Wichita City Council Meeting August 11, 2026

The Wichita City Council convened on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public testimony, consent agenda items, and new council business. Key topics included criminalizing camping, cooling center access, lease termination for the boathouse, a SAMHSA grant for street-based behavioral health, restructuring the Access Advisory Board, and a school safety grant application. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the August 4, 2026 meeting were approved 7-0.
• Proclamations were issued: August 14, 2026 as Tillie's Flower Shop Day (150th anniversary) and August 7–9, 2026 as Just a Kid From Wichita Weekend.
• An award was presented to Susayn Brandes as the 2026 Junior Achievement of Kansas Business Hall of Fame Honoree.
• Consent Agenda items 1–15 were approved 7-0, except items #4 (lease termination) and #9 (SAMHSA grant) were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tanya Webb (unhoused, District unspecified) spoke against proposed criminalization of camping. She described struggles with identification after encampment bulldozing, and urged the council not to create barriers for those seeking recovery and housing. She stated she is sober, works a program, and volunteers with Grassroots Bridge Builders. She argued that criminalization would lead to jail costs and hinder job/housing prospects.
• Darcy Smith (Park City, founder of Hope on the Street, Love and Action ICT) spoke about the lack of accessible transportation to cooling stations for elderly and disabled unhoused individuals. She offered to drive a van if provided, and reported serving 350 meals on Saturday and 175 on Sunday. She requested simpler bus access without vouchers.
• Zach Warehan (District 1, clinical counselor) spoke in support of the SAMHSA STREETS grant, citing a client success story with integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders. He affirmed the grant's potential to improve care speed and coordination.
• Faith Martin (District 2, Sunflower Privacy Alliance) opposed the school violence prevention grant, citing lack of transparency on data retention, sharing with DHS, and potential misuse. She noted the DOJ's racial disparities findings in USD 259.
• Lawanda DuShazer (District 1) urged a no vote on the school grant, citing concerns about surveillance expansion and disproportionate impact on black students. She requested oversight, sunset clauses, and community representation.
• Abby Boatman (District 1) questioned the timing of the school grant application (deadline August 11) and expressed frustration about lack of specifics. She argued against granting more surveillance funding.
• Angela Martinez (District 6) raised concerns about the school grant's lack of clear policies on data access, retention, and student privacy. She encouraged a no vote.
• Brock Booker (District 2) called for USD 259 to be at the table for the school grant discussion and questioned parameters upfront.
• Public comment on the Access Advisory Board: James Underwood (District 4) supported restructuring. Lisa Veda (District 2, board chair) opposed the ordinance, stating the board was not consulted. She noted that city council appointments had been inconsistent and that the board had been working on bylaws to reduce size. Tom Page (vice chair) echoed lack of collaboration and stressed the need for disabled representation. John Crane (District 5, board member) felt the process was a “backdoor” dissolution and noted he saw apparent new appointees on the city website. Andrew Crane (District 5) urged a no vote.

Discussion Items

• Lease Termination at 515 S. Wichita Street (Consent #4): Councilmember Ballard pulled the item. The city owns the land and building; the boat is private property of America Cubed Foundation. The lease has 82 years remaining at $1/year. City staff requested termination. The council expressed concerns about deferred maintenance, liability, and lack of a long-term plan. The item was deferred to September 8, 2026, 7-0, pending a comprehensive memo on history, current lease practices, and clawbacks.
• SAMHSA STREETS Grant (Consent #9): Councilmember Shepard pulled the item. The grant (four-year, up to $8 million) would fund street-based behavioral health and housing pathways for unsheltered individuals. Partners include Second Light, MHA, SAC, DECA, and Hunter Health. No local match required. The application had already been submitted but requires council approval for acceptance if awarded. The council discussed evaluation costs ($360K/year), sustainability after four years, and collaboration with Sedgwick County. Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance Reestablishing Access Advisory Board: Gary Jansen (Public Works) presented a proposal to reduce the board from 32 to 7 voting members, with 4 ex officio non-voting members (city/county ADA coordinators, traffic engineer, transit rep). The board would focus on accessibility review of city projects. Public speakers expressed dismay at lack of prior consultation, and councilmembers noted communication issues. The item was deferred to October 6, 2026, 7-0, with a requirement that the current board provide feedback by August 26 meeting.
• 2026 School Violence Prevention Program Grant: Captain Hutchins (WPD) requested authorization to apply for a $500,000 grant (36 months) with 25% local match ($41,666/year). The grant would fund emergency alert technology (panic buttons) in schools, not cameras. Council debates included concerns about racial disparities in school discipline, data sharing with DHS, and long-term costs. Councilmember Tuttle added an amendment requiring a cost-share partnership with USD 259 if awarded. The motion passed 4-3.

Key Outcomes

• Lease Termination (515 S. Wichita): Deferred to September 8, 2026 for further information.
• SAMHSA STREETS Grant Application: Approved 7-0.
• Access Advisory Board Restructuring: Deferred to October 6, 2026; board to provide feedback at August 26 meeting.
• School Violence Prevention Grant Application: Approved 4-3 with condition to seek cost-share with USD 259.
• Council Meeting Schedule: The November 17, 2026 regular meeting was canceled; November 10, 2026 will be an evening meeting (6 PM) instead.
• The council adjourned at 1:00 PM.