We The People of Kechi

07/17/2024

Public Service Announcement

07/17/2024

July 31st, 6-7pm at the Kansas Hwy Patrol office on Tigua. This is a public meeting. All are welcome to attend!

K-254 final meeting presentation of this yearlong study to determine safety upgrades and proposed future development recommendations of this highway.

Are you curious about the adjustments for the K-254 corridor in Sedgwick and Butler counties? KDPT is hosting 4 open houses to share design adjustments. This project is in anticipation of future land development and an access management approach that will keep traffic moving efficiently and safely. It included 2 miles of K-254 as far west as Wichita (the north junction) and as far east as El Dorado.

KDOT works hard to ensure our highways are safe, and able to handle increased traffic while also ensuring access to the businesses and residents as that area continues to grow and develop.

07/15/2024

Oliver/Kechi Rd/61st intersection project e-mail inquiry requesting a public workshop for information to be shared with our community. My e-mail is at the bottom with City Administrator Matt Jensby’s response, directly below.

If you desire the City to communicate with the public, let the City Council, the mayor and City Administrator Matt Jensby know at the next City Council meeting on Thursday, July 25th at 7pm. Sign up to speak during the Public Comment time.

Joanie,

The city will have updated information after the bid letting for the project, which is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 17th, 2024. The bid letting will be conducted by KDOT via a Zoom meeting. Afterward, the city will schedule to meet with our engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to finalize the details of the construction phase. Updates will be posted on the city's website and page.

Regarding the trees, they were removed by Evergy as part of the utility line relocation. This project has been in planning for over a year, and adjacent property owners were notified in advance.

Matt

My e-mail sent 7/12/24:

Hello again Matt ~

When will the city host a public workshop to share information about the intersection project?

Many are now wondering why all the trees are being cut down. Why weren't residents told about tree removal for the project?

There has been no communication or updates given to residents. Other cities around us have communicated with their residents what to expect, explained why certain things have to happen and receive regular project updates. Will trees be replanted? How will those sidewalks be shaded or won't they be? Lots of questions.

Respectfully ~ Joanie Harris

07/13/2024

How much water is needed to replenish Cheney Lake & is the pattern going to support that soon? https://tinyurl.com/5458f3y3 (photo from Joel near Sylvia, KS)

07/12/2024

I want to give a “shout out” to City Administrator Matt Jensby for commenting on the city’s livestream video of budget workshop #2 and make sure residents know the City welcomes residents’ questions and comments.

I will be posting more regarding the FY2025 budget soon!

07/12/2024

Kechi City Council Meeting 7/11/24

07/11/2024

PSA

07/11/2024

While Jim Howell is not our district representative, I am impressed with his integrity and dedication to serving the peoples of Sedgwick County. Here is his post regarding the FY2025 county proposed budget.

In January 2021, Kansas Policy Institute released a study comparing how Kansas’s 105 counties differ in their per resident spending. The data at the time was based on 2018 spending: since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed how both states and counties spend. The most recent data...

07/10/2024

Hello Kechi!

In April 2023, the Kechi City Council made a $137,000 redesign decision, voting 5-0, regarding the Oliver/Kechi/61st intersection project; which is being funded (in part) by the approval of a 1% sales tax. I did not fully understand the scope of the decision being made, as I was early into attending City Council meetings and learning about all the Kechi city things... By the time I did discover all the pieces, it was over a year later. Nothing was shared with the residents of Kechi regarding these big changes.

*Originally there were to be new sidewalks installed for the SW Kechi neighborhood, on the south side of Kechi Rd (west of the intersection) and on the west side of Oliver. Those have been removed from the project and now there is to be a crosswalk on Oliver at JRS Body Shop.

A year after that decision, the Kechi City Council received the latest conceptual map for the project. No questions were asked. I requested the maps and Matt Jensby provided them to me. I have brought forward concerns, but no response from the Council has been received to date. It has been noted by the City that construction is planned to begin in August. I have been waiting and waiting for the City of Kechi to bring forward information regarding the intersection project, but still nothing is on the City Council agenda - so I'm publishing the conceptual maps now (I have heard of no changes to what is on these maps). I will post the original and the revised conceptual maps in the comments for reference.

NOW - I realize that changes to a project can occur for various reasons and may have needed to happen, BUT communication is critical so residents know the reasons why those decisions have been made! And, if there were changes made that residents did not agree to, that discussion could have occurred, before a final decision was made.

I have also inquired about streetscaping, benches, art work - but have had no response. I don't even know what type of lighting will be installed. I have asked for a Town Hall style workshop to update "We The People of Kechi," but there is just no communication about this project being shared yet. I have heard one bit of information "on the streets," but have not shared it publicly. You - Kechi residents - are going to have to ask City Hall, the mayor and the Kechi City Council to publicly share information about this project! It's your sales tax dollars, Kechi!

~ Joanie Harris

07/10/2024

Let's practice good water conservation practices, Kechi!

City Administrator Matt Jensby, at the May 9, 2024 City Council meeting, stated the City of Kechi would be sharing how to conserve water with our residents. That information will be shared here when it is posted, but let's all do the best we can in the midst of Kansas summer heat to reduce our water usage.

07/09/2024

This is a photo representation of 4 potential spots that the City could choose to install The Fitness Court (if they raise $110,000 and the people of Kechi indicate they want it in Kechi Park), for people 14 years and older to use. Each individual color represents a 40 foot x 40 foot space (actual is 38x38). Blue Cross Blue Shield (grant provider) encourages the Fitness Court be installed within eye sight of the playground, so children can play while parents workout. The mayor is excited for plans to have a custom mural created by a local mural artist.

Do you want a Fitness Court in Kechi Park? Do you want to preserve green space for our community park?

To utilize grant monies of $50,000 - the Fitness Court must be installed by March 2025.

For more info on the fitness court, click this link:
https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/fitness-court

Come Thursday night, July 11, 2024 at 7pm and let the Kechi City Council know your thoughts! If you don't speak up, Kechi, a decision will be made for you.

07/08/2024

UPDATE 7/11/24: Thank you to those who may have expressed interest, in the past couple of days, regarding the vacant Planning Commission seats. While there was no public announcement made by the City, the mayor found people to appoint to those seats. She brought them forth this evening and the City Council approved their appointments.

PSA: Due to lack of quorum, Planning Commission meeting, July 9, 2024 is cancelled.

There are VACANT SEATS to be filled on the Planning Commission. Would you like to serve our community in this capacity? (Details below in the link) Want more information? Reach out to Dustin Belton at City Hall 316-744-9287 or e-mail [email protected]

This position is appointed by the mayor and approved or denied by the City Council. 2 year commitment.

Get information about the Kechi Planning Commission.

07/08/2024

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

Kechi is served by Wichita water, which gets its water from Cheney Lake.

Parts of Cheney Lake are nearly inaccessible and the low levels are impacting boaters in the area.

07/04/2024

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

— John Adams

Celebrate, we will, Mr Adams! In truly American fashion!!! 🧨 🇺🇸

Happy Independence Day friends!!!

07/03/2024

UPDATE 7/5/24 - I heard back from Matt Jensby and he clarified that the City needs to raise $110,000 to cover the cost of the Fitness Court (in addition to $50,000 grant). If you would like to personally donate to this cause, please reach out to him at City Hall.

ALERT: Public Service Announcement

The Kechi Lamp arrived in our mailboxes today. The front page article is about the potential Fitness Court planned for Kechi Park. The information in the article is not correct. I contacted NFC and the Safety Warning that is on every Fitness Court is posted below. (I received this directly from NFC - the manufacturer of this equipment.) The Fitness Court is not for "all ages" it is only for ages 14 and older plus a maximum of 300 pounds.

Perhaps it is my misunderstanding, but I thought the city needed to raise $110,000 (however, the article is stating the cost in its entirety is $110,000 minus the $50,000 - will need to confirm total cost of the project). It was also my understanding that no public monies would be used toward this project, IF the City Council decided to install a Fitness Court at Kechi Park - depending on the monies being raised and the community wanting the court at the park. More information to follow.

07/02/2024

Kechi 2025 Budget Workshop #2

Presentation of potential budgets: 1, 1a, 2, 2a and finally the City Staff budget recommendation.

07/01/2024

After being contacted by a Kechi resident, who communicated that this page still didn't have the correct information about WHO can use the Fitness Court (this person was told by a City employee or an elected official that under 14 can use the Fitness Court with parental supervision), I reached out to NFC again... I had already reached out to NFC as it was communicated at the City Council meeting that any age (not infants) could use the Fitness Court, if they could do the exercises. First response from the manufacturer: designed for ages 14 and older. So now, having just received the second response from the manufacturer, after seeking additional clarification, here is the official SAFETY WARNING that is posted on every Fitness Court (see screenshot below).

Secondly, the current proposed location for installation is just south of the picnic shelter, so parents can keep an eye on their children on the playground, while they workout. It was stated this is the not necessarily the final location choice - it could be, but the Council could consider other locations within Kechi Park. This space is currently the open grassy area, where the Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park and children play flag football and run around.

And, I recognize that the Kechi City Council voted to pass the Resolution to accept the non-binding $50,000 grant and it was also stated that the city needs to raise $110,000 (through private sponsorships and other grant monies) to cover the full cost. When all the money is raised, then the City and City Council will ask the residents of Kechi if this is something that should be added to our Kechi Park.

Shouldn't the first question be asked of our community:
Do you want a Fitness Court?

Why would City employees spend their work time on fundraising (whose salary is paid by tax payer dollars) when the City and the City Council don't even know if this is something our community wants in the park?

Do you want to give up the grassy area to the south of the picnic shelter? Size of court: 38 feet x 38 feet

Maybe you want a Fitness Court. Where would you locate it?

Let's Talk About It, Kechi!

07/01/2024

ALERT:
Budget Workshop #2
July 2, 2024 @ 6pm
City Hall, Council Chambers

06/20/2024

A road construction project in Bel Aire that’s been going on for years has yet another delay after crews found water washing away the dirt under the road. City leaders say they're making a plan to fix

06/19/2024

Latest information on Woodlawn in Bel Aire

Woodlawn Update:
PEC performed an additional geotechnical investigation to determine the extent of the subsurface water under the roadway. A report on these findings was presented to the Bel Aire City Council last night and is available on the City's website at https://belaireks.gov/347/Woodlawn-Expansion-Project.

The City is actively working with a skilled team of professionals to gather design recommendations to remediate the groundwater issues and provide the City with a solid roadway that lasts for years to come. We will provide further updates once we have additional information to share.

06/18/2024

Kechi 2025 Budget Workshop 6/18/24

More info in the comments.

Let’s Talk About It, Kechi!

06/15/2024

Congratulations to Augusta! What a wonderful community project.

Castle Park opens today at 1pm“It’s been beyond our expectations, it’s truly a dream.”Nikole Babb, [email protected] biggest volunteer project of the y...

06/14/2024

Hey Kechi! You probably saw the article in the Kechi Lamp, but did you know that as a Kechi resident you can get the resident rate for a Bel Aire rec center pass or they have a rec/pool combo pass?!

https://www.belaireks.gov/369/Recreation-Center-Annual-Passes

06/14/2024

ALERT: Kechi gets its water supplied by Wichita. Please begin voluntary conservation before we’re forced to conserve and the city requires watering to occur only once per week. Let’s help avoid restrictions!

The City of Wichita is on the verge of entering Stage 2 of its drought response plan. At that stage, water conservation becomes mandatory.

06/14/2024

Kechi City Council Meeting 6/13/24

06/13/2024

PSA

Starting Monday, June 17, Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) will be requiring appointments in order to have vehicle inspections completed. Schedule your appointment today by either scanning the QR code or visiting the website below.

For more information: https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/get-a-vin-inspection/.

06/12/2024

ALERT: NFC Grant Resolution 24-767
Kechi City Council meeting, Thursday June 13, 2024 at 7pm.

This is a long, but important post - as this is your town, residents of Kechi. What do you want for Kechi Park?

At the May 23, 2024 City Council meeting, City Administrator Matt Jensby shared in his staff report that the city had applied for an NFC grant and they should hear back soon.

Line item on his report: "The city was accepted to apply for an NFC grant for fitness equipment at the park."

(1) There was no presentation regarding the fitness equipment
(2) No report regarding who made the decision to pursue adding the fitness equipment to Kechi Park
(3) No discussion about planned location to install fitness equipment
(4) Grant is $50,000 and the City of Kechi will need to find additional sponsorships, grants or local funds to cover the approximately $165,000 needed in excess of the grant. *This information came forth in a discussion following the only question asked by Council member Wiederstein.
(5) Included in the photos are a few screenshots from the Kechi Parks Master Plan, 2021 which indicated priorities and what the community desires for Kechi Park.
(6) In listening to some long time residents, what has been called "South Kechi Park" - the Anderson property - aka the brush dump and site of the Kechi's former sewer lagoons, in past years, there had been effort to build baseball fields on this property but remediation costs were too high. In 2023, former City Administration Kamme Sroufe indicated that she would choose that location to build an amphitheater, which was shared with the Kechi City Council on July 13, 2023.
(7) There has been no communication with the residents of Kechi regarding the addition of a fitness court to Kechi Park. The court is 38 feet x 38 feet and is designed for adults.

Questions for you to consider:
Do you want a fitness court in Kechi Park?
Would you use it regularly?
Who will maintain this fitness court?
Where will it be located?
Will you use it in the middle of winter and in the heat of summer?
Does a fitness court fit the description of the Kechi Parks Master Plan, 2021?
Do you want any public monies used for this project?
Why don't we have an active citizen Park Board yet? (Since last fall, the mayor shared with the public that the Park Board would be reactivated. CA Matt Jensby and Mayor Velazquez stated in early 2024 that a Park Board would soon be re-established, but nothing has happened to date and park decisions are being made which will impact the whole community - including tearing down the terrace and replacing the playground equipment).

No personal opinions are being shared in this posting. Facts, as known, are stated and it's up to the people of Kechi to decide if they will do nothing or if they will speak up to voice their opinion or ask questions of the City Council and Kechi city staff.

Come to Thursday's meeting at 7 pm and sign up to speak during the Public Comment time. Showing up in person always has greater impact than sending an e-mail. You can also contact your elected City Council members via e-mail, as they are the ones who make the city decisions and steward tax payer monies, utility income and sales tax dollars:

Todd Hedstrom, Council President [email protected]
Kendra Baldridge [email protected]
Matt Brewer [email protected]
Paul Dwyer [email protected]
Karen Wiederstein [email protected]

You are also encouraged to e-mail:
Mayor Velazquez [email protected]
City Administrator Matt Jensby [email protected]

If you desire a response, please send e-mails individually (you can copy and paste your message into each e-mail. Sending a message to 3 or more Council members is a quorum and constitutes a meeting under Kansas Open Meetings Act and they cannot respond).

Please be respectful to your neighbor if they want a fitness court, but you do not or vice versa. We need to listen to one another, engage in constructive conversation, be respectful of differences, and work together to build a thriving Kechi community!

Links to the NFC Kansas website and the Kechi Parks Master Plan, 2021 are included in the comments below.

06/12/2024

Public comment open…

WAMPO has opened the public comment period for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2025-2028, June 12, 2024, through July 11, 2024. View the draft document and executive summary at www.wampo.org/transportation-improvement-program