Wichita City Council Meeting Summary: March 10, 2026
Wichita City Council Meeting Summary: March 10, 2026
The Wichita City Council met on March 10, 2026, to discuss and vote on a range of items including proclamations, public comments, a police robotic dog purchase, economic development incentives, and a resolution urging passage of the ROTOR Act. Key topics included the introduction of a new police robot (Spot), a community improvement district for an entertainment venue (Mammoth Clubhouse), and a tax abatement review for Groover Labs.
Proclamations
- March 2026 was proclaimed Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Aldana Carney, parent of a son with severe nonverbal autism, spoke about the long waitlist (nearly 5,000 individuals, with an approximate wait time of eight years) for the IDD waiver in Kansas.
- March 2026 was proclaimed Senior Services of Wichita Meals on Wheels Month. In 2025, Senior Services delivered more than 180,000 meals. Wyatt Sheeter, Executive Director, thanked the city.
- The council also proclaimed March 31, 2026, as Transgender Day of Visibility. Councilmember Joseph Shepherd read the proclamation after Mayor Lily Wu declined. Shepherd stated proclamations are ceremonial documents recognizing meaningful issues. June, Wichita Pride’s communications director, and a trans woman, spoke in support, noting that visibility is an act of courage in Kansas.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christina Clagg criticized the city's forced three-lane road diets, arguing they increase commute times, congestion, and pollution. She cited safety concerns such as drag racing on Waco and 13th Street, and claimed money is misspent on bike lanes while sidewalk and ADA repairs are neglected.
- Dr. Alison Bell, owner of New Hope Therapy Services, described the deteriorating condition of the historic Commodore building. She reported rapid escalations in crime, including a shooting and a stabbing, a knife incident, and constant false fire alarms. She requested the city enforce nuisance ordinances, appoint a local registered agent, and explore condemnation or receivership. MABCD Director Chris Labram confirmed several cases against the building, noted the city is moving to register it under Title 30 as a neglected building, and that an injunction against permits on cell towers has been placed but later adjusted to not penalize innocent companies.
- Mark Barlow (running for Kansas House District 99) thanked Councilmember Shepherd for reading the Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation and criticized Mayor Wu for abdicating her duty by not reading it herself.
- Nancy Brown (District 2) suggested retooling the defeated 1% sales tax proposal to include codified guardrails and oversight, and to improve voter trust through town halls and education.
- A speaker addressed the need for sidewalks and curb cuts for the disability community.
Discussion Items
- Consent Agenda Item #6 (Main Water Treatment Plant) : Councilmember Johnston expressed concerns and voted against receiving and filing the contract documents, arguing a backup plant is unnecessary. The item passed 6-1.
- Bids & Contracts (March 2, 2026): Approved unanimously.
- Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved for a new residential development (Young East Edition) in District 2.
- Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Amendment (123 South Market): The council held a public hearing and approved a project plan amendment for adaptive reuse and vertical expansion of the historic Sterling Building into 50 market-rate apartments and commercial space. Councilmember Hoheisel questioned whether the “market rate” term is locked in and suggested tightening rules for affordable housing in the future. The developer, Kyle, stated rents would be between $1.70 and $1.90 per square foot. Passed 7-0.
- Mammoth Clubhouse CID & IRB: The council held a public hearing and approved a community improvement district (CID) and industrial revenue bonds for a multi-purpose golf, sports, and entertainment venue at 1010 N. Webb. The CID is a 2% sales tax on the property, no city debt, with a 10% public purpose set-aside. Councilmember Tuttle suggested using the public purpose funds for safety upgrades on Webb Road (13th to Central). The applicant, Bob Johnson, acknowledged that construction had already begun and the incentives are written into the pro forma. Vice Mayor Glasscock expressed concern about the timing, but the item passed 6-1 (Councilmember Hoheisel voted no due to concerns about the IRB).
- Groover Labs Tax Abatement (Second Five-Year): Troy Anderson presented the five-year review. Gridley Family Foundation (Groover Labs) originally projected 7 new net jobs but created 3. Based on their $6 million+ investment, location in a redevelopment area, and use of state/federal incentives (which was not contemplated in the original application), staff recommended extending the 100% abatement. Several public speakers testified to the jobs and innovation Groover Labs has fostered (member companies created hundreds of jobs). Vice Mayor Glasscock favored a 90% abatement to align with original standards, but Councilmember Ballard’s motion to approve the 100% abatement passed 7-0.
- Contracts for Grounds Maintenance: The council approved contracts for 2026. Staff removed 1,900 right-of-way locations (approx. 300 acres) to align with city code, expecting property owners to maintain those. Councilmember Hoheisel questioned the savings from removal; staff estimated around $150,000. Councilmember Johnston noted that outsourcing has improved service. Vice Mayor Glasscock requested data to verify the savings and value of outsourcing.
- Police Robotic Dog (Spot): Captain Cooley presented a request to initiate funding for two Spot robots (one for SWAT, one for Bomb Squad) at a total cost of $650,000, funded through CIP/debt financing. He emphasized de-escalation and officer safety. Discussion included training, battery life, warranty, cybersecurity, and priority. Several public speakers raised concerns about transparency, privacy, and cost. The council voted 7-0 to defer the decision to the April 7, 2026 meeting after a workshop on 21st-century policing on March 24, 2026.
- ROTOR Act Resolution: Councilmember Shepard introduced a resolution urging the U.S. House to pass the ROTOR Act (requiring ADS-B In/Out for all aircraft in high-density airspace by 2031). Dean Maxwell, father of a victim of Flight 5342, spoke in support. Passed 7-0.
- Council Appointments: Multiple appointments to boards and commissions were approved.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved; Item #6 pulled and passed 6-1.
- Bids & Contracts (March 2, 2026): Approved 7-0.
- Petitions for Public Improvements (Young East Edition): Approved 7-0.
- TIF Amendment (123 South Market): Approved 7-0.
- Mammoth Clubhouse CID & IRB: Approved 6-1 (one no vote).
- Groover Labs Tax Abatement: 100% abatement extended; passed 7-0.
- Grounds Maintenance Contracts: Approved 7-0.
- Police Robotic Dog (Spot): Deferred to a workshop on March 24, 2026, and a vote on April 7, 2026.
- ROTOR Act Resolution: Adopted 7-0.
- Council Appointments: Approved 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
I need something on time. Yes, they were fantastic. So that works, I guess. Yeah, I'm not in the morning. Oh my god. I didn't really like how much it's like. And I'm usually the thing. That's the problem. Oh, yeah. Okay. Oh, that'll work. Next to you. I don't think that's really I guess. I can think about it. Maybe they're smart. I found that just counting on the other. Good afternoon, staff. Can you please roll the video? Thank you for attending today's city council meeting. Please take a moment to silence your mobile device. If you wish to speak on an agenda item after the mayor invites public comment, proceed to the podium, state your name and address, and you will be given five minutes to speak. A timer can be viewed on the podium screen. You may speak one time per agenda item. Please refrain from clapping after other speakers. Thank you again for joining us today. Let's pause a moment for our television audience to join us. Heavenly Father, we pause in this moment with humility and gratitude, recognizing that every good gift and every opportunity to serve comes from you. Today we thank you for the city of Wichita for its people, for its neighborhoods, its businesses, its schools, and for the many lives represented in this room. Lord, we lift up these elected officers today who carry the responsibility of making decisions that affect thousands of lives. Grant them wisdom that is greater than personal interests, courage that stands above pressure, and compassion that sees every citizen with dignity and worth. Heal the places where there is division, bring peace where there is conflict, and provide hope where there is struggle. Bless our first responders, educators, community leaders, and all those who labor daily to strengthen this city. And Lord, remind us all that strength of our city is not only found in buildings and budgets, but in the character, compassion, and unity of our people. The proclamation reads the City of Wichita, Kansas founded in eighteen seventy, whereas intellectual and or developmental disabilities are lifelong conditions which affect statistically more than nine thousand Wichita area children and adults and their families, many of whom wait on long lists for needed services and support. Whereas public awareness and education enhance a community's acceptance and understanding of issues affecting youth and adults living with developmental disabilities. Whereas recognition of the contributions of individuals living with developmental disabilities is an effective way to overcome negative stereotypes and eliminate physical and barriers to full participation in all aspects of community life, including education, recreation, employment, and worship. Whereas 2026 serves as the thirtieth anniversary of the implementation of the Developmental Disability Reform Act, landmark legislation advancing inclusion, choice, and opportunities for Kansas with developmental disabilities. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim March twenty twenty-six as intellectual and developmental disability awareness month. Mayor and Council members, thank you so much for this uh proclamation and to the City of Wichita for years of support uh in inclusion and accessibility. Um we have greatly appreciated all that you have done uh to kind of highlight uh the impact that is making on one of our families, one of our amazing moms, Aldana Carney is going to share. Hello, everyone. Good evening, Mayor Wu, Vice Mayor Johnston, Council Councilwomen and Councilmen. My name is Aldana Carney, my husband Pat and I are the parent guardians to Neil Carney, who is our thirty-one year old son with severe nonverbal autism. Neil is the youngest of our five children. My councilman JV Johnston and his wife Veronica have actually watched Neil grow up. Neil takes the same walking route in our neighborhood every time we take him for a walk, and that route takes them right paths past the Johnston's backyard. Our four older children and the Johnston boys all attended the same parochial grade school and high school together. Neil has many complex needs and behavioral challenges, so he attended Levy Special Education Day School, which also happens to be in our neighborhood. However, the Johnstons didn't see the constant struggle we had to secure supports and services for our son while he was in school and how those struggles increased after his transition into the scary world of adult services. As shared in the proclamation, the DD Reform Act is 30 years old this year.
openpublica.com