Wichita City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026
Wichita City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026
The Wichita City Council convened on January 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM UTC to address a range of items including routine approvals, a public comment on road safety, expansion of the Delano common consumption area, adoption of the 2026 city and joint state legislative agendas, and a significant contract amendment for the Wichita Waterworks project. The meeting featured extensive discussion on clarifier failures at the new water plant, liability and settlement negotiations, and culminated in unanimous votes on all items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the Changing of the Guard (Jan. 12, 2026), Regular Meeting (Jan. 13, 2026), and Special Meeting (Jan. 14, 2026) – 7-0.
- Awarded a proclamation to Friends University Falcons football team for a record 12‑win season, NAIA quarterfinal appearance, and national records in rushing yards (5,979) and points per game (54.2).
- Approved Consent Agenda items 1 through 19 – 7-0.
- Approved petitions for public improvements in three developments (sidewalks, sewer, water) – 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- One speaker (address 1703 North Rome) requested road improvements on 13th Street between West Street and Amidon, citing frequent accidents at St. Paul and Meridian due to missing left‑turn lanes. Councilmember Ballard stated she would follow up.
Discussion Items
- Delano Common Consumption Area Expansion: Staff presented a resolution to expand the existing Friday‑Saturday common consumption area to seven days a week (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.), effective February 1. Eight participating businesses were listed. Council questioned liability insurance (city would be self‑insured) and potential risk; staff noted no citations issued. Vice Mayor Glasscock expressed support based on neighborhood and business association feedback.
- 2026 City and Joint State Legislative Agendas: Staff outlined priorities including exemption of Wichita food sales tax (HB 2456), water reuse support, affordable housing, and new items (national defense work, commercial air service expansion). Councilmembers emphasized food tax exemption as a primary goal and noted bipartisan support. Joint agenda includes economic development, housing, and infrastructure.
- Wichita Waterworks OSR Phase Three Contract Amendment (Garver): Staff and Wichita Water Partners (WWP) presented an update on the water treatment plant delays. The $769,446 amendment extends Garver’s owner’s representative services due to mechanical failures in all six solids‑contact clarifiers. WWP explained the root cause: a design omission (missing stiffening ring on an upper draft tube) and insufficient clearance, both attributed to West Tech. Repairs will involve replacing draft tubes in three phases (April–June 2026). Council debated contract terms (liquidated damages not extended beyond substantial completion), the concrete mix controversy (Councilmember Johnston questioned a reported substitution; staff and WWP denied it affected the clarifiers), and claimed the city’s position for recovering costs. Councilmember Ballard expressed frustration that the liquidated damages clause removal was not highlighted in the September 2024 agenda report. Staff confirmed the city is pursuing a settlement claim with WWP for all delay‑related costs.
- Councilmember Travel and Appointments: Approved $X travel expenses for Councilmember Shepherd to attend the NLC Congressional City Conference (March 15–18, 2026) – 7-0. Appointed Sarah Haymaker to the Food and Farm Council – 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Delano Consumption Area Expansion: Resolution adopted 7-0, effective February 1, 2026.
- 2026 Legislative Agendas: City and joint agendas approved 7-0. Council to lobby in Topeka the following week.
- OSR Phase Three Amendment: Approved 7-0 with an added directive that staff specifically pursue recovery of the $769,446 cost as part of the city’s claim for damages against the design‑build contractor.
- Monthly Status Reports: Mayor directed that WWP provide monthly updates on the water treatment plant, beginning in February 2026.
- Executive Session: Council recessed into a 30‑minute executive session at 11:50 a.m. for legal consultation on the construction contract.
Meeting Transcript
For spinning for the cloud. Kyle, the fixer of everything. One really long thing up. Yeah, yeah. Who was that guy? Thank you so much for the other. 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. Well, good morning. Great to see everybody. Well, Father Heaven, I just uh thank you so much, God, for the place, the people of Wichita. God, what a great place you've given us, Lord, to be able to live and to work and to be able to raise our families. And Father, we thank you yesterday just for the opportunity. We had to remember Dr. Martin Luther King and how he reminded us that hate can't drive out hate, only love can. And help us, Father, just to continue to love others always. And Father, I want to especially pray today as we come together for our mayor and our city commissioners. I know what it means to carry the weight of leadership. And I pray that you just would lighten their load and that you would give them wisdom and discernment as they discuss the matters at hand today. And Father, I just uh thank you as well that you say that we can come to you and we're your we are weary and burdened, and you'll give us rest. And Father, I pray as well, just uh today for all of our first responders and the things they do to serve our city. God keep them safe, watch over them. Thank you for their example of sacrificial service. Uh we love you, God, and we just pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. And to the republic, which is stands, under God, indivisible for liberty, and justice are all. Thank you, Pastor Carter. Madam Clerk, can you please call the first item? Approve the minutes of changing of the guard, January twelfth, two thousand twenty-six. Regular meeting, January thirteenth, two thousand twenty-six, and special meeting January fourteenth, two thousand twenty-six. Council members, any items to be edited. I see none. I move to approve the minutes of the changing of the guard, January twelfth, twenty twenty-six, regular meeting, January thirteenth, twenty twenty-six, and special meeting January fourteenth, twenty twenty-six. Second. Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the roll. Aye. Motion passes seven zero. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. Awards and proclamations. Mayor, we only have one award today for Friends University Football. May I please invite Dr. Amy Bragg Carey of Friends University and her entire uh team that she brought with her, along with council member for District Four, Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock to the front. We wanted to give a special recognition to the Friends University Falcons football team.
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