Wichita City Council Meeting Summary - March 3, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:47 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including public safety infrastructure, nuisance property ordinances, public art acquisitions, utility improvements, and land use changes. All consent agenda items were approved unanimously. The meeting featured a vigorous debate on the downtown sculpture purchase initiative, which ultimately passed 6-1.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of February 17 and February 24, 2026 (7-0).
• Approved Consent Items 1 through 18 (7-0), including licenses, contracts, change orders, board minutes, nuisance abatements, and airport agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janice Bradley (District VI) called on the Council to support a full investigation into the January 20 shooting of Deaundre Hill by Wichita police, demanding release of complete bodycam footage and charges be brought. She also referenced national concerns about ICE actions in Minneapolis.

Discussion Items

• Fire Station Construction (Station 23): Fire Chief Tammy Snow presented plans for the first new fire station since 2009, located at 2353 S. Mays Road (southwest Wichita). The $5.25 million project includes health/wellness features such as individual bunk rooms, decontamination areas, and an updated alerting system. Staffing would rely on a SAFER grant for 14 positions at an estimated $1.68 million annually, with the city absorbing costs after the grant period. Interest on bonds over 10 years is estimated at $1-1.3 million. Approved 7-0.
• Prairie Glen MF, LLC Multifamily Revenue Bonds: Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson noted the applicant requested a deferral to April 7 agenda for further discussion. Public hearing opened and closed; deferred 7-0.
• Chronic Nuisance Properties Amendment (Chapter 8.02): Law Department’s Jan Jarman explained amendments raising trigger events from two to three (with serious crimes counting as two), removing gang activity and barking dogs, and adding racing/stunting. The change streamlines appeals. Council discussed adding squatting as a trigger; WPD Captain Moses said it could be addressed via trespass. Approved for first reading 7-0.
• Police Armored Personnel Carrier: Captain Jason Cooley requested $600,000 to replace a regional asset (2011 vehicle, shot four times) with a new armored rescue vehicle to meet NTOA standards. The WPD fleet has three vehicles, but the new one would be under chief’s discretion. Approved 7-0.
• Police Property Acquisition – 1890 W. Harry: Gerri Ford (City Manager's Office) presented the $1,064,890 purchase of a 12,830 sq ft warehouse for police vehicle storage. Appraised at $837,200; comps in the area supported the price. Approved 7-0.
• Lease Agreement – 444 E. William: Ford presented a renegotiated lease with Wichita Festivals Inc., increasing from $2/sq ft to $8.64/sq ft (triple net) over two years, with a 3% annual escalator. Council debated fairness; some members expressed concern about pricing out a long-time tenant. Approved 6-1 (Ballard nay).
• Water and Sewer Utility Improvements: Don Henry (Public Works) outlined $11.07 million in projects for Cheney pumps, wellfield upgrades, sewer lift stations, and UV system replacement. All funded from adopted CIP; no rate impact. Approved 7-0.
• Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Phase 3: Henry requested $6.6 million additional (total $9.6 million) for two new recharge basins, with 25% federal cost-share from Bureau of Reclamation. Approved 7-0.
• Auburn Hills Golf Course Irrigation Repair: Jesse Coffman (Golf Division) reported a failed variable frequency drive necessitated emergency replacement ($122,030) to avoid turf damage and revenue loss. Only two vendors could do the work. City Manager’s public exigency approval affirmed 7-0.
• Seasonal/Temporary Employee Services: Andrew Hudspeth (HR) presented contracts with Syndeo and 22nd Century Technologies for up to 22 positions annually. Costs average $18,000 per hire inclusive of vendor fees. Approved 7-0.
• Downtown Sculpture Purchase Initiative: Lindsay Benacka and Jana Erwin presented 13 artworks selected from 234 submissions (76 from Kansas artists) to fill vacant pedestals downtown. Total cost $200,000 in GO bonds plus $50,000 in grants. Mayor Wu argued for a theme (e.g., America’s 250th) and proposed voting individually; others defended the process. After public comments, the Council approved the acquisitions 6-1 (Wu nay).
• Public Art for 1st Street Bridge: Jana Erwin presented Cliff Garten Studio’s 30% design concept featuring two illuminated stainless steel archways, wave-like paving, and programmable LED lighting. The $600,000 project is part of the bridge design-build. Approved 7-0.
• Non-Consent Planning Items:
  • CUP2025-00042 (billboard at 3801 N. Ridge Road): Approved 7-0 per MAPC recommendation.
  • ZON2025-00070 (724 N. Dougherty, SF-5 to MF-29): Council overrode MAPC to approve with DAB’s condition requiring hip/gabled roof (7-0).
  • ZON2025-00071 (McLean Blvd, SF-5 to MF-18): Deferred to April 21 to allow DAB reconsideration (6-0).
• Council Member Agenda:
  • Approved travel for Councilmember Ballard to Community Schools Collaboration in Cincinnati (April 15-16, $560.52) – 6-0.
  • Approved travel for Vice Mayor Glasscock to same event – 6-0.
  • Approved reappointments to District Advisory Board and Airport Advisory Board – 6-0.
  • Councilmember Shepard received consensus to place a resolution urging the U.S. House to pass the ROTC Act on a future agenda.

Key Outcomes

• New fire station in southwest Wichita approved; will be funded via general obligation bonds with potential SAFER grant for staffing.
• Chronic nuisance property ordinance amended to raise trigger events and add racing/stunting; first reading passed.
• Police armored vehicle replacement approved; new vehicle will be Wichita-controlled.
• Property at 1890 W. Harry purchased for police storage.
• Lease for Wichita Festivals increased to market rate; 6-1 vote.
• $11.07 million in water/sewer projects approved.
• ASR Phase 3 advanced with $6.6 million authorization.
• Auburn Hills golf course emergency repair affirmed.
• New temporary staffing contracts awarded.
• Downtown sculpture purchase approved (13 pieces, $169,000) over mayor’s objection.
• First Street Bridge public art concept approved.
• Billboard CUP approved; two zone changes handled (one approved with condition, one deferred).
• Council travel and appointments approved.
• Executive session held for 5 minutes regarding real property acquisition (real estate negotiation).