April 2022
Upcoming East Kellogg Project
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is working to extend the recently completed improvements on Kellogg farther east into Andover/Butler County. KDOT will be utilizing an alternative delivery strategy known as Progressive Design-Build (PDB) that will speed up the construction process. rThe PDB process will also reduce overall project costs because it has built-in value engineering at every step. KDOT estimates that the PDB process will save 1.3 million hours of travel delay when compared to the standard Design-Bid-Build process. Procurement is underway right now, but substantial completion of the mainline is expected by the end of 2025.

The BoCC recently authorized a Letter of Commitment at the April 20 regular BoCC Meeting to be signed regarding local funding for a portion of the project. A formal agreement will come later. You can see the presentation, plan and potential timeline given on YouTube.
There is an upcoming Public Scope Meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at LifeChange Church.

This public meeting is part of their federally required environmental review (NEPA) process and must be completed before KDOT can move forward with right of way and some other activities. They will be seeking input from the public about what they think of as environmental issues (endangered species, drainage, pipelines, etc.) as well as cultural and economic justice issues (Native American sites, impacts on impoverished or minority areas, etc.).
Financial Assistance Options for Pandemic Recovery
While the number of COVID-19 cases remains low in Sedgwick County, many residents still struggle to recover financially from the pandemic. Since April 2020, the Board of County Commissioners has distributed millions of dollars in federal assistance from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Many more funding options for individuals, businesses and nonprofits are still available:

  • Recovery Connect - www.Recovery-Connect.org
  • A Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • State SPARK funding programs - https://covid.ks.gov/available_funding/
  • The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee will oversee the distribution process of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding, assisted by four advisory panels with additional members. The advisory panels are focused on four main topics: Health and Education, Economic Revitalization, Connectivity, and Efficiency and Modernization.
  • TASK grants (Tourism Attraction Sub-Grants) - https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/task-grant/
  • The Tourism Attraction Sub-grants for Kansas (TASK) program is a one-time opportunity for the enhancement of Kansas attraction assets. The TASK program is a 50/50 reimbursable grant.
  • BASE grants (Building a Stronger Economy) - https://www.kansascommerce.gov/basegrant/
  • BASE is designed to support infrastructure development to address economic development opportunities statewide with the goal of expanding the state’s base of businesses and residents.
  • Build Back Better Regional Challenge - https://eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/
  • The Challenge provides transformational investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing equitable economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. global competitiveness. 
  • Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program - https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/
  • The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program is funded through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 
  • Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund - https://kshousingcorp.org/kansas-homeowner-assistance-fund/
  • The Kansas Homeowners Assistance Fund (KHAF) program launched with $56,648,216 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. KHAF will help eligible Kansas households financially impacted by the pandemic to get current on their mortgages and avoid foreclosure. 
  • Hero Relief Fund - https://ksherorelief.com/
  • Eligibility is limited to families who have countable income at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines, or a monthly income of up to $5,458 for a family of four.
  • Funeral Assistance Program - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many. EMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
Sedgwick County Excellence in Public Service Winner
Congratulations to Jonathan Marr, Deputy Director of Emergency Management, for being named the 2022 Excellence in Public Service Award Winner for Sedgwick County!

As Deputy Director, he's implemented a plan to update the outdoor siren system and restored several volunteer programs including RACES - the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services, K-9 Search and Rescue and the Community Emergency Response Team.

Jonathan participates in a lot of volunteer work in his personal life – mentoring kids through the Healthy Kids Running Series and as Skipper on the Boy Scouts’ Sea Scout Ship. He also serves as a volunteer firefighter in Derby, including supporting other first responders by providing them with education and wellness information.

Jonathan has shown time and time again how committed he is to helping others, personally and professionally. In being nominated for this award not once, but twice – by his boss and by a friend, he is described as – “one of a kind, and this community needs more people like him.“ 
Project Search Virtual Reverse Job Fair April 1 - May 15
Together, the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization and Project SEARCH sites in Wichita, Maize and Derby will be hosting their Virtual Reverse Job Fair through May 15. This unique opportunity connects employers and skilled candidates who thrive in typically high-turnover positions.

The Project SEARCH program prepares interns with intellectual/developmental disabilities for competitive employment.

Interested employers can register at www.scprojectsearch.com/reverse-job-fair-registration.
Drug Take Back Day - April 30
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Saturday, April 30, 2022
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

  • Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
  • Household Hazardous Waste - 801 W. Stillwell
  • Oaklawn Activity Center - 4904 S. Clifton
  • Sedgwick County Zoo - 5500 W. Zoo Blvd.
  • Wichita Police Department
  • Wesley Hospital - 550 N. Hillside
  • WPD Patrol East - 350 S. Edgemoor
  • WPD Patrol West - 661 N. Elder
  • Bel Aire Police Department
  • Bel Aire Police Dept. - 7651 E. Central Park Ave.
Out & About with Commissioners
Commissioner Cruse attended the grand opening ceremony for the new Evergreen Community Center & Library.
Commissioners Meitzner, Dennis & Lopez participated in the ribbon-cutting for Exploration Place and KU School of Medicine's new exhibit, Health Inside-Out.
Commissioner Howell toured the City of Wichita's Northwest Water Facility. Around 106,853 work hours have been put in on the new water treatment facility.
Chairman Dennis spoke at INTRUST Bank Arena's announcement of the National Hockey League coming to Wichita. The Arizona Coyotes and St Louis Blues will face off on Sept. 24, 2022 for a NHL preseason matchup.
Recovery Connect: Connect with Resources Today
Recovery Connect is a Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery Connect is for every citizen in Sedgwick County; the COVID pandemic has certainly changed everyone’s life. Unfortunately, it’s proven the impact is worse for some. This program connects with all areas of the community, with special efforts marketing to certain populations, to provide equitable access for all. Recovery Connect uses a hub-and-spoke model (with the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University serving as the hub) designed to address disparities through an additional focus on underrepresented populations to meet the needs resulting from the impacts of the pandemic. 

Program features include:
  • Monthly Reports to Sedgwick County
  • Phone, In-Person and Virtual Support
  • Radio & Mail Advertising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Resource Audit & Needs Survey
  • Constant Feedback & Agile Approach
  • Grant Workshops
  • Job Training & Application Assistance
  • Connection to Community-Based Resources
  • Comprehensive Final Report

Find COVID-19 Resources below for:
COVID-19 Report for April 2022
Showing case information from Apr. 4 - 18, 2022 with 14-day change:
  • The USA case count increased from 80,168,093 to 80,647,520 (+0.60%)
  • The Kansas case count increased from 770,275 to 772,222 (+0.25%)
  • The Sedgwick County case count increased from 111,517 to 111,816 (+0.27%)
 
Because of reduced demand for COVID-19 testing, the Community Testing Site at 4115 E. Harry is now closed. Sedgwick County residents can still receive testing through the Sedgwick County Health Department’s main clinic at 2716 W. Central or through local pharmacies, medical clinics, and home test kits. Click Other COVID-19 Testing Locations | Sedgwick County, Kansas to find a testing location near you!  
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
The Community Vaccine Clinic at 223 S. Main, the former Wichita Public Library, will close after a two-day incentive event on Friday, April 29, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Anyone receiving a first dose or booster shot for COVID-19 will get a $50 VISA gift card, and second doses get a free t-shirt. On Saturday, kids can also enjoy free face painting and balloon creations, plus meet their favorite mascots from the Wichita Thunder and Wichita Wind Surge.
 
After this event, the Community Vaccine Clinic will close for good, and the Sedgwick County Health Department will continue to offer mobile vaccine clinics. Click COVID-19 Mobile, Partner & Event Vaccine Clinics | Sedgwick County, Kansas to find an upcoming clinic near you! Residents can also receive vaccinations through local pharmacies and medical clinics.
Stop Suicide
Educating yourself and others on the warning signs can play a crucial role in saving someone else's life. You are not alone. Please call the Community Crisis Center (CCC) today at (316) 660-7500.
Tag Renewals & New Plates
Contact Commissioner Pete Meitzner
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203