And good morning staff and good morning to all of you.

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

We will call this meeting to order.

We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Please stand.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Madam Clerk, please call the first item.

Approved the minutes of regular meeting March 3rd, 2025, and the minutes of the regular meeting, March 10th, 2026.

Council members, any items to be edited from those meeting minutes.

I see none.

Second.

Motion second discussion.

See none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes, seven zero.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Public agenda.

We now come to public agenda.

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

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

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

Speakers will please speak into the microphone.

Please state their name and address for the record.

A time clock will display the speaker's remaining time to speak.

Order and rules of decorum will be observed.

That allows for five individuals who would like to address the council to do so at this moment.

Second.

Motion second discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes.

The item consent agenda number 14 is an overestimate bid and funding for 143rd Street East from Kellogg to Harry Street.

The overestimate is three million dollars.

Can you please uh public works address the overbid?

Yeah, this is Paul Gunsman, Public Works and Utilities.

Part of this overbid was we had one only one contract bid on the project.

And we had reached out to other contractors asking why they had not bid on the project.

As you're aware, K DOT has the East Cal Out project that is started work or will soon.

Part of their concern was coordination between the East Callop project and this 143rd Street project.

That was raised during some of the pre-bid meetings that we had.

We had to we had addressed those questions or concerns through an addendum.

So we thought we had to believe some of those concerns.

However, there was still concerns with the coordination.

As I mentioned before, we reached out to multiple contractors after the bid.

One of them mentioned the coordination as well as they had recently was awarded in another city project that they thought would be more efficient if they spent their time on that project, and not both of these.

The contractor will put up a safety barrier or barrier wall for safety purposes, which then would be logistically the uh as it excavate, they will have to enter back in from 100 or Harry to the north and then pull out.

So those were some of the reasons that we were provided for the costs that they had bid.

Paul, I'm concerned because the engineers' estimate was 8.4 million.

It is now going to increase to 14.2 million.

Um again, can you explain how the engineers' estimate of 8.4 came about and how a three million dollar discrepancy?

I understand that only one bidder came through.

However, the discrepancy is three million dollars.

Again, some of as we look through the bid tab, um, some of the items that um you know we had looked at uh excavation cost, um we had they were uh the bid that we had received was 400,000 over estimate due to the logistics of that.

Um concrete and asphalt pavement were you know about there was a $300,000 difference increase more for concrete pavement than we had estimated as well as the 9-inch reinforced, it was another $200,000.

Um there were some other costs, signalization cost, and we added some not originally uh in the estimate in the project, but we added some ITS related conduit for future uh communications with the signals.

So, you know, as you kind of go through all of these items very quickly, Paul.

Um, again, um another concern besides the three million is that there was only one bidder.

Um, what would it take to go back to bidding and how long would it um defer this item?

We had discussed that as well.

Um, you know, and even the contractors that we had reached out to, even if we delayed it a year, so to speak, they would still not be interested in it with the coordination of East Kellogg.

Um the pavement is in poor condition.

We have received complaints about the pavement, so we still think it was better to move forward with the project, and even if we delayed it, we could receive the same cost of uh of the bid.

Is it typical uh for items like this?

Again, this is now a revised budget of 14 million.

What we approved back in November of 2025 was 8.97 million.

Is this typical now moving forward with our projects when it comes to streets?

We're gonna track it.

I think this might be a little bit of an anomaly.

We have another project, 135th Street bidding here in a couple weeks that we'll track that.

You know, we had recently bid 17th Street as well as West Douglas, and those came in near the engineers estimate.

So I think this one truly is the coordination efforts with the East Kellogg project.

We had heard from we even have changed the detour route as far as you know working with K Dot.

They as they work on the East Kellogg project.

They had a detour route going to the south as they uh have to close Kellogg for a period of time to as we work on the bridges and we revised that to go to the north.

I think that's a better route, but um, there was a lot of coordination, and I think that's what had kind of um had concerns with this bid with other contractors.

And lastly, uh, this item will be paid for by local sales tax.

Um, this is the one percent Cedric County tax.

Is that accurate?

Yes.

So um again, the reason why I pulled this and the reason why I will not be voting in favor of this is because there's only one bidder, and the cost is now three million dollars over budget.

Um so I appreciate uh the information, but I would encourage more people to know that these are the challenges we're facing when there's only one bidder, um, and there's there's choice of whether or not to bid on a project by contractors, um, but I don't like seeing just one bidder.

And Josh can add some more to it, but I think there's you know, this goes out to 12,000 contacts, which you know vendors have multiple contacts, so there is a uh large outreach to that.

So I think I'll be on some more.

Sorry, Josh.

Oh, thank you.

Mayor, thank you for the questions and counsel Josh Lauber, first city manager.

Um so for your knowledge and process, what the purchasing staff does is we work with our departments to say who do you want to be notified of this project.

We have a roster of what's called commodity codes that allows us to identify who can do these types of services.

Specifically, we notified through commodities 91350, construction street, major and residential, including reconstruction, and 91360 construction water system plants, main and service lines.

Uh 12,878 uh contacts were notified.

Um, I would be more than happy to reach out to large vendors.

Um part of in what I was gonna speak to in board of bids is this bid actually represents two large firms because of the sheer labor constrictions and difficulties we're having.

Wildcat Construction Company Incorporated is actually subcontracted with Dodlinger.

So those are the two largest corporations that does these types of services in the South Central Region.

Um, if there are other larger vendors that do this services, I want to hear from them.

I want to reach out to them.

I want to get plugged into the system.

Um the challenge is from conversations with our city engineers.

We the city, the city's doing very, very large projects, and we're competing with KDOT, we're competing with the state, we're competing with feds.

So those are the challenges that we're facing.

Um, the only other thing I would say, and I'll let um our city engineer speak to it.

The only thing I could think of is breaking the project apart, possibly, but I understand that was not feasible or something that we could easily do.

Thank you.

I wanted to add we have um reached out to some of our contractors to let them know of forthcoming projects that uh we will have bidding, you know, later this year, so they can kind of look at that and look at the schedule as well.

So we are trying to be proactive and get word out of what projects will be working.

Council members, I see no further questions.

Uh thank you, Josh.

Thank you, Paul.

We will now open it up for public comment regarding this item.

I see none.

I'll bring it back again.

I will not be voting in favor of this because it is 3.92 million dollars over budget.

Um, and so I will not be moving this item.

I will be happy to um thank you to Paul and Gary.

I had lots of questions for you regarding this.

This is a unique project.

This is a big project.

Um, timing with East Kellogg is challenging.

As um our city engineer Paul Gunsman mentioned there are so many infrastructure projects happening in our community right now.

I'm I'm not concerned that there was only one vendor that um put in a bid because of the nature of this project and it being unique.

So, with that, I will move to approve the revised budgets, overestimate bid, adopt the amending resolution, and authorize the necessary signatures.

Second motion second, any discussion?

I see none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, same sign, aye, nay, same thing, two against five in favor.

Two against five in favor.

Motion passes.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Board of bids and contracts dated March 23rd, 2026.

Morning, Mayor, City Council, Josh Lauber, Department of Finance.

The Board of Bids and Contracts convened yesterday, March 23rd, 2026 for the following items.

We have the 143rd Street East Harry Street to Kellogg for Wildcat Construction Company Incorporated for 11,611, 198.50, subject to your approval of a new engineer's estimate and budget authorization today.

Doing business as Kansas Turf Works for an estimated annual usage of 48,480 per year.

We have Pebble Quick Line Rebid for U.S.

Line Company St.

Clair for an estimated annual usage of $3,619,329.

We have the DC batteries for valve actuators for Hess and Chini Pump stations for Alpine Power Systems for $59,625.

We have the courtroom A through D furniture delivery installation and trash removal for Galaxy Business Equipment Incorporated in the amount of $60,996.

We have the Adobe Creative Cloud Renewal for SHI International Corporation for $64,824.

We have the firewall support renewal for Optive Security Incorporated for 108,729.

We have the upgrade to manage relay interactive voice response change order for Selectron Technologies Incorporated for an estimated five-year total of $555,599.15 cents.

And we'll be bringing that back out to you as we're actively rebidding it.

And this is our list of 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.

Again, uh item number three was the item that passed five to two.

So I will be voting not in favor of this to stay consistent with my vote.

Um so someone else can do that.

Mayor, if I may, um would you possibly be interested in in making a vote for all items with exception to this and then bringing it back to this item?

Sure.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

I will move to approve the board of bids without item number on the screen number three.

Second motion second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye aye.

All those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes 7-0.

Now this item.

Would someone like to move this item?

Sure.

I'll be happy to.

Um I would I've never done a board of bids.

I would uh move that we receive and file the report and contracts and authorize the necessary signatures for the item of 143rd Street East Harry Street to Kellogg.

Second.

Motion second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed same sigh.

Nay.

Motion passes five to two.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Petitions for public improvements.

Sorry, good.

All councilman public works and utilities for the record.

I have one location for your consideration this morning.

The signatures on the petitions represent 100% of the improvement districts and the ballot and the petitions are valid per Kansas statute.

Cornejo East, second edition, located in district two.

Project will provide water, sanitary sewer and paving improvements required for a new commercial development and to cover the cost of a private bid.

It is recommended that the city council approve the new petitions and new budgets, adopt the new resolutions and authorize the newspaper signatures, and I will stand for questions.

Thank you, Paul.

Questions for staff.

I see none.

I move to approve the petitions for public improvements.

Second.

Motion, second discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposing sign.

Motion passes 70.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Council member agenda approved that pursuant to section 3 2.04.090.

Mayor Lily Woos travel to attend the League of Kansas Municipalities board meeting on March 27th, 2026 in Manhattan, Kansas, for the purpose of representing the city.

Consistent with AR 3.1 be approved.

She will utilize the city vehicle, and there will not be no other expense to the city.

Motion to approve the travel.

Second.

Motion second discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed same sign.

Motion passes 7-0.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Approved to exceed the gift limit established by the ethics ordinance for Mayor Lilly to accept travel and expense.

To attend the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

Mayoral Capstone convening is hosted by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative for the purpose of completing the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiatives flagship program, which focuses on making progress on personal leadership.

Progress on a key priority challenge and strengthening organizational capabilities.

The estimated gift amount for travel hotel and meal is 16,350.

Motion to approve the travel.

Second.

Motion second discussion.

I will just add a quick um portion to this.

I want to say thank you to the City of Wichita team, including uh city manager, assistant city managers, and department leaders who have been part of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

Um, our key priority was downtown perception of safety.

Um we will have a report after I attend Harvard University.

Um, and I am happy to uh share that Chief Sullivan was uh one of the cohorts along with our communications director, Jim Jonas, and so uh I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be selected amongst one of the group of mayors from around the world and looking forward to convening with these mayors uh at Harvard next month.

Motion second, um all those in favor say aye.

Aye, all those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes seven zero.

Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

Council member appointments, council member appointments and comments.

Council members, we'll start with appointments.

Mayor, I'll go first because we're gonna have probably a lot of appointments up here from a lot of people.

So uh first off, I will go to let's start on uh I'll appoint Miranda Pinner to the Affordable Housing Review Board, Nancy Bradley to the Animal Control Advisory Board, Kelly Wentz to Bike Head, Nina Lawson to the Parks Board, Dallas Grimes to the Food and Farm Council, Dallas Grimes to CSBG, Susan Decker to CSBG, Alan Oliver to CSBG, Tabitha Lehman to the uh Diversity Inclusion Board, Janice Baum Dixon of the Historic Preservation Board, uh Nate Schweedall to the Police and Fire Retirement Board, Nick O'Heisel to the Transit Advisory Board, Matt Lashley to the Citizen Review Board, and Tony Zimbleman to the uh zoning appeals and also MAPC Councilmember Holyis.

Uh quick question for the city manager.

Um, are we making appointments to DyeCrab or the land bank?

No, not today.

Thank you.

All right, well, I got uh I got a nice list.

I think I want outdoor councilmember Blaskers or Vice Mayor.

I did half mine last time.

Okay, well, Chris, I appreciate that.

Um Schneider's to Affordable Housing Review Board, George Leo Harris to Animal Services, Garrett Foster to BIPED, Philip Simon to Parks Board, um, Block uh Grant Review Committee, John Buck, Cindy Miles and Janet Johnson, District Advisory Board, Jerry McRoo, Vanessa Christofferson, Rick Lindsay, Tim McCorrey, uh John Buck, Daniel Bateman, Ariel Kirk, Geneva Chambers, Noemi Ibarra, and Jerry McGrew, Deb Stevens to Historic Preservation, Kurt Oswald and Lauren Hirsch to Library, Cindy Miles to the Block Grant Review Board, uh Mike Hasing's to police and fire retirement, Diana Edmondston to transit, Ted McQuarrie to CRB, uh Robert Decker to retirement, employees retirement, Ibrahim Abdullah to sustainability, and Jared Holcomb to Access Advisory.

Any other council members?

Yes, member Tuttle.

I'll go next for District 2 to reappoint to the Affordable Housing Review Board, Braden McCurdy, to appoint to the Animal Service Advisory Board, Stephanie McCurdy, reappoint to the bicycle pedestrian advisory board, Monty Shaw, for the District Advisory Board, the reappointments will be Chris Broderick, Stephanie McCurdy, Tracy Adams, Aaron Miller, John Baker, Timothy Johnson, James Groff, Michaela Burrell, Faith Martin, Bruce Gass, to appoint to the District Advisory Board, Judah Craig, to reappoint to the Food and Farm Council, Amy Drought, to reappoint to the Historic Preservation Board, Barbara Myers, to appoint to the Library Board, Tony Porter, to reappoint to the Library Board, Chuck Schmidt, to reappoint to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and the Wichita Cedric County Board of Zoning and Appeals, John McKay, to reappoint to the Transit Transit Advisory Board, Chris Stanier, to reappoint to the Wichita Airport Advisory Board, Alicia Sanchez, to reappoint to the Wichita Citizen Review Board, Brandy Willett, and to reappoint to the Wichita Employees Retirement System Board of Directors, Sean Seamster.

Councilmember.

Thank you, Mayor for District One.

I would like to appoint Kate Webb to the Park Board.

Like to reappoint to the library board to Donna Neal and would like to reappoint to the District One Advisory Board the following individuals.

Rachel Massillo, Twila Purdy, Elle Boatman, Chelsea Jackson, Natalie Merton, Nikayla Pack, Joseph Dozier, and Nancy.

Okay.

I have a long list, and I did send it via email to all of you, but there will be a couple of corrections.

So I'll start off with recognizing that one of my appointees is here in person.

I am going to appoint for the CSBG Northwest Income Board seat, Rosa Cisneros.

I will reappoint the following individuals for Board of Park Commissioners, Brandon Paul Seen, Food and Farm Council, Thomas Monteel, Police and Fire Retirement Board of Trustees, Joseph Bickel.

I will have an opening for the library board.

Um, I want to thank Sarah Balderas for her service these last two years.

I am taking applications for anyone who is interested in serving on the library board.

I will continue with these reappointments.

Cedra County Community Corrections Advisory Board, Christopher Haney, Sustainability Integration Board, Dylan Feeson, Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District Advisory Board, Chad Hanson, AJ Belleski, Deborah Frazier, Joe Johnson, Mark Schmesley, Joe Surmeyer, Don Sherman, and for the Wichita Cedric County Access Advisory Board, Courtney Wages.

Since we are not appointing uh to the land bank or the diversity board, I will abstain from that name that was shared to all.

I will have more appointments next week.

Councilmember Hoheisel.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh just uh Jerry McGrew to Food and Farm Councils, but I didn't have it on my sheet, but I heard your appointment, so thank you.

We have all appointments uh for districts.

I move to approve the board of appointment uh the appointments for district four, district three, district two, district one, and the mayor's appointments.

Um motion second.

Second.

Any further discussion?

I see none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, same sign.

Motion process 7-0.

Mayor, I will point out that I made all mine last week.

Which one done?

Yeah.

Thank you.

All right, council member comments.

Mayor, if I may.

I just want to uh first of all thank um the Wichita firefighters.

I know there was a situation where two children were involved in fire, and our firefighters were able to go in and resuscitate those two children.

I think oftentimes we we hear a lot of the things that may not be working well in the city.

I think it's important to uplift the great things that are happening and the remarkable people who are doing great things in our city too.

So I wanted to give them a shout out today.

Um I know they do great things every day along with several other public safety entities within our city, but that one made the news and wanted to share that.

Also wanted to share that up in conversation with the city manager.

There's no action to be taken at this time.

Uh, but as it relates to zip code 67203, 67213, 67202, 67211, 67218, 214, 208, and 216, which makes up council member Tuttle's area, Councilmember Hoheisel's area, Vice Mayor Glasscock's area, as well as Councilmember Ballard's area and uh district one as well.

Those are the poor zip codes in our city, and so I've been speaking with the city manager about what does it look like to truly look at the social determinants of health as it relates to all of these areas and bring together a task force to look at how we can improve education access, quality, health care, neighborhood, environment, social and community context, as well as economic mobility.

And so that will be up for discussion at a later time, but I did want to share that with both my colleagues and the public.

Thank you.

I appreciate the council member shepherd's thoughts there.

Um both accounts, the two children.

The last I heard were doing well, so that's always a positive sign.

Um, also, we do have our speaker who uh was a little late for the um public agenda.

I don't know if you guys will be okay with waiving the rules and allowing him uh his time to speak today.

I would be in favor of that with a motion to return to public comment.

Yes, can we finish out council member comments first and then we'll go to another item?

Any other comments, council members?

Um, I just have one.

I wanted to thank uh the council members who attended the National League of Cities last week, uh, Councilmember Johnson and I uh were not able to attend last week, uh, but I know that you all represented the city of Wichita well.

Um I also heard that you guys advocated for the federal agenda uh and the federal priorities for the city of Wichita, so thank you for doing that.

In addition, um I looked uh and saw that the National League of Cities will have a is encouraging leaders to have a resolution to lead with civility, dignity, and respect.

And I will be talking with fellow council members and bringing this back up as a council member agenda item.

I would like to see a resolution that talks about civility, dignity, and respect that the city of Wichita can adopt.

And I know Councilmember Tuttle has been in talks as well with staff, but I would like to see us as a city uh make a statement regarding uh that statement by the National League of City.

So uh with that, I ask that um staff work with us uh regarding a resolution.

I'd just like to add on to that I've had communication with a city manager last week when we were at the League of the Conference, and then also yesterday, and thank you to Councilmember Shepard.

It's something that we would like to champion.

It was um a really interesting session.

There's already a great templates from other communities who have done that, and they really focus on not only civility among council members, but encouraging civility from the community when talking to council members, but then also civility of council and to staff.

And so I think it's just a great opportunity for us to make a statement.

I look forward to working with you.

I see no further comments with that.

I move that we reopen public agenda to allow our speaker to have his five minutes.

Second motion second discussion, none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes, 70.

Mr.

Andrew Crane.

Uh, you have your five minutes to talk about sidewalks and accessibility.

Well, good morning.

Um I uh wanted to uh talk to you guys.

Um I know that you guys are gonna be talking about uh sidewalks and uh making him more uh accessible um to the disability and blind community.

Umce again um I I just uh encourage you guys to be thinking about the downtown area, be thinking about the disability community, and folks in wheelchairs, and folks that have uh walkers too.

Um, and uh I've been walking these uh sidewalks for a number of years um and tripped over them number number of times.

Um, and I want to see our sidewalks smooth as smooth can be.

Um, and and that and even our uh uh crosswalks too uh that need to be repainted and uh looking a lot better so uh folks and vehicles can stop at the correct uh stop and so folks can walk in the crosswalk comfortably and get across the street comfortably.

Um I almost got hit by a car uh walking in the crosswalk, um, coming down at the St.

Paddy's Day parade, did not see me, and uh and that so that's that's another thing that needs to bring up to your guys' attention.

Um and that needs to be addressed and needs to be worked out.

Um I am speaking on behalf of the disability community and the blonde community and in Wichita, and we are tired of seeing sidewalks beat up, and we are tired of seeing uh different things that need to be upgraded now.

Thank you very much.

And any questions that I can answer.

Thank you very much, Andrew.

You're welcome.

With that, we close public agenda again.

Um we already have had our comments from the council, however, we cannot adjourn this meeting because we will have two executive sessions.

So at this moment, um I will pass this on to City Manager Marcel.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

We have uh workshop items before we get to the executive session.

Um so we did have five items we want to highlight today on the screen.

Um our first one gonna have a presentation for the water works update, which is the new water treatment plant.

Um we've committed to open transparency on the status of that with monthly updates of each uh workshop going forward, and so we have director Jansen to speak with us and share some of the updates with our contractor.

Thank you, Mr.

Manager.

Uh Gary Jansen Public Works needs to read this.

We're planning to be here each month to run so I want to reopen appointments real fast because I left off with you, so my apologies.

That's why it was short.

Uh library board, Karen Shorter, Lugine Schneider, sustainability board, James Williams, employer time reward, Cindy Bell, and access advisory board gender.

Thank you for one of those.

Motion second discussion, none.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposing sign.

Motion passes seven zero with those appointments.

They will equal 45 minutes.

Oh sorry, there's an error on that first one, 15 minutes.

Or 45 minutes, rather.

Sorry, is that one 30 minutes?

That one's 30.

Okay, I will reread that.

I move that the city council recess into executive session for 30 minutes to receive information on the city's obligation under a memorandum of understanding pursuant to say 75-43192 for legal consultation with the city attorney, which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.

For legal advice, the executive session is required to protect attorney client privilege and the public interest.

Okay, we'll vote on just this motion.

The executive session will begin at 155.

So everyone has some time.

Second.

Motion second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposing sign.

Motion passes.

7-0.

From executive session, no legal binding action was taken.

We will now proceed with the last two of the five uh council workshop items.

Thank you, Mayor.

We'll ask Jim Jonas come forward on our Polco community survey results and we have a video for you, but uh Jim will tee it up.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Uh here to present on the 2025 Polco uh citizen community survey, which I know most of y'all have already taken a flip through and looked at it, but uh we typically have a representative from Polco join us and be the end.