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.
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.