Wichita City Council Meeting May 20, 2025: Proclamations, Student Presentations, and Votes on Police Equipment, Fireworks, Drone Program, and Settlement
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Wichita City Council Meeting – May 20, 2025
The Wichita City Council met on May 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM in City Council Chambers, 455 N. Main Street. The meeting included proclamations, presentations from Independent School students, and votes on several key items including police equipment, a fireworks ordinance, a drone program, and a proposed settlement. The meeting concluded with two executive sessions.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved minutes of the May 13, 2025 regular meeting (7-0).
- Proclamations: National Public Works Week (May 18-24), End the Stigma Day (May 22) honoring Remington Hope Young, and Maternal Mental Health Month. Gary Jansen (Public Works Director) highlighted department statistics: 700+ employees, water customers up 81% over 50 years while consumption only up 21%. Amy Young (mother of Remington) spoke on mental health awareness.
- Consent Agenda Items 1-17 (excluding items 8 and 11): Approved 7-0. Included licenses, preliminary estimates, agreements (workers' comp review, water service, overdose data, uniforms, College Hill plan), design agreements, minutes, proclamation votes, drug enforcement task force, police equipment replacement (item 8 – pulled separately), ITS funding, community event alcohol permit, settlement of HH Holdings (item 11 – pulled separately), second reading ordinances (fee changes, special assessments, zoning change), planning annexation, housing Continuum of Care budget, housing sale, airport use and lease, and structural engineering services.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Students from The Independent School (Leo Angbo on wind energy, Cohen Crites on hydropower, Sadie Cheng on biomass, William Antonios on solar energy, Dessa Thiry and Catalena Burk on biomass and biogas) presented their research and ideas for Wichita's future. Council members praised their confidence and civic engagement. Councilmember Johnson encouraged them to keep fighting for renewable energy. Councilmember Hoheisel updated on city initiatives (electric fleet, pollinator gardens, methane capture).
- Police Equipment (Item 8): Faith Martin (District 2) asked about funding sources. Captain Cooley confirmed helmets from CIP, communications from radio CIP, ballistic shields from federal JAG grant.
- Settlement (Item 11): Multiple speakers spoke against settling for $400,000: Celeste Rossette (former FDIC examiner/auditor) detailed the history of the deal and lack of oversight; Lawanda Descher (District 1) noted everyday citizens are penalized for non-payment; Olivia Hayes questioned why the settlement was so low; George Theo Harris (District 3) supported the fire department’s fireworks stance.
- Other: George Harris commented on fireworks, and one resident urged limiting fireworks to city displays only. Faith Martin expressed privacy concerns about the drone program.
Discussion Items
- Item 8 – Police Protective Equipment Replacement: Captain Cooley presented the need to replace helmets, communications equipment, and ballistic shields. Councilmember Hoheisel noted active shooter preparedness. Approved 7-0.
- Item 11 – Settlement of City v. HH Holdings: Extensive discussion. City Attorney Jennifer Magania outlined the 2009 agreement, a 2011 amendment with an oral payment promise, and $1,881,003.94 owed. The proposed mediated settlement was for $400,000. City Manager Leighton noted changes since 2009: now require personal guarantees and letters of credit. Councilmember Glascock read public comments from 2008 and 2011 warning about lack of consequences. Councilmembers Ballard, Glascock, and Mayor Wu stated they would vote no on principle, preferring to fight for the full amount. Councilmember Johnson and Vice Mayor Johnston argued the case was weak and $400,000 was a sure recovery. Motion to approve the settlement failed 5-2.
- Board of Bids and Contracts (May 19): Approved 7-0. Included pavement preservation, concrete repairs, and vehicle purchases.
- Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved 7-0 for Gossard's Addition (street/sidewalk), Greenwich Legacy Addition (water/paving), Reber 2nd and 3rd Additions (multiple infrastructure phases).
- Amended Operations and Management Agreement with The Car Park: Troy Anderson presented. Expected to generate $2.2 million over 12 months. Councilmember Glascock asked about storage, enforcement training, and cleanliness. Approved 7-0.
- Fireworks Ordinance Amendment (First Reading): Battalion Chief Jose O'Cadiz presented history and data: in 2024, 36 injuries, 719 fireworks-related calls, but only one fire (improper disposal). New state law (SB 199) allows sales June 20-July 7 and permanent year-round retailers. The city proposes seasonal sales June 27-July 4, no permanent retailers, shooting dates June 27-July 5 with aerial only July 3-5, hours 10am-midnight. A citizen survey (1,327 responses) is open until May 30. Councilmember Hoheisel supported as practical. Approved 7-0 for first reading.
- Quarterly Financial Reports (Q1 2025): Mark Manning presented. General fund performing as expected; sales tax stronger than anticipated; court revenues declining; interest earnings stable but expected to diminish; Gale Fund down due to weather; landfill fund underperforming. Structural challenges expected in future. Received and filed 7-0.
- 2025 Drone First Responder Program: Deputy Chief Paul Duff presented a 12-month pilot at Fire Station 2 (1240 S. Broadway) – 3 docks, 3 drones, $320,000 first year ($30,000 infrastructure), $61,000/year thereafter. Can respond to 2,500 priority calls under 2 minutes. Integrated with Axon systems. Council noted privacy safeguards, no facial recognition, FAA waivers for night and beyond visual line of sight. Approved 7-0.
- Wichita-Sedgwick County Addiction Intervention Coalition: Assistant City Manager Dante Martin presented. Joint city-county coalition to administer $15.5 million in opioid settlement funds over 14 years (city received $2.9M). 11 members appointed by county, city to appoint 4 more. Councilmember Hoheisel urged inclusion of those with lived experience. Public comment from Donna Garcia (nurse/nonprofit director) urged speed and community-based solutions. Approved 7-0.
- Funding for Water Treatment Plant Improvements (Water Supply System): Don Henry detailed 12 projects (e.g., Cheney pumps, Hess drain line, switch gear, lime lagoons, VFDs, pipeline protection). Total $8.885 million. Council questioned El Dorado water source – Henry explained it is not feasible for severe droughts and lacks infrastructure. Approved 7-0.
- Design Concept and Supplemental Design Agreement for 2nd Street North (St. Francis to Main): Paul Gunselman presented. Road reconstruction with two westbound lanes, buffered bike lane, parallel parking, curb extensions, raised intersections. Total project $6.5 million ($500k design). Council requested total project cost be included in future reports. Approved 7-0.
- Pre-Employment Physical Examinations, Drug and Alcohol Screens: Andrew Hudsmith presented. RFP resulted in Worksafe as vendor, 8% cost reduction. Approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Police Equipment (Item 8): Approved 7-0.
- Settlement (Item 11): Motion to approve $400,000 settlement failed 5-2; the city will proceed to trial.
- All other agenda items (Board of Bids, Petitions, Car Park Agreement, Fireworks Ordinance, Quarterly Reports, Drone Program, Addiction Coalition, Water Supply Improvements, 2nd Street Design, Pre-Employment Contracts) were approved or received/filed by 7-0 votes.
- Councilmember Ballard announced a District VI coffee on Saturday. The council recessed into executive session for 15 minutes on contract negotiations and 10 minutes on litigation.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, Wichita, and welcome to all of you to City Hall, including our students from Independence School. We'll call this meeting to order. With us this morning is Pastor Philip Moore with Eden Fellowship Ministries to provide our invocation. Following that invocation, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance, and we ask that you please stand for both. Gracious and eternal God, we pause at the beginning of this gathering to acknowledge your presence and to seek your divine wisdom. Thank you for the breath of life, for the strength to serve and for the opportunity to lead. Today, Lord, we especially pray for the members of this city council. Grant each of them with clarity of mind, purity of heart, and unity of spirit. May personal interest be laid aside so that the greater good of all citizens may be lifted high. Help them to listen deeply, speak wisely, and act courageously. We ask for wisdom that goes beyond today. Wisdom that that plans for the next generation and for the legacy this council will leave. In times of disagreement, give patience. Bless Wichita with peace in our neighborhoods, growth in our economy, and healing in places that are hurting. We lift up those who are struggling today. Bring them comfort, provision, and hope to every corner of this city. And finally, Lord, may everything done here today be rooted in love for neighbor and a desire to honor and the sacred trust of leadership. We ask all these things with humility and expectation. In your most precious and holy name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the life of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor. Mr. Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approved the minutes of the regular meeting, May 13th, 2025. Are there any items to be pulled or items to be corrected? I see none. I move to approve the meeting meaning minutes, rather. Um, and second. I have a second. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? I see none. Mr. Clerk, please open the roll. Motion passes 70. Mr. Clerk, please call the next item. Proclamations. Today's proclamations are National Public Works Week in the Stigma Day and Maternal Mental Health Month. Please have the individuals from the City of Wichita's public works department come forward at this time. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. The proclamation reads the city of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are a vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Wichita. Whereas these infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are engineers, managers, and employees from state and local governments and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential for all citizens. Whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children of Wichita to gain knowledge and to maintain a progressive interest in the importance of public works and public works programs. Whereas this year, 2025 marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now, therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim the week of May 18th through 24th, 2025, as National Public Works Week in the City of Wichita, and encourage all citizens to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protect our health safety and quality of life.
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