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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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I hope this newsletter finds you gearing up for the spring break season, especially if you have school-aged children. March madness is in full swing, with our Shockers, Jayhawks and Wildcats showing the nation that Kansas still is the home of great basketball!
The only real madness this March has been this wind !!!.... and all the grass fires. My thanks to all the fire departments and volunteers who worked endlessly to bring these under control. The Wichita Fire Department sent six firefighters each day to the Hutchinson/Reno County area to support fire crews fighting a number of large grass and structure
fires. There has been an outpouring of support for the firefighters, the families and the communities around Kansas who have lost so much.
The lack of moisture this winter and the high winds we have been
experiencing continue to perpetuate the high fire danger. Currently, there is no burn ban in place for the City of Wichita. So please be extra-cautious when burning anything outside. A permit needs to be obtained from the Wichita Fire Department for any open burning within the City of Wichita. Burn permit instructions and stipulations must be adhered to.
The requirements for open burning are as follows:
1. Required 1,000 foot clearance from any property line, structure, or roadway.
2. Open burning shall not take place when wind velocity exceeds 15 mph.
3. Responsible persons shall be present when burning is conducted and provide fire protection.
4. Current Burn Permit must be on-site when burning.
5. Fire must be completely out (1) hour before sundown (except by special permission).
6. Fire Dispatcher must be notified at 9-1-1 each day prior to burning.
7. No material shall be burned except types listed on the permit (generally only limbs and brush).
8. Burning must not create dense smoke, smoke nuisance, or a traffic hazard.
When non-compliance of the requirements is observed, fire crews will
terminate the burning and may issue a citation.
Let's keep our neighborhoods and City safe from fire danger.
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
Next Tuesday, March 21, there will be a temporary closure of the ramp from eastbound Kellogg to westbound K-96 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.
The same day, traffic between Zelta and K-96 switches to one westbound and two eastbound lanes for approximately 18 months.
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
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Cavender's Western Outfitter Celebrates Grand Opening
Cavender's is a family owned and operated retail chain based in Tyler, Texas. Cavender's was founded by James R. Cavender in 1965. They are located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado and New Mexico. Of the 74 stores, 48 of them are located in Texas. The Cavender family also owns and operates five working ranches, from which they get their product inspiration.
Welcome to Wichita, Cavender's! Thank you for investing in our Community!
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Getting to Know City Staff:
Paul Gunzelman
Paul joined the City of Wichita in 1994 after graduating with a Bachelor's degree from Kansas State University (KSU). Paul began his career with the city as an engineer within the Traffic Engineering section. In 2004, he was promoted to City Traffic Engineer. While in Traffic Engineering, Paul was involved with most things involving traffic (stop sign requests, parking restrictions, pavement markings, traffic signals, street lighting, etc.) In 2013, Paul was promoted to Assistant City Engineer. He now oversees the Traffic Engineering and Design Sections.
As part of managing the Design Section, Paul assists with programming Public Works projects within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). He also works with the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) and assists them with applying for and securing federal funding for the City of Wichita. He is involved in long-term transportation planning and is the project manager for many other various projects; most notably in recent years has been the on-street bicycle projects that have been constructed.
Paul is m
arried and has two daughters. Kaylee is a sophomore at KSU and Cara is a senior at Andover Central High School. Cara will be attending KSU in the fall. Paul spends his time away from work running with his wife Lori, going to KSU games, and golfing.
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Wichita District II Facebook Page
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Water Conservation 2017 Rebate Program Plan
Program Overview:
Conserving water is an important component of long-term water supply planning, which has a water conservation goal of 0.35% conservation per year. A component of the 0.35% conservation goal is the 2017 Rebate Program. The objective of the 2017 Rebate Program is to encourage the installation of water conserving high efficiency (HE) appliances in order to conserve water for future use. The City Council has approved $80,000 for the 2017 Rebate Program from the unspent H2O Cares fund. The 2017 Rebate Program will begin accepting applications on April 3, 2017.
Who is Eligible?
Homeowners, renters of single-family homes, owners of multi-family rentals and owners of businesses who are City of Wichita water customers will qualify as participants. Consistent with the previous years of the program, rebates will be available to people replacing fixtures in existing buildings. Customers will continue to be limited to five rebates annually, and the program will continue until the funding is exhausted.
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Public Works Staff Begin National Incident Management System Training
As part of an ongoing effort to be better prepared in the event of a widespread disaster or emergency, nearly 50 PW&U employees met this week to begin National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. Staff will be focusing on the Incident Command Structure by completing training in the following courses: ICS 100, Introduction to Incident Command System; IS 700 NIMS Awareness Training, and ICS 200 Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents. Upon completion of these courses, staff will attend a presentation by Sedgwick County Emergency Management. This presentation will better prepare staff for circumstances that call for a coordinated city-county response by providing information about locations, communications and other logistical details that promote a comprehensive and effective approach.
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Last week, the City received bond ratings from both Standard and Poor's and Moody's Investor Services. Bond ratings are an essential part of the process to sell City bonds and notes. A bond rating provides potential buyers of City bonds with an independent objective analysis of the City's credit worthiness.
Standard and Poor's affirmed the City's rating of AA+ rating. This rating is only one notch below the highest possible AAA rating. Moody's assigned an Aa1 rating to the City - this is also only one notch below the highest Moody's rating of Aaa.
Ratings are based on a variety of factors including the local economy, debt levels, financial measures, financial policies and financial management. The rating reports continue to note strengths related to the City's financial management, liquidity, ability to access the market, policies and its ability to take necessary measures to ensure a balanced budget is maintained without drawing down on General Fund reserves.
The City has scheduled a sale of bonds and notes for March 16th.
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Small District. Big Impact
Once a strip of industrial warehouses, Commerce Street is now a vibrant collection of art galleries, small businesses and urban living spaces.
Explore the evolution of this unassuming art district through photographs.
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CRIME STOPPERS OF WICHITA/SEDGWICK COUNTY INTRODUCES
New technology optimizes the tip submission experience and effectiveness
Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County, Kansas is proud to announce that they have recently partnered with the Texas-based company, Anderson Software, to provide a more seamless and efficient way for community members to offer information to help solve and prevent crimes. Anderson Software leads the industry with its latest secure and anonymous tip acquisition and management solution, called P3 Intel. This partnership allows Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County to foster a relationship between law enforcement and the public to proactively create a safer community.
Tips previously accepted as SMS text messages using a short code and dedicated keyword will be discontinued. The new software will allow submission of tips by phone, the web, and by way of the new free P3 Tips mobile app available on the iOS and Android platforms, greatly enhancing the mobile tip submission process. Still completely anonymous, tips submitted through the P3 mobile app, unlike SMS text tips, have no length limitations and allow images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip. Anderson Software's sophisticated encryption processes obscure any and all identifying information and provides assured anonymity for tipsters.
Even without the app, there is still an easy and secure option for submitting tips from any PC or mobile browser by going to http://www.wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com and clicking the "submit a tip" icon. Of course, tips are still welcomed through calling our hotline (316) 267-2111. Using whichever method, once a person submits a tip, they will be given a TIP ID and password. With this information they can login at p3tips.com and submit follow-up information, engage in real-time chat/two-way dialogue, be informed of the outcome of the tip, and access any pertinent reward information.
Wichita/Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers feels that utilizing Anderson Software's P3 Tips program will enhance communications with the public, thereby building a safer and more trusting community in which everyone prospers. To further show our value of tipsters' contribution to the community, tips leading to an arrest will result in a cash reward
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St. Patrick's Day Parade in Delano
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Great Plains Nature Center Spring Break Activities
Are looking to get outdoors and enjoy the spring weather? Great Plains Nature Center staff are hosting daily Spring Break activities all week. There will be a special appearance by Barry the Bison on Monday from 12:30-2:00 pm.
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Fairy Tea Party at Botanica
You won't want to miss this tea party and ballet performance by Ballet Wichita!
Each child will receive their own fairy wings when they take a seat at one of the tables at our new Lotus Hall. We will provide strawberry tea, lemonade and water along with mini sandwiches and other treats offered by Blue Moon Caterers.
After the tea, the kids are welcome to explore different stations where they will create their own fairy tutu, make a fairy wand and plant a flower to take home. This will be a one-of-a-kind event you and your child won't forget.
First Seating 10:00am - Noon,Tea from 10am - 11:30am, Ballet Wichita performance 11:30am - Noon
Second Seating 11:30am - 1:30pm, Ballet Wichita performance
11:30am - Noon, Tea from Noon - 1:30pm
$35 kids and $10 adults (150 per seating)
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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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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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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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FRAUD ALERTS
from the OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
There are many scams and frauds going on now days, so be alert when answering your phone or responding to an email from an unknown sender. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, has all of the latest tips and reporting phone numbers if you suspect you have been a victim of a scam or some type of fraud. Be prepared and be aware! Learn more by clicking on their
link.
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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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