Hey everyone.

I just wanted to say that I am deeply grateful for the trust you've putting in the representative on the little talk to the council for the past eight years.

You made it clear to me when I was at your door or on the phone with you.

Or simply having a conversation and cut your time.

Do you want us to log in with a voice of time?

There should be just a lot of people.

I might kind of weird.

I might need the message.

Good evening, staff, and good evening to all of you.

Thank you for joining us here at City Hall.

I'm Mayor Lily Woo, joined by Vice Mayor JV Johnston and the council.

We'd like to welcome you this evening for this special occasion.

We'll be saying goodbye to District One Council Member Brandon Johnson before swearing in incoming District One Council Member Joseph Shepherd.

We'll also be re-swearing in District Three Council Member Mike Hoheisel and District Six Council Member Maggie Ballard.

At this time, I would like to recognize our invocator, Pastor Pam Hughes from Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, and invite her to come to the podium.

And we ask that you please stand for both the invocation and pledge of allegiance.

May they look outside their own vision and see the community as a whole.

God, we pray as they take their seats during this season, that there would be something new, that we would see them model the example as we the community uplift them and undergird them.

We ask you now that you would bless their families.

Bless all who they encounter, God.

But know that, God, that we are watching.

So God, now help us, live out what we say to be true.

Yield us, find us closer together, even in the tough times.

So now God bless all who have gathered on this occasion.

Now God help them in all that they do in all decision making.

Even when it's tough, God, we ask them to stand up with integrity and boldness as they begin to hear the voices of the city of Wichita.

This we ask in Jesus' name.

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 Hughes.

Madam Clerk, please call the first item.

Presentation to outgoing council member Brandon Johnson.

At this time, we would like to ask council members who would like to make comments regarding councilmember Johnson's service to chime in.

Councilmember Tuttle.

Councilmember Glascott.

Thank you, Mayor Brandon.

I'll get it kicked off.

First off, I voted less uh with you than anyone on this bench, but most of those are simply about adjournment.

So at least um Joseph may not be doing that.

But I want you to know this that because of your work, you made me a better servant from here.

You made all of us a better servant from here, and you made our community a better servant.

I believe democracy is works best when people of conviction test each other.

And because the way that you've tested people from this bench, not just here that are present here, but previous councils.

I know that our community is stronger.

And I also know that everything you did or and do was done with sincerity and preparation and thoughtfulness, and you came to it because of perspectives of your life and those that you've engaged with and your worldviews, and I respect that a lot.

Um when I was first elected, I came to all my colleagues for advice, and you gave me the best advice, and your advice was you don't need advice because you were elected for a reason and you're elected for a purpose, and that you told me to act, but to do so carefully and to take into consideration every decision and every word that I make.

That advice stuck with me, and I hope is how I've um shaped how I've served.

And uh that's the same advice that I would offer soon to be councilmember Shepherd as well as be you, be unapologetically you, because I feel that that's how our community has been strengthened.

So thank you for your service, thank you for your friendship.

Um, I look forward to uh having more conversations with you and more debates with you, and I can't wait to see how you continue to serve our community.

So thank you for being you.

Councilmember Ho Heisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

I know there's um some things that we could say out loud, but we'll just keep some of that between us.

Umbody knows what it's like to sit up here on this bench except for people who have done it.

Uh everything that we do is in a spotlight.

Everything that we do and say is put on a pedestal and dissected.

And it's it's an interesting case because I saw and I thought things about you before I got on this bench, and then I get to know you, and I see the things in the backroom discussions that we have, and I see where your heart truly is.

And when I first got on council, you are my junior, but you are the senior council member.

Uh, with you also goes a lot of institutional knowledge.

I believe you are the longest serving council member here.

So hearing about councils of past and how they dealt with certain things, and also the challenges you faced over your eight years, including um riots around Ferguson, um 2020, the coronavirus.

There's been a lot that's been going on in your tenure, and again, just knowing and having the discussions with you and seeing where your heart truly lies, and it's with the people, it's with the people of your district.

We haven't always agreed.

We agree more often than not, probably more often than you and Dalton do.

Um we still have disagreements, and um but you've always brought a different perspective on here that's much needed because none of us up here have all the answers, and so having somebody with a really educated and articulate perspective that they can bring to the table is something that this body is going to miss.

Um, I have all the faith that council member Shepard will be able to step into those shoes and offer his perspectives as well.

But I'm gonna miss having yours up here as well.

And uh you notice that after the first couple of years they separated us and put us on opposite sides of this bench.

Probably did that for a reason, but um I'm gonna miss the stories, I'm gonna miss the jokes, I'm gonna miss the late nights that we both worked, but I know that the work will continue, and you will still be my partner.

Um just in a different perspective, just in a different job.

So I look forward to seeing what the next couple of years brings.

Um, take me along for the ride, please.

And um, I'm sure we'll see each other again very soon.

And feel free to come up here and kick our teeth in from the bench or from the the dais anytime you want.

I know you've been holding it back.

Let us know what you really think.

Councilmember Ballard, thank you, beer.

Councilmember Johnson doesn't always speak, but when he does, people listen.

Thank you for your service to our city and for sacrificing family time for all of our constituents.

You are appreciated and know that I will be calling you, so be ready.

Vice Mayor Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

Well, Brandon, I remember in the first or second meeting.

Uh I was over there, you were here, and uh we sparred, and I thought, oh no, that dude is smart and quick.

And uh, and you are you're smart, very quick witted, uh, you're well spoken, you're articulate.

Um, I've told you before, I think a lot of you.

So uh it's been a pleasure working with you, and uh I wish you all the best.

Councilmember Tuttle, thank you.

Um, there's no way I'm gonna get through this without crying.

Um Councilmember Johnson and I have known each other a long time.

Um, before either of us were on council, we deeply cared about making sure that people voted, not even knowing we'd both be in this role someday.

And he was working on a rock the vote initiative.

I was working on a vote like a mother initiative, and we ended up meeting and collaborating, and then later we found ourselves working together on food deserts and child care issues and all the things.

So for more than a decade, we have been friends and colleagues and partners in crime.

You have shown us what being a leader means.

It's not a title being a leader.

In 2020, many people forget we had not only COVID but the George Floyd murders, and because of you, we had rallies and not riots.

That's a leader, not a title.

Thank you to you and your family for your sacrifices we could serve.

You have an amazing family.

Thank you for Saturday.

It was wonderful to be there and to be a part of it.

You have made and will continue to make long into the future.

Wichita, a better place to live, learn, earn, play, and pray.

I am honored to have worked with you, but more importantly, learn from you.

I wish you all the best, and we'll see you soon.

Council member Johnson, my friend Brandon.

I actually went back to look and see our very first Facebook message.

I was a reporter sitting back there when you were serving in this capacity, and I asked you to help me connect with someone who had benefited from the child support amnesty day.

And you never fail to connect with not just our journalists, but with our community.

I really am grateful for your leadership.

You understand District One, but you also understand Wichita.

Together on this council, when we make decisions, we make them in collaboration to make our community better.

And I know that your heart is in serving our community, and I'm grateful for your service and grateful to your family for that sacrifice.

I know how difficult it is to serve in public office.

You are under a microscope.

But you've done it with grace, and you've done it with love, thanks to a wonderful partner in Danielle.

So I want to wish you a great retirement from the council and look forward to seeing you being a community member who continues caring about the city of Wichita.

So thank you for your service to the city of Wichita and all of us as part of this community.

With that, I would like to ask Councilmember Johnson and his family to join us at the front as we provide him the opportunity to say a few words.

Again, thank you for your service, Councilmember Brandon Johnson.

We thank you for serving District One and the City of Wichita these past eight years.

Council Member Johnson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you to all of my colleagues.

After eight years in office.

So I did ask, I asked comms if I could spend about 10 minutes per year.

And they said that uh it was my time to shine, so here we go.

At 803 a.m.

on January 9th, 2018.

But in all seriousness, I remember campaigning for city council across District One.

What I heard leading up to my campaign and during the campaign was simply the hope for opportunity.

And that led to running to advance opportunity in the heart of our city.

Advancing the opportunity to live your American dream right here in the city of Wichita, but especially in District One, the district I grew up in.

I remember driving to City Hall from our first meeting.

So for tomorrow, that'll be you, Councilmember Shepard or Councilmember Elect right now.

As I drove in, I was feeling a sense of pride.

But as I turned the corner and parked in council parking, the weight and responsibility of governing hit me.

Hit me like a ton of bricks.

Every issue we heard during the campaign was now my issue.

Every hope and dream of those who trusted in government and those who didn't was in the hand was in my hands to either help or do my best to make it happen.

The residents on Bleckley who pleaded for the flooding to be addressed, the hopeful entrepreneurs that were seeking access to capital and to learn more about being a vendor with the city of Wichita, the whole of Northeast Wichita that demanded that their city council not close and demolish their pool but reopen and restore it.

The young people who wanted safe spaces to learn and have fun, the activists who wanted their to trust their police department again, and a multitude of neighborhood leaders who wanted to finally see some solution to blight and vacant lots.

The folks who wanted to see government stop taking a hands-off approach and to get more involved in being a part of the solution.

And not to mention, of course, those who said our roads were in pretty bad shape.

Still have some of those today.

And others who said our historically underserved neighborhoods could use a little help.

And the horrid living conditions some face that hadn't been dealt with.

But also quickly learned a few things.

Like governing is more than sound bites and headlines.

Making the right decision takes political will, advocacy, data, and often takes time.

Making the right decision takes political will, advocacy, data, and often takes time, sometimes more time than I would prefer.

That just because I knew it was the right thing to do did not mean everyone else did.

And it was my job to convince them.

Also, those who disagree sometimes just have a different perspective.

But that doesn't make them bad people.

That just because we've always done it a certain way doesn't mean we have to continue.

Nor does that have to be a barrier for change.

You just have to be courageous enough to try.

It's better to acknowledge when you don't know something rather than to act like you do.

It's also just as important to be able to acknowledge when you are wrong, and I have been.

That responsibility of weighing the facts, reading those huge packets and reports, asking the right questions, and working collaboratively is heavy.

But if you want to be successful, it's imperative.

You also have to read up and care about things you never knew about, like trap new to release, if y'all know what that is.

Or transmission lines.

Or why wearing a mask reduces the chances of transmitting a virus that spread around the globe.

Thought I might get some groans on that one.

But one thing that remained true from my days as an activist to my days as a council member was that tough issues require intentional thought, collaboration, and plans of action, not theatrics.

That no matter the consequence, no matter others' opinion, when it comes to the people, always, and I mean always, stand up to bullies.

Building consensus and working collaboratively often result in the best outcomes.

Great examples are when we faced the difficult challenge of extremely large steel poles being placed in the yards of residents in Northeast Wichita because of a needed transmission line upgrade.

It took two elected officials of different governing bodies.

It took willing participants in the utility utility company that had the responsibility to actually do that upgrade.

And I say willing because the state law did not require them to be at the table.

It took the expertise of our public works and utilities team as well as various community members coming to the table to be a part of the solution.

And while it was difficult, and we often traded positions and opinions publicly, if you remember that, without all of these people coming to the table in some way, shape, or form, we would not see some of those steel towers removed on Mossman and Green today.

We would not see the investment in the community that occurred, nor the additional money given to impacted property owners.

And lastly, the final pieces occurring this last week.

We would not see the removal of the transmission line on Volusia between 9th and 16th Street and eastward towards Wichita State.

Those tough but necessary meetings, and there was a whole lot of them, with the parties that did not always agree, ensured later that no more front yards would be impacted by transmission line installation.

And while it took a lot of collaboration and teamwork, none of it would have happened without the incredible state representative Gail Finney.

Without her leadership, there would be no state statute that requires notification to the city of Wichita, six months in advance and a public meeting that our constituents would always know what's coming and especially what it looks like.

Rest in power, Gail.

I'll always be grateful for you and what you did for us all.

In order to create the best community center possible for our city, it took our amazing park and rec team and their experience.

It took a qualified team in SFS.

It took a committee of individuals representing education, private sector, and nonprofits.

Later, it even took the assistance of a U.S.

senator, Jerry Moran and his staff.

I see Tyler in the back.

It took all of those participants to come together to make sure that we could face the hurdles from FEMA, inflation, and breaking the mold of traditional community centers so that it could become what is today the Carl G.

Brewer Community Center.

And while there were many hurdles, each one brought about an opportunity to bring the brightest people to the table to make something happen.

So I'm grateful to the Brewer family for allowing us to honor his legacy in this way.

I'm grateful to Fidelity Bank for making such an impactful contribution to make this possible.

I'm grateful to the artists, both American and Ghanaian, who made the facility so beautiful.

And lastly, rest in power to Carl.

So I'm grateful to you for everything you did for me, but more importantly, the City of Wichita.

Lastly, when we were alerted that there was a significant portion of Northeast Wichita that resides over contaminated groundwater and soil, it took all hands on deck.

It took months and years of planning and working through the most technical of challenges.

Truly, it was an adaptive challenge.

The commitment by all of those involved truly is bookworthy.

I'm grateful to all the health professionals, the local clinics, KU School of Medicine, Kansas Health Foundation, Cedric County, Commissioners Lacey Cruz and Ryan Beatty, and the city, specifically our comms team, Public Works, Dante, and our former city manager Bob Leighton for the work to find a viable solution to this decade's old problem.

That same group, plus my colleagues now, Private Philanthropy, Governor Kelly, Senator Faust God, and the Kansas legislature for their efforts to secure funding to ensure that free testing wouldn't just be one time, it'll be all time.

This community deserves nothing less, and this was one small step towards justice for this tragedy.

So may all of those we've lost over the decades to liver and kidney cancer rest in peace, and may their families find justice.

But there's a couple people I wanted to say for last on this.

And a thank you to Kia Duggins.

May Kia rest in power.

Her efforts will never be forgotten, and we are all grateful for her leadership.

In every one of these tough examples I've highlighted, it was working collaboratively that brought about solution.

So to the incoming council member.

I know you've heard many times already you have big shoes to feel.

I actually think that's the greeting for all district one council members.

At least it was for me as well.

But what I learned is those shoes are not mine.

Those shoes are not my predecessors.

Those shoes are the hope that you inspire.

The issues we face, the opportunity on the horizon.

They are big shoes, but I have no doubt you'll feel them.

You just need to do it as you say onward together.

Know that everyone will not agree with you.

Not everyone will like you.

You won't get a lot of thanks, and some may not even acknowledge the hard work that you're doing.

Still, you're here for a reason.

And those tough moments and issues that you come up short on, and there may be some.

Just remember your why.

Think back to why you ran for office.

Think about the people at the doors you met during the campaign.

Have a word of prayer, maybe a shot.

And keep pushing.

Going forward, this council will have some tough issues to navigate.

My hope is that quality of life continues to be at the forefront, that we support not only maintaining our infrastructure but building new, new dirt roads where new roads were dirt roads lay today, more bike lanes, hopefully protected, replacing more neighborhood concrete roads, continuing to improve trail connectivity, continued investment in our amazing libraries, maintaining and improving our park system, supporting the arts at 2%.

Continue recognizing the crime prevention power of investing in these areas.

When we settle for maintaining for what we have, the parts of our community that don't have much won't have a chance at having something new to take pride in.

They're always told to wait, but their time often never comes.

To the City of Wichita team, all of our amazing staff here, y'all really are amazing.

We have some incredible people working for the city at every level, from entry-level positions all the way up to the managers.

Our folks clock in day in and day out to make our city just a little bit better every day.

Thank you to the ladies in the council office for keeping us together, making sure travel plans worked out, and sorry about those angry phone calls y'all would get.

Also, a begrudging thank you for healthy snacks, even though I wanted all the sweet stuff, but also thank you for the chocolate donuts.

And I said it last week, and I'll I'll say it again.

My experience here has shown me that the individuals working for the city of Wichita at every level truly care about doing their jobs and doing them well.

Doing their jobs even when we under resource them and demand more of them, even when their professional experience or opinions are disregarded.

These individuals come to work day in and day out to serve the city to implement the direction of the governing body and work to be accountable.

They are true team members of Wichita family of sorts.

To both my campaign teams, some of who are now elected officials.

Thank you.

We would not have gotten to this point without the tremendous effort you put in to make sure we won both times.

Y'all are incredible and inspire me to this day, minus the old guy jokes that y'all have.

I also have to thank the original team Johnson.

My other half and my sweeties, one of which was not here when I was sworn in the first time, but now she is.

They all put up with my antics, my bad jokes, my time away, constituent calls, long days, and those times when a constituent may want to have an impromptu meeting at the store or the emergency calls I need to go help with.

Want to say thank you.

To those who put their trust in me, I'm forever grateful.

You've given me the honor of a lifetime.

Wow.

Representing you was rewarding in so many ways.

I hope that I was a good council member.

I hope I was able to deliver what you sought when you voted for me.

I know it takes a lot to cast or vote for someone, and I can't thank you enough for casting it for me.

We did some real good work together.

There's still much more to do.

Wichita finds itself at a crossroads of possibilities.

My campaign manager always had this horrible picture of Tom Brady up in the office.

At the time, he also knew I couldn't stand Tom Brady.

But ultimately, we did get two rings.

So I'll end with this.

We're on offense, we're down three.

We have all the right players and all the right places, and they're ready.

We can settle for a kick, go to overtime and see what happens, and that's what Wichita has done historically.

Or we can make the call to go for the win.

That play call will be up to this council.

I know my former coaches, Monty Lewis and Eric Johnston will go for the win.

My hope is that you realize we can win, we can do big things, we will do big things.

We just need a vision of the possibilities before us.

It will take political will to say yes and to see it through.

Good luck to this council.

I know you can do it.

Thank you all once again, and it's been a real honor to serve.

Thank you to Councilmember Johnson.

I would like to ask the entire council to come forward at this time, and Councilmember Hoheisel will present the key to the city voted unanimously by this council.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

It is truly an honor to be able to present this to Councilmember Johnson.

Councilmember Brandon Johnson has been a dedicated servant to Wichita's District One and to the City of Wichita for the past eight years.

Representing Northeast Wichita with a strong sense of responsibility and a clear focus on community.

As a lifelong Wichitan, his service has always been personal, grounded in his belief that effective local government starts with listening to the residents and responding with purpose.

Throughout his tenure, Councilmember Johnston Johnson consistently championed community engagement and public safety, emphasizing solutions that build trust and strengthen neighborhoods.

He supports approaches to public safety that value prevention, education, and collaboration, ensuring that community voices are part of the conversation.

He is also a dedicated advocate for youth opportunity and economic development, working to promote job creation, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Councilmember Johnson has supported efforts to reduce barriers for small businesses and emphasize economic growth that benefits residents.

Understanding the importance of strong neighborhoods, he has support a neighborhood revitalization and infrastructure investments, including improvements of streets, housing stability, and public amenities.

He consistently elevates the needs of District One during council discussions, helping ensure Northeast Wichita remains part of the city's long-term vision.

Councilmember Johnson has also advocated transportation accessibility, supporting equitable transit options and mobility improvements that better connect residents to jobs, schools, and essential services.

At the heart of a service has been a commitment to young people and families, evidenced by his support of youth programs, recreation opportunities, and projects that create positive spaces for growth and community connection.

The new Carl G.

Brewer Community Center is a prime example of that commitment.

Councilmember Johnson's legacy is one of steady leadership, advocacy, and care for the people he served.

His work has strengthened, strengthened relationships, expanded opportunity, and ensured that District One's voice was clearly represented in these council chambers.

As a symbol of our gratitude and appreciation, and in recognition of your service to District One and the City of Wichita, it is our honor this evening to present you with the key to the city of Wichita.

This key represents the trust placed in you, the doors you have helped open for others, and the lasting impact of your public service.

Thank you, Councilmember Johnson, for your leadership, your advocacy, your friendship, and your service to Wichita.

We will now have a video.

Taking advantage of remaining Hyatt Sale funds when I was elected, we invested in Wichita Prime Scholarships at WSU Tech to help residents from lower income zip codes in District 1 who were unemployed, underemployed, or just seeking a better career opportunity to receive training and certification to start new careers in automotive services, aviation, or health care.

We later partnered with the Create campaign and invested in providing resources and opportunities for proprietors, entrepreneurs, and lenders, or Propel for short, which provides low interest, short-term access to capital for small businesses.

And we know that small business is the backbone of any successful economy.

So I worked with my colleagues over the years to modernize our financial incentive tools to support more small businesses in our city than we did before I took office.

While we have worked to support quality employment opportunities, I have long said that it is just as important or more to have a quality place to live as it is to have a quality job.

After all, for most people, our view of our community is often based on the neighborhood we come home to day in and day out.

During my terms in office, we have significantly increased funding for road projects to make sure we are resurfacing more neighborhood and arterial roads, and even paving some dirt roads.

I'm sure you've seen those comments.

We've connected more of our amazing trails and constructed new ones.

We've supported organizations building hundreds of new affordable homes in our neighborhoods to fill in those vacant lots.

We established our 2% for the arts ordinance that designates a portion of funding every year to improve our public design and has led to a diversified pool of local as well as national artists to beautify our community even more.

I mean, have you seen Chester R.

Lewis Park, the Maya Angelou Library, or Rockwell Branch Library, or the Carl G.

Bureau Community Center, maybe the murals at Murdoch Park, Great Plains Nature Center, or along Douglas.

We completed our aquatics plan that kept six neighborhood pools and constructed some amazing water playgrounds throughout the city while renovating or expanding all of our branch libraries.

We have more than 100 parks.

Some are just green space to enjoy the simple things in life, and we've invested in others for updated equipment for a better play experience for our youngest Wichitans and somewhere to sit for us who moved past our plan days.

A massive but necessary project.

Speaking of water, it was also extremely important to support the construction of our new Wichita Waterworks facility, our largest infrastructure project in the history of our city to replace our eight-decade old water treatment plant.

A community without access to clean drinking water cannot and will not exist.

And we've taken the necessary steps to have a state-of-the-art treatment plan.

We also went a step further and moved forward with constructing and improving our wastewater facilities at the same time.

Each step of the way, my focus was making sure that we work toward making Wichita a city that each of you would continue to be proud of.

Wichitans are amazing.

When I ran for office, I always said I believe that our people are our strength.

While no one usually considers crisis when they run for office, my time in office saw a major challenge in our aviation sector, a global pandemic, and an unimaginable tragedy with Flight 5342.

In each circumstance, when the days became dark, the light of our community shine brightly.

Wichitans from every walk of life step up to the plate to be a part of the solution with whatever means they have.

It is truly an inspiration and always fills my cup and pushes me to work even harder for the community I love.

While we have accomplished a lot, we still have challenges on the horizon around the city budget in the coming years, meeting our workforce housing needs, ensuring every Wichita has a decent place to call home, providing access to fresh produce in our food deserts, and more community collaboration around reducing crime.

But from my experience in this seat, the past eight years, I have no doubt that when challenged, Wichitans will come together to meet every challenge.

In fact, Wichitans already are stepping up to the plate to address quality housing, ensuring our homeless neighbors find the right support, interrupting and preventing violent crime, and working toward providing access to fresh produce.

We just have to keep it going.

It has been a true honor to serve on the Wichita City Council representing you.

Everything we accomplish, we accomplish together.

I'm excited about what the future holds for Wichita.

My family and I thank you.

And with that, Johnson now.

Thank you again for your service, Councilmember Johnson.

We appreciate your service to this community and to the city of Wichita.

We wish you well in your next chapter.

Please give him one more round of applause, Madam Clerk, will you please call the next item?

Oath of office administered by Judge Jones for the newly elected council members, beginning with Joseph Shepard.

Right hand, right?

You gotta raise your right hand.

All right.

Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

I state your name.

I, Joseph William Shepherd.

Do solemnly swear.

You solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And faithfully discharge the duties of the City Council.

And faithfully discharge the duties of the Wichita City Council.

For the city of Wichita, Kansas.

For the city of Wichita, Kansas.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you, Wichita, and thank you, District One for being here tonight.

My dear friend who is referenced already tonight, Kia Duggins said, your presence should solve a problem.

Her words ring true for me now more than ever.

A lot of people help me get here, but I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents.

To my father, whose leadership and life's story are daily reminders of the power of redemption, resilience, compassion, and sermon leadership.

To my mother, who raised me with so much love and care.

Her selfless leadership, strength, and unwavering ability to always make a way, nurtured my belief in my own potential.

She was often referenced in my family as the silent warrior.

Thank you.

And to my siblings, many of whom cannot be here tonight, know that you are the driving force behind my fight to create a more equitable and better world.

My fellow younger siblings here will know this feeling.

But believe me when I say I thank you for the mistakes that I could learn from you, for modeling what it means to be authentically myself.

And because of you, I understand it is my responsibility to extend the opportunities that I've been given to others.

My blessings make me no better than anyone.

I have friends with degrees and felonies, and I learn from them both.

To my amazing friends, campaign volunteers and donors, and the trusted community partners who supported me this past year and long before the world got to know the name Joseph Shepard.

I thank you.

It's been quite the journey, but I know that I would not be here without you all.

We're just getting started, so please stay with me.

Do not abandon me.

I need you.

To those who've trust I have yet to earn, know this.

I am committed to earning your trust.

And I promise to listen to you and to represent you just as much as anyone who has supported me from day one.

We are in this together now.

So much love, light, and guidance has led me here.

And now it is my honor and privilege to represent Wichita's historic District One community.

And let me be clear, I love my chosen home, and I am fully committed to improving the humanity and lived experience of every person who now calls it home.

I've had the privilege of speaking with thousands of local residents throughout my campaign, and I want you to know that I hear you.

You are tired of the partisan bickering and the inaction, and you're sick of policies that benefit the few at the expense of many.

You are ready for a government that works for you, one that stands for the humanity of all God's children, while prioritizing the challenges that keep us up at night.

Affordable housing, access to grocery stores, good paying jobs, reliable transportation, safe neighborhoods, addressing the crisis facing our unhoused neighbors, and investing in every corner of our community.

Onward, together.

Now I want to make this very clear.

When District One wins, we all win.

And that is what we're going to do together.

From College Heel to the heart of six, seven, two one four and across Northeast Wichita.

No matter what you look like, where you were born, who you love, what God you pray to, or even if you don't know this.

I see you, and you matter.

Like many of you, my life has been shaped by intersectionality, complexities that some might believe counsel each other out.

But I believe that they make me more grounded, more prepared, and better able to meet people exactly where they are.

If a boy who experienced poverty and homelessness as a child can overcome those barriers through hope and help, graduate from college and become a first generation college student and begin to rewrite the narrative, not just for himself, but for his entire family.

Please know that that's not exclusive to me.

It is afforded and should be afforded to every single person.

As I navigated the campaign, there were lots of tough moments.

But I remember the words that my father taught me as a child.

Whenever I would come into the home, and I would cry that someone was calling me names or creating narratives that did not align with who I believe I was or who God called me to be.

Again, for being here tonight.

I want to thank Brandon Johnson and Danielle Johnson for standing alongside me at the age of 19 when I just needed somebody to believe in me.

Tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow we get to work moving onward together.

God bless you.

Congratulations, Council Member Joseph Shepard.

We look forward to serving our community side by side and look forward for ways that we can work together to make this city the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Welcome to the city council.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Oath of office for District Three Councilmember Mike Hoheisel.

I am Michael Henry O'Brizel.

Do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And faithfully discharge the duties.

And faithfully discharge the duties.

Of the City Council for the City of Wichita, Kansas.

Of the City Council of the City of Wichita, Kansas.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

I don't know how to follow the last speaker or the speaker before that, but I will try my hardest.

I also am known as the um long-winded one on council, so we'll see if I set any records with this speech or not.

I've had a lot of time to reflect lately, and it seems like a lot of people out there are more about grievances, what we're not getting, the difficulties we have to overcome.

But I think it's proper that we occasionally stop and think about things that we are grateful for.

Expressing that to the people who are closest to us, the people who helped get us to where we are, the people who keep helping us along the way.

Past and present council members, staff from the city manager to department heads, down to public works, WPD, our fire department, everybody who works for the city of Wichita.

The people who work in our front office who do have to answer the angry phone calls all day long.

Especially those who have to deal with counsel on a daily basis.

We're human beings just like everybody else.

We have our shortcomings, just like everybody else.

And so many people have to help fix that and also have to help with our mistakes, and also have to help keep our energy.

So Sasha, Norma, Lynn, Marissa, Jenny, and Sarah.

I appreciate you guys.

I just want to say that out loud and make sure that you guys get the flowers that you deserve.

And especially our CSRs as well.

They are the unsung heroes of our city government.

Brooke, Ana, Cameron, Tasha, Teresa, Corey, and especially Becca, District 3's city council, um, CSR.

You think we have to take uh the bad phone calls.

You think we're the ones who have to fix all the potholes and everything.

No, it's it's these individuals who really keep the city moving.

And so to the entire city staff here at City Hall, I see you, and I thank you for your work.

We don't say it enough, we don't give you guys enough credit.

So I just want to make sure that here and now that you guys do hear that, that we do appreciate each and every one of you.

Many of you lay your lives on the lines for us.

Answer the call in the middle of the night.

I'm snug in my bed when it's eight degrees below zero, and I see the the snow falling.

But there are public works workers out there sitting in the snow plows, waiting for it to warm up, ready to go at a moment's notice to help keep us safe.

Firefighters and WPD, they do not get a day off.

They do have to face trials and tribulations every single day.

Friends and volunteers for my campaign who have helped out and put me in this position.

I hope that I have proven myself worthy of your trust.

And I appreciate where you guys have gotten me in life.

And just know that everything that we do, it's not just me.

I'm not the one who's doing this, it's all of you.

It's all of the whole, the whole community behind us.

You guys are the ones who are pushing us forward, holding us accountable.

And the results that you see, those are the results because we come together as a community and demand more from our city.

To those doing the work in the community already, and I see a number of you here.

I see you as well.

You guys don't get to be front and center.

You guys don't get the praise that you deserve.

I mean, obviously, I get it because I'm the good looks.

But you guys are the ones who are doing the Lord's work out there.

And I do want to say I see you, and I appreciate everything that you guys are doing.

Even those who are the pain in the necks in the com in the neighborhoods.

Um, you guys are doing the works as well.

And I really do appreciate you holding us accountable and demanding better for your communities.

My family, my mom, my siblings, my nieces and nephews.

Uh I can't count all of the nieces and nephews up, even if I have my shoes off.

You gotta love Catholics, right?

Um my aunts and uncles who have gone far and above what they should have.

And my grandparents, especially my grandma Janet and my grandpa Henry, for whom my boy is named.

I hope that I make you guys proud.

And I just want to say I love you.

It's difficult at times to say that, but I do want to make sure that you all know.

And my family at home, my wife Audie, or my daughter, my niece Audie, I'm sorry, I'm stumbling over my words, and my son Henry and my wife Christina, who were a working family, so that's where she's at tonight.

And because she works as well and she makes sure that our family is taken care of as well.

You guys have been missing a lot of me lately.

I don't know that that my niece misses me necessarily, but there's a lot of family time at home that we have missed out on.

And those are sacrifices that my family's made.

And I want to say that I'm grateful for your guys' love and support as well.

And my boy Henry, if he's been bad tonight or making it out like a T-Rex, that's if you hear a T-Rex girl, that's him all the way.

And he is way more of a T-Rex than any of you will ever be.

That's a word that we all share.

That's a word that we all put something behind.

That means something different to all of us.

But it's about coming together.

I've worked hard for four years, and we've done a lot of great things.

And to what Councilmember Shepard had said.

The work is still going on.

The work is starting for him tomorrow.

The work will be continuing for me tomorrow.

We got another four years to keep on working for the good things that we need, not only in District 3, but for the city of Wichita.

But something I'd like to ask for each of you to take away today.

Government alone cannot solve our problems.

We don't see what's going on behind closed doors.

We don't see the trials and tribulations that families face.

Maybe it's mental health.

Maybe it's addiction.

Maybe it's a lack of resources.

And there's a lot of things, a lot of evil in the world today that can be traced back to the breakdown of society.

We don't look at each other as human beings like we used to.

Social media stirs a pot.

Social media aims to separate us.

Let's get back to where we talk to each other.

Let's get back to where we look at each other like a human being.

Because we will fail if we do not.

We will fail if we do not come together and address these issues as best they can, whether it is housing or homelessness, or a number of other issues, addiction, mental health.

These things are they're worse than they have been in generations.

But we have that opportunity to bring us together.

We have that opportunity to fix these ills.

We have that opportunity to be a generation that truly moves our country forward.

So that's my ask of you guys tonight.

I'll be up here probably in the corner.

They like to keep me in the corner, you know, wherever I move around.

So I'll be up here working hard for you.

My door will always be open.

To my constituents, the ones who voted for me.

Again, I hope I earn your trust and I hope my hard work pays off for you.

For those who didn't vote or voted against me, I'm still here working for you.

My door will always be open.

Come and tell me what you think.

Maybe you'll change my mind.

Maybe there's a different perspective we can take.

But please always feel that the door is open because this is not my council seat.

This is your council seat.

This is not my city.

This is our city.

And moving together forward.

Again, as councilmember Shepard had said, that's the only way this thing is going to work.

Thank you.

And I will see you here in four years.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Oath of office for District Six, Councilmember Maggie Ballard.

Thank you.

Sorry, I didn't get a walk-up song, I guess just pretend.

I state your name.

I Maggie Michelle Ballard.

You solemnly swear.

Do soluble that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States.

I will uphold the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And the Constitution of the State of Kansas.

And faithfully discharge the duties.

And faithfully discharge the duties.

Of the City Council for the City of Wichita, Kansas.

Of the City Council for this city of Wichita, Kansas.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

Okay.

You guys still with us?

Thank you to everyone for trusting and believing in me over the last four years and trusting me to serve another four-year term.

This has been a dream job, but isn't possible without all of my supporters, friends, family, team, and our wonderful staff.

Especially my husband, son, and parents for always answering answering my calls.

Levi usually on their first ring, Paxton via text, and my dad and I play phone tag all day.

But they always answer the calls nonetheless.

I'd also like to thank my brother and his family for coming to support me from Wyoming, my mom and her twin brother and his friend Mike, and my cousins and friends that took time to be here to support me tonight.

This job is not easy.

Every day is hard, but every hard day is worth it because I know this job is an opportunity to work to make our city better.

Each day, little by little, and I am honored to do the work.

Thank you for being here.

Congratulations to our re-sworn-in council members Ho Heisel and Ballard and new council member Shepard.

I would also like to thank Judge Jones for being here tonight to administer the oats for our office.

This is a quick side.

If you live in District 3, please raise your hand.

Wichita is our community, and we should all have a voice in designing its future.

And at this time, I would like to make a motion to adjourn this meeting.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Meeting adjourn.

That's not our question.

I didn't say odd.