Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025

The Wichita City Council held its regular meeting on April 8, 2025, addressing proclamations, public comments, consent agenda items, multiple fire department equipment and apparatus replacements, a juvenile crime prevention grant application, neighborhood improvement projects, a fire station design contract, a local match funding agreement for environmental testing, an industrial revenue bond request, and a discussion on the city manager selection process. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved applications for cereal malt beverage licenses, preliminary estimates for paving and water improvements, water service agreements, design services agreements, minutes of advisory boards, sale of city-owned property at 750 East Pawnee Avenue, revisions to the Wichita Transit Safety Plan, and second reading ordinances.
• Approved consent planning items: plat of Betzen Addition and plat of Reber 3rd Addition.
• Approved consent housing item: sale of 2350 South Walnut Street.
• All consent items passed on a single motion (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Transgender and Inclusive Resolution: Five speakers from Wildflower Community School (Katie Rowley for Ramsey Hammond, Max Yost, Coraline Miller for Amy Byers, Gretchen Ike, and Quincy Rawling) requested that the City Council issue a resolution specifically naming and protecting groups whose safety and resources are threatened in 2025, including people who are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, housing-dependent, disabled, immigrants, low-income, elderly, and non-Christian. They cited statistics from the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force showing transgender people experience unemployment at twice the national rate (four times for transgender people of color) and 19% have been denied housing. They asked for passage by mid-May 2025, public text, and recorded votes. Council members expressed gratitude and affirmed their commitment to keeping Wichita inclusive.
• 29th and Grove Contamination: Former Councilmember Levante Williams spoke on the local match funding agreement, expressing concerns about community outreach, testing availability, and the need for further support for residents affected by the contamination.
• City Manager Selection: Former Councilmember Levante Williams and former Sedgwick County Commissioner Carl Peterjohn provided comments urging the council not to rush the city manager hiring process and to engage the community thoroughly. Helen Riker of District One encouraged recruiting from out of state, citing successful hires for local organizations.

Discussion Items

Fire Department Equipment and Apparatus Replacements

• Fire Apparatus Replacement (VI-1): Approved $3.97 million in general obligation bonds to replace two aerial apparatus (fire trucks) due to extended delivery times (48 months post-COVID). Current apparatus are aging (e.g., Truck 6 and Truck 5 at 10 years old; one reserve apparatus is 21 years old). The new trucks will replace the oldest frontline units. Discussion included lead times and supply chain issues. Vote: 7-0.
• Fire Equipment Replacement (VI-2): Approved funding (part of $8.2 million total for four fire items) for specialized equipment (forcible entry tools, thermal imaging cameras, etc.) to outfit new apparatus. Equipment lifespan varies. Vote: 7-0.
• Fire Radio Replacement (VI-3): Approved $2,555,000 in GO bonds to purchase 42 portable radios, 26 mobile radios, and 500 batteries. Radios have an 8-year lifespan. Discussion covered signal boosters for improved communication. Vote: 7-0.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (VI-4): Approved $1,290,000 in GO bonds to replace 300 air bottles and purchase replacement parts and compressor maintenance. The department had extended bottle life via acoustic evaluation, saving $75,000. Vote: 7-0.
• Councilmember Tuttle noted the combined $8,216,066 approved for the fire department across these four items.

2026 Kansas Department of Corrections Grant Application (VI-5)

• Approved a grant application for $147,806 (non-matching) from the Kansas Department of Corrections to extend the “Way to Work” summer youth program for at-risk youth (ages 14–17). The extension would serve 15–17 youth from the regular program (150–175 participants) with job placements, a job coach, and support services for 16 hours/week. The program is in its 14th year. The application deadline is April 15, 2025, with funds anticipated by July 1. Vote: 7-0. Councilmembers highlighted other summer youth opportunities via the Wichita Workforce Alliance.

Funding for 2025 Neighborhood Improvements (VI-6)

• Approved $500,000 in general obligation bonds for three projects: (1) 27th Street South traffic calming pilot (flexible delineators), (2) 21st Street North and Market Lane reconfiguration (lane reduction, pedestrian improvements), and (3) Exploration Place parking lot expansion and pedestrian crossing. The 2025-2034 CIP includes $30.5 million annually for neighborhood improvements. Vote: 7-0.

Design Contract for Fire Station Replacements (VI-7)

• Approved a $1,577,500 design contract with Tessera for three fire stations: a new station at Pawnee and May (Southwest Wichita) and replacements for Station 8 (Central and Elder) and Station 15 (Lincoln and Rock Road). The design contract includes management of public art elements. Funded from previously approved 2023/2024 design budgets ($1.0 million each) and a $200,000 art budget from the 2025 CIP (GO bonds). Construction bidding for the new station expected late 2025. Vote: 7-0. Discussion clarified that “art” refers to design elements integrated into the building, not standalone sculptures.

Local Match Funding Agreement – 29th and Grove (VI-8)

• Approved a $125,000 city contribution (reallocated from street maintenance) to a $1 million local match required for a $2.5 million Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant for environmental testing at the 29th and Grove contamination site. Partners: Sedgwick County ($125,000), Kansas Health Foundation ($500,000), and KDHE ($750,000 total match). Funds must be spent by December 2026. Vote: 7-0. Councilmember Johnson noted additional state funding ($1.5 million from the House) and planned community committee updates.

Industrial Revenue Bonds for Capps Holdings (VI-9)

• Approved a letter of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for Capps Holdings LLC to construct a speculative industrial building (minimum 100,000 sq ft, 28-foot clear height). The project qualifies for a 95% property tax abatement for the first five years and potentially 50% for the second five years if 50% leased. The city bears no financial risk; costs are borne by the company. The benefit-to-cost ratio for the city is 1.63:1. Vote: 7-0.

City Manager Selection Process and Local Government Discussion (X-1)

• The council discussed the city manager selection process, including forms of government (council-manager vs. strong mayor). They reviewed a draft RFP for a consultant (estimated cost ~$75,000, 30% of annual salary) and voted to place the RFP discussion as a new business item on the April 15, 2025 consent workshop meeting. Council members expressed support for using a consultant to ensure broad outreach and public engagement. Vote on direction: 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All motions on the consent agenda, board of bids, petitions for public improvements, and council business items passed unanimously (7-0).
• Approved four fire department funding items totaling $8,216,066: apparatus ($3.97M), equipment (part of total), radios ($2.555M), and SCBA ($1.29M).
• Approved the 2026 KDOC grant application ($147,806) for youth workforce development.
• Approved $500,000 for neighborhood improvements (traffic calming, street reconfiguration, parking lot expansion).
• Approved $1,577,500 design contract plus $200,000 art budget for three fire stations.
• Approved $125,000 city match for environmental testing at 29th and Grove.
• Approved letter of intent for industrial revenue bonds for Capps Holdings.
• Directed staff to bring the city manager consultant RFP to the April 15 meeting for further discussion.
• Approved mayor’s travel to APAICS summit in Washington, D.C. (estimated $909) and retroactive approval for League of Kansas Municipalities board meeting.
• Appointed Jim Underwood to Access Advisory Board and Mark Walsh to CSBG board.
• Councilmember comments highlighted upcoming community events: Wind Surge opening game, district breakfast, tree distribution, and library milestones.