Wichita City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on February 17, 2026, starting in the morning and reconvening after a break at 1:02 PM. The meeting included approvals of minutes and consent agenda, public testimony, financial reports, several capital improvement projects, a stormwater rate increase, housing and economic development agreements, zoning cases, and a discussion on mold at fire stations. Most items passed 7-0, with the stormwater rate passing 6-1 and a short-term rental conditional use being denied 5-2.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of February 10, 2026 (7-0).
• Approved consent agenda items 1 through 25 (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Derek Carleton Jackson Bay: Requested resolution of personal grievances with the city and police, and discussed First Amendment and religious freedom issues.
• David Braddock: Alleged structural failure of the non-discrimination ordinance, citing zero positive outcomes and conflicts of interest in the law department; requested outside counsel and statistical proof.
• Lavanta: Honored Reverend Jesse Jackson and urged the council to consider seniors in discussions about the one percent sales tax.
• Alison Fleming (Sunflower Land Trust): Supported making West 21st Street safer but requested specific due diligence including deer signage and appropriate lighting.
• Tim Garut (Tealbrook resident): Expressed concerns about traffic impacts, bridge replacement, and sidewalk maintenance on the 21st Street project.
• Jim Michael (Sunflower Land Trust): Raised concerns about tree removal, trespass, and maintenance of bike paths on 21st Street.
• Ray Bachman (Tealbrook HOA president): Stressed concerns about tree loss and impact on a brick fence from the 21st Street widening.
• Holly Terrell (BikeWalk Wichita): Supported the 21st Street and 127th Street designs, emphasizing the need for safe, connected bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Mary Beth Jarvis (Nexus): Thanked the council for support, noting the startup accelerator's ability to leverage public funding into private investment and job creation.

Discussion Items

• Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Report (Mark Banding): The general fund performed well with a surplus of about $2 million, reserves at 15% ($51M general fund; $44M stabilization reserve). Future deficits are forecast in 2028-2029 due to declining interest earnings and wage pressures. Stadium STAR bonds have been reduced to $30M debt; phase I expires October 2027, requiring phase II development. Received and filed (7-0).
• Golf Point of Sale System (Jesse Kaufman): Recommended Member Sports LLC for a new POS/tee-time system at $25,000 annually plus $10,000 one-time. Approved (7-0).
• Food and Farm Council Ordinance (Nate Virtaler Johnson): Placed on first reading to codify the existing council in city code. Approved (7-0).
• BNR Change Order #1 – Package 3 (Gary Janssen): $230,000 for 21 work change directives, funded within existing program budget. Approved (7-0).
• 21st Street North Design Concept (Paul Gunzelman): Approved a five-lane roadway with multi-use path and sidewalk; $1 million additional budget authorization. Approved (7-0).
• 127th Street East Design Concept (Paul Gunzelman): Approved a three-lane roadway with roundabout; $500,000 additional budget. Approved (7-0).
• Stormwater Utility Rate Increase (Gary Janssen): Option 3 adopted – monthly base fee increase of $1 in 2026 and 15¢ annually thereafter, generating $1.5M/year for drainage improvements. Approved 6-1 (councilmember dissented).
• Woodland Park North Public Art (Jana Irwin): $50,000 from 2% for art funds for a gateway sculpture. Approved (7-0).
• 2026 Community Services Block Grant Application (Nichelle Williams): Approved the grant application to KHRC, including the Way to Work program (140 positions) and other services. Approved (7-0).
• Knox Court Affordable Housing (Carmen Hoffe/Byron Adrian): Conditional commitment of $200,000 in HOME funds for a 46-unit senior development at two sites. Approved (7-0).
• Nexus Business Services Agreement (Troy Anderson): $50,000 for startup accelerator programs. Approved (7-0).
• Create Campaign Business Services Agreement (Troy Anderson): $50,000 for the Spark Business Academy. Approved (7-0).
• Zone 2025-61 (Scott Waidel): Rezone at southeast corner of 51st & Meridian from SF-5 to LC and GO, with modified protective overlay. Approved (7-0).
• CON 2025-157 – Short-Term Rental (Scott Waidel): Request for conditional use at 6845 E 14th St. Protests required 6 votes to approve; council voted 5-2 to deny (override), effectively rejecting the request.
• Public Housing Recovery Agreement Status Report (Sally Staying): Monthly update; 228 properties sold, 54 pending sales. Received and filed (7-0).

Fire Station Mold Remediation Discussion

• City staff (City Manager, Public Works Director Gary Janssen, Fire Chief Snow) reported mold issues at multiple stations, especially Station 15. Testing occurred in fall 2025; remediation plans are underway but communication to council was lacking. Station 15 was vacated pending installation of mini-split HVAC systems. Council expressed dissatisfaction with prior communication and requested full reports and cost estimates for all stations. No formal vote; council directed staff to prioritize remediation and improve reporting.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and most action items passed 7-0, except: stormwater rate increase (6-1) and short-term rental denial (5-2).
• Council approved appointments of Dominic Faki to the Transit Advisory Board (District 1) and Megan Deppner to the District 5 Advisory Board (7-0).
• Council directed staff to proceed with a bulk rezoning of Delano to Central Business District using an opt-out process.
• Council requested that staff provide full mold assessment reports and cost estimates for all fire stations to the entire council.