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Wichita City - District Advisory Board 4 - District 4 Advisory Board Meeting 06/02/2025
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District 4 Advisory Board Meeting

Documenter name: Jeanette Harding

Agency: Wichita City - District Advisory Board 4

Date: June 2, 2025

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

 

 

Notes

There were seven board members in attendance. One attended on Zoom. Brooke Kauchak, District 4’s Community Services Representative, and Councilmember Dalton Glasscock were both in attendance as well. Staff from the Police, Fire, and Library Departments gave presentations and about 20 members of the public were in the room. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board Chairman Alex Garcia-Villatoro who began the Pledge of Allegiance. Introductions of Board members were given. Agenda and Minutes were then approved by motion.  

Staff Reports:
Battalion Chief Jose Ocades gave the fire report. May was a busy month. Around 5,400 alarms were called into 911. In District 4, there were several accidental fires and a dumpster fire at Towne West that is currently under investigation. Other notable fires in the city include one related to a student setting a fire at Southeast High School in a bathroom trash can. A fire on West Central due to a juvenile playing with matches and a lighter also occurred. Unfortunately, there was a two-fatality fire on Mother’s Day, bringing the total of fatalities this year due to fire to four.

Ocades also reported that the Citizen’s Fire Academy is graduating 14 people in one week. After 8 weeks of EMT training and 12 weeks of Fire Academy, there will be 18 graduating individuals assigned to fire stations. As summer begins, the Department is also ensuring that there are life guards and life saving devices around pools. There is exciting news about a new USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) truck that debuted at the Riverfest Sundown Parade. In addition, Wesley Medical Center presented an award—a Challenge Coin—to individuals from Fire Station 5 who revived a 10 day old infant.

There is an important update about the city’s fireworks statute. Kansas’ fireworks law was recently changed and the City Council investigated if they would like to change theirs in response. However, after consideration, the City Council did not adopt changes to match the state changes. Wichita will have the same shooting hours as last year. 

Officer Soto and Officer Ice gave the Police Department report. Officer Soto noted that crime statistics have not changed much and call loads should increase with the warmer weather. The academy will graduate 24 police recruits soon. There is a 2nd Chance Thursday coming up on July 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hyde Park. There, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be available to help people with a suspended license. Golf carts have been a hot topic and Officer Soto showed a flyer explaining the legality of golf carts on certain streets. 

Officer Ice reported on a special project that was featured on Well Done Wednesday regarding street racing. Board members at the last meeting had a few questions and comments regarding areas where they had seen reported that street racing was allowed. Officers explained that those areas are outside of the city jurisdiction and they would therefore coordinate with the Kansas Highway Patrol. Officers explained that areas with spectators were the first locations for the special project but they will continue to work on the issue and pass along feedback about motorcycles on Kellogg. A member of the public asked about a suspicious individual in their neighborhood and officers told them to call 911 so that officers can be sent out immediately to locate the individual.

Steve Hamersky, staff member at Alford Branch Library, gave the library update. He reported remodeling continues. Rockwell Branch has been closed since March of 2025 and is anticipated to open in the fall. The Summer Reading program has begun for pre-readers through adults and includes many events. Storytime at the ”Alford Branch” continues to be held at the Machinist Union Building. The board asked when they will be able to meet back at the Alford Library and Hamersky answered no grand opening has been scheduled and it will be after that.

The Public Works and Utilities update was given by Steve Degenhardt,

Construction Division Manager. Rain has delayed the opening on the West Street project. Pavement preservation will happen in the third quarter of this year on 31st and McLean Blvd as well on MacArthrur and Maize Road.

No scheduled or off-agenda times.

New Business:

Improvements to Maple Street from 135th Street West to 167th Street West

This was a hot-button topic. A plan on improvements on Maple Street from 135th Street West to 167th Street West was presented by Degenhardt. A representative from MKEC, who is doing the design work, was also available to answer questions. (The presentation is available in the agenda packet.) This project is in both District 4 and District 5. Funding was approved by the City Council on February 6, 2024. The current condition of this stretch of Maple Street is a two lane road with no sidewalk. The Maple Street intersection at 135th street has already been improved and signalized. Intersections at 151st and 167th streets will be completely reconstructed.

MKEC did traffic counts during the school year and projected anticipated future traffic volumes for 2046 on adjacent land development potential. Based on the traffic study, the planned concept is a three lane roadway with dedicated turn lanes, a 10ft shared use path on the north and a 6ft sidewalk on the south. There will be a fully reconstructed signalized intersection at 167th street and a roundabout at 151st street. A roundabout was chosen as a safer option instead of a 2-way or 4-way stop sign. Tree preservation is a goal and there will be a report on trees at a future date DAB or neighborhood meeting.

Funding for the $17,0300,000 total project budget will come from local sales tax money. The concept design will be presented at the July 1, 2025 City Council meeting with anticipated construction starting in the fall of 2027 and competition in 2029. The staff recommended action for the meeting is to approve the design concept. They anticipate having to close one direction of traffic for part of the construction phase and request feedback on which direction would be better to close—east into town or west toward the Goddard Eisenhower School Complex.

There were questions from the board including:

The board discussed the different types of vehicles that will use the mixed use path, including scooters, electric bicycles and golf carts. There was discussion about signalization of the cross walks and those design plans have not been made yet. There was discussion that this project will include communication and coordination with Sedgwick County and the Goddard School District in regard to design.

There will also some questions from the public:

There was much discussion about the roundabouts. One member of the public expressed concern that the roundabout will take much of her land and it was countered that roundabouts do not take a significantly more amount of space when compared to a signalized intersection. There was discussion of the size of vehicles, with a KOA Campground nearby and several semi trucks. Some examples of areas with similar traffic volumes included the Kansas City Metro Area. Traffic volumes were discussed in relation to the roundabout and staff noted that the traffic on the intersecting streets were not noted on the diagrams and they determine which type of intersection is possible. The traffic count at the roundabout does not warrant signalization so the alternatives are 2-way or 4-way stop signs. Some members of the public expressed appreciation for the roundabout design and safety considerations. A member of the board cited locations of roundabouts in Underwood and Florence, KS that work well. It was noted that the improvements would include a curb, which would help with safety and the 10ft mixed use path will link up with other paths in the area.

There was also discussion of the intent to save trees and private property fencing. Some brought up the possibility of utility trucks damaging the 10ft mixed use path and staff noted that the 10ft portion will be poured thicker and that utility companies have been educated not to use those paths for access. Councilmember Glasscock asked about the preference of east- or west-bound travel for students during closures. The public noted there was no winning there and that the school should be consulted for that.

The motion to approve was passed 5-2 and the public was told to reach out to the city council for questions and comments.

Petition to Pave the 1600 block of South Eisenhower Court

Bethany Malley, small projects engineer, presented the petition.

One of the two resident owners—which is 76.2% of the resident owners—signed the petition. The project includes curb and gutter and storm sewer to alleviate flooding. The cost is $280,000. The recommended action is to approve the petition.

There was discussion of the cost being a special assessment of 15 years for a commercial area. The other owner didn’t provide any feedback after being sent a letter informing them of the DAB, City Council and a mail in form. Councilperson Glasscock said he had been to the site on a dry day and there was a lot of flooding on dry days. The motion passed unanimously.

There was also discussion of several zoning cases that were presented by Philip Zevenbergen. ZON2025-00023 is a zone change to a vehicle storage yard for operable vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, etc.) that sit for at least 72 hours. There are already several parcels zoned for General Commercial in the area and this change likely would not have much impact. The only residential areas lie to the west and they consist of a manufactured home park. There will be required screening and landscaping to separate. The intersection is already intensively used. There is warehouse storage and a Camping World in the area. This case will be heard at the June 12 Planning Commission. No public comment was submitted. No questions from the board or public. The motion to approve was unanimous.

ZON2025-00022 requested a duplex to be developed at the corner of All Hallows and West University. Currently there is no house on the lot and several lots on the same block were recently zoned the same to allow for duplexes. There was no public comment and the Planning Commission will hear it on June 12. Board member Gage Hunt asked whether there could be blanket zoning for the area to allow for duplexes. It was answered that the only way to do a blanket zone change would be through all the property owners coming together or for a neighborhood to form a plan such as done in Delano or Midtown plan. It was clarified that it would only be one building—a duplex—and not two structures. A motion to approve was unanimous.

ZON2025-00021 was a change from Limited Industrial to General Commercial at 47th and Water. Staff recommend denial due to its intended use as multi-family housing in an area adjacent to industrial use. The applicant representative Kirk Miller was there to answer questions. There were concerns about truck traffic to the Pepi Plant to the south. It was assured that there will be multiple access points, however. This location has been sitting empty for a long time and there is a need for housing in all of the city. The design will be a larger duplex with a big garage situation. Other locations by Wichita State University have been areas designed for commercial use to be transformed into residential use. The motion to recommend was approved. This will go onto the City Council due to different recommendations between the DAB and staff.

PUD2025-00007 pertained to the Southwest Boys Club Planned Unit Development Case. This case is to bring the current use into conformance so an indoor ball batting cage can be built. The current site is zoned for a park and only allows for public ownership. This is private ownership. Under the Comprehensive Plan, it is to be an open space and under the current zoning it could be developed if sold. This change would keep it as an open space. There was no public comment received and the Planning Commission passed through consent. The lot’s parking, signage, and lighting would not need to be brought into conformance with the zoning regulation. They will be able to keep and maintain all of the current signage and parking but new ones would need to be in conformance with zoning. No additional screening or landscaping will be required. The applicant is in agreement with the wording. The motion to approve passed unanimously.

The DAB also heard Reports from Councilmember Dalton Glasscock. The next DAB will be held at the stadium and will return to the Alford Library after that. Councilmember Glasscock also announced he wanted to host a “neighborhood night out meeting challenge.” He provided an update on the Common Consumption Area. There is one last zoning concern and it will be sent to the Legal Department and then hopefully to the City Council by July 1. There will be a board convened to choose a consultant for a new city manager. Budget season is heating up as well and City Council usually gets a budget at the end of June. There will be two public hearings to address the $2 million deficit expected next year. The city is not looking to increase the mill levy.

Board member Hunt asked for several updates. One was on the municipal ID. Councilmember Glasscock responded that the last he knew they were waiting on printing equipment. Hunt also asked for an update on the Water Treatment Plant. Glasscock said there were mechanical failures during testing. Plant testing is paused until the issue is resolved.

After Board Member Wally Bell noted the Maple Street project was funded through sales tax, Glasscock noted that at the last council workshop there was information on a 1% city sales tax that would generate $115 million. Around 30% of that would come from residents outside of the city. This would allow the decrease of the mill levy. The city would have to lobby the state to allow the exemption of food from the sales tax in the city sales tax if it were to be implemented.

Adjourn at 8:25 p.m.

 

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