Wichita City Council Meeting Summary - August 19, 2025
Wichita City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025
The Wichita City Council met in regular session at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, numerous consent items, and discussions on major projects including a new community center in Planeview, industrial revenue bonds, permanent watering restrictions, and a bridge replacement. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM after a 30-minute executive session.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of August 7, 2025, by a vote of 7-0.
- Approved Consent Agenda Items 1 through 31 (including licenses, grants, property acquisitions, bond sales, tax exemptions, zoning changes, and airport agreements) by a vote of 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Arthur Stokes (2614 S Topeka) spoke about the dangers of black mold in dwellings, relating his personal health struggles. Council Member Hoheisel asked about property maintenance ordinance timing; City Manager Layton indicated a September or October target.
- John DeCesaro (7507 E Norfolk Circle) advocated for continued city investment in the Wichita Public Library system, highlighting programs like the book bus (reached over 50,000 residents, served 6,427 people summer 2025) and summer reading (3,934 young readers). He requested staffing commitments, inclusion of library in CIP, and comprehensive plan consideration. Council Member Johnson shared a personal story about libraries preventing crime.
- Faith Martin (Vice Chair, Racial Profiling Citizens Advisory Board) promoted the annual workshop on August 30, 2025, at WSU Metroplex (10 AM-1 PM), focusing on driver's license restoration, jail re-entry resources, voter registration, and felon voting rights. Council members expressed support.
- Twila Puritty (District 1) advocated for a police wellness initiative similar to the fire department's cancer screenings, suggesting fitness standards measured post-academy. Council Member Tuttle noted a public-private partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation to develop a police wellness program focusing on cardiovascular health.
- George Theoharis raised concerns about animal control, illegal vehicle enforcement, and slow-moving nuisance cases. Council Member Hoheisel indicated interest in shared services with the county and a potential hotel/motel licensing ordinance.
Discussion Items
- 2026 Annual Operating Budget & 2026-2035 CIP: Elizabeth Goltry (Finance) presented the budget, highlighting a balanced general fund for 2026-2027 with projected deficits in 2028-2029 due to wage growth outpacing revenue. Public commenter Celeste Racette questioned the budget simulator's validity and advocated for increased street maintenance per lane-mile and deferring new parks like Crystal Prairie Lake. The Council received public comment by a vote of 7-0.
- Planeview Community Center Design Contract: After extensive debate, the Council approved a design contract with SFS Architecture for $820,565 for a new 18,400 sq ft community center (budget $9,937,299). The alternative of renovating part of former Jardine Middle School (40,000 sq ft, estimated $11 million) was rejected due to higher costs and deferred maintenance. Council Member Hoheisel emphasized the need in District 3, where 44% of households have a disability and 34% of the population is under 18. The motion passed 6-1, with Mayor Wu dissenting, citing concerns about transparency and the lack of community partner input.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds – WUG Radiation (Advanced Cancer Therapies): Approved a 10-year, 90% property tax abatement and sales tax exemption for a $6 million expansion (including a linear accelerator). The company projected treating 55 patients/day and creating 5 new jobs (average salary ~$100,000). Council Member Glasscock noted the 1:1 cost-benefit ratio. The motion passed 6-1, with Mayor Wu dissenting, expressing concern about a slippery slope for medical equipment tax abatements.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds – Douglas Apartments: Approved a 10-year, 40% property tax abatement and sales tax exemption for a $3.2 million workforce housing project (36 units). Developer Sam Jones stated the blended average rent would be below $1,000/month, $200-$400 below market. Passed 7-0.
- Hotel Indigo Development (229 East William): Approved a development agreement creating a CID (2% sales tax), IRBs (sales tax exemption only), and a TIF redevelopment plan for a 110-room full-service hotel with 4,000 sq ft retail. Total project cost ~$44 million. CID sales tax revenue capped at $2.5 million, TIF proceeds at $4.7 million. Passed 7-0.
- Common Consumption Area Amendments & Delano CCA: Approved ordinance amendments to comply with state law and designated a Delano CCA for Fridays/Saturdays 10 AM-10 PM, with signage costs estimated at $22,000. Passed 7-0.
- Lincoln Park Renaming: Approved renaming to Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park to honor fallen firefighters. Renovations include expanded memorial, splash pad, and fire-themed playground. Passed 7-0.
- State Revolving Fund Loan for BNR Program: Approved a second SRF loan for the Biological Nutrient Removal program, saving an estimated $9 million in financing costs compared to revenue bonds. Passed 7-0.
- 1st Street Bridge Replacement: Approved the concept (two eastbound, one westbound lane) and Amendment No. 1 for a progressive design-build contract with Dondlinger & Sons. Total project budget $14.1 million (including $600,000 for public art). Construction expected to start late 2025, lasting about one year with river lowered. Passed 7-0.
- Permanent Watering Restrictions Ordinance: After public comment and debate, the Council approved first reading of an ordinance establishing permanent three-days-per-week outdoor watering restrictions (odd/even addresses with no watering on Monday) beginning September 15, 2025. The motion passed 4-3, with Mayor Wu, Council Member Tuttle, and Council Member Ballard dissenting. Variances will be allowed for new lawns. Council Member Johnson expressed reluctance but supported. The ordinance allows hand watering except 10 AM-6 PM.
- Ancillary Employee Benefits: Approved Delta Dental, VSP, and Surency as providers for dental, vision, and flexible spending administration. Passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Approved contracts for the Planeview Community Center design, first street bridge design-build amendment, and ancillary benefit vendors.
- Approved economic development incentives for WUG Radiation, Douglas Apartments, and Hotel Indigo.
- Established common consumption areas in Delano and updated city code.
- Renamed Lincoln Park to Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park.
- Authorized the State Revolving Fund loan for wastewater treatment upgrades.
- Advanced permanent water conservation via three-days-per-week watering restrictions starting September 15, 2025.
- Received and filed the Public Housing Recovery Agreement status report.
- Approved travel for Council Member Glasscock to attend IAFCI Task Force Awards.
- All votes were recorded with tallies as noted above.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, Wichita, and good morning to all of you. Welcome to City Hall. We'll call this meeting to order. With us this morning is Pastor Philip Moore of 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 morning to the mayor and the city council members and the citizens of Wichita. Let's bow our heads in prayer. Grant our leaders discernment to seek justice, fairness, and the common good. Bless the citizens of Wichita with safety, peace, and opportunity. We pray for unity, collaboration, and respect in this chamber. That the work done here reflects your will for the good of all. In your mighty and matchless name, we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which we stand one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. Thank you, Pastor Moore. Madam Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approve the minutes of the regular meeting, August 7th, 2025. Council members, any corrections to those minutes? I see none. I move to approve the minutes for August 7th, 2025. Second. Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the roll. We'll do a voice vote for this. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes, seven zero. Madam Clerk, can you please call the next item? Awards and proclamations. Proclamation, Saint Paul African Episcopal Church, 150th anniversary day and self-awareness month. Please ask the individuals from the St. Paul AME Church to please come forward at this time. The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas churches are the cornerstone of every community, providing guidance, fellowship, counseling, support, and concern for families and individuals within their congregations and through ministry to those outside their congregations. Whereas Wichita's oldest African American church, St. Paul AME, is celebrating its one hundred fiftieth anniversary with the theme, Proclaim the Year of Jubilee, and the AME Church is celebrating two hundred nine years on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Whereas this celebration promoting community inclusion in our neighborhoods through participating in fellowship is a unique opportunity for the church and the congregation to share information, worship, and fellowship with family and friends. Whereas the City of Wichita shares the pride of the St. Paul AME Church promoting community inclusion in our neighborhoods through participative fellowship under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Pamela M. Hughes, pastor, the Reverend Dr. Carla J. Cooper, President of the Elder Midwest South District, and the right Reverend Francine A. Brookins, Brookins, Esquire, presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District. And now therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim August 24, 2025 as Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church 150th Anniversary Day. On behalf of the St. Paul family, we are waiting and expecting an awesome celebration this week. So we thank God for our mayor and our city council honoring us on this day. What do we come to do? Proclaim the year of Jubilee.
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