OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 13, 2025
BodyWichita, Kansas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
29:05

Morning, Wichita, and welcome to City Hall.

29:08

We'll call this meeting to order.

29:10

With us this morning is Leader Sage Liggett of Arc Church to provide our invocation.

29:19

Following that invocation, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance, and we ask and invite you to stand for both.

29:34

Let's bow our heads and pray.

30:01

Lord, that you give them peace in stressful times.

30:03

Lord, we pray, 2 Chronicles 714 to humble yourselves and pray, and you will heal our land, Father.

30:09

So we pray that you will bless our people of Wichita, that you will heal our sick, and that you will heal our land.

30:16

It's in the mighty name of Jesus we pray.

30:19

Amen.

30:26

And to the Republic for Wichita stands.

30:30

One nation.

30:33

With liberty and justice.

30:40

Thank you very much, Mr.

30:41

Liggett.

30:43

Mr.

30:43

Clerk, can you please call the first item?

30:46

Approve the minutes of regular meeting May 6th, 2025.

30:51

Are there any changes to the minutes?

30:54

I have one.

30:56

What was the vote for consent agenda?

30:57

Was it 6-0 or 7-0 last week?

31:01

I think it was 7-0.

31:04

I will go and check that and make the correction if necessary.

31:06

Okay, thank you.

31:07

And also, if we can get the names of people who speak as they walk up, because I think you can only speak once a month.

31:15

So I think that would be good too if we can do that.

31:19

Other than that, that's good.

31:20

Thank you.

31:25

I move to approve the meet meeting minutes for May 6th, 2025.

31:31

Second.

31:32

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

31:34

I see none.

31:35

Mr.

31:36

Clerk, please open the roll.

31:39

Motion passes 7-0.

31:42

Mr.

31:42

Clerk, please call the next item.

31:46

Awards and proclamations.

31:48

Proclamations this week are Bike Month, Wichita Facility Management Day, and Law Week.

31:54

May I please ask the Bike Walk Wichita team to come forward.

32:09

And any council members who are uh involved with Bike Walk Wichita.

32:27

The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas Bike Walk Wichita is teaming up with the City of Wichita and community partners to recognize National Bike Month in our community.

32:41

Whereas for more than a century, the bicycles have been an essential part of the lives of Americans and is a vital, environmentally friendly, sound form of transportation and an excellent form of recreation and exercise.

32:57

Whereas the education of cyclists and motorists as to the proper and safe operation of bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users in an effort to reduce cycle-related injuries and deaths.

33:12

Whereas creating bicycle-friendly communities has been shown to improve residents' health and well-being, quality of life, community spirit, and reduction of pollution and congestion.

33:23

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim May 2025 as bike month in the city of Wichita and encourage all residents, businesses, and independent cyclists throughout our community to support the celebration of bike month and promote bicycling as a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation.

33:53

Good morning, Mayor Wu, Council members and community partners.

33:57

My name is Holly Terrell, and I am proud to serve as the executive director of Bike Walk Wichita.

34:02

On behalf of our organization and many volunteers, advocates, and writers we represent, I would like to thank you for this proclamation, recognizing May as Bike Month.

34:12

We're especially grateful to be celebrating alongside the Health and Wellness Coalition, WAMPO, city staff, and so many others who work year-round to make Wichita a more bikeable and walkable community.

34:22

Bicycling isn't just a fun activity.

34:25

It's a vital form of transportation, a tool for wellness, and a way to connect with our neighbors.

34:31

Bike month allows us to celebrate that and to continue working toward a Wichita where everyone feels safe and welcome on our streets, sidewalks, and paths, regardless of how they get around.

34:41

We invite all Wichitans to join us throughout the month for a variety of events, classes, opportunities to ride, and conversation.org.

34:54

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier city, one pedal stroke at a time.

34:59

Thank you.

35:59

The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas World Facility Management Day aims to recognize the efforts of the facility management profession anywhere that facility management professionals influence the health, safety, productivity, and well-being of people who utilize the built environment.

36:21

Whereas Wichita facility managers build, support, and maintain facilities in such sectors and industries as medical production, food supply, office buildings, transportation, education, financial, and real estate, keeping these businesses open and producing.

36:39

Whereas the Wichita chapter of IFMA has assisted Wichita State University with adding a degree emphasis in facilities management and increased awareness will benefit Wichita State University and the local facility management workforce.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Economic Development████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Pension Management██████6%
Urban Planning█████5%
Zoning Regulations█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

The Wichita City Council held its regular meeting on May 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting covered proclamations, public comments, consent items, and discussions on economic development, housing, park improvements, water sustainability, zoning, and airport leases.

Proclamations

  • The Council proclaimed May 2025 as Bike Month, May 14, 2025 as Wichita Facility Management Day, and May 12–16, 2025 as Law Week. Representatives from Bike Walk Wichita, IFMA, and the Wichita Bar Association accepted the proclamations.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Arthur Stokes advocated for stricter regulations on black mold, describing landlord retaliation and health impacts. Councilmember Hoheisel noted a May 27th workshop on potential new ordinances and a statewide inspection standard for Section 8 housing related to mold.
  • Crystal Diane Sigler advocated for tiny home villages for the homeless, citing the 2024 Point-in-Time Count (691 homeless persons, 21% unsheltered, a 25% increase in unsheltered). Housing Director Sally Stang noted multi-family units are more cost-effective and detailed plans for a 75-unit building at the MAC with 50 permanent supportive housing units.
  • Sybil Strum expressed deep distress over the city's actions regarding her property since 1998. City Manager Leighton detailed staff efforts to assist her, which Ms. Strum disputed. The matter was deferred from a full bench discussion.
  • Derrick Jackson publicly absolved the city and police officers involved in his wife's case, thanking Councilmember Johnson for his empathy and stating no further charges would be brought in his name.
  • Joseph Tex Dozier was listed on the agenda but did not appear to speak.

Consent Calendar

  • The Council approved Consent Agenda Items 1 through 21 by a 7-0 vote, including routine licenses, contracts, preliminary estimates, project closeouts, community event permits, property sales, and numerous second-reading ordinances for infrastructure assessments.

Discussion Items

  • Board of Bids and Contracts (May 12, 2025): Approved 7-0. Key awards included the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance ($709,525) and 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation ($417,026).
  • Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved 7-0 for water, sewer, and paving improvements in the Betzen and Pegasus additions.
  • V-1: Industrial Revenue Bonds for WAM 4200, LLC: The Council closed the public hearing and approved the IRB resolution 7-0 after a cost-benefit analysis update (City benefit ratio 1.42 to 1) and discussion of job creation criteria. The applicant plans to attract aircraft manufacturing tenants.
  • VI-1: Actuarial Valuation Reports: Approved 7-0. Funded ratios are 88% (WER) and 87% (Police/Fire), placing Wichita in the top 25% of public pension plans nationally. The 2026 employer contribution rates were set.
  • VI-2: Affordable Housing Fund Allocation: Approved 6-0 (Councilmember Johnson abstained due to a conflict of interest). $1,846,051 was allocated to Hope CDC, Large Enterprise, Sampayo Capital Group, and Wichita Habitat for Humanity for the rehabilitation of 47 single-family homes.
  • VI-3: O.J. Watson Park Improvements: Approved 7-0. $425,000 in bond funding was authorized for erosion mitigation, pony stable drainage improvements, and public art (murals/sculptures) to improve accessibility and wayfinding.
  • VI-4 & VI-5: Golf Course Beverages & Ice Center Management: Approved 7-0. Pepsi was selected as the vendor for golf course snack bars. The Ice Center management contract was assigned from RMSC to SFC.
  • VI-7: Water Reuse Alternatives Study: Approved 7-0. A $1.2 million contract with CDM Smith was approved to study direct potable reuse (DPR) and industrial reuse. Staff noted DPR could potentially provide up to half of the city's average daily demand (50 MGD) and help position Wichita as a leader in Kansas. A robust public engagement plan is included.
  • VI-8: MAPD Fee Increase: Approved 7-0. Application fees will increase by 10% (first increase since 2018), effective July 1, 2025, to improve cost recovery from 21-23% to 27%.
  • VI-9: SoCe Corner CID: Approved 7-0. The Council accepted the petition and set a public hearing for June 10, 2025, to consider a Community Improvement District for a $2.6M mixed-use development at Lincoln and Broadway. A 10% allocation will benefit the Firefighter Memorial.
  • IX-1: WSU Tech Lease Agreement (Jabara Airport): Acting as the Airport Authority, the Council approved a 31-year lease for 9.6 acres at Colonel James Jabara Airport 6-0 (Councilmember Tuttle abstained due to a conflict of interest). WSU Tech will build an 85,000 sq ft hangar for aviation workforce development, including professional pilot and advanced air mobility programs.

Non-Consent Planning Items

  • VII-1: Accessory Apartment (1632 N Nevada Ct): The Council voted 7-0 to approve the conditional use with an added DAB condition requiring a gabled roof to better match the neighborhood.
  • VII-3: Vacation Request (301 S Terrace Dr): The Council voted 7-0 to approve the setback vacation but deny the utility easement vacation, following the MAPC recommendation.
  • VII-4: Zone Change - Bin Store (1200 N Waco): The Council voted 7-0 to override the MAPC and deny the rezoning from TF-3 to NR, agreeing with DAB findings that the business created traffic issues, visual clutter, and had been operating in violation of the zoning code.

Key Outcomes (Votes, Directives, Appointments)

  • Votes: All main motions passed unanimously (7-0) except where specific abstentions were noted.
  • Directives: Staff will bring the five-year lookback report on IRBs to the public. The water reuse study will launch immediately. Council travel expenses will be posted on the city website for transparency.
  • Appointments: Dan Bateman (DAB), Jack Silver (Diversity & Inclusion Board), and David Gao (Fire & Police Retirement Board) were appointed.
  • Travel: Council travel authorizations for Mayor Wu (League of Kansas Municipalities, Paris Air Show), Councilmembers Johnson and Ballard (NLC City Summit), Councilmember Johnson (Local Progress, NBCLEO), and Councilmember Hoheisel (NLC City Summit) were approved 7-0.
  • Future Meetings: A workshop on potential tenant protection and mold ordinances is scheduled for May 27, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Morning, Wichita, and welcome to City Hall. We'll call this meeting to order. With us this morning is Leader Sage Liggett of Arc Church to provide our invocation. Following that invocation, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance, and we ask and invite you to stand for both. Let's bow our heads and pray. Lord, that you give them peace in stressful times. Lord, we pray, 2 Chronicles 714 to humble yourselves and pray, and you will heal our land, Father. So we pray that you will bless our people of Wichita, that you will heal our sick, and that you will heal our land. It's in the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen. And to the Republic for Wichita stands. One nation. With liberty and justice. Thank you very much, Mr. Liggett. Mr. Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approve the minutes of regular meeting May 6th, 2025. Are there any changes to the minutes? I have one. What was the vote for consent agenda? Was it 6-0 or 7-0 last week? I think it was 7-0. I will go and check that and make the correction if necessary. Okay, thank you. And also, if we can get the names of people who speak as they walk up, because I think you can only speak once a month. So I think that would be good too if we can do that. Other than that, that's good. Thank you. I move to approve the meet meeting minutes for May 6th, 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 item. Awards and proclamations. Proclamations this week are Bike Month, Wichita Facility Management Day, and Law Week. May I please ask the Bike Walk Wichita team to come forward. And any council members who are uh involved with Bike Walk Wichita. The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas Bike Walk Wichita is teaming up with the City of Wichita and community partners to recognize National Bike Month in our community. Whereas for more than a century, the bicycles have been an essential part of the lives of Americans and is a vital, environmentally friendly, sound form of transportation and an excellent form of recreation and exercise. Whereas the education of cyclists and motorists as to the proper and safe operation of bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users in an effort to reduce cycle-related injuries and deaths. Whereas creating bicycle-friendly communities has been shown to improve residents' health and well-being, quality of life, community spirit, and reduction of pollution and congestion. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim May 2025 as bike month in the city of Wichita and encourage all residents, businesses, and independent cyclists throughout our community to support the celebration of bike month and promote bicycling as a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. Good morning, Mayor Wu, Council members and community partners. My name is Holly Terrell, and I am proud to serve as the executive director of Bike Walk Wichita. On behalf of our organization and many volunteers, advocates, and writers we represent, I would like to thank you for this proclamation, recognizing May as Bike Month.

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