District 2 Advisory Board Meeting
Documenter name: Nancy Davis
Agency: Wichita City - District Advisory Board 2
Date: Sept. 9, 2024
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
District 2 Advisory Board Agenda Monday, September 9, 2024, 6-8 pm
Due to renovation work at Rockwell Library Branch, the new DAB 2 meeting location is Fire Station #20, 2255 South Greenwich Road, Wichita. It is available for participation in-person and online/recorded on Zoom & Facebook Live
Six DAB2 members were present, including City Council member, Becky Tuttle. One member of the public was present.
Order of Business
City Councilperson Becky Tuttle called the meeting to order at 6pm.
Agenda for September 9, 2024 was approved.
Minutes from the August 12, 2024 meeting were approved.
Public Agenda
A member of the public, Mr. Jackson was invited to speak for 5 minutes regarding his concerns and suggestions for bike paths in Wichita. He shared that safety should be the main focus. Recent public forums expressed concern about motor vehicles being too close to bike lanes on streets. He suggested the City consider physical barriers, curb stops or floating barriers as in other cities. He also suggested there is no need for a bike lane on Broadway as there are nearby bicycle causeways on Park Place and Market streets.
Staff Reports
Public Works & Utilities Report City Engineer Paul Gunzelman was invited to present first in response to Mr Jackson to provide an update on the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan. He provided the current Bike Plan.
There are plans for 34.3 additional miles of bike paths.
Priorities are for safety, especially focusing on areas where numerous bicycle related accidents have occurred; and “destinations” such as downtown and hospitals. Current priority bike lanes include 17th St, Mt Vernon, and Douglas Streets. There will be additional markers and signs. The Delano path is under construction—separate from the street. It’s sometimes difficult to have a separate bike lane due to frequent driving approaches.
A question was asked about including Lincoln between Rock and Woodlawn. It will likely use another east/west street either north or south of Lincoln as there is no room on Lincoln.
Redbud trail pedestrian bridges have been approved over Rock Road and Woodlawn. Construction is expected to take over one year. It is planned to be quite beautiful.
Wichita Police Department (WPD) Report Deputy Chief Duff and Chief Sullivan gave an extensive report on the new Real-Time Information Center. The Center is a centralized location for collection and dissemination of crime data that can be shared with patrol officers in real time. This saves time and increases appropriate response and resources. Cameras are located in strategic areas and can be accessed to assess the situation before officers arrive. Data about individuals can be shared when available, such as history of mental illness, arrest record, criminal history, etc. Privacy is a priority. Facial recognition is not included, and private security cameras will opt in if the owner desires.
New gunshot detection technology is being tested. This provides a 5 second recording and is able to discriminate gunshot sound from other sounds like car backfiring. The technology then rapidly notifies officers. The technology is still in testing and not active yet.
Update on FLOCK license plate reader technology: the city has 160 cameras currently. WPD has a strict policy on how it’s used. Data is stored for 30 days. FLOCK has been very effective in recovering stolen vehicles and other property.
Risk Terrain Modeling is another new technique WPD is using to assess geographic areas that are high crime areas. They use mathematical tools to calculate risk and then try to mitigate the risk. An example of this would be to lower bushes in order to allow a better visual of the space; provide more patrol during high crime times, etc.
Top Offender Model is another technique that has been put in place since the lawsuit regarding the gang list. This model inputs data on individuals to analyze offender data with weights applied for their activity. It provides a formula for assessing risk of an individual committing a crime. There is a “decay factor” so if they stay out of trouble they drop off the high risk list. Being a member of a gang is not a factor in the formula.
WPD also has infrared drones they can implement for missing people.
Chief Sullivan encouraged the public to review information on WPD transparency available on line at the Wichita city website. https://www.wichita.gov/1617/Transparency
Fire Department Report Battalion Chief Roberson, representing fire stations in District 2, reported little activity in District 2. There were two house fires, one from smoking and one from microwave fire. Four vehicles caught fire in Eastborough Apartments parking.
There are 12 new recruits in training.
Park & Recreation Department Report Jon Sidwell, Assistant Recreation Supervisor at Boston Recreation Center, reported on Open Streets ICT planned for Oct 13, 12- 5 pm.
A mural is being painted under the bridge at Woodlawn & 18th to prevent graffiti.
Eastridge Neighborhood is holding an event on Sept 21 from 8 am -12 pm.
Kayaks are available for rent at Riverside Park and Kellogg Bridge at the River.
A Water Lantern Festival is scheduled for Sept 14 and 8 pm at Watson Park.
Public Library Report Rockwell Branch Manager John Cleary reported on a new library initiative-when eligible materials are coming due, if there is no hold for it, the material will automatically renew on the original due date. 14 days will be added to the loan. This renewal policy is not available for interlibrary loans.
November 2 – DIY Day. This event brings together makers, inventors, and creatives from around the community to highlight their unique projects and creations. This is also an opportunity for the Library to showcase its maker space, technology, and maker equipment.
Beginning September 16, customers can borrow Birding Backpacks from the library. The library will have four backpacks for the Library of Things donated by the Kansas Audobon Society.
The Library’s podcast, “Read. Return. Repeat.,” has a new episode now streaming! interview author Alex White, a science fiction and horror writer best known for the Salvager series and their tie-in novels for the Aliens and Star Trek franchises.
Rockwell Branch renovations are beginning. The new addition is expected to be completed in February 2025. At that time the library will move out for extensive remodeling. New opening is expected in August 2025.
DAB 2 meetings will continue to be held at Fire Station #20, 2255 South Greenwich Road, Wichita. The next meeting will be held October 14, 6 pm. For a list of 2024 District 2 Advisory Board meeting dates as well as agendas, minutes, and supporting documents, visit www.wichita.gov/dab2.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm
SUMMARY
1. The City is working diligently on making more bike paths and lanes available; concerned with safety and listening to users
2. The WPD is using much new technology to be more effective in crime prevention and solving. They are conscientious about privacy and citizen’s rights. Many changes have been made following Jensen Hughes report and gang list lawsuit
3. The Rockwell Library branch renovations are underway and anticipate reopening the new facility in August 2025.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.