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WICHITA DISTRICT VI NEWSLETTER |
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A message from Council Member Cindy Claycomb...
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In 2016, the City of Wichita began looking into the possibility of attracting Major-League affiliated baseball back to the City. In September of this year, the City announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Orleans AAA baseball franchise to move to Wichita. AAA baseball teams are just one level below Major League teams. The underlying reason for attracting affiliated baseball to Wichita is to revitalize the downtown riverfront corridor through the redevelopment of the Lawrence Dumont Stadium site.
In October of this year, City Council approved the demolition of the 84-year old Lawrence
Dumont
Stadium. By constructing a new sports stadium and museum for the National Baseball Congress on the site where Lawrence Dumont once stood, the City of Wichita will add a significant piece of infrastructure to the city that will greatly contribute to the quality of life for our residents. This new development will also help to attract and retain talent in our community.
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| Lawrence Dumont Demolition |
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| Sports Stadium Redevelopment (Artists Concept) |
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The City's $83 million investment into the stadium, pedestrian bridge, and riverbank improvements will be funded through a combination of Sales Tax Revenue (STAR) Bonds, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and a Community Improvement District (CID), which are funded by revenue generated by the project... but what does that really mean? The various economic development tools being utilized for this type of construction project can often be confusing, so I thought I would take this opportunity to help clarify how these tools work.
The City issues STAR Bonds that have been approved by the State Legislature and Governor. The STAR Bond program allows the State to define a geographically eligible area where the STAR Bond proceeds can be used. The City adopts a redevelopment plan for the district and attracts major commercial, entertainment, and tourism areas that will generate new sales taxes. The additional sales tax revenues generated by the new development are then used to pay off the bonds. STAR Bonds can be used for a variety of public purposes in the redeveloped area including site preparation, street grading and paving, streetlights, sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, plazas and arcades, parking, and landscaping. However, STAR Bonds cannot be used for constructing buildings or other structures that would be owned by private individuals or entities.
Tax Increment Financing districts are used to fund the revitalization of distressed or deteriorating areas. TIF uses taxes generated by the increased property values resulting from the redevelopment to help pay for various costs associated with the project. The portion of the new property tax revenue representing the "tax increment," is used to pay for eligible redevelopment costs in the district such as infrastructure, demolition, utility re-location, streets, sidewalks, and parking.
A Community Improvement District allows the City to levy an additional sales tax to fund improvements in the district. CIDs may impose up to a two percent sales tax in the district for up to 22 years.
Together these tools, along with a relatively small amount of General Obligation financing from the City, will be used to construct the new stadium and surrounding improvements. This project will help our community grow and thrive in a financially responsible manner. The use of these tools will also improve the quality of life for our residents and create a welcoming environment for those who visit our city. I have great memories from watching many baseball games at Lawrence Dumont Stadium and am excited to create new ones when the new stadium is built and ready for opening day.
Have a nice weekend!
Cindy Claycomb
Wichita City Council
District VI Council Member
316-268-4331
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DISTRICT VI NEWS & EVENTS
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In observance of Thanksgiving, City of Wichita facilities will be closed and/or have special hours per below:
Closed Thursday, Nov. 22:
City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation centers, Great Plains Nature Center, OJ Watson Park, Old Cowtown Museum, CityArts, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Century II administrative offices, Wichita TIX box office, Transit administrative offices, Environmental Health office, WATER Center, Brooks Landfill, Wichita Art Museum, Animal Shelter, Botanica, Riverside Tennis Center, and municipal golf courses
Closed Friday, Nov. 23:
City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation centers, Great Plains Nature Center, Old Cowtown Museum, CityArts, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Century II administrative offices, Wichita TIX box office, Transit administrative offices, Environmental Health office, and WATER Center
Closed Saturday, Nov. 24:
Great Plains Nature Center, Old Cowtown Museum, CityArts, and Mid-America All-Indian Center
Special Hours: Wichita Public Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
There will be no Wichita Transit, Paratransit or Q-Line service on Thursday. Wichita Transit service will run Friday and Saturday according to the Saturday schedule (6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Q-Line service will run Friday and Saturday according to the Saturday schedule (12 p.m. to 1 a.m.).
- Brooks Landfill will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
- OJ Watson Park will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
- Riverside Tennis Center will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
- The Animal Shelter will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Botanica will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday for Illuminations.
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District VI Advisory Board Information
The District VI Advisory Board (DAB VI) meets the first Monday of the month (and the third Wednesday of the month is optional) at the Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas, Wichita, KS, 67204. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
Next meeting: December 3, 2018
District VI Monthly Coffee
District VI Coffee is held on the fourth Saturday of the month. These gatherings are a chance to discuss local city projects/issues, provide your input and ask questions. We meet from 9am to 10:30am at the
Advanced Learning Library (711 W 2nd St), Conference Room C.
Hope to see you there!
Next monthly coffee:
2019 schedule to be announced
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Wichita District VI Facebook Page 
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Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center Update
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2700 N Woodland, Wichita KS 67204
(316) 303-8042
Mon-Thurs 8:30am-5:30pm, Fri 8:30am-5pm (closed daily from 12-1pm)
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- 8 public computers with internet access
- Free public notary service and faxing
- Limited photo-copying
- DCF Program Consultant on site to take applications for financial, food and child care assistance
- Bilingual staff fluent in Spanish
- Assistance in accessing community resources
- Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) staff housed at facility. Neighborhood Inspector covers 21st to 60th St North and Mosley St to I-235
- Community Police Officers from Patrol North and Patrol West maintain a work area in the facility and are often available to meet with citizens
- Community Service Representative available to respond to neighborhood concerns (also serves as liaison to District 6 Council Member)
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Check out what's going on at the Evergreen Library...
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CUENTOS BILINGUES: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Whether you want to expose your children to another language or they already hear it at home, enjoy a unique storytime presented in both English and Spanish.
For ages 3-6.
Wednesdays 10:30-11 am
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HEY DIDDLE, DIDDLE
It's World Nursery Rhyme Week! Let Miss Muffet, the spider, and the black sheep help your child with reading readiness through rhymes and singing. Crafts and stories for children ages 3 and up with their families.
Tuesday Nov 20 6:30-7:30 pm
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EVERGREEN BRANCH
303-8181
2601 N Arkansas
Mon-Thurs 10 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
*Sun 1-5 pm
*Library will be closing at 5 pm November 21 and closed November 22 & 23
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Holidays in Delano
Saturday November 17
11-4pm
A shopping event to benefit the Kansas Food Bank. Reindeer at the Monarch, Santa at All Things BBQ, Ornament Stations and Cookie Decorating Stations.
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Construction and Maintenance Projects
No projects at this time
WICHway traffic alerts available by text or email
WICHway, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on Wichita's highways, offers a new feature sending subscribers texts and/or emails that share special traffic alerts created by operators at the WICHway Traffic Management Center. The alerts are created when a traffic problem such as a major crash, a highway closure or a similar event causes a significant disruption on a Wichita highway. The alerts are an extension of the WICHway website (
www.WICHway.org), an informational resource the public can consult before traveling on Wichita's highways.
The website adjusts to the type of device being used - a computer, a tablet or a smartphone - and can be bookmarked on a smartphone so that it performs similarly to an app. A short video showing how to bookmark any page from the site can be viewed at
KDOT's YouTube page.
WICHway shares information that is gathered from 55 roadside cameras and 63 traffic sensors. Messages are displayed on 25 electronic message signs, shared on the website and can now be sent to subscribers so that travelers, commuters, freight operators and others using Wichita's highways can make informed decisions about their route.
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Getting to Know City Staff:
Jennifer Magana
City Attorney and Director of Law
As City Attorney and Director of Law, Jennifer is responsible for all functions and services of Civil Litigation and the Prosecutor's Office. She and the staff of eight civil attorneys provide legal advice to the City departments, develop City policies, draft City ordinances, review all legal documents, and respond to claims and lawsuits against the City. Under her oversight, seven attorneys in the Prosecutor's Office handle all misdemeanor crimes and traffic offenses for the City, including appeals to the District Court, and all diversion programs for first offenders.
In addition, by City Ordinance, the City Attorney attends all meetings of the City Council. Jennifer drafts or approves all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, releases, agreements, and other instruments pertaining to legal actions of the City which shall have been approved as to form and legality by her before presentation to the Council. When requested by any member of the Council, she furnishes an opinion, either written or oral, as may be appropriate in each case, concerning parliamentary rulings, interpretations of Council rules of procedure, and opinions as to legality of matters under consideration.
The City Attorney is the chief legal advisor to the Council and the City Manager, who are entitled to rely upon her legal opinions, which are considered final as they relate to municipal affairs except as they may be adjudicated in the courts. Jennifer is also the parliamentarian for the Council, and provides advice and counsel to the presiding officer on all infractions of the Council rules and procedures for the conduct of meetings.
Jennifer earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1992, after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University in 1990.
Jennifer began her career in Wichita and Sedgwick County in 1993 as a City Prosecutor for the City of Wichita where she prosecuted criminal cases in Municipal Court, including traffic, DUI, domestic violence, and environmental issues. She then served in the Sedgwick County Counselor's office from 1996 to 2015 as Assistant County Counselor and Deputy County Counselor. In these roles, she advised and represented the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners in employment law, contracts, resolutions, deeds, leases, environmental law, and municipal law. She also served as legal advisor to the County's Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan and Wichita Area Technical College.
Jennifer is a member of numerous professional associations, including the Wichita and Kansas Bar Associations, County Counselors Association of Kansas, and Wichita Women Attorneys Association, serving as a committee member, officer, and/or board member at various times. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Wichita Festivals, Inc., CASA of Sedgwick County, and Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL). Jennifer has also received these honors and distinctions: Wichita Bar Association President's Award, 2010; Wichita Business Journal 40 Under 40, 2005; and Sedgwick County Excellence in Public Service Award, 2003.
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CAUSING DAMAGE AFTER A FIRE
Wichita Fire Department places a great deal of faith and pride in our training and tactics; they prepare us for whatever alarm we may be called to; start to finish. After a fire is extinguished, firefighters put holes in ceilings and walls to make sure there are no hidden fire/flames which could cause more damage to the structure. Firefighters are very meticulous when searching for any hidden 'hot spots' after a fire. They will make a priority of insuring the fire is out, with no chance of re-igniting, before leaving the property. The air will also be monitored and a fan will be set to blow any cancerous carcinogens (that may have been left behind) out of the structure. Any damage firefighters may cause during the mitigation of an incident will have a reason. Wichita Fire Department will send units back many times to check the structure and will also make sure the Red Cross is contacted to help the occupants in their time of need.
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PW&U Prepared for Winter Weather
Colder weather reminds us that snow could possibly on the way, which is why Public Works & Utilities is prepared for any winter weather that may arrive. Throughout the year, effort is made to ensure that an adequate supply of salt and sand is available for the winter season, as well as a reserve supply of salt. In recent years, two new facilities, the former Michael's building on east Kellogg and a City-owned industrial facility on north Wellington Place, have been repurposed in order to store the salt reserves. Each of these facilities stores approximately 4,000 tons of salt, resulting in 8,000 tons of salt reserves in addition to the 8,000 tons of salt and sand on hand.
Other efforts made in recent years include the training of additional staff within PW&U to aid in snow and ice operations, as well as the addition of snow plows. Additional snow plows were added by retaining dump trucks that were otherwise scheduled for replacement and using them solely for snow and ice operations, increasing the number of available snow plows to 60.
During snow and ice events, PW&U staff work 12-hour shifts and provide 24/7 operations. It typically takes a full shift in order to treat all primary and secondary routes one time. Citizens are encouraged to visit
www.wichita.gov/snowremoval in order to see what routes the snow plows have already treated, in order to help them plan their route. In the upper right-hand corner of the map, the user can choose to see where the snow plows have been in the last 15 minutes; in the last hour; or in the last day.
A forecast of wintry mix, and possibly snow, to end the week prompted Street Maintenance to activate snow response to November 8. Crews began by lightly dusting emergency routes with a salt/sand mix. Staff will continue to monitor road conditions and weather forecasts through the end of the event.
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22nd Year for The Arc's Lights
Thanksgiving Night thru December 28
More than 1 million lights with dozens of displays make up this drive-through lights display. This is the most unique light display in Kansas. Nearly all of the displays and features are handmade by our volunteers. We couldn't do this without hundreds of exuberant volunteers sharing their talents and energies giving thousands and thousands of hours to make our display bright to brighten the lives of those we serve. Click
HERE to find out the hours and admission charges to view this magical wonderland that helps fund The ARC's programs.
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Illuminations is Wichita's premier light display taking place every year at Botanica (701 N Amidon). With more than two million lights, we invite the community to tour themed gardens, hear live music and visit with Santa. Illuminations transforms each garden area into a different themed holiday display or uniquely lit botanical setting. Brightly lit larger-than-life flowers and bugs are placed throughout the gardens, and our pond and fountains are home to floating, lit-up giant trees that dance to the beat of the music. Every night, Santa visits and takes pictures with the children, and everyone enjoys the Candy Cane Lane and our funky tree. The Children's Garden brings smiles to young and old with lit monster trees, fairy lights in the musical maze and fun holiday creatures lighting up every corner. Live carolers and music groups are even on hand to entertain. Hot chocolate, s'mores, dinner and more are sold throughout the gardens and, on the weekends, an adult hot toddy bar is available, as well.
Illuminations is open from Nov. 23rd-Dec. 31st from 5:30-8:30pm,
but will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Tickets are $10 for adults. $7 for members, military & youth. Children ages 2 and under are FREE.
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MAYOR'S TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, LIGHTS ON THE RIVER, and FIREWORKS SHOW
Sunday, December 2nd, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Festivities begin at the Wichita Boathouse (515 S Wichita St) where there will be winter wagon rides, music, food trucks, and floating lights for sale. At 5:30 pm, trolleys arrive at the Wichita Boathouse to take attendees to
Old Town Square (
2nd & Mead) for caroling and the official lighting of the Mayor's Christmas Tree.
Stay for shopping and dining, or hop back over to the Wichita Boathouse by trolley for the annual Lights on the River festival. At 7 pm the floating lights will be launched on the Ark River, and at 7:30 a spectacular fireworks show will complete this magical night.
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Wichita Park & Recreation presents
A NIGHT WITH SANTA
Thursday, December 6th,
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Join Santa Claus at Century II (225 W Douglas) for a night of fun! The event is FREE and geared toward kids 12 & under.
Enjoy holiday activities, which include:
* Visit with Santa (photos with Santa available for sale - cash only)
* Carnival games with prizes
* Cake walk
* Bingo
* Crafts
* Drawings for fully decorated, live Christmas trees
* Live entertainment
* And much more!
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Cowtown is located at 1865 W Museum Blvd, Wichita KS 67203 |
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT COWTOWN
December 7th & 8th, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
December 14th & 15th, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
When the weather outside is frightful, Cowtown's lamp-lit, carol-filled streets will warm you up! There's something magical about bundling up, stepping into the cold, and enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate with family and friends. Take a wagon ride, see what's cooking at the farm, and enjoy a Victorian town ready for Christmas.
Regular admission prices apply. $9/adults, $8/seniors (ages 62+), $7/youth (ages 12-17), $6/kids (ages 5-11), kids 4 and under FREE!
Cowtown Members get in FREE!
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| A job board with local, Wichita Area jobs only! |
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JOB SEEKERS, TRAINING & EDUCATION, RESOURCES, AND PROGRAMS |
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CLICK ON ANY OF THE THREE LINKS ABOVE TO FIND A JOB THAT WILL SUIT YOUR NEEDS!
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Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport has a magazine just for you travelers.
Check it out
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And are you looking for a get-away?
HOT FARES can help you get there.
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The booklet is designed to provide you with important tips and information on a variety of community issues.
By working together, we can help prevent and solve crimes, improve and make neighborhoods safer, resolve conflicts and enhance our quality of life. You can download the booklet for future references
HERE!
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Sidewalks and rights-of-way to be kept clean by abutting property owners or occupants.
It is unlawful for the owner or occupant of any parcel to allow paint, soil, grass, leaves, sand, gravel, rocks, dirt, filth, mud, papers, stone, snow, ice, refuse, rubbish, or any other material to accumulate and/or grow over the abutting sidewalk, alley, or right-of-way.
You wouldn't think that this ordinance would be necessary, but it keeps slippery, decaying leaves off sidewalks, and keeps leaves from blocking the storm water drains along roadways. Plan to start a compost pile, or simply scoop up leaves and drop them in your trash cart every week for some preventive maintenance. Your lawn and neighbors will thank you.
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Online Reporting for
Animal Control Problems
Wichita Animal Control has launched an online form to report non-emergency animal control problems as part of an ongoing effort to improve services. The form can be accessed by
clicking here
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Don't be left in the
dark
If
you notice outages within
your neighborhood, fill out
Westar Energy's website
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Health Care for Uninsured,
Low-income Available
In 1999,
Project Access began coordinating access to donated medical care for uninsured, low-income residents of Sedgwick County. Thanks to the founding funders - United Way of the Plains, the City of Wichita (CSBG) and Sedgwick County - Project Access is still able to serve the community today.
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 316-688-0600
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CRIME STOPPERS OF WICHITA/SEDGWICK COUNTY
Still completely anonymous, tips submitted through the P3 mobile app, unlike SMS text tips, have no length limitations and allow images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip. Anderson Software's sophisticated encryption processes obscure any and all identifying information and provides assured anonymity for tipsters.
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8042 |
2700 N. Woodland
Wichita, KS 67204
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