Wichita City Council Meeting April 1, 2025: Historic Preservation, Downtown Leases, and Proclamation Reform
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Wichita City Council Meeting - April 1, 2025
The Wichita City Council met on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:38 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approvals, debate on historic preservation appeals, property acquisitions, facilities maintenance, and an extensive discussion on reforming the city's proclamation process. Key votes included deferring demolition of a historic duplex, initiating historic designation for the Crown Uptown Theatre (4-3), and approving a police department property purchase.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of March 18 and March 25, 2025 (7-0).
- Approved Consent Agenda Items 1 through 24 (7-0), including licenses, agreements, property acquisitions, and ordinances.
Proclamations & Awards
- Proclamations were read for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Arab American Heritage Month, and Crime Victims' Rights Week. (Mayor Wu read each, with council members joining for photos.)
- The language of these proclamations had been changed (without prior council vote) to read "now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim." This was later discussed under agenda item X-2.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kelly Ake (Food truck operator, District 4): Expressed concerns about unlicensed food trucks (220 registered vs. many unlicensed), enforcement gaps, double-dipping fees (city license + $750 special event fee for March Madness at Naftzger Park), and lack of downtown food truck zones. Supported by Council Member Glasscock and staff clarification from Isaac Unruh (Parks) and Captain Ake (Wichita Fire Department).
- Maggie Allen (Ally to trans community): Criticized Mayor Wu for not reading the Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation on March 18, stating it was a "blatant shirking of mayoral duties" and sent a message that Wichita under Lily Wu is not a sanctuary. Noted trans people are statistically more likely to be victims of child abuse and crime.
- Becca Johnson & Lynn Rogers (Friends of Kansas Wildlife Exhibit): Updated on the exhibit's growth (from 26,000 to over 40,000 visitors from 2023-2024), the Trash Panda cleanup program, and a $200,000 fundraising goal to renovate the historic 1911 Japanese pagoda in Riverside Park into a multi-purpose classroom. Brought a baby box turtle to chambers.
- Ava Glancy & Ash White (Students at Wildflower Community School): Thanked Council Members Johnson, Ballard, Hoheisel, and Tuttle for voting for the Trans Day of Visibility proclamation. Ava expressed nervousness but stressed the importance of inclusion. Ash requested a meeting with Mayor Wu on inclusion policies.
- Molly Stevenson (Teacher, Wildflower Community School): Spoke about the importance of one affirming adult reducing suicide risk in gender-expansive youth by 40%. Called for dialogue and noted trans people are not a "special interest group."
- Public comment on Proclamation Procedures (later in meeting):
- Todd Ramsey (District 1): Accused Mayor Wu of making a political statement by not reading the trans proclamation; urged council to stop burying the issue in process changes and focus on real problems.
- Anonymous citizen: Criticized the spin and misdirection, opposed the sponsorship idea as potentially segregating.
- Molly Stevenson (again): Emphasized that visibility is a first step to representation; urged council to consider what their procedures say about their values.
Discussion Items
- Extension of Lease for City-owned Property at 303 North Mead (District I): Tenant (since 2017) has not agreed to new lease terms (increase to $19/sq ft triple net from lower modified gross). Council moved to table (7-0), with Vice Mayor Johnston expressing concern about losing a tenant post-COVID.
- Extension of Lease for City-owned Property at 307-309 North Mead (District I): Similar situation, tenant since 2003, lease expires April 30; tabled (7-0). Council Member Ballard expressed worry about pricing out businesses in Old Town.
- Applicant Appeal of Demolition Permit for 1416 and 1418 N Park Place (District VI): The duplex is a contributing building in the Fairview Park Place Historic District. Property owners deceased, taxes unpaid (~$9,762), probate underway. Historic Preservation Board had denied demolition. Community stakeholders (Historic Midtown Citizens Association) plan to rehabilitate. Council voted 7-0 to defer to October 7, 2025, giving six months for stakeholders to gain ownership, pay taxes, and obtain building permits.
- Repair or Removal of Dangerous and Unsafe Structure (same property): Council opened the condemnation hearing but deferred action to October 7, 2025, with conditions (legal ownership, building permits, secure premises, taxes current). Motion carried 7-0.
- Police Department Property Acquisition: Purchase of 332 N. Riverview (13,430 sq ft) for $670,000 (appraised fair market) plus a parking lot for $175,000. Mayor Wu questioned why WPD pays $2,300/month rent in Old Town since 2008 when the city owns other properties. City Manager Layton said they plan to relocate that office to the new building. Council approved 7-0.
- Initiation of Nomination for Crown Uptown Theatre to Wichita Register of Historic Places: Council Member Johnson moved to initiate. Debate focused on property rights: the owner (who has not consented) may face restrictions. Council Member Glasscock opposed, citing property rights. Mayor Wu and Vice Mayor Johnston also voted no. Motion passed 4-3 (Johnson, Tuttle, Ballard, Hoheisel in favor; Wu, Johnston, Glasscock against).
- 2025 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program: Three applications totaling $1,022,960; no local match. Approved 7-0.
- Purchase of 12 Public Housing Authority Properties from Wichita Housing Authority: Allocation of $575,000 CDBG for acquisition and $900,000 for renovation. Properties to be sold to low-income homebuyers with affordability restrictions. Approved 7-0.
- 2025 Facilities Maintenance: 15 CIP line items totaling ~$5 million for critical infrastructure (roofs, electrical, ADA, fire stations, etc.). Council also requested a workshop on overall asset condition. Approved 7-0.
- Supplemental Design Agreement No. 2 for Douglas Avenue Improvements (Seneca to Meridian): Council approved the revised budget and design agreement but held off on approving the public art concept (Site B kinetic feathers) until further community input. Motion passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Historic Preservation (1416/1418 N Park Place): Deferred demolition decision to October 7, 2025, to allow community-led rehabilitation.
- Crown Uptown Theatre Historic Nomination: Initiated (4-3), despite owner non-consent.
- Police Department Property: Approved acquisition of 332 N. Riverview and adjacent parking lot.
- Proclamation Procedure Reforms: By consensus, the council directed staff to:
- Change proclamation language to "Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim..." (removing individual mayor's name from the body text, but mayor's signature remains).
- Mayor will physically sign proclamations at the bench in public.
- Votes on proclamations will be recorded weekly in the consent agenda for transparency.
- The sponsorship idea was not adopted; individuals can still request a council member to read.
- Appeal Panel for Security Permit Denial: Selected Council Members Johnston (D5), Ballard (D6), and Mayor Wu to serve.
- Adjournment: Motion passed 6-1 (Vice Mayor Johnston dissenting) at 2:38 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good morning, Wichita, and welcome to all of you here at City Hall. We'll call this meeting to order. With us today is Rabbi Schmoleck Greenberg of Shabbad Lubavitch of Wichita to provide our invocation. Following that invocation, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to stand for both. Rabbi. Thank you. Almighty God, sovereign of the universe. As we approach the Jewish holiday of Passover, Saturday evening, April twelfth, let us invoke the ancient lessons of Passover today. We pray that we always ensure that the meaning of Passover becomes visible in our daily lives. The biblical narrative of the Exodus is the story of the Israelites being redeemed from Egypt. The biblical Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitraim, which means limitations and boundaries. Today we are all enslaved to personal limitations, and we pray to be delivered from these obstacles that limit our potential to create a better future for ourselves, our families, our city, and the entire world. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of education and good character and instilled the hope for a brighter future into the lives of countless people in America and across the globe. The Rebbe taught that education in general should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career. Almighty God bless Mayor Lily Wu and the honorable members of this distinguished council. Give them guidance so that they will always be conscious of your presence and will strive to enact laws with honesty and integrity in accordance with your will. One nation, under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Thank you, Rabbi, and your two children. Mr. Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approval of the minutes of the regular meetings, March 18th, 2025, and March 25th, 2025. Are there any corrections? I see none. I approve the minutes of the regular meetings for March 18th and March 25th of 2025. Second. Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Mr. Clerk, please open the roll. Motion passes 7-0. Mr. Clerk, please call the next items. Awards and proclamations. The proclamations this week are Child Abuse Prevention Month, Arab American Heritage Month, and Crime Victims' Rights Week. Can I please ask the members of the Kansas Children's Service League to please come forward and any council members who would like to join me at the front. Hi, good to see you. Good morning. Hi, good morning. Good to see you. The proclamation reads the City of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas children are our nation's most vulnerable members as well as our nation's most vulnerable resource, helping to shape the future of Wichita. Positive childhood experiences or PCES, like loving caregivers and safe, stable, nurturing relationships can help mitigate trauma and the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences or ACEs to promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children. Whereas childhood trauma can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects throughout an individual's lifetime and impact future generations of their family, childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, is a serious problem affecting every community in the U.S. And finding solutions requires input and action from everyone. Whereas prevention is possible because of the partnerships created between families, prevention advocates, child welfare professionals, education, health, community, and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and governments. Whereas we acknowledge that in order to solve the public health issue of abuse and neglect, we must work together to change hearts and minds through storytelling and sharing. We're committed to advocating systems that ensure all children and families are healthy and thriving. Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim the month of April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Wichita, and encourage all citizens to recognize this month by building a narrative of hope for children and families through collaboration and the creation of an ecosystem of primary prevention that does not currently exist in the country. Thank you for inviting us today and for signing the proclamation declaring Child Abuse Prevention Month. I'm Rachel Harper, the assistant director of the Prevent Child Abuse Kansas Chapter at Kansas Children's Service League.
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