of people and locations people bicycle, walk and run. Once collected, the data is used to plan the location of future bicycle and pedestrian investments. In order to effectively gather this information we rely on a team of volunteers to spend a short period of time at each site counting bicyclists and pedestrians.
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KANSEL, a non-profit organization providing adult education services in Wichita, is offering a free seven-week construction training program for interested adults who are ready for employment in construction.
The KANSEL Construction Training Program teaches basic construction skills using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum. Students will receive instruction in construction math, materials handling, power tools, hand tools and construction drawings. The course also includes a 10-hour OSHA safety course plus training to obtain a Class B CDL instructional permit. Following the class, KANSEL staff assists students with job placement.
"When a student completes our program we strive to get them in the construction workforce. Working with construction companies like Cornejo, Conco, Eby and Dondlinger, gives our students an outstanding chance for employment," explained Linda Eaves, Executive Director at KANSEL.
Call 316-263-9620 or visit their website for more information about the next orientation meeting and class session.
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JOBS are here in Wichita!
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a job board with local, Wichita area, jobs only! A free service for job seekers, it will save you the time of searching through dozens of jobs outside of the area. Create a free account here
and you will be automatically signed up for all Wichita area updates and can customize the search further if you wish.
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Check out the latest information on job fairs and training courses. Click here.
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Report An Issue
Use the smartphone app to report an issue
Wichita Report is a great tool for enabling Wichita residents to improve their neighborhood by reporting issues such as potholes, broken street lights, damaged signs, illegal dumping and more.
The reports are automatically fed into the City's work order system so that they can be tracked and assigned to service teams. Users can follow the status of their requests from their smartphone.
If you have an Apple or Android smartphone, you can download
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Energy at Your Fingertips
When severe weather knocks your power out, the MyWestar app is the fastest way to report an outage and see an outage map with real-time information about when your power will be restored even if your computer, phone and Wi-Fi are down. With the power of the MyWestar app you can manage your account anywhere.
- Sign up for text alerts on current and future outages
- Show outages by neighborhood, zip code, or county, and more
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Don't be Left in the Dark!
Help deter crime and keep our communities safe by reporting street light outages. If you notice outages within your neighborhood, fill out this simple form on Westar Energy's website.
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Kellogg/I235 Updates
Stay up-to-date with construction of the improvements to the Kellogg/I235 interchange. KDOT has established and is maintaining a website to keep citizens informed.
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Park & Recreation Summer Classes
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Click here to find up-to-date
information regarding street
maintenance in your area.
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Become part of the solution and tell us what's on your mind. Visit Activate Wichita today!
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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| Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Southwest of Central and Maize
1011 N. Maize Ct. |
District V Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District V Advisory Board meets the first Monday of the month at Fire Station #21 at 2110 N. 135th St W. Wichita, KS 672235. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2015/16 meeting schedule, click
here.
To find DAB V agendas and minutes click
here.
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District V's neighborhood associations, click
here
.
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City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
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