Wichita City Council Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations recognizing Wichita Thunder Day (October 17, 2026), Family Promise Week (October 12–16, 2026), and Walktober (October 2026). A presentation from USD 259 Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld outlined a $615 million two‑question school bond proposal on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The consent agenda was approved with three items pulled for separate discussion. The Council set a December 1, 2026 public hearing for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district redevelopment plan for a business park and approved a letter of intent for Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) for the Kansas African American Museum. A Memorandum of Understanding for Claude Lambe Park due diligence was deferred to November 10, 2026. Other business included contracts for indigent defense services, sidewalk maintenance, bridge and intersection improvements, the Bleckley drainage project, lift station rehabilitation, and two zoning cases. The meeting concluded with an executive session on real estate acquisition.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Wichita Thunder Day: Proclaimed October 17, 2026. Team representatives spoke about the club’s 35‑year history. Councilmember Tuttle voted to correct the record, making the vote 7‑0.
• Family Promise Week: Proclaimed October 12–16, 2026, marking the organization’s 10th anniversary. CEO Dawn Epp highlighted the need for affordable housing. Councilmember Tuttle’s initial vote was corrected to aye.
• Walktober: Proclaimed October 2026. Holly Terrell, Executive Director of Bike Walk Wichita, encouraged walking and investment in pedestrian infrastructure.
• USD 259 School Bond Proposal: Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld presented the two‑question bond (Question 1: $407 million, mill neutral; Question 2: $207 million, ~2‑mill increase). Enrollment has declined from 47,500 (2022‑23) to 43,600 (2026‑27). The district has 83 buildings averaging 60 years old. The previous February 2025 bond failed by 319 votes (14% turnout). New elements include a fire science program at South High School and a law enforcement pathway at Northwest High School in collaboration with the Wichita Police Department. Councilmembers expressed support, citing economic development, workforce needs, and educational equity.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Walt Chappell: Opposed the school bond. Cited declining enrollment, low proficiency rates (Mueller Elementary: 8.3% math, 18.2% English), high per‑student spending ($22,600), and a $2 billion master plan. Urged focus on instruction rather than new buildings.
• Ben Seymore: Representing Improved Learning First, opposed the bond as premature and lacking transparency. Questioned the tax math (Question 1 extends existing 7.5‑mil levy; average homeowner would lose ~$172/year in scheduled tax relief). Noted licensed teachers fell by 212 while non‑classroom staff grew by 536, and no boundary maps or site impacts have been published.
• Charlie Harris (252 S. Bleckley): Opposed the Bleckley drainage project, arguing flooding is a minor inconvenience. Stated 23 of 80 properties have not accepted offers; the project would cut 89 mature trees; residents were not offered compensation for home devaluation.
• Dr. Karen Irene Countryman Roseworm (137 S. Bleckley): Opposed the project, raising physical safety (20‑foot excavation pits, temporary roads), health concerns (dust, concrete particulates), home devaluation, and inability to access homes. Asked the Council to pause and explore alternatives such as micro‑tunneling or pipe jacking.
• Brian Fry (1444 N. Batten): Spoke against the proposed MOU for Claude Lambe Park, stating the park has received virtually no investment since 1993 and that removing green space would harm the neighborhood. He distinguished the park issue from the school closure at Lowert Elementary.

Consent Calendar

Items 1–18 were approved as a block with three pulled for separate consideration:

• Item 6 (Proclamation Vote): Councilmember Tuttle’s vote for Family Promise Week was corrected to aye, making the proclamation 7‑0. Approved.
• Item 11 (Acquisition by Eminent Domain for Bleckley Drainage): Jerry Ford (Real Estate Administrator) explained that negotiations continue with 23 outstanding tracts. Staff confirmed no property will be acquired without compensation; design changes have been made to save some trees. Councilmember Shepard added that the project budget will not exceed $36 million. Approved 7‑0.
• Item 12 (Bid for Stormwater Sewer No. 837): The correct low bid is $244,725 (agenda had $244,735). Acknowledged and accepted.

New Council Business

• Board of Bids and Contracts: Approved contracts for storm sewer repairs, bare root trees, street light maintenance, golf course irrigation, LED software, and airport tasers/de‑icer.
• Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved petitions for water, drainage, sewer, and paving improvements for Greenwich Heights and 47th Street Addition, with 100% property‑owner signatures.
• Request to Set TIF Public Hearing (Wichita Kellogg, LLC): Corey (city staff) presented a TIF for the former Town West Mall redevelopment into a business park. Private capital expenditure of $50 million; TIF cost cap of $13 million (acquisition, landscaping, parking, sidewalks, lighting, signage). The district plan requires completion within 4 years and 50% occupancy within 5 years. Public hearing set for December 1, 2026. Approved 7‑0.
• Industrial Revenue Bonds for Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM): Shane Carter (Executive Director) described the new facility at 201 N Main (22,000 sq ft, target June 2028). The IRB request of $4.8 million would provide an estimated $360,000 in sales tax savings. The museum projects 45,000 annual visitors and already has a $6 million in commitments (incl. a State of Kansas Sprint grant). Approved 7‑0.
• Memorandum of Understanding for Claude Lambe Park Due Diligence: Councilmember Shepard moved to defer consideration to November 10, 2026 at 6 PM, citing a need for more neighborhood input. After public comment, the deferral passed 7‑0.
• Indigent Defense Services Contract: Nathan Emory (Court Administrator) reported 9,200 cases per year require appointed counsel. The new contract with Hartenstein Poor & Foster, LLC is $634,000 (57% increase, but adjusting for inflation the increase is smaller). Funded from the departmental budget with a $56,469 budget adjustment. Approved 7‑0.
• 2027 Sidewalk Maintenance Program: Paul Gunzelman (Public Works) requested $1.2 million in general obligation bond funding. The city shares costs for sidewalks wider than 6 feet. Approved 7‑0.
• Vendor Selections for Mosley Bridge & Kellogg/Seneca Intersection: MKEC selected for Mosley Bridge design ($3 million budget); a vendor for Kellogg/Seneca improvements was also selected for concept design. Approved 7‑0.
• Bleckley Drainage Improvements – SDA No. 4: Paul Gunzelman presented updated plans: the revised budget is $36 million ($13.8 million previously approved, $22.2 million additional). The SDA adds $319,200 for design. Staff noted temporary asphalt roads will be 5 inches thick, fire apparatus response has been coordinated, and tree removal will be done block‑by‑block. Approved 7‑0.
• Lift Station Rehabilitation: A contract of $290,700 for Group A rehab work was approved 7‑0.

Planning Agenda

• ZON2026‑00035 (2404 S. George Washington Blvd.): Zone change from LC to GC with a CUP to allow additional commercial uses. A protest was received (32% of the protest area). Councilmember Hoheisel offered a substitute motion with custom conditions (e.g., hours of operation 7 am–9 pm, solid screening, paving of drives, outdoor storage limits). Motion required six of seven votes due to protest; approved 7‑0.
• ZON2026‑00037 (4142 W 2nd St N): Zone change from SF‑5 to LC to permit RV parking for a repair business. The MAPC recommended a protective overlay (north 118 feet). No protests; simple majority needed. Approved 7‑0.

Council Member Agenda & Comments

• Travel Approval: Councilmembers Tuttle and Ballard authorized to attend the Greenwood Rising Tour in Tulsa, OK, on October 30, 2026, travelling with the Wichita Police Department at no city expense. Approved 7‑0.
• Board Appointment: Jennifer Mackey appointed to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board. Approved 7‑0.
• Chapin Park Encampment Update: City Manager Marstall reported that 90 individuals were engaged by outreach teams; as of that morning, two remained. A contractor will begin a $110,000 cleanup (part of a $300,000 annual encampment contract), with cost‑sharing from the state DOT. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the policy allowing the cleanup without a Council vote, the lack of shelter utilization, the impact on staff, and the need for better communication and resources. Vice Mayor Glasscock noted the encampment was on KDOT property, limiting city control. The meeting then recessed into executive session for 10 minutes regarding real estate acquisition.

Executive Session

The Council entered executive session at 1:15 PM for 10 minutes, concluding at 1:25 PM, to discuss potential acquisition of real property.