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

Thank you for joining us for this week's council meeting.

I call this meeting to order.

With us today is Pastor Marcia Haney of Saint Mark United Methodist Church to provide our invocation.

Following the invocation, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance.

And we ask that you please stand for both.

I pledge a leader to the fly of the United States of America and to the Republic for Wichita.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Pastor Haney.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the first item?

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February third, 2026.

Council members, are there any items to be corrected?

I see none.

I move to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of February 3rd, 2026.

Second.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes seven zero.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Awards and proclamations.

Today's proclamations are WSU Barton School of Business Centennial Day, two one one day, and Alpha Kappa Sorority Incorporated Founders Day.

May I please ask any supporters of Wichita State University, including council members to come forward along with the Wichita State University, Barton School of Business.

The proclamation reads, the City of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas the W.

Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has provided excellence in business education, leadership development, and services to students and the Wichita community for one hundred years.

Whereas the Barton School of Business has played a pivotal role in advancing the economic and social vitality of Wichita by preparing generations of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Whereas the Barton School Centennial Celebration brings together alumni, faculty, students, and community partners to honor the school's legacy, recognize the diligent work of the Centennial Committee, and celebrate its ongoing contributions to the city's growth and prosperity.

Whereas the Centennial serves as an inspiration for future generations to pursue education, leadership, and service in support of Wichita's continued success.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim February 10th, 2026 as Wichita State University, Barton School of Business Centennial Day.

As a point of privilege, I will just say that I'm a proud Wichita State University, Barton School of Business alum with my international business degree.

So I would like to welcome the Dean of the Barton School of Business.

Thank you.

We're very grateful for this recognition, and we have our centennial chair, Rachel Douglas, to share a few remarks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dean Jennon, and thank you all for being here.

As Dean mentioned, my name is Rachel Douglas, and I'm honored to serve as the Barton School of Business Centennial Chair.

And I'm joined up here today by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community partners who are excited about our centennial, which we'll be celebrating throughout 2026.

For the past 100 years, the Barton School of Business and Wichita State University's success has been inextricably linked to this community and the prosperity of Wichita.

And so as we look forward to the next run 100 years, we're excited about what that means for not only the Barton School of Business students, but also our local community, our state, and our nation.

So thank you so much for allowing us to be here in Go Shocks.

I should have thank you again to the WSU Barton School of Business.

May I please ask the United Way of the Plains and any of our council members who would like to present the two one proclamation.

The proclamation reads the city of Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870, whereas United Way two one is a free confidential service that connects Kansans to a variety of health and human services across the state and is celebrating 20 years of serving Kansans in 2026.

Whereas United Way 211 leverages a comprehensive database to connect Kansans in crisis to locally available programs and resources, complementing 911 for emergencies and 988 for mental health support.

Whereas in 2024, Kansans accessed United Way 21153,000 one times via calls, texts, online chats, and website searches.

Whereas the top requested needs in 2024 included utility assistance, tax filing assistance, rent assistance, food pantries, and homeless shelter services.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim February 11th, 2026 as two one day.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to the entire city council for proclaiming February 11th as two one day here in Wichita and for standing with United Way of the Plains and supporting our neighbors.

As you just heard in the proclamation, United Way's 211 Information and Referral Service is free, it's confidential, and it's available to anyone who needs help with social services.

With me today is Michelle Grimm.

She is the director of our 211 system and leads our team of compassionate resource navigators.

From hello to help, uh, Michelle and her resource navigators don't just point people in the right direction, they help bring hope and stability so families stay on their feet during very difficult moments.

Last year, I can tell you, as you heard from the mayor's proclamation, the top four reasons that people living here in Wichita and Cedric County, why they call 211.

Access to homeless shelter, access to rent assistance to prevent eviction, access to utility assistance, and access to the local food pantry.

These are all things that 211 does that 911 and 988 are not equipped to do.

They're not supposed to do.

Let's make sure every neighbor knows that help is just three digits away.

Thank you.

Thank you to the United Way of the Plains.

May I please ask Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated to come forward and any of its supporters.

The proclamation reads the city of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas Alca Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.

in 1908, making it the oldest Greek letter organization established by African American college educated women whose members trailblaze significant advances in human relations in the United States during the 20th century.

Whereas the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, just one generation removed from slavery, organized with a deep awareness of their privileged position as college educated women of color, and were resolute in ensuring their collegiate experience was meaningful, purposeful, and impactful.

Whereas Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated cuts across racial, international, physical, and social barriers to promote constructive relations and uplift individuals and communities through high ethical standards and a commitment to education, service, and friendship.

Whereas the City of Wichita has benefited from the long-standing service of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated through the Beta Kappa Omega chapter since 1935 and the Epsilon Alpha Chapter since 1967 and proudly celebrates their enduring contributions and accomplishments.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim February 10th, 2026 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Founders Day.

To the honorable Lily Wu, the city council members assembled, and especially we want to recognize one of our 50-year members, former Cast Council Member Levante Williams.

I'm Crystal Johnson Turner.

I'm the president of the chapter, and we are a hundred members strong, and as she said, we've been in the Wichita community for over 90 years.

We just don't want to make light of this.

Thank you to the three recipients of proclamations today.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next item?

Public agenda.

We now come to the public agenda.

The public agenda allows for up to five speakers to have my five minutes each to address the council.

Please bear in mind that this is not a period of dialogue with council or question and answer period.

This is your opportunity to address the city council with your concerns.

I ask that you address your remarks to the city council as a body and not to any individual council member.

No action will be taken relative to items on the public agenda other than referral to the city manager for information as necessary.

Speakers will please speak into the microphone, please state their name and address for the record.

A time clock will display the speakers' remaining time to speak.

Order and rules of decorum will be observed.

The first speaker for today is Christina First, paid parking in relation to volunteer river cleanup group.

Before you begin, Mayor Council.

Mayor Council, just a reminder that in the event that members of the public do speak about matters involving pending or potential litigation out of respect for the judicial process.

You may receive comment, but um should refrain from commenting.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor Wu and City Council members.

My name is Christina First, and I run a volunteer group called Wichita Riverwalk Cleanup Crew.

Since 2017, every month we have met up at a different portion of the river to pick up trash.

I'm here today to talk about how our downtown parking plan has interrupted our cleanups at one vital location and my solutions to the situation in hopes that perhaps we can push more quickly to get something figured out for volunteer groups like ours.

I started my river cleanup group after becoming frustrated at the amount of trash that I saw collecting along the river as I was taking walks.

We provide supplies using our own funding, and the volunteers provide us with the manpower to pick up this trash.

Since I started keeping track in January of 2019, our group has picked up 2,791 bags of trash and other items.

Each month, a different location based on need.

Right now, the segment between Maple Street and the Lincoln Street Dam uh is the area that needs to picked up most badly.

But we are currently not picking up this section of the river because the parking that we have long used to host that cleanup is no longer available for us to park at for free.

Since the start of 2019, we have picked up trash in that location 21 times.

697 bags worth of trash have been picked up at those at those cleanups in that location.

That is $5,227.50 worth of free labor that we have provided for you.

And now you want to charge us to pick up the trash that the city is not willing to pick up themselves.

If I have 25 volunteers out there, uh there will likely be somewhere around 15 cars in that parking lot for two hours.

Uh that you will receive.

And in a year, we might pick up at that location three to four times.

Uh so that's 120 dollars in parking fees.

You will also receive approximately 1,200 worth of free labor from our volunteer group.

Uh, it does not seem fair that the volunteers who are picking up our city parks and rivers should have to pay for parking for the privilege to do so.

I have two solutions that I'd like to entertain here.

One, we give you dates for four Saturday mornings a year, and from 9 a.m.

till noon, you just don't ticket that parking line.

Uh two, you give us a specific uh special event tag for volunteers to put in their car windows that is valid for only the date and the time listed.

Any volunteer group, not just ours, uh, that would like to submit a request could do so online through a portal.

Um, and when these are approved, uh tags will be given for free parking for that event.

The quicker you come up with a solution for us, the quicker we can return to the banks uh to pick up that trash.

Uh, this area is an area that citizens have started to complain about uh in January.

There was a report done by KWCH complaining about this.

I understand the reason for the downtown paid parking plan, uh, even if I don't didn't really like it.

Um, what I don't understand is why considerations haven't been given to groups like ours.

I know for a fact that the city sponsored cleanup happening this spring is facing the same problems that we are.

Uh, in closing, I would just like to say that volunteer groups like Rochita Riverwalk Cleanup Crew are out here to do the things that the city won't do, and it would seem reasonable for the city to help us out by coming to a solution for paid parking lots and voluntary events that are helping our city out.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, we're trying to keep the comments brief, but I do want to express just gratitude on behalf of the city for everything that you and your organization has done for us.

Um, we'll be in touch.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please call the next individual.

Dina Boleyn government accountability.

Good evening, Mayor Wu and the Council.

My name is Dina Bowland, and I'm a district three resident.

The big question is how do we trust the government?

The trust has been broken between the people and their government.

I believe the answer is accountability.

American taxpayers have become discouraged and outraged.

We've seen so many stories lately about fraud and pocket lining in every level of government.

So if you want the people of Wichita to trust their government again, then the law must apply to everyone equally.

The trust in government is not automatic.

It is earned.

Recently, Judge Toby Krause cut through all the decades of red tape that blocked our progress.

Now it's time to join the 19 other states in calling for a convention of states.

We need to impose term limits on Congress to stop the insider training and rein in the out-of-control federal spending.

Remind DC that they work for us, not the other way around.

I want this council.

No, we need this council to fix what has been broken.

You can start by backing these two measures, support SB 313, ban our state legislators from trading stock while they're in session, and urge our delegation about SCR 1617 to pass the convention of states resolution.

The turnaround date is February 19th.

That's no more delays, no more studies.

It's time for action.

It's time to vote.

Let Tapika know that Wichita will be watching.

We look forward to having our leaders choosing their people over the red tape.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next individual?

Chief E.

S.

Lewis, community safety and violence reduction in District One.

Peace be with you.

My name is Chief E.

S.

Lewis of the Royal Holy Kingdom of Judah.

My address of the office is 1741 North Poplar.

Council.

Gun violence affects families, officers, and communities alike.

And calls for trust-based cooperation and effective coordination to reduce it.

The Wichita Judah Restoration Committee, an informed committee established through cooperation with the mayor, and District One Edwater Center for discussion on the restoration of the tribal Judah is the proper and lawful space for this next phase of violence reduction coordination.

Do the committee, the tribal council of chiefs, met with Chief Sullivan and Captain Moses to define the tribal council gun buyback program.

Councilman Shepard has affirmed continuity.

And we now request not only not only continuity, but focused coordination with the tribal council of chiefs.

The Holy Kingdom of Judah stands ready to continue working with the city, council police, and the Wichita Judah Restoration Committee to advance this initiative responsibly, transparently, and in a manner that protects public safety.

The Tribal Council of Chiefs respectfully request that a council member sponsor a motion to include gun buyback coordination as an agenda item at the next District One Wichita Judah Restoration Committee meeting.

The focus would be on community-based initiatives, including restoration, re-education, rehabilitation, and firearms surrender programs.

Given the planned March 30th event, this coordination is requested to occur within the February 11th through March 25th window.

This request does not authorize any event, allocate funding, or approve operational activity.

It simply ensures counsel stays informed and continue these important discussions while maintaining public safety.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next individual?

Helen Riker, Wichita Police Department.

Hello.

Um, my name doesn't matter.

I'm here to talk about DeAndre Hill.

Uh DeAndre Hill was a resident.

Thank you, of District One until he was killed on January 20th by the Wichita Police Department.

I'm gonna do my best to stick to the five minutes, but DeAndre Hill and his loved ones deserve more than five minutes of your time.

This is not some public comment on a silly sales tax.

This is about an arm of our local government taking the life of a citizen unjustly.

Everyone in this room should be fighting to get justice for DeAndre Hill.

First, I want you to know they have all been emailed information about a community uh information meeting on March 1st.

It's simply an opportunity to come and observe and listen.

You don't have to say anything, so don't worry.

If you don't uh receive it, I have flyers and I'm happy to share them.

The main reason I'm here today, though, is to correct the portrait of DeAndre Hill, the sheriff.

Jeff Easter painted in his press conference.

I finally understand the meaning when they say meaning of say his name.

DeAndre Hill was not a suspect.

The sheriff called him a suspect seven times in his image.

He said it he was a suspect five times, and he said his name once when he was showing a mugshot from some petty misdemeanor that had nothing to do with anything.

Uh he wasn't a suspect.

He was a man in his own home, enjoying his night, having a loud, boisterous conversation, possibly listening to music.

When he heard a knock nearly at 1 a.m.

The knock sounded like any other knock.

We all know what how police knock, and that was not a cop knock.

They're the only ones that actually have their own name for a knock.

I looked it up.

We also know how police announced themselves, and that was not it.

DeAndre Hill only knew that someone had knocked on his door at one o'clock in the morning.

He asked them to stand in front of the people.

Instead, officers drew their guns, took tactical positions, and hid in a narrow, dimly lit apartment hallway.

When no one appeared, DeAndre Hill retrieved his legally owned firearm to investigate.

He stepped out slowly and cautiously.

Five seconds later, nine shots were fired, and DeAndre Hill was dead.

Say his name.

DeAndre Hill did not even have time to realize the danger outside his door was the three Wichita police officers.

I wonder if he knew when the first bullet struck his body.

DeAndre Hill definitely knew by bullet two, bullet three, bullet four, bullet five, bullet six, bullet seven, bullet eight, bullet nine.

DeAndre Hill was a son, a brother, a friend of many.

He was an incredibly talented music artist, genuinely funny and full of love.

He was so deeply loved by his co-workers and manager at Planet Fitness that the location shut down for 36 hours so they could mourn.

DeAndre Hill was a good man.

Someone I wish I had known, but I will never get that chance because DeAndre Hill is dead, killed by Wichita Police Department officers.

So you need to say his name.

Police had no reason to be knocking on DeAndre Hill's door.

The first mistake in a series that showed a blatant disregard for WPD training and policies on de-escalation and the use of lethal force causing DeAndre Hill's unnecessary death.

I've emailed you all a 20-page in-depth analysis, the case and additional copies I have here if you want one.

The family and the community need the truth.

They need all the body cam footage from all three officers.

All police reports related to the incident, every 9-1-1 call leading up to it, and the training histories of all three officers.

The family needs the truth.

Dragging this out only prolongs their pain.

We all know the information will come out eventually, and they will get justice for DeAndre Hill.

You say body cameras exist for transparency and accountability to the public.

What good are they if we don't get to see the footage?

If they're only used to span a false narrative, they fail in their purpose.

If it truly could not be released, then none of it should have been released.

Once that line has been crossed, the false narrative takes a life out of its own before the truth comes out.

The version of events presented at the press conference and repeated by the media without independent investigation is now being treated as fact online.

As a result, everyone who loves DeAndre Hill is being forced into an impossible position of defending his character and the facts of the case without even having access to the truth themselves.

Watching the public post comments like FAFO, you point a gun at a cop, you're gonna die.

That hub, that thug deserved to get shot for trying to shoot a cop.

Any POS that will point a gun at a cop deserves to die.

It's not just heartbreaking, it's re-traumatizing that these statements compound the family's grief and pile unnecessary cruelty onto people who are already devastated in searching for justice for DeAndre Hill.

This brings up the city leaders and officials and your role in compounding this family's grief.

When someone is killed by the police, silence from leadership is not neutral.

It is a choice.

Saying you cannot comment online is a bold-faced lie.

You can and you choose not to.

The mayor and the city council are elected officials, not employees bound by contracts.

Nothing in the city witch taught charter, Kansas Law or the US or Kansas Constitution requires neutrality, prohibits criticism of the police, or bars public statement during an investigation.

Political speech, including criticism of government agencies and expressions of outrage or solidarity with families is a core constitutional right, repeatedly upheld by the courts.

Your silence is not the city.

Your time is up.

I'm almost done, Lily.

Ma'am, it's five minutes.

And it's out of respect for everyone in this room.

I have one more line.

I have one thing to say.

I have one more paragraph, please.

Wichita leaders have a legal authority and constitute protection and the moral space to speak.

When they choose not to, the absence becomes its own statement.

In moments like this, leadership is not measured by restraint, it is measured by whether anyone is willing to stand up and say the wrong, this is wrong, and refuse to look away.

Every single one of you has been weighed, measured, and found wanting.

Thank you very much.

I will just remind this community again.

There are a lot of heated um debates that are about to happen.

And out of decorum, we ask that you don't clap so that we can continue with decorum inside the city council chambers.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next individual?

Hannah Hudson, the effects of AI.

Hello, I am Hannah Hudson, a sophomore in high school.

I recently have made an A-question forum asking for people's experiences and opinions on AI.

I got over 50 responses.

Almost all of them think that AI needs to have more regulations.

The more geo the majority of people do not know what how AI is made and how it affects the environment.

It takes a complex process to make the chip itself.

It takes high-powered hardware, massive data sets, specialized software, and uh sorry.

And rare physical materials like gallium, cobalt, and lithium.

To get those rare materials, they are mined for globally.

They are then refined using energy-intensive chemical heavy process to create AI.

The process of mining for those rare materials causes massive water pollution and scarcity.

Mining requires immense amounts of water for processing.

Mining causes deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Mining causes deforestation and biodiversity loss, open pit mining and construction of infrastructure to support it results in widespread destruction of forests and fraudulent ecosystems and mining and results of soil degradation.

By the disposal of our overburdened fundamentally altered soil composition.

Mining isn't the only thing AI uses water for.

AI indirectly consumes massive amounts of water, primarily through electricity generation and manufacturing of semiconductors, servers, and hardwares.

Beyond direct cooling, AI uses water to maintain precise humid humidity levels in server rooms to prevent equipment damage.

Water is used in a cooling tower that relies on evaporation to remove heat, which means that water is consumed rather than recycled.

Not only is the environment affected by AI, but so are people.

Thank you.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Hannah, thank you so much for being here.

I know that you reached out, and I invited you to come and speak, and uh you did not hesitate to come and speak.

I think that young people like you deserve a seat at the table, not as a transactional action, but as a transformational one.

You're clearly living proof that young people have a voice, they have opinions, and I think it's time for our city to start including them in the policy process so we can create a future with you there.

So 10 years from now, it's a city that you want to live, work, learn, and play in.

Thank you for being here.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next item?

Consent agenda items one through twelve.

Council members, are there any items to be pulled?

I'm gonna pull consent agenda item number nine.

I see no other items to be pulled from council members.

I will move to approve consent agenda items one through twelve without item number nine.

Second.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 7-0.

Consent agenda item number nine is in regards to funding for web road from central to 13th Street North in District 2.

This item was uh reviewed at the January 6th meeting.

Um, and I had questions regarding this project.

So I would like to see if anyone from public works can just reiterate uh high level what this project will entail at 8.8 million dollars.

Thank you, Mayor.

Paul Gunzelman, Public Works and Utilities for the Record.

Uh the project will consist of widening um web road from central to 13th Street.

Um it will be a five-lane roadway for a portion of it, and then narrow down to four lanes, um, and then reintroduce the fifth lane northbound, specifically left turn lane into the collegiate driveway entrance, and then it will continue the fifth lane north to tie into the left turn lane at 13th Street.

The project will also include sidewalk on each side of the roadway.

It will include crosswalk improvement, signalized crosswalk improvement at the Minaha School.

There's an existing pedestrian crosswalk there.

It will be replaced.

And just a second.

And then also we are working with collegiate uh school district or collegiate high school regarding a traffic signal at their entrance as well.

This project is includes safety improvements, which includes a sidewalk to provide space for pedestrians or cyclists to travel, as well as reduce crashes at the intersection of collegiate drive and webb road.

Thank you, Paul.

I have a couple questions regarding this.

Number one, the private school collegiate, will they be paying for the traffic signal?

Yes, that is our common practice for private drives that they would be assessed for that cost.

And the second question is in regards to sidewalks.

I have been very adamant that this stretch of the road does not require two sidewalks, both on the west and on the east side of Webb Road.

The justification being that there's a lake that is actually, I believe, Cedric County owned property or Cedro County area.

So this is not even a city of Wichita area.

Can you address how and why there is a need for two sidewalks?

First, um the the Webb Road there adjacent to Beach Lake.

Um the Webb Road uh street right of way has been annexed.

It is within the city of Wichita.

Um so we do have jurisdiction over that right of way.

And excuse me.

And per the sidewalk ordinance sidewalk improvements shall be installed by the city on both sides of Arterial Streets.

I want to just state for the record um my disagreement that there should be two sidewalks, especially at this stretch of the road.

Um I said that at the January 6th meeting, and the reason why I'm pulling it again is because I'm not in favor of adding an additional sidewalk at the lake that currently has no sidewalk.

Um, and so again, I will state that for the record.

Um, and so I don't see any further questions for staff, so thank you, Paul, for reiterating this $8.8 million project.

This now will have public comment.

Would anyone in the public like to address the council regarding Webb Road from Central to 13th Street?

I you may come up.

Please state your name, your address, or district, and you have five minutes.

Jason Wood, um District 4.

Um, I'm gonna talk for about 30 seconds.

Um, Mayor Wu, I'm grateful for you and the concern about tax dollars.

100,000 here, 500,000 here, a million here adds up, and I'm grateful for your concern.

I agree with you.

There shouldn't be a sidewalk on the east side.

I think existing ordinance um could that be rewarded to say a council vote could possibly not have a sidewalk on one side, um, but there's no need for a sidewalk on that in that area.

Um I'm glad there's always issues getting in out of collegiate there that time of day.

I'm through there quite a bit.

That is a dangerous area.

I'm glad to see that there's a light going in there and five lanes of traffic going um in there that will make things safer.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Wood.

I see you may come up and address the council.

Hi, council.

My name is Max Timsaw.

Uh I live in District 2, and I'm the vice mayor of the Wichita Mayors Youth Council.

I am also a current junior at Wichita Collegiate School, uh, which is a very uh prominent uh place that is perched right where this discussion is kind of going to affect.

Uh and I would just like to say that I do agree with Mayor Wu, and I know that the fellow students that go to my school on the council and the students who are just on my school that I talk to on a daily basis agree that there should not be a sidewalk put in place there.

And the reason why is because as uh the other person who just came up here to give public comment said it's a really dangerous and precarious situation trying to get out of school every day, coming back in through that web road entrance and putting a sidewalk across from there.

I don't see it as safe, um, and I think it would encourage people to be walking in an area where there is a high volume of traffic incidents, um, and I don't think that it's something that would benefit us, and I don't think that the use of tax dollars there is safe or necessary.

Um, but that's everything.

Thank you.

Thank you, Max.

I'm gonna use my point of privilege and just recognize that that the mayor's youth council and its 20 members are present in the room right now.

So thank you for your service as young leaders in our community.

I see no one else who would like to address the council.

I will bring it back to the bench and ask one question uh to the city manager.

I want to know what would it take to change the ordinance regarding requiring two sidewalks on each side of the road.

Uh council vote, we can bring that forward on a future agenda item.

And so if there's a will of the council to have that conversation, we can place it on a future agenda item.

I am interested in seeing a possible um change to the ordinance, one that would need to be discussed amongst the council, but I would like to see something drafted to make sure that again in areas that it does not make sense to have two sidewalks, that we can have that discretion.

Councilmember Todd.

Thank you.

Um, Paul, our city engineer, um, could you please join us for a moment at the podium?

Paul, I know you've been with us for more than three decades, so thank you for your service to our community.

Can you please explain the rationale for having a city ordinance for why we have sidewalks on both sides of the street?

Well, that it's it's quite a um that ordinance has been in place since uh well before I was started with the city, I think it was in place in 1979.

Um, I do agree that there needs to be some updates to the ordinance just for um various other reasons, but um sidewalk on both sides of the street does allow for residents on either side of the street to utilize um that sidewalk adjacent to their properties and uh walk around the mile if they want to, or get to other um neighborhood um places to eat, shop, etc.

So, would I be accurate in saying having a sidewalk on both sides of the street, especially in that intersection, would keep people from from having to cross potentially one of the most traverse arterials in our city.

It could, yes, that's exactly right.

So having sidewalks on both sides of the street increases the safety of people who are walking, biking, scootering, strolling to get where they need to go.

Yes, without crossing an arterial or or it gets them to the intersections where most arterial intersections are signalized so they could cross safely.

Thank you.

Any further questions for staff or comments?

I will not be moving this item.

Councilmember Todd.

Thank you.

Um, I just want to say thank you to Paul, thank you to Gary.

We've talked about this intersection, this corridor for quite a while.

Um we have had four accidents, serious car accidents at collegiate with parents, faculty, staff, students, since August.

This has been something that collegiate has met with Paul and I several times about.

I've had communication with collegiate, um the HOAs surrounding collegiate.

This has been a serious safety issue, and it's something that I'm quite proud that we are going to address.

Well, as I mentioned, we've had meetings with the schools, there's been several accidents.

We have a very clear reason for why we're doing this.

And I'm glad that collegiate has been an outstanding partner with us.

That's why we're gonna do the study for the signalization, and they have agreed that they would work with us with paying for that if it happens.

The other thing is we've been trying to do education with parents, with faculty, with staff, and with students to make sure that they can be safe as they're coming to work and school until we can get these improvements taken care of.

So I am quite proud of this, and I will enthusiastically move that the Wichita City Council approve the revised budget, adopt the amending resolution, and authorize the necessary signatures.

Thank you.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

I will just add my comments of why I'm voting against this.

It is not because I'm not in favor of making sure that it's safer.

However, I am opposed to having two sidewalks when especially right now on one side of the street, which is the east side, there's a lake.

And there does not need to be justification to have two sidewalks on this stretch of web road from 13th to Central.

So again, I will be voting not in favor of this.

Councilmember Shefford.

Thank you, Mayor, and I appreciate the discussion that we're having here today.

I specifically want to thank Max for being out and sharing your thoughts.

Um, you're gonna see me not vote in favor of what you desire, but it does not mean that your voice doesn't make a difference, and it does not mean that your perspective is not taken into consideration.

Um, I think one of the things we need to do a better job, especially when it comes to young people who have uh make a really big difference in our community is mobilizing our opinion.

So you don't think that we're against you.

Um I'm for bikeability, I'm for walkability.

I think there are a lot of people who don't have access to a car, um, but a bike is a great means of transportation and it helps our environment too.

And in order to do that and protect them and ensure their safety and security, installing sidewalks is a step in the right direction to do that.

So again, I just wanted to say thank you for being here.

You're an amazing, incredible young leader.

And uh, if you ever want to chat more about uh how we can do better job with hearing your voice, let me know.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Appreciate it.

Uh, I just want to point out that on the southeast side of this uh district here or this uh stretch of road, there is a bunch of residential houses.

Um, it's always nice to have uh residents as being able to walk to and from parks to and from some of the the businesses that they have along web there as well.

So I just wanted to bring that up.

I think that's lost in this conversation as well.

I see no further discussion.

Madam Clerk, can you please open the roll?

Motion passes 6-1.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Board of bids and contracts dated February 9th, 2026.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council, Josh Laubert, Department of Finance.

Uh, February 9th, 2026, Board of Bids and Contracts is as follows for engineering.

We have the Blue Lake Street to serve Blue Lake Third Edition Phase 2 for APAC Kansas Incorporated Shears Division and the amount of 332,121 dollars and seventy-five cents for purchasing.

We have the ARC GIS Enterprise Advantage Program, three-year item for environmental systems research institute doing business as Esri for the aggregate three-year total of 726,000.

We have the Wichita Fire Department uniform and uniform equipment accessories management program change order for Galls LLC for the estimated annual usage of $36,888.57.

We have the Wichita Police Department uniform and uniform equipment accessories management program change order for Gauls LLC for the estimated annual usage of 1,240,711 and 80 cents.

And we have the welding gases change order for Lambton Welding Supply Company Incorporated for an aggregate total estimated annual usage of 49,047.80 cents.

This is how to become a vendor with the city.

This is our purchasing calendar, a small business resource partner events that the city's hosting or participating in.

And these are open public opportunities out on the street today.

And I'd be happy to try to answer your questions and recommend your approval.

Thank you, Josh.

Questions for staff.

I see none.

I move to approve the board of bids and contracts dated February 9th, 2026.

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.

Petitions for public improvements.

Evening, Mayor City Council members, Paul Gunsleman, Public Works and Utilities for the record.

I have new and revised petitions for your consideration tonight.

The signatures on the petitions represent 100% of the improvement districts.

And the petitions are valid per Kansas statute.

Our Veda second edition located in district five.

The project will provide water and sewer improvements required for a new residential development.

And Sharice Point edition located in district four.

On August 19th, 2025, the city council approved water improvements required for a new residential development.

The developer has submitted a revised petition with revised budget to reflect current market conditions.

It is recommended city council approve the new and revised petitions and budgets, adopt a new and amending resolutions and authorize the necessary signatures.

And I will stand for questions.

Thank you, Paul.

Questions for staff.

I see none.

I move to approve the board of petitions for public improvements.

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.

Resolutions regarding administrative administration of sales tax proceeds and establishment of sales tax relief in Wichita Homestead property tax relief programs.

Good evening, Mayor Wu and Council members.

It's a pleasure to be with you this evening.

As you have in front of you on your agenda item tonight, we have a series of referendums that reflect ongoing conversation from the mayor and council basically over the last two months as you've considered the one percent sales tax referendum that will be put on the ballot for voters on March 3rd.

This is as we think about it from the staff side, what I would consider the implementation plan.

How will this ballot initiative be implemented if passed?

Um but what we have in front of you are eight resolutions for you to consider.

They reflect different conversations that we've heard from council members.

It's kind of a uh pick and choose the terms of how much you want to have for guardrails on the different initiatives if the uh sales tax passes.

And so what you see is there are five initiatives in there related to property tax relief, housing and homeless initiatives, capital improvements for public safety, as well as investment and convention center, century two, and the performing arts center.

The establishment of these resolutions will set in place the guidelines that this council wants to see should the referendum move forward and what we call the guardrails.

How will we administer the funds?

How will they have parameters around them?

But also, there's a conversation on the third bullet there.

Is there some type of sales tax relief that we can provide from the city side if there is an increase in the local sales tax?

And one of those specifically relates to what we're calling the Wichita Homestead Property Tax Relief Program.

Um, as we highlighted, um, we do have different resolutions in there and number 29 as we call 26049.

Does talk about some of the tax use and oversight, a general one, um, but it does highlight that the ordinance does call for a up to 15 member oversight committee.

It does have parameters, one from each council district and a mayoral appointment.

What this resolution would further clarify is that you would have other stipulated representation for those who are members or representatives of continuum of care related to some of our housing issues, the affordable housing community as well as the public safety community.

We do have in there already established from the um ordinance that they will review the expenditures again with the adopted guardrails, which does include at least one fiscal audit each year.

This proposal to re fresh everyone is a seven-year proposal that is anticipated to generate $850 million.

The proposal will be terminated at the conclusion of the seven years or the raising of $850 million, whatever occurs first, should it pass.

Also, there is an opportunity for the committee to recommend different actions over the course of the seven years should this pass.

And then again, it also has some specific um opportunity to weigh in on the maintenance and operations of a performing arts center.

If you go through and what I'd like to do is go through the entire presentation that I know we said we have eight different resolutions for your consideration.

I'll go through the high level, some of the differences of those, and then let you have the conversation about what guardrails council wants to uh put in place for each of the initiatives.

Um also part of this, this resolution does outline we will maintain a digital dashboard about revenues generated, how revenues were expended.

We'll have public and transparent documents on the city website, as we do for other funds currently.

We will also continue to highlight that all the funds can be invested and will be invested through the city's existing pool fund investment policy that we currently have in place, and then also we will use our existing city purchasing um policies and processes for all the projects or initiatives within the sales tax.

So again, our same processes will continue and apply to those initiatives if supported by the sales tax.

We do have again also another consideration for you as um is proposed in some of the information that's on the agenda item tonight.

There are two approaches.

Staff was suggesting that as money comes in that the money be attributed or deposited into each of the five initiatives based upon the different amounts to be raised for each initiative.

There's been conversation among council about prioritizing the five initiatives, specifically the three initiatives to get the first 300 million of the 850 million proposed with the sales tax, saying that you want to see the funds directed first to homeless and housing, public safety, and property tax relief.

Um, so the um revenue would be allocated according to the ballot language that 850 will go to all of those um five different projects, but you can stipulate the first 300 going to these priority areas if you so choose.

Also, you will highlight again that we are lobbying the state for an exemption of the sales tax on the grocery tax.

We do not have an answer on that, and we may not have an answer on that this year or even next year.

But based upon your feedback and your efforts in Topeka, staff will continue to work with our lobbying and our legislative delegation to see if we can get that grocery tax exemption should this pass.

If not, we also say council was open to exploring sales tax relief options, and we have those available for you tonight.

As we're talking about the first $300 million, as of now, we want to make sure people understand how the revenues flow.

If this is adopted by voters in March, the sales tax will be implemented on July 1, and that will start being charged all goods and services purchased within the city limits starting July 1.

There's a lag time with the collections and those first stream of revenues would not be received by the city until approximately November of 2026.

And so staff has outlined the revenue projections by year, showing that we only have half a year collection, even less in 2026, is why you see the 37.7 million is the anticipated revenue.

But then you see, based upon some prior performance of the sales tax, we can anticipate or are projecting that the revenues will grow about 3% a year.

And so you can see how that is factored in in 2027.

We'd estimate 116 million would come in, and then on to 120 million and 28 and so on.

If you do divide the funding by priority, if you want to fund 300 million as the first money into the property tax, public safety and homeless housing initiative, that means basically in 2026, we'd be able to deposit roughly 12.6 million into each of those three priority areas if you so choose.

I know there's some other conversation about ensuring that there is a property tax relief, and we can come back to this slide during that conversation where we have some other numbers there about the 20, the 8.8 and 8.8.

But this does reflect in this slide right here that you would generate the 100 million in each of the three buckets for property tax, public safety, and homelessness and housing generally by 2029.

And so that would be the first 300 million and the other priorities of the convention center and performing arts would not start receiving funding until 2029 as projected on that slide.

If you choose not to do a prioritization of the different five initiatives, the money would just go in based upon the amount anticipated or expected to be raised for each of the five initiatives.

If you look at the total amount, the sales tax proposal that voters will be considering would generate $150 million on the far right column for property tax, $225 million for public safety, $250 million for the convention center, $75 million for performing arts center, and then $150 million for the homelessness housing coming for the total of $850 million over the seven-year program.

Looking at specifically resolution $26050 now, there's option one about the performing arts.

It does incorporate language regarding compliance with all procurement processes, but it also says that none of the sales tax proceeds will be expended until a minimum of $50 million of private funds have been pledged or collected for the new downtown performing arts center.

That is a clarifying language that council can determine if you'd like to include in the resolution.

If you look, there's a second option for you for resolution 2650.

Option two, it doesn't have that minimum of 50 million to be raised by the private sector.

So council gets to determine if you're comfortable using the sales tax proceeds first in conjunction or afterwards is really the question with those that two resolutions as it relates to private fundraising.

If you look then on the public safety resolution 51, again, it does incorporate language regarding compliance with all the city procurement.

Talking about facilities, equipment, buildings, different things, and it will not be used for personnel costs.

So it's just a guardrail or a restatement that it will not be used for operating or personnel costs.

If you look at option two there, the key difference between the two resolutions is a third bullet.

It requires that maintenance projects will be given the funding priority.

As you think about the capital needs for the both police and fire and public safety, that will be a focus on if you choose to use that resolution option two.

If you look at the century two renovation, when I highlight again a guardrail there, again, city procurement processes will of course be followed.

But the second bullet refers to City Council Policy 38.

This requires advisory election prior to any demolition of Century 2.

There's no plans for that.

That has not been a discussion, but again, there are some in the community who have raised concerns about what might happen to Century 2.

This again is just a restated guardrail, that there is no intent to do that.

But should there be something that evolves over the seven years, it would take an advisory election.

Also that highlights there the third bullet is doing a parking study would be conducted with or before the expansion of the convention center to make sure we factor in parking needs for that initiative.

Property tax oversight.

Levy, I'm sorry, and then option two stipulates that there will be a four-mill reduction, shall be provided as the language.

So council will have a conversation if you want to guarantee four mills every year starting in 26, 27, and beyond.

That will be for your discussion tonight when you look at resolutions 26, 53, 1 and 2.

Looking at resolution 26054, we have our housing and homeless assistance fund as one resolution highlights we would do a gradual increase in operational funding for the low barrier homeless shelter.

Right now, currently a second light, where we would start with a limited amount of funding in 2026 to supplement federal funding at the 690,000 level.

That would be expended, but then would rise to 2.7 million in 2027.

It also would use additional funds of the 150 to be generated over the seven years for wraparound services.

But also the overall function is to create an endowed fund to generate operating funds for our homeless shelter needs going forward.

So the council discussion can focus around a dollar amount if you want to cap or max or have a minimum.

But again, it would be to use operating expenses for low barrier homeless shelter, and then again the interest would be reinvested.

This is a hard to see, I know, but we did want to show on the housing and homeless initiative that 150 million is stipulated on the ballot to be generated over the seven years.

And based upon if we can change our investment strategy and reach some investment tools or instruments that would generate 5% in investment income versus what we're calling our standard 3%, there is a funding scenario that after seven years, 121 almost 122 million would be generated as the principal or what we call the corpus amount to generate interest than to fund the operational needs for housing and homeless services for an ongoing basis.

So the question is 150 is to be generated.

The plan is to use some of that 150 for operational expenses over the seven years, but to end the seven years with approximately 121 million.

And then again for council's consideration, if you want to relieve some of the city taxpayers or offset some of the sales tax revenue for those who are property tax owners, there are two suggestions in here that we can adopt our equivalent of a local low-income energy assistance program.

This would mirror the federal energy assistance program, which does have a 55 per year per household offset for taxes paid on food and groceries.

There were 9,720 Wichita households that did receive the federal utility assistance in what we call the winter months 24-25.

And so that was 534,600.

That was returned to Wichita taxpayers.

If you want to do something similar, that would be a $534,000 encumbrance that we would have to charge to the general fund to offset the sales tax.

Then we also have for you what has also been a state program, the homestead refund, another opportunity to use from state income tax returns.

We did a similar program to what the state was doing in 2024.

We had 522 taxpayers who did receive assistance from that program.

But it actually from that state program, they're really kind of three different related programs.

So I want to make sure it's not a one-for-one program.

The state had three programs that had 522 taxpayers receiving assistance for about $89,000 or $171 for each taxpayer that received the benefit.

And again, this would come from the city's general fund.

And then lastly, um as you go through the different resolutions tonight, this really again is for you to set the guardrails for you to communicate what you want as a council by majority vote to let voters know if they go to the polls in the referendum again how you'd instruct staff kind of the implementation for the sales tax should it uh pass on March 3rd.

So I do want to highlight certainly the work of city staff on this, particularly our legal law team, Shannon DeGraff um spent a lot of time on the resolutions and can certainly help walk you through if you want to make some amendments.

Um but we have had everyone from our budget and finance team, certainly our city management team in office, communications, and everyone working on this.

And I do want to highlight for the citizens we do have uh this information, and the draft resolutions are on the city website, wichita.gov slash backslash ballot question.

So happy to take questions and we can walk through any suggestions uh to the resolutions.

Thank you.

Thank you, city manager.

Questions for staff, beginning with council member Glasscock.

Thank you, Mayor.

Given that sometimes our questions up here are long-winded, and it's an evening meeting, and we have a lot of people that want to speak.

I would make a motion that we hold our questions given that there are probably gonna be questions from the public as well, and that we would move to public comment.

I would support that.

Second, yeah.

Motion and a second.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 70.

This means that we will start with public comment first.

Please state your name, the district that you reside, and you will have five minutes to address the council.

George Theo Harris, 2115, South Chautauqua.

As you can see, I have the scales of justice here.

Almost didn't get him in.

I think they thought I was going to impale someone with them, and that would be a sad thing with this that.

But uh anyhow, I was at the dab meeting, and I told uh that the dab that if this passes, if this passes, um, that I would not come here and talk to you guys anymore.

But my dad used to watch wrestling, and they would have a I quit match, and then they would quit if they lost, but two or three years later they'll come back.

So if it passes, I'm be back in two or three years.

But what I wanted to say is I I think a lot of the people in here will probably say the same thing.

I think you guys almost cut off your face, your nose to spite your face.

And why I say that is because I really believe myself and all of you by August could have made people understand uh how this would have worked.

Um I I have the scales of justice, and here's the one set.

This represents the one cent sales tax.

It's just a penny.

I know it's not a penny, it's one cent sales, uh one cent sales tax.

But you can see it's already swayed.

This is the 170,000 dollars we paid for the extra level.

It represented, of course, it's not 170,000.

But what I wanted to say is if you would have waited till August, I think all the money that we would have saved for all these programs.

Well, it outweighs, it outweighs, it outweighs the penny of 70 cents.

I must have spent some of that money because it was doing it earlier.

But anyhow, so all I'm wanting to say is this is a shirt.

So I don't think you guys know.

I have like five five uh voices in my head, and two of them are saying yes, and two are saying no.

So I guess we'll have to just wait and see on March 3rd.

But um thank you, and um I will go now.

That's much easier to follow than a few speakers ago, I think.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

I'm Kent Miracle, and I live in District 2.

I'm here as a citizen, a business leader, and someone who cares deeply about Wichita's future.

You're weighing five major initiatives tied to the proposed one percent sales tax.

All five matter public safety, infrastructure, economic vitality, quality of life.

They're all necessary investments that strengthen every resident and position Wichita for long term success.

But one stands out.

One stands out as the most immediate and imperative, addressing homelessness.

Because while all five strengthen our city broadly, this one determines how we treat those most in need today, our homeless neighbors.

Seventeen years ago, I got sober.

Before that, I endured five years of on again, off again homelessness.

During that time, I wasn't contributing to the tax base.

I was drawing from it.

ER visits, hospital beds, arrests, jail, and state funded, which means taxpayer funded treatment facilities.

I wasn't a bad person, I was just a broken one.

What changed my life was structure and accessible services together.

And now, thanks to Second Light for the first time, those services are under one roof.

Today I'm sober.

I work, I pay taxes, I give back.

I serve on the boards of Second Light and the Coalition to End Homelessness.

So I get to see firsthand the measurable progress being made and how much more quickly we could help many more people with stable funding.

Second light, it's an innovative community-driven model.

Wichita has never undertaken before.

It combines low barrier shelter with partners and nonprofits that provide coordinated on-site services to stabilize individuals and move them toward housing and self-sufficiency, all toward the goal of functional zero homelessness.

This model is already proven in other markets, and here in Wichita, it is already working.

We're serving more people.

We're seeing people move into housing.

Guests are telling us this is different.

And we're seeing this during partial operations under emergency winter shelter conditions.

For the first time, we are not just managing homelessness, we are reducing it.

When something works, the next step isn't hesitation, it's acceleration.

Acceleration requires funding.

And funding second light is not just compassion, it's sound fiscal policy.

Wichita bears spiraling costs through emergency rooms, police calls, fire response, and over extended service providers.

Study after study shows it costs far more to leave someone on a street than to provide structured shelter and services that move them towards stability.

Second light is infrastructure.

It lowers public costs, it improves public safety, it strengthens neighborhoods, and it restores dignity.

Wichita is a compassionate city.

We care too much to leave people on sidewalks when we have a proven solution.

All five of these initiatives matter, but this one determines whether we continue paying the highest price for homelessness or invest in a solution that reduces suffering and reduces costs at the same time.

I urge you to support the 1% sales tax and ensure second light shelter plus services receives the funding necessary to scale what is already succeeding.

When Wichita invests in stability for our most vulnerable citizens, all of Wichita wins.

Thank you so much for your time and your service and God bless you.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Kent.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Irregardless of anybody's position on the sales tax.

Please continue to share your story because it means a lot to people who are fighting on the streets and fighting those demons.

And it matters a lot to those of us who have people that we care about.

And it gives us hope that maybe a turnaround is around the corner.

So thank you for sharing, sir.

Councilmember Ballard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Congratulations on 17 years of sobriety, and thank you also for sharing your story.

Good evening.

Thank you, Mayor and Council, for this opportunity to speak.

I'm Jennifer Zambeki from District 6.

I not only want to thank you for this opportunity to speak, I want to thank everyone here for engaging in civic discourse.

It is a joy and a privilege to have this freedom to speak like this and speak out, and I don't take it for granted.

I don't take any of you for granted, and I am grateful for everyone here and for this opportunity.

I want to express my support to you all for the guardrails that you have facilitated and for whatever decision that you make this evening.

And I think any plan for progress is better than no plan.

I was unable to make the last couple of meetings, and so for just a couple of minutes, I want to speak more broadly to the plan.

When I think about this initiative, I think back and I think forward and I think up.

I think back to all of the uh attempts that Wichita has made to make big plans.

I think about visioneering Wichita and master planning and more, and I've been a part of many of those groups.

And I'm grateful to the Wichita Forward Group who pulled together ideas from the last 30 years to bring a proposal forward for progress.

Then I think forward in time, seven years.

It's 2033.

Everybody adds seven years to your age.

Everybody add seven years to your oldest child's age, and everybody think about 2033.

There will be a different council, and no one's gonna remember this campaign.

Instead, we're gonna be celebrating fire and police capital improvements.

We're gonna be celebrating sustainable funding for Second Light.

We're gonna be celebrating improved facilities at Century 2.

I would love to go to the bathroom without freezing my tail off at a winter event at Century 2.

That sounds amazing, and I'm for it.

And we're gonna be celebrating a world-class performing art center, our symphony and music theater can be proud of.

So then I think up, or more accurately, I think about Wichita from far above the earth, where Wichita is in view, along with Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Omaha.

All cities with sales taxes, along with property taxes and fees.

They have a stable three-legged stool, and as of now, Wichita does not.

I think about all the progress of those cities, and I want that progress for Wichita too.

So every direction I look, I see a plan that ultimately helps Wichita win.

Thank you again for the opportunity.

Good evening.

And so we're thank you for allowing me to speak today.

I think uh many of you know my background.

Um, I'm a student of public service.

I've been educated in public service.

I've spent four decades in public service, and so what I'm about to say I mean from the heart, while others might be skeptical, but I want to thank the city council for the work you've been doing on this special election and the work you're going to do tonight to put in a thoughtful structure on how to manage a new funding stream that would be created on March 3rd should the vote pass.

I want to applaud your efforts for providing more transparency to the process, for being thoughtful on prioritization, for strengthening accountability, and for incorporating citizen oversight every step of the way.

The work in this regard should give us all more confidence in your stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

And I applaud the steps you're taking to strengthen civic trust in public institutions like local government.

This proposal on March 3rd is worth the effort.

And should it pass, the benefits will be measured for decades in a safer community in more productive citizens with a solid roof over their head, and with a growing local economy powered in a very new way with the help of taxes paid by visitors who don't live here but want to be here.

For those who are skeptical, I hope they take note of these resolutions that will help ensure we will get what we are voting for, and that it will give them the confidence to bet on ourselves to create the community we desire and to have the future we all hope for.

Of the many benefits this proposal will bring, a yes vote in particular would strengthen the complex multi-layer system we have in place now to achieve functional homeless zero homelessness by appropriately resourcing second light shelter, which is critical to our full spectrum of services in Wichita from street outreach all the way to affordable housing.

We are on the verge of being only the 15th city in the nation to achieve functional zero homelessness in our veteran population.

And a revenue stream that funds Second Light will bring us even closer to this goal, would even expedite it, and it would allow us to expand more quickly to address homelessness of women and families, of foster children aging out of the system, the disabled, seniors, and the chronically homeless with mental health and addiction challenges.

Just this afternoon, I attended another thoughtful luncheon to learn more about the special election on March 3rd and the investments we can make in the future of our city if we vote yes.

And it is not hard to see how other thriving communities across the Midwest are succeeding in this exact same way, and how a yes vote will pave the way for a safer and more prosperous Wichita for all.

Over the past few weeks, and thanks to the hard work of this council, the ongoing community conversation has brought life to a vision we can all benefit from for decades to come.

And together, a yes vote can unlock the potential of our community and foster the conditions where we can all thrive.

It's a chance to bet on ourselves and with our own grit and determination, bring our future forward and make our city great now.

March 3rd is our generational opportunity to make a better tomorrow for our children and our grandchildren, and together we can make it so.

Thank you for your efforts.

Hello, my name is Kean Calavier, and I live in District 6.

I did not come with a five-page essay.

Um, this is actually the very first council meeting I've ever been to.

Um, and I thank you for the opportunity to speak.

I have a lot of doubts about any benefit that will happen from this tax bill, as much as we have heard a lot of grandiose and large speaking about what is going to happen with the money that is going to be allocated to different funds.

I heard tonight that the century two funding is not going to be happening until 2029, which is as an employee of Century 2 and working there often.

I have seen the decay of that building from the inside.

There are whole sections that cannot be accessed due to asbestos, still.

As we have been navigating that as the union, um the uh IATSI group that is there, local 190, um, is very on top of things.

But the fact of the matter is that that building needs funding way sooner than 2029.

It is already in really bad shape.

Um beyond that, as a person who has been frequently and on the edge of homelessness, funding one shelter and allocating that money to one place is not keeping as many people out of homelessness as it could be.

As good as Second Light is, I have never benefited from it.

And as many people as have, I don't want to, you know, say that that's bad.

It is great that we are sending money there, but one place is not going to fix all of the people who are constantly on the edge of losing their housing.

I am a part of the tenants union, the ICT tenants union, and we have been trying to get more eyes on the fact that even me have had moments where we are not able to pay our rent and have to ask the community to make sure we don't end up on the street.

My wife and I have lived in like four different cities in the past year because we cannot find stable housing and it is hard to access, both as a queer person and as a trans person.

I have faced a lot of discrimination, even in this city, where people will say that it's not because we're trans or it's not because we're queer, but it definitely is.

All of that being said, the 1% sales tax is reductive.

It does not feel like it is going to do much for our low-income people, and a lot of us are gonna end up paying it, while the people at the top do not.

So the poor, the low income are gonna be paying more to fund the things that are supposed to help them.

That does not make sense to me and to a lot of people.

I would also like to know more about Wichita Forward and how they are going to benefit from all of this, as not a whole lot has been said tonight about the three people who have brought up the sales tax in the first place.

As to past meetings, I can't say anything about that.

Again, this is my first time.

But all of that being said, I appreciate the opinion, the place to make my opinions heard, and I thank you for your time.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

I appreciate you coming up.

Um, that is an interesting point on century two.

Um, that is something I think maybe we can bring up in discussion here in a bit.

Um I would also mention it's not all going to second light.

There's also funding the city's affordable housing plan.

Um, 10 million dollars a year that would go into that.

We've had some pretty big cuts from the feds and the state here lately as far as um programs such as emergency shelter vouchers that have been cut from Congress, that we can actually use some of this affordable housing funding to help them as well and hopefully get more affordable housing units built.

Um, quality housing as well.

Um, and and also to one of your points that you made.

If you do feel like you've been discriminated against, uh, we do have our non-discrimination ordinance.

Um, so please feel free to reach out to any of your council members and talk about that process going through that.

If again, if you feel like you have been uh discriminated against.

So I appreciate you.

You did a great job for uh your first time here and just feeling like just standing up and saying what you what you feel.

So I do appreciate that.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor Kean.

Uh, you were a force at the institution, and you're a force still today.

Um I'm proud of you as a former student of mine, um, but also as a resident and a young person who continues to share your lived experiences boldly.

I want to affirm and validate what you've said as an LGBTQ member myself, that discrimination does exist and not just for our community but for other communities as well.

So I want to take the time to validate your experience.

I also understand that you don't have trust, and I would be foolish to not affirm that there are a lot of people who feel that way.

But I'm committed to earning your trust.

I'm committed to earning the trust of people who feel that we've not done a good job.

And I know that all of my colleagues are ready and willing to do that as well.

So no matter how this turns out on March 3rd, March 4th, let's wake up and let's reconcile and build a stronger city together for everybody and not just some of us.

I have a question for the city manager or law.

Uh, there are two resolutions, there's one resolution with two options that would be resolution 26-049.

That is pertaining to the use and oversight of the sales tax proceeds.

I want to make sure that one of the guardrails I had proposed, which is no special favors to individuals who are part of the yes or the no campaigns, uh, is codified in those resolutions.

And I believe uh law can tell me is that option number for both items, option one and two, it's item number 11.

Is that accurate?

Yes.

Can you read item number 11 for us?

We need to stand up, so this is great.

Uh Sharon DeGraf City Law Department.

Um, number 11 reads that all contracts will be awarded following compliance with the city's purchasing and procurement processes.

Unless approved by vote of the city council, no bid or sole source contracts should be are permitted, should be our not permitted.

Um, no special treatment will be given to any business entity or organization in the awarding of any contract.

Thank you.

And that is in both options, correct?

Yes.

Thank you.

We will proceed.

My name's Brad Jeffers.

I'm in District 6.

I've recently came back home after spending 12 years in Oklahoma City.

While my time in Oklahoma City, I became aware of a maps program, metropolitan area projects.

From what I've seen of that, that is the best roadmap that we could use in order to get this sales tax through.

Right now, uh the way that the sales tax is being presented.

I'm not sure I'm 100% behind it.

What we don't have is a detailed statement of work of what is going to be done.

What areas are going to get this money within these broad uh bullets?

In Oklahoma, they have all this spelled out.

This is where this amount of dollars are gonna go.

This gets that amount of dollars, but we don't have that here.

There's also no um on the public safety.

There's no um comprehensive plan on how we're gonna maintain these buildings or these improvements that they're gonna make.

Um there's no preventive maintenance program called out, a budget for that.

Um I'm hearing that Wichita is a lot of deferred maintenance that hasn't been taken care of.

How's that going to be addressed?

Uh that would be some it would be something that needs to be in this plan.

Um Century 2 versus the new performing arts building.

As a teenager, I was a stage hand at uh Century 2 at Kansas Coliseum.

Uh Century 2 at the time was state of an art facility.

Still could be.

I've gone to a Broadway show in New York, I've gone to Broadway shows in Chicago, Oklahoma City.

Last time I was in one here, the facility was on par with what uh what I had seen elsewhere.

Now, today I contacted the city manager's office and they provided me a uh study that was done approximately 10 years ago on improvements that need to be made to Century 2.

That should be a roadmap because we really don't need duplicated facilities.

There is a great theater inside that building, it just needs to be repaired and brought up to speed.

Otherwise, if you're gonna build a performing art center, tear century two down and come up with something else.

It doesn't make any sense having two facilities.

Um as far as the homeless.

I learned something tonight that uh I'm proud of Wichita's doing.

The gentleman came up and spoke about his pride.

I didn't know about that here.

In Oklahoma, I did some volunteer work and my experience with the homeless.

They were either addicted or they were mentally ill, and they didn't have a whole lot to fall back on there.

Where's our money gonna go here?

What facilities, what hospitals?

How's that money going to be spent?

If you want my vote for yes, you need to spell that out.

And then the last thing is um the property tax.

150 million dollars over seven years.

How's that gonna break out into savings for each taxpayer, each homeowner?

To me, it doesn't look like that's gonna be that big of a savings, and if it isn't gonna be that big of a savings, put that money to use elsewhere.

So that's my put on it, and uh yeah.

Any questions?

Thank you.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, just one point, sir.

I would point you towards um the Haven for Hope in San Antonio.

That is the model that our shelter is built off of, so it has supportive services there, um, addiction counseling addiction therapy, um, mental health calm care will be in their building, um, our housing department as well.

So that's the model that we're going after to have uh essentially whatever the reason is that you are homeless to be able to have it addressed in one space.

Yeah, I was glad to hear that uh that that we had this facility, this volunteer facility, like I said, down there in Oklahoma.

And what we found was near homeless uh or people that didn't have the life skills.

Nobody ever taught them how to make uh do a budget.

Nobody taught them uh what they need to sign a lease.

What's a good lease?

What's a bad lease?

You know, they just didn't have the life skills for whatever reason.

Yeah, we're trying to get a hole.

That's something else uh would be nice to be cut.

I appreciate that.

Thank you, sir.

City manager, can you go to slide number 37 regarding the property tax oversight?

Oh, sorry, the the property tax slide is number 13 on four mills.

There we go.

Thank you, number 36.

Uh, can you just reiterate option number two and what that would spell out regarding property tax?

So as of now, the plan is if the uh initiative passes, we would take the sales tax generated.

Um it is to generate 150 million over the seven years, but on the annual basis, we had how the funding stream would come in.

Um, depending upon how you might prioritize or not in 26, but certainly in 27 and um and beyond, um, to get a four mil reduction, we need to have at least 20 million dollars generated every year.

And so 20 million dollars would help lower the current sales tax, I think from roughly 36 mils by four mils, or would be 12%.

So it'd be a 12% reduction in the property tax if you reduce it by four mils.

A correction, uh the current mill is 32 mils.

Thank you.

Um, if it gets reduced by four mils, that would be 28 mils.

Uh so is it accurate to say that a four mil reduction is a 12% reduction in property taxes?

Yes, I had the percentage rate, not the number, yes.

12%.

We'll proceed with public comment.

Good evening, Lawanda D.

Shazer, district one, proud member of district one.

I'm starting to feel like a broken record, but I'm gonna keep saying this until we actually have our vote.

So we're gonna lead off with earning trust.

I think everybody around us all agree housing is important, the homeless community are important, the fire departments are important, all of those things are important.

But the thing that's missing, the earning the trust part is that it was rushed.

It was not detailed and outlined how we will expend the funds.

Even talking about the property tax after seven years, if it's built up X amount, so does that mean that as a homeowner, I get relief in seven years?

What does that even mean as a homeowner?

I have a daughter that has an amazing job.

It's still hard to find a place to live.

And so we talk about helping the ones that you know that don't actually have a place, but the people that work hard every day, they're struggling as well.

And they won't qualify for any of these breaks that we're talking about because they have a job, but we all know the wage in Wichita is not booming like we want it to.

And so people that work hard every day, they're struggling as well.

And so when we talk about our housing program, what does that actually mean for the people that work hard every day and still can't find a place to live that they can afford?

And then there's other things that we wouldn't talk to about.

Child care is killing our people that are working, 250 a week per child is hurting a lot of people.

That could have been one of the things, one of the measures that we were voting on is a um helping again, people that work hard get some type of relief so they can feel okay.

Um we talk about prioritization again, citizens were not asked what our priorities were.

Some, you know, we said it was a bad joke, a banker, uh you know, those three people walk into the city hall and say this is what we need, but we didn't ask the everyday working class person.

What is it that we need to actually move Wichita forward?

And so earning trust, we could have taken a step back.

We still can't take a step back, outline these things because we all know an ordinance that is derived in this city hall can be changed on any given day.

Any day, the ordinance can be changed.

But the what we vote on March 3rd is the law.

And so again, talk about earning trust.

There is no trust when it can be changed whenever at the will of anybody.

And as a matter of fact, when we just heard the um what we talked about who can get services, it said in there if I heard correctly, unless the city council votes on it.

So that means there's still a caveat for somebody to get in that you all just say it won't get in.

So again, it's still too too many, too much wiggle room, too many.

So even our our our guardrails that we're talking about tonight are not strong guardrails.

And so again, we talk about earning trust.

We all want these things for Wichita.

We all do want to move forward, but we want it to make sense.

And we all know that have been paying attention.

Our police department has been funded pretty well over the years.

They even got bonuses to stay, and I don't even know how many left got the $5,000 and hit it.

So we've done a lot of things to uphold and uplift our our police department.

So I think we should have separated public safety.

Fire should have been separate from police because fire is the ones that have been neglected.

And so again, and then also I'm gonna keep saying this the pet the um budget for public safety, WPD has been padded by 32 million dollars.

That equals six months of taxes that was put in this measure that was not in the CIP fund.

So again, we talk about earning trust.

We need to back it up, do it over, and let's really earn the trust of the citizens.

And as a representative district one, there's nothing in there that helps uplift the the heart of district one that has been neglected over and over again.

There's no infrastructure, there's there's nothing that actually builds up that community.

So anyway, let's really earn the trust, let's dab it back, let's do it over, and let's make it Wichita really move forward.

Thank you.

Council member Vice Mayor Glasscock.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to call Sally up to answer a specific question.

If you have the ordinance in front of me, the previous speaker had talked about there's nothing to help people at the margins, specifically renters or homeowners on resolution 26054, specifically page two item E and F.

Could you talk more about those two items?

Sure.

So the plan does include it if option one were to be selected, funding outside of not just for Second Light, excuse me.

Um additionally, the you know, a million dollars towards other homeless services, but then a 10 million dollar a year investment, not all from the sales tax, right?

About 31,000 31 million coming through the sales tax over seven years, but um leveraging other funds to be able to invest 10 million dollars a year towards affordable housing development, and that is development um at the would be at 80 percent of area median income.

Um, so for a family of four, so you can make 75,000 a year and benefit from programs like that.

So that's down payment assistance, development assistance.

It can be set up for um uh rent assistance or utility assistance.

It really depends.

Uh, it was written in a way so that uh RFPs would be done annually to address needs on an annual basis.

Awesome, thank you, Sally.

Can you go to slide number 39?

That is actually the one that shows the breakdown.

I know it's really hard to read.

Oh, I'm the wrong way.

Yes, is this what you were referring to?

Correct.

Can you just kind of one more time highlight just because there's now a visual aid to correspond with what you're saying?

Sure.

So um this the breakdown on this does assume prioritization, meaning that that the housing and homeless fund would get uh funding up to 100 million in the first three years that helps to create this reserve fund or endowment as people are calling it.

Um what is presented here shows quarterly funding that would come into the endowment and then expenditures going out.

So um you'll see, for example, in the second line, you see a a reduction of three million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

That is two million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars for second light and a million dollars for other wraparound services related to homelessness in that year.

We have other funding, including public housing sales proceeds, home funds, CDBG funds that would be invested in housing services, and then as you go year after year, 3.8 million the next year that includes that increase for second light, and then when we get down further under the housing column in 2029, we'd actually have to draw from the corpus of the reserve fund to reach that 10 million dollar investment in that year.

And then when we get down further under the housing column in 2029, we'd actually have to draw from the corpus of the reserve fund to reach that $10 million investment in that year.

So it's not all here because all you're seeing is the sales tax dollars, but there's another $38 million we're trying to leverage from other resources.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor Sally.

We had a meeting earlier this week, I believe.

And we talked about this, many of many of the things in which the previous speaker, Lawanda, who serves on our district advisory board is concerned about, and I am too.

And when I mentioned the United Ways Alice report and how we are incorporating that data to serve exactly who she spoke to, the working class families who are living probably paycheck to paycheck or in that middle.

You shared that a lot of the folks who benefit from the housing services are in that category.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Okay.

And I also want to mention that we talked about this on Tuesday, but again, also very concerned about those who are on the margins, and particularly not just those who are vulnerable that we can serve through federal grants.

But what we do know is that sometimes receiving the federal grants tie our hands and who we can serve.

Yes.

But should this pass, and we do get that 70 million, we would be able to serve even more vulnerable populations that a lot of people may not be considering, such as those who were formerly incarcerated, reintegrating back into society, maybe those who are exiting foster care and on the brink of homelessness, those who may be going through situations that we're not accounting for that when we're telling the story of who our unhoused neighbors are often not considered.

Can you speak just very briefly to that so we can try to mobilize that thought and that work that you all are doing?

Absolutely.

So as you mentioned, all of the different programs that we administer from the federal government do have specific guardrails, whether that's income where you know all of those qualifying criteria.

When there is a source of funding that's outside of that that federal requirement gives the community the ability through the advisory boards, et cetera, to be able to prioritize perhaps other populations that get missed.

And there is a concerted effort to try and bring resources to fill those gaps, but it can be very challenging when we have to abide by the federal regulations.

Yes, you're welcome.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

Sally, you're very good at numbers.

And just reiterate at the bottom of that chart right there, it's nearly six point after seven years on the eighth year, there would be six point one million dollars available to draw without touching the principal.

Correct.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

So if I take the uh the number going to the homeless shelters, four million and fifty thousand, the next year, if it increases by fifty thousand, it's what you did every year, it'd be four point one million dollars.

So if I take six point one million minus four point one million, you still got two million dollars extra correct for housing.

Correct.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Granted, that's making sure that we hit that five percent interest.

Yeah, and then the and it could be more if we're if if interest is good, it could be more.

If it's not as good, it could be less.

The SP has gone up seven or eight percent over the last 30 years, so I don't think five percent is unreasonable at all.

So thank you for your work.

I appreciate it.

I just want to make sure people know that that money will be in there in perpetuity.

Correct.

So to permanently fund it so that Second Light doesn't come back to the city or the county or state, want more money every year, that is gonna be there every single year.

Yes.

With additional money for housing.

Yes, sir.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sally.

Yep, we'll continue.

Hello, my name is Paul Katanese.

I'm from District One, and uh, I didn't have a prepared speech necessarily, but just wanted to uh remind people about the last time that the one percent sales tax was collected to get the arena going, and how that money went to a private company, and uh there was the benefit for a good number of years of really big shows coming to Wichita, but then once the staff changed in that that it kind of died off, and the real benefit of bringing people in from afar uh isn't really as prevalent anymore.

We have good shows and stuff, but it just died off.

We have good shows and stuff, but it just died off, and that a percentage sales tax uh impacts everybody, including the poorest people in the city, and so maybe doing a fundraiser asking for a specific thing, a private like specific fundraisers might be a better way to do it than a uh sales tax increase.

But yeah, that's all I had to say.

Thank you.

Good evening, Margaret Shabbaz with all the possession district six here.

Um, I'm just coming up here really quick because I just slide 45.

I'm lying, I don't know what slide it was.

But real honest.

Um, it was about property tax relief, and it was showing options, not this slide, it's after, but it's talking about $55.

Um, I want to, yep, right there.

Okay.

So I just want to make sure I've understand this correctly.

Um if we pick this, if you guys, not uh, sorry, if you guys pick this option, then this will give people an extra $55 a year.

That's what that means.

Potentially.

Okay.

So then, but it's gonna come out of the general fund for $534.

I'm just making sure I understand and highlighting this for everybody.

So we all understand that you guys are gonna get $55 a year.

But so then the next slide.

This could you address your yes.

Yes, sorry about that.

So this slide here, this is saying we'll get $171 if um if you guys pick this option.

I I'm asking the city manager, so I'm I'm sorry, Mayor.

This is the opportunity for council to hear your we can talk afterwards, but these are for people who would qualify.

Okay.

So if we would qualify.

Okay, so that's all.

I just wanted to highlight and make sure we understood those two slides.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, thank you, Margaret.

Always uh pleasure to see you up here.

Um just two things.

Um, one, the $55 leap.

Uh, that is the the average that um somebody would spend on uh groceries uh with uncertain economic um barriers on this the one cent sales tax.

So that's the amount of tax dollars that would go for groceries to offset um any potential um payments there.

Um the homestead tax is geared for uh senior citizens who make under 41,000 a year to forgive property taxes uh for them, the city's share of property taxes.

I know seniors in my district, this is definitely something that is um they're interested in because as everything else goes up, food goes up, um, property taxes go up.

Um their colour, their cost of living increases with social security is not going up.

So we have a lot of seniors who are being priced out of their homes.

Um, so that's the target seniors that we could actually have an impact on keeping them in their homes and giving them some property tax relief as well.

Just um just a little more background on those two slides.

So thank you.

Hello, Faith Martin, District 2.

Um, I don't want to repeat a lot of comments I've already said.

This is my fifth time speaking on this.

Um, I also don't want to rehash anything anyone else said.

I just you can end this right now with a vote any time, just like councils can overturn previous things that have been done.

Um I don't think that you will.

It seems like this council is really sold on this issue, and that's fine.

Uh, my concern is that people that are on the vote no side because they don't like it for whatever reason have been vilified.

Communist, uh, you hate the homeless, everything in between.

I think it's pretty clear that people care about our communities.

A lot of us would give the shirt off our back and the money out of our wallet to someone that was struggling.

Our neighbors struggling, we help them.

What we don't like is being told that we have to do it.

Um, a lot of us donate a lot of our earnings every year to issues that we care about.

Um, I spoke publicly on the fact that um if I worked at a nonprofit that didn't sell enough Girl Scout cookies, we wouldn't ask city council to do a sales tax to fund that nonprofit.

I have not seen anything that shows this is how we're gonna fund this.

We knew we were running out of these ARPA dollars.

What's next?

We're being asked to fund that.

And when it comes to housing, I love Sally Stang so much.

I think she's amazing and has done great things for the city.

What we haven't talked about is how we've had years and years to focus on prevention, and we do the federally mandated minimum on prevention when we allocate those federal tax dollars.

We don't focus on prevention.

We're still not focusing on prevention.

Homeless prevention is something where we're looking at creative ideas to do in fill when we're giving tax credits based on not whether they're building giant apartment buildings and single family home complexes, but whether they can do things that hit that low income and low income now doesn't mean what it used to be.

Uh $2 million, sir, that's like six houses.

Like you can't do much with two million dollars anymore, especially for waiting till 2029 for two million dollars.

Um I live in a small house, and the sales tax or the property tax relief, it's not gonna help me very much.

It's not gonna help any of my friends or their kids that live in apartments.

They're not gonna see any relief, they're gonna see extra sales tax, and they work, so they don't qualify for leap, and they don't qualify for that 177 dollars.

So we're talking about a lot of people that are not gonna benefit from this.

And I've said it over and over, but if for some reason Wichita decides, you know what, we want two convention centers or two art centers, then I don't like the concept, and I've said this before for the oversight committee.

I think it should mirror maps where there are 15 people that are not connected to any of the issues that do the oversight, and then subcommittees based on initiatives that have the experts in them.

If it's a housing subcommittee, it should have developers, builders, people that are in the continuum of care.

If it's a um, I don't know, public safety.

I echo the comments of a previous speaker that says, what is public safety look like?

Other things could mean anything.

There's things in the CIP that don't get funded that we say are a priority, and then there's things in the CIP that do get funded because we say it's a priority.

So just having this big bucket doesn't let us know what exactly is going to be funded.

I would prefer to see it broken down into five votes.

I've said that previously.

I really wish we could have a vote on each issue, but defining public safety has been a misstep of this count of this body, not of necessarily all of you, but public safety doesn't always mean police.

Public safety can mean street lights, public safety can mean libraries, public safety can mean a lot of things, sidewalks.

So we always think that public safety definitely means police, definitely means fire.

Not necessarily.

I echo the comments of another speaker that said, ask us what we think.

Ask us what we want.

I haven't seen that.

Um I let's see, public safety, homeless prevention, uh recovering property tax belief, hmm, renters.

Yeah, I've said a lot of this over and over.

I don't think I'm gonna change any of your minds today, but I would just like you to think that um for $55, I can get half a bag of groceries at Aldi.

So $55 isn't as much as you think it is.

Please be thinking of the hundreds of thousands of Wichita residents that are not gonna be benefiting from this, but will be hurting.

Thank you.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I appreciate the previous speaker and the thoughts.

A couple of things I wanted to affirm.

Um I've said them before as well, but the first thing is, you know, um I think the previous speaker is right.

This didn't happen overnight, and yet I'm not concerned about who's responsible.

I'm concerned that I'm here now, and I think that's what leadership is.

Um I I choose to operate in the spirit of the folks who want set up here did the best that they could with the information, the resources that they had.

And that now is my responsibility to do the same thing alongside my colleagues.

Um, so I'm trying to do the best thing that I can.

Um, and though folks may not agree with it, that's okay.

Uh the second thing is um when we talk about how or how did we engage the community?

I would argue that the conversations regarding these things have been discussed for decades.

And we're still talking about them.

And we also do a community survey every year to ask residents what are their most pressing concerns and priorities.

And among them, public safety and homelessness rise to the top.

And so if we look at the data that we receive from that, I mean that that is something that is included in this plan.

Um, and then finally, I just I don't want to miss the opportunity to say, as I've always said, I don't think name calling is the way to go.

And I've seen it on both sides.

I've seen businesses being boycotted because of the owners' right to express what they believe in this and support what they believe in this.

And I've seen terrible things said about you know individuals who don't want to support this.

And we had a discussion earlier today online, and I think the question is what does psychological safety look like for all of us to be able to operate in this democracy freely where we can live, think, believe, vote, love the way we wish, without the fear that we're walking into harm because we don't agree with our neighbor.

Um so how do we again on March 4th, regardless of how this turns out, come and have the real conversations about the hurt that this community is feeling due to mistrust that has happened over time, and what does it look like to move forward?

And I give you my word, I'm committed, but I've heard every single one of my colleagues up here, and we don't agree on everything.

We have a very diverse council, but we all are committed to to figuring out how we rebuild that trust.

And I hope this is one step in the right direction, regardless of what happens on the fourth or the third.

Councilmember Ho Heisel.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Faith.

Always uh pleasure to see you up here.

Um I just wanted to make a couple of quick points.

Um, one is part of that affordable housing fund is going to go help cover the cost.

So it would not be a total build um for units or homes or anything.

Uh right now there's anywhere from a 40 to 80,000 dollar gap when a developer or somebody is trying to build a new home uh because of the price of materials and the ability to keep it affordable.

So sometimes there are subsidies that go in there that help cover that gap, and then we get a 15-year guarantee that they will be um keeping it affordable.

So it's not just a straight up and down, you know, we're building six houses or you know, you should say the cost of my home, it's not definitely not a five hundred thousand dollar house.

Um part of that is also low-income housing tax credits, which the state cut, and um the feds have been looking at cutting as well.

Those in the past have gone to help cover some of those those gaps.

Um yeah, it's it's it's tricky, it's definitely tricky.

I also don't think because ballots have gone out that we are able to repeal or put a stop to this anymore.

Um, if I'm mistaken, could legal correct that one.

We we we cannot stop a ballots that have already been mailed out.

Okay, yeah, we can't stop it at this point.

So that last special meeting was the last gasp to do that because military and oversea ballots have already gone out.

So thank you.

I appreciate you coming up and speaking.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

I concur with what Councilman Hovitz just said, several of those points.

And also, Faith, you may comment that there's not much being done uh for homeless prevention.

I'll take issue to with that.

Uh the Center of Hope does a lot for pay people's rent.

Um it's a great organization.

It's a private organization.

Start by start started by the ASC sisters, at Doors of Blood of Christ out West.

They do wonderful work in keeping people in there in their homes and and paying rent for them or cars.

So I I think that's should be should be uh brought out.

Um the oversight committee, I think it's exactly what you think, what you said it should be.

It's what I envision it being was with different experts from different areas.

So I think that's that will happen.

Um and the public safety, you're right, it could be street lights, it could be libraries, all that's important for public safety.

But I think what these three guys did was take the capital cost from our CIP.

They didn't want wages or anything in it, they just wanted capital cost.

And how do we how do they pay for those capital costs instead of putting them on bonds and paying interest on it?

How do we move that and pay cash for it and save 25 or 26 million dollars in interest?

So I think that was the uh their intent anyway.

So thank you.

Uh my name is Tavasa Robertson.

I live in District One, and my voice is probably going to waver a lot.

Um, but I have just a few points that I want to go over.

Um I probably don't understand all of them, but um I can't see um for me uh personally it doesn't exactly make a lot of sense um to have a sales tax if people who live on paycheck to pay check um pay a lot of that and they already might not have quite enough money to pay for that.

Thank you.

Um theater is something that is very uh dear to me because of support from friends and teachers at school at school.

Um and I feel like century two is something that is um historical to the city.

And renovation is probably something that needs to be done.

Um probably a lot sooner than um 2029, but I don't feel like sales tax is the way to go.

Um because people of low income who might be um affected by this sales tax more might not um use the the century two and the things that it hosts quite as often because of um work schedules, stress, um, any other factors like that.

Um like somebody else said maintenance, um I've heard a lot of things that uh the city in and of itself doesn't have a very good record of keeping things like up to date and taken care of.

Um in the thing that is being voted on, I don't exactly know what, but um I've heard that it doesn't have a very specific budget, and that worries a lot of people.

Um and uh misappropriation of funds is also like a an issue in multiple places um and just the sales tax I feel is not the best way to go about getting the funds for the things that are very important.

Um but like a fundraiser of private funds is a is a better way to do it.

Um and of course there's a lot of other issues, but yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you for speaking.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor.

If the speaker can come back, you're amazing, you're just that good.

That's right.

Um I just want to thank you.

And there's a saying that you know, speak your truth, even if your voice trembles a little bit.

My voice trembles a lot, even still today.

So never feel that you have to apologize for speaking your truth because your truth matters.

Your age does not define if you can lead or not.

You are doing something that many people my age and older still get nervous about.

The people who spoke before you would tell you that too.

I also want to tell you another secret that a lot of people don't know.

Uh but the arts mean a lot to me too.

The art saved my life.

And that was my major before I was told by my father that I should just go and be an attorney.

Um I encourage you to stick with it, stick with your passion, stick with your love.

And then the final thing I can tell you is I'm concerned about working class families and the poor too.

It's a major part of my story.

I was once homeless.

And when I think about what we have to do in the decisions that we make today, it frustrates me.

Frustrates me that we're here now.

We have these competing values.

But my promise to you is that no matter how this vote goes, I will fight.

Fight really, really hard to make sure families like yours, families like mine are not expendable because you deserve that.

You deserve somebody who will fight for you and see you no matter the money in your pocket, no matter the love in your heart, and I can't wait to see you sitting up here one day and using your voice to change this community for the better.

So thank you.

Hi, my name is Nicole Brown.

I'm also nervous.

Uh first time speaking in front of council, and I appreciate the opportunity to do so.

Um I am under my co-heisel in District Three.

Um, and to keep it short, um, I just I echo a lot of the voices that um have already spoken today.

Um, and I I really appreciate all the guardrails that have been um worked hard on uh going with this vote.

Um I still will be voting no at this time.

And I really hope that if the no's do win out on the third, that this is not the end of this conversation.

Um, like many of you have said, um, that you know there's no reason that the conversation shouldn't should end here.

And there's no reason that a no vote means that we cannot find these funds in other ways.

Um I know that a lot of people have pushed for it to be separate and that we can't do that now.

But I do think that there are other ways to find funds for these things, and it is very frustrating to me and to a lot of people that are voting no, um, that there's a lot of fear-mongering that seems to be taking place around this vote, and that the only way to help those most in need is to also tax those most in need.

Um it breaks my heart that this is you know presented in this way, or at least is perceived to present it in this way and in to many people.

Um, and it breaks my heart that so often nonprofits are kind of put at the front line to defend those in need in the city instead of the city finding ways to help those people in need.

Um, I hope that this is not the end of the conversation should the nose win out on the third.

Thank you.

Mayor, City Council, Vince Hancock from Dalton's district.

Dalton and I are in a unique situation.

He serves me as my council member.

I serve him as his neighborhood association president.

And in that role, I've done my best to, as Lily and I were trained back in the day, to maintain a journalist's attitude towards making sure that I've got people in our neighborhood on both sides of this.

Number one, get registered.

Oops, today's the deadline.

So we hopefully had everybody get in there, get out there and vote.

Because if you don't, you've got no right to complain, and be part of the conversation in a civil way.

Just because we disagree on something doesn't mean we get to shoot people.

Uh our nation needs to understand how to civilly discreet each other.

I want to bring out something that we talk about a lot in our neighborhood.

I don't have a crystal ball and I don't have a flux capacitor.

So if I go back in time, Dalton's mentioned this several times.

He was eight years old when one particular bad decision was arguably made by a previous city council.

You guys all know the hit list of things that people aren't happy with that none of you had anything directly to do with.

Is you need to learn the lessons from those previous lessons.

I do believe you will be reading every single word of every single contract, looking for a three-year clawback clauses, that that will never happen in this town again.

Most of you know about the tales of the Minnesota boys.

So we're not trying to hold the past over your heads.

We're saying, let's learn from our mistakes.

So we want to make sure you do that.

Now, as I move forward into the crystal ball, none of us know how this vote will go.

I and with my background in communications, I've actually tried to encourage people.

Uh, more information is better.

Don't just tell everybody, oh, every information you need is available on the website.

That's not gonna fly in this town, so I really hope some people can get their communications lines fixed so that they've got a more even chance at it.

My question with the crystal ball is what do we do on the fourth if this does not pass?

I've heard you mention from this bench before, contingency.

Whether this passes, if this does pass, you guys are working on the guardrails today.

I think it is irresponsible to wait until the fourth if this does not pass to say, uh, now what do we do?

So I think a little bit of time and effort should be put towards if this does not pass.

How do we take care of the fire stations that have been neglected for way too long?

How do we take care?

I know we already have some CIP money for Century 2, but how do we get working on that as well?

So I want us to be prepared for both eventualities.

Let's use our crystal ball in the right way, which is saying we don't know how it'll turn out, but let's not be waiting.

Because my math says, if this does, if this vote does not pass, second light will be without funds for about six months.

Our director said that would not be comfortable, but he's confident he could reach out to the compassion in this community and find a way to do six months of funding.

In my opinion, if this were to fail, we could get together a group, lots of people, heads in the right space.

This could come back in November with a different plan that would have a lot more public support because it would have time for open discussion.

So that's a possibility.

And if I could be in any way part of leading that, uh many of you know leadership is not a position, it's an activity.

And I appreciate all of you for doing that.

And what I meant to say first, but I'm going to end with thank you for having evening meetings that allow people who normally are putting that at least 40-hour work in to take care of their family.

I really appreciate you guys allowing the public to participate a lot more.

Thank you all.

Any questions?

Councilmember Hill.

Thank you, Vincent.

Um, I will just say one thing about our budget coming up.

There's some state legislation that we have to pay attention to, particularly constitutional amendments and whatnot that might wreak some havoc with our budget moving forward.

So March 4th, irregardless, I think there's going to be potentially some discussions further down the line.

Um you guys can go and look into it and see what the state has cooking for us.

Um it'll be a challenge, but I I do appreciate you speaking, and uh yeah, regardless of what happens March 4th, we'll have to come back together as a community and keep discussing these issues moving forward.

So appreciate you.

Well, Chapel from District 6.

Hi, Maggie.

I'm very glad you folks are holding this meeting tonight on the schedule.

Normally you would be here at nine o'clock in the morning, right?

But you've honored us enough to say, look, we'd like to hear from the public and give them a chance to come in and share some ideas.

Now I have respect for each and every one of you.

I know you personally, I know and respect you and know that you're in a bind.

I've been in your position many times as a board member where staff will come in with an idea, you got wants and needs.

And this particular bill that you're bringing forward right now to say to the public, look, give us 850 million, and we'll figure out how to spend it.

You're you're you got a plane in the air and you're trying to build it.

Tonight you're trying to build a plane that's already in flight with a place to land, supposedly on March 3rd.

Ain't gonna happen.

You got a lot of folks that are smart enough to see that the money is not gonna go where we hoped it would go.

It's not going to help the people we hope it will help.

And in fact, what we're gonna end up with is a lot of folks that are supposedly going to get tax relief from property tax.

If they're renters, they won't see a dime of it, will they?

But they're gonna be paying through the nose an additional sales tax on everything they buy in this city.

So it's regressive.

We all know that.

It's not helping those folks that are supposedly going to benefit, except the people that are building the buildings.

The folks that want to build new fire stations, the ones that will build a new police station, the people that want to build a new performing arts center.

How about that?

We don't even know where it's gonna be.

We have no idea what it'll actually cost, but there's a figure out there who say, well, we're gonna have a certain amount of money they're gonna be able to get from sales tax to do that job.

Now, I really respect what you're trying to do tonight with guardrails.

The fact is this should have been done months before you ever put this on the ballot.

This is cart before the horse.

You can't possibly do a good job of negotiating what needs to be done, what are the priorities?

How are we gonna spend it to have the greatest impact for the people of Wichita by coming forward at this late date and say, okay, less than a month away from the time we're gonna vote on this, the public's gonna be informed?

You're not informed.

You're just hearing it for the first time, some of you tonight.

That's no way to run a business.

So I really am concerned about whether you are right now.

You're in a bind, I understand that.

You want to save some face, and I get that.

But it's also important for all of us to be very straight up and honest.

We don't necessarily need a performing arts center when we got sent you to the park city arena, don't we?

We have Cotillion.

We have the Orpheum.

We have many places that people can perform and do great work and share their talents without building a building someplace here downtown.

We don't even know where or how much it'll cost.

The same way with housing.

We got how many houses that the city already owns that are boarded up.

Housing first has been the objective all along for all these years.

Every task force that's come together from the city, they've all come to the same conclusions.

You need housing first.

You don't need a central places for a bunch of people to sit around and say, well, you should go over here, go over there, here's a voucher.

We need to bring the cost of housing down.

We need to be able to free up the house that the city already owns, and let people buy them or move into them and make sure that those spaces are used.

We cannot say on one hand, we're going to help the homeless, and we don't provide the homes or the opportunities for them to bring their costs down so they can afford to stay in a home.

So I really hope that you tonight will take your input.

You'll come up with some guidelines, some guardrails.

But finally, in on March 4th, is the time for every one of us to sit back down and work with you to come up with some solutions that will actually make some sense.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Holmes.

Thank you, Mayor.

I know I'm single-handedly extending this meeting an extra hour, I think, but um uh just a couple points.

The city homes that we own.

We actually are putting those on the market.

Um, we are giving the owners or the occupiers of the homes first dibs.

So it's a lot of people who this is their first time owning a home, they have the opportunity to buy those homes with credit counseling, so that way they can pass on that generational wealth.

Uh, the money that we are taking from selling those homes because they were ineligible to uh for ARPA funds to be used to actually rehab them.

We are putting into affordable housing units and transitional housing units.

That's the 75 um additional units built on the campus that's being built right now for uh second light for transitional housing.

Uh, the other point um I agree with you on housing first.

Um, the issue with that that we've seen in studies with uh communities that do housing first is you still have to come through with supportive services.

Just simply having housing first oftentimes doesn't work because we're not addressing the underlying cause for them to be out on the street.

So uh that's what we're trying to do here is make sure that we do housing first, but also have those support services to continue to come alongside them.

So uh those are just two points I make.

Always good to see you, Walt.

Um, and you're right, uh March 4th, regardless, yeah, regardless of what happens, we'll have to come back together as a community and and continue to move forward.

So I appreciate you.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council members, city manager, uh Jeff Fleur, president of the Great Witch Hill Partnership, 505 East Douglas Avenue.

Uh we have voiced the partnership support previously.

Uh but we would like to add to that support this evening our appreciation for the work you're doing tonight on the guardrails uh that will help guide the implementation of the sales tax revenue.

Um, as we have noted, we do believe this referendum is very important to how we move our community forward.

We do have opportunities before us, uh, but for those opportunities to become reality, we must invest in ourselves.

And the great thing about that is that when we do do that, we create new opportunities along the way.

Certainly ensuring which doll has the resources to support residents, the businesses uh in our in our future is very much imperative.

Uh, we really do believe this is our time to take significant steps forward.

Uh Councilman Shepard mentioned some of these things have been in discussion for a long time.

Melissa and I moved our family here in 2008, and when I put that number down, I realized we're we're coming up on 20 years in Wichita.

Some of these things were discussed.

I remember when we came into this city, and so I think probably we looked maybe even predates 2008 on some of the things that we're talking about.

So we do really believe that this is the moment that we can take some incredible steps forward as a community.

We do believe truly this is Wichita's window of opportunity, and I think going forward with the sales tax allows us to maybe even extend that opportunity so that again we create a lot of opportunities for people who want them in our community and also be able to attract people to this great city.

So thanks again for the work that you're doing tonight, uh, and also for the support of our community and what you do daily.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor Woo and Council members, city manager.

My name's Brecken Morel.

I'm the internal president and CEO for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, 350 Douglas.

Following a vote from our board of directors last month, the chamber has officially endorsed a proposed 1% sales tax that will appear on the ballot in the March 3rd special election.

The chamber supports this proposal because we believe the investments outlined in the ballot language will strengthen Wichita's economic competitiveness and create long-term value for the business community.

The proposal focuses on infrastructure, public safety, housing, and downtown development, among a list of other initiatives.

These areas directly influence the quality of place, which is essential to attracting and retaining talent, supporting employers, and sustaining business growth.

For businesses deciding where to invest and expand, these fundamentals matter.

Communities that make strategic investments in these areas are better positioned to compete and grow over time.

This endorsement was made after careful consideration and reflects the chamber's responsibility to evaluate issues baked on East economic impact, not politics.

We recognize that members and residents may hold differing views, and we remain committed to representing the interests of the business community.

Thank you for the opportunity to share the chamber's perspective.

Hey council, Joseph Tex Dozier, District One.

I wasn't planning on speaking tonight, but one of the first speakers said something who was in support about how Wichita Ford had learned from the last vote in 2014, and that the future councils might not even remember this.

I think that's an important thing to segue off of in that we're discussing guardrails that are not in the ballot language.

And that matters because at any one point in time, these guardrails can be changed with a vote of four.

And ballots are already going out to folks who will review the ballot language without even knowing what guardrails in the work you're doing here and you're done.

And the map speaker, very good point.

Um forward said they modeled this off of maps.

Um maps is a single sentence ordinance that voters vote yes or no on, and that ordinance includes all the guardrails, all the stipulations, staffing, uh comment uh commentary on debt, on interest.

Just the prior week, there was a there's a misunderstanding on the council on earnings from the fund from the fund, homeless fund of interest uh in the language.

So we have to be uh we I I started mentioning guardrails at first and second reading with others, um, so that there was a chance to get it into the ballot language.

And I understand there was a push to rush this, but the idea that just a couple months prior, when we had language impacting all the landlords in our city, and it was important enough to bring it to the dabs where I wouldn't even be here, being able to contribute and and and and share my experience and thoughts with the council member on things that could go into the ballot language to codify good guardrails.

The idea that we deferred that for the landlords, because it affects so many Wichitans, but we can't defer this issue, and then we back it saying it's because of second light when the council did not budget for second light, and then at first reading, the council saying we have a gap in the budget to take care of this when we didn't even have a discussion that day about unlike Wichita Ford saying that if the city's broke, we're not broke.

You know, we've we've we have 90 million in reserve.

And if there's there's an emergency situation where we are balancing public input and public trust and also addressing those needies in our community, we should probably have a discussion of uh delaying the election or not having an election for a full year of conversation like maps and so many other cities did.

Um, and to be able to then also address at the same time the short-term need.

We should not justify a million, two million dollar short-term gap for an $850 million tax.

Um yeah, I think that the worst trying to see is that the clarity is not there in the ballot language, and that's what matters at the end of the day.

And I understand we have to plant trees for our grandchildren to have shade.

And I understand we all want to see Wichita when.

And so I do hope that if this does get voted down, we don't have to wait another decade.

Because in 2014, the voters said they didn't want bundles on a sales tax proposal.

What why why couldn't why wasn't that lesson learned?

The voters have to now say it again at the cost to their own money and their own pocketbook to have this election.

Well, I hope we don't have to wait another decade to put our priorities in place to sequence, and there's a lot of gaps and a lot of questions I I understand for folks to be I understand why folks are skeptical, even with the public safety.

Even with the public safety, you got um 28 million more than what's approved in the 10 year CIP.

Uh is there is there a question of if supplanting will we free up the CIP and will that debt and cash then allow the city to go invest in other not yet defined programs?

I understand why someone might say that on paper looks like uh for the council to use.

And just like we begged uh at second reading, if you're serious about these buckets, you also need to put in minimums floors.

So I I just I've been frustrated because I I had no plans to be speaking this much to y'all.

Um but yeah, it's just the idea that there was there, we I can't understand why it was rushed and why it was justified the way it was.

And I would like I would like I appreciate y'all putting in the guardrails as you're doing now, but maybe we're not worried about y'all.

We don't know what a future council or mayor has in store, and that matters, and so I think it puts a lot of people in a tough position that even if they care about certain of these buckets, even if they want a sales tax, they just say that this is not a good deal.

So I appreciate the time you're you're doing and taking for this, but the fact that ballots are already out and voters then won't even know what guardrails are voting on specifically.

And last week there was even misunderstandings on the language with legal and a 50-50 toss-up on what things meant.

I appreciate y'all's time and y'all service.

Thank you.

Council Vice Mayor Glasscock.

Thank you, Mayor.

I know that the election commissioner is not present to answer this question, but Jennifer may be able to answer this ballots actually go out tomorrow.

Is that correct?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I do not know that answer.

I'm sorry.

I'll answer that question.

Yes.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Um Corey Swirkfager, District 2.

Uh, thanks for uh to have me up here again.

Y'all know that I would have preferred you to delayed the um the vote, but uh the horse is out of the barn.

And uh and yesterday I got my election supervising uh training uh in order.

So um I'll be helping voters vote.

And I want to remind people that it's not just March 3rd, there's early voting starting next week, right around the corner at the uh Cedric County um um the old Cedric County Courthouse, and then after that, I'm over at Eastminster being supervising judge there.

We'll have uh and other places around the city will have early voting as well.

Um the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before March 3rd.

So everybody uh don't delay, uh don't wait till March 3rd, get out and vote.

Um that's my public service announcement.

Um but I um uh you know, but but I did want to support um the idea of uh, you know, if we're gonna uh pass this thing, have these guardrails, and I really like the idea of funding the uh prioritizing funding, the uh the hundred million um um funding toward the uh homelessness and for the um safety and the the property tax.

I like uh what uh um uh councilmember Johnson put forward um a couple weeks ago, the idea of maybe not a hundred million, maybe fifty million, so that the money's not just sitting there and uh justifying.

And from what I've heard tonight, we could use the money um now to help uh um get maintenance done on century two, so maybe some of that other 50 million could be prioritized for century two.

So I just want to put that out there as you discuss um uh how you're gonna do these uh guardrails.

Um that's it.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor Glascock.

Thank you, Jennifer.

Sorry for putting you on the spot in there.

I pulled up all the dates, and so I'll just read those for public record as well.

Registration actually closes tonight at 11:59 p.m.

So if you're not registered, you're still put a restaurant until 1159 p.m.

The ballots will begin to go out um after we vote on these ordinances, which were presented last week for the first time.

Um tomorrow, the the first day of early in-person voting is February 17th at the Central County election office 8 to 5.

The last day to submit in advance by mail application for the Wichita sales tax election is February 24th.

Early in-person voting is available at satellite locations from February 26th to February 27th from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Um, additional day of in-person voting at satellite locations on February 28th from 9 to 1.

Additional day of early in-person voting at the Cedro County election office from 8 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

And then on March 3rd, the Wichita Sales Tax Election Election Day Voting will be held from 7 a.m.

to 7 p.m.

assigned voting locations.

Mayor Wu, Council members, Carl Peter John, District 5 for the record.

I have three part comments, and I want to provide some things that I have not heard in any of the public discussion that I think you all at least ought to know about as we proceed down this path.

And our first part I'm going to introduce a little bit of things because we've got a new council member and a new city manager who weren't here when last time I spoke, and I don't want to be too repetitious, but I want to make sure you all know that there's a long history.

My first election, when I moved to Wichita in the summer of 1978, there was a sales tax issue on the ballot.

It went down kind of like the Titanic.

Subsequent sales tax votes have not gone well.

95, I believe it was 9596.

And the only one that passed, albeit very narrowly, was the interest bank arena.

Now the second part that I want to get into, and uh I want to cover both is the scale.

This is a penny for it discussed one cent, just one cent increase.

You all need to consider how much one cent can be.

I know this is going to be obsolete shortly, supposedly, but a one cent sales tax.

You've talked about 20 million dollars can provide four mills, but let's just hypothetically put this in a different perspective.

Let's say all the money generated by one cent was used for property tax relief.

Well, 850 million divided by seven is a little bit over 120 million.

If I get off wrong, city finance, please correct me.

If one mill generates five million dollars, you could take 24 mills off the city's property tax if all that one cent, supposedly just the one cent sales tax was used for property tax relief.

Now that shows you the scale, the size, and the impact that a one cent sales tax has.

And because whether you're buying a new refrigerator or just groceries or albeit you're lucky enough to buy a new car, that one that little one cent become three, four, six hundred dollars, depending on where you are in terms of the purchase.

So you all need to keep this in mind.

I think as we go forward and just think of this bright shiny penny when you do so.

Now we've talked about guardrails here tonight, and I have not heard it discussed, but as a person who has been well, I called myself a third class Wichita last time I was here because of having been sued for petitioning City Hall three times.

Most recently, albeit it was a different city council in 2020 when we did the petition to save Century 2.

But there are guardrails in place that if we did this properly, are in Article 12, Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution, the provision called the home rule, which has been in place for a little over 65 years, and that provision would allow you with a charter ordinance, it would take five votes to pass, but it would also take five votes to repeal, and the public would be able to have a say too.

And I'm sure City Legal, Jennifer's very competent in that regard, can fill you in on all the all the rules and provisions on that.

But if you want a real effective guardrail, now it's too late.

This whole thing has been the cart before the horse.

Too huge, too rushed, too vague in so many ways.

But you have to consider the fact that there are some tools, guardrails that are already established.

I haven't heard this discussed at all during this entire process.

But I think it's incumbent how we go forward that existing constitutional as well as statutory tools are considered so that we get the cart in front of the horse the next time.

And so those three quick points I'd like to provide as a starting point because the mistakes that have occurred by rushing this election, I think are having a lot of difficulties.

And I will wrap my comments up.

I not only urge that everyone in this room get out and vote on or before March 3rd, but anyone who can hear the sound of my voice.

Appreciate the council's time and attention.

Thank you.

Would anyone else from the community like to speak?

Good evening.

My name is Heather Schroeder.

I live at 701 East First Street North, and I serve as uh so I'm a downtown resident, and I also serve as executive director of downtown Wichita, located at 505 East Douglas Ave.

Um I wanted to take the opportunity tonight to say to the good people of Goddard, you're welcome.

Um we had a planting event in downtown Wichita, and uh we had a group of volunteers from the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections that said we would love to have a volunteer day.

Um we have a new clean team downtown, so we don't have as much litter to pick up anymore for volunteer groups.

Um so I was racking my brain thinking, well, what can we do, you know, to have a meaningful experience for these volunteers.

And I heard about a planting event that Botanica was planning on Mead Street in Old Town with the Old Town Association.

Um, and they were planning to to um plant tulip bulbs in the fall.

So I reached out to our friends at Botanica across the river, and I said, Hey, can you tell me what kind of tulips you're planting?

I would love to replicate that on Mosley Street with my volunteer group.

So they very kindly gave me the description, these beautiful double tulips with 18-inch long stems that would really pop in the springtime.

And I said, that's great, I will find some.

And so I went online and um, you know, I found that Walmart carries these tulips, and they had them on in stock, but the only Walmart that had them in stock was in Goddard.

So I got in my car, um, as you know I'm loath to do.

I live and I work in downtown.

I try to leave the car in the garage and use it as infrequently as I can.

Um, you know, I I ate the gas money and I drove out to the Walmart in Goddard, and I spent 183 dollars on tulip bulbs for this volunteering event.

Um, and so to the good people of Goddard, you are welcome for that dollar and eighty-three cents that came from your one percent sales tax um when I bought the bags of tulips uh for downtown beautification efforts.

Um I didn't I didn't notice the tax.

I didn't miss it, it didn't make an impact on my purchase.

Um it was a negligible amount and worth it for the impact that these bulbs will have.

I'm happy to report that they are already coming up in planters along Old Town Plaza and in the planting beds along Mosley Street.

Um botanica's planting with Old Town is already coming up on Mead Street as well.

Um my point here is that these costs are often absorbed with minimal effect on the purchaser.

Um somebody told me recently that the target at uh on the east side is um is in a CID, and I looked it up, and sure enough, um we pay an extra sales tax on any purchases at that target because it's uh in a CID that helped um develop the Cabellas uh in that same plaza, as well as the infrastructure project at the Greenwich and 96 Exchange.

Um I live halfway between the east side and the West Side Target, whichever one, you know, I'm wherever I am in my travels that day, I'll pick the east side or the west side one.

Um that sales tax has never prevented me from you know getting the sandwich fixings that I need to feed my family.

Um I understand that we're all concerned about hardship in taxes, and I appreciate the effort to mitigate any negative impact on our on our families that are facing the greatest need um through reimbursement program.

I think that's brilliant.

I hope it goes through.

I hope the state exempts groceries.

Um I moved here from a state that had a uh sales tax exemption on necessities, including groceries, and it uh it makes for a lot more livable community.

Um, I I do see the collective impact of everybody contributing.

Um my family went down to uh Derby and we visited first man brewing and sat outside at a picnic table and looked across at a beautiful city park uh where seniors were taking their prom photos, and I thought, wow, Derby has really nice parks.

And then I learned that their one percent sales tax on my pint of beer, you know, that extra eight cents went to those city parks.

And so I think collectively we can achieve so much if we all give a little bit every day.

Thank you.

Myron Ackerman, uh District One.

I don't have comment as much as questions.

Did you know about this, Mr.

Shepard, when you ran for office?

Ballard, Mr.

Huheisel, did you know about this when you ran for re-election?

When did you find out about this?

The city manager, was he hired when this wasn't in uh to be discussed?

No.

All of this has come up in two months' time.

You say, we have guardrails.

When is the first time you read or saw these guardrails?

Is this the first time the public has had an opportunity to see them?

If it is, I'm deeply disappointed in you.

That would give us three weeks and no amount of effort to reverse what you're doing tonight.

Now, I've been like Carl, I've worked on previous sales tax initiatives.

They suffer from the same thing that this one does.

The four points were that were public safety, transportation, honestly, I'll forget the third, but there were three things everyone in the city.

Well, a majority would have voted for those three things.

The fourth thing was an unspecified fund, a slash fund to those of us who don't trust government taxation.

Now all of you say, Well, we weren't here when those mistakes were made in the past.

And that's great.

And I'm glad that we have a change in city manager, because I think our previous city manager was complicit, if not ignorant about all of the transgressions that were going on.

Now then I look at this, you're giving away your guidance or giving away your role to committees.

You will appoint some of the people on the committee, but will the committee's actions be brought before the council where we can hear why are we spending 25 million dollars on Century 2?

Through my some of my work, I interact with uh different groups that come to Century 2.

This well this fall this and then this winter, I have heard marvelous things about how great Century 2 is because right now we present a pretty face.

If you talk to the people who work in Century 2, there's a lot of stuff behind the scenes that needs to be fixed.

But were they consulted?

Did they provide any input as to where you were going to spend this money?

I doubt it, because I know from talking to people what they need and what they'll get in following previous council's actions, they never get what they're told.

And I it just it really irritates me as a taxpayer.

At best, I think I had three days.

These would have been published Friday, I think.

I don't know if I don't I'm not aware if they were passed or presented before then.

But for my knowledge, this is the first time I have seen your guardrails.

We're already committed to an election.

I would suggest table this resolution for one more week so that the public has a chance to review your guardrails to give input in the next week as to those guardrails.

And I would, if you wouldn't say, oh well, you know, it's too late, it's not too late.

The election is on.

Nothing will change in the election.

But if people don't have a chance to comment to recommend adjustments, you're just you've already committed us to something, and then you say, Oh, Alice, you're you're committed.

And then you say, Oh, well, if you're you're committed.

Well, here are the guardrails.

Give it a week for us to look at it.

Because a banker, a baker, and a builder come into City Hall, and you want to give them $850 million.

You didn't put the cart before the horse.

You put the load of manure before the cart.

Councilmember Glascock.

Thank you, Mayor.

To the previous speaker's point, I just read it wanted to read.

So then from resolution number 26049, subsection five quote.

The committee may make recommendations, but is not direct operations or expenditures.

In addition, uh there's a few other points that I wanted to correct, but um one in particular I could ask the manager, uh, the previous speaker had said that we would give a separate entity funds who would be receiving the funds as derived from the sales tax.

As we've outlined in several of the resolutions that would follow our procurement and purchasing policies with bids to be had, and city council will approve all contracts related to sales tax funds.

Thank you.

And was it January 27th that was going to be a workshop and then became a council meeting that these ordinances were originally published?

Obviously, the council suggested edits to this, but that the public had the opportunity at the February 27th meeting, and then also the February 3rd meeting if they wanted during public comment.

Was it the 27th meeting?

Yes, it was this has been agenda item on at least four different council agendas um in the new year.

Okay, thank you, Mr.

Manager.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor.

And uh following my colleagues' remarks, uh want to make sure that the previous speakers' concerns are um addressed in the resolution regarding the guardrails, specifically the oversight committee resolution 26049.

Um it we actually made an amendment um supported by the mayor during that time uh to ensure that in addition to the advisory functions, the committee shall have authority to review the expenditures for compliance with the adopted guardrails.

They will also have the authority to flag any deviations for the council, so they will come before the council um for review.

Um they also have the autonomy to recommend corrective actions, pauses, or audit it's when warranted.

And I I do want to just say, you know, we're having conversations about the guardrails because the people really wanted to have conversations about guardrails.

That's what we heard overwhelmingly.

Um we sat and listened, we did listening sessions in the community, I had them at a brewery, I've had them online.

Um we tried to do our due diligence to reach as many people as possible.

Um could we do more?

Absolutely.

I'm not I'm not gonna knock you on that.

Um I I just want you to know that an effort has been made and that an effort will continue to be made to meet people where they are.

Thanks for being here, Myron.

I have terrible stage fright.

My heart's going crazy.

Um I wasn't planning on speaking because I hadn't heard all the guardrails, they just came out.

That was my main concern uh voting no because it's too open-ended.

We don't know what's going to be decided, and I appreciate what somebody said.

It may be years down the road when you guys aren't even here, and you start off with the best of intentions and someone else comes and sidetracks you.

But one question I haven't heard answered tonight is what if the economy tanks, the country goes sour, and you don't get 850 million dollars.

Are there any guardrails for that?

Are there any thoughts about what if everything can't get paid for?

How do you stagger your projects?

Are you gonna do one and finish it and then do another and finish it?

Are you gonna start all five at one time and hope you can get them done and they all end up partially finished?

What if 850 million isn't enough to finish them because of inflation?

Any any other unexpected things?

What is the order of service?

What is the priority?

Um those are the some things that I have big questions about.

And if this one didn't get finished, I know I think you have a kind of a guardrail that you won't take from one to the other, but I'm not sure if that some of it's kind of left floating around in the air somewhere.

But those are some of the guardrails that I would like to have heard about.

Um guarantees.

Another thing is the city is really good at building new things and fun things.

I take my grandchildren to a lot of them.

I appreciate the free days that we get.

Um, but that all costs money.

And we have things like the interest arena now that's out of money, and it's got to be funded somehow.

Where's that money coming from?

That's not part of this.

But is the performing arts center someday going to be like interest and the ballpark, the zoo, exploration place, the ball field, the water treatment plant.

There's a never ending list of things that we've run out of money for and are not funding themselves.

And now we've got one more to fund.

And that worries me.

I'd like to see us get to the point where we're funding things, and the community supports them, and they pay for themselves, but that doesn't seem to be working.

And whatever that happened with that ball diamond thing was a disaster.

And now we've got well, you all know what it is, and it's a mess.

I don't want this to end up to being another mess.

I don't want unfinished projects or find out later that dirty deals were being done behind the scenes.

And it's partly because there's no guardrails, or not enough guardrails.

So that's my thought.

Thank you.

Can you provide your name for the city clerk and your district?

Karen Brillette, and I'm in Dalton's district.

Thank you.

Councilmember Hohe.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Karen.

Um, to your first point, we will be having those discussions later as far as priorities, um, just in case, like you said, the economy tanks and whatnot.

So pay attention to that.

Um, your second point.

A few of those things you had named are um, such as the arena and the zoo, those are county.

Um, I encourage everybody here to take all the anger they have at the city and go direct it at the county a little bit.

We've uh we've we've had our our fill here lately, so um, but yeah, just um I I do appreciate you coming up and speaking.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

I'm Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita.

We are the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and just thank you so much for the opportunity to be here this evening and speak in support of the One Cent Sales Tax Initiative.

We have studied the convention center needs for over a decade, and y'all have heard me talk about how our current facilities are putting us at a competitive disadvantage.

And over the past month, I've shared uh or the past month I've shared our economic impact from our recent study, and I'm always happy to talk about that, but I won't repeat that data tonight.

This is an important moment for Wichita.

We have the opportunity to invest thoughtfully in our future and in the kind of city we want to be.

The one cent sales tax is a long-term investment for a stronger community for residents and visitors alike.

This plan prioritizes what matters most, supporting first responders, strengthening public safety, and addressing homelessness with solutions rooted in compassion and responsibility.

A city that feels safe and welcoming for our residents is also a city that attracts visitors, events, and investment.

The one cent sales tax invests in the assets that help our city compete.

Modern convention facilities and a performing arts center worthy of the extraordinary talent that we have right here in Wichita.

These are not just amenities, they signal that Wichita believes in itself and is willing to invest in quality of life, culture, and economic vitality.

I want to thank the council.

I want to thank you for the time, the care, and the effort you've given this conversation over the past what, six weeks or so.

The work is not easy, but really nothing meaningful ever is.

This is our moment.

This is our moment to come together and believe in Wichita.

This is our moment to believe and to invest in our city and to build a place that our children want to return to in a city confident enough in itself to invest in itself.

This is our moment, Wichita.

I thank you all for your time and your consideration and your leadership.

Thanks, guys.

Would anyone else from the public like to speak?

I see none.

I want to say thank you to the 23 speakers who spoke during public comment.

We did this out of order due to a vote, so that public comment could come before the council actually has discussion.

Normal protocol is we get staff presentations, and then the council asks questions of staff, and then we open it up for public comment and then return back to the council for further comments and votes.

So again, thank you for the 23 individuals who spoke.

A large majority of them spoke not in favor.

There were seven who spoke in favor.

And I am grateful to all of you for having that open dialogue.

This city council always has the opportunity to hear from citizens of our community and the concerns of citizens.

And these council members are all accessible via email in person and at these council meetings.

So I highly encourage the continued engagement that we have seen so far, whether it's this specific guard rail conversation or the guardrail conversation on January 27th, or the guardrail conversation on December 23rd.

I encourage again each of you to contact your council members with your feedback.

But now we will return to the council for questions to staff in addition to voting on some of these options that have been presented since the January 27th meeting.

So with that, um I will start.

So with that, um I actually would like to move that option two.

Um and again, I think it would be helpful if we can track along with the presentation.

So if I can ask the city manager to please provide the slide regarding resolution 26-053 on property taxes.

Yes, I will be.

I'm waiting.

The motion is to approve option two of resolution 26-053 with an edit.

That edit is after an initial, this is on number five, the finance director shall annually provide to the city council reports which indicate the amount of property tax revenues offset by sales tax revenues collected.

The edit is after an initial 20 million dollars is provided for property relief.

Again, this is to make sure that in fiscal year 2027, the budget that we will be discussing in the coming months has a four mil reduction immediately because the first 20 million would go to property tax relief.

Second motion and a second discussion.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um a mill right now will not be the same value as a mill in seven years.

So if we did this and we locked ourselves into a four mill reduction, if a mill goes up a half a million dollars, um 20 million dollars of tax relief could cover four mills now, but it would be 22 million dollars that would have to be pulled out in order to cover four percent or a four mil reduction in the future.

So with that and that uncertainty, I will not be supportive of this motion, and I would be open to voting for option two.

Option one.

I apologize.

Option one.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes four to two.

Again, the reiteration is four to three, rather.

Sorry.

Resolution 26-053 will now have a four mil reduction in property taxes beginning fiscal year 2027.

Guardrail number two.

Um, I would like to talk about the overall uh guard rails.

So that would be resolution 26-049.

This is in regards to prioritization.

I'm in favor of moving resolution 26-049 option one.

With this in particular, um, after voting on the previous, this specifically states that the four mil reduction, which is 20 million dollars or 12% property tax reduction, uh, will go into effect immediately in fiscal year 2027.

That includes in section one, the first 300 million dollars in sales tax proceed proceeds shall be allocated as follow.

100 million to homeless and housing, 100 million to public safety, and 100 million to property tax relief.

Thereafter, all initiatives shall be funded on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the ballot language up to each initiative maximum revenue amount.

Is that a motion?

That's my motion for resolution 26-049 option one.

Second.

Motion and a second discussion.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I would like to have a discussion amongst council.

I know some of us have talked about we don't necessarily need the um property tax relief to fill up that fast, and we heard some comments from the public earlier about putting money in the front end towards century two to be able to hop on some of those improvements immediately.

So I would just like to hear from my colleagues if there's any interest in perhaps splitting the property tax relief in half with the the potential um convention center to be able to put that in a century too.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Hoheisel.

I I did propose that 50 million earlier.

Um I would be okay with the 100 million right now, uh, just to make sure that property tax does get funded.

It's very important.

Um it would also provide some interest on the back end to make up for some things.

For instance, the four mil reduction, if it is 22 million, we would have somebody on the back end to make up for that if we so choose.

So that's what the interest income from that.

As you know, we could the interest income will be at the end of the uh at least I would expect it to be at the end, and we can we can make up for some buckets that uh aren't quite filled yet.

Uh obviously that's not the case on the second light and housing, which that bucket has to stay in there.

So, but it does give us the opportunity to to do that and to balance things out at the end.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

Can I ask for clerics?

Josh, back that up one.

Since I'm the drafter.

Um by the previous resolution, if if the will of the council is that there be a four mil that first year, you're gonna have to front load property tax.

So, and and if that's the will, and that's what I'm supposed to draft.

I just need some clarification because the the motion right now and the proposed resolution option one does not front load property tax.

So, so and the the slide that I think what you want done is for in 2026, there would be 20 million for property tax, 8.8 for public safety, 8.8 for homelessness.

You would go along until you meet reach that one million 100 million for those three.

That is accurate.

Thereafter all initi all initiatives shall be funded on a pro rate of basis in accordance with the ballot language up to each initiative's minimum.

I'm sorry, maximum revenue amount.

Would you like a copy?

Thank you, Sharon.

This is like thank you, Sharon.

We still have the motion and a second with this alternative language.

You just said will I say so?

Any further discussion?

Council member Ballard.

Thank you.

Could you read the motion one more time?

Thank you.

I would be your uh changes, please.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

I move that I move to approve sales tax resolution 26 049 option one with the alternative language.

The first 20 million dollars in sales tax proceeds shall be allocated to property tax relief.

The next 280 million shall be allocated to property tax relief, homeless and housing, and public safety until each receives 100 million dollars.

Thereafter, all initiatives shall be funded on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ballot language up to each initiative's maximum revenue amount.

Second motion and a second discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open sorry, council member Hoheisel.

Sorry for for just sneaking in again.

Um so we're we're locked in to four mil a year.

Um one mil today is five million dollars, five point four million dollars.

So does that mean in order for that means if we do 20 million dollars next year, that's 3.683 mils.

So does that mean that we have to go through and pay down the 20 million plus?

Because if we're locked into four mils, it's not gonna be just what we see here.

So I I support prioritizing, I think uh some voting for the four mil a year locks us in a way that is going to push back even further the um the homeless services and public safety in this next year's budget.

So I don't I don't believe these figures will be totally accurate with our plans here, council member Shepherd.

Thank you, Mayor.

I fully agree with my colleague, Councilmember Hoheisel, which was my initial concern regarding our first vote council uh city manager uh Dennis, can you please address uh the intention on the 20 million dollars on property tax relief is to make sure that four mil reduction is presented in the fiscal year 2027 budget?

So right now the mill levy is 32 mils, a reduction of four mils would be 28 mils.

Can you make sure that the 20 million dollars that is being allocated right now for property tax would be a reduction of four mils in property taxes?

If the the intention of the council from your last resolution is to generate enough to have a four mil decrease.

So I think either way, and we'll ask our budget director um if she wants to address that.

I'll let her address it, and I get another thought for you.

Yeah, of course.

So um currently the value of a mill is one mil is about five million dollars.

So I think that's the idea, and you've been talking about four mils, so that first year the 20 million dollar collections.

I think that's is that the question that you're asking?

It's sufficient.

Oh, yes, if it's sufficient to cover the four mil.

Yeah, the only challenge will be the tax in 2026.

The budget budget development happens in the middle of the year, and I think the tax collections will start later.

So it would be based on forecasted revenue.

So that would be an issue, but otherwise, I think that the math is there for four mils 20 million dollars, five dollars a mil.

That's what you're looking for.

I don't understand the part about 28 million dollars, though.

I didn't bring up 20 million dollars.

Okay, I heard that there's a lot going on.

So I just want to make sure that 20 million dollars allocated to property tax relief equals a four mil reduction in property taxes, therefore currently which levying of mills for the city is 32 mil point a specific amount.

I want to make sure it reduces to four mils from that, which then would be 28 mils.

And it's 20 million dollars enough for a four mil reduction, which is again a 12% reduction in property taxes.

And mayor, if I may, I would suggest if you want to uh alter your language or your amendment where you start out to contribute 20 million or an amount sufficient to achieve a four mil reduction and the remaining two hundred and eighty or amount remaining.

I think that's how you can address it to ensure that you first state the initial 20 million.

We think is sufficient to achieve your four mil goal.

But if you want to make sure, Crystal, clear for everybody, that you say initial 20 million or an amount sufficient to achieve the four mil goal.

There's further discussion, but I will alter my motion once again.

Yes, sir.

The sales I move that the sales tax resolution 26-049 option one with the alternative language, the first 20 million dollars or an amount sufficient for a four-mill reduction starting in budget year 2027 in sales tax proceeds shall be allocated to property tax relief.

The next 280 million dollars shall be allocated to property tax relief, homeless and housing, and public safety until each receipts 100 million.

Thereafter, all initiatives shall be funded on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the ballot language up to each initiative's maximum revenue amount.

Second motion and a second discussion.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um Elizabeth, where'd you go?

Uh, what is the exact value of a mill?

Is it 5.4.429?

Um it's it's included in the financial plan and the budget book, but that's the final valuation is posted in mid-November, and we go to print before then.

But what would you say?

Um yes, it that's correct.

It's about 5.4 million.

5.4 mil.

Well, it's the the of the value of a mil.

Right, yes, 4.4 million.

Okay.

Saving amount again, Elizabeth.

The value of a mil is about currently in 20, you know, for the 2026 budget, the value of one mil is five point four million.

That's all subject to how any changes to how valuation is calculated.

But for this current budget, yes.

And the motion I just had a second has again an amount sufficient for a four mil reduction starting in fiscal year 2027.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

I was gonna ask City Attorney Jennifer since there's already one motion seconded, yes.

We can't redo the motion.

I have a request to speak.

Um we would just ask that you for the parliamentary you know, cleanup to to withdraw if the mayor would withdraw her prior motions so we can just vote on this one because there was a couple other motions out there.

Okay, I was gonna make an alternative, alternate motion.

Could we first withdraw, Mayor?

Could we first withdraw the the motions that are not in play?

Just to, and then you could make an all then I'll you can make a substitution or an amended motion.

I may just suggest I'll let Mayor do that, but I may suggest putting some hard numbers to it.

Uh I would suggest putting uh 21.7 million dollars towards property tax relief, eight million towards public safety, and then eight million towards homelessness and housing.

That'll give five point four million times four is twenty-one point six million.

It'll give us a hundred thousand dollars extra in case it's more than that.

So that'll give hard numbers to what Councilman Hoheis will set at 5.4.

And then your same language of up to 100 million.

I think the way it's currently worded captures that, but I I will just trying to appease council member hoheis will take a second.

Let me go to council member Tuttle.

And I was thinking along the lines of council member Johnston, but can we reread the new new new motion?

And and then at the same time, if you could withdraw prior motions, Mayor.

I will do that.

Uh councilmember Shepherd.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to clarify.

I we've heard a lot of people speak throughout the past month in regards to this, and I think overwhelmingly what we have heard is that there is a collective interest in making sure second light is a priority and funded.

And I just want to make sure that that is what I would like to see as the priority.

And that's more important to me than property tax relief.

Not to say property tax relief is not important, it is real.

Um and the situation regarding our unhoused neighbors is is I believe something that should be the priority, and I think the collective community might agree.

And thank you, Councilmember Shepherd.

Uh I know that on our screens you can't see this, but on the screens here at City Hall, you can see the amounts.

The only change would be instead of 20, it's gonna be 21.7, and so then you would reduce the 8.8s to the appropriate amounts.

Uh second light will be funded in this situation right away.

So council member Johnston.

I was just gonna make that same point.

They're gonna need 6.7 in the first year, and they'll be getting 8 million, so it will be funded that first year, then it'll dramatically increase after that.

So council member Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

So just double checking here.

So that would be 2027.

It would be 21.7.

Up to 21%.

21.7.

The mill the value of a mill is 4.5.4, but that assumes that the valuation for next year would be the same as it has been for this year.

Which is an open question at this point.

So it'd have to be 22 million then.

Well, it just and that's yeah, well, but it the reverse could be true too based on legislation.

Legislative action valuation could go down as well.

There's some proposals in which that would be the case.

So councilmember Tuttle.

Thank you.

Um, in the five different categories, there's lots of discussion, right?

And people have lots of prioritization, but homelessness and housing seems to rise to the top for almost everyone.

Um I just want to make sure I heard what Elizabeth said correctly, or city manager you can confirm.

We're not gonna put money for homelessness affordable housing in jeopardy with the motion that's on that's gonna be reread to us again, please.

All motions that have been offered so far would allow us to do the funding schedule for housing and homelessness.

I would say the minimum 8.8 is sufficient, will meet the needs of the plan identified for funding second light and other wraparound supportive services for housing and homeless.

Okay, thank you.

Uh withdraw all motions to start over another time.

I move that the sales tax resolution 26-049 option one, alternative language, the first 21 million dollars or an amount sufficient for a four-mill reduction starting in fiscal year 2027 in sales tax proceeds shall be allocated to property tax relief.

The next 280 million shall be allocated to property tax relief, homeless and housing, and public safety until each receives 100 million.

Thereafter, all initiatives shall be funded on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the ballot language up to each initiative's maximum revenue amount.

Second.

Motion and a second.

I see no further discussion.

And mayor, would you clarify that first number again?

Did you say 21 million?

21 million.

I'm not adding the point seven, so that it does cover the or an amount sufficient for a four-mill reduction starting in fiscal year 2027.

Is that appropriate?

Okay.

Um motion, second, any other discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 70.

Uh now I would like to move resolution 26-051, which is regarding public safety.

There are two options.

Can we have those on the screen?

Good job, Josh.

I will move resolution 26-051 public safety option number two.

With an amendment to item number six.

Annually, as part of the capital improvement program, the city council will recommend a prioritized list of projects to be funded with sales tax proceeds.

Projects involving deferred maintenance at existing public safety facilities will be prioritized in the capital improvement plan, excluding the construction of the new Southwest Wichita and Northwest Wichita fire stations and the new West Patrol Police Station.

Clarification, Mayor, what was the resolution number that you're reading?

Resolution 26-051 option two.

Second.

Motion and a second discussion, Councilmember Tuttle.

Thank you.

It would have been helpful to have these amendments maybe in advance, so we could have like processed them a little bit more.

But with that said, so what I I want to make sure I'm interpreting what you're at what you're amending.

So the the fire stations, police stations new build priority number one.

Then you're saying deferred maintenance for facilities is the next priority, and then other things like maybe um equipment apparatus is after that.

It's what's appropriate on the CIP, and I believe that the experts in those two fields are this um city managers staff who can look at that fire and police because those are two of the public safety uh components.

Um again, I want to make sure the intention is that we have deferred maintenance in 2022 fire stations that the city currently operates, and the intention is to make sure that deferred maintenance is a top priority.

However, I understand that districts four and five will be getting a new fire station, and those have been promised for multiple years, but they keep getting delayed.

The last fire station that was built in the city of Wichita was 2009, and the expansion in West Wichita has created a need for a fire station in Southwest Wichita and Northwest Wichita that also covers Councilmember Ballard's district in number six.

So again, the intention is to make sure that deferred maintenance is still a priority without injuring the two projects that are going to be new, the new Southwest Wichita, Northwest Wichita fire stations, and the new West Patrol police station.

I don't disagree with anything you said.

I'm not arguing that.

Does it does this make sense?

I will ask the city manager to maybe ask his staff.

Does it make sense?

Well, I'll say we do have, as we've said before, we do have a plan.

We have a capital improvement plan for our facilities, equipment, and other capital needs for police and fire.

And so we have provided that list with prior agenda items.

So we will take that list and I think as uh council member titles outlined based upon this resolution and where we land on a vote that yes, we would prioritize the facilities that have been mentioned specifically, then we would go through the capital improvement list that currently exists, look for the what we'd consider to be the prioritized deferred maintenance items, and then we would get to apparatus equipment and other things within the confined list of the existing CIP.

I just want to make sure that we're not tying the hands of our police chief or our fire chief that if they think that they need an you know there could be a deferred maintenance project that's minor and it's not something that's huge, and they would rather have apparatus or equipment over a deferred maintenance.

I I trust our our police and fire chiefs, I trust our staff.

Um I understand the priority for the new builds, completely agree.

I do think deferred maintenance is an issue, but I just don't want to tie the hands of staff or future councils that they can't get new apparatus or equipment if it's needed as a higher priority than maybe making a repair in a fire station.

So uh I'm not gonna die on this sword, but I just think that if maybe even it's like could be the intention or priority shall instead of will.

Um I I just like I said, I don't I don't want it to be where we need apparatus and now we can't do it until we fix something in fire station 18.

I'm just making that up.

I will take that friendly amendment of shall instead of will.

Second.

Thank you.

Uh council Vice Mayor John Vice Mayor Glascock.

Councilmember Ho Heisel.

Uh I thank you, Mayor.

Um, I agree with council member Tuttle on just giving the chiefs.

We the Chiefs will know kind of what the priority is, and I do think deferred maintenance will take precedence with them.

Um so I would like to offer a substitute motion to go with option uh one second motion and a second.

Uh council Jennifer McGonia.

Thank you.

I was just gonna say on the the wording shall and will.

I I think those are kind of interchangeable.

I mean, maybe the I don't know if the word the the word may is appropriate if you wanted something less restrictive than shall I don't know.

I'm just throwing that out because shall is is strong language.

I hear the word may instead.

Would that be more appropriate, council?

Councilmember Tuttle.

I was just gonna ask then if we can reread the motion again.

I know you made a substitute motion, and now how is this gonna play into it?

Sorry, I'm very logistical.

I was just like to know exactly what I'm voting for.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um so my current motion, there is also a substitute motion, and in terms of procedure, the substitute motion will get the vote first.

However, I'm reading the original motion with the edit resolution 26-051.

I move uh option two with item number six edited annually as part of the capital improvement program.

The city council will recommend a prioritized list of projects to be funded with sales tax proceeds.

Projects involving deferred maintenance at existing public safety facilities may be prioritized in the capital improvement plan, excluding the construction of the new Southwest and Northwest fire stations and the new West Patrol Police Station.

Second.

Still a motion and a second.

Councilmember Tuttle.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, with the new language, I really don't see much difference between one and two.

I think they're pretty similar.

It just mentions maintenance, but it leaves it up to the fire chief, which number one already leaves it up to the fire chief.

I think it clearly states the deferred maintenance.

That is what we have heard from community members saying that the 22 fire stations, some have had deferred maintenance.

I actually toured one of them last week with major problems to the concrete or asphalt uh leading up to the fire station.

And so these are things again that need to be prioritized.

What we currently have must be maintained, and I do believe that it is still important to go ahead with the two new fire stations and the new police station.

However, deferred maintenance has to be a priority, and I like it spelled out, which is why I will be voting in favor of option two.

However, we do have option one available at the current moment because there's a substitute motion.

Council member Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I was going to ask Jennifer if my motion is still on the floor.

Um the reason the substitute motion is on the floor.

Okay, and the reason um for wanting to really focus on some of the stations and apparatus new builds is because I want to get out ahead of um some of the improvements that we need as some of the fire stations.

Um you know, firefighter cancer is a definitely an issue that we're all becoming more aware of and being able to have stations that are built that have cleaners for the bunker gears, cleaning apparatuses for their bunker gear could help um curve uh cancer rates, not only for the firefighters, but for their families too that have a high rate of cancer further down the road.

Um so I'm kind of curious too what the um the language the difference is now with the change to May.

Does that lock in the chiefs for deferred maintenance, or does that still give them the ability to um prioritize based off of some of the needs that they see with it's my opinion that we're the may provides discretion?

May provides discretion, then I will withdraw my motion.

Thank you, Councilmember Hoheisel.

We're back to the original motion that I moved with Vice Mayor Glasscock seconding.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll motion passes 70.

We will now move to performing arts.

Those are resolutions 26-050.

I move resolution 26-050.

Option one.

Second motion and a second.

Any further discussion?

I see council member Johnston.

Mayor, respectfully, being a fundraiser and having capital campaigns.

The last 20% of any campaign is the hardest.

And if we're only gonna allow 50 million dollars, what's to say they can raise that extra 15 million dollars?

Uh I would make a substitute motion to do option number one, but require 75 million dollars of private funds to be pledged, raised or pledged after being utilized for the project.

I will take that amendment if you would like, since I have a motion.

We could do it as an amendment or a substitute motion, either way.

Would you I think to make it clean?

Uh withdraw my substitute motion.

I if you make an amendment.

I would be happy to move the 75 million instead of 50 million.

I withdraw my second.

I will second it.

Okay, let's make it clean.

So I read a motion.

I'll read it again.

Uh, and this time uh with the language.

I move resolution 26-050 option one for the community to understand it says incorporates language regarding compliance with all city procurement processes.

The resolution requires that 75 million of private funds be pledged or collected prior to city funds being utilized for the project.

Second motion and a second.

With a substitute motion, I would move as a substitute motion.

The city council approve resolution number 26050 with the wording as detailed in the ordinance.

Which option?

Which option?

Option one as detailed in the ordinance.

Motion and a second discussion.

Councilmember Johnston.

Again, I will reiterate my experience as a fundraiser.

In this field, I do feel like I'm somewhat of an expert, and the last 20% is the hardest to raise.

And I want to make sure they can raise the full 75 million, and that will give them the great incentive to get to the 75 million.

Councilmember Tuttle.

Thank you.

I just have a a question.

I want to make sure I understand.

Okay.

So we have said that the community would raise 75 million, and then 75 million from property tax would be raised.

Would be utilized.

Sales tax.

Sales tax.

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

So instead of 50 million, we're saying that in this public-private partnership, all 75 has to be committed before we move forward.

That's correct.

Okay.

And then Council Vice Mayor Glascock, did somebody made another substitute or an amendment?

What so what's the final my substitute is the original option one resolution 26050 as presented uh before us.

With 50 million and not 75.

I just wanted to make sure we all know exactly what we're voting on.

So the next item that we vote on, unless somebody throws something else on the table is going to be for 50 million has to be pledged or raised, what we've always talked about and talked about in the community.

Correct.

Thank you so much.

Vice Mayor, and that's just to clarify that's section six of the ordinance.

You're referring to that like section six, yes.

Thank you.

Unchanged.

Councilmember Shepherds.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to mobilize my opinion as to why I second it Vice Mayor Glasscock's alternative motion, and that is because I think it's important to be a good partner.

And I think when we talk about a sales tax and we talk about what what is driving uh a sales tax, partially is tourism, and I think um our performing arts center and our performing arts industry does an amazing job with helping out with that.

And so when we think about the generation of 2,900 jobs and economic impact of 184.7 million annually, um 108 million in income to residents.

Um it's really important for us to recognize the work that's being done in in terms of the tourism that is going to draw people from out of the area in the region to contribute, and um I think asking them to raise the full amount when we have an opportunity to at least acknowledge their hard work and efforts that they're going to contribute to this.

Um I think this is the right way to go and being a good partner.

Councilmember Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

May I ask Councilmember Shepherd and Council Member Glascock?

What if they uh only raise six they get all these plans, they raise 50 million so they can go ahead and do plans, they can purchase the land, they can get the plans all ready to go.

So they spent a significant amount of money.

They only raise 60 million dollars.

What do you do then?

Do they come back to the city and want 15 million dollars more to get to 75 million?

Why would we not raise the money it's it's it's in the sales tax though that it will be raised or close to it anyway?

I just think it's moving the goal posts.

So, I would call the question.

I agree.

There's a substitute motion by Vice Mayor Glasscock, seconded by councilmember Shepherd.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 61.

Madam uh sorry.

I will now move resolution 26-052 regarding century two.

Second.

I move the option as presented.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 70.

We're now at resolution 26-054 regarding housing and homeless assistance funds.

This is something that mayor with the motion.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Uh Vice Mayor Glasscock.

Thank you, Mayor.

I would move that we move forward with option one resolution number 26054.

I will second it.

Um, if I get a guarantee from city manager that there will be at least 120 million dollars going into the endowment that will then you will only utilize the proceeds of that endowment moving forward after seven years for operations of the homeless shelter and any additional services.

I would love to state that.

Remember though, that plan is dependent upon income interest generated on the corpus.

So I cannot guarantee the return on investment to get to that 120 million.

So I want to make sure that's predicated off of that growing based upon our investment income.

I can't guarantee our investment return in five years.

Only if I hear from the city manager or from housing, that the endowment moving forward after seven years will go towards making sure that in perpetuity a shelter in Wichita at the second light facility will be able to be funded operationally through the endowment earnings.

Yeah, I think I can't give you a dollar number, but the plan as identified, yes.

There this is an operating in perpetuity amount of funding to support a low barrier shelter.

Um what that dollar amount will end up in seven years, and again, we've committed that we will even adjust our investment policy to get a higher return on investment interest to help bolster this endowment fund.

But again, I can't give you a dollar amount tonight, but our plan does outline with a five percent investment.

If we can achieve those returns, we will have over 120 million for uh endowed fund in perpetuity to support the operations of not only a low barrier shelter, but also other support wraparound services for homeless and housing council member Johnston.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to clarify under our present investment policy, it'll be projected to be 100 million.

If council, I think it takes council approval to change the investment policy.

If if council elects to change that just for that one fund, uh there is a good possibility we could get a five percent return and get that higher uh higher amount of 120 million council member Tuttle.

Thank you.

I'm famous for offering my unsolicited advice, so I'll do it one more time.

I don't think that we tonight from the bench can say we're gonna pass option one with the pinky promise from the city manager that we're going to do whatever.

Um, with all due respect, we hope you're here for a very long time.

But you could win the lottery and go away, and at some point all of us are gonna term out.

And so I think that we need to be extremely um surgical in what we want it to be.

Even if it's not the dollar amount, even if it's percentages, and I'm not saying this has to happen, but if we need to take a two or three minute recess and let legal and finance and whoever huddle, but I don't think we can pass this saying option one and a guarantee from the manager.

Whatever we say we want better be in the motion that is voted on this evening.

That's my advice.

And for clarification, that's not any guarantees on my motion.

The motion assembly the resolution number 26054 option one that's presented before us.

Second motion and a second discussion, council member Hoheisel.

I withdraw.

I will not be in favor of this if again there's no guarantee that at least a hundred to a hundred twenty million dollars will be in an endowment that will live on in perpetuity to be able to fund the operational costs of a low barrier shelter with wraparound services.

So I will not be in favor of this item if this moves forward.

Um, council member Johnston.

I'll remind the mayor that there is no guarantee on any investment return.

Um it's just the fact that there option one does say there will be an investment and an endowment.

There's just no guarantee on the amount.

So I think it's very clear that there will be an endowment that will fund it in perpetuity.

We just don't know what that amount is, and no one can guarantee that.

The guarantee I would like to see is that at least 100 million to 120 million, according to the 5% projection would be stated in the ordinance.

So I'm gonna ask if I could have a friendly amendment to the current motion.

I second it my motion with full confidence.

I'll lean to my colleague to see if he'd be willing to change.

What is your request?

My request is that in writing, I I would have legal make sure there's a portion within this resolution that makes sure that the endowment that will live on in perpetuity specifically states that there will be operational funds for a low barrier shelter with wraparound services using the proceeds of an endowment that at least has a hundred million dollars.

Councilmember Johnston again if you do that, and the the return is not three and a half three, three and a half percent.

If it's less than that, you would be taking funds from housing to fund that to fund that.

Now that's probably won't happen, but you cannot guarantee an amount and endowment in seven years.

Just can't do it.

I will not be in favor of this item.

Councilmember Glascock.

There's a motion call the question.

Motion and a second, any further discussion.

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 6-1.

We are now at the property tax relief or sales tax relief.

Um can we go to the slide regarding the leap program?

City manager, I have a question regarding how we will pay for these funds.

Again, the sales tax is specific that you cannot use the sales tax funds for anything other than the five initiatives.

This would be something to help individuals who are facing barriers and are low-income residents who are part of the program.

Um can you again state how much this would c possibly cost the city in the general fund and where we could find those dollars within the general fund?

So as uh presented from mayor and council input, there was an interest as you just stated to maybe do some type of offset of the sales tax increase if passed to somehow reduce some property tax expenses within the city.

There are limited areas where we can do offsets, rebates or whatever it may be considered a reductions.

So looking at some of the existing um state uh statutes, there are two areas where we've identified where we could we've done in the past.

Um if you we have the federal, we could mirror the federal low-income energy assistance program.

We do know from some of that data and records that we had uh 9,720 um households qualify for that.

Again, that was uh estimated at 534,600.

Um we don't know how many people would apply for it, how many will be eligible next year?

So again, that just gives us a snapshot on time.

Um it would have to come from the general fund.

That would simply be a budget decision.

If we see um revenue projections increase with our financial projections for the budget, whether new um revenue growth or whatever it may be, that would just have to be factored into our overall budget conversation.

But um, we do want you to have the understanding there would be a general fund impact if you do this type of program to have a sales or have a uh relief program related to this, and then the second one.

So we presented these as two options.

Um, but again, you can do one, you can do both, you can do neither.

It depends on how um again you can do them, and if the food tax goes away, um you can do another item to reconsider.

Um there's just a lot of options, so these are two that we've identified, and I want to make sure on the next slide where we call it the uh Wichita Um.

Yeah, this one again.

If you want to base it off of the homestead refund program, again, we did do a program.

We have a history on this as a city in 2024, so we do know those numbers.

It actually did encompass three different relief type of programs.

Um, but we could have up to 522 taxpayers eligible.

Again, don't know who will apply, don't know who will be an eligible in year one, year two, or year three, but those are the numbers that we know from a past experience.

Now I would also suggest do not underestimate the uh cost of administering a program.

Not only is there the actual reduction in revenue to the general fund if we offer these two different programs, but we haven't talked about to administer that.

Would that be a staff member in our finance department?

How much time again?

It depends on how many taxpayers, if you have 9,000 to 10,000 taxpayers uh going for this credit, that's a position to help try to go through and administer this program.

One promotion, two execution, and three distribution.

So there would be an additional impact to the general fund depending upon how we would have to um administer one or both programs.

Councilmember Tuttle.

Thank you.

Um I'm gonna ask a question, and I everybody knows I have an aversion to to doing this from the bench, but um and I'm sorry I didn't ask prior, but it's just kind of coming to me now.

A couple weeks ago when we talked about all of this in the 175,000 770,000 dollars for the special election.

I asked if we could use interest earnings to pay for that.

Is there any way that we will use could use interest earnings to pay for this so that it to reimburse ourselves out of the general fund?

I'm just asking a question, it's a brainstorm.

Yeah, with the exception of a more the endowment.

Oh, yeah, you're right.

Okay, yeah.

Well, trades for I think what you're asking is if interest earnings are more favorable than projected, could we increase expenditures to offset the the cost of this program?

And then in the case of the property tax relief program, the last time we treated it actually as negative revenue, um, whereas the energy one I think would be considered an expenditure.

So if that were the case, you could go that route.

Um, just as a caution after the discussion about the value of a mill, I'm afraid that the the item that had the if there's 20 million dollars, then the levy gets reduced by five could put us behind.

Does that make sense?

So you're already so we're already just very, very high level.

Um the 2027 adopt the 20, the 2026 and 2027 budgets are both balanced in the financial plan.

We're talking about 27.

27, we anticipated using three million dollars in the stabilization reserve to balance that year.

And so then with this 20 million, it's very prescriptive.

The 20 million is four mills, but if the value of a mill is more than five, you're already behind a little bit more.

And then this could be I mean, the usage of the program was about $90,000 last year, and we used about $20,000 just in marketing, plus probably about a third of an FTE.

Um, so it's not a huge amount of money, but it would just it's gonna start to add up.

So what I hear you saying is no.

Well, I mean I think the other thing too is just looking back at the resolution the 5-3 one after the second one happened after that.

I feel like the this the one that was taken after that one very much defined um the will of the council regarding the mill levy reduction and one of they they seem to kind of contradict each other, but anyhow, just from a financial standpoint, but should I mean um things point to interest earnings being stronger in 2026 than we had initially planned, but this is a program for 2027.

And let me um see if I can clarify in terms of is it appropriate to take the sales tax interest earned and use it to support the rebate or the tax relief programs.

The answer is that's a permissible she's saying no.

Well, make sure we understand the difference.

Yeah, I don't think she's saying permissible, I think she's saying might not be feasible.

There's a difference.

It's not it's not outside the lines.

I mean, I'm not asking to do anything that's not appropriate.

Yeah, correct.

But she's just saying she doesn't think the money was there.

But let's say that you know things went so well.

I mean, I just I'm throwing it out there as an option to help us to so that it doesn't have as big of an impact to the to the general budget.

I mean I mean you know you you've been through the process, like there's priorities every year, and we somehow manage to incorporate as many as we can in the CIP and the budget and come up with a 10-year plan for the CIP and balance the budget.

So um, if this is a priority, we would we'd be able to integrate that.

But um, based on I mean, it's a real possibility that something else that was a lower priority would need to be de-emphasized in the budget.

Um so and then as far as pooled funds investment earnings using you know increased revenue to pay for other, you know, having an offsetting expenditure.

Um currently all pool funds investment earnings go to the general fund, but then for this sales tax program, it seems like they'll be going into the sales tax program as well.

So that's the plan there.

So it's just would be and it would be something too that we would incorporate in the budget process as we start to meet about that regarding 2027.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

And that's why you do your job so well.

Councilmember Ballard.

Thank you, Mayor.

My question is maybe for Sally, maybe a leak question for you.

I feel like in a past council um meeting, there were significant more participants in leap.

Is this kind of a this 9,000 number?

Is that kind of low?

Um, I think what you're referencing is in the previous meeting, before we had gotten the data from the state on how many people actually applied and received the benefit.

We took a look at the uh census data and the number of households whose income would fall below the threshold to qualify.

Okay, and that's where you're seeing that difference in the numbers.

Okay.

So there's still opportunity for people to apply for it to use in the future years.

Correct.

That that application period opens every year.

And so that 9,720 was to redo every year.

Every year.

Okay, wonderful.

Thank you for clarifying.

Okay.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I move that the city council adopt resolutions to establish implementation guardrails and review proposed resolutions for sales tax and property tax relief.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 7-0.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the next item?

I'm just double checking that.

Vice Mayor Glascock.

That was my second.

Request to set public hearings for assistance for Mammoth Clubhouse.

Honorable Mayor, members of council, Troy Anderson, assistant city manager.

Uh stand here before you with a request first and foremost.

The action item tonight is simply to set the public hearing.

I'll touch on that towards the end with recommendations, but just sort of tampering some expectations.

Uh I'll walk through the proposal.

The applicant is not here this evening.

Not really sure when we were going to get to the item.

Um, but there will be a full presentation.

We will have a representative uh from the applicant at the public hearing on March 10th.

Uh so again, I'll just kind of breeze through this.

I know it's getting late.

Um, I'll try to expound a little bit on some areas I've been asked to maybe expound on a little bit, but otherwise, super fast, mammoth golf, Wichita.

You'll hear me refer refer to them as Mammoth throughout on property near 1010 North Webb.

Uh, they propose to construct a multi-purpose commercial golf sports and entertainment venue.

Uh they've requested the use of a community improvement district to assist in the development and construction of the project, as well as an industrial revenue bond for sales tax exemption only.

It's because of the CID and the public hearing that is required uh with the CID that we're here tonight sitting in that public hearing.

Otherwise, you'll hear more about the industrial revenue bond and the sales tax exemption during that public hearing when we'll talk about both of those on March 10th.

Uh CID petition was signed by 100% of the land owners.

The estimated investment in the project's about 12.8 million, maximum eligible amount.

You'll hear refer to that as the cost cap to be reimbursed by the developer.

It's about $2 million.

I'm gonna pause here for just a second and just remind folks kind of how CID works, right?

Um City is not giving the owner developer two million dollars.

It's a CID sales tax that is added to uh the retail sales at the facility.

So uh the developer, owner developer has to make the initial investment, they have to open up for business, they then charge that additional sales tax on top of goods and services.

Those sales taxes are then collected, remitted to the state, returned to the taxing jurisdiction, and then we rebate those proceeds back to that additional uh up to two percent sales tax back to the developer up to the two million dollar cost cap based on a review and analysis and audit of those eligible expenses under the CID Act and under the CID law.

So again, city's not advancing two million dollars to the project, project has to be fully funded, constructed, open for business, collect additional sales tax.

If those sales tax are not realized, obviously uh the owner and developer is at risk.

I'll touch on that in my kind of standard comments here in just a second.

But otherwise, uh again, it is a two percent up to 22 years.

It is pay as you go.

Uh there are no taxpayer dollars at risk.

To establish the CID.

Council must first adopt a resolution uh stating that the city council is considering the establishment of the CID, setting a date for the public hearing on the matter.

That's what we're doing this evening.

Public hearings currently slated for March 10th.

Again, developer pays all construction costs.

City will not issue debt for this project.

Proceeds will be held by the city and dispersed pursuant to a development agreement until the maximum amount identified in the petition, about two million dollars has been reimbursed or the 22-year term has expired, whichever is earlier.

Law departments reviewed and approved the petition resolution out of the form.

Recommended city council accept a petition, adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for March 10th, and uh considering the establishment of the community improvement district and authorize the necessary signatures.

With that being said, I'll stand for questions.

Thank you, Troy.

Questions for staff beginning with Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh real quick, have they identified the uh public interest pro the tip percent that goes for uh public interest?

Have they identified that project yet?

Uh no, they have not yet.

So we'll make sure that we'll uh get the applicant and the council district representative together to make sure that they uh I identify those public approvals.

Okay, appreciate it.

Uh question for you, Troy, really quickly.

Um, can you go back to slide number 46 on CIDs?

Yep.

Um, there was some confusion from folks regarding TIFFs.

This is not a TIFF.

Can you just explain TIFFS versus CIDs?

Correct.

Um similar to CID, a CID is a sales tax rebate program, right?

Whereby sales taxes are collected, uh, and then based on that audit analysis of eligible expenses rebated back, right?

TIFF operates similarly, right?

It's the property tax that is generated as a result of the project and the investment.

Those property taxes are then paid and then subsequently returned or rebated back the portion above the base value is then rebated back to uh the owner developer for those in that case TIFF eligible expenses.

So structurally, they're the they're they're modeled very similar to each other, sort of structurally.

CID is based on sales tax revenue, TIFF is based on property tax that is generated as a result of the capital investment.

Thank you, Troy.

Yep.

Any further questions for staff?

I see none.

We'll open it up for public comment.

I see no one in the public who would like to speak.

We'll bring it back to the bench.

Councilmember Tuttle, this is in your district.

Thank you very much.

Um the mayor and I had an opportunity to meet with them.

Very excited about this project.

Excited to see this uh corridor.

Um lots happening tonight on Webb Road between 13th and central, and excited to see this corridor revitalized.

So with that, I would move that the city council accept the petition and adopt the resolution setting the public hearing for consideration of the establishment of a CID and authorize the necessary signatures.

And I did get to forget to say, Troy, thank you to you and your team.

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.

Council member appointments and comments.

Council members, are there any items or individuals to be appointed?

Councilmember Shepard.

I don't have any appointments.

I'm sorry, I had a comment.

No problem.

Any other appointments?

Um, I do want to make mention that we will be talking about boards at a workshop in March.

Um, and a lot of uh expired terms or soon to be expired terms are coming up.

Um, but city manager will be doing a workshop regarding boards at the uh March workshop.

We will now move to council member commons.

Councilmember Shepard.

Thank you, Mayor, very briefly, but I did promise that every week I try to give a black history month.

Uh fact that is relevant to the city of Wichita.

So for folks who don't know, Wichita's historic black business district was centered around 9th Street and Cleveland Street in the Mac Adams area and thrive during the early to mid-20th century with businesses, churches, and the Dunbar Theater.

The district unfortunately declined due to urban renewal, highway construction, and economic shifts, which not only displaced residents, but it closed many of those black-owned businesses.

Today efforts are focused on preserving the history, honoring its legacy as the cultural and economic heart of Wichita's black community.

I want to give a major shout out to Create campaign that does phenomenal job with building minority entrepreneurs, not just in the former location of the black business district, but all across the city of Wichita.

And on February the 28th, there is a black business tour happening.

So you can visit the community voice website, sign up for the Black Business Tour, support Black Business, and celebrate the history of a thriving black business district.

Thank you, Mayor.

Any further comments from council members?gov slash ballot question will now have the appropriately approved uh guardrails in a new presentation so it's easy for people to understand what just passed without option one, option two, but rather what has passed.

And I think it's appropriate to have the votes also reflective of what has passed.

Um again, I appreciate people who are still watching.

There's 89 individuals still watching on our YouTube channel, um, and I appreciate not just individuals who spoke, but people who have reached out to myself and this council, as well as those who are making comments.

Um the way that our local government works again is through a council that discusses in public and has that engagement with staff so that we can make decisions from this bench.

And so I appreciate the staff who have been working very hard and late today to make sure that we have the city council meeting that is accessible to the community.

I heard multiple times people saying thank you for having an evening time meeting.

As you all know, in 2024, we passed four evening meetings, meaning one per quarter, and that started in 2024 and continued.

This actually happens to be the fifth evening meeting for 2026.

This was an impromptu evening meeting so that we could have engagement regarding the sales tax ballot question during a 6 p.m.

meeting.

So again, you can look at all the um scheduled city council meetings on the website, Wichita.gov slash city council.

With that, I move to adjourn.

Second.

Motion second, Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

Motion passes 7-0.

Have a good evening.

Thank you.

I said to