Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners

Documenter name: Josh Bernat

Agency: Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners

Date: June 26, 2024

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

Notes

The meeting occurred at 100 N Broadway, Wichita, KS 67203, on the lower level. I arrived about 15 minutes before the meeting started. The meeting was an auditorium with all commissioners located at the front of the room. I introduced myself to some of the officials including Strategic Communications Director of Sedgwick County Nicole Gibbs. About a fourth of the room's chairs were taken up, with some people showing up a little later in the meeting.

Current Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Members (all present)

• Pete Meitzner (1st District)
• Sarah Lopez (2nd District - Chair Pro Tem)
• David Dennis (3rd District)
• Ryan Baty (4th District - Chair)
• Jim Howell (5th District)

Chair of the Board, Ryan Baty, welcomed and thanked everyone for coming. He made initial remarks on how to participate more in the meetings through TV and online resources.

The meeting was then called to order followed by an invocation, flag salute, and roll call.

County Announcements

Initial Announcements

• Announcements made by Director of Strategic Communications, Nicole Gibb
• Congratulations were given to Chief Human Resource Officer Sheena Schmutz and Deputy Director Anna Meyer-Hoff Cole on earning Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
• A reminder was given that on 6/29/24 residents, not businesses, can dispose of Household Hazardous items such as paints or chemicals at Haysville City Hall.
• June 23 to June 29 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

An update was given on the Evergreen Recycle Fire in Park City from Sedgwick County Fire Chief Douglas Williams.

• Chief says he made a drive-thru of the scene at 8:00 am on 6/26/24

• Believes good progress is being made and that the fire department should be finished with the work by the evening of 6/26 or the next day at the latest.

• Drone footage was shown of the damage and the steps taken to contain the fire.
• The chief says the business owner has been cooperative in meeting regulations to prevent this from happening again.
• Commissioner David Dennis voices concern about overtime payment and insurance payments.

• Fire Chief Williams states he does not believe budget consideration for overtime will be necessary.
• Insurance is a more complicated matter and they are currently assessing that situation.

• The chief used a comparison from the Salina Fire Chief on complications with insurance claims.

• The cause of the fire will likely be undetermined due to the damage and effects that the mass cleanup had.
• Commissioner Pet Meitzner asks for comments on the effectiveness of National Guard Assistance.

• Resources provided, such as helicopters, helped them get water to crucial areas that county equipment could not reach.

• A 7 Day state of Emergency was declared to address the situation and will not need to be extended.
• Statements of appreciation were given by all Board Members.

After announcements, the meeting moved to the public agenda. There were no items for the public agenda, so the board moved on to approve the meeting minutes for 5/22/24 and 6/26/24.

Appointments

• Diane Albert was appointed to the First District Citizen Advisory Board

• She was recommended by First District Commissioner Pete Meitzner

• Cameron Moren was appointed to the Wichita and Sedgwick County Food and Farm Council

New Business

• Greater Wichita Partnership made a funding request for an additional $50,000 towards the Downtown Masterplan Project.

• President of Greater Wichita Partnership, Jeff Fluhr, made statements on the economic benefits of the project, which started in 2010 and included:

• Nearly $1.7 billion in private investment
• 110 completed projects

• Commissioner Jim Howell gives remarks on focusing this project on solving issues such as homelessness in the city.
• Chair Ryan Baty believes the economic impact of the project will spread beyond the current designated areas and have a positive impact outside of downtown directly.
• The funding request was approved by all members.

• A request was made for the renaming of a pavilion at Lake Afton.

• Renamed in honor of former Lake Afton Superintendent Mark Sroufe, who sadly passed away in January last year.

Meeting Adjourned

Summary

Summarize the 3 most important outcomes or takeaways from your notes....

• Sedgwick County Fire Department was greatly assisted by resources made available through an emergency declaration. The Board of County Commissioners focused mostly on cost, firefighter safety, and need for more preventive measures in the future.
• The Greater Wichita Partnership Downtown project received approval of additional $50,000 in funding. President, Jeff Fluhr, laid out the benefits of this project since 2010 and the strength of pulling the public and private sectors together.
• The Board showed immense care in sharing appreciation for all items brought before them, while also being sure to put on record any concerns they would like to see addressed going forward.

Follow-Up Questions

What are you left wondering? Ask up to 3 of your own follow-up questions...

• Are there any plans on the part of the county to assist in rebuilding after the Evergreen Recycle Fire?
• Will projects by the Greater Wichita Partnership need to look more to outside investments or find resources within the community?
• How will development from the downtown project affect residential rent prices and will that effect have a spillover effect to low income areas?

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.