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City of Wichita District II Newsletter |
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A Message from Council Member
Pete Meitzner...
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Prior to opening the new Southeast High School (SEHS) campus last fall, st aff from the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and USD 259 met on numerous occasions to discuss traffic and safety impacts the school would have on surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Utilizing estimated bus and vehicle traffic counts from USD 259, along with traffic counts collected prior to the
school opening, meetings were held with area home owners associations to listen to their concerns. After school began in the fall, traffic counts were collected again to determine the true impact to the surrounding area. Needed improvements were identified and most have been implemented, in cooperation with Sedgwick County. The formal meetings with USD 259 proved to be beneficial to provide a common message and to best serve the needs of the community and the school.
The City and USD 259 have worked successfully together in the past, but often informally. After coordinating the above projects, staff recommended that the two organizations begin to meet on a monthly basis. The meetings will provide a way to keep abreast of changes to school sites/boundaries, traffic and safety concerns, and City projects that may affect bus loading areas, parent drop-off/pick up, students walking to school, etc. Staff from Engineering, Communications Team, WPD, and others as needed will attend the meetings. USD 259 will include staff from Transportation Services, Media Relations, and Safety Services. At the January meeting, specific issues at Washington Elementary and Spaght Science & Communications Magnet schools were discussed. Robinson Middle School parking and bus logistics were discussed at the February meeting, in an effort to help the school provide accommodations while a building expansion is underway.
Each school is unique and student safety is of utmost importance. Discussions of how students access and leave the building, bus parking, parent drop-off/pick-up, crosswalks, etc. have been topics to-date, including proposed improvements to be made at each facility. Future meetings will be held at locations as requested by USD 259.
Have a great weekend and GO SHOX!
Pete Meitzner
Wichita City Council
District II Council Member
Ph: 316.268.4331
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East Kellogg Improvements Update
Construction on the southwest quadrant of Webb and Corporate Hills, north of Kellogg, for intersection improvements is projected to be completed by March 10, weather permitting.
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
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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 Ark 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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Wichita District II Facebook Page
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Ozone Season Is Here
The 2017 Ozone Season has begun, City of Wichita officials announced on Thursday during Mayor Jeff Longwell's weekly news briefing. This is the time of year when City government's Air Quality division monitors and predicts high ozone days for South Central Kansas. Ozone season runs March 1 through Oct. 31, and officials will issue alerts when high ozone days are expected.
Ground-level ozone is a health and environmental concern for the people
in South Central Kansas. Ground-level ozone is formed when emissions from automobiles, industrial machinery, lawn and garden equipment, paints and solvents are "baked" in heat and intense sunlight. Air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, but some people are at an increased risk because of their age or existing health conditions. Sensitive groups include children, people with asthma, adults over 65 and people with chronic respiratory disease. There are nearly 300,000 people who may be sensitive to elevated ozone levels in South Central Kansas.
In addition to causing health problems, Longwell said, high ozone levels may cause the region to exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exceeding the air quality standard could result in increased regulations and costs to businesses and the community.
When Ozone Alerts are issued, City of Wichita officials will adjust operations and ask residents businesses also to make changes to daily routines that can impact ozone levels. Actions that can reduce ozone-forming emissions on Ozone Alert days include:
- Using Wichita Transit or other public transportation;
- Carpooling;
- Reducing energy use;
- Reducing idling time at drive-thru restaurants, pharmacies, banks and railroad crossings;
- Postponing errands, mowing, painting and solvent use until after 6 p.m.; and
- Fueling up after the sun goes down instead of earlier in the day.
The community will be advised of Ozone Alert Days through the City's Facebook page; local media outlets; the City's web site (www.wichita.gov), Cox Cable Channel 7; the Intelligent Transportation System message boards located along major highways; Ozone Alert emails (sign up at www.wichita.gov/ozone) and by following beairawareks on Twitter and Instagram.
City officials, in conjunction with the Air Quality Improvement Task Force, are working to reduce ozone levels across South Central Kansas in Sedgwick, Sumner, Harvey and Butler counties. Local governments, businesses and nonprofits are working together to form partnerships, create action plans and implement projects that reduce ozone and improve air quality across the region. For more information, please visit - www.wichita.gov/ozone.
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Severe Weather Awareness Week
Severe Weather Awareness Week this year runs from March 5-11, with the statewide tornado drill scheduled for Tuesday, March 7th at 10:00 AM. Please note that we will not have our normal siren test at noon on Monday that week, but will instead plan to sound them at 10:00 Tuesday. If the weather doesn't cooperate for the Tuesday test, the backup date is March 9.
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 what we went through last year, and how to be prepared for it this year.
As reported in the Wichita Eagle, one local private weather enterprise issued their spring severe weather outlook over the weekend that said, in part, 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.
Stay alert and be prepared!
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Wichita Park & Recreation would like to thank you for continued support! View the
2016 Annual Report to learn about the services we provide our community and see what we are working on for 2017.
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Tulips, Fairies & Forts is back at Botanica with a host of games, activities, crafts and of course....64,000 tulips! Again this year we are hosting the Fairy House Competition, where the public is invited to build their own fairy house for a chance to win a Botanica membership.
Performers, activities and crafts are happening from 10am to 2pm every Saturday from March 25 through April 15.
- Fairy House Competition on the Pavilion
- Games, scavenger hunt, bubbles, chalk art and more
- DJ Ronnie Choy, the dance man
- At least two crafts every Saturday; crafts very every week
- Fairy dressup and photo props
- Forts throughout the Gardens and fort building
- Bounce house
- Lunch and snacks for purchase by Friends of Botanica
- Snow cones, cotton candy, funnel cakes, popcorn, hot dogs, brats and much more (cash only)
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Wichita Public Library Spring Break Programs for Kids
Kids out of school for spring break? Take them to the Wichita Public Library for fun and free events all week long! There will be more than a dozen programs and storytimes for children at 7 library locations across the City.
All programs are free, but some require registration.
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Join the Team!
Wichita Riverfest Volunteer Program
We are so thankful to all of the groups, individuals and businesses that volunteer! Volunteers are the heart and backbone of Riverfest. They couldn't succeed without you! Each year they need over 4,000 volunteers to work a total of 15,000 volunteer hours. An estimated 80 volunteer committees help plan and execute Riverfest. It takes volunteers--working on committees, coming in for mailings, packaging buttons, answering phones, and working at Riverfest to make it successful. They need you! Volunteer now!
Why should you Volunteer?
- Volunteers receive a special Collector's Cloisonne Volunteer Pin. Your 'free ticket' to Riverfest
- Special invitation to our Volunteer Appreciation Party
- Build pride in your community
- Connect with 300,000 of your closet friends
- Get to work behind the scenes of the biggest party of the year
- Great team-building for businesses and groups
- Churches and Schools get those volunteer hours all in one session
- Perfect exposure for businesses and groups! Wear your logo apparel and have over 300,000 people see your business
- Pride in the community that you live in!
- Shifts available to meet everyone's schedule. Mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekdays and weekends.
- Lots of fun! Bring your friends and volunteer together!
HOW DO I VOLUNTEER?
ONE OF THREE WAYS:
- Email jill@wichitafestivals.com and let her know that you are interested in a specific time/date/type of volunteer position
- Call Jill at 316.267.2817
- Visit their volunteer website at http://wichitafestivals.volunteerhub.com for a list of our opportunities. If you register with the volunteer hub website, you can look at volunteer options by event groups. For example: Festival Souvenir Store, Greeter, Office Help, Clean Team, Button Sales, and more! They update the website on a daily basis so if you go there today and don't see something you like, comeback tomorrow! Please click the Volunteer Now Button below to go directly to the site! Sign up now!
Can't wait for Riverfest to start? Neither can we, and they need our help now! And YES!! You still get your Cloisonne Volunteer Pin: your 'free ticket' to Riverfest for helping out now!
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Spring is in the Air
It's hard to believe it's February and spring is right around the corner. In this issue you will find some fun ideas for Valentine's Day, spring break, and tips for summer vacation. There is also have an interesting article about one of Wichita's own, Karyn Page, who talks about her international travels. And you'll read about the phenomenal year Eisenhower National Airport had in 2016. Sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy reading this issue of Eisenhower Air, and if you would share this with a friend, we'd be grateful.
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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.
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There is SO much evidence that shows that physical activity improves our health! However lack of time can hinder our best intentions. If time is an issue for you, consider walking while at work. Even walking for 10-15 minutes has been shown to be helpful. These organizations are sponsoring walking initiatives this spring to encourage people to take a few minutes from their workday to walk. Walking and talking with co-workers can be an added incentive to keep up the habit.
Let this spring be the start of a good habit for you!
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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.
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H2O Care Fund
The City of Wichita recognizes that there are many residents who are struggling during these difficult economic times, especially during the holidays.
This voluntary program provides a simple way to directly help others. Even small donations can add up and provide a way for people to maintain their water service. There are three ways to help, and you can find out how by filling out the City of Wichita H2O Care Fund Program Donation Form here.
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KANSEL Construction
Training Program
KANSEL has a great training opportunity for men and women interested in a career in construction. This
FREE program prepares students for entry level construction work. They are trained in power & hand tools, construction math, blueprint reading, and receive OSHA, physical fitness, and life management skills instruction.
Students who complete the course have an opportunity to interview with local construction companies. Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, be legally employable in the U.S. and attend all session of the 7 week course.
Interested students should plan to attend one of the above information sessions to apply for the program.
Call 263-9620 for more information.
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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 job fairs and
training courses. Click here.
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How to report...
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Don't be left in the
dark
If you notice streetlight outages within your neighborhood, fill out this
simple form on Westar Energy's website.
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Spring 2017
Park & Recreation Activities Guide is now available!
Get registered for classes
by
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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| Comotara Branch Library
Inside Dillons Market, 2244 N. Rock
Rockwell Branch Library 5939 E. 9th Eastview Park Just South of Coleman Middle School Boston Park 6655 E. Zimmerly St. Cottonwood Park Located just East of Boston Park W.B. Harrison Park Located East of S. Webb, just South of E. Bayley St. |
District II Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District II Advisory Board meets the second Monday of the month at Fire Station #20 at 2255 S. Greenwich Rd. Wichita, KS 67207. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2017 meeting schedule,
click here.
The District II Breakfast occurs quarterly. The next breakfast is scheduled for February 4, 2017
at 8:30 a.m. at The Regent Senior Living Residence at 2050 N. Webb Rd. (In the theater on the second floor).
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District II's neighborhood associations, click
here
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Click here to find up-to-date
information regarding street
maintenance in your area.
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City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
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Stay Connected
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