Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Wichita City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included opening ceremonies, proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approval, and discussion on several infrastructure, grant, and public art items. Key actions included approval of a federal street outreach grant for homeless youth, tabling of an emergency veterinary contract, and deferral of the Redbud Trail Phase 2 project for further budget clarification.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of August 25, 2026 (7-0).
• Administered oath of office to Fire Chief Michael Mire.
• Approved proclamations for Hunger Action Month and Library Card Sign-Up Month.
• Approved Consent Agenda items 1 through 16 en bloc (7-0), including: cereal malt beverage licenses, Orpheum Theater close-out statement, water service agreement with Rural Water District 5, property acquisitions for drainage and road improvements, Industrial Revenue Bond extension for The Timbers Preservation Project II, LLC, transient guest tax reports, collateral assignment for DSW Broadview, LLC, amendment to lot clean-up ordinance, two community events with alcohol consumption, airfield pavement markings financing notice, and second reading of four zoning ordinances.
• Approved Board of Bids and Contracts report dated August 31, 2026 (7-0), including contracts for water/sewer improvements, SCADA maintenance, thermal imagers, mowers, ice control materials, and airport marking improvements.
• Received and filed the applicant appeal of HPC2026-00210 after the applicant withdrew following staff-approved design updates (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beverly Clegg (District 6): Expressed concern over a reported $300,000 cut to city employee benefits while funding a $12 million bike bridge, urging the council to vote no and show fairness to employees, seniors, and taxpayers.
• Miss Jackson (District 1): Criticized the project cost escalation from $3 million to $12 million for the bike bridge, citing inflated usage statistics, and argued that funds could be used for property tax relief, tree trimming, buses, or pickleball courts. She alleged organized counting to inflate pedestrian numbers.
• Sybil Strum (District 6): Claimed the city entered and demolished her home without permission, took photos, and violated a trespassing sign. She demanded accountability and compensation for emotional and physical harm.
• Tanya Webb (District 6): Discussed barriers to homeless services, emphasizing the need for more case managers at shelters and housing navigation. She noted long wait times and insufficient support for individuals transitioning to housing, including lack of resources to move belongings.
• Darcy Smith (Park City, KS): Requested bus passes for people experiencing homelessness to access employment and services. She described her outreach work and suggested using an 80-acre parcel for a tiny home community to address homelessness.
• Sarah Cowling (public comment on ACF grant): Supported the street outreach grant and advocated for peer-to-peer outreach and youth empowerment to prevent homelessness.
• Sybil Strum (public comment on ITS project): Questioned the selection process for ITS contracts and expressed concern about reducing human contact through remote systems.

Discussion Items

• Board of Bids and Contracts (Aug. 31, 2026): Finance Director Josh Lauber presented six bids and contracts totaling over $1.3 million. Approved 7-0.
• HPC2026-00210 Applicant Appeal (Delano Overlay District): Planning staff reported that after council meeting, staff met with the applicant, approved updated designs with conditions, and the applicant withdrew the appeal. Council received and filed the information (7-0).
• Kansas Gas Service Upsizing Agreement for BNR: Gary Jansen (Public Works) detailed a $305,000 upsizing agreement for natural gas mains at Plant 2 to support nutrient removal improvements. The overall BNR project is on schedule for fall 2027 completion, with odor control improvements underway. Council approved 7-0.
• ACF Street Outreach Program Grant – Wichita Youth Street Outreach and Housing Navigation Project: Housing Director Steve presented a grant to create a two-person outreach team serving 120 youth per year, with crisis intervention, housing navigation, and stabilization. The grant requires a 10% city match ($22,222) already budgeted. Council approved submission and acceptance (7-0).
• ITS Improvements on 21st Street North: Public Works staff recommended BHC for fiber optic and signal upgrades. Project budget $3.8 million (federal and local sales tax). Approved 7-0.
• 2027 Water and Sewer Main Improvements: Staff presented a $15.28 million package for arterial mains, distribution replacements, dead-end eliminations, and future development lines. Projects funded by future revenue bonds or cash reserves. Council approved projects and resolutions (7-0).
• Redbud Trail Phase 2 (Woodlawn to K-96): Public Works Director Paul Gunzelman presented a revised budget showing total project cost of $14.6 million, with $5.56 million in new federal funds from WAMPO. The bridge cost estimate is $3.5 million. Councilmembers questioned the budget increase from $12.1 million to $17.8 million. After discussion, council voted to defer the item to the September 8, 2026 meeting for further clarification (7-0).
• Bronze Bust of A. Price Woodard Jr.: Arts and Cultural Services presented a $40,000 design concept for a life-size bronze bust of the city's first African American mayor. The project is funded by sale of parkland. Council approved the 30% design concept (7-0).
• O.J. Watson Park Murals 30% Design Concept: Four mural designs for restroom buildings were presented by local artists, with a total public art budget of $150,000. Council approved the concepts (7-0).
• Contract for Emergency Veterinary Medical Services: Staff reported that the current contractor (Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital) reduced service hours, failing to meet the 24-hour requirement. Council tabled the item indefinitely to allow staff to explore options (7-0).
• Gift Limit Exceedance for Mayor Lily Wu: Council approved acceptance of travel expenses ($1,400) for Mayor Wu to attend the Procurement Innovation Exchange in Los Angeles, Sept. 15-16, 2026 (7-0).
• Executive Session: Council recessed at 12:00 PM for a 15-minute executive session on pending litigation (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7-0): Consent Agenda, Board of Bids and Contracts, HPC appeal (received and filed), KGS upsizing agreement, ACF Street Outreach grant, ITS contract, 2027 water/sewer main improvements, bronze bust design, OJ Watson Park murals design, gift limit for Mayor Wu.
• Deferred (7-0): Redbud Trail Phase 2 to September 8, 2026.
• Tabled (7-0): Emergency veterinary services contract (indefinitely).
• Statistics referenced: 15.8% of Kansans food insecure (1 in 4 children); 577 youth ages 18-22 in need of housing; 120 individuals per year to be served by new grant; $3.5 million bridge estimate for Redbud Trail; $5.56 million in additional federal funds for the trail; $305,000 for BNR gas upsizing; $40,000 for bronze bust; $150,000 for Watson Park murals.