COMMUNITY AGENDA:

Visioneering Wichita

1. Affordable Airfares
2. Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) funding
3. Technical education (NIAR, NCAT)
4. WCGME (Medical education)
5. Kansas Small Business Development
6. Nursing program expansion
7. Support for CIBOR (Center of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopedic Research)

South Central Regional Economic Partnership (REAP)
Agenda development process underway. Wichita City Council will formally endorse upon its completion.

Comprehensive Transportation Plan
The City of Wichita encourages the Kansas Legislature to create a new statewide Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). The City of Wichita also is supportive of the regional transportation agendas of the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) and the South-Central Kansas Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP). As evidence of the need for a CTP, the City of Wichita provides an agenda of local transportation needs that could benefit from a statewide program. (See addendum at end of document.)

CITY OF WICHITA SPECIFIC ISSUES:

EQUUS BEDS ASR PROJECT FUNDING:
Request for second-year $1 million funding from Kansas Water Authority budget in support of Aquifer Storage Recharge project.

RURAL WATER DISTRICT (RWD) COMPENSATION:
City of Wichita is concerned over the absence of effective conflict resolution when municipalities seek to extend urban density development into RWD territory. City of Wichita supports continued evaluation of the issue, exploring the possibility of resolution at the local, state and/or federal level.

ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT OVERLAY:
City of Wichita seeks state legislation establishing home rule authority giving municipalities the authority to create Entertainment Districts. Within such districts, pedestrians would be allowed to carry liquor anywhere within the district, including public streets and ROW.

TRAFFIC SAFETY CORRIDORS (TSC):
City of Wichita, in concert with KDOT, seeks legislation authorizing the designation of Traffic Safety Corridors. Designation would be made by KDOT upon request of local communities. TSC would be applied to certain segments of highways having very high accident rates and safety issues. Designation as a TSC would allow tougher enforcement measures, including doubled fines. A portion of the fine would be directed to a TSC safety fund administered by KDOT. The option of diversion for eligible offenders would be preserved.

ISSUES TO MONITOR:

RICO LEGISLATION:
State legislation may be introduced that would mirror federal RICO statutes and enhance prosecution opportunities to fight gang activities. WPD will evaluate and recommend City of Wichita position.

KANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME
KSHOF may seek state funding to sustain operation. COW has vested interest because of Public Building Commission ownership of building and associated bond obligations. City of Wichita will monitor and evaluate proposed legislation.

ADDITIONAL ISSUES OF INTEREST

• Energy
• Local Ad Valorum Tax Relief (LAVTR)
• Eminent Domain
• Home Rule Preservation
• Casino revenue distribution
• Annexation
• League of Kansas Municipalities agenda

ADDENDUM:
City of Wichita CURRENT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

I.	Projects in Current Federal Legislative Agenda:	Est. Cost
	1. I-235/U S 54 and Central Avenue/I-235 Interchanges	$200 m
	2. 21st Street North Railroad Overpass	$35 m
	3. 47th Street South, I-135 to Broadway	$25 m
	4. Noise Abatement for K-96, I-235, and Meridian Avenue Interchange	$8.0 m
	5. Rail Corridor (BNSF and UP Crossing at Pawnee)	$110 m
II.	Other Highway Issues:
	1. I-235 at 13th Street Interchange (Floodway Flyover)	$30 m
	2. E. Kellogg Construction – East of KTA (local funding)	$530 m
	3. W. Kellogg Construction – West of 111th Street W.	$300 m
	4. Kellogg at Washington/I-135	$20.0 m
	5. I-135, K-96, K-254 Interchange (North Junction)	$75 m
	6. N.W. ByPass	$600 m
III.	Rail Issues:
	1. Amtrak Rail Service (Resolution of Support) KDOT Study
	2. Rail Corridor/Consolidation Study	$225,000
IV.	Aviation Issues:
	1. Affordable Airfares for Kansas
	2. General Aviation Airport Grants - Varies by Project
V.	Transit Issues:
	1. Operational Support
	2. Future Expansion
VI.	Other Issues
	1. Walk/Bike Paths

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