Wichita City Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on April 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC (convened at 9:00 AM local time). The meeting opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the April 7, 2026 minutes (7-0). The council considered proclamations, public comments, consent agenda items, bids, petitions, a tourism district budget, a transit network redesign, a zoning change, and other routine business. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Proclamations & Awards

• Arbor Day (April 24, 2026): John Bacon, City Arborist, accepted the proclamation. He noted Wichita's 40th year as Tree City USA, a recent 100-tree giveaway, and plans to plant over 2,000 trees by next year.
• Arkansas River Cleanup Day (April 25, 2026): Libby Albers, Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams, accepted. The event attracts over 1,000 volunteers and removes an average of 2.7 tons of debris each year.
• National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 – May 2, 2026): Crosby Branham, Workforce Alliance, accepted, highlighting the growth of registered apprenticeships.
• Celebrate Trails Award: Prairie Travelers presented a plaque to the city for supporting the Prairie Sunset Trail. The trail has 90 average daily users, 3,500 volunteer hours annually, and 75+ miles of trails in Wichita.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Barlow (District 2): Opposed Flock cameras, calling them an “Orwellian surveillance system.” He argued that 99.4% of queries originate outside the city and that the system can classify people by race and gender. He also announced his campaign for Kansas House District 99. The city attorney noted that political campaigning during public agenda may require further legal review.
• Jack Gehrig (Parking Reform Steering Committee): Expressed frustration that the steering committee has not met since September 2025 and no updates have been posted. He urged the council to accelerate parking requirement reforms to encourage downtown development.
• Sybil Strum (326 North Monet): Complained about mistreatment by the city's central code enforcement and Mount Carmel, alleging trespassing without a warrant and retaliation.
• Donna Castillo Garcia (621 Laramie Circle): Described her nonprofit's work closing encampments (Pepsi, John Mack Bridge) and housing individuals. She warned against a rushed closure of the Chapin encampment, urging a careful, trauma-informed approach.
• Edward Barfield: Criticized the police department's use of $3.4 million in bonuses that led to 48 officers leaving, and called for a helicopter program to address crime across the city. He noted that 70 positions remain vacant.

Discussion Items

• Consent Agenda Items 4B & 16: Penny Feist (Wichita Transit) presented the Section 5310 sub-award agreements (4B) for elderly/disabled transportation and the Veterans Ride Free program (16). Veterans ridership grew from 57,500 in 2024 to 60,800 in 2025. The program is funded by United Way and VA ($10,000 each) and subsidized by the city. Council approved both items 7-0.
• Board of Bids and Contracts (April 20, 2026): Six items approved, including a $4.44 million engineering contract for 135th Street West and a 90-day extension for veterinary consulting services for Wichita Animal Services. Approved 7-0.
• Petitions for Public Improvements: Three petitions approved (Ballman 6th, Cadillac Lake 2nd, Hawthorne 4th) for water, sewer, and paving improvements. Approved 7-0.
• Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) 2027 Scope of Services: Susie Santo (Visit Wichita) reported that 2025 generated $300 million in economic impact. The proposed budget allocates hotel assessment revenue (2.75% nightly) to leisure marketing and group sales. New events include USA Judo, WBIT, USA Badminton, and the President's Cup soccer (three-year commitment). Major conventions booked: American Jail Association (2029) and SAMPE (2029). Approved 7-0.
• 21st Street North Intelligent Transportation System: $3.89 million project (federal and local sales tax) to install fiber optic cable and synchronize traffic signals from 119th Street West to downtown. Approved 7-0.
• NOMAR International Play Plaza Stage and Public Art: Initiation of $200,000 for design and $50,000 for public art. The project will build a permanent stage and lighting/audio infrastructure. Councilmember Ballard suggested functional art providing shade. Approved 7-0.
• Apex Site Soil Excavation Contracts: Two contracts totaling $268,282 (well under the $468,120 estimate) for removal of contaminated soils at 1234 North Wellington. Don Henry noted this will save $750,000–$1 million and 10 years of remediation time. Approved 7-0.
• Transit Network Redesign Plan: Penny Feist presented the redesign transitioning to a new hub (opening May 23, 2026), consolidating routes, and increasing frequency on high-ridership routes (21, 22, 16). Ridership was 1 million bus rides, 75,000 paratransit rides in 2025. Farebox recovery is 9% (national avg 13%). The Q-line circulator (40,000 annual rides) will remain fare-free for now. The plan is budget-neutral within existing resources. Council discussed partnerships with Wichita Public Schools (800 students), the work release center, and future microtransit pilots. Approved 7-0.
• Zone Change 2025-71 (McLean Boulevard): Request to rezone 0.3 acres from SF-5 to MF-18 for duplexes. The DAB initially recommended denial, but after a second meeting recommended approval with conditions. With 47% protest petitions, a supermajority (6 of 7) was required. Councilmember Ballard moved to approve with a protective overlay limiting the site to two duplexes (4 units) for senior housing. Passed 7-0.
• Public Housing Recovery Agreement Status Report: Monthly update from HUD recovery plan. 264 of 352 properties sold; one occupied unit remains (tenant purchasing home). Capital fund projects underway. Report received and filed 7-0.
• Initiation of Rezoning Process for Delano Neighborhood: Council voted to begin a study of rezoning a portion of Douglas Avenue (McLean to Glenn) to Central Business District to align with the 2019 Delano Neighborhood Plan. Since 2015, 30 rezonings have been approved. Approved 7-0.
• Appeal Panel Selection: Council appointed Councilmembers Ballard, Shepard, and Mayor Wu to hear a tobacco and CMB license suspension appeal. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (including 4B and 16) approved 7-0.
• Board of Bids and Contracts, Petitions for Public Improvements, TBID 2027 budget, 21st Street ITS, NOMAR stage initiation, Apex soil contracts, and Transit Network Redesign all approved 7-0.
• Zone change 2025-71 approved with protective overlay (7-0).
• Public housing report received and filed (7-0).
• Delano rezoning study initiated (7-0).
• Appeal panel appointed.
• Council member appointments approved (6-0 with one absent).

Meeting adjourned at 12:29 PM.