Wichita City Council Meeting, April 7, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting covering a wide range of topics including proclamations, public comments, a controversial parking garage agreement, approval of a police robotic dog, and dissolution of the Wichita Land Bank. The meeting lasted from approximately 9:00 AM to 4:10 PM, including two executive sessions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the March 24, 2026 regular meeting (7-0).
• Approved consent agenda items 1 through 31, except item 3A which was pulled for discussion (7-0).

Awards and Proclamations

• Proclaimed April 2026 as Donate Life Month, with representatives from Midwest Transplant Network speaking.
• Proclaimed April 2026 as Fraud Prevention Month, with AARP Kansas State Director Glenda Du Bois highlighting $196 billion in national fraud losses (2024) and $81.5 billion stolen from older adults.
• Proclaimed April 7, 2026 as Leadership and Health Care Summit Day, recognizing WSU Tech and the Kansas Leadership Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Harold Schlechtweg (351 N. Fern St., ICT Trees board) presented data on rising temperatures in Wichita, citing the 2022 NASA urban heat island study. He urged the city to protect and expand the tree canopy, noting that neighborhoods with mature trees can be up to 12°F cooler.
• Andrew Kramer (3626 N. Ridgeport St.) questioned the funding source for 191 Flock ALPR cameras after a $1.6 million DOJ grant expired on March 31, 2026. He requested a written accounting of the annual subscription costs (estimated $500,000) and a formal council vote. Councilmember Hoheisel asked that Kramer receive a response.
• George Theo Harris (neighborhood president of three neighborhoods) raised multiple concerns: lack of police response to a neighbor threatening him, an assault allegation during door-to-door canvassing, and lack of transparency at the animal shelter. He criticized the police chief and city legal.
• Celeste Reset (2239 N. Tea Time Court) objected to the new paid parking system at City Hall, arguing it discourages public participation. Councilmembers expressed support for revisiting the parking policy, with Vice Mayor Glascock noting a majority of council opposed charging for parking at City Hall.

Discussion Items

Parking Garage Agreement with WBD LLC (Item 3A)

• Councilmember Johnston pulled this item from the consent agenda. The city would purchase a 300-space parking garage at $32,000 per stall (not to exceed $9.6 million) upon substantial completion of the adjacent apartments and hotel. The developer (EPC) confirmed the garage would cost more than $32,000/stall, with the difference reimbursable via TIF. Councilmembers raised concerns about the wording (“equal to” vs. “up to”), the lack of a contingency on vertical construction by July 31, 2026, and incomplete green sheet dates. After public comment from Celeste and Vince Hancock, the council voted 7-0 to delay the item to April 14, 2026, for additional documentation and a public website timeline.

Police Robotic Dog (Spot)

• Captain Jason Cooley presented the need for two Boston Dynamics Spot robots (cost $629,647.56) to replace aging tracked robots. He cited 43 SWAT and 61 bomb squad activations in 2025, noting limitations of current robots (e.g., inability to climb stairs, open doors, or traverse clutter). Public comment included opposition (Reed Harder questioned spending priorities) and support (Nancy Bradley highlighted officer safety). Council debate centered on policy, cost, and community input. A substitute motion to purchase one robot (approx. $330,000) with a requirement for policy and data updates by July 7, 2026 passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Tuttle, Glascock, Ballard, and Hoheisel in favor; Johnston, Shepard, and one other opposed).

Short-Term Rental License Online Application

• The council approved an ordinance (first reading) to remove notarization requirements for short-term rental licenses, enabling online submission. Finance Director Mark Manning outlined the digital licensing roadmap, which includes tobacco, lodging, pools, and drinking establishments. Approved 7-0.

Lease Agreement for 329 N. Mead

• The city approved a 3-year triple net lease for a 2,910 sq. ft. retail unit in the Old Town cinema garage. Annual rent: $19/sq. ft. (up from $14.09). Parking remains at $7.50/stall/month, a rate unchanged since the 1990s. Councilmember Ballard questioned the lack of parking cost recovery. Approved 7-0.

Wichita Land Bank Annual Report and Dissolution

• Staff recommended dissolution due to lack of funding and minimal activity (only two properties sold in 2025, proceeds $13,375). Councilmember Hoheisel proposed a substitute motion to receive and file the report without dissolution, but the motion to dissolve passed 4-3 (majority in favor). The council directed staff to prepare a dissolution ordinance. No active properties remain.

Partnership Agreement with Wichita Collective Impact

• The council approved a non-binding partnership supporting kindergarten readiness and third-grade literacy. The YMCA serves as backbone organization; no financial obligation to the city. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Parking Garage (Item 3A): Delayed to April 14, 2026, by a 7-0 vote. Staff to provide corrected green sheet, timeline website, and address council concerns (e.g., “up to” language, vertical construction contingency).
• Robotic Dog: Approved purchase of one Spot robot (approx. $330,000) from Radico Inc., with bonding resolution. Council required a policy update (non-weaponization, recording) and data presentation by July 7, 2026. Vote: 4-3.
• Land Bank: Dissolution approved 4-3; ordinance to be prepared.
• Short-Term Rental License: First reading of ordinance passed 7-0; final adoption expected at next meeting.
• Lease (329 N. Mead): Approved 7-0.
• Collective Impact Partnership: Approved 7-0.
• Travel Approvals: All travel items (Mayor Woo to CLA Forum and Hunt Institute, Councilmembers to Greenwood Rising Tour) approved 7-0.
• Council Appointments: Approved 7-0.
• Executive Sessions: Two closed sessions held for employer-employee negotiations and legal consultation.