Wichita City Council Regular Meeting – November 3, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured three proclamations, significant public testimony regarding the eviction of the Chapin Park unhoused encampment, and a full agenda of financial reports, policy approvals, and capital improvement initiations. Council members responded to housing concerns and approved most items on the agenda.

Proclamations

• Kansas Injury Prevention Day (November 18, 2026): Presented to Ascension Via Christi, which will light city landmarks green November 16–20 to promote injury prevention awareness.
• National Aviation History Month (November 2026): Presented to the Kansas Aviation Museum, recognizing Wichita’s heritage as the "Air Capital of the World" and the museum’s role in STEM education.
• Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas Day (November 22, 2026): Presented to Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas, celebrating 15 years and over 12,000 girls served.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the October 27, 2026 regular meeting (7-0).
• Approved Consent Agenda Items 1–11, including licenses, water improvement plans, Wichita Ice Center agreement extension, sidewalk design agreement, advisory board minutes, proclamation votes, FBI Safe Streets Task Force participation, first reading of IRBs for Orpheum Theatre and 333 English LLC (Arnold Building), and Airport Special Facilities Revenue Bonds for Hangar Dynamics Jabara LLC.
• Approved the Board of Bids and Contracts report (5-0-1), authorizing contracts for Botanica Boardwalk renovation ($147,076), HVAC replacement at 13 residential sites ($110,854.64), orthophosphate change order ($576,720 annual), and license plate reader/gunshot detection maintenance extension ($259,208.63), among others.

Public Comments & Testimony

Five speakers addressed the Council, mainly about the Chapin Park eviction and homelessness.

• AlmaAnn Jones (District 6): Criticized the eviction and the city’s approach, highlighting barriers (pets, safety, lack of trust) and called for safe, dignified alternatives.
• Rachel Perry (District not stated): Proposed a transitional homestead (New Narnia Village) with basic amenities and case management, citing successful models in Portland and Denver.
• Jack Long (Chapin Park resident, District 6): Noted he is the first to be housed since July; urged the city to be accountable and to address pet and security needs.
• Unnamed speaker (District 6, likely Doug): Quoted a report on high utilizers of behavioral health, arguing that the current system is ineffective and expensive, and that understanding root causes is essential.
• Elison Figaroa (District 3): Condemned the eviction’s environmental damage and demanded a mandatory 66-foot riparian buffer along all waterways with enforceable protections and public reporting.

Councilmember Shepherd apologized for not doing more and asked the City Manager for a Chapin Park review report (expected by end of December). Councilmember Hoheisel noted only 2 of 91 engaged residents used the shelter and acknowledged dog-related barriers. Both recognized the need for better resources and landlord participation.

Discussion Items

1. Quarterly Financial Report (Period Ended September 30, 2026) Finance Director Mark Manning reported that general fund revenues are outperforming expectations, especially sales and property taxes, while expenditures are slightly above budget due to public safety wage growth. A small surplus is expected. The parking fund has a negative cash balance of -$309,141, attributed to high capital costs and slower Old Town revenue; remedies are being developed. Total debt stands at $1.6 billion. ARPA funds are nearly fully spent ($700K remaining). Approved (6-0).

2. Pooled Funds Investment Policy Two clarifications: adding explicit definitions of government-sponsored enterprises and extending weighted average maturity from 400 to 450 days to improve returns. Approved (6-0).

3. Golf Fund Budget Adjustment Golf manager Jesse Kaufman noted a hot, dry summer increased water and chemical costs. Revenues through September were $5.93 million; 143,222 rounds played (now >160,000). Requested $650,000 in adjustments ($450K reallocated, $200K new expenditure authority), bringing revised expenditure budget to $6,142,561. Projected net margin: $424,023. Approved (6-0).

4. Wichita Public Library Capital Improvement Program Initiation Library Director Jamie Nix presented four projects: ALL furnishings/equipment ($1.1M, with $200K from Library Foundation), Robert Layton Family Place Libraries at all branches ($197,500, $100K from Foundation), public art ($81,000), and annual maintenance ($300,000). Total funding $1,878,000 (GO bonds $1.578M + Foundation $300K). Before the presentation, Nix provided an update on the civic action passport (700+ online participants, 46 completed) and high early voting turnout at the Advanced Learning Library. Approved (6-0).

5. Parking System Maintenance Initiation $4 million in GO bonds (2026 and 2027 CIP) to address deferred maintenance at eight city-owned parking garages, focusing on structural repairs, stairwells, lighting, and security. Priority projects include Emporia, Cinema, and City Hall garages. Approved (6-0).

6. Railroad Agreements

• BNSF Agreement (21st Street North): $780,858 for railroad signal and surfacing; final pre-bid step. Approved (6-0).
• Delano/Chisholm Path & Prairie Sunset Trail: $230,419 railroad agreement plus initiation of $1 million ongoing bikeways funding, revised total budget $5.56 million. Approved (6-0).

7. Conditional Use (CON2026-00124): Entertainment establishment at 721 N Wabash. Approved with MAPC conditions and modified hours: Sunday–Thursday noon–10pm, Friday–Saturday 9am–1am. Vote 6-0.

8. Zone Change (ZON2026-00040): Duplex development at 3601 N Arkansas. Denied due to strong community opposition and lack of applicant engagement at DAB meeting. Motion to override MAPC and deny passed 6-0 (supermajority required due to protests exceeding 20%).

Key Outcomes

• Chapin Park and Homelessness: Council received public criticism and promised a review report. No action taken on public agenda items, but council committed to exploring transitional homesteading, pet-friendly policies, and improved landlord engagement.
• Administrative Approvals: All finance and capital items approved as recommended (6-0 or 7-0). Quarterly report received and filed; investment policy, golf adjustment, library CIP, parking maintenance, and railroad agreements authorized.
• Planning Actions: Conditional use approved; zone change denied.
• Other: Free transit rides to polls on Election Day; City Clerk Shanita recognized for achieving Certified Municipal Clerk designation.