Community Newsletter Week of February 18-22, 2019 A publication of the City of Dodge City Public Information Office 1. This week, City staff hosted various community workshops and stakeholder sessions on the City s Comprehensive Plan and Zoo Master Plan. Open workshops were held in the evenings at various locations. Staff visited the Senior Center, Dodge City Community College, Dodge City High School, and the Ross Elementary Student Council. People can join us for one more community session on the Zoo Friday at 5:00 pm at Eryn s Downtown Center. They can also provide feedback by visiting bit.ly/wrightparkzoo. 2. The City of Dodge City wants your feedback on the future of the Wright Park Zoo. Please complete the short survey at https://s.surveyplanet.com/zhh5uxtnz. This survey will be available until March 4, 2020. Feel free to share this link with your family and friends and visit https://courb.co/ wpzooplan for the community buzz on the Zoo as well as updates and to provide more comments and feedback. We appreciate your participation as we all work together to make Dodge City the best place to be. 3. A Community Coalition meeting was held this week to update stakeholders on the process of the University Center Project. In attendance were representatives from hospitals and healthcare facilities as well as local leadership from Dodge City Community College, Ford County, USD 443 and the City. In addition, this week, Ford County passed a resolution in support of the University Center. For updates, please visit https://www.dodgecity.org/civicmedia?vid=220. 4. The Nonprofit Advocacy Project committee met on Friday to discuss a plan for upcoming training for area nonprofits for fall 2019. The group received grant funding from the Mariah Fund to offer this opportunity. More updates on the upcoming trainings will be featured in future newsletters. 5. During this time of year, it can be hard for colleges to find places to play their games due to the winter weather and field conditions. The Garden City Community College Head Softball Coach contacted me Wednesday about the possibility of her team playing a doubleheader against McCook NE Community College at Legends Ball Park. Neither Garden City s nor McCook s fields were playable due to conditions. After double checking with the DCCC Head Softball Coach to ensure they didn t have practice scheduled as well as our Athletic Field Maintenance staff to make sure they could have things ready on short notice, I advised them that we could host their games. The artificial turf installed at the end of 2017 once again proves valuable in times of less than ideal weather.
6. Since July 2010, when Dodge City became a Main Street community, we have been keeping track of the flow of businesses, job creation, dollars being invested and volunteer hours that all contribute to the revitalization of our downtown area. Attached is a graphic that shows the progress that has been made in downtown Dodge City since 2010. 7. Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau s monthly advisory board meeting was held Wednesday. The meeting discussed marketing efforts for 2019 along with team updates and information for the board. Director Jan Stevens presented Assistant Director Colleen Hastings with a certificate from the State of Kansas as a Certified Professional Travel Counselor. 8. Dodge City Tourism Coalition meeting was held on Tuesday of this week The coalition discussed several topics including the upcoming National Tourism week plans and the Wild West Country Museum Passport Program. 9. Dodge City Trolley has had a busy week. The Trolley was used for the Alfalfa U conference Wednesday night and then was used Thursday by the Leadership Dodge Program to transport the participants to ongoing projects around Dodge City Area. The Trolley will also be at United Wireless Arena for the Bridal and Women s Day Out Expo on Sunday. 10. The DCFD responded to a vehicle that hit a gas meter and ignited this last Tuesday evening on South 14th Ave. There were no injuries, and the fire was contained to the car itself. On a good note, however, the response time was about 10 seconds since the incident was right in front of Station 2. 11. The fire department has been working on CPR recertification for City Employees this week at the DCFD Training Facility. This training is part of the City s Core Value s of ongoing improvement and will continue next week. 12. City Staff and the Dodge City Ford County Development Corporation submitted testimony in opposition of House Bill 2273 and support of House Bills 2219 and 2314. These bills dealt with wind farms, abandoned properties, and online sales tax. In addition, staff followed up by contacting committee members to express our stance in regards to some of these bills. See the attached full text of these testimonies below. Should you have any questions, please contact Ernestor De La Rosa, Assistant City Manager/Legislative Affairs at ernestord@dodgecity.org or 620-225-8100. 13. The weather has periodically caused work on the Central Reconstruction Project to slow and pause the past few weeks. On Thursday of this week, it warmed up enough for crews to place the mainline section of the Brier Street intersection. The crosswalks in the Brier St. intersection are scheduled to be placed today. It is anticipated that the 1500 Block will open early March. With the utility installation being completed in the 1400 block, the contractor also began utility installation in the 1300 block.
14. City Manager, Cherise Tieben, gave verbal testimony during a Kansas House hearing on Thursday on behalf of the rural Kansas housing shortage. Read more about it in this article from The Capital-Journal at https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190221/dodge-city-manager-offersblueprint-for-dealing-with-rural-kansas-housing-shortage CALENDAR City: Mon., March 4-7:00 pm City Commission Meeting, City Hall Commission Chambers Mon., March 18-7:00 pm City Commission Meeting, City Hall Commission Chambers United Wireless Arena: Fri., March 22-7:00 pm Travis Tritt/The Cadillac Three/Copper Chief Fri., May 10-7:00 pm Clay Walker Sat., July 27-7:30 pm Trace Adkins, The Official Dodge City Days Concert Dodge City Community College: See attached flyers Community Events: See attached flyers for more events Dodge City Public Library Events: See attached flyers For additional events, applications, trainings and more continue scrolling. Volunteers Needed Downtown Clean Up Friday, February 22 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Meet at Eisenhower Park (1st & Gunsmoke) Supplies will be provided. For more information, contact the Main Street office at 620-227-9501
DOWNTOWN Economic IMPACT July 2010 - December 2018 Total Reinvestment in Downtown Dodge City $2,312,028 $2,596,734 Total Amount Invested $1,699,212 $699,388 $762,032 $569,316 $319,450 $202,153 $1,335,174 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Main Street Office at (620) 227-9501 or krissy@dodgedev.org Downtown Revitilization Improvement Program 32 Grants Awarded 4 Loans Awarded 10.4 Million Total Amount of Public/Private Reinvestment $530,341 Leveraged in Additional Investment 37 90 7,070 Net New Businesses Net New Jobs Volunteer Hours
Time,Date, Location: Give Your Input on the Wright Park Zoo Master Plan! You are invited to attend a Public Engagement Workshop on the Wright Park Zoo Master Plan Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:30-6:00 pm Dodge City Public Library, 1001 N 2nd Ave Thursday, February 21, 2019 7:00-8:30 pm Dodge City Public Library, 1001 N 2nd Ave Friday, February 22, 2019 5:00-7:00 pm Final Friday Pop Up at Eryn s Downtown Center, 509 N 2nd Ave For more information: Contact Melissa McCoy, 620-225-8100 Background: We re reimagining the Wright Park Zoo! Located in the heart of Dodge City in historic Wright Park, our small zoo has the potential to enrich the lives of thousands of Dodge City residents and visitors alike. Through the master planning process, we will be reinventing what the Zoo could be in the coming years--and we want your help! Workshop Agenda: Icebreaker & Introductions What is a Master Plan? Presentation Activity 1: Pros and Cons of a Zoo in Dodge City Activity 2: Identify Areas of Improvement Activity 3: Build Your Own Zoo Activity 4: Survey Wrap Up and Invitation for more feedback opportunities
February 19, 2019 To: Chairman Seiwart and Members of the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications From: Joann Knight, Executive Director, Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation Re: Testimony in Opposition to HB 2273 Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on HB 2273. Ford County has been very fortunate to have been selected as the location of several wind farms since 2006. This industry has helped us diversify our rural economy and added investment and jobs. These jobs provide good wages for our young adults and we have seen many new residents to our county that have been able to purchase homes and start families here due to these job opportunities. From the very start, the companies have been very engaged with our communities, county commissioners, planning and zoning, and land owners. HB 2273 unnecessarily dilutes the local control that our County Commissioners, who have been elected by our citizens to represent them, and know what is best for our communities. When working with wind farm developers, local decisions are critically important not only with setbacks, but roads, maintenance, PILOT programs and future developments. HB 2273 unnecessarily takes local decisions away from our community. This bill will limit a wind turbine within 1 ½ miles of any residential structure or public building. This would basically stop all future wind farms in Ford County and the state. If you draw a 1 ½ mile circle around every house in Ford County, there isn t much area remaining for a wind farm. As the Economic Development Director, the number one questions I get from our land owners and citizens is When are we going to get more wind farms and how do I get them to locate on my land? This legislation would kill any further growth in this very important industry for our county and region. Tremendous discussions about how to help grow rural Kansas have been the focus of many legislators. HB 2273 will create a barrier for that growth in this industry, which in turn will have a ripple effect negatively on our communities now and into the future. Please do not put these additional economic barriers on us. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. Sincerely, Joann Knight, Executive Director Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation PO Box 818 Dodge City, KS 67801 620-227- 9501 jknight@dodgedev.org
Monthly Happenings February 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 Depot Theater Production: Exploding Love Depot Theater Company; 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM 4:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-1001 February 2, 16 Young Guns Youth Rodeo Western State Bank Expo Center; For More Information: younggunsinfo@gmail.com February 2 Chocolate Dreams Benefiting CASA Children Worth Saving, Inc. Boot Hill Casino & Resort Conference Center; 6:30 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 2 Letters From Home: Reviving Patriotism in Dodge City American Legion; 6:30 PM 8:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-3766 February 3 Christian Motorcyclist Association I Don t Care Sports Bar & Grill; 2:00 PM 3:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-6061 February 7 Dodge City Kan Equip Customer Appreciation Day Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:30 AM 3:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 8 Night to Shine Dodge City Church of Nazarene; 6:00 PM 9:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-3869 February 8 Jeff Foxworthy & John Crist LIVE United Wireless Arena; 7:00 PM 11:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 11 Harlem Globetrotters United Wireless Arena; 7:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 13 DC3 Career Fair Western State Bank Expo Center; 8:30 AM 5:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 February 15 Ford County Township Meeting Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:30 AM 3:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 February 15 Gary Allen United Wireless Arena; 7:30 PM 11:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 16, 17 Valentine Murder Mystery Depot Theater Company; 5:30 PM 8:30 PM For More Information: 620-225-1001 February 20 Community Career Fair United Wireless Arena; 10:00 AM 2:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 February 22 Southwest Angus Genetics Sale Western State Bank Expo Center; 1:00 PM 5:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 February 22 Final Friday Downtown Dodge City; 5:00 PM 11:00 PM For More Information: Facebook Final Fridays in Dodge City February 22, 23, 24 Shrine Circus Dodge City Civic Center; Friday, February 22 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM Saturday, February 23 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday February 24 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM For More Information: Facebook Midian Shrine Dodge City Shrine Club February 23 Royal Academy #2 Depot Theater Company; 11:30 AM 2:30 PM For More Information: 620-225-1001 February 24 Bridal & Women s Day Expo United Wireless Arena; 12:00 PM 4:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 Calendar of Events provided by Dodge City Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdodgecity.org Acontecimientos Mensuales Febrero 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 Producción del Teatro Depot: Exploding Love Depot Theater Company; 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Domingo: 12:00 PM 4:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-225-1001 Febrero 2, 16 Young Guns Rodeo Infantil Western State Bank Expo Center; Para mas Información: younggunsinfo@gmail.com Febrero 2 Chocolate Dreams Beneficio de CASA Children Worth Saving, Inc. Boot Hill Casino & Resort Conference Center; 6:30 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 2 Letters From Home: Reviving Patriotism in Dodge City American Legion; 6:30 PM 8:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-225-3766 Febrero 3 Asociación Motociclista Cristiana I Don t Care Sports Bar & Grill; 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-6061 Febrero 7 Dodge City Kan Equip Día de Apreciación al Cliente Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:30 AM 3:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 8 Night to Shine Dodge City Church of Nazarene; 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-3869 Febrero 8 Jeff Foxworthy & John Crist EN VIVO United Wireless Arena; 7:00 PM 11:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 11 Harlem Globetrotters United Wireless Arena; 7:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 13 Feria de Carreras DC3 Western State Bank Expo Center; 8:30 AM 5:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-338-8284 Febrero 15 Junta de Municipio Ford County Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:30 AM 3:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-338-8284 Febrero 15 Gary Allen EN VIVO United Wireless Arena; 7:30 PM 11:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 16, 17 Valentine Murder Mystery Depot Theater Company; 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Para mas Información: 620-225-1001 Febrero 20 Feria de Carreras en la Comunidad United Wireless Arena; 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Febrero 22 Southwest Angus Genetics Sale Western State Bank Expo Center; 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-338-8284 Febrero 22 Ultimo Viernes Downtown Dodge City; 5:00 PM 11:00 PM Para mas Información: Facebook Final Fridays in Dodge City Febrero 22, 23, 24 Circo Shrine Dodge City Civic Center; Viernes, Febrero 22 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM Sábado, Febrero 23 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Domingo Febrero 24 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Para mas Información: Facebook Midian Shrine Dodge City Shrine Club Febrero 23 Academia de Realtesa #2 Depot Theater Company; 11:30 AM 2:30 PM Para mas Información: 620-225-1001 Febrero 24 Bridal & Women s Day Expo United Wireless Arena; 12:00 PM 4:00 PM Para mas Información: 620-371-7390 Calendario de Eventos proporcionado por Departamento de Convenciones & Visitantes de Dodge City www.visitdodgecity.org
Monthly Happenings March 2 Friends of the Dodge City Public Library Book Sale Dodge City Public Library; 10:00 AM 2:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-0248 March 2 Paint & Sip Boot Hill Casino & Resort; 7:00 PM For More Information: 917-545-1187 March 3 Christian Motorcyclist Association I Don t Care Sports Bar & Grill; 2:00 PM 3:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-6061 March 5 Third Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Competition Dodge City Community College, Little Theater; All Day For More Information: 620-225-1321 March 6 American Implement Precision Ag. & Operations Center Clinic Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:00 AM 3:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 March 6, 7, 8, 9 KSHSAA Basketball Tournament United Wireless Arena; 3:00 PM 9:30 PM Saturday: 3:00 PM 8:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 March 7 A Night of Broadway Dodge City Community College, Little Theater; 7:00 PM 9:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-1321 March 9 Z Ropings Team Roping Western State Bank Expo Center; 10:30 AM 6:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 March 11 Christian Motorcyclist Association Dodge House Restaurant; 6:00 PM 8:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-6950 March 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 Depot Theater Production: Into the Woods Depot Theater Company; 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM 4:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-1001 March 21, 22, 23 3i SHOW Western State Bank Expo Center; Thursday & Friday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM 4:00 PM For More Information: 620-227-8082 March 22 Outlaws & Renegades Tour: Travis Tritt/The Cadillac Three/Copper Chief United Wireless Arena; 7:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7390 March 22 Jackson Taylor & The Sinners LIVE Central Station Bar & Grill; 9:00 PM 12:00 AM For More Information: 620-225-1176 March 22 LIVE! Blind Dog Alley Boot Hill Casino & Resort; 9:00 PM 12:00 AM For More Information: 620-682-7777 March 23 DCRP Car Show & Practice Night Dodge City Raceway Park; 7:30 PM For More Information: 620-225-3277 March 29 Final Friday Downtown Dodge City; 5:00 PM 11:00 PM For More Information: Facebook Final Fridays in Dodge City March 29 Live at the Longhorn Room Boot Hill Casino & Resort; 9:00 PM 12:00 AM For More Information: 620-682-7777 March 29 LIVE! Haven Chambers Guymon Petro; 7:00 PM For More Information: 620-371-7500 March 30 Z Ropings Team Roping Western State Bank Expo Center; 9:00 AM 6:00 PM For More Information: 620-338-8284 March 30 FCHS 9th Annual Furball I Don t Care Sports Bar & Grill; 8:00 PM 11:00 PM For More Information: 620-225-1481 Calendar of Events provided by Dodge City Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdodgecity.org
www.westernstatebankexpo.com March 2019 BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH US!! 620-338-8284