Wichita City Council Meeting Summary - November 6, 2025
Wichita City Council Meeting Summary - November 6, 2025
The Wichita City Council convened for its fourth regular meeting of 2025 on November 6th. The meeting began with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of minutes for October 21st and October 28th, 2025. The agenda included proclamations celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Old Cowtown Museum, National Family Caregivers Month, and National Injury Prevention Day. Public testimony covered property fraud, affordable housing concerns, and allegations of city overreach. The Council reviewed financial reports, facility maintenance plans, and several zoning and land use cases, including contentious discussions regarding housing for youth aging out of foster care and changes to theater capacity.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes for the regular meetings of October 21, 2025, and October 28, 2025 (Motion passes 7-0).
- Approved board of bids and contracts dated November 3, 2025, recommending vendors for excavation, renovation, meters, snow control, and airport maintenance (Motion passes 7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kenley Ziering (Sedgwick County Register of Deeds): Stated the office offers two free alert services (Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert) to notify residents and notaries if documents are recorded in their names or using their seals, urging the council to help spread awareness.
- William Glander: Expressed concern that new high-end studio apartments in District Six are priced at $1,000/month based on a claimed median income of $80,000, a figure he argues does not reflect the reality of current residents who often earn significantly less. He opposed these developments as they threaten to displace existing homeowners and renters through rising property taxes and rent.
- Sybil Strum: Accused the "county commissioner" of bullying her family by entering her property without permission to take pictures and claiming unlawful actions against her home. She stated she filed a police report for the incident and requested an investigation into favoritism within the city.
- City Manager Leighton: Clarified that the situation with Ms. Strum involved a long history (dating back to 2019) where the city attempted repairs that were cost-prohibitive, subsequently providing assistance for her to move to a safer location. He stated the city has documentation of efforts to help her secure permanent housing.
- Christopher Swanson (Resident/SOC Coffee Co.): Expressed support for the proposed lodging establishment license ordinance, citing long-term problems with hourly motels and safety concerns in the neighborhood, while noting the importance of avoiding homelessness for current residents.
- Timothy McCorready (Resident): Expressed full support for the lodging ordinance, stating that living in close proximity to six hotels directly affects his safety and that the ordinance is necessary to hold businesses to higher standards.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations: Council received representatives for Old Cowtown Museum, AARP (representing family caregivers), and Ascension Via Christi (representing injury prevention) to recognize anniversary and awareness months.
- Quarterly Financial Reports (Q3 2025): Staff reported revenues (primarily interest and jail fees) are performing well, potentially resulting in a surplus for 2025 due to higher-than-expected interest earnings and jail fees linked to increased enforcement of property crimes and domestic violence. Salaries and benefits are under pressure as positions are filled. A discussion followed regarding reporting delays for the "Violence Interrupters" program, with staff promising to provide monthly data rather than quarterly. Councilmember Glascock questioned the Healthy Corner Store Initiative's spending, specifically regarding a 21 smoke shop vendor, and requested follow-up on guidelines.
- 2026 Facilities Maintenance: Staff outlined funding requests for over 350 buildings, prioritizing critical life safety items like HVAC and fire sprinklers. Councilmember Hoheisel requested confirmation that all leaks at fire stations would be addressed before winter; staff confirmed roof repairs are handled via work orders as reported, with major replacements prioritized by the Decision Support Tool.
- Sidewalk Maintenance: Staff explained the 2026 budget and city responsibility for sidewalks adjacent to city facilities versus property owners. Councilmember Hoheisel asked about assistance for financially strapped property owners; staff confirmed a similar program exists (referenced to Councilman Gary Jansen) for low-income applicants.
- Four Mile Creek Digester Expansion: Approved Phase Two amendment and additional funding ($11.7 million total) to expand the digester capacity to handle future growth and reduce odors for the Biosolids and Remediation (B&R) project.
- Lodging Establishment License (Chapter 3.23): Staff proposed an ordinance requiring licenses ($200/year) for hotels/motels to address nuisance complaints, crime, and premise conditions. The ordinance would allow inspections based on complaints and penalties for violations. Councilmembers praised the industry engagement with Visit Wichita and the balance between regulation and business burden. The ordinance was approved to place it on first reading.
- Car Wash Conditional Use (PUD 2025-116): Councilmember Tuttle moved to override the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) recommendation and deny the request due to significant traffic, noise, and pedestrian safety concerns raised by the District Advisory Board (DAB) and 52 protest petitions. Council supported the denial based on the existing narrowness of Rock Road and community opposition.
- Proctor Family Indoor Athletic Facility (PUD 2025-16): The applicant withdrew the application; no action was taken.
- 944 South Topeka PUD (PUD 2025-17): Council deferred the request to December 2nd, 2025, to allow the applicant to meet with MABCD regarding fire safety codes for stacking shipping container units (duplexes) intended for youth aging out of foster care. Concerns were raised regarding the $62,000 cost estimate, parking, and adherence to fire suppression codes for structures exceeding standard residential definitions. Vice Mayor Johnston expressed skepticism about the viability and safety of the proposed construction methods.
- Park Village PUD (PUD 2025-19): Council denied the zone change to allow RV camping and manufactured home use, overriding the MAPC recommendation for approval. Councilmember Tuttle cited concerns about the transient nature of RV residency, potential crime, and negative impacts on the stability of the existing manufactured home neighborhood.
- Crown Uptown Theater PUD Amendment (PUD 2025-21): Council approved the amendment with modified conditions (including a mandatory fire suppression system for occupancy above 860 and specific parking requirements) to resolve disputes over theater capacity (currently 850, limited to 860 by variance) and parking in the College Hill neighborhood. The motion passed 7-0.
- Mayor's Travel Approvals: Approved travel for Mayor Wu to attend the Rodel Fellowship Seminar and the KU Dole Institute of Politics, noting no taxpayer dollars would be spent on the former.
- Ethics Board Appointment: Council appointed Vanessa Christofferson to the Ethics Board (Motion passes 7-0).
Key Outcomes
- 7-0 Votes: Approved minutes, board of bids/contracts, consent agenda, Four Mile Creek funding, City-wide facilities maintenance, sidewalk maintenance, lodging establishment ordinance (first reading), and Mayor's travel approvals.
- 7-0 Vote (Override): Denied the Car Wash Conditional Use (PUD 2025-116) despite MAPC approval, based on DAB denial and protest thresholds.
- 7-0 Vote (Override): Approved the Crown Uptown Theater PUD amendment with modified conditions regarding fire suppression and parking.
- 7-0 Vote: Approved the appointment of Vanessa Christofferson to the Ethics Board.
- 7-0 Vote (Deferral): Deferred the 944 South Topeka housing project (PUD 2025-17) to allow for code clarification and community engagement.
- 6-1 Vote (Denial): Denied the Park Village RV camping PUD (PUD 2025-19), rejecting the MAPC recommendation to protect neighborhood character; Councilmember Tuttle voted against the denial (or abstained/differed based on context of 6-1, likely Councilmember Tuttle voted Yes on the denial, others split? Correction: The transcript states "Motion passes 6 1" for adjournment, but the vote on Park Village was a denial. The transcript explicitly says "Motion passes 70" for the denial of Park Village. Wait, re-reading the transcript: "Motion passes 70" for the Park Village denial. Then for the adjournment motion, it says "Motion passes 6 1". The 6-1 was for the motion to adjourn, not the denial. The denial of Park Village was 7-0). Correction on Park Village Vote: The transcript states for the denial of Park Village: "Motion passes 70." The 6-1 vote was for the final motion to adjourn the meeting (implying one council member was absent or voted differently on the adjournment).
- Deferred Item: 944 South Topeka PUD (PUD 2025-17) deferred to Dec 2, 2025.
- Withdrawn: Proctor Family Indoor Athletic Facility (PUD 2025-16).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, Wichita, and good evening to all of you. Welcome to City Hall, and thank you for joining us for the fourth evening meeting of the year. I will call this meeting to order. With us this evening is Pastor Ryan Emmons of Friendship Baptist Church to provide our invocation. Following that invocation, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance. Can we please stand for both? Approve the minutes of the regular meetings of October twenty first, twenty twenty-five, and October twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-five. Council members, are there any changes or corrections to those minutes? I see none. I move to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of October 21st, 2025 and October 28, 2025. Second. Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, can you please open the roll? Aye. Motion passes seven zero. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. Awards and proclamations. Today's proclamations are 75th anniversary of Old Cowtown Museum, National Family Caregivers Month, National Injury Prevention Day. May I please ask Councilmember Hoheisel to come forward along with the Old Town Museum Board of Directors and any supporters. The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas Old Cowtown Museum has served as a premier living history site since its founding in 1950, preserving and interpreting the rich heritage of Wichita, Sedwick County, and the American frontier of the 1870s. Whereas for 75 years, Old Cowtown Museum has provided generations of visitors with immersive educational and educational entertaining experiences. These experiences connect people to the struggles, triumphs, and daily lives of those who built the early community of Wichita. Whereas Old Cowtown Museum has preserved historic structures, collections, and artifacts, offering a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience firsthand the culture and history of the American West. Whereas the year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of Old Cowtown Museum, a milestone that deserves celebration and recognition by the community and all those who have visited, volunteered, and worked to make the museum a success. Now therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim the 75th anniversary of Old Cowtown Museum. Thank you, Mayor Wu. I just want to thank everybody in the community who has supported this museum for the past seventy-five years. It shows that generations of individuals and residents have supported this museum, and we look forward to the next seventy-five years at the museum thanks to our supporters, our elected officials, and the private donors who make this public-private partnership possible. Thank you. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, family caregivers in Kansas provide 320,000 hours of care every year, adding up to 4.5 million dollars in unpaid labor annually. Whereas family caregivers face tremendous challenges, financial, emotional, and physical. They do it all from bathing and meal preparation to managing medications, arranging transportation, and performing complex medical or nursing tasks. Whereas too often, family caregivers sacrifice their own financial stability, stop saving, take on debt, use personal savings, or delay paying bills to care for their loved ones. These caregivers deserve not only our gratitude, but also common sense solutions that save the money, time, and stress. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim November 2025 as National Family Caregivers Month. Good evening, everyone. To Mayor Wu and members of the City Council, we would like to thank you very much for this opportunity to recognize National Caregivers Month, as you stated. There are so many caregivers within Kansas, and the number continues to grow. So we're very pleased to be able to recognize them, provide our financial support, and advocate for financial support for them going forward. Thank you. Thank you. May I please ask Ascension via Christie and any of its supporters to come forward at this time. The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas injuries are the leading cause of death and disability to Kansans. Whereas the state of Kansas is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment that contributes to the health, safety, and well-being of all people. Whereas hospitals, state agencies, and community organizations across Kansas are dedicated to protecting our communities from preventable injuries and commend the heroes in health care and all others who work tirelessly in these efforts. Whereas the City of Wichita encourages all citizens to raise awareness and promote efforts to reduce injuries and improve safety for all Kansans. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim November 18th, 2025 as National Injury Prevention Day. Good evening. Thank you, Mayor Wu and City Council members.
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