Office of Community Services
District 6 Newsletter
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Message from Your Council Member....
Greetings District 6 Friends -
Welcome to the next edition of the weekly newsletter! We hope you find items of interest in the articles and at the links provided. Please let us know if you have ideas, information, or events you would like to see featured in a future edition. We always welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Have a great weekend!
Janet L. Miller
District 6
City Council
316-268-4331
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DAB Meeting
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Location
:
Evergreen Park & Recreation
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Location
: Downtown YMCA
in the
Community Room
Time:
9 a.m.
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District Community Events & News
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THE FOLLOWING CITY SERVICES WILL BE CLOSED IN HONOR OF
VETERANS DAY,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th
City Hall, 455 N Main
All City of Wichita Neighborhood Resource Centers (Districts 1,3, and 6)
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Connect with the Kansas Department for Children and Families at the Wichita Evergreen Resource Center
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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.
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Inter-Faith Ministries' Operation Holiday collaborates with the US Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots and Catholic Charities.
They assist low-income and disabled residents of Sedgwick County by providing gift cards for fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, non-perishable food and coats during the winter holiday. US Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots provides toys for children ages 14 and under.
Applications will be taken from Monday, November 7th through Wednesday, November 22nd at various
times and locations. All neighborhood city halls will be closed November 11, 2016.
Applicants must:
- Live in Sedgwick County
- Be age 18 or older
- Be a member of the applying family
- Have not applied for another holiday program
Applicants must bring:
- Proof of identification (photo ID)
- Proof of address (example: bill or letter), current within 30 days
- Social security cards or legal identification for every member in household
- First and last names for all family members
- Birth date for all family members
- Proof of income for all members of household for 2 months
- Telephone or message number
- Be prepared to choose a date and time of distribution
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2017 Water & Sewer Rate Changes
The City Council is considering a proposal to increase water and sewer rates next year. The proposed water rate increase of 4% and sewer rate increase of 5% are lower than the 2016 increases, which were 5.6% and 5.1% respectively. The combined increase would be 4.4%, compared to 5.4% last year. This approach is in line with the City Council's priority to reduce rate increases when possible, phase them over many years, and more fairly balance between residential, commercial and industrial customers. This allows the City to invest in its water and sewer infrastructure in a way that is mindful of the impact to ratepayers.
Wichita continues to compare favorably to other municipal utilities. Black & Veatch's 2016 50 Largest Cities Rate Survey ranked Wichita as the 10th lowest cost provider of mid-range residential water and sewer service. Wichita's proposed 2017 rate increases are below the national averages of 5.9% for water and 5.8% for sewer, according to the survey.
The vote is scheduled for early December. If approved, the new rates will become effective January 1, 2017.
Where Does the Money Go?
Water and sewer revenue is money that comes straight from ratepayers to fund the system that provides clean drinking water and the system that collects and treats wastewater. Planned infrastructure improvements over the next 10 years account for 74% of the increased revenue needs. Some of these improvements are necessary for regulatory compliance, like projects that focus on treatment plant processes, as well as projects focused on replacing old water and sewer pipes.
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On-Street Bikeways - Green Paint - Markings
Do you want some more information about the bike lanes, green paint, and other bicycle markings? Then be sure to check out the updated City of Wichita Street Smarts brochure. It contains information for both people driving and people bicycling.
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CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS
River Vista Development:
Project includes construction of apartments and commercial retail on the west bank of the Arkansas River between Douglas and 1st Street.
Traffic Impact:
The path along the west bank of the Arkansas River is closed between 1st Street and Douglas. The sidewalk on the south side of First Street is closed between McLean and Waco. Pedestrians will be detoured south to Douglas.
Contractor:
Key Construction
City Contact:
Paul Gunzelman
(268-4393 / pgunzelman@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Fall 2016
Mosley & Rock Island Paving:
This project will upgrade the area to current Old Town standards which will include brick streets and sidewalks, streetlights, trash receptacles, and landscaping planters. The project will also construct storm water improvements and include water main replacement.
Traffic Impact
. Mosley is closed to through traffic between 2
nd
& 3
rd
St. 3
rd
St. is reduced to one lane westbound at Mosley.
Contractor:
Pearson Construction
City Contact:
James Wagner
(268-4047 / jwagner@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Late 2016
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DID YOU KNOW?
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LOWERS CANCER RISK
When asked about how our lifestyles affect our risk of cancer, most are aware that smoking can cause lung cancer, and that sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. However, physical activity is known to lower the risk of some cancers, specifically breast cancer and colon cancer. A new study published in 2016 also saw an association of physical activity with lower risks of 13 other varieties of cancer. This is an interesting finding which further suggests that being active is good for your health in all kinds of ways! Choose your favorite activity, and try to spend at least 30 minutes, five days/week, doing it. Remember that walking at a moderate pace counts! Wichita has many parks, biking and walking paths. Take advantage of them!
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Every Wednesday, November 2016 through February 2017: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Grab your coats, throw on your mittens and head over to the Sedgwick County Zoo for Winter Wednesdays! Spend the day in the refreshing outdoors for $3.00 per person every Wednesday, November through February.
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Write a Novel during National Novel Month
November is National Novel Writing Month! The NaNoWriMo challenge, should you choose to accept it: write 50,000 words between 12:01 a.m. on November 1st and 11:59 p.m. on November 30th. The 50,000 words don't have to be pretty - the point is just to get them written! Join other writers in the community for this writing session and become one of the hundreds of thousands of writers around the world who complete their novel this November.
Every Tuesday in November
6:00 - 7:00pm
Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
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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.
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Greater Wichita addresses the needs of homeless families
Being without a safe, warm place to sleep, eat, and care for children; living without the security of familiar people and belongings-that is homelessness. The loss of one's home, the most basic element of stability, is a profound crisis for anyone, but especially for families. Parents endure the heartache of being unable to provide a secure environment for their children. And children, who now make up 25 percent of our nation's homeless population, are deprived of a fundamental requirement for healthy development-a safe, permanent home.
What Can We Do to Help?
People of faith want to respond to the needs of their homeless "neighbors," but this can be an overwhelming task for one congregation. What do we do? How do we become part of the solution? Family Promise of Greater Wichita is part of a national program that responds to the growing need to provide shelter, meals and comprehensive support services to families without homes. The program unites the congregations from area churches to assist the homeless families.
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The 2016 Wichita Turkey Trot will be on Saturday, November 19th at the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
2 Mile & 10 Mile
Saturday, November 19, 2016
THE FIRST 2,000 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL RECEIVE A COUPON FOR A FREE HONEYSUCKLE WHITE TURKEY
Packet Pickup will be in the Exhibition Hall on
Friday, Nov. 18th from 11am-8pm and
Saturday, Nov. 19th from 6am-7am
Race Schedule:
10 Mile Start - 7:45am
2 Mile Start - 8:00am
Kid's Trot Start - 10:00am
2 Mile & 10 Mile participants have the option of a COTTON shirt, included in entry fees, or a TECH MATERIAL shirt for $5 extra
Kid's Trot participants will get a cotton shirt that they may decorate at packet pickup or on race morning
NEW THIS YEAR:
Kid's Trot 250ft Dash for children ages 6 and under
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- Go to the website www.petharbor.com.
- Enter your Zip Code or City name in the appropriate field and click the "Find Shelters" search button.
- Check the box next to "Wichita Animal Shelter" and click the "Search Now" button.
- Click the "I Lost My Pet" button.
- Click the button for the type of animal that you have lost (Dog, Cat, or Other).
- You may choose to narrow your search by breed, gender, size, age, and predominate color at this time but please keep in mind the more narrow your search, the less results you will receive. If you do not specify any criteria in the search fields, and just click the "Search Now" button you will be able to browse all of the entries from the Shelter. It is a much broader search, but improves your chances of finding your lost pet. Please remember that your description of the animal may be different than the description posted on the website. We advise that you keep your search as broad as possible. If you have lost a pet we still advise that you visit the Wichita Animal Shelter regularly.
- Most of the animals will have a picture accompanied with the date the animal was impounded to assist in proper identification and a timely return to the owner. If the animal listing does not have a picture and you suspect that the animal may be yours, visit the Wichita Animal Shelter at 3303 N. Hillside.
- If you find your animal on the website, call the Wichita Animal Shelter at 350-3366 and notify staff. They will need the animal number displayed to the right of the picture.
If you do not see your lost animal using this service, we recommend you visit the Wichita Animal Shelter at 3303 N. Hillside (K-96 & Hillside) during business hours to make sure the animal wasn't picked up. Lost and stray animals are only held for 3 days starting the day after the animal is impounded. You may call the Wichita Animal Shelter at 350-3366 for more information and tips on finding a lost pet, but remember that only you can identify your lost pet, so please visit the shelter at least every 3 days.
Using the Pet Harbor Mobile App
Now you can browse adoptable, lost, and found pets in your area from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet! PetHarbor Mobile uses your geographic location to locate animals near you.
You will receive the same results and have the same search functionality that you would using the web version of PetHarbor but optimized for mobile devices!
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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.
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| Autumn is beautiful |
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PUT FALL LEAVES TO WORK!
Leaves are packed with trace minerals that trees draw up from deep in the soil. When added to your garden, leaves feed earthworms and beneficial microbes. They lighten heavy soils and help sandy soils retain moisture. They make an attractive mulch in the flower garden. They're a fabulous source of carbon to balance the nitrogen in your compost pile. And they insulate tender plants from cold.
First, shred up as many of them as you can by using this procedure. Make piles on the lawn and then drive over them a few times with the lawn mower. Shredding into several pieces does several good things. It increases the surface area, giving microbes many more places to work. It prevents the leaves from packing together into layers that won't let water or air penetrate, and it reduces the volume dramatically.
Once the leaves are shredded, rake them up into plastic trash bags that get stashed in your garage or shed for next spring when you can use them as mulch in your gardens. Your vegetables and flowers will love you for it!
Warning: Walnut, eucalyptus and camphor laurel leaves should be disposed of in a compost or thrown away due to a substance in these leaves that can inhibit plant growth
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NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE REPORTING MADE EASIER
Residents are encouraged to report neighborhood nuisance problems via phone or email.
T
o submit a report, please call the main number -
660-9220.
A voicemail can be left if the call is made after business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, an email may be sent to
KeepWichitaClean@wichita.gov O
r residents may contact the
Dial Wichita! Call Center at
942-4482 to reach any department!
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LOOK FOR THIS DECAL WHEN
HIRING
A
COMPANY TO HAUL YOUR JUNK/BULKY WASTE
Don't become the victim of an illegal trash or junk hauler. Unfortunately there have been several complaints about paying an individual to haul off large items or junk from houses and garages, and the items end up in a ditch, behind a company, or a country road. If there is anything that identifies you, the owner of these items, you will receive a severe ticket and fine from a City or County inspector. If you respond to an ad of someone that will haul your junk, make sure they are licensed to do so. They will have this decal on their trailer or truck! Don't let a mistake cost you double.
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HOW TO BUILD A SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD
Nextdoor.com 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:
- Quickly get the word out about a break-in
- 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.
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ICTrees is planning their fall plantings
which will occur from mid September through the week before Thanksgiving this year.
Last year they planted over 750 trees and engaged more than 400 community volunteers who committed over 1,000 hours of there time to accomplish this.
This year they would like to plant 1,000 trees. They are looking for suitable planting locations. If you know of an organization in your district such as a church, homeowners association, civic club, etc. that would benefit from trees planted on their property; please encourage them to contact ICTrees. Email
trees@ictrees.org
or call 316-302-6633 for more information.
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Project Access and its community partners serve patients in many locations. Eligible uninsured patients are enrolled for limited periods of time to address immediate medical needs. Once enrolled, patients have access to a variety of specialists, as well as prescription medication, durable medical equipment and diabetic supplies.
Eligible patients can be referred by participating physicians throughout Sedgwick County.
Additional key partners are community clinics and the Department for Children and Families (DCF). Patients who receive primary care at certain community clinics may be referred to Project Access and enrolled by an onsite DCF eligibility specialist.
Eligible patients are referred to Project Access by providers at the following sites:
For more information call
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Home Improvement program has funding available for income qualified homeow
ners
The Housing and Community Services Department's Home Improvement Program now has funding available for interest-free, forgivable deferred payment loans of up to $5,000 for income-qualified (60% of median) owner-occupant homeowners. Loans are provided for emergency needs, such as furnaces, water heaters, sewer lines, water lines, electrical system repairs and plumbing repairs. Loans are also provided for minor home repair needs for senior citizens, age 62 and older.
Property taxes must be current
Call 462-3713 for more information or to apply.
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8042 |
2700 N. Woodland
Wichita, KS 67204
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