Wichita City Council Meeting - February 11, 2025

The Wichita City Council held a regular meeting on February 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting covered a broad range of topics including proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approvals, new council business (grants, police contracts, drainage improvements), planning items (CUPs, zone changes), airport business, and council member actions. Votes were cast on multiple items, with most passing 7-0, though two land-use items saw split votes.

Awards & Proclamations

• The Council proclaimed February 15, 2025, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Founders Day in Wichita.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Austin Smith presented a framework on "jurisdictional problem solving" rooted in historical principles, urging the council to identify which sphere of government (self, family, ecclesiastic, commercial, civil) is primarily responsible for issues. He argued for empowering local private and civic resources before turning to government. He offered to be contacted for further discussion.
• Levante Williams thanked the council for allowing grieving time for the January 29 Potomac River plane crash (which involved a flight originating from Wichita). He also thanked the city for a $125,000 allocation for community screening and noted partnerships with the county ($125,000) and Kansas Health Foundation ($500,000) bringing total to $750,000. He raised concerns about air quality from idling trucks in his neighborhood and asked whether the community had been informed of safety checks.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (items 1-17 and 19) with a 7-0 vote. Item 18 was pulled separately for a vote due to a conflict of interest (Councilmember Tuttle abstained); it passed 6-1. The consent calendar included license approvals, preliminary estimates, easements, developer agreements, property acquisitions, board minutes, dangerous structure condemnation scheduling, airport bond resolution, transient guest tax reports, Kansas Arts Commission grant applications, sidewalk repair assessments, a $250,000 settlement payment, second reading of a demolition assessment ordinance, and multiple planning items (subdivision plat, vacation orders, zone change ZON2024-00057 to MF-29).

Discussion Items

Board of Bids and Contracts (February 10, 2025)

• Josh Lauber presented bids for engineering, sewer, water, and airport contracts, including sanitary pump station improvements ($1.69M), sewer rehabilitation ($249k), water distribution ($44.8k), street improvements ($146k), argon gas ($182k/year), financial advisory extension, audio-visual equipment for libraries ($446k), and airport flight data subscriptions ($319k over 5 years). Approved 7-0.

2025 Community Services Block Grant Application

• Nichelle Williams (WISCAP) presented a $1,104,352.03 grant request from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (via KHRC). The grant funds four staff positions, prescription assistance (serving 700 uninsured), employment training ($190k), summer camp scholarships (175 youth), and the Way to Work youth employment program (175 youth, 20 hrs/week for 8 weeks, $9.21/hr). The city received 297 applications for Way to Work this year, up significantly. The program partners with 72 employers and city departments. Approved 7-0.

Police Policy Management Lexipol Contract

• Captain Aaron Moses detailed the need for a policy management software to address challenges identified in a 2023 operational assessment (unclear policies, lack of transparency). The Lexipol contract includes a one-time implementation cost of $108,000 and annual recurring cost of $127,253. It provides best-practice policy content, accreditation support (integrating Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program standards), and ensures personnel acknowledge updates. Funding is in the 2025 adopted budget. Expected benefits include 45% reduction in litigated claims (per Oregon data) and improved public access to policies. Approved 7-0.

Real-Time Information Center FUSUS/AXON Operating System & Support Contract

• Captain Moses described the software operating system for the upcoming Real-Time Information Center (RTIC), which will integrate body cameras, dash cameras, surveillance cameras (opt-in from businesses/residents), and other data streams. The enterprise package supports up to 1,500 streams at $150,000/year. First-year costs covered by federal grants (2023 COPS Technology Grant and Bureau of Justice National Public Safety Partnership Grant). Future costs will be in the police department's general fund. The system allows right-sizing emergency responses (e.g., Oklahoma City example) and will be available citywide, not just to police. Approved 7-0.

Grant Application for Core Area Drainage Improvements (Districts I & VI)

• Gary Jansen (Public Works) presented a grant request under the PROTECT program (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) for $38.2 million in federal funding with a $9.5 million local match (from stormwater utility CIP and state support). The project would construct storm sewers and rebuild streets in an area bounded by Broadway, Hillside, Central, and Ninth Street (including Midtown and near Via Christi Hospital). The area has recurring nuisance and life-safety flooding; pictures showed water up to car bottoms and knee-deep on Murdoch. Letters of community support are critical. Council set a goal of 50+ letters. Approved 7-0.

CUP2024-00030 – CUP Amendment for Entertainment Establishment at Fitness Club (6100 E. Central Ave.)

• The applicant requested to allow entertainment with alcohol at a fitness center. The District Advisory Board (DAB) recommended approval 7-1 with conditions (including parking communication and a fence, but the fence was deemed infeasible due to right-of-way). MAPC approved 13-0 with staff conditions. Three late protests were invalid. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve with the MAPC conditions plus a condition requiring the property owner to communicate parking protocols to event organizers and attendees. Approved 7-0.

CUP2024-00046 – CUP Amendment for Billboard Sign (north of I-235, west of N. Seneca St.)

• The applicant sought to allow a 35-foot off-site/billboard sign. MAPC recommended approval 13-0; DAB recommended denial 4-2 citing light pollution, property values, and safety. No protests were filed. An initial motion to deny (override MAPC) failed 4-3. A subsequent motion to approve (adopt MAPC findings) passed 4-3.

ZON2024-00051 – Zone Change from LI to MF-18 (near 37th St. N. and Greenwich Rd.)

• The applicant requested a zone change for a residential development. The item was previously deferred from January 7 to allow study of water availability. Staff reported no conclusive answer yet. Council deferred to May 13, 2025, to allow more time for the applicant and Public Works to resolve water service feasibility. Approved 7-0.

Streets and Parking Lot Rehabilitation – Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

• Jesse Romo (Director of Airports) presented a design contract (not-to-exceed $206,000) for pavement repairs to the loop road, airport road remainder, and tenant parking lots. Funded by airport revenues. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0 (items 1-17, 19); item 18 approved 6-1 with one abstention.
• Board of Bids and Contracts approved 7-0.
• 2025 CSBG Grant Application approved 7-0.
• Lexipol Police Policy Contract approved 7-0.
• FUSUS/AXON RTIC Contract approved 7-0.
• Core Area Drainage Grant Application approved 7-0.
• CUP2024-00030 approved 7-0 with additional condition.
• CUP2024-00046 – initial motion to deny failed 4-3; subsequent motion to approve passed 4-3.
• ZON2024-00051 deferred to May 13, 2025, by 7-0 vote.
• Airport Streets & Parking Lot Rehab approved 7-0.
• Council Request to County on Solar Regulations: Councilmember Glasscock moved that the City request Sedgwick County consider amending the unified zoning code to allow large-scale solar projects (50+ acres) as conditional uses in Wichita's Urban Growth Area. Motion passed 7-0.