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Kechi formally adopts comprehensive plan 
By David Dinell
Last Updated: February 19, 2015

The City of Kechi now officially has a blueprint for its future — all the way to 2040. The city council approved the 2015-2040 Kechi Comprehensive Plan at its Feb. 12 meeting. Adoption of the plan — spelled out in a 92-page, 10-chapter document — was recommended by City Administrator Bob Conger and the city's planning commission. 

The plan undertakes such subjects as economic development, resources, housing, transportation, land use, city services and implementation. The document is an outgrowth of a desire to update the 2008-2020 Kechi Comprehensive Plan and to draft a strategic plan for the city. 

In prepared written remarks to the council, Conger said the plan's main purpose is to "consolidate approved and adopted City of Kechi plans into documents that meet the statuary definition of a comprehensive plan while adding a separate, functional strategic plan as a second component." 

The outlines are to be employed in decision-making in a variety of city areas such as budgeting, capital investments, community growth and development, public services and more. 

"This is an umbrella plan that provides the framework for action items," said planner Mitchell Coffman of Professional Engineering Consultants of Wichita, which prepared the document.  

While the plan was welcomed by council members, there was at least one voice of concern about what was seen as a lack of community involvement. 

"We're making decisions for a city of 2,000 people by a group of about 20 people," said council member David McConnaughhay. "I'd like to see more people involved." 

Conger, however, said that there was a lot more input than McConnaughhay may have realized, including ideas from citizens at meetings that he may not have been able to attend. 

Also, the city's strategic plan, which is the three- to five-year plan for the city, received a robust degree of involvement, Conger said. Some 725 surveys were sent out on it and 210 were returned, a high percent in such matters, he said. 

In other action, the council: 

•Heard a report from Police Chief John Blevins on the search for a new officer. The application process is now closed and Blevins is reviewing applications and testing candidates. Finalists should be selected by the first part of March and reviewed by a board. A hire will be made after that. Also, in a submitted report, Blevins mentioned that one of his officers assisted the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department in a recent vehicle chase north of Kechi that resulted in a single-car accident. The driver was injured and also taken into custody on multiple traffic and drug-related charges. 

•Listened to an inquiry from businessman Paul Eden about possible incentives for a new self-storage venture he would like to open in Kechi. Conger said there were no incentives, but that tax abatements could be negotiated. He also suggested that Eden speak to zoning administrator Chris Morlan about the project. As planned, the business, called Stor-Mor, would be built on the north side of Huffman Drive, south of Highway 254 and west of Woodlawn. "It's a great location," Eden said. Eden has storage businesses in Park City, Bel Aire and Valley Center. However, this would be his first storage property built from the ground up. 

•Listened to an update from finance director/treasurer Nicole Bailey. She reported that auditors will be in Kechi from Feb. 23-27 examining the city's finances. Also, the city is having Ranson Financial Consultants of Wichita conduct a water rate study. Due to a Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant, Ranson provides  the service at no cost to municipalities. The results will be reviewed by the council at an April workshop. 

•Approved a new server for the police department at a cost not to exceed $6,040. That is less than the cost to lease it for 63 months, which was another option. The department is now operating on a backup server that is at least 5 years old, if not older, and is running on software that no longer will be supported after June 14. The city's server was recently upgraded, but the Kansas Criminal Justice Information Systems standards require a separate server for a police department. 

•Approved the Wolf/McDonald subdivision plat, which is 1.78 acres at the northeast corner of Kechi Road and Sioux Street. The subdivision has three lots in it. 

•Was informed by City Clerk Laura Hall that marquee sign quotes have been finalized and will be presented to the council at its Feb. 26 meeting.  

•Tabled indefinitely a proposal from Digital Office Systems concerning an email package that would block Spam emails. The service would have a one-time fee of $225 and monthly service fee of $123. Council members didn't believe the cost was justified at this time. 

•Worked to schedule three council workshops this spring on a variety of topics such as reviewing the strategic plan, REAP, or the Regional Economic Area Partnership, and alternative revenue sources. 

•Held a one-hour executive session to discuss contractual matters concerning property and employee issues. Any action on those matters will be addressed at the open council meeting, Conger said. 

Also, Mayor Ed Parker signed a renewal agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for city employee health and dental insurance. 

Four of the five council members were at the Feb. 12 meeting. Kevin Opat was absent. The next council meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at Kechi City Hall.





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