City of Wichita

District V

Newsletter 

City of Wichita Website

October 28, 2016
A Message from Council Member
Bryan Frye...
Last month, the city of Wichita sold the Hyatt Regency Hotel to Phillip Ruffin for $20 million. Since then we've been exploring ways to utilize those proceeds. One option presented by city staff at a workshop recently is to allocate half of that amount to repairing asphalt residential streets throughout Wichita.   Once you realize that Wichita's paved street network is comprised of more than 5,000 lane-miles of residential, collector & arterial streets and expressways, it doesn't seem like $10 million would get us very far, does it?   But by focusing on the right treatment, on the right road, at the right time, a comprehensive plan was put together that effectively manages both internal and external resources.
 
The staff proposal has multiple elements including supplementing the one-time cash infusion with the current capital improvement budget and the existing operational budget. Combining these efforts could make a significant difference to the quality of residential streets in a relatively short amount of time with long-lasting impact.
  •  A one-time increase in contracted mitigation repairs.  This approach tackles neighborhood asphalt streets that have no remaining service life. Such poor conditions require regular mitigation for potholes, etc. Spot repairs and a micro-surface coat seal would be applied from curb to curb. This would improve structural integrity, drivability and appearance.
  • Increasing certain in-house mitigation repairs.  Neighborhood concrete streets with no remaining life would receive localized, longer-lived patches from a new single operator patch truck. Staff would be able to perform all concrete patches in the first year, and enable similar patches on all asphalt streets over a three-year period. This ongoing program would patch 33% of city streets each year.OP3 Program
  • Outsourced Pavement Preservation Program (OP3) with a mix of mitigation repairs.  This includes preventative, corrective and emergency maintenance by city staff and private contractors. Mitigation can be patching, thermal crack repairs &/or crack sealing. These repairs can improve structural integrity and drivability.  
What would be the expected results?
  • After 1 year - 100% of concrete streets with no remaining service life patched.
  • After 2 years - 41% of asphalt streets with no remaining service life repaired and coated.
  • After 3 years - 100% of all streets patched to improve drivability. Continuing program to patch 33% of all city streets each following year. 
Residential street conditions have been and will continue to be a high priority among citizens. And this proposal goes a long way to improving the worst roads that affect Wichita citizens daily. It doesn't solve all our problems at once but it's a responsible approach to ensure the highest ROI. It addition, it stabilizes remaining service life and asset value over 40 years.
   
Now, who has ideas for the other $10 million?
 
Have a great weekend!

Bryan Frye
District V City Council Member 
DISTRICT NEWS & EVENTS
Getting to Know DAB V:
Roman Rodriguez

Roman and his wife Vangie, have called District V home for eight years. They live near NewMarket Square and have two children - Garrett (2) and Reagan (10 months).

Roman loves living in District V. The convenience of having great shopping and dining options is what originally attracted Roman and Vangie to choose District V as their home when they were married. They started  in an apartment at 21st and Tyler and were convinced that District V is where they wanted to build their family, purchasing a home close by before their son was born. 

Some of Roman's favorite places in District V include the Warren IMAX, the new Buffalo Park splash pad, local restaurants like Egg Crate Café and Knolla's Pizza, and the proximity to Sedgwick County Park and Sedgwick County Zoo.

As a third-generation Kansan, Roman has a passion for his home state and serves Kansans at the local and state level. In addition to serving on the District V Advisory Board, he is currently a member of the Kansas State Board of Indigent Defense Services. Roman is an active member of West Side Church of the Nazarene and leads a life group for college-age individuals. He also serves as treasurer for the Sedgwick County Republican Party.

Professionally, Roman works in marketing and communications at his alma mater, Friends University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art with an emphasis in graphic design and a Global Master of Business Administration, both from Friends.

Roman is excited to begin serving his friends and neighbors as the newest member of the District V Advisory Board.   
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.

Click here for more information...

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.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Monarch Pledge Website
Mayor Longwell Pledges
to Help Save the
Monarch Butterfly
Mayor Longwell is the 200th Mayor
to Take the National Wildlife Federation's
Mayors' Monarch Pledge

This past Wednesday, with the support of Mayor Jeff Longwell, Wichita became the 200th city to commit to the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge. This national campaign works with mayors and local government chief executives to help save the declining monarch butterfly. By making this pledge the city is committing to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and other pollinators and educate citizens about how they can contribute.
 
"Throughout the Central Monarch Flyway our nation's cities are stepping up to save the monarch through the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge," said Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. "By working with leaders like Wichita Mayor Longwell and his colleagues working together in Wichita and with cities up and down Interstate 35, we will ensure that every American child has a chance to experience majestic monarchs in their backyards and communities."
 
In 1996 Monarch populations soared as high as 1 billion; however, in recent years, despite being found all across the United States, their numbers have declined significantly. This is a result of numerous threats, particularly loss of habitat due to agricultural practices, development, and cropland conversion. Degradation of wintering habitat in Mexico and California has also had a negative impact on the species.
 
Through the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge, cities and municipalities commit to create habitat and educate citizens on the ways they can make a difference at home or in their community. Mayors who take the pledge commit to at least three of 25 action items to help save the monarch butterfly. These actions can include creating a monarch-friendly demonstration garden at city hall, converting abandoned lots to monarch habitat, changing mowing schedules to allow milkweed to grow unimpeded and 22 other possible actions. More than 200 mayors have now committed to take a total of more than 400 of these actions for the monarch butterfly in the coming year.
 
"Wichita is proud to join efforts to conserve our monarch population for generations to come," said Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell. "This is one more example of how Wichita continues to be a leader in addressing environmental issues that are important to our citizens."

Through the Wichita Park and Recreation Department's Wichita Wild Habitat Areas the city is already managing more than 1,700 acres of land for wildlife, including monarch butterflies and pollinators. Botanica Wichita provides educational opportunities for thousands of kids and adults through its butterfly demonstration garden (established in 1992), its seasonal Butterfly House and countless workshops, lectures and field trips. From the Wichita Wild Habitat Areas to Botanica Wichita's gardens and educational programs to butterfly conservation efforts at local high schools, Wichita is passionate about helping to grow the Monarch population.
 
"I want to thank Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell and the citizens of Wichita for committing to help monarchs and other pollinators by creating habitat across their city. Planting milkweed and other nectar-producing flowers will create sanctuaries for these charismatic and vital insects, while also engaging families and children in conservation and helping strengthen their connection to the natural world," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. "Working together, we can secure the future of monarchs and make our cities more livable for people."
 
"We were truly excited to hear that Wichita was the 200th city to sign onto the NWF Mayor's Monarch Pledge," said Angela Anderson, President of the Kansas Wildlife Federation. "Monarchs are a critical species and Kansas is an important stop along their great migration. These efforts are critical to securing the future of this species."
 
Learn more at Mayor's Monarch Pledge

Public Works & Utilities Partners with Westar for Innovative Solutions
 
In August, large pieces of equipment at Plant 2 experienced failures that impaired the effectiveness of the sewage treatment process. Four of the nine blowers, used to supply oxygen necessary for the treatment process, were unable to return to normal operation after experiencing power losses. One of the four blowers failed completely. Staff began investigating the cause of power shortages and failures and determined that a large amount of birds perching on two overhead power lines contributed to power interruptions. 
 
Through coordination with Westar and Shelley Electric, corrective actions were made to reduce outages in general, with specific action taken to deter wildlife. Animal deterrent now covers bare conductors and was installed on all insulators and breaker bushings, as well as on the Public Works & Utilities voltage lines.  City staff were advised that the City is the first utility or private entity in Kansas to have these deterrents installed. Staff expects that the actions taken will significantly reduce power losses and improve process control.
Dog License renewal website
New Online System for Dog License Renewal
Monday, October 17, the City implemented a new online system for the renewal of dog licenses. City staff is working with local veterinarian clinics to encourage their utilization of the new system while also making their customers aware of the new service.  
 
With the introduction of online capabilities for garage sale licenses, dog license renewals and several other business licenses, efforts are being made to introduce the availability other online business licenses in the future.
Click here to renew your dog license
S POOKtacular Events in the Wichita Area!
Botanica Gardens
Botanica Gardens
Night of the Living Zoo Facebook page
Sedgwick County Zoo
Wicked Island Facebook Page
O.J. Watson Park
Hay_ Hooves _ Halloween Facebook page
Old Cowtown Museum
Wichita Public Golf Courses Facebook Page
Thanksgiving Special is Back! Thanksgiving Special

The   City of Wichita Public Golf Courses is once again helping the Kansas Food Bank!

November 1-23 bring a non-perishable food item to any course and receive $5 off a regular green fee or $2 off a season pass green fee!

More info...
BikeWalkWichita website
Be Bright at Night!
Attention walkers, runners 
and bicyclists!   

As darkness creeps earlier into afternoons and later into mornings, outdoorsy folks must stay bright:  use bright or reflective jackets, caps, shoes or stripes. 
 
Dark outer gear makes active folks invisible even in twilight.  Neon clothes illuminate us to other walkers, runners, bicyclists-and to cars. 
 
Hardware and automotive stores have inexpensive reflective tape.   Affix the tape to the front and back of shoes, coats or caps.  Check out a bike shop for reflective shoes, crossing-guard vests, strap-on headlights or-the safest of all-lights in blinking red or green or yellow. 
 
Keep on moving throughout this fall and winter.  Keep visible, safe AND, you know, healthy. 
 
Visit BikeWalkWichita for more tips and ideas!
Walkability
and Real Estate Markets
Don't miss this opportunity. On November 10, 2016, join Christoper Leinberger to learn how demand is shifting real estate markets across the country to more walkable urban developments - with significant potential for communities and individual developers.
 
Participants will have an opportunity to:
  • learn what works for making communities attractive to young talent;
  • understand how demand for walkable communities is dramatically shifting real estate markets across the country; and
  • gain information about opportunities here in Wichita.
Mr. Leinberger is a land use strategist, teacher, developer, researcher and author, balancing business realities with social and environmental concerns. Mr. Leinberger is also the President of Locus; the Charles Bendit Distinguished Scholar and Research Professor, George Washington University School of Business, nonresident Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution in Washington DC and a founding Partner of Arcadia Land Company, a New Urbanism and transit-oriented development firm.

Event Details
* Date: November 10, 2016
* Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
* Location: Wichita Art Museum 1400 Museum Boulevard
* Cost: $25 per person

Wichita Public Library Website
Wichita Public Library Needs Your Input!
Have you used the Library in the past, but not for at least a year?

The Wichita Public Library is wanting your input in identifying important strategies to best serve the needs of our community. The Library is working with Wichita State University to hold several focus groups with residents to assist in the process, gathering information to help with programming and service decisions.

This hour-long focus group will happen on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30pm at the Central Library, 223 S. Main (3rd floor auditorium). Refreshments will be provided.

If interested, email RSVP@wichitalibrary.org by November 4.

Big Read website
Big Read Wichita: Free Author Event!
Enjoy a special Big Read evening event with Ray Bradbury's official biographer, Sam Weller.  Mr. Weller spent many hours over the years conversing with Ray Bradbury and recording the
Fahrenheit 451 author's thoughts on a wide variety of topics.  A creative writing professor at Columbia College Chicago, Mr. Weller teaches the only college class in the U.S. that focuses on the works of Ray Bradbury. The event will include be a Q&A with the author. 
The Bradbury Chronicles will be available for sale at the event, and a book-signing will follow the presentation.
Read to Preschoolers Month info
for more information
Senior Wednesdays
SENIOR WEDNESDAYS 
IN WICHITA
 
Senior Wednesdays are always fun and there is something different to do; someone new to meet. There are also many senior activity centers in Wichita and the surrounding areas, so be informed. Be entertained.  Be active.
 
To see the upcoming events for October's Senior Wednesdays, 
Downtown Wichita Website
Life Happens Here!

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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers Needed!

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is looking for individuals to assist with free tax preparation so families and individuals with low to moderate income get the benefits they need. Positions include greeters, interpreters and preparers.  Training provided, flexible hours (January through April), and multiple site locations available. 

Contact United Way of the Plains in Wichita by calling 211 to volunteer or get more information. 
               HELP  WANTED            
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.
 
   
Check out the latest information on job fairs and training courses.  Click here. 
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Go to the Early Vote Center most convenient for you. You can vote on a voting machine or by paper ballot.
 
The Election Office begins in-person early voting 13 days before the election and continues during regular office hours until 12 Noon the Monday before Election Day. 
 
Additional Early Vote centers are open Tuesday - Saturday the week before Election Day.
Vote Like a Mother Facebook page
Vote Like a Mother!
The Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita and other community partners want you to be the example for the future generation!

 


The goal of Vote Like A Mother is to educate members of the community on all things voting - where to vote, when to vote, ho w to register to vote, what options are available for voting, where election information can be found, and more. Our goal is for people to have NO barriers that prevent them from participating in local, state and national elections and voting opportunities.

 


Visit their Facebook page for more information!
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.

              PArk _ Rec Activities Guide
Find out about
 Park and Recreation classes 
 
  Sign up now for classes at CityArts by clicking here!
                
More Helpful Links
City Council Agendas, Minutes and streaming video link
  
District V map     

Municipal Court Docket
 
Check out what's happening at the Library by clicking here!
District V Activities
Westlink Branch Library 
8515 Bekemeyer
 
Southwest of Central and Maize
 
1011 N. Maize Ct.
District V Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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 2016 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.
Become part  of the solution and tell us what's on your mind. Visit Activate Wichita today!
   
Click here to find up-to-date  information regarding street  maintenance in your area.
Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-352-4886
lrainwater@wichita.gov | http://www.wichita.gov
City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS  67202
Have questions or concerns? E-mail bfrye@wichita.gov
 or call 316-268-4331