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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Presidents Day Holiday Closures, Hours
In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 20, the following City of Wichita facilities and operations will be closed: City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation Centers, Great Plains Nature Center visitor center, Botanica administrative offices, Old Cowtown Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Century II administrative offices, Transit administrative offices, Wichita Art Museum, WATER Center and Environmental Health.
There will be no Wichita Transit or Paratransit bus service.
The Animal Shelter will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday.
CityArts will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday.
Botanica Gardens, OJ Watson Park, Brooks Landfill, Riverside Tennis Center and municipal golf courses are open regular hours on Monday.
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District 6 would like to congratulate Boxing Bronze Medalist Nico Hernandez, for being recognized by the Governor, Senate and House Representatives due to his accomplishments at the 2016 Olympic games!
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DO YOU WONDER WHAT DISTRICT VI IS CURRENTLY UP TO?
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Start Planning Now for your Neighborhood Cleanup!
The City of Wichita neighborhood cleanup applications for 2017 were sent out to neighborhood associations and home owner associations. If we missed your association, please give us a call at 316-268-4197. The cleanups start the 1st Saturday in April and conclude the last Saturday of November. There is much preparation involved when planning a neighborhood cleanup, so now is the time to get with your association to set a date, fill out and submit your application, and recruit volunteers.
The work is fun, rewarding, and a great way to get to know your neighbors! We all live in a great city, and it's everyone's responsibility to take care of it.
Click here to view the application and instructions.
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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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Getting to Know City Staff:
Gary Janzen
Assistant Director of Public Works
and City Engineer
Gary joined the City of Wichita in 1995, becoming the City Engineer in 2012. He worked for ten years in the Construction Division and seven years in Design and Project Development before assuming his current position, overseeing a work group of approximately 90 staff. He has a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University.
During his 22 years with the City, Gary has been directly involved with literally thousands of public infrastructure projects related to freeway, road, bridge, water, sewer, drainage and recreational improvements. His most memorable project is the reconstruction of the Lincoln Street bridge and dam, including a boat/fish pass incorporated with the dam. The project has won national acclaim for making the Arkansas River more boater freindly and for enhancing the ecology and habitat environment upstream of the dam.
Gary is a native of Newton, Kansas and has four kids, three boys and a girl. He likes to spend his time away from work following his son play football at Emporia State, golfing, and all things related to KSU sports. His oldest son recently graduated from Basic Training with the United States Army and will move on to Advanced Training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
Gary is active in numerous organizations, including the KSU Civil Engineering Advisory Council, the Board of Directors for the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers, and the Valley Center Planning Commission.
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2017 marks the 31st year the Wichita Public Library will screen Academy Award-nominated short films,
free and open to the public
. Wichita is one of the first cities in the nation to provide a way for its community to see these films nominated in the animation, live action and documentary categories.
Watch the films nominated in the live action & animated categories at your local Library. Each film is 40 minutes or less and may not be suitable for all audiences.
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Art galleries, museums, restaurants and retail shops around Wichita stay open late and welcome visitors. Recognizing that Downtown is the artistic and cultural center for the region, the Q-Line trolley service transports art lovers to the concentration of venues in Downtown. The ride is free and allows attendees to park once and visit several galleries.
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Take a Brief Survey
If you live in Kansas and use a smart phone, this survey is for you. Help the State of Kansas understand how you interact with State programs and services.
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Improved Traffic Signalization Program
During Mayor Longwell's weekly briefing on Thursday, Feb 2, Public Works & Utilities Director Alan King provided details of the Traffic Signal Optimization Project designed to combat congestion, support clean air and improve commute times. The project will include:
- Evaluating arterial corridor signals on Central from Hillside to 127th Street; and Rock Road, from Lincoln to 37th Street; new timing plans for each of corridor will be implemented late spring or early summer, providing more efficient travel and less delay.
- Evaluating signals in the Central Business District, which will include determining equipment needs for each intersection and developing a communications network based on traffic data; and approximately 100 replaced traffic signal controllers in the downtown area, with new timing and coordination plans implemented. Improvements will include pedestrian push buttons and vehicle detection equipment that provide more efficient travel and safer pedestrian interaction. Work should largely be completed by fall.
The City has added $500,000 to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget to address better signalization. King said travel and traffic delay times across the city are some of the lowest in the country, with a trip across town averaging less than 20 minutes. Comparing traffic to similar-sized cities, Wichita ranks 29th out of 101 for lowest traffic delay.
"Still, we focus on reducing traffic delays, primarily through technology, regular maintenance and better reporting-response efforts," King said. "We're doing better but we want to improve."
Citizens can help by reporting problems with traffic signals through www.wichita.gov or the Wichita Report app. Dial 911 for traffic signal issues that could impact safety. Dial 942-4482 (WICHITA) to report traffic signal issues causing delays during normal business hours and call 268-4013 to report such issues after business hours.
"Maintenance is key to keeping the traffic signals operating properly," King said. "We have more than 500 signalized intersections across the City, and we rely on public input regarding problem areas."
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STREET LIGHT OUT?
Help deter crime and keep our neighborhoods safe by reporting street light outages.
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Severe Weather Awareness Week
This year will run from March 5-11, with the statewide tornado drill scheduled for Tuesday, March 7th at 10:00 AM. Please note that there will be no normal siren test at noon on Monday that week, but will instead be sound at 10:00 AM Tuesday. If the weather doesn't cooperate for the Tuesday test, the backup date is March 9th.
The Severe Weather Awareness Week packet produced by the National Weather Service can be found by
clicking here. It contains a lot of great information about last year and how to be prepare for this year. The severe weather season across the Great Plains could start in March this year because the dominant weather pattern of the winter appears poised to linger into spring. They are referring to the record number of heavy storms moving into California this winter which, as they move east, will be interacting with increasingly warm, moist air coming up from the Gulf of Mexico.
Please take the time to review your sheltering plan at home and work, and make sure your disaster kit and any perishable supplies in it are up to date. Then on days when weather threatens, make sure you have multiple ways to stay informed.
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Keeper of the Plains Upgrades
Upgrades at the Keeper of the Plains are now complete. Upgrades and repairs began in October 2016 and required that certain areas be cordoned off. The barricades have now been removed and the area is entirely open to the public. Upgrades and repairs include:
- Construction of a barrier along ADA accessible pathways to prevent wheelchairs and other assistive mobile units from sliding off the path.
- Upgrading of the fire pot sensors for enhanced safety and efficiency
- Replacement of chain barrier with decorative fence to prevent visitors from approaching the fire pots and also from entering the fountain
- Enhanced signage for better visitor flow
- Replacement of mulch at the lower viewing plaza with the addition of decomposed granite to reduce maintenance and to have a more usable (mud free) space for visitors.
- Repair of broken stone pavers throughout the premises
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Downtown Senior Center
February 2017 Schedule:
Every Friday (Feb 3,10,17, & 24th) at 1:00pm
WSU LifeLong Learning: The New Kansas
Tuesday, February 7th at 11:00am
Introduction to Essential Oils
Tuesday, February 21st at 1:00pm
Introduction to Computers
200 S Walnut, Wichita KS 67213
Wednesday, February 22nd at 12:00pm
"Scams- How do I protect myself?" RSVP to 267-0197
Tuesday, February 28th at 11:00am
Weather Watch
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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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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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Garage Sale Permits
Available Online
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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: Summer 2017
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: Spring 2017
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Among other measures, the City Council has allocated $10 million from Hyatt sales proceeds to the improvement of many of the City's worst neighborhood streets.
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Get Rid of Unwanted Newspaper Delivery
The City of Wichita has recently received a large number of complaints regarding the free Wichita Eagle publications that are distributed to households that do not subscribe to the newspaper.
Residents who do not want the publications, or who want to report vacant properties where the flyers are piling up should contact the Wichita Eagle by calling
268-6209
or by emailing
csrequest@wichitaeagle.com
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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).
- 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. Remember that only you can identify your lost pet, so please visit the shelter at least every 3 days.
IF YOU FIND A PET, TAKE TO THE VET TO SCAN FOR CHIP FIRST
BELOW ARE OTHER HELPFUL LINKS IF YOU HAVE LOST OR FOUND A PET:
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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.
or residents may contact the
Dial Wichita! Call Center at
942-4482 to reach any department!
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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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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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2017 Dana Winkler Scholarship Application
Each year, Wichita Federal Credit Union awards up to eight $1,000 scholarships to qualified applicants for the following fall semester. The volunteers of the Scholarship Committee review scholarship applications and determine scholarship recipients. WFCU employees, officials, and immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner, child, step-child, or sibling) are not eligible.
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, please
click here for application process.
Application deadline is Saturday, April 1st, 2017 by 11:59pm CST.
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8042 |
2700 N. Woodland
Wichita, KS 67204
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