Wichita City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Wichita City Council held a regular meeting on October 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the First Floor Boardroom at 455 N. Main Street. The meeting was called to order and adjourned at 9:16 AM. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the October 20, 2026 regular meeting (7-0).
• Approved Consent Agenda Items 1 through 11 (7-0), which included:
  • Licenses for retail cereal malt beverages and other licenses.
  • Preliminary estimates for sewer and water improvements for Blue Lake Addition, Phase 2, and paving improvements for Bridger at Central Addition, Phase 6.
  • Developer's Agreements for Kabbaz Addition and Greenwich Heights Addition.
  • Minutes of advisory boards/commissions: MAPC (Sept 24), Wichita Transit Advisory Board (July 15 and Aug 19), and Board of Appeals for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Warm Air Heating and Boilers (Sept 3).
  • Application for the 2027 Violence Against Women Act Grant.
  • Grant application for the Better Food Policy Fund 2026-2028 Grantmaking Program.
  • Second reading ordinances including Ordinance No. 53-124 authorizing taxable industrial revenue bonds for the Leadfoot Express Project.
  • Plat of Waterboy Addition (consent planning item).
  • Sale of 2312 East Random Road and 2229 East 53rd Street South (housing items).
  • 2027 Utility Allowance Schedule.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One speaker: Michelle Sutton (WSU Master's Program, District 4) briefly addressed the council regarding her master's studies. No other public speakers were present.

Discussion Items

• Board of Bids and Contracts (October 26, 2026): Josh Lauber presented contracts and purchases for approval. Key items included:
  • LAMPS LED traffic signal contract: Group 1 awarded to GAD Sales Company ($39,600 estimated annual usage), Group 2 to Mobotrex LLC ($9,900 estimated annual usage), with one-year terms and two one-year options.
  • Street sign hardware contract with MD Solutions Inc. ($23,000 estimated annual usage, one year with two one-year options).
  • Elevator maintenance contract with Coney Inc. (base bid $113,640 plus options, one year with four one-year options).
  • Investment consulting services for Wichita Police and Fire Retirement Board with Callan LLC ($674,151 for four years).
  • Investment consulting services for Wichita Employees Retirement Board with Callan LLC ($795,404 for four years).
  • Janitorial services change order for Crowder's Cleaning Service LLC, adding group 8 (Wichita Animal Shelter Kennel cleaning) for $180,096.
  • Bobcat ToolCat UW56 for White Star Machinery (Airport) for $89,753.
  • Discussion included questions about contract terms when only one bid is received, and an update on RFP #260244 for a consultant to design and implement a Family Justice Center. A councilmember emphasized the importance of engaging existing providers (e.g., Wichita Family Crisis Center, WASAC) in that process. Staff clarified procurement rules encouraging community engagement while prohibiting consultants from developing specifications.
• Petitions for Public Improvements: Paul Gunzelman presented petitions for Colter Ridge 2nd Addition in District 4, covering water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and paving improvements for a new residential subdivision. Petitions represented 100% of the improvement districts. A councilmember noted the stormwater costs in the $3 million range for the entire development. The council approved the petitions, budgets, and resolutions (7-0).

Council Member Appointments and Comments

• Appointments: Councilmember Johnson reappointed Lamont Anderson to the Cultural Arts Committee. The Mayor reappointed Courtney Wages to the Access Advisory Board and appointed Brad White to the Wichita Airport Advisory Board for the unexpired term of Ryan Roloff. Approved 7-0.
• Comments: A councilmember from District 1 reported on a meeting with precinct committee members from both parties, who praised Park and Recreation utilization (Carl Brewer Center, Red Bud Trail), tri-governmental meetings, and stormwater drainage improvements on 17th Street. The Mayor thanked McConnell Air Force Base and its commander, Colonel Joe Wall, for hosting the air show attended by 100,000 people. The council welcomed a new assistant city manager.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 7-0 in favor.
• Contracts and purchases from the Board of Bids and Contracts approved.
• Petitions for Colter Ridge 2nd Addition improvements approved.
• Board appointments approved.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:16 AM.