District 4
District 2
Newsletter
Council Member Becky Tuttle
A message from Becky Tuttle
Greetings! I hope this finds you doing well!
 
One of the most important things the city council does is the adoption of an annual budget & capital improvement program (CIP). During last Tuesday’s city council meeting, city manager Bob Layton presented the 2022-2023 Proposed Budget and 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program. The documents are available online at wichita.gov.

2022-2023 Budget Highlights:
  • Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. Revenue forecasts for sales tax, charges for services, motor fuel tax, franchise fees and other revenues are trending upward.
  • The mill levy rate is unchanged. This is the 28th consecutive year that the mill levy has remained stable.
  • Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) is used. The City of Wichita has been allocated $72.4 million. Vacant positions will be filled, services that were cut in 2020 will be restored and more. Funding will also be used for Fire stations, Police sub-stations and library branch improvements.
  • Quality of Life services are combined in the Cultural Arts, Parks & Recreation Department. This will improve coordination and provide better service to residents participating in these activities.
  • Century II operations will be contracted. This will leverage industry expertise to enhance the customer experience using best practices, reduce City costs, and improve maintenance.
  • Contract management will be pursued for Golf operations. Contract management will be pursued to improve long-term sustainability and course conditions, and enhance services to customers.
  • Street pavement maintenance efforts are emphasized, with a total of $163 million included over 10 years. Total annual funding will rise from $11 million in 2022 to $20 million by 2031.
  • Fire optimization initiatives are funded. The Fire Department uses data to optimize deployment of staff and equipment, to improve response times. Funding is also included to retain 12 grant funded positions.
  • Additional Policing resources are funded. Funding is included for seven additional police officer positions and two community support specialists. Also included is funding for a violence interrupter initiative. 
  • To support public safety, $120 million is included for capital projects. This include funding for fire trucks and related equipment, new fire stations, and equipment and facility upgrades. There is also funding to replace of four Police sub-stations.
  • Over $42 million is used to fund projects to enhance the livability of Wichita. These projects include a rebuilt community center at McAdams Park, the completion of the Aquatics Master Plan, branch library improvements, LW Clapp master plan improvements, enhancements to South Lakes Park and improvements to cultural facilities.

Resident engagement is a key element of the budget process. City staff presented a draft at the District 2 Advisory Board (DAB) meeting on June 14, 2021 and a social media town hall was conducted on June 22, 2021. Additional opportunities for discussion at public meetings are below:
  • August 5      Second Public Hearing (Evening) 6:30 p.m., City Hall
  • August 9      District 2 Advisory Board 6:30 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library
  • August 17    Third Public Hearing 9 a.m., City Hall
  • August 24    Final Public Hearing and Budget Adoption 9 a.m., City Hall

I encourage you to review the proposed budget & CIP to provide feedback and ask questions. We really do want to hear from residents.
The next District II Advisory Board meeting will be August 09, 2021 at 6:30pm, and it will be in-person at Rockwell Branch Library with the option to join virtually via Zoom. Please join us, if you can and visit www.wichita.gov/Council/Pages/DistrictII.aspx to learn more.
 
As always, please feel free to contact me anytime at btuttle@wichita.gov.  My door and my mind are always open! 
 
Becky
 
Invite us to your meeting, even if it is virtual!
When I say that my door and my mind are always open, I truly mean that. I want you to feel comfortable reaching out and sharing your ideas and concerns. In fact, your District Community Services Representative, Cory Buchta, and I would love the opportunity to attend your HOA or Neighborhood Association Meeting. If you would like us to attend, please send us an email with the meeting details, and one or both of us will make sure to attend one in the near future. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
Wichita City Council
District 2 Council Member
Phone: 316.268.4331
City Council Meeting Highlights
Here are a few highlights from the recent Wichita City Council Meetings:
Tuesday, July 13. To watch the full council meeting, click here.

  • The Council extended the discussion on the proposed non-discrimination ordinance until the Oct. 12, 2021 Council Meeting.
  • Asked that the city appointed Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights board weigh in on the proposed ordinance.
Tuesday, July 20. To watch the full council meeting, click here.

  • The City Manager presented the 2022 proposed Operating Budget and the 10-year Capital Improvement Program. The final hearing is scheduled for August 24.
  • Heard IRB requests for projects at Air Capital Flight Line and the WSU Innovation Campus.
  • Closed out three façade improvement projects.
  • Approved several design agreements for bridges, roads and water capital improvement projects throughout the city.
  • Increased the budget for the Chester I Lewis Reflection Park Project and approved the artist contracts.
  • Denied a zoning change request for a development in District 1.
  • Authorized the final steps of financing for the remodel of the city’s multifamily senior housing units.
DAB Meetings Back In-Person, But Staying Virtual Too
The District 2 Advisory Board has resumed in-person meetings at Rockwell Branch  at 5939 E. 9th St. N. The year prior, the DAB was meeting virtually via Zoom due to COVID safety measures. Because of the convenience and increased accessibility for staff and members of the public, the decision was made to continue with the option to participate in DAB meetings via Zoom.

The City Communications Department researched and assembled the appropriate technology and equipment to allow for the meetings to be interactive on Zoom while members of the Advisory Board, City Staff, and public were also meeting in person.

If you would like to participate in a DAB meeting, you may join us on the second Monday of the month at Rockwell Branch Library, or you can join via Zoom using the information below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98129640773?pwd=ZFcybG1ScGFwWTFSTzJPR2VmeVhWZz09

Meeting ID: 981 2964 0773
Passcode: 190748
Douglas Traffic Signal Improvements Coming
A new project to improve the traffic signal equipment and timings along Douglas Avenue, from McLean Boulevard to Hydraulic is now in the beginning phases.

The project will replace aging traffic equipment, add vehicle detection, install pedestrian push-buttons, reconstruct wheelchair ramps and improve the signal timing coordination and travel efficiency along the 1.5 mile corridor that includes 13 traffic signals between McLean and Hydraulic. 

The improvements are part of the larger and ongoing goal of optimizing traffic signals along major corridors throughout the city, beginning with the downtown district. 

The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2022, pending the availability of material that is currently experiencing delays due to widespread supply issues.
 
The Capital Improvement Program includes $1.5 million in funding every other year specifically dedicated to intelligent transportation system (ITS) enhancements, and traffic signal optimization in particular. 

Traffic signal improvements to-date include:
 
  • Maple Street optimization, Maize Road to McLean
  • Downtown Fiber-optic installation along various streets (included $1 million in federal funds, will enhance communication abilities with and between signals)
  • Main Street optimization, Murdock to Waterman, and Waterman, Main to Washington
  • Waco signal improvements, Douglas to Central
  • Washington/SE Blvd/K-15, Kellogg to Market (in Derby) cellular modems and fiber-optics
Telescopes Now Available at the Library
The Library is now circulating telescopes to the public. The Orion StarBlast Astronomical Telescope has been reviewed by a number of astronomical publications and is found to be a great resource for stargazing and learning about the solar system.

These telescopes are generously underwritten by the Georgia Eakins Family. Learn more at www.wichitalibrary.org/things.
Free Fresh Produce Boxes for Families
Attention families of 3 or more, a new program to receive fresh produce is coming to Wichita. The Kansas Food Bank and Table of Hope MCC formerly First MCC of Wichita, the Greater Wichita YMCA and the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita have teamed up with Partnership for a Healthier America for “Good Food For All” a special 12 week fresh produce distribution. This program sponsored by Partnership for a Healthier America is offered to households of 3 or more and will start at the end of July.

There will be two locations (north or south) that participants can select where they will pick up their food boxes.

To register for NORTH location, call 316-265-3663 and ask for Chelsie, Craig or Debi WSU Metroplex – 5015 E 29th St N (29th and Oliver) Monday pick up starting July 26, 2021

To register at the SOUTH YMCA location, call 316-776-8171
Richard A. DeVore South YMCA – 3405 S Meridian (Meridian and I-235) Tuesday pick up starting July 27, 2021
Do you plan to participate in the engagement process for the proposed budget and CIP?
-
Yes
No
Not sure yet
Results from the Previous Poll
Do you plan to attend any NBC World Series games at Riverfront Stadium this year?

Yes - 33.3%
No - 37%
Not sure yet - 29.7%