Title
JOINT ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE WICHITA-VALLEY CENTER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT TO BE RENAMED IN HONOR OF M.S. “MITCH” MITCHELL.
Presented by: Eric Yost, County Counselor.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the joint ordinance and resolution and authorize the Chairman to sign.
Body
M.S. “Mitch” Mitchell was instrumental in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project. Despite numerous contentious encounters during its development and construction throughout the 1950s, Mitch Mitchell worked diligently because he believed that the flood control project was essential to protect people and their property from damaging floodwaters.
The Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project is one of the largest flood diversion projects in the United States and has saved lives, prevented several millions of dollars of property damage, and allowed for expanded growth and opportunities within the region.
Mitch Mitchell passed away on March 11, 2017. The joint ordinance and resolution requests that the memory of Mitch Mitchell, and his extraordinary efforts, be recognized by Federal legislation to rename the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project, “The M.S. ‘Mitch’ Mitchell Floodway.” The proposed joint ordinance and resolution is drafted for potential approval by both the County Commission and the Wichita City Council.
Because the construction of the flood control project involved several millions of dollars in Federal funding and the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal approval is likely to be the most comprehensive manner in which to have the project renamed. The joint ordinance and resolution does two (2) things: (1) upon approval, a copy of the joint ordinance and resolution would be provided to Senator Pat Roberts, Senator Jerry Moran, and Representative Ron Estes, such that it would request their support to rename the flood control project in honor of Mitch Mitchell; and (2) it would authorize Sedgwick County and City of Wichita staff to submit a proposal to the Secretary of the Army to request the renaming.
Alternatives: Not to approve the joint ordinance and resolution.
Financial Considerations: N/A
Legal Considerations: Comprehensive renaming of the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project is most likely to be possible through the Federal government. Also, pursuant to Section 7001 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-121), modifications to existing projects (such as the proposed renaming) are required to show that “local support exists.” Approval of this joint ordinance and resolution is by simple majority vote.
Policy Considerations: N/A
Outside Attendees: The Mayor of the City of Wichita and possibly others.
Multimedia Presentation: N/A