Wichita City Council Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on February 24, 2026, in a regular session that began in the morning. The meeting included public comment on downtown parking changes, unanimous approval of the consent agenda and board of bids (including a notable Microsoft contract negotiation), council appointments, and council member reflections on Black History Month and recent community losses. A workshop on Wichita Waterworks was briefly started, and the meeting concluded with two executive session motions for legal consultations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Faith Martin (public comment) expressed strong concerns about recent changes to City Hall parking lot management, including the switch to ParkMobile, removal of validation options, unclear pricing, and lack of public communication. She urged the council to better inform and consider constituents, especially those facing fines. Mayor responded by requesting a parking update be presented at the evening meeting on March 10, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–14 (routine approvals) were approved unanimously (7-0) with no items pulled.

Discussion Items

• Board of Bids and Contracts – February 23, 2026: Finance Director Josh Laubert presented several bid and contract items. Key discussion focused on the Microsoft Enterprise Support Services Renewal Change Order. The city had executed an agreement with Microsoft after council approval, but Microsoft subsequently refused to honor the executed agreement because the city had added its standard Exhibits A and B (terms and conditions). Laubert explained that Microsoft operates on an “agreement of adhesion” – either accept their terms or lose the service. The city recommended terminating the February 5, 2026, executed agreement and authorizing a new agreement without Exhibits A and B. Council members questioned the liability and noted the city’s limited negotiating power. The board of bids was approved as recommended (7-0).
• Councilmember Shepherd Travel: Authorization for Councilmember Shepherd to attend City Leaders Academy in Salina, Kansas, on April 16–17, 2026, for newly elected officials training, with actual expenses to be reported after travel. Approved (7-0).
• Council Appointments:
  • Mayor appointed Jordy Dornboss as youth member for the District Advisory Board.
  • Councilmember appointed Dennis Murphy to the Cultural Funding Committee.
  • Mayor appointed Vice Mayor Glasscock to the Law Enforcement Training Center Advisory Board. All appointments approved (7-0).
• Council Comments:
  • Councilmember gave a Black History Month final fact, highlighting the history of redlining in North and Northeast Wichita in the 1930s and its lasting impacts on housing, education, business ownership, and wealth gaps. He called for intentional economic investment in historically underserved areas, framing reparations as “righting a wrong.”
  • Councilmember Ballard announced the passing of Park Board member Tom Ewert, who died suddenly while birding in Ecuador, praising his contributions to District 6 and the city.
  • Councilmember Hohe offered condolences to the family of Melody McGrain Miller, a former legislator and advocate for children and constituents.

Workshop

• City Manager Dennis introduced a monthly update on the Wichita Waterworks. Gary Janssen (Public Works and Utilities) began the presentation, but the workshop concluded quickly with no detailed discussion recorded.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 1–14) approved 7-0.
• Board of Bids and Contracts (including Microsoft contract resolution) approved 7-0.
• Councilmember Shepherd travel authorization approved 7-0.
• Council appointments (Jordy Dornboss, Dennis Murphy, Vice Mayor Glasscock) approved 7-0.
• First executive session motion (15 minutes, KSA 75-4319b2 for legal consultation on state law compliance) passed 6-0, to begin at 11:35 AM.
• Second executive session motion (originally 20 minutes, amended to 10 minutes, KSA 75-4319b2 for pending litigation consultation) passed 7-0, to follow immediately after the first session.