Wichita District 5

Be sure to attend the District 5 Advisory Board meeting on September 4 at 6:30 pm at the Wichita Water Works Administration Building, 2120 North Hoover. There will also be a City of Wichita job fair prior to the meeting from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. We hope to see you there.

District 5 Advisory Board Meeting  

Tune in live to the City Council agenda review:

Wichita City Council Agenda Review August 30, 2024

Need a job?💰Looking for a career?🔍Work for the City of Wichita! Applications will be accepted for all job openings at the City of Wichita- Government Career Fair 📆, a drop-in event next week Wednesday, September 4 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at Wichita Water Works, 2120 North Hoover Road. We have a need for equipment operators, maintenance workers, mechanics, Wichita Police Department officers, Wichita Park & Recreation aides and golf course maintenance workers.
👉For a complete list of City openings: wichita.gov/jobs

What can you do to save water during the drought?
🌊 water before 10 a.m.
🌊 only water once a week
🌊 turn off faucets/showers
🌊 mow your grass an inch higher in the summer
Check out a full list of tips at:

Save Wichita Water | Wichita, KS Learn about water conservation tips.

Have an issue you need to report such as a pothole, street light outage, vandalism or more? Report it online at https://www.wichita.gov/1013/Report-an-Issue or on our app - available for free on any app store.

Tune in live to the City Council workshop:

Wichita City Council Workshop August 27, 2024

🍎🍞🧀🥕🥛🥩Do you struggle to buy groceries?
Community resources are here to help: https://hwcwichita.org/local-food-resources

The City of Wichita- Government/City of Wichita Arts and Cultural Services Division is offering three grants of $25,000 each to support arts projects that serve the residents of Wichita and the mission of ensuring that everyone has equitable access to cultural arts opportunities. If you're an artist or know an artist, encourage them to apply! Deadline is October 1, 2024.
🎨🎼🎭👉Learn more about the grant: https://www.wichita.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29431/City-of-Wichita-Arts-Thrive-Grant-Program

Aquatics International Magazine has recognized Wichita Park & Recreation's Harvest Pool in District 5 in their 2024 Dream Designs: Leisure Pool rankings. This prestigious list commends elite aquatic facilities, with Harvest Pool earning recognition due to the renovation of its deck, turf and shade elements. What a fantastic ranking for the City of Wichita- Government! Many thanks to our partners for helping with this project: Urban Prairie, Waters Edge Aquatic Design, Landworks Studio, Dondlinger Construction, Hoss & Brown Engineers, Inc., and Professional Engineering Consultants.
👉Read the full article:

Wichita's Harvest Park Pool Makes Dream Designs Ranking These designers used every element at their disposal to gracefully introduce curves that soften the existing pool’s rigid lines without clashing.

Interested in being more involved in your community, but not sure how? Consider signing up for the FREE City of Wichita Civic Engagement Academy! We will meet 8 consecutive Monday evenings starting September 16. Click the link to learn more and sign up. https://www.wichita.gov/823/Civic-Engagement-Academy

Need a job? Looking for a career? The City of Wichita- Government is hiring! Stop by our Career Fair prior to the September District 5 Advisory Board meeting.

At today's meeting, the City of Wichita- Government Council voted on the following items:
• Board of Bids and Contracts – Approved 7/0
• Revenue Neutral Rate: Self Supported Municipal Improvement District Budget – Approved 7/0
• Revenue Neutral Rate: City of Wichita Proposed Budget – Approved 6/1 (No-Wu)
• 2025 Annual Operating Budget and 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program –
Tier 1 and 2 https://www.wichita.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29369/2025-2026-Proposed-Budget-Follow-up-Report?bidId=
o Item 2 Naming Rights at Wichita Park & Recreation and City of Wichita Arts and Cultural Services Facilities – Approved 7/0
o Item 3 Planning Cost Recovery – Approved 7/0
o Item 4 Animal Control: Dog Licensing Participation – Approved 7/0
o Item 5 Accounts Payable: Centralize and Automate Process – Approved 7/0
o Item 7 Fleet: Evaluate Vehicles and Maintenance Approaches – Approved 5/2 (No – Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Item 8 Century II: Reduce Subsidy – Approved 6/1 (No – Hoheisel)
o Item 9 Accounts Receivable: Improve Collections and Process – Approved 7/0
o Item 10 Wichita Ice Center Rink: Reduce Subsidy – Approved 7/0

Tier 3b – https://www.wichita.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29369/2025-2026-Proposed-Budget-Follow-up-Report?bidId=
o Item 11 Municipal Court: Process Improvement – Approved 6/1 (No – Ballard)
o Item 17 Facilities: Maintain Existing Staffing Level – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Item 20 Park Maintenance: Maintain Existing Staffing Level – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Item 21 Street Maintenance: Maintain Existing Staffing Level – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Item 24 Finance: Health Insurance Plan Redesign – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Item 34 Flatten Organization: Equitable Management Model – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o Savings allocation from above items moved to capital projects including $700,000 for electronic time keeping – Approved 7/0
o Dirt Streets Funding Reallocated, with exception of $4,289.65 for paving dirt streets by schools, and funds reallocated to Outsourced Pavement Preservation program but allow residents to petition to have their streets paved if they achieve 80% approval from surrounding residents – Approved 4/3 (No – Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel)
o 2025-2026 Budget with adjustments – Approved 6/1 (No-Wu)
o Approve the use of local funds derived from property within the corporate limits for the Wichita State University Board of Trustees – Approved 5/0, 2 abstentions (Wu, Tuttle)

• Amendments to Section 2.04.190 of Code of the City of Wichita Regarding City Council Public Agenda – Approved 7/0
• An Ordinance Creating Section 3.40.055, Amending Sections 3.40.030 and 3.40.170 Pertaining to Short Term Rental Property Licensing and Creating Section 4.04.030 Pertaining to Unlawful Hosting of Minors Consuming Alcoholic Liquor and Chapter 5.08 Pertaining to Nuisance Parties at Short-Term Rentals – Motion to place Ordinance Creating Section 3.40.055, Amending Sections 3.40.030 and 3.40.170 Pertaining to Short-Term Rental Property Licensing and Creating Section 4.04.030 Pertaining to Unlawful Hosting of Minors Consuming Alcoholic Liquor Approved and Chapter 5.08 Pertaining to Nuisance Parties at Short Term Rentals deferred to September 3 City Council meeting ¬– Approved 7/0
• Funding for 2024 Salt Storage Facility – Approved 7/0
• Funding and Supplemental Design Agreement No. 1 for Riverbank Improvements – Approved 7/0
• Quarterly Financial Reports for the periods ended March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024 – Approved 7/0

On Friday afternoon, I and two of my District 5 Advisory Board members, Grace Coyne and Rachel Thomas-Murphy, took a guided tour of Wichita Public Library's Westlink Branch, which is undergoing a major renovation and expansion. Also joining us on the tour was our Wichita Fire Department Chief Elizabeth Snow. This library renovation/expansion is an exciting project for our district! We will add community meeting rooms, study spaces, a drive-up window, an expanded children's room, and updated technology. Thank you to our Director of Libraries, Jamie Nix, for giving us a behind-the-scenes tour.
To learn more about our Westlink Library project, visit: https://www.wichitalibrary.org/westlinkremodel

Tune in live to the City Council meeting. The Council will vote on next year's proposed budget and the revenue neutral rate as well as other items such as riverbank improvements, short term rental licenses, enhancing our salt/sand storage facility and more.

Wichita City Council Meeting August 20, 2024

Water is a finite resource. It's up to all of us to conserve it and secure it for future generations. Everyday behaviors can have a big impact and it can start on your lawn.
🚱 Your lawn only needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water/week, varying by grass type.
🚱 Water before 10 a.m. and only water once a week
🚱 Don't water so long that it runs down the street or on the sidewalk

Lawn Care | Wichita, KS Conservation is not hard; everyday behaviors can have a big impact and it can start on your lawn.

📰📩📧📣 Do you have thoughts about parking? Golf courses? The City's budget? These are the topics in today's District 5 enewsletter: https://conta.cc/4dqokVn
And if you’re not on the District 5 enewsletter list, sign up to have it delivered directly to your inbox:
👉 http://www.wichita.gov/newsletters

News & Updates from District 5 Final budget thoughts   District 5 District 5 Newsletter Council Member J.V. Johnston   A message from J.V. Johnston Greetings District 5: Who pays, or should pay, for parking? How should the City's p

Want to weigh in? The Council will have its last budget meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at City Hall where they will vote on:
- The revenue neutral rate
- The proposed budget
Learn more about the budget: https://www.wichita.gov/337/Budget-CIP-Documents
Tune in to Tuesday's meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icekD1DRU10

Did you know that our water rebate program has saved an estimated 478 million gallons thus far since it was established in 2013? Our rebate program has rebated for rain barrels, sprinkler rain sensors and more. Apply today: https://www.wichita.gov/507/Water-Conservation-Rebate-Program

Tune in live to the City Council agenda review:

Wichita City Council Agenda Review August 16, 2024

Last night, after a marathon City of Wichita- Government Council meeting, I was able to attend Neighborhood Night Out in my district. Thank you to Wichita Police Department and Wichita Fire Department personnel for visiting our residents’ parties! What a great way to get to know your neighbors! And a big thank you to all of our NNO party organizers and hosts, including Richard Jansen (second from right) in D5!

At yesterday’s City of Wichita- Government Council meeting, the following items were on our agenda:
- Board of Bids and Contracts – Approved 7/0
- Petitions for Public Improvements – Approved 7/0
- Public Hearing and Request for a Modification of a Letter of Intent for Industrial Revenue Bonds (Wesley Healthcare Medical Center, LLC) – Approved 7/0
- Wichita Public Library Westlink, Alford, Angelou and Rockwell Library Renovations – Approved 7/0
- 2025 Annual Operating Budget and 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program – Approved 7/0 with two items to be considered for further discussion of the budget at the August 20 meeting:
- Motion to replace Wichita Park & Recreation’s golf course irrigation, Approved 6/1 (No-Wu)
- Motion to move $5,000 from the west 21st St. CIP toward land acquisition for Northwest Bypass, Approved 6/1 (No-Wu)
- Replace Council Policy 39 with Ethics Ordinance – Deferred to September 10, Approved 7/0
- Municipal Court Judicial Evaluations and Retention – Approved 7/0
- Ordinance Amending Chapter 6.04 pertaining to Animal Services – Approved 7/0
- 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial and 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report – Approved 7/0
- Applicant Appeal of HPC2024-00062 – Determine there are no prudent or feasible alternatives to the request, override the decision of the Wichita Historic Preservation Board, authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the KSHPO - Kansas State Historic Preservation Office Officer, and approve the sign permit in accordance with the applicant-submitted sign specifications, Approved 5/2 (No – Hoheisel and Johnston)
- Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing Program Request for Proposal – Vendor Protest – Reject the Kelly Compliance appeal and direct staff to complete negotiations with DSI, as recommended by the SSSC, Approved 7/0
- CON2024-00035 – Amendment to CON2012-00044 to Permit Outdoor Entertainment; Generally Located on the Northeast Corner of East Douglas Avenue and North Oliver Avenue (4800 East Douglas Avenue) - (Requires a supermajority) Failed 4/3 (No – Wu, Ballard, Hoheisel) - Sent back to MAPC, Approved 7/0
- Appointment of Two Municipal Court Judges: Brady Burdge and Michelle Meier – Approved 7/0
- Add Parking to the September 10 Council agenda for discussion and review – Approved 7/0

At today's City Council meeting, the council will discuss:
➡️ IRBs for Wesley
➡️ Library branch renovations
➡️ The budget
➡️ The ethics ordinance and more

Tune in live at 9 a.m.:

Wichita City Council Meeting August 13, 2024 View the meeting agenda here: https://ks-wichita.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08132024-2166

You still have time to come out to engage in the budget process and share your priorities.
➡️ Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 9 a.m.
➡️ Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 9 a.m.
https://www.wichita.gov/342/Budget-Process

Tune in live to the City Council agenda review:

Wichita City Council Agenda Review August 9, 2024

At last night's meeting, the City of Wichita- Government Council heard the following items:
• Board of Bids and Contracts – Approved 7/0
• Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Memorandum of Agreement – Approved 7/0
• 2025 Annual Operating Budget and 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program – Approved 7/0
• 2024 Traffic Improvements and Signalization Program – Approved 7/0
• Wichita Police Department's Real-Time Information Center Design, Installation, & Support Services Contract – Approved 7/0
• PUD2024-00007 – Zone Change Request in The City from GC General Commercial to PUD Planned Unit Development to Permit Use of the Site for Outdoor Display/Sale but Allow a Gravel Surface and Adjust Screening Requirements; Located on the North Side of West Kellogg Drive, within One-Half Mile West of South 135th Street West – Approved 7/0
• ZON2024-00028 – Zone Change Request in the City from SF-5 Single-Family Residential District to TF-3 Two-Family Residential District; Generally Located Within Two-Blocks South of West Central Avenue and Within Two Blocks West of North West Street – Approved 7/0
• ZON2024-00029 – Zone Change Request in the City from GO General Office to NR Neighborhood Retail with an Amendment to Protective Overlay #270 to Permit a Market, Cafe and Personal Care Services; Generally Located on the South Side of East 34th Street North, One-Quarter Mile East of North Woodlawn – Override MAPC, approve the zone change and amendment to protective overlay #270 with alternate conditions – Approved 7/0

Tune in live to the City Council evening meeting:

Wichita City Council Meeting August 8, 2024

The City is facing a significant budget shortfall, and planning for the future is already underway. In this challenging budget simulator, try to balance the budget by making tough choices based on what the community has outlined as top priorities: https://wichita.budgetsimulator.com/

Reminder: No Tuesday 9 a.m. Council meeting this week! Join us Thursday, August 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 455 N. Main for a special evening meeting. The budget will be discussed, so be sure to come out and have your voice heard.