Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025

The Wichita City Council met on February 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers, 455 N. Main Street. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Ben Staley of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved the minutes of the February 11, 2025 regular meeting (7-0) and proceeded through consent and new business items. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda items 1 through 19 were approved by a single motion without separate discussion. These included:
  • Applications for cereal malt beverage licenses, preliminary estimates, deeds and easements, developer agreements, property acquisitions, advisory board minutes, a general obligation note sale resolution, three community events with alcohol consumption (Delano Paddy Day Parade, Fan Fest, Downtown St. Patrick's Day Party), sewer improvement overestimate bid, lot clean-up ordinance amendment, second reading ordinances (sidewalk assessment and zoning change), and consent planning items (zone change at 117 N. Chautauqua, waterline easement dedication).
  • Housing authority consent items: sales of four properties (2615 E. Audrey, 2331 N. Poplar, 2513 E. 22nd St. N., 2420 N. Green).
  • No items were pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Agenda: Scheduled speaker Amy K. Lyon cancelled due to weather; no other speakers from the audience.
• During the 2025 Artist Access Cultural Funding item: Molly McPherson, Director and CEO of the Wichita Art Museum, spoke in support of city funding, highlighting the museum’s free programs (free admission, family days, school field trips) and noting a 2024 Good Apple Award from Wichita Public Schools. Matthew Broderick of the Arts Council also spoke in support, thanking the Cultural Funding Committee and emphasizing that arts mean business for Wichita.

Discussion Items

• 2025 Water Conservation Rebate Program: Gary Jansen (Public Works & Utilities) presented. The program has been in place since 2013, conserving hundreds of millions of gallons. In 2024, only outdoor items were offered due to drought; response was lower than hoped. For 2025, indoor products are reinstated, and free shower heads and aerators will be available at City Hall, neighborhood resource centers, and libraries. Total funding requested: $150,000 (split: $110,000 for residential customers, $30,000 for wholesale customers, $10,000 for free devices). Marketing will include social media, water bill inserts, and events. Councilmember Glasscock asked about unique participant numbers (staff to provide). Councilmember Hoheisel asked about new constructions and developer incentives (staff noted no restrictions and that new appliances are already efficient). The program is retroactive to January 1, 2025. Outcome: Approved 7-0.

• Quarterly Financial Reports for Q4 2024: Mark Manning (Finance) presented. General fund performed better than expected; a transfer of ~$11 million to the stabilization reserve is planned, higher than budgeted. Key points: property tax revenue growth exceeded expectations due to lower delinquencies; franchise fees lower than 2023 but better than budgeted; interest earnings ~$34 million (higher than 2023 by $8 million, slightly under budget); sales tax growth nearly flat as expected; court revenues significantly lower (~$2 million below budget, concerning). On expenditure side, police and fire spending increased by ~$20 million due to wage growth; underspending in other departments due to vacancies. General fund reserves at policy level (~$48-49 million). Stabilization reserve estimated at $43.4 million. Debt: total ~$1.5 billion, mostly utility debt; general obligation debt stable but expected to rise in out years; special assessment debt increasing due to development. Staff noted structural deficits remain projected for 2026-2028. ARPA spending: ~$41 million spent of $72.4 million allocation. Councilmember Hoheisel asked about potential federal grant reductions (staff reviewing). Vice Mayor Johnston asked about subcontractor outreach (increased meetings). Discussion on MAC (Multi-Agency Center) ARPA funding details: three projects (winter shelter past and present, facility renovations) with $8.4 million in revised funding; additional $600,000 from property sale for current winter shelter operations. Councilmember Tuttle asked about debt service and reserve distinction. Outcome: Received and filed 7-0.

• 2024 Year-end Closing Adjustments: Mark Manning presented post-closing adjustments to invest in one-time improvements while maintaining the general fund reserve level (~$49.3 million). Proposed adjustments:

  • Accelerate $700,000 for electronic timekeeping software (part of financial services centralization) from 2025 to 2024.
  • $300,000 for workspace reconfiguration on the 12th floor for centralized finance staff.
  • $400,000 transfer to innovation fund for police aerial assets to reduce response times.
  • Accelerate $500,000 for golf irrigation improvements (from 2025 to 2024).
  • Reduce reimbursement from Transient Guest Tax (TGT) fund to general fund by $4.3 million to de-risk TGT fund and debt reserve; the stabilization reserve would decrease from $43.4 million to ~$39 million.
  • Increase expenditure authority for Century 2 ($124,000) and Fire Department ($220,000) to avoid negative variances (no cash impact). Councilmember Hoheisel supported paying down debt and innovation fund, asked about savings from centralization (estimated $200,000 originally, likely higher). Mayor Wu asked about stabilization vs. general fund reserves. Outcome: Approved 7-0.

• Botanica the Wichita Gardens Security Improvements: Lindsay Banaka (City Manager's Office) presented. The project includes security cameras and lighting, identified in Botanica’s annual report. Botanica had over 350,000 visitors in 2024 and annual economic impact of ~$20 million. The project is funded with $120,000 from TGT funds in the CIP. Councilmember Ballard asked about integration with WPD's real-time information center (Artic). Staff confirmed integration. Outcome: Initiated and bonding resolution approved 7-0.

• 2025 Artist Access Cultural Funding Allocations and Cultural Institution Operating Partnership Agreements: Lindsay Banaka presented. The Cultural Funding Committee recommended 22 artist access grants (from 71 applications, record high) totaling $14,000, with a total of $63,000 requested. Operational grants: 37 awards (up from 23 last year). Cultural institutions (Wichita Art Museum, Exploration Place, etc.) receive a 7.9% increase based on mill levy; economic impact for these institutions totals $111.7 million. The Arts Council's funding already approved. Councilmember Tuttle highlighted the arts & economic prosperity study: $184.7 million annual economic activity, 2,929 FTE jobs, $32.3 million in tax revenue. Outcome: Approved 7-0.

• Cultural Arts Facility Improvements (Hyatt Promenade): Lindsay Banaka presented. The city is responsible for maintaining the promenade meeting rooms per a 2017 agreement with the Hyatt Regency. Project includes aesthetic improvements (carpet, wall coverings, fixtures) and possibly technology. Funding: $2 million in TGT this year, plus $1.5 million in FY26. Outcome: Initiated and bonding resolution approved 7-0.

• 2025 Downtown Pedestal Art: Lindsay Banaka presented a new permanent public art program to replace the former Sculpture Walkabout (sunset in 2023). The city owns 14 pedestals in downtown and one at the baseball stadium. The program will acquire sculptures permanently through a competitive process using Call for Entry (CaFE). Funding: $200,000 from the 2% for Art program; an NEA grant request for $100,000 is pending. Local artist preference will be given. Maintenance will be addressed through existing funds. Councilmember Glascock noted a pedestal in District IV, supported local artist increase to 58%. Councilmember Hoheisel asked about permanent vs. rotating pieces (all permanent). Mayor Wu asked about community partner donations (none so far), cost of sculptures ($10,000-$15,000 typical), and maintenance. She also expressed interest in larger public art projects and suggested showcasing art from storage. Councilmember Glascock supported the program and noted improvements in the artist selection process. Outcome: Initiated and bonding resolution approved 7-0.

• Clapp Park Clubhouse Lease: Staff presented a lease for the former golf clubhouse at L.W. Clapp Memorial Park. After an RFP process, Duck's Flying Disc (current tenant) was selected. The tenant provides volunteer services (2,100+ hours, $75,000 value), maintains amenities, and hosts events (e.g., disc golf tournaments with $300,000 economic impact). Lease terms: 3-year initial term, monthly rent $700 (year 1) to $900 (year 3) plus $200 utilities, with two one-year options. The Park Board approved on February 10, 2025. Councilmember Hoheisel expressed support and thanked the tenant. Outcome: Approved 7-0.

• Council Member Agenda – Travel Approvals: Six travel requests were approved unanimously (7-0 each):

  1. Mayor Wu's travel to Aviation Day at the Capitol in Topeka on March 3, 2025 (no cost to city).
  2. Councilmember Johnson's travel to NLC Congressional City Conference, Washington D.C., March 8-13, 2025.
  3. Councilmember Glasscock's travel to same conference, March 8-12.
  4. Councilmembers Tuttle, Johnston, Ballard, and Mayor Wu to same conference, March 9-12.
  5. Councilmember Hoheisel to same conference, March 9-13.
  6. Retroactive approval for Councilmember Hoheisel's travel to Topeka on February 10, 2025, to testify on HB 2357 and HB 2349.

• Council Member Appointments: Reappointments approved 7-0: Lucretia Taylor to Ethics Advisory Board (Councilmember Tuttle), Matt Lashley to Citizens Review Board (Councilmember Glasscock), Dennis Cleary to Ethics Advisory Board (Vice Mayor Johnston).

Key Outcomes

• All 7-0 votes: Consent Agenda, Water Conservation Rebate Program, Quarterly Financial Report (received and filed), 2024 Year-end Closing Adjustments, Botanica Security Improvements, Artist Access Funding and Cultural Institution Agreements, Hyatt Promenade Improvements, Downtown Pedestal Art, Clapp Park Clubhouse Lease, and all travel and appointment items.
• Stabilization reserve reduced from ~$43.4M to ~$39M due to year-end adjustments.
• Staff directed to provide data on unique participants in water rebate program and a comprehensive ARPA report including all funding sources for MAC/winter shelter operations.
• Mayor Wu requested an updated public art spending by district map.
• Councilmember Hoheisel raised concerns about a fire at a city-owned storage building (1234 N. Wellington Pl.) on February 15, 2025, noting that the building was unsecured during demolition and housed homeless individuals. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson confirmed the building was scheduled for demolition and that the contractor failed to secure it; staff will provide contract details and improve incident reporting for city-owned properties.
• Meeting adjourned at 11:31 AM.