Wichita City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024

The Wichita City Council held a regular meeting on December 17, 2024, starting at 9:00 AM and concluding after 5:30 PM. The agenda included public comments, consent agenda items, a downtown parking plan implementation strategy, amendments to illegal camping and traffic citation ordinances, industrial revenue bonds for a housing development, insurance renewals, grant applications, and housing authority project amendments. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and council debate on parking management and homelessness policy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous vote (7-0): Minutes of December 10, 2024. All consent agenda items except items #7 and #9 were approved.
• Item #7 (Affordable Housing Fund Agreements): Councilmember Johnson abstained due to a personal conflict. Staff clarified that 16 agreements for Habitat for Humanity were included (one missing attachment was noted). Approved 6-0.
• Item #9 (Delano Hotel Property Release): Staff explained this was a procedural transaction to remove the city’s leasehold interest after IRB bonds were paid; not a sale of the hotel. Approved 7-0.
• Other consent items included liquor licenses, contracts, design agreements, property acquisitions, second‑reading ordinances (e.g., establishing CID, zoning changes, pay classifications), planning plats, housing authority budget, airport agreement, and extension of letter of intent for airport hotel bonds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Anderson (Jefferson Street) spoke about the conflict in Gaza and asked council members, as private individuals, how they feel about the situation. Responses: Mayor Wu stated her focus is on local issues; Councilmember Johnson expressed sympathy; Councilmember Glasscock said he supports peace but will not support a resolution.
• Patrick Murphy (1786 S. Seneca) urged decriminalization of homelessness, praised the city’s efforts, and advocated for compassion and lowering fines.
• Paul Atwater (420 S. Linwood) thanked the council and shared a parable about philanthropy vs. charity, emphasizing upstream investments.
• Senator Mary Ware spoke against criminalizing homelessness, supported the MAC (Multi-Agency Center) model, and noted the state has not contributed funding. Councilmembers noted the city invested $8 million in capital and $5 million for two years of operations for the MAC.
• Brittany Dauber (2330 N. Oliver) opposed the camping ordinance amendments, citing costs of sweeps ($177,411 in 2023, $149,136 so far in 2024) and argued they build distrust. She urged a “no” vote. Councilmember Glasscock clarified the proposed ordinance actually strengthens protections for personal property.
• Donna Garcia (621 Laramie Circle) suggested using peer support and trauma-informed approaches for encampment cleanups; she expressed cautious confidence in the council.
• Greg Alexander (12501 W. Jewel Circle) described the cycle of moving homeless camps and called for tiny homes and better solutions.
• Adam Greenleaf (currently homeless) stated the ordinance will not work, cited mistrust, and said criminalization leads to a revolving door.
• Piper Thomas (11543 E. Agate Lane) presented a petition with 250 signatures, questioned the need for fines, and asked for data showing cleanups lead to shelter use.
• Tim Duggar (924 W. Douglas, Delano) asked the council to consider the purpose of parking plan – to enhance downtown experience vs. monetize spaces. He opposed metered parking in Delano.
• Darren Adalgren (Pump House, Old Town) supported a 2% CID sales tax over paid parking, arguing meters would deter visitors.
• Rachel Thomas Murphy (Old Town Association) expressed support for Option A‑SMID (formerly Option E) with CID and increased parking agreements.
• Stan Sheldon (Sheldon Architecture) favored a CID approach to keep parking friendly.
• Maury Sheets and Emma Johnson (Mort’s Cigar Bar) supported CID and increased fees, but opposed meters.
• AJ Swartz (Morris Lang Law Firm) supported A‑SMID, opposed meters for law firm clients.
• Russ Hazelwood (Grable & Hazelwood) supported CID and higher fees, not meters.
• Ty Isaw (Larkspur) said meters would hurt business, favored CID.
• Tyler Cooper (Boulevard Theatres) urged a unified parking plan without CID for Old Town, as CID would hinder future development.
• Isaac Barker (apartment manager) asked for lower fees for downtown residents who rely on street parking.
• Rochelle Grady (Perry Reed Properties) supported 2% sales tax over paid parking, citing concerns for residents.
• Heather Schroeder (Downtown Wichita) supported Option A‑SMID, cited data that metered parking increases customer dwell time, and warned against misusing CID for parking.
• Vincent Hancock (Delano United) asked to respect the 2019 Delano Neighborhood Plan and delay parking decisions until after the hub opens.
• Christopher Parish (Delano United) criticized dismissing online comments, questioned activation of Delano parking after hub, and called for accountability for $13 million in lost parking revenue.
• Jason Gregory (property owner) supported a simple, uniform paid parking system across all areas and opposed CID for parking.
• Additional speakers on parking included residents and business owners who expressed concerns about congestion, safety, and equity.

Discussion Items

• Downtown Parking Plan Implementation Strategy: Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson presented options A, E, and a compromise A‑SMID (excluding Delano). After extensive debate, Mayor Wu noted $13 million in uncollected revenue from Old Town parking agreements since 1999. The council discussed enforcing contracts, the possibility of a CID for Old Town, and impacts on residents. Public comment was split. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve Option A‑SMID with a 60‑day window for a valid CID petition and a 2028 evaluation. Vote: 5-2 (Mayor Wu and Councilmember Hoheisel opposed). Passed.
• Amendments to Illegal Camping Ordinance (First Reading): City Attorney Sharon Dickgraff presented changes to Title 5, including lowering fines from $500 to $200, allowing 48‑hour notice for cleanups (instead of 72), immediate cleanup for high‑risk areas (sidewalks, doorways, bridges), and removal of the bed‑availability requirement from police policy. Councilmember Johnson proposed a substitute motion to keep shelter‑bed requirement, limit citations to law enforcement, and require training for cleanup staff. After debate, an amendment to reduce fines to $20 and remove jail time failed 3-4. The substitute motion then passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Johnston, Tuttle, Glasscock, and Wu in favor; Johnson, Hoheisel, Ballard opposed). The four related ordinances will proceed to second reading on January 7, 2025.
• Hyde Park Flats Industrial Revenue Bonds (Public Hearing): Staff recommended closing the public hearing and approving a resolution of intent for IRBs up to $4 million for a 36‑unit multifamily development (12 studio, 24 one‑bedroom). Developer Sam Jones said rents will be between $850 and $950. No public opposition. Approved 7-0.
• Amendments to Failure to Comply with Traffic Citation (First Reading): Brought into compliance with state law SB 500, reducing reinstatement fees to $100 and allowing courts to waive fines. Councilmember Johnson noted support. Approved 7-0.
• 2024 Budget Adjustment for Family Justice Center Planning: $113,000 from municipal court savings to fund a consulting contract with Alliance for Hope to plan a Family Justice Center for domestic violence victims. Supported by multiple speakers. Approved 7-0.
• 2025 Insurance Program: Ratified with flat or modest increases; cyber insurance renewed at same cost with better terms. Approved 6-0.
• Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG): Application for $950,523 ($1,056,137 total with 10% city match) for 70 portable radios. Councilmember Hoheisel asked about building penetration; Chief confirmed radio boosters are used. Approved 6-0.
• Park & Recreation Uniform Vendor Selection: Contract with Centest for up to $199,178 annually, expected to save $30,000 over previous contracts. Approved 6-0.
• RAD Wichita Senior Project Amendments: Housing Director Sally Stang detailed a complex 36‑million project to renovate four senior properties. Due to litigation and contractor termination, additional funding of $485,581.68 from unspent relocation funds is needed to complete Greenway Manor. A city employee with a contractor’s license will serve as general contractor. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Downtown Parking Plan: Approved Option A‑SMID (meters and pricing in downtown and Old Town, excluding Delano) with a 60‑day window for Old Town businesses to propose a CID; evaluation by 2028. Vote: 5-2.
• Illegal Camping Ordinance Amendments: Placed on first reading (to be adopted after second reading Jan. 7). Amendments retain a $200 maximum fine, allow 48‑hour notice and immediate cleanup in high‑priority areas, remove shelter‑bed requirement from police policy, and limit citation authority to law enforcement, with cleanup and notices by designated city departments after consultation with HOT team. Vote: 4-3.
• Hyde Park Flats IRB: Closed public hearing and adopted resolution of intent (7-0).
• Traffic Citation Amendments: Placed on first reading (7-0).
• Family Justice Center Planning: Approved budget adjustment (7-0).
• Insurance, Grants, Uniforms, RAD Projects: All approved with minor or no opposition.
• Next Meeting: Second reading of ordinances will occur on January 7, 2025.