Wichita City Council Meeting Summary | August 12, 2025

The Wichita City Council convened on August 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including a proclamation for Women in Sports Broadcasting Day, public presentations on the City Archaeologist Office, cemetery conditions, a zoning case, and the animal shelter. Major actions included the denial of a development agreement for a 186-unit affordable housing project at Waterwalk, approval of contracts for financial services centralization, and decisions on several zoning and conditional use requests. The council also received the quarterly financial report and handled multiple consent agenda items.

Proclamation

• Women in Sports Broadcasting Day: The council proclaimed August 18, 2025, as Women in Sports Broadcasting Day, recognizing the contributions of women in sports media and highlighting a 37.5% representation of women in local sports broadcasting roles.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Crystal Dozier (City Archaeologist): Presented on the City Archaeologist Office, established in 1977, which has identified over 65 archaeological sites in the municipal area and hundreds in southern Kansas. The office provides low-cost cultural resource management reviews, saving local governments thousands of dollars. Dozier noted the office currently receives no mill levy funds.
• Jim Underwood: Discussed liability issues related to multimodal transportation, arguing that non-licensable vehicles using ADA ramps create liability for the city.
• Barb Myers (Highland Cemetery volunteer): Requested the city fund a dedicated cemetery department for Highland Cemetery, citing damage from storms, vandalism, and lack of maintenance. She noted a trust fund has adequate liquidity for repairs. Council discussion revealed quarterly meetings are now being held to address issues, and security and gates are being explored.
• Jan Knabe (Resident, 8303 S. Cypress St.): Voiced concerns about ZON2025-00030, a zone change near 39th Street South and Rock Road. She argued 39th Street is inadequate for additional traffic, has no shoulders, and is deteriorating. She requested that access be routed through commercial property on Rock Road or that the zone change be denied. She also asked who would be responsible for road upgrades.
• Jeanette Peterson (Resident, 3522 N. Lake Ridge Court): Criticized the Wichita Animal Shelter, citing a 26% euthanization rate in June, lack of enrichment, foster, and volunteer programs, and community perception as a "death chamber." She presented a petition with over 340 signatures calling for reform. She urged the council to fund improvements and give shelter manager Emily Hearst resources to enact changes. Emily Hearst responded, explaining the shelter is a short-term stray facility by design, and that the partnership with the Kansas Humane Society (KHS) is key to saving lives. Hearst noted that the KHS contract for veterinary care is up for renewal next year and that she is working on a resource center. The city manager offered to schedule a workshop on animal control.

Discussion Items

• Development Agreement with Union Development Holdings LLC (Waterwalk Affordable Housing):

  • The council held a public hearing on a proposed development agreement for a 186-unit multifamily affordable housing project at Waterwalk, to be built by the Annex Group. The project required issuance of up to $50 million in multifamily residential revenue bonds, a 10-year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) with an estimated net abatement value of approximately $45,000 in the first year, and a sales tax exemption valued at approximately $1.8 million (city share ~$141,000). The project's cost-benefit analysis showed a benefit ratio of 1.1.
  • Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson provided an extensive 20-year history of the Waterwalk development, detailing a series of amendments, public investments totaling approximately $43.8 million, and private investments of about $36.5 million. Original promises included $86 million in private investment.
  • Jim Korok (co-trustee, estate of Jack DeBoer) apologized for the project falling short of the original vision but argued the affordable housing project represents a significant investment and meets a critical need.
  • Public comment included strong opposition from residents and King of Freight (a tenant at Waterwalk), citing parking shortages (only 70 spaces planned for 186 units), potential harm to existing businesses, impacts on condo views, and the project's inconsistency with the area's master plan. One speaker called the original deal a "sweetheart deal."
  • Council debate was extensive. Several members expressed concerns about the rushed timeline (the last round of state tax credits was expiring), the history of Waterwalk, inadequate parking, and the project not being the highest and best use for the riverfront. Councilmember Johnson argued the project would provide much-needed workforce housing downtown.
  • Motion to approve (substitute): Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing and approve the development agreement. The motion failed due to lack of a second.
  • Motion to deny: Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing and deny the project. The motion passed 6-1.

• 2025 Trail, Path, and Sidewalk Repairs (Pawnee Prairie Park focus): Tim Kelms (Public Works) presented plans for $300,000 in trail repairs, primarily at Pawnee Prairie Park, where gravel trails have deteriorated. The council approved the project and bonding resolution 7-0.

• Centralization of Financial Services Initiative: Mark Manning (Finance) presented contracts for two initiatives: a consulting contract with McConnell & Jones LLP to centralize financial services (AP, AR, payroll), and a software contract with TimeClock Plus for electronic timekeeping and scheduling. The initiative is expected to save up to $500,000 annually, offset by a $200,000–$250,000 annual software maintenance fee. The council approved both contracts and budget adjustments 7-0.

• Quarterly Financial Report (Q2 2025): Mark Manning presented the report for the period ending June 30, 2025. Key points: revenues are trending as expected, with sales tax and interest earnings slightly better than forecast; public safety expenditures remain at 65% of the total; police vacancies have reduced from north of 100 to about 50; golf fund performance is excellent. The council received and filed the report 7-0.

• Applicant Appeal of HPC2025-00060 (Ablah House awnings): Mark Turman, owner of the historic Ablah House (102-104 N. Pinecrest), appealed the Historic Preservation Board's (HPB) denial of a building permit to install awnings over four second-story terraces to stop water intrusion. Turman stated he had been trying to address the issue for two to three years and provided new renderings not previously seen by the HPB.

  • Motion to approve (substitute): The mayor moved to override the HPB, finding no feasible alternatives, and approve the permit. The motion failed 3-4.
  • Motion to send back to HPB: Councilmember Johnson moved to send the case back to the HPB for further review. The motion passed 6-1.

• Conditional Use for Vehicle/Equipment Sales (CON2025-00073, 2666 N. Amidon): The MAPC recommended approval; the District Advisory Board (DAB) recommended denial. Councilmember Ballard (District VI) moved to override the MAPC and deny the conditional use, citing detrimental impact on nearby residential uses. The motion passed 7-0.

• Zone Change for Duplexes (ZON2025-00028 & CON2025-00080, 1202 N. Gow): The DAB recommended approval with an additional condition requiring gabled roof design. Councilmember Ballard moved to adopt the DAB's findings, approving the zone change and conditional use with the gabled roof condition. The motion passed 7-0.

• Zone Change for Shipping Container Housing (ZON2025-00026, 428 S. Laura & 427 S. Pattie): The MAPC recommended denial; the DAB recommended approval. Councilmember Johnson moved to override the MAPC and approve the zone change with a protective overlay requiring uniform, earth tone colors for any shipping container structures. The motion passed 7-0.

• Zone Change near 39th Street and Rock Road (ZON2025-00030): Approved by MAPC (10-0) and DAB (10-0). One protest petition was received but did not meet the threshold for a supermajority. Councilmember Tuttle moved to approve the zone change. The motion passed 7-0.

• Affordable Housing Fund Program Plan Updates: Carmen Hoffein (Housing and Community Services) presented updates to the plan, including using remaining funds for acquisition and rehabilitation of public housing properties, with priority for large family units and properties facing repositioning challenges. The council approved the updated plan 7-0.

• Board of Bids and Contracts: Approved 7-0, including a bid for the Arkansas River East Bank Restoration (for rejecting all bids) and contracts for pavement preservation, crosswalk improvements, pickup truck purchase, and home modifications.

• Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved 7-0 for water and sanitary sewer improvements for new developments.

• Consent Agenda (Items 1-31, excluding Item 16): Approved 7-0. Item 16 (Jakub's Ladder funding) was pulled and approved 6-0 with one abstention (Councilmember Johnson).

• Council Member Appointments: Approved 7-0. Appointments: Lugene Schneider to the Library Board; Charlie Wilkes to the Accessibility Board.

Key Outcomes

• Development Agreement for Waterwalk Affordable Housing: Denied (6-1). The project will not proceed.
• Historic Preservation Board Appeal (Ablah House): Sent back to the HPB for further review (6-1).
• Centralization of Financial Services: Contracts approved (7-0). Implementation expected within six to twelve months.
• 2025 Trail, Path, and Sidewalk Repairs: Approved (7-0). $300,000 allocated.
• Quarterly Financial Report: Received and filed (7-0).
• Affordable Housing Fund Program Plan: Updated plan approved (7-0).
• Zoning and Conditional Use Decisions:
  • CON2025-00073 (Vehicle Sales, N. Amidon): Denied (7-0).
  • ZON2025-00028 (Duplexes, N. Gow): Approved with gabled roof condition (7-0).
  • ZON2025-00026 (Shipping Container Housing, S. Laura/Pattie): Approved with protective overlay (7-0).
  • ZON2025-00030 (Zone Change, 39th & Rock): Approved (7-0).
• Consent Agenda: Approved (7-0) with Item 16 approved separately (6-0, 1 abstention).
• Board Appointments: Approved (7-0).
• Adjournment: Motion passed 6-1.