City of Wichita
District I
Newsletter
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From the desk of Lavonta Williams...
1.
Today we celebrated the reopening of McDonald's at Central and Hillside, across from Wesley Medical Center. This McDonald is a strong supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and a passionate supporter of many other charities that support children. This new and improved restaurant means shorter wait times for food in the drive thru and a fun and inviting atmosphere inside for guest, including families and their children. Thank you to Lane Enterprises for being in the community with this business for the past 20 years and after this renovation - we hope they are there for another 20 years.
2.
Now you can view your mail before it is delivered...
Detailed Images of Your Incoming Mail
Participate in this new USPS® service enhancement test and get images of the mail that will be placed in your mailbox each day. Black and white images of your actual letter-sized mail pieces, processed by USPS® sorting equipment, will be provided to you each morning. Flat-sized pieces, such as catalogs or magazines, may be added in the future. Participation is limited to certain ZIP Codes™ at this time.
3.
Thank you to Secretary Soave and Senator Oletha Faust Goudeau for meeting with us this week as we explored avenues for Economic Development. We had a great discussion of future development and explored opportunities for our young entrepreneurs.
4. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is collaborating with The Walt Disney Company - including Disney Citizenship, Disney ABC Television Group and ESPN - to revitalize parks across the country.
To revitalize parks, NRPA officials are asking residents to nominate their city at www.nrpa.org/beinspired. Between April 1 and April 30, Wichita residents can nominate their city to receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements at a local park. Also, everyone who nominates a city will be entered into a drawing for a tablet equipped for outdoors.
5. Recently several council members including myself attended the National League of Cities - Congress of Cities in Washington, D.C. This delegation also included Robert Layton, our City Manager. I attended Board and committee meetings and workshops that I found beneficial.
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Wichita meets Juan Williams from Fox News
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A great Diversity breakfast
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Below gives you an idea of our itinerary and some of our conversations.
Amtrak - Joe McHugh, Vice President, Government Affairs & Corporate Communication
- Thank Amtrak for their thruway bus connections, which opens Wichita to more than 500 Amtrak destinations.
- Reiterate the City's support to make the Northern Flyer a reality.
- Seek additional direction on what the City can do to help Amtrak move forward with the Northern Flyer.
Bureau of Reclamation - David Murillo, Acting Commissioner
- Share regional BOR partnership letter (Wichita's Equus Beds ASR "one of the nation's most impressive.")
- Seek Bureau's guidance on pursuing funding from the Title XVI program for additional reclaimed water components as identified by City Public Works staff.
Senator Jerry Moran
Senator Pat Roberts
Jim Richardson, Chief of Staff - Office of the 4th Congressional District
Congressman Roger Marshall's Office
- Seek protection for CDBG ($2.8M) and HOME ($1.18M) funding, ~$4 million/yr. for public housing and community development in Wichita. [WAPO: Trump administration considers $6B cut to HUD]
- Seek support for introduction of extension of Equus Beds reauthorization (Roberts/Moran only).
- Share regional BOR partnership letter (Wichita's Equus Beds ASR "one of the nation's most impressive.")
- Provide update on Amtrak and Bureau of Reclamation meeting.
- Seek support/assistance for Northern Flyer and anything suggested by Amtrak.
- Seek opposition to the following two items that will arise during reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration: (1) privatization of air traffic control system and (2) elimination the existing contract weather observer personnel.
- Seek support for an infrastructure package that provides a mix of public-private partnerships (P3s) with direct federal funding for a variety of infrastructure, including transportation, water and wastewater, etc.
- Other items as desired by Mayor, City Council and staff.
Senate
Energy and Natural Resources - Michelle Lane, Professional Staff Member
- Seek support for passage of extension of Equus Beds reauthorization
Department of Transportation - Howard Hill, Transportation Analyst
- Request discussion of FASTLANE program for North Junction.
- Discuss previous TIGER Grant application if necessary. (Howard already provided this briefing to City staff last fall and explained the deficiencies in the City's application)
Department of Commerce, Economic Development Agency - Dr. Barrett Haga, Senior Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist
- Ask EDA to brief us on programs available for Wichita's economic development efforts.
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Board Meeting
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National Black Caucus - Local Elected Officials comprised of Mayors and Council Members from around the country visit the new African American History and Culture Museum.
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City Announcements & Activities
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S
tay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines
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DISTRICT I-CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS...
21st and Oliver Intersection: The project will add dual left turn lanes and dedicated right turn lanes in all directions with improved drainage at the intersection. New signals, brick pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks and 10' multi-purpose path will be constructed.
Traffic Impact: Traffic on both 21st St. and Oliver is reduced to one lane in each direction with no left turns allowed at the intersection. Access to local businesses will be maintained during construction. Intermittent flagging of traffic may occur during work hours.
Contractor: Cornejo & Sons City Contact: James Wagner (268-4047/ jwagner@wichita.gov) Estimated completion: Fall 2017
37th, Oliver to Woodlawn: The project will widen 37th Street from a two-lane to a three-lane roadway with curb and gutter, and an underground storm sewer. The project also includes on-street bike lanes and sidewalk along both sides
of the street.
Traffic Impact: 37th is CLOSED at the railroad tracks. Two way traffic will be open from Woodlawn and Oliver. Ridgewood and Parkwood are closed at 37th. Access to local businesses will be maintained during construction. Intermittent flagging of traffic may occur during work hours.
Contractor: Flint Hills Materials City Contact: James Wagner (268-4047/ jwagner@wichita.gov) Estimated completion: Fall 2017
Madison Water Main Replacement Central to 3rd: The project will replace the water main on Madison between Central and 3rd Street.
Traffic Impact: Eastbound Central is reduced to one lane of traffic at Madison for approximately one week. The following week westbound Central at Madison will be reduced to one lane for approximately one week. Access to local businesses will be maintained during construction. Intermittent flagging of traffic may occur during work hours.
Contractor: Dutton Construction City Contact: James Wagner (268-4047/ jwagner@wichita.gov) Estimated completion: Summer 2017
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Click here to find up-to-date information regarding street maintenance in your area.
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Fireproofing your exterior home: Tips to ensure your gardens do not become tinderboxes
It's May 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, a green thumb will surely put weed barrier material and possibly 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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Water Conservation 2017
Rebate Program Plan
The 2017 water conservation rebate program will start on Monday, 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.
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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Images: City of Santa Monica
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Apply Today -
Pilot Project to Slow Traffic and Make Neighborhood Improvements
Don't miss this chance to help make your neighborhood even better. The City of Wichita is accepting applications for a pilot project to calm traffic, improve safety, and improve quality of life at an intersection or along a block.
Dubbed The People First Neighborhood Pilot Project, the project provides a neighborhood with the opportunity to work with City staff and design professionals in order to design temporary physical changes. Examples of possible improvements include curb extensions, sidewalk improvements, high visibility crosswalks, bike lanes, mini-roundabouts, public seating, landscaping, and more.
The project boundaries are limited to the following: 21st Street to the north, Hillside Avenue to the east, Mt. Vernon Road to the south, and St. Paul Avenue to the west. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to complete the online application by April 21, 2017. The application and more information about the project can be found on the City of Wichita website (link below).
This project is made possible with the generous support of the Knight Foundation and Wichita Community Foundation.
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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 e-mailing
csrequest@wichitaeagle.com.
If there are areas where old publications have become a littering issue and need to be picked up, please contact Distribution Services Manager Keith Hansen at
khansen@wichitaeagle.com
or 268-6558.
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Animal Services Advisory Board
Seeks Public Input
The City of Wichita Animal Services
Advisory Board is seeking community input on the issue of feral cats. The Board wants to determine if feral cats are a problem in Wichita and if so, seek appropriate remedies. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.
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Neighborhood Nuisance Reporting
Residents are encouraged to report neighborhood nuisance problems via phone or email due to technical difficulties with the online portal. To 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 or residents may contact the Dial Wichita! Call Center at 942-4482.
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Check out what's happening
SCORE/SBA Workshop: Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
This SCORE program will give you the best strategies to market your products or services. You will also learn about marketing resources available at the library. Registration is required and is open until Apr. 19; call 261-8507 or register on the events calendar at
www.wichitalibrary.org.
Saturday, April 22
1:00 - 3:00pm
Central Library
Candid Conversations:
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Updates from District I &
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center
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District I Advisory Board, Breakfast and Neighborhood Association Information
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The District I Advisory Board meets on the 1st Monday of the month at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), 2755 E. 19th St. N., Wichita, KS 67214. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
The District I Breakfast is held on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Atwater NRC, 2755 E. 19th St. N. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m.
For the 2017 meeting schedule, click
here
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Like us on Facebook: Wichita District 1
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Neighborhood Association Updates...
- Please continue to inform your neighbors about the Lord's Diner Food Truck serving 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the parking lot of Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center. Anyone is welcome to a meal. Since October 2017 800,021 meals have been served.
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District I Welcomes
Open Door Community Food Ministry
WE ARE MOVING
- Friday, April 14th Closed-Good Friday
- Friday, April 21st Last Day at 1611 N. Mosley location
- Monday, April 24 Closed
- Tuesday, April 25 Doors Open at New Location of 2130 E. 21st St. N., 67214 (21st & Opportunity Drive)
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SAVE THE DATE
AUGUST 5, 2017
MCADAMS PARK
A Convoy of Hope Community Event is a collaborative effort among Convoy of Hope, Community Churches, Business, Organizations, and you - to bring hope to a city through free groceries, health screenings, job and career services, family portraits, haircuts, prayer, games, and activities for children and more.
This All-Volunteer event mobilizes residents to serve and make a difference in their community. Strong participation by local businesses, churches, community agencies and individuals in crucial to success of this event. Through this collaborative effort we do together what no one could do alone. Hope Starts Here.
The goal is for all organization to join one collaborative effort to prepare students for school.
If your organization would like to volunteer or if you are a licensed barber or beautician who could volunteer 2-hours or a voucher to students please call 316-303-8018.
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Education, Employment & Job Training
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KANSEL Construction Class
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Career Job Training
The Union Rescue Mission has a new program to prepare men and women for rewarding careers in the food service industry. KitchenPrep is an eight-week course taught at the Mission's life transformation center (2800 North Hillside). The curriculum involves 128 hours of classroom and kitchen lab work spread over 24 days. Trainees complete both written and practical assignments taught by Union Rescue Mission staff and guest instructors.
At the conclusion of the eight weeks, students who pass a culinary proficiency test will receive a certificate of course completion, plus assistance in securing employment.
Tuition is $285 total ($200 in student fees and $85 for course materials and tools). There is a $40 non-refundable application fee. A limited number of scholarships are available for men and women who are currently unemployed or under employed.
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Community Activities & Services
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Senior Wednesday
at The Kansas African American Museum. It's FREE!!! Senior Wednesdays are informational and entertaining sessions, designed for active seniors and offered by a collaboration of ten institutions. Come and join us every third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. January - November
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Senior Wednesday: January-March 2017
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.
To view upcoming events for January through March-Click Here
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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
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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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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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Connect 2 Compete with COX
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Get Internet at home today for a better future tomorrow
The Internet is essential for success. See how you can get connected.
DOES MY FAMILY QUALIFY?
1. At least one child eligible for free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program 2. No outstanding Cox bills or unreturned equipment. 3. Have not subscribed to Cox High Speed Internet service for the last 90 day
4. Call 1-855-222-3252 for more information |
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Street Light Out?
Click Here to report your findings to
Westar Energy
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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
or use the new mobile app
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 or
click here
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Have questions or concerns?
City of Wichita, Office of Community Services |
316-303-8016 |
2755 E. 19th St. N.
Wichita, KS 67214
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