Featured Stories
This Week in Sedgwick County - March 6, 2024
Board of County Commissioners
- The BoCC approved the minutes of regular meetings on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2024.
- Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring 2024 as the Health & Wellness Coalition’s 20th anniversary.
- The BoCC approved the nomination of Ebony Clemons to the Wichita Airport Authority Advisory Board.
- Commissioners approved a conditional use permit and waiver of supplementary use for an event center at 3800 South 127th East.
- The BoCC voted to defer a decision on amendments to the Unified Zoning Code regarding renewable energy systems and extend the solar energy conversion systems moratorium, until their Sept. 13, 2024, meeting.
- Commissioners received and filed an annual report on Exploration Place.
- The BoCC approved Item 2, LED Display Monument Signs, as recommended during the Feb. 1, 2024, Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting.
- Commissioners also approved the recommendations from the Feb. 29 Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting, except for Item 1, Road Improvements (R370 - Public Works), which was deferred.
- Assistant County Manager Tania Cole gave a legislative update:
- Only three weeks remain for non-exempt committees to meet and consider bills before the March 22 deadline. Then floor work will be held March 25-28. Conference committees will meet the first week of April, with First Adjournment set for April 5.
- Governor Kelly’s recommendation for $40 million in one-time grant funding for homelessness infrastructure has now been removed from both the House and Senate versions of the budget. Chairman Ryan Baty testified on HB 2723 Homeless Infrastructure bill this week.
- Chris Labrum, Director of MABCD, testified today on SB 362, which would repeal the expiration provisions of the Sedgwick County Urban Area Nuisance Abatement Act.
- Commissioner Pete Meitzner testified at a hearing for SB 431, which would erect a statue on state capitol grounds in honor of Father Emil Kapaun.
- HB 2381 would amend the Child In Need of Care Code to appoint an attorney as guardian ad litem to represent a child during court proceedings. Because of the potential expense and difficulty hiring enough attorneys to meet this requirement in Sedgwick County, the BoCC will submit neutral written testimony with considerations on this bill.
- Kansas House & Senate hearings can be viewed on the Legislature’s YouTube channel.
Governing Body of Fire District 1
- The Governing Body of Fire District 1 approved the minutes of the regular meetings on Feb. 7, 2024.
- Commissioners approved the submission of an application for the $179,144.96 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
Upcoming Events
- The 2024 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships are coming to Hartman Arena, hosted by Newman University, March 15-16. For tickets and more information, visit NCAA DII Wrestling National Championships (hartmanarena.com).
- Get a jumpstart on St. Patrick’s Day fun, with the Wagon O'Masters Paddy Party, the largest outdoor party in the heart of downtown Wichita, on Saturday, March 16 at Naftzger Park. Starting at 9 a.m., enjoy live music, bagpipe players, hourly competitions on stage for prizes, a kid zone for play and so much more. Admission is free. For more information, click (17) Facebook.
- The Delano Paddy Day Parade starts at noon on Saturday, March 16. The route starts on Douglas Ave. at McLean Blvd. and continues west to Walnut St. The Irish fun includes a food truck rally, kids’ corner and street party. Details are at 2024 Delano Paddy Day Parade - Wichita St. Patrick's Day Parade.
- Advance in-person voting for the Presidential Preference Primary is now underway at the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until March 18 at noon. Satellite locations for early voting open March 12-15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and March 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Polls on Primary Election Day, March 19, will open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. For voting locations, visit Election Office | Sedgwick County, Kansas.
- Sedgwick County Emergency Management’s 2024 Severe Weather Safety Program continues through Tuesday, April 2, with free classes to educate residents about severe storms and how to stay safe. No registration is needed, and all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. A complete list of dates and locations is at 2024-severe-weather-class-flyer.pdf (sedgwickcounty.org).
- Stay informed by signing up for Civic Ready Alerts, a free service that notifies residents in almost 20 cities in Kansas of emergencies or important news in their community. Visit https://buff.ly/3XmNXya to learn more, opt-in and customize alerts to be sent by phone or email.
Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/44PaKaaylhc?si=wgwz6owDvRvgEtEr.