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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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While serving on the City Council, each of us also serve on various boards, either as Board Members or Board Chairs. Presently, I represent the city on the
National Baseball Congress Foundation, (the NBC annual tournament at Lawrence Dumont for the past 82 years). The NBC was converted to a non-profit two years ago and has experienced a rejuvenation, culminating last summer with the Kansas Stars; former major leaguers drawing sold out attendance.
I also represent the city as the current chairman of
Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO), there are hundreds of MPO's around the country, whenever there is a population of certain size. The main task that WAMPO serves is to monitor the Federal and State highway funds that are distributed as a result of the Federal and State gasoline tax that you pay on every tank of gas. WAMPO receives approximately $12 million each year, and there are many road projects in the region that receive this funding. For more information, visit the
WAMPO website.
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Pictured with Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Board President Scott Schwindaman and
WATC President Sheree Utash |
One of the most rewarding Boards I serve on is the
National Center of Aviation Training (NCAT) and
Wichita Area Technical College (WATC). This incredible organization provides education and certification to young and adult age persons, and the employment rate is consistently 95% or better upon graduation/certification. And bigger news is the recent affiliation with Wichita State University, which will have an even greater impact on our city and the state. Visit the
WATC website to learn more about the programs offered. Read the full story on the WATC/WSU affiliation
here.
On a more personal side, I serve on the Board of
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF), which has provided years of assistance and opportunities for persons with disabilities. You can see more about this foundation on their
website. And finally, I am back on the Advisory Board of
The Lord's Diner. The Lord's Diner has been a community success story since it served its first meal on February 13, 2002. The mission is simple, "feeding the hungry with dignity and respect with no questions asked" and has grown from a single food pantry to three food trucks and three fixed locations. The Lord's Diner serves 2500 to 3000 guests each night. You can learn more, or volunteer to help, by visiting
The Lord's Diner website.
There is more to being on the City Council than just the Tuesday meetings. We all are trying to contribute to the betterment of our City and region. We are blessed as a community, to have these valuable Boards and organizations.
Have a safe and happy Easter weekend!
Pete Meitzner
Wichita City Council
District II Council Member
Ph: 316.268.4331
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East Kellogg Improvements Update
In March, two large drainage boxes under Kellogg were installed. Reconstruction of the eastbound Kellogg bridge and construction of the new south frontage road, both which cross the Turnpike, also began.
Traffic impacts include:
- The ramp from eastbound K-96 to westbound Kellogg is closed for the duration of the project.
- Kellogg traffic between Zelta and K-96 is reduced to one westbound and two eastbound lanes through fall 2018.
- With the goal of improving safety, the 127th Street connection to East Kellogg is closed. A new connection from 127th Street to Zelta is part of the improvements.
- Kansas Turnpike travelers (I-35/KTA) should expect lane changes and closures both directions between mile markers 51 and 53 for reconstruction of the eastbound Kellogg bridge and construction of the new south frontage road, both which cross the Turnpike.
- Traffic entering the Kansas Turnpike's Kellogg toll plaza from eastbound Kellogg will travel through a work zone for construction of the south frontage road.
- Temporary lane closures on Webb, north and south of Kellogg.
- Temporary lane closures on Zelta for utility relocation and intersection improvements.
- No left turns allowed at Kellogg/US 54 and Webb Road for any direction.
- Kellogg speed limit reduced to 40 mph between Cypress and 143rd Streets, and Webb Road speed limit reduced to 30 mph in the construction zone for the remainder of the project.
- Individual lane closures along Greenwich north of Kellogg.
Access to and from the Kansas Turnpike at the Kellogg toll plaza remains open, however is via eastbound Kellogg only. All left turns at Webb Road are prohibited, so drivers will need to use U-turn lanes 1/2 mile east of Webb on Kellogg and the U-turn lane at Rock Road. This is a result of the demolition of the KTA bridge over Kellogg near Webb Road.
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
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Hampton Inn Completes Renovation
Hampton Inn & Suites Wichita Northeast, recently underwent a $1 million renovation of their property at K-96 & Greenwich. The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce members and staff attended a ribbon-cutting event on April 12 to celebrate the grand re-opening of the property.
Congratulations!
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City Staff:
Officer A.J. Villegas
Wichita Police Department, Patrol East 38 Beat Coordinator
Officer Villegas has served as the 38 beat coordinator at Patrol East since July of 2016. He oversees daily beat activity and serves as a liaison between citizens and the department. When community concerns and problems are present, Officer Villegas works with several facets of law enforcement to reduce crime, social disorder and neighborhood
quality.
Officer Villegas began his career in 2008, working in Patrol West on 4th shift (9pm-7am). As a volunteer in the community, Officer Villegas has helped coordinate the Show N' Shine Car Show to benefit Make-A-Wish since 2009, participated in Bowl for Kids' Sake, USD259 Heroes as Readers program among other events. Officer Villegas transferred to Patrol East in early 2015 and worked as a SCAT officer, participating in developing and executing search warrants to combat drugs and gangs. Officer Villegas then moved to Community Policing (CP) where he coordinates 8 officers for 38 beat and attends District Advisory Board and neighborhood meetings among several other responsibilities. Officer Villegas continues his community involvement in coordinating College Hill Halloween and other various events.
He has been recognized for these community events by receiving the Wichita Police Department Civic Achievement award twice (2009, 2012). He has received the Wichita Police Department Distinguished Service award (2015) as well as Crime Prevention Officer of the Year from the Wichita Crime Commission (2015). Prior to joining the police department, he worked in both Juvenile Detention and Adult Detention Facilities.
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Wichita District II Facebook Page
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GET INVOLVED.
Volunteering. Voting. Helping a neighbor. These forms of civic engagement not only positively impact lives, but also help shape how a community is perceived.
How engaged are Wichitans? Data indicates that we could be doing more. Join us as we explore the impact of civic engagement and identify ways to get involved in creating a better future.
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2017 Water Conservation Rebate Program
The 2017 water conservation rebate program will start on Monday, April 3, offering residents up to $80,000 in incentives if they install approved water conserving devices. The popular, fifth-year program, which City Council approved on March 7, will accept applications until the funds expire.
Beginning Monday, applications may be picked up at the Environmental Health building (1900 E. 9th Street North); application and submittal instructions also are available at www.wichita.gov. Rebates are available to all customers with active accounts for the delivery of potable water.
To date, the City has approved approximately 7,208 applications resulting in $881,075 total value in rebates given back to the community, for an estimated total annual water savings of 225 million gallons.
Eight devices and appliances are eligible for rebates. Detailed program requirements and lists of qualifying items are available at saveWichitawater.com, but general guidelines and eligible items are listed below. City officials recommend residents have a printout of qualifying appliances for reference when shopping. There is a limit of five rebated items per water customer account. Rebates will not exceed the purchase price.
Eligible for Up to:
- $100 on Low flow Toilets: WaterSense qualified using 1.28 gallons per flush or less
- $100 on Low flow Urinals: WaterSense qualified using 0.5 gallons per flush or less
- $100 on High Efficiency Dishwashers: Energy Star or Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)
- $100 on High Efficiency Clothes Washers: Water Factor of 4.5 gallons or less (CEE rated)
- $100 on Smart Irrigation Controllers: Labeled as approved by WaterSense©
- $100 on Rain Sensor-Shutoffs: Set to shut off irrigation after ¼-inch of rain is received
- $75 on Rain Barrels: 45 gallons or larger
- $50 on Dual Flush Toilet Conversion Kits: Change inefficient toilets to using 1.6 gals. per flush or less
Customers are encouraged to, please, contact the Water Conservation office at 268-8351 or email
WaterRebate@wichita.gov
for more information.
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BURN BAN FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF APRIL
Even though we have had lots of rain this past week, a burn ban will be in place for the City of Wichita for the month of April.
Fire Marshal Brad Crisp and Air Quality Specialist Baylee Cunningham discuss the April Burn Ban and air quality in Wichita and what you can do to help the community breath cleaner air. Only barbecue grills are allowed to be used during the entire month of April.
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Fireproofing Your Home:
Tips to Ensure Your Gardens Don't Become Tinderboxes
It's Spring and the flowers and shrubs that beautify your property are once again in full bloom. In order to maintain the water and soil that these plants need, many people will use a weed barrier material and possibly put mulch down to assist. These materials, while useful, can be potentially hazardous given the opportunity.
Often, these areas are prone to fire by virtue of discarded smoking materials, inadvertent embers from fire pits, or the remnants of a barbecue grill's contents. By ensuring that these materials are properly disposed of in a metal, non-combustible container, you can help the Wichita Fire Department ensure that we continue to provide proactive fire and life safety services through prevention, education, and protection.
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LOAD 'EM UP AND GET 'EM OUT
Sedgwick County is offering
free tire disposal for
residents on April 14 & 15 (Businesses can dispose for free on April 13).
Get rid of unwanted tires before the mosquito season gets here! Tires stacked outside tend to hold water and make an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. If they are in your garage, spiders and other insects will find them a handy place to lay their eggs.
Take them to the Sedgwick County Waste Yard at 4701 S. West St. between 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m on April 14 and 15.
This is for Sedgwick County residents only!
Thank you Sedgwick County!
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EARTH DAY EVENT APRIL 22
The annual Arkansas River Trash Roundup is a great way to engage your friends and family in a fun event that helps to improve the entire community. This year the volunteers will meet at the parking lot at 1st Street & Waco (151 N Waco), and registration begins at 8:00 am. Volunteers receive free T-shirts and food.
Speed up check-in by filling out the Registration Form early and bring it with you. You can access the individual waiver here, or the group waiver here.
After registering you will receive trash bags and gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Sunscreen, a hat and bug spray are a good idea too. After you fill a few bags, enjoy a post-cleanup cookout
with the City of Wichita, Cargill, Spirit AeroSystems and Ducks Unlimited back at check-in (151 N Waco).
For more information about the River Trash Roundup, contact Cindy Le at 316-350-3386 or email at cle@wichita.gov. Like them on Facebook!
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Botanica is Turning 30!
Come join the celebration on Thursday, May 11!
Stroll the beautiful gardens of Botanica and taste Bloody Mary's and small bites from local restaurants. Also, enjoy local beer from some of our favorite breweries in town. Be sure to stop by one of the Deep Eddy's Vodka bars. DJ Carbon will be doing his thing and keeping us all entertained.
Help us celebrate our 30th
Anniversary and drop by the WOW Cakes table and sample some delicious birthday cake. This cake will be BIG!!
Be one of our 100 VIP guests on the pond deck where you will have a private bar, food from District Taqueria, exclusive raffle for prizes over $500 and lounge seating provided by Specs.
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Move More in April, says the American Heart Association
Outdoor walk-at-work events are in this spring. At your job, try out a "walking meeting" with a workmate or just enjoy the noontime fresh air. It's refreshing for mind and body to walk every day but you might see plenty of other pedestrians on some Wednesdays this spring:
- Move More in April, (Am Heart Assoc., heart.org)
- April 26, National Walk at Lunch Day (Blue Cross Blue Shield of KS, BCBSKS.com)
- May 3, Get Fit Don't Sit Day, (Am Diabetes Assoc., diabetes.org)
- May 17, Walk at Work Day, (Health & Wellness Coalition Wichita, hwcwichita.org)
Find your favorite time to walk: morning, noon, after supper. Walk tall. Do some backward shoulder rolls to relieve stress. Walking is an uplifting respite from the work day or home day.
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Wichita Public Library Young Artists' Exhibit
For the ninth year in a row, the Wichita Public Library has partnered with local early childhood programs to present the Young Artists' Exhibit. Displayed throughout the month of April, exhibits at libraries across Wichita recognize the Week of the Young Child, a celebration of early learning, young children, their teachers and families. Artwork created by hundreds of Wichita children based on a literary theme will be displayed at the Central Library as well as the Alford, Angelou, Evergreen, Rockwell, and Westlink Branch Libraries.
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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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Riverfest Needs You!
Volunteering is a fun way to get involved and get a behind the scenes look at a long-running Wichita tradition.
Volunteers are the heart and backbone of the Wichita Riverfest. Each year they need over 5,500 volunteers to work a total of 19,000 volunteer hours. An estimated 80 volunteer committees help plan and execute Riverfest. Volunteers work on committees, help with mailings, package buttons, answer phones and work onsite at Riverfest to make it successful.
Lots of positions are available with flexible days and times to fit your schedule.
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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
May 20, 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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