Wichita City Council Meeting – September 2, 2025
Wichita City Council Meeting – September 2, 2025
The Wichita City Council met on September 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered public comments on economic development transparency, homelessness funding, and bike lane safety; consent agenda approvals; new council business including industrial revenue bonds, park repairs, a KDHE planning grant, water/sewer infrastructure, and affordable housing funding; and planning items on a conditional use and a zone change.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of August 19 and August 26, 2025 (7-0).
- Approved consent agenda items 1–15, including cereal malt beverage licenses, contract for bus driver safety barriers, design agreements, change orders, advisory board minutes, proclamation votes, overestimate bid for Mt. Vernon, police firearms purchase, CSBG budget adjustment, second five-year tax exemption for Textron Aviation, zone change for Tyler Substation PUD, and sales of four properties by WHA (all 7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Celeste Racette spoke about lack of oversight in Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), citing the Ken Mar TIF where $2 million was owed with no audit trail. She noted that some CIDs have retailers not collecting the CID tax and urged posting CID debt amortization schedules. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson stated the city is reviewing all CIDs and working to provide accurate information. Finance Director Mark Manning clarified that a recent receipt from Academy Sports showed correct CID collection.
- Yadon Duprez requested an itemized breakdown of funds allocated to homeless services, citing an estimated 1,200–1,500 unhoused individuals and historical allocation of $4–5 million per year. Mayor Wu noted the city uses a point-in-time count of 736 from United Way. City Manager Robert Layton detailed investments of $23 million into the Second Light campus ($8M construction, $5M operations, $10M for phase three). Staff committed to providing the requested information.
- Holly Terrill (Executive Director, Bike Walk Wichita) requested reinstatement of bike lanes on Topeka and Market Streets, sharing personal safety experiences. Paul Gunzelman (Public Works) explained that the updated Master Bicycle Plan identifies Broadway as the north-south corridor, and a grant for protected bike lanes was submitted. The city will continue to evaluate traffic patterns.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing and Resolution of Intent for Industrial Revenue Bonds (Market Centre Apartments, District VI): Amended prior resolution to increase bond amount from $30M to $35M for converting an office building into 114 affordable housing units. Only a sales tax exemption is provided; no city financial risk. Mayor Wu requested rent information; staff will provide it. Public hearing closed and resolution adopted (7-0).
- Park & Recreation Budget Adjustment: Due to flood damage, $200,000 in irrigation savings were realized. $150,000 will be transferred to repair playgrounds at five parks; $50,000 remains in budget. Repairs expected to take about a month. Approved (7-0).
- KDHE Planning Grant Agreement: A $200,000 grant (no match required) to further develop the Community Resilience Plan. Funds will support consultant services and a public dashboard. Dr. Russell Fox (SIB Vice Chair) and Gary Janzen (Public Works) presented. Public comment from Harold Schlechtweg (ICT Trees) supported the grant. Approved (7-0).
- Funding for 2026 Water and Sewer Main Improvements: Approved $19.1 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects, funded through future revenue bonds or cash reserves (7-0).
- HOME Program; 2024 Housing Development Loan Program – Mennonite Housing (District VI): $270,000 in HOME funds for three single-family homes. Homes will be sold to buyers at or below 80% AMI for $131,000 each. Council Member Johnson abstained. Approved (6-0).
Non-Consent Planning Items
- Conditional Use for Accessory Apartment (2377 N. Richmond Avenue, District VI): Applicant sought to build an accessory apartment for in-laws. Council overrode MAPC to include DAB VI’s condition of a gabled roof. Approved (7-0).
- Zone Change from MF-29 to LC Limited Commercial (South Hillside Avenue, District III): Applicant wanted to rezone a 0.17-acre lot for additional parking. MAPC recommended approval; DAB III recommended denial. Council voted to return the case to DAB for additional review on October 1, 2025, to allow the applicant to present (7-0).
Council Member Agenda
- Appeal Panel Selection: Appointed Council Members Tuttle, Glasscock, and Vice Mayor Johnston to preside over an administrative appeal of a drinking establishment license (7-0).
- Travel Approvals: Council Member Tuttle’s travel to Washington, D.C. (expenses paid by CityHealth) was deferred to next week to handle as a gift exceeding limit. Council Member Johnson’s travel to Detroit for City to City conference was approved (7-0).
- Appointments: Nino Lawson appointed to Parks Board; Aaron Bastian appointed to City Manager Selection Committee (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- All consent items and most discussion items were approved unanimously.
- The conditional use for an accessory apartment was approved with an additional gabled roof condition.
- The zone change on Hillside was sent back to DAB for further review.
- Travel for Council Member Tuttle was deferred; travel for Council Member Johnson approved.
- Appointments to Parks Board and City Manager Selection Committee approved.
Meeting Transcript
City Council meeting. Please take a moment to silence your mobile device. If you wish to speak on an agenda item after the mayor invites public comment, proceed to the podium, state your name and address, and you will be given five minutes to speak. A timer can be viewed on the podium screen. You may speak one time per agenda item. Please refrain from clapping after other speakers. Thank you again for joining us today. Let's pause a moment for our television audience to join us. Lifting a note of thanksgiving and praise to the one who is almighty. We ask for wisdom's guidance in the meeting. May actions that are taken today affirm the beauty and strength of the many people living in various communities that make up the city of Wichita. May each decision be mindful of its effect on those most in need of the city's protection. But today we are saddened by the outbreak of gun violence yesterday between people who knew each other. We know solving conflicts by harming another only begets more harm. And we pray for families and friends affected, and we know that our city is better than this. Oh, yes, we do. Our heart's desire is for a peaceable solution to conflicts. Gun violence is not the answer. But on this day, it is a special day because it is the day after Labor Day, and Almighty, we lift up the honest labor and the diligent work of the city's many dedicated employees, especially those who work in behind the scenes and are rarely thanked. They labor hard to make this a great place to live, work and play. We thank you for their labor. And we thank you for all people in this city who are laboring in all manner of work. We are grateful for those who are here and take their time and talents to govern and lead. May they balance the many needs that come before them today in the deliverance they take and they have they take. And so we ask humbly, so be it. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag 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 very much, Pastor Goldtree. Madam Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approve the minutes of the regular meeting, August 19th, 2025, and August 26, 2025. Are there any changes or edits to those meeting minutes? I see none. I move to approve the meet meeting minutes for August 19th, 2025, and August 26, 2025. Second. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the roll. Motion passes 7-0. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. Awards and proclamations. Today's proclamations are hunger action month and St. Francis Ministries Day, 80 years of healing and hope. May please ask the Kansas Food Bank to come forward at this time. The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas hunger remains an urgent issue affecting over 71,000 individuals and families within our community, with one in seven Kansans and one in five Kansan children in Sedwick County being food insecure. By working collaboratively, we can make significant strides in reducing food insecurity and ensuring that our neighbors do not go hungry. Whereas September has been designated as Hunger Action Month by Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization with over 200 network partners across the United States. Whereas this month presents an opportune time to raise awareness about the persistent challenges faced by those experiencing hunger and to encourage individuals, organizations, and businesses alike to take action through volunteerism, participation in community events, monetary support, and beyond. Now therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim September 2025 as hunger action month in the City of Wichita and encourage all citizens to support the Kansas Food Bank and its 700 partners, providing enough food for over 15 million meals to our food insecure neighbors in Wichita and across 85 Kansas counties.
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