Wichita City Council Workshop – March 25, 2025: Dirt Streets, Concrete Funding, and Drought Response

On March 25, 2025, the Wichita City Council held a workshop to discuss the implementation of the dirt streets program, supplemental concrete funding, and an update on drought response and water supply resiliency. The meeting began with a regular session that included a consent agenda, board appointments, and council member comments, followed by the workshop items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Consent Agenda items 1–27 after pulling items 4A, 4C, and 7 for discussion. Each pulled item was approved individually by a 7-0 vote.
• Item 4A: Agreement with CDM to develop procurement for a public-private partnership capturing methane from wastewater treatment for revenue. Council discussed the benefits of converting flared methane into natural gas and the potential for a grease program to enhance gas production. Approved 7-0.
• Item 4C: Lease agreement for the Old Town Farm and Art Market at Naftzger Park at $95 per use (total $3,515 for April 5–December 20, 2025, excluding November 29). Council questioned cost recovery – Parks staff explained that the reduced fee (compared to the standard $1,000/day rental) was historically set and that a follow-up on cost recovery justification would be provided. Approved 7-0.
• Item 7: Abatement of dangerous and unsafe structures. Staff described the process from complaint to possible demolition, emphasizing that emergency demolitions are for immediate hazards and that the city works with property owners on repairs. Approved 7-0.
• Board of Bids and Contracts (March 24, 2025) approved 7-0, including multiple contracts such as the Greenwich Vehicle to Infrastructure project ($983,095), Argon Gas ($1,501,728 estimated annual), and various change orders.
• Petitions for Public Improvements approved 7-0 (revised petition for water improvements in District 2, 100% signature validity).
• Council Board Appointments approved 7-0, filling numerous boards including Animal Service Review Board, Bicycle Pedestrian Board, Board of Park Commissioners, and others.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public agenda or on any consent items.

Discussion Items

• Dirt Streets and Supplemental Concrete Funding Implementation:
  • Staff reported that Wichita has approximately 160 lane miles of dirt streets. The current program prioritizes streets near schools (completion expected by end of 2026) and uses a 80% resident petition threshold for paving. The 2025 program includes only school-area streets; 2026 has three exceptions (22nd Street, Park Street segments) with only four property owners each.
  • Council discussed lowering the petition threshold from 80% to 75% or 50% for small sections to avoid a single unresponsive owner blocking a project. Staff noted that the adopted CIP redirects dirt street funds to the OP3 pavement preservation program starting in 2027, which would add 545 lane miles over eight years and increase asset value by $54 million over five years compared to keeping funds in dirt streets.
  • On supplemental concrete funding, staff presented two options: a proportional district-based allocation of $2 million/year (approved in 2025 CIP) and a worst-first citywide approach. The district approach preserved slightly more lane miles (19.68 vs. 19.59) and raised the lowest PCI from 39 to 43, while the citywide approach concentrated work in Districts 1 and 4. Council expressed mixed views; the manager noted the gap will widen over time and may warrant revisiting the citywide approach.
• Drought Response and Water Supply Resiliency:
  • Gary Janssen (Public Works) provided an update: Cheney Reservoir is 7.5 feet below normal pool; Stage 2 mandatory watering restrictions (one day per week) are expected to remain through 2025. The city aims to avoid Stage 3 (no outdoor watering). The Aquifer Storage and Recovery project has kept the Equus Beds aquifer 92% full.
  • The new water treatment plant is expected to be taken over by the city in April 2025, with performance testing ongoing. Operational water delivery to the system is projected within 90–120 days. A fill station at Hess Pump Station will capture test water for reuse by Botanica and contractors starting in 30–45 days.
  • Staff discussed long-term resiliency: a direct potable reuse feasibility study (consultant to be selected in May), potential code changes requiring drought-resistant landscaping, and continued engagement with HOA and WABA. Council debated tree planting restrictions, with some members advocating for allowing hand-watered trees and others concerned about enforcement and mixed messages.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent items, board of bids, petitions, and appointments, each by 7-0 votes.
• Directed staff to proceed with the dirt street petition notification process using the current 80% threshold, but to bring back the 2026 program for a formal vote on the threshold (options between 80%, 75%, or 50%).
• Staff will continue to refine the supplemental concrete program and return annually with updates; council will consider the worst-first citywide approach in future years.
• The city will remain in Stage 2 drought restrictions; staff will continue efforts to bring the new water treatment plant online, capture test water, and advance the reuse feasibility study.
• Council recessed into executive session for 40 minutes (legal consultation on pending litigation) and 20 minutes (property acquisition discussions), totaling one hour.

Note: The agenda listed the meeting start at 9:00 AM, while the provided timestamp (15:45 UTC) corresponds to approximately 10:45 AM CDT, potentially reflecting the time of the workshop segment. The summary uses the date March 25, 2025, as specified.