The Wichita City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers on Main Street, Wichita, Kansas. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by three proclamations, a public comment period, approval of consent agenda items 1 through 19, and discussion of items pulled for council consideration, including Wichita Police Department command vehicles, a proposed land lease involving Botanica, and the Housing Authority's September 2026 recovery plan status update.
The Council proclaimed the following weeks in 2026:
One member of the public spoke in opposition to the proposed Botanica land/conservancy lease, stating, "Say no to this land grab and limit the lease to five years." The speaker also expressed concern about the $20 million project and how much private funding would come from inside versus outside Wichita. No other members of the public signed up to speak.
The Council considered consent agenda items 1 through 19, including the Board of Bids and Contracts report dated September 14, 2026, CMB licenses, and Board of Park Commissioners meeting minutes from June 8 and July 13, 2026. Per the City Manager, an item regarding the Notice of Intent to Use Debt Financing was moved to September 22, 2026. A Bureau of Justice Assistance item was pulled by the City Manager on September 9, 2026. The Council also considered a public exigency approval under City Code.
Wichita Police Department Command Vehicles
WPD staff reported that the department conducted two requests for proposals for specialized command vehicles, evaluating vendors on warranty, price, and package. A council member asked whether a local vendor was used. Staff noted that the vendor would not begin designing the vehicle until a contract is in place. The vehicles support interoperable communication between two counties and with 911. Federal grants would each cover 50 percent of vehicle costs. Staff stated that the vehicle discussed remains in Wichita for city use while other regional assets serve the city's 19 regions. Staff acknowledged funding concerns but stated, "we overcome it all the time."
Botanica Land/Conservancy Lease
Staff discussed the proposed lease, noting that petitions representing 100 percent of the improvement districts were valid per Kansas statute. The proposed term was 10 years with a 5-year option, which staff characterized as typical for similar agreements. A representative supporting the nonprofit stated that the organization loses without the city's sales tax exemption, explaining that a $100 contribution to most capital campaigns would provide $100 in spending power, whereas the same contribution would provide only $92.50 in spending power without the exemption. A council member asked when the Council would receive an update on the related grant application; staff responded that grant award notifications would be announced May 1, 2027, and that staff would return to the Council after that date. The council member stated that the city should leverage its resources and collaborate with private dollars before making an investment decision.
Sedgwick County Maintenance Agreement
Staff discussed a maintenance agreement under which Sedgwick County controls the intervening mile between 135th and 119th Street. Litter and debris pickup and trash maintenance are performed regularly outside the mowing time frame, and the city assists with repairs when contractors are involved. A council member asked whether residents still use the city app to report issues; staff confirmed they do as part of the memorandum of understanding, with city staff providing additional support as needed. A council member raised questions about Section 11, the default provision of the contract, which allows the city to terminate the agreement with written notice to PTI and would terminate PTI's right to possession if defaults are not cured, but does not specify who would assume responsibility. Staff responded that the terms are typical for similar groups.
Housing Authority Recovery Plan Update
The Housing Authority board received and filed the September 2026 recovery plan status update, as required under the recovery plan. Staff detailed public notice and outreach, including posting materials to the city website, distribution to all Wichita Public Library branches, and publication of the notice in the official newspaper of Wichita (Wichita.gov) on August 27, 2026, with public comments accepted beginning August 28, 2026.
Other Items Discussed
Staff noted that interpretation services include languages such as Swahili and Kinyarwanda, which appear frequently in the courts, at $77 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Staff also noted that special assessment activity in the City of Wichita is currently very active. A council member recognized an individual who served as chair of the District One Advisory Board for quite some time.
Good morning, Witch Town. Good morning to all of you. Welcome to City Hall. We call this meeting to order. With us this morning is Pastor Hyun Yun Choi of United Methodist Church to provide our invocation. Following that invocation, we will have our Pledge of Allegiance, and we ask that you please stand for both. In our community and in our nation. We are grateful for your guidance, your care, and your unfailing love. We praise you for the many ways you continue to bless and lead us. This morning we gather as a people who care deeply for this city and the love the people of Wichita. We ask that you grant the members of City Council wisdom, compassion, patience, courage, and guidance as they serve our community. Help them to lead with the open heart and to embrace every person who calls Wichita home. There are times when our leaders face difficult decisions, complex issues, and challenges for which there may be no easy answers. In those moments, help them seek the example of Jesus, serving others with the humility, compassion, grace, and love. Help our council members see the pain, concerns, hopes, and needs of the people they serve. Give them the ability to listen with understanding, work together in unity, and pursue what is just and good for our entire community. Bless this meeting with the wisdom, respect, unity, and productive conversation. Guide each person here to serve our community faithfully and with the integrity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. I apply relations to the flag of the United States of America and Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Choi. Madam Clerk, please call the first item. Awards and proclamations. Today's proclamations are Wichita Assisted Living Week, National Diaper Need Awareness Week, and Direct Support Professionals Week. May I please ask Cedar Hearst of Wichita to come forward at this time. May I ask Cedar Hurst of Wichita to come forward at this time. May I ask Simply Hygiene to come forward at this time. The proclamation the proclamation reads, City of Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870, whereas Simply Hygiene, a trusted community-based organization that recognizes the importance of diapers in promoting children's health and supporting the economic stability of families, is proud to call Wichita home and works distributing diapers through various channels to meet community needs, including through diaper banks, which play a critical role in supporting families and addressing diaper need, improving infant health and well-being, and advancing both local and state economic growth. Whereas the people of Wichita recognize that diaper need, defined as a lack of sufficient clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy, is a public health issue that can adversely affect the well-being of children and their families, as evidenced by national surveys, and addressing diaper need can strengthen economic opportunity for families and communities and improve children's health, ensuring that all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential. Whereas a daily or weekly supply of diapers is generally required for babies and toddlers to participate in child care and quality early education programs that help children thrive and enable parents to work. And many parents experiencing diaper need report missing an average of five days of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers. Whereas without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk infections and health problems, which may require medical attention, resulting in unpleasant medical costs, and which may prevent parents from accessing child care needed to go to work or school, thereby destabilizing the family's economic prospects and well-being. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Wichita City Council does hereby proclaim September 14th to 20th, 2026 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Good morning, Mayor Wu, members of the City Council and guests. On behalf of Simply Hygiene, thank you for recognizing National Diaper Need Awareness Week and for shining a light on an issue that affects thousands of babies and families right here in Wichita and South Central Kansas. Diaper need is the inability to afford enough diapers to keep a baby clean, dry, and healthy. Unfortunately, diapers are not covered by Snap or WIC. For many families, after paying rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation, there simply isn't enough money left to purchase the diapers their baby needs. Today, nearly one in two families with young children in the United States struggles with diaper need. Here in Kansas, a recent study found that 69% of surveyed families experience diaper insecurity. Behind every one of those numbers is a baby who deserves to be clean and comfortable, and a parent doing everything they can to provide for their child. At Simply Hygiene, we believe no parent should have to worry about whether they'll have enough diapers to get through the week. Through partnerships with more than 250 schools and 120 nonprofits across South Central Kansas, we provide diapers directly to the families who need them the most. Last year, Simply Hygiene distributed more than 345,000 diapers, and this year we're on track to provide more than half a million diapers. Along with diapers, Simply Hygiene provides access to hygiene essentials to over 105,000 individuals in our community. This proclamation matters because awareness leads to action. Each of us has the opportunity to make a difference. You can donate diapers, you can host a diaper drive, volunteer, or make a financial gift.