Wichita City Council Workshop

Documenter name: Sharon Ailslieger

Agency: Wichita City Council Meetings/Workshops

Date: Sept. 24, 2024

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

Notes

Call to order

Roll Call–All City Council members were present.

Consent Agenda

 Items 6 & 7 were pulled for more discussion. Concerning #6, it was suggested that the Council look at their special packet and consider the impact on Chisholm Creek Park in relation to road construction on highway 96. A motion was made and passed to delay voting on the item until October 15 due to future decisions by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). Concerning Item 7, a legal explanation was requested in relation to insurance and settlements. Motion passed to authorize payment.

Bids and Contracts

There were three contracts that needed approval of the Council. All three were approved. Next, a list of contracts open for bids was presented for the information of the Council. Finally, Petitions for Public Improvements were presented and approved. These pertained to sewer, water, and road improvements.

Workshop

Called to order

Item#1

A report from the Wichita Fire Department was presented on the subject and policy of Fireworks over July 4th.. An overview of Fireworks Enforcement. In November of 2022 a committee was formed. This committee consisted of the community members who were against fireworks. A second committee, made up of vendors, was formed. The final committee was composed of internal staff members. The goal was to achieve a compromise on the use of aerial fireworks. A decision was made to legalize and sell aerial fireworks in the City of Wichita. But, fines for the use of illegal fireworks would be increased. The dates for use of fireworks was extended to July 3-5. However, a heavier police presence would be expected. The results, in 2024, of these changes were only one reported fire, thirty-six injuries and over 1,000 complaints. Financial considerations were also presented. Costs included payment for enforcement, marketing and education. Results of the changes were lower costs and a decrease in calls, but citations increased. The challenges around the public use of fir

eworks include the health and well-being of the community and dealing with citizens who are against the sales and use of fireworks on and around July 4. The Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and consider changes,as needed. The main concern of the Council members was that the amount a citizen could be fined has increased and what happened if they did not pay. The Fire Department gives many warnings before issuing a citation.

Item #2 - Finance Department

 An update of the Wichita ARPA Recovery Plan included a presentation from the staff of the Violence Interrupters Project which works in conjunction with the Engagement Institute at Wichita State University. These two organizations partner with the City of Wichita to administer the ARPA funds. There were some delays in getting Violence Interrupters Project up and running as the ARPA funds, which come from the Federal Government, can be difficult to finally receive. The Project also works with Camp Destination Innovation, Root the Power, which advocates for voting, Progeny, Word to Life, which works for better mental health, and Cure Violence. The goals of the project include raising awareness and building relationships within the community, between neighbors, parents & children. Increased community health and safety and the mediation of conflict are also the reason for the project. The whole idea of the project is to build a better Wichita with less violence and more peace. One of the organizations mentioned was Cure Violence. This is a national organization that has come to Wichita. It wants to mobilize the community and offer programs such as a Parent’s Support Program and a Trauma Care Plan. Financially, the City of Wichita gave the Violence Interrupter Project $1.5 million to maintain the program. The cost of the project was underestimated. There was a goal to make sure that staff received a living wage and benefits. The project had to be made to fit Wichita since some programs are just hospital programs. The Wichita plan includes considering wrap-around services and giving young people a seat at the table.

Following this presentation the Finance Department presented the financial figures on the ARPA monies received locally. The City of Wichita received $72.4 million and 68% has been spent, encumbered or obligated. The deadline for using the money is Dec 3, 2024. The Violence Interrupters Project received $1.8 million, for three years (2023-2026). They are going to ask for $4.8 million of Federal Funds in the future. However, if they cannot get additional funding, then the City of Wichita would be expected to fund the project. The Council members expressed concerns about the sustainability of the project. Some Council members expressed strong support for the program and the City could look for other places for funding of the project. It was asked what are the causes of violence? Several issues such as poverty, addiction, and prison play a role in the issue.

The second discussion of ARPA monies involved the Negative Economic Impact Initiative which received $20 million of ARPA funds and would like to increase the amount by $3 million. The money would be used for small business, child advocacy, increasing the workforce and affordable housing. Again, the question continues to be sustainability. The ARPA money has been shifted, in some cases, as needs changed. The following items needed more funding:

1. Patrol West
2. Fire Alerting Communication
3. Multi-Agency Center (MAC)

A total of $9.13 million were shifted. The MAC received an additional $6 million. There was discussion among council members on the use of ARPA/Grant money for salaries as opposed to Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. It was noted that in some cities the different anti-violence organizations are actually a part of the government. Some council members support public/private partnership and others felt that the anti-violence organizations need to build an ARPA Wichita Model that does not depend on City funds.

Item #3

A proposed amendment to the Unified Solar Zoning Code was presented. It was noted that there were no solar applications at this time. The City and Sedgwick County should have the code aligned, if possible, since these are shared documents between the two. Solar was added to the Comprehensive Plan in 2019 for conditional use. The County recently put a new solar code in place which includes a moratorium on large solar farms. The staff, also, researched best practices. The following recommendations were proposed:

• Large Solar farms should be limited in urban growth areas.
• The panels should not be higher than 25 feet.
• They should be reviewed by the Fire Department
• Depth of digging should be considered.

A consulting firm, The Berkeley Group, was hired to look at solar and Sedgwick County. Here are their recommendations:

• Solar Farms should be limited to at least 1,105 acres (These are large ones that have to tie into the electrical grid).
• They should be at least 2 miles apart.
• They should have liability insurance.
• There should be ground water testing and design requirements along with proper fencing and warning signs. Solar has to tie into the electrical grid and
• There are only three substations where they can do it.

The staff also looked at Douglas, Johnson, Butler, and Reno counties. Council members discussed tax abatement and solar and why two miles were required between the solar farms. No action was taken.

Meeting adjourned

Summary

• Large solar farms that have to hook up to the grid are really not viable, at this time in Wichita/Sedgwick County
• Zoning changes should always be a consideration.
• Anti-violence organizations are really an asset to the community.

Follow-Up Questions

• Who really controls the ARPA money and is there good oversight?
• Do we really recognize and try to solve the root causes of violence?
• Why did no one openly speak of the relationship between gangs and violence.

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