Wichita City Council Meeting – April 14, 2026: Proclamations, Parking Garage, Ethics, and Zoning Changes
Wichita City Council Meeting – April 14, 2026
The Wichita City Council met on April 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM UTC. The meeting included four proclamations, public comment on Flock safety cameras, approval of a parking garage purchase and lease agreement, updates to the city ethics ordinance, actuarial reports for retirement systems, funding for cultural institutions and affordable housing, changes to zoning notification procedures, and a supplemental agreement for behavioral health crisis response teams. All votes were 6-0 unless noted.
Proclamations
- Day of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust – Proclaimed April 14, 2026, as a day of remembrance. A representative from the Wichita Jewish community offered brief remarks.
- National Volunteer Week – Proclaimed April 19–25, 2026, as National Volunteer Week.
- Child Abuse Prevention Month – Proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Rachel Harper, Assistant Director of Prevent Child Abuse Kansas at Kansas Children's Service League, spoke about statewide efforts, including distribution of approximately 150 gun locks and a child care workforce event attended by 120 people from 60+ businesses.
- City of Wichita Drug Endangered Children's Awareness Day – Proclaimed April 29, 2026, as Drug Endangered Children's Awareness Day. Sarah Robinson from the Sedgwick County Alliance for Drug Endangered Children described the coalition's work, including providing Lamby dolls and books to help children cope with parental substance use, and a free community conference.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Zachary Knopp (2330 South Prescott Street) spoke against the Flock safety camera system, criticizing its cost ($500,000/year) and citing concerns about mass surveillance, technical vulnerabilities, and mistaken identity. He pledged to return monthly to raise further issues, including auditing and security flaws.
Consent Calendar
- Approved without discussion or polling of items.
Board of Bids and Contracts
- Approved (6-0) the following items from the April 13, 2026, Board of Bids and Contracts meeting:
- Pump station repairs to Atlas Electric LLC ($166,820)
- Cab and chassis dump truck to Truck Center Companies ($186,983)
- Canopy Media Streaming Subscription renewal ($55,000 estimated annual usage)
- Park point of sales system change order to Vermont Systems (four-year total $271,111.36)
Discussion Items
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Parking Garage Purchase and Lease Agreement (WBDLLC) – Jerry Ford (Manager's Office) presented the item, deferred from the previous week. The city would purchase a 300-stall parking garage for an estimated $9.6 million ($32,000 per stall) upon substantial completion of a mixed-use development at Maple and McLean. The purchase would be financed with general obligation bonds (20-year maturity). The city would lease 85% of stalls to WBDLLC at $60 per stall/month, increasing annually by CPI. Maintenance costs would be the city's responsibility. Excess TIF revenues (estimated $3.3 million) would be available to service debt. Councilmember Hoheisel noted that failure to develop would require general fund payments for ballpark debt, potentially affecting staffing. Councilmember Shepherd emphasized learning from past maintenance issues. Public comment raised concerns about missed deadlines, reduced retail space (from 65,000 to 10,000 sq ft), lack of a 30-year budget, and unclear responsibilities for the pool atop the garage. Approved (6-0).
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Update to Ethics Ordinance – Kathy Sexton (Ethics Officer) presented changes recommended by the Ethics Board, including:
- Replacing broad language about honor/integrity with specific conduct prohibitions (criminal acts, fraud, deceit).
- Expanding whistleblower protection to witnesses and evidence providers.
- Clarifying that volunteer board members may accept complimentary food/admission (same as council).
- Removing the term “moral turpitude” and replacing with specific language.
- Adding a preponderance of evidence standard for findings.
- Permanent retention of complaints, responses, and board reports as public records.
- Councilmember Hoheisel raised concerns about board member decorum and strengthening whistleblower protections. Councilmember Shepard asked about cultural competency in investigations. Approved (6-0).
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Police and Fire Retirement System Actuarial Reports – Mark Manning (Finance) and Jake Labowskis (actuary, Chiron) presented the December 31, 2025, valuations. Funded ratios: Employee plan 91% (up from 88%), Police/Fire 89% (up from 87%). Unfunded liabilities decreased by $21 million and $15 million respectively. Recommended 2027 employer contribution rates: 27% for Police/Fire (down from 28%) and 15.5% for Employees (down from 17%). Staff recommended transferring a small portion to the pension reserve fund to smooth rates. Approved (6-0).
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Legacy Cultural Institution Operating Partnership Agreements – Lindsay Benacka (Arts & Cultural Services) presented 8.59% allocation adjustments for five legacy institutions: Wichita Art Museum, Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum, etc. Economic impact data was provided. Councilmember Tuttle noted her role on the Arts Council but clarified no conflict. Approved (6-0).
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HOME Program Funding for Arc River Residences – Carmen Hoffein (Housing & Community Services) presented a $420,000 HOME loan to Commonwealth Development Corporation for a 42-unit affordable apartment project at 5136 South Broadway. The project will serve families, with 10% of units for special needs populations. Construction expected to begin within two weeks, completion June 2027. Approved (6-0).
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Amendment to Zoning Code – Public Notifications – Scott Weddle (Planning) presented a change to mailed notices: the city will now send notices to both property owners and tenants (where addresses differ) for zoning cases within city limits. The change applies only to city cases, not unincorporated county. The alternative motion (effective June 2, 2026) was adopted to allow time for applicants with existing lists. Cost to applicants increases by $5 per property; city postage costs will increase minimally. The Planning Commission recommended 8-0-1. Approved (6-0) as alternative motion.
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Supplemental Agreement with Sedgwick County for Behavioral Health Workers – Captain Jason Cooley (Wichita Police Department) presented renewal of the ICT1–5 program, which pairs behavioral health professionals with police officers and paramedics. Year-to-date 2026 statistics: 853 requests for service, 647 field responses, 479 patient contacts, ~60% treat-in-place rate. No new funding required. Approved (6-0).
Key Outcomes
- All votes passed 6-0 except where noted. No dissenting votes were recorded.
- Appointments: John Williams Bay to the MAPC board; Josh Stevenaller reappointed to the Citizens Review Board. Approved 6-0.
- Council Comments: Councilmember Hoheisel reported on a budget listening session; Councilmember Ballard highlighted ICT Trees’ tree giveaway; Councilmember Shepard addressed gun violence as a public health crisis and called for prevention investments; Vice Mayor Glasscock recognized the passing of Wes Gallion, former head of Wichita Area Builders Association.
- Executive Session: The council recessed into executive session from 11:50 AM to 12:10 PM for legal consultation on two civil lawsuits.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome and good morning. We'll call this meeting to order. And with us today is Pastor Amy Lipple from First United Methodist Church to provide our invocation. Following the invocation, we'll have a pledge of allegiance, and I invite you to stand for both. God, today we pray for the residents of Wichita, the vulnerable and the strong, the longtime neighbor and the newcomer, the well-known and the barely seen. Help us to remember them all while decisions are made in this room. We thank you, God for the city and the chance to make it home. We pray for it to be a place of peace and wholeness. And as we work for Wichita, God, may your favor be upon us and may you prosper the work of our hands. Amen. I pledge to me to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We will move on to proclamations. Madam Clerk, will you read what the proclamations are? Yes, today's proclamations are a day of remembrance in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, National Volunteer Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and City of Wichita Drug Endangered Children's Awareness Day. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We'll start with a day in remembrance of the memories of the victims of the Holocaust. Will anybody in attendance for that proclamation, please join me up front? Good morning. Good to see you. A proclamation of the city of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas the Holocaust was a state-sponsored systemic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945. Six million Jews and millions of other people perished under Nazi tyranny. And whereas the history of the Holocaust offers an opportunity to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments. And whereas we the people of the city of Wichita should always remember the terrible events of the Holocaust and remain vigilant against hatred and anti-Semitism, persecution, and tyranny, and should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of individual freedom in a just society. And whereas the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, pursuant to an act of Congress in 1980, designated the day of remembrance to remember the terrible events of the Holocaust, as well as to reflect upon our own humanity and the needs and respects for all people. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does here priority proclaim April 14th, 2026 as a day of remembrance in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. And would a representative like to provide a few remarks? Thank you on behalf of the entire Wichita Jewish community for acknowledging this day of remembrance in one of the darkest times in Jewish history. I have no more two minutes. Next, I would like to invite uh Councilmember Ballard to read the proclamation for National Volunteer Week. Is there anyone here to accept this proclamation? Okay, just share it with the crowd. This is the proclamation of the city of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870. Whereas the entire community can inspire, equip, and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. And whereas volunteers can connect with local community service opportunities through thousands or through hundreds of community service organizations like Volunteer Kansas. And whereas individuals and communities are at the center of social change, discovering their power to make a difference. And whereas during this week, all over the nation, service projects will be performed in volunteers recognized for their commitment to service. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim April 19th through the 25th, 2026 as National Volunteer Week. Next, I'd like to invite Councilmember Tuttle to read the proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month. And ask its supporters to come up front. Thank you. You're ready to see. Good morning. Thank you for allowing me to read the proclamation today. I brought my pinwheel because I read this proclamation on April 3rd at the WSU Child Development Center, and we did a pinwheel planting with all the little kiddos, and I know there's been pinwheel plantings across the city, and my husband and I have planted our pinwheels in our flower pots at home. This is something that's very personal to me. In the past, I've been a mandatory reporter for child abuse and neglect. And so it's my honor to be able to read the proclamate proclamation today of the city of Wichita founded in 1870, whereas the early experiences of child impact throughout their lives, both positively and negatively. Whereas prevention is possible with the right policies and investments, families and children can thrive and avoid contact with child welfare and other costly systems. And whereas every family and child is filled with tremendous promise and possibility, and we all have a collective responsibility to prevent adverse childhood experiences, foster the potential of every child, and promote positive childhood experiences.
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