Wichita City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on July 7, 2026, to address a wide range of items including library funding, a community improvement district for a Douglas Avenue redevelopment, a water reuse pilot project, and the establishment of a sister city relationship with Chihuahua, Mexico. The council approved the majority of items, with one dissenting vote on the community improvement district.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of June 23, 2026 Meeting: Approved 7-0.
• Consent Agenda (Items 1-24): Approved 7-0.
• Board of Bids and Contracts (July 6, 2026): Approved 7-0. Included contracts for engineering (e.g., Southeast Booster Pump Station upgrade, $827,700; water distribution for Trinity Point, $236,761; storm/sanitary sewer improvements, $162,233), software and maintenance agreements (e.g., Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, $1,323,643; Smartsheet, $58,860; Laserfish, $130,608; Cisco Smart Net, $159,360), and a change order to extend the city safety program consulting contract through August 31, 2027.
• Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved 7-0. Revised petition for Oak Tree edition (District 4) with 100% property owner signatures; budget unchanged.
• Deferral of Purchase of Police Robotic Dog: Approved 7-0. Deferred to January 19, 2027, due to training delays from the vendor's FIFA 2026 commitments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lauren Hirsch (Wichita Public Library Board of Directors): Expressed strong support for increased library funding. She noted that library staffing has not increased in over 40 years and requested a $1.4 million investment to maintain current hours and avoid a 25% staffing deficit. She stated the ideal need is $4 million, but $1.4 million is needed immediately to prevent service reductions.
• Marcia Brown (Citizen, fireworks concerns): Requested changes to the fireworks ordinance, specifically limiting late-night hours to 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on most days (except July 3–5 when aerial fireworks could be used until midnight) and reducing the allowable dates from June 27–July 5 to July 1–5. She cited disruption to veterans, children, working parents, and animals.
• Celeste Rossette (Citizen, on CID item): Opposed the Community Improvement District (CID) for 3109–311 E Douglas, arguing that CIDs lack transparency and compliance monitoring. She stated the program is "broken" and should not be expanded until fixed, referencing a non-compliant SID at MOCAS. She also criticized the ballpark stadium SID debt structure, noting current revenues are insufficient for bond payments.
• Jane Burns (East Front Neighborhood Association): Did not oppose the CID but requested no drive-throughs, tree planting, improved crosswalks, and slower traffic on Douglas and Oakland streets. She expressed general support for neighborhood enhancement.
• Jan Manlove (Citizen): Expressed general opposition to tax abatements and special districts, saying they add to the tax burden.
• Mike Roush (Citizen, neighbor): Raised concerns about parking and traffic safety on Oakland Street, particularly with potential increased patronage.
• Kim Negrete (Chair, Wichita Area Sister Cities Mexico Committee): Expressed support for the sister city agreement with Chihuahua, highlighting cultural and educational exchange opportunities.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: Industrial Revenue Bonds for Child Advocacy Center (CAC): The CAC requested a letter of intent for up to $14 million in IRBs to fund a 23,000 sq. ft. expansion and 6,000 sq. ft. renovation at 1211 S Emporia. The estimated sales tax exemption is $385,000, with the city's share at $28,875. CEO Diane Shun reported $9 million raised toward a $14 million capital campaign, including a $1.88 million matching grant from the Mabe Foundation. The council closed the public hearing and adopted the resolution 7-0.
• Public Hearing: Community Improvement District (CID) for 3109–311 E Douglas: The applicant, Maple Ridge Boys, proposed a 1% CID sales tax (pay-as-you-go) for 22 years or until $233,250 cost cap, to support a $1.5 million renovation of the former Margarita's Cantina building. Staff confirmed the CID poses no risk to the city, is limited to the two properties, and includes a 10% public benefit set-aside. Concerns about drive-throughs were addressed by a prohibition in the development agreement. The council debated the tool's appropriateness, with Councilmember Johnston opposing, stating it is not the right use. The motion passed 6-1 (Johnston opposed).
• Contract for Wichita Intervention Program (WIP) Instructor: Nathan Emory (Municipal Court) presented a contract with The Carrying Center for DUI education program instruction. The program is user-funded (participant fee of $325) and has a recidivism rate of 2.42%. The contract continues existing service with no significant price increase. Approved 7-0.
• Cooperation Agreement: Sister City with Chihuahua, Mexico: Jennifer Magana (City Attorney) presented a five-year agreement with the city of Chihuahua, Mexico's 12th largest city (pop. 925,762), focusing on aerospace cooperation, cultural exchange, and talent mobility. Councilmember Glascott requested changing "shall" to "may" to reduce binding obligations. The mayor noted the agreement is the shortest term among Wichita's four existing sister city agreements. Approved 7-0 with the language amendment.
• Contract Amendment and Funding for Water Reuse Alternative Study: Gary Jansen (Public Works) presented a plan to move forward with a direct potable reuse pilot project, following state legislation (HB 2462) signed April 9, 2026, authorizing KDHE to develop reuse regulations by 2028. The pilot project, estimated at $7 million (plus $1.2 million previously approved, totaling $9.2 million), will validate advanced water purification technology at Plant Two. The council emphasized public education and noted that the initiative is critical for long-term water security and economic development. Approved 7-0.
• Authorization: District One Advisory Board as Grant Review Committee: Councilmember Shepherd proposed authorizing the District One Advisory Board to serve as the grant review committee for the Wichita Community Foundation's District One Improvement Fund, which uses private funds to support quality-of-life projects (sidewalks, home repairs, art). No city funds are used. Approved 6-0 (Councilmember absent).
• Contract with Transit Solutions LLC for Camera Systems: Penny Feist (Transit) presented a five-year contract for 400 bus and 180 van cameras, total $485,753 (80% federal, 20% local match of $97,151). Approved 6-0.
• Contract with Data Edge for Cybersecurity and Recovery: Mike Mater (IT) presented a contract to enhance data backup and recovery systems following the May 2024 ransomware attack, which took 28 days to fully recover. The new system aims for recovery in days. Approved 6-0.
• Travel Approvals: Councilmember Glascock's travel to Oklahoma City (August 27, 2026) and Mayor Wu's acceptance of the Rodel Fellowship Seminar gift (Denver, August 13–16, 2026, estimated value $2,954.90) were both approved 6-0.
• Council Appointments: Gentry Thiessen to MAPC; Dr. Gabriel Fonseca to District One Advisory Board; Brock Trofus to Building Code Standards and Appeals Board; Jane Alderson and Kent Ghost to Golf Board. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 7-0: Consent items, board of bids, public improvements, IRBs for CAC, WIP contract, sister city agreement, water reuse pilot, travel/gift.
• Approved 6-1: Community Improvement District for 3109–311 E Douglas (Councilmember Johnston opposed).
• Approved 6-0 (one absent): District One fund authorization, transit camera contract, Data Edge contract, council appointments.
• Deferred to January 19, 2027: Purchase of second police robotic dog.
• Direction: City staff to begin work on an affordable housing fund best-practices ordinance and to add the Wichita Sister Cities board to the city's boards and committees webpage.