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D1 CAB 1/26/26 Minutes

District 1 Citizen's Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Bel Aire City Hall, 7651 E. Central Park Ave., Bel Aire, KS

Board members in attendance: Judah Craig, Daniel Bateman, Jim Reid, Madeline LaForge, Ray Mann, Andre Mboule, Steven Burt, Kathryn Herzog, 
County Representative: Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner

1. Call to Order

a. Chair Judah Craig called the meeting to order at 5:44 p.m.

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes

a. A motion was made by Daniel Bateman to approve the minutes. Kathryn Herzog seconded the motion. The CAB approved the motion with an 8-0 vote.

3. Public Agenda

a. No members of the public were present.

4. New Business

  1. Second Light Shelter&Services Executive Director Dan Clifford gave presentation on the latest information and stats regarding the Shelter.
  2. Dan Clifford said there was a 200% increase in people who came to the shelter the weekend before this presentation due to the cold weather. He says they are packed but did not turn anyone away during the winter storm and that they saved a lot of lives.
  3. Dan Clifford said the idea of Second Light started with the recognition that Sedgwick County needed to do something different to really help its residents experiencing homelessness by providing them with a strong foundation and support as opposed to simply shelter. Clifford explains these include education in finance, mental health, physical health, etc.)
    1. Dan Clifford said this is a place where someone can get a bed, continue to have a bed and not worry about where they’re going to sleep whilst learning about these foundational issues from several community partners.
    2. Dan Clifford said the building is still under construction but making good progress.
  4. Dan Clifford said there’s also an economic angle to this because it’s cheaper to feed someone and house them than leave them on our streets, citing a 2025 study.
  5. Dan Clifford said there is a significant older adult population at Second Light. Clifford added that a lot of folks have disabilities, so the population is often high-needs and so a traditional housing solution won’t be the end game for them.
  6. Dan Clifford talked about how Second Light defines success and explained how it will track its data to see how it is doing- the most important one being the client doesn’t fall back into homelessness.
  7. Daniel Bateman asked if there will be long term results posted.
  8. Dan Clifford said yes, it will track them for a year after they get housed to make sure it is a consistent situation.
  9. Dan Clifford talked about long term future plans, saying he’s like to have more family housing.
  10. Dan Clifford discussed Second Light’s multifaceted approach to try to solve homelessness that includes a continuum of care. He said this starts at the emergency shelter and walks someone though the steps where they can get their own affordable housing.
  11. Kathryn Herzog said it’s so neat to see all the wraparound services.
  12. Dan Clifford agreed- saying it’s really neat to meet people where they’re at.
  13. Kathryn Herzog asked how long Second Light anticipates people staying.
  14. Dan Clifford said an average of 90 days.
  15. Judah Craig asked if a lot of homeless people utilizing the shelter are from our own community or are from elsewhere.
  16. Dan Clifford answered that 19% of people at homeless outreach centers are not from Wichita. Adding that they prioritize their own residents but do not want to turn anyone away.
  17. Kathryn Herzog asked how Second Light will deal with violence.
  18. Dan Clifford said they have security and will call the police to handle the situation and help calm the person down. He added that they don’t want to kick anyone out because they could freeze to death.
  19. Dan Clifford said Second Light doesn’t have a long-term funding plan and mentioned how the City of Wichita sales tax would help if it is passed.
  20. General discussion took place about the upcoming City of Wichita special election.
  21. Dan Clifford went on to say that if you want to do good it’s better to volunteer where it’s already being done well and where the people who need help are at instead of doing your own thing.
  22. Kathryn Herzog asked if there’s room for expansion.
  23. Dan Clifford said he’d like an elevator eventually because if allows for more classrooms to be accessible by all.
  24. Dan Clifford said the overall solution is outcome focused and data driven.
  25. Dan Clifford said Second Light plans to have its Q1 report going out in April.
  26. General discussion took place about future dates and plans.

5. Future discussion plans

a. Commissioner Meitzner said he wants to explain the existing County wide sales tax and look how the City of Wichita’s sales tax would compare to it and potentially impact it if passed.

b. Jocelyn Schifferdecker asked the CAB to send her the discussion topics they want to hear for the 2026 meetings.

c. Commissioner Meitzner said the County filed a suit against the auction company that didn’t send the county payment when it was supposed to.

6. Adjournment

a. The District 1 Citizen’s Advisory Board ended at 7:05 p.m.

The next Citizens Advisory Board Meeting will be Monday, Feb. 23., 2026, 5:30 p.m.  

at Bel Aire City Hall, 7651 E. Central Park Ave., Bel Aire, KS