Wichita City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on May 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM, adjourning at 10:56 AM. The meeting included four proclamations, public comments, approval of consent agenda items, discussion and votes on several zoning and contract items, and approval of travel expenses for council members to attend the National Civic League's All-American City Conference and the Farnborough International Air Show. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Proclamations

• Law Enforcement Memorial Day (May 15, 2026) – Recognized by Deputy Chief Danny East, Deputy Chief Paul Duff, and Deputy Chief Travis Easter of the Wichita Police Department. A ceremony will be held Friday morning at the Morial Central in Maine.
• Law Week 2026 (May 16–22) – Presented to the Wichita Bar Association and attorney Jennifer Magania, who also won the Howard C. Klein Distinguished Service Award.
• Aproxia Awareness Day (May 14, 2026) – Presented to Meg Graham and children affected by childhood apraxia of speech. A parent shared that the proclamation helped their child receive a diagnosis and speech therapy.
• Wichita Facility Management Day (May 12, 2026) – Presented to the Wichita chapter of IFMA and Rachel Camacho, recognizing facility managers for their role in keeping buildings safe and efficient.

Exceptional Young Leader Video

• A video highlighting Landon Huslik and his Wichita Life initiative was shown. Huslik was recognized for bringing people together and promoting local businesses and community engagement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monica Marks (244 South Erie, District 1) – Called for the firing of a Wichita police officer who caused a serious injury accident at First and Hillside on April 18, 2026. She alleged the officer was driving over 100 mph, violating department policy by not slowing below 15 mph at a red light, and was not wearing a seatbelt. She argued the officer’s response to an officer-assist call did not justify the recklessness.
• Andrew Creamer (3626 North Ridgeport Street, District 5; co-founder of Sunflower Privacy Alliance) – Discussed the Flock Safety ALPR camera program. He corrected a prior statement about grant expiration (extended through March 2027) and noted that ongoing costs are funded via internal reallocation without council vote. He raised concerns about lack of oversight: WPD does not scrutinize every search, audit logs were denied to the public, and Flock Safety removed officer names from records. He called for four specific actions: complete accounting of cameras and costs, council vote on budget reallocation, future expansion subject to public process, and regular structured reporting on system usage.
• George Theo Harris (president of three neighborhoods representing over 6,000 people) – Cited the Andrew Finch swatting case as an example where the city eventually settled after persistent calls. He suggested the city partner with Habitat for Humanity to buy a house for a citizen (Sybil) whose home was allegedly torn down by MABCD. He also defended the Flock camera system, arguing it helps catch murderers or abductors. He then described a personal road rage incident where a vehicle with lights off attempted to ram his car, and contrasted the quick arrest of a person who threatened the mayor with the lack of action on his own case.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of May 5, 2026, minutes – Approved 7-0.
• Consent agenda items 1–15 – Approved 7-0 after pulling item 3B.

Discussion Items

3B – Central Riverside Park Inclusive Playground Contract

• Councilmember Ballard pulled this item. Reggie from Parks and Rec explained the $700,000 project includes community engagement via presentations, online feedback, and neighborhood associations. The selected vendor is SWT Design Inc. Previous playground projects (OJ Watson Park $292,000, Ailey Park $161,000, Meadows Park $172,000) were noted. The motion to approve the contract and authorize signatures passed 7-0.

Board of Bids and Contracts (May 11, 2026)

• Presented by Josh Slover. Items included water distribution, liquid CO2 purchases, a record truck, cabling for multimodal transit facility, security system for rounds/porter building, utility billing print services change order, grounds maintenance change order, and audit services extension. Approved 7-0.

Petitions for Public Improvements

• Presented by Paul Gunzelman. Revised petitions and budgets for Cedar View Village Second Edition (District 2), an unnamed development (District 2, revised sewer budget), Oak Tree Edition (District 4, revised sewer budget), and Pure Point Acre Second Edition (District 6, revised paving budget). All represented 100% of improvement districts. Approved 7-0.

Public Hearing – Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds (Midwest Housing Initiatives)

• Corey Nisley (Development Services) presented. Midwest Housing Initiatives seeks a sales tax exemption for a 32-unit affordable housing project at 449 South Holland Street (two- and three-bedroom units). Financing includes 9% low-income housing tax credits. The city would issue ~$12.5 million in bonds with no taxpayer risk. Developer Sam Tavis (Excel Development) noted a partnership with Habitat for Humanity for six for-sale homes on the adjacent site. The project serves tenants at 30% to 150% of area median income. The increased assessed value from $780,000 to $3.6 million would bring ~$32,000 in additional property tax yearly. The motion to close the public hearing, adopt the resolution, and authorize signatures passed 7-0.

Online Catalog Solutions for City Departments

• Presented by Elizabeth Goldree (Finance). The city expands catalog purchasing to five vendors for small-dollar items (up to $5,000) with negotiated discounts and rebates. Implementation includes integration with the city’s financial system. Rebates go to the general fund, but department budgets remain intact so savings from discounts stay within departments. Council members discussed incentivizing local purchases and ensuring cost savings benefit departments. Approved 7-0.

Contract for Public Transportation System Advertising Management

• Presented by Penny Feist (Wichita Transit). A three-year contract with two one-year renewal options with HOUC Advertising. Minimum annual guarantee $100,000 plus revenue share. Includes bus wraps, interior/exterior panels, and a new Wi-Fi splash screen advertising. Bus shelter advertising may begin with a pilot of four shelters in commercial zones. Council discussed pricing (full wrap ~$9,000 for first year, tail panel ~$550 for a year) and restrictions (no politics or religion). Approved 7-0.

CUP 2026-6 Amendment – Dollar Tree Loading Area Screening (District 6, Vice Mayor Glasscock)

• Scott Waidell (Planning) presented. The applicant requested waiving the masonry screening requirement for the Dollar Tree loading area at 135th and Maple, citing access issues. The Planning Commission recommended approval (8-2-1); the District Advisory Board recommended denial (5-2). A protest (under 40% of area) required a supermajority (6 of 7). Councilmember Glasscock offered an amended motion: either maintain the existing CUP screening or, as an alternative, require a six-foot wood fence and a landscape buffer (1.5 times the landscaping code, i.e., one tree per 30 feet) on the west side of parcel four (adjacent to homes). The motion passed 7-0.

Zone 2026-9 – Rezone for Duplexes/Single-Family Homes at North Janet Avenue

• Applicant initially sought MF-18 for two duplexes but later clarified intent to build two single-family homes (one for himself, one for in-laws). Planning Commission recommended TF3 (one duplex); DAB recommended MF-18 with protective overlay for single-family homes and architectural standards. Councilmember Ballard moved to override the Planning Commission, adopt the DAB recommendation (MF-18 with protective overlay limiting to single-family homes, max height 35 ft, hip/gabled roof). Passed 7-0.

PUD 2026-3 – Rivington Planned Unit Development (District 2, Councilmember Tuttle)

• Rezone from SF5 to PUD on ~70 acres at 37th and 127th Street for a mix of single-family, duplexes, townhouses, accessory apartments, assisted living, pool, and clubhouse. Planning Commission and DAB recommended approval unanimously with no public comments. One protest (15% of area, under 20% threshold). Councilmember Tuttle noted the case should not have come to council due to low protest and requested a review of the trigger process. Approved 7-0.

Council Member Agenda – Travel Approvals

• Vice Mayor Glasscock and Councilmember Ballard – Travel to National Civic League All-American City Conference in Denver, June 25–28, 2026. Approved 7-0.
• Mayor Wu – Same conference, June 25–28, 2026. Approved 7-0.
• Councilmember Shepherd – Same conference, June 27–29, 2026. Approved 7-0.
• Councilmember Hoheisel – Same conference, June 26–29, 2026. Approved 7-0.
• Mayor Wu – Travel to Farnborough International Air Show in London, England, July 16–24, 2026, for economic development. Approved 7-0.
• Council member appointments and comments – Approved 7-0. Councilmembers congratulated Josh on graduation, thanked participants in district breakfasts, and announced upcoming town halls.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 7-0 in favor, including the supermajority required for the CUP amendment.
• Meeting adjourned at 10:56 AM.