District 6
Newsletter
Council Member Maggie Ballard
Open Streets ICT is a FREE community-building event bringing Wichitans of all ages and fitness levels together to promote healthy active living and social engagement.
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) and community partners invite you to provide input in developing the 2023-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for Sedgwick County. To do this, please complete a 3-minute survey to choose the top health issues. Take the survey by August 23rd.

The SCHD gathered 237 health measurements from Sedgwick County as part of the Community Health Assessment (CHA). Now the Priority Survey is where you can select the importance and appropriateness of health issues. This will help community partners select the three to five health issues to address in the 2023-25 CHIP. The CHIP is part of a community-wide collaborative approach to improve the overall health status of the Sedgwick County population. For more information, please visit their website.
City News
Federal Transit Administration Awards Wichita $3.95 Million for Zero-Emission Demand-Response Vans

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced $1.66 billion in grants to transit agencies, territories, and states across the country to invest in 150 bus fleets and facilities.

Among the awardees, Wichita will receive $3.95 million in federal grant funding for the purchase of ten Vicinity Motor Corp Optimal S1LF electric vehicles and the installation of five 150kW in-depot charging stations. These new low-floor vehicles will be utilized for demand-response service and replace existing fossil fuel vans beyond their service life. Furthering Wichita Transits’ efforts to convert to an entire battery-electric fleet, these vans are expected to reduce operating and maintenance expenses while reducing levels of CO2 that are emitted in the city overall. Delivery of these Buy America certified vehicles can be expected in Q2 2023. “Transitioning to a zero-emission fleet will provide cleaner air that benefits the Wichita population, and these battery-powered vans combined with two-hour recharging capability really moves the needle in cost-saving to transit,” said Mike Tann, Transit Director for Wichita Department of Transportation.

FTA’s Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program makes funding available to help transit agencies buy or lease U.S.-built low- or no-emission vehicles, including related equipment or facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5.5 billion over five years for the Low-No Program.
Wichita Airport Authority To Host Job Fair

The Wichita Airport Authority will host an airport-wide job fair on Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom, 2098 S. Airport Road. Learn about employment opportunities with the Wichita Airport Authority and airport tenants. No registration is required.
Fire Safety Tip

Do you sleep with your bedroom door open or closed? Did you know fire professionals recommend closing your bedroom door in case of fire?
What is Redistricting, and Why is it Important?
Redistricting for the City of Wichita is the process of revising City Council boundaries. Redistricting is important to help ensure that each City Council District represents roughly similar numbers of residents. It also is the process of making changes to the City Council District boundaries and may result in areas of the City being included in a different Council District than they were previously. 

Community Engagement 
The Redistricting Dashboard shows maps and data for current council districts, along with proposed scenarios submitted by the Commission of Electors and Planning staff. Residents are invited to review the maps and share their thoughts and comments about proposed boundary changes, either in person during the public comment portion of the Commission of Electors meeting, via email at redistricting@wichita.gov, or via Forum, the City of Wichita public engagement platform.
The City of Wichita Commission of Electors will meet on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the first-floor Boardroom at City Hall through September 31. These meetings are open to the public and are also available to view online on the City's YouTube channel. 
Happening in District 6
Douglas in Delano to Receive Road Resurfacing

Beginning Monday, August 22, Douglas, between Seneca and McLean Blvd., will receive a new asphalt surface as part of the 2022 Outsourced Pavement Preservation Program. This also includes a new surface in the parking stalls in front of businesses. 

Construction will close through traffic on Douglas and on-street parking in two phases. The first phase was completed in early August. The second and final phase is scheduled to begin Monday, August 22, and be completed Friday, August 26. 

Although Douglas will be closed to through traffic, cross streets will remain open for northbound and southbound traffic and parking. Impacted businesses in Delano were contacted in July in preparation for this work.

Sidewalk access will remain open in front of businesses, and electronic messaging boards have been put in place advising motorists of the upcoming traffic and that local businesses remain open. 
On Sunday, August 21, 12 pm - 5 pm. come out and shop from great local vendors and artists, plus explore the museum and even catch a gunfight or two. Admission is FREE for all!
Project Laundry consists of regular opportunities to help people who are struggling financially by assisting them with doing their laundry. Bring your clothes, and they'll provide one roll of quarters, three laundry pods, and dryer sheets.

Date: Third Thursday of the month at 5 pm
Location: Spring Clean North at 345 W. 29th St. North.
Laundry must be with guests at check-in.
Guests will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Drive-thru Mobile Pantry @ Evergreen

FRIDAY, September 2, 2022

Time: 1:00 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Park,
2700 N. Woodland
Who is Eligible: Anyone in need of food assistance may attend.