The Wichita City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with all seven members present: Mayor Lily Wu, Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock, and Council Members Joseph Shepard, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, JV Johnston, and Maggie Ballard. City Manager Dennis Marstall, City Attorney Jennifer Magana, and City Clerk Shinita Rice also attended.
The meeting coincided with the citywide sales tax referendum — a watershed moment for Wichita’s fiscal future — and that backdrop shaped discussions throughout the day. Major actions included unanimous approval of a new fire station in southwest Wichita, a new police armored rescue vehicle, water and sewer infrastructure bonds, and a contested 6-1 vote to purchase thirteen pieces of public art for downtown pedestals. The council also approved updated chronic nuisance property regulations and a lease amendment for Wichita Festivals’ office space at 444 East William. All votes were 7-0 unless otherwise noted. Assistance from Claude AI.
Public Comment
Resident Raises Police Shooting, National Events
Janice Bradley, a District Six resident, addressed the council on a range of concerns. She spoke about the January 20th shooting of Deaundre Hill, a young Black man killed by Wichita police officers who responded to a welfare check call near his apartment in the early morning hours. Bradley described Hill as a “beloved community member” and Planet Fitness employee who was shot nine times.
Bradley called on the council to support demands from Hill’s family for release of complete body camera footage, a thorough investigation, and action from the district attorney. She drew a parallel to the 2017 swatting death of Andrew Finch and to a recent high-profile shooting in Minneapolis, arguing that merely possessing a firearm should not be a death sentence.
She also referenced what she described as recent U.S. military action and federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, saying these events were causing widespread community grief and fear.
No council members responded on the record to Bradley’s remarks, though her comments stand in the public record.
New Council Business
1. Fire Station Construction — New Station 23 Approved (Southwest Wichita)
Vote: 7-0
The council unanimously approved construction of Fire Station 23 in southwest Wichita — the city’s first new fire station since 2009 — along with adoption of a bonding resolution to fund it.
Background and Need
Fire Chief Tammy Snow presented the item, noting that response times to southwest and northwest Wichita regularly exceed seven minutes, well above the department’s four-minute target. She explained that significant residential development in those areas has outpaced fire infrastructure for years. In the southwest, unlike in the northwest where Sedgwick County Station 33 provides some nearby coverage, there are no county stations close enough to help.
“When people dial 9-1-1, they don’t care what color your patch is,” Snow said, describing her collaborative philosophy with Sedgwick County Fire Chief Williams. The two departments now dispatch the closest available unit regardless of jurisdiction.
Vice Mayor Glasscock, whose district is in northwest Wichita, called the approval “closing a seventeen-year gap on public safety,” noting that roughly 80 residents attended a town hall specifically about the fire station.
Design and Cost
The project is part of a three-station design contract totaling $1.5 million, covering Station 23, Station 8 (Central Avenue and I-235), and Station 15 (Rock Road and Lincoln). Architect Tesserae developed a standardized template that will be adapted for each site — Station 8 will be elongated due to lot constraints, for example. The design for undeveloped Station 23’s lot is slightly more expensive due to unplatted land. Demolition costs for the existing Station 8 and Station 15 structures were not immediately available; Chief Snow committed to following up.
Station 23 will be built on a clean lot in the southwest. Stations 8 and 15 are rebuilds on existing fire station properties. At Station 8, the current co-location with a police substation will end when the new west-side police substation is completed; fire will take over the full property.
Health and Wellness Features
Council Member Tuttle praised the design for incorporating lessons from Andover’s new station, specifically citing sleep rooms with improved lighting and a decontamination process. “Creating a culture of wellness within our fire department — that’s what this is,” Tuttle said, noting that firefighters face dramatically elevated cancer rates. Council Member Hoheisel echoed that theme, applauding the decontamination features for bunker gear.
Financing
Mayor Wu asked pointed questions about the fiscal reality of bond-funded construction. Finance Director Mark Manning confirmed that bonding a fire station over a ten-year term would cost between $1 million and $1.3 million in interest alone — on top of the $5.25 million construction cost.
City Manager Dennis Marstall explained that this station is funded through general obligation bonds backed by property taxes, as it was already in the ten-year Capital Improvement Plan. He noted that the sales tax vote happening the same day could affect how future fire stations — including a planned northwest station expected around 2029 — are funded. That conversation, he said, would happen at the council’s upcoming retreat.
Staffing
Chief Snow explained that the city plans to apply for a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant to hire 14 new firefighters, including a coverage ratio for vacations, Kelly days, and sick leave. The grant application process takes roughly six months. If awarded, the city would have 180 days to begin a six-month academy class — putting new firefighters on the job approximately in 2027.
The SAFER grant typically covers costs for three years, with a variable federal/city cost-share. After the grant period, the city would absorb the full payroll cost — estimated at approximately $120,000 per firefighter, or roughly $1.68 million annually for 14 positions.
If no grant funding materializes, Chief Snow said the department would reallocate existing personnel based on response data.
2. Prairie Glen Multifamily Revenue Bonds — Deferred
Vote: 7-0 to defer to April 7
A request by Prairie Glen MF, LLC for a letter of intent to issue multifamily residential revenue bonds (District II) was deferred to the April 7 agenda without discussion.
3. Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance — First Reading Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council placed on first reading an ordinance amending Chapter 8.02 of the City Code governing chronic nuisance properties.
What Changed
City Attorney Jan Jarman, presenting on behalf of the Law Department and Wichita Police Department, explained the key amendments. The ordinance increases the threshold for designating a property a “chronic nuisance” from two trigger events to three within a rolling six-month period — with a compromise provision: certain serious crimes, such as a SWAT callout or execution of a search warrant, automatically count as two trigger events each.
The program applies to both residential and commercial properties, but operates through the police department, not the Metro Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD). Simple code violations like overgrown lawns are not trigger events under this ordinance.
Council Questions
On squatting: Council Member Hoheisel asked whether squatting should be added as a trigger event. Jarman noted it would best be handled through trespass language. Captain Aaron Moses of WPD said the department supports the current language as proposed, which aligns with their risk-terrain crime reduction model, but was open to exploring squatting as a future addition. The council agreed to “put a pin in it.”
On language and transparency: Council Member Shepard stressed the importance of accessible communication to residents who receive notices, including non-English speakers and those unfamiliar with legal terms. Jarman confirmed that notices include a contact number for questions, and that property owners always receive written warning before any abatement action is taken.
Shepard also praised the removal of “cereal malt beverage” from the commercial property definition, citing the term’s offensive historical context in certain communities and pointing to a sign in College Hill that still uses the phrase.
On the two-versus-three trigger change: Vice Mayor Glasscock asked why the threshold was raised. Jarman explained it was designed to ensure the designation applies to genuinely chronic problem properties — noting that the double-count provision for serious crimes serves as the counterbalance.
Captain Moses provided a concrete example: a problematic bar where owners under the old ordinance would simply close for a month to reset their trigger count, then reopen without making any safety changes. The new language, he said, makes that workaround far harder.
4. Police Armored Personnel Carrier — Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council approved bonding for a new armored rescue vehicle for the Wichita Police Department’s SWAT team.
Why Now
Captain Jason Cooley explained that WPD currently has three armored vehicles, but the primary tactical vehicle — a regional asset donated in 2011 through the South Central mutual aid agreement — has been “shot four times,” is held together with replacement welds and hinges, and no longer meets National Technical Officers Association (NTOA) Tier 1/2 accreditation standards for ballistic protection. The other two vehicles, donated by a citizen trust in 2012, have significantly more limited capabilities.
Cooley noted the vehicle was deployed 43 out of 52 weeks last year. He described a specific incident in Hayesville where officers were taking gunfire and had to wait an hour and a half for Harvey County to bring an armored vehicle because WPD’s equipment was inadequate — “an hour and a half of officers taking gunfire.”
Function
Beyond officer protection, Cooley explained the vehicles are used to evacuate residents during SWAT calls (since bullets travel through multiple structures), transport crisis negotiators close to barricaded subjects, and shuttle officers in and out of active scenes safely during long callouts.
Regional Context
WPD belongs to the South Central mutual aid region, covering roughly 14-17 counties including Dodge City and parts of eastern Kansas. Wichita and KHP are the only two bomb disposal teams in the region outside of the Kansas City metro. The new vehicle, unlike the existing regional asset, would not be obligated to respond to regional requests — that discretion remains with the chief.
Council Comments
Council Member Shepard acknowledged the community members in her district who have concerns about militarized police equipment, but said the deployment data — 43 weeks of use, evacuating residents, supporting crisis negotiations — made a compelling case. “I know that you can’t put a price tag on life,” she said, citing the recent mass casualty event in Austin, Texas as a reminder of the stakes.
5. Police Property Acquisition — 1890 West Harry Street (District IV)
Vote: 7-0
The council approved bonding and a real estate purchase agreement to acquire a commercial property at 1890 West Harry Street for use by the Wichita Police Department.
The property is appraised at $837,200. The City will pay $1,064,890. Gerri Ford of the City Manager’s Office presented comparable sales data supporting the price: a nearby property at 1706 West Harry sold for $1.2 million ($80/sq ft); 1813 Florence sold at $85/sq ft; and a property at 222 Hydraulic sold for $1.6 million ($82/sq ft). The subject property’s price falls within those market comparables.
A city facilities assessment found the property in good structural and mechanical condition. Upon possession, the city will file for tax-exempt status, eliminating future property tax obligations. Maintenance will be incorporated into the Police Department’s facilities budget.
6. Lease Agreement — 444 East William (District I)
Vote: 6-1 (Nay: Ballard)
The council approved a new lease agreement with Wichita Festivals, Inc. (organizer of Riverfest) for approximately 6,250 square feet of city-owned space at 444 East William — at a dramatically higher rent than the previous arrangement.
The Numbers
Wichita Festivals had been paying approximately $12,000 per year under the prior lease. The new agreement moves them toward market rate, ultimately reaching approximately $55,000 per year, implemented on a gradual schedule proposed by Wichita Festivals themselves. Market comparables in the area run $15-20/sq ft for updated spaces; this property is older and unimproved, justifying a lower base rate of $10/sq ft with additional charges.
Ford confirmed Wichita Festivals proposed the phased rent increase schedule after being notified in April 2025 that changes were coming.
Council Debate
The lease generated the most spirited disagreement of the day on a property matter.
Council Member Ballard voted no, calling the increase “price gouging” and expressing concern about losing organizations that have been “pillars” of Old Town during a period of rapid downtown development.
Council Member Shepard said she was “deeply concerned” from a nonprofit perspective, noting that organizations often accept terms they’re presented with because they don’t realize negotiation is possible. However, once she learned Wichita Festivals had proposed the phased schedule themselves, she said that changed her position. She ultimately voted yes.
Vice Mayor Glasscock argued the city should maximize return on city-owned property and suggested that if the council wants to subsidize Wichita Festivals’ presence, a separate donation agreement would be the appropriate mechanism — not below-market rent.
Council Member Johnston said bluntly: “Two dollars a square foot anywhere is a donation. You can’t find anywhere in the City for two dollars per square foot.”
The lease is a two-year term. Wichita Festivals is seeking a combined facility for office and storage and wanted flexibility. Gerri Ford noted that with the BioMed Center opening nearby in 2027, the downtown space may become even more valuable — making a short-term arrangement prudent.
The agreement includes a standard 3% annual escalation clause.
7. Water and Sewer Utility Improvements — Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council approved eight bonding resolutions for water and sewer infrastructure projects presented by Don Henry of Public Works and Utilities:
- Cheney Pumps (amended bonds)
- Equus Wellfield Spurlines Replacement (amended bonds)
- Water Production Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
- Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation
- Distribution SEBPS Feed Completion
- Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 UV System
- Wellfield Power Poles
- Wellfield Well Rehabilitation
Council Member Hoheisel asked about the cost to bury power lines at the wellfield rather than using above-ground poles. Henry said he would gather cost estimates. He noted that metal poles offer greater reliability than wood, and that underground lines would be optimal for durability given the wellfield’s exposure to high winds and severe weather. He committed to a follow-up report.
8. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Phase 3 Recharge Basins — Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council approved Supplemental Agreement No. 1 and budget for the ASR Phase 3 Recharge Basins project, along with adoption of the associated bonding resolution. Mayor Wu thanked Public Works staff, calling both the water/sewer systems “critical assets of our community.”
9. Auburn Hills Golf Course Irrigation Controller — Public Exigency Affirmed
Vote: 7-0
The council ratified City Manager Marstall’s public exigency approval for emergency repairs to the irrigation controller at Auburn Hills Golf Course. Jesse Coffman of the Golf Division explained that staff conducted a nationwide search for qualified vendors, contacting golf courses across the country to identify contractors. Only two firms capable of performing the specialized repair were found.
10. Seasonal and Temporary Employee Services Contract — Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council approved contracts with two staffing vendors — selected from 31 applicants, with 9 proceeding through final evaluation — for seasonal and temporary employees. The average estimated cost per hire, based on recent usage history, is approximately $18,000. HR staff explained the selection process required detailed pricing transparency, including placement fees and DOT physical requirements, given that many vendors did not voluntarily disclose all associated costs.
11. Downtown Sculpture Purchase Initiative — Approved With Dissent
Vote: 6-1 (Nay: Wu)
The council approved the purchase of 13 public art sculptures to fill vacant pedestals in the Old Town area of downtown, in District 1 and District IV, as part of the city’s Percent for Art program.
Background
Lindsay Benacka and Jana Erwin of Arts and Cultural Services presented the item. The project used $200,000 in CIP Percent for Art funds (2% of eligible project budgets set aside annually) plus $50,000 in outside grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kansas Arts Commission — grants secured by city staff specifically for this project. Of the 13 selected artists, 8 are local or Kansas-based. A 10-member selection committee reviewed more than 200 submissions; design council approved the final 13 (with one tiebreaker favoring a Kansas-based artist over a national submission).
The Debate
Mayor Wu raised consistent objections throughout: she argued the project lacked a theme and sufficient community engagement, pointed to the upcoming America’s 250th anniversary as a missed opportunity for focus, and asked to vote on each sculpture separately. She noted that this is the first time the Percent for Art program has been used to purchase standalone art pieces for existing infrastructure.
Council Member Tuttle, supported by Shepard, Hoheisel, Johnston, and ultimately Glasscock, argued that the selection committee and design council process should be respected. Tuttle said separating the vote would be “insulting to the artists, insulting to the selection committee, insulting to the design council.” She added: “If we don’t like the process, we need to change the process. But we should not change the process in the middle of the process.”
Council Member Hoheisel asked whether separating the vote could jeopardize the grant funding. Benacka confirmed it could require restarting the project and potentially forfeiting the NEA and KAC grants.
Glasscock said he had initially been open to voting item-by-item but was swayed by public comment: “I would say it’s the comments from the general public that probably swayed me.”
Public Comment
Four speakers supported approving the package as presented:
- Heather Schroeder (Downtown Wichita) presented a chart showing that downtown had not received a large infusion of public streetscape art since 2000, and said the vacant pedestals “were just kind of ugly blights.”
- Ross DeVore, a selection committee member who lives in Old Town, described the process as rigorous and urged approval, noting that art “needs to exist in a way that doesn’t always make us comfortable.”
- Bill Gardner (Gardner Design, selection committee member) said context matters — pieces spread across downtown will be experienced individually, not as a group.
- Janelle King (Design Council, owner of the Workroom) said a theme had been tried in her prior Avenue Art Days program and abandoned because it “started to feel more like a branding campaign.”
Mayor Wu’s Final Statement
“I love the arts and I do believe that there is an importance for arts in various aspects… However, when we are at this bench, we are making decisions for a large majority of our community… for many others who are just now seeing these pieces of art, they are saying, ‘Well, where’s the community engagement for me?’”
12. Public Art — First Street Bridge over Arkansas River (District VI)
Vote: 7-0
The council unanimously approved the 30% design concept for public art on the First Street Bridge over the Arkansas River.
The design features programmable LED lighting — a departure from the non-programmable lighting on the existing Feather Towers sculptures on the Douglas and Lewis Street bridges. Staff noted plans to study how the lighting interacts with Exploration Place’s visual landscape and committed to ensuring it complements rather than competes with the riverfront area. Adjustments will be made to protect River Vista apartment residents from light intrusion.
Planning Agenda
Northridge Plaza Billboard (District V) — CUP Amendment Approved
Vote: 7-0
The council approved an amendment to Conditional Use Permit DP-250 at 3801 North Ridge Road (northwest corner of 37th Street North and North Ridge Road) to allow an off-site billboard and reduce a front setback. Both MAPC and DAB 5 recommended approval with modified conditions. Council Member Johnston noted Ridge Road has limited billboard options, making the sign valuable for local businesses.
724 North Dougherty — Zone Change Approved (District VI)
Vote: 7-0
The council overrode the MAPC recommendation and approved a zone change from SF-5 (Single-Family) to MF-29 (Multi-Family) at 724 North Dougherty Avenue, per the District 6 DAB’s recommendation with a modified protective overlay (#470), including a hip-and-gable roof requirement. There was no objection from the applicant on record.
McLean Boulevard Zone Change — Deferred (District VI)
Vote: 6-0 (Johnston absent)
A zone change request at approximately 13th Street North and McLean Boulevard from SF-5 to MF-18 for multi-family development was deferred to April 21. Council Member Ballard noted the DAB had denied the request due to missing information and asked for additional time to allow updated information to go back before the DAB before council action.
Council Member Agenda
Travel Approvals
The council approved ethics ordinance gift-limit waivers for:
- Council Member Maggie Ballard — travel and expenses to the Community Schools Collaboration in Cincinnati, April 15-16 (est. $560.52)
- Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock — same event and expenses
Both items passed 6-0 (Johnston absent).
Board Appointments
Vice Mayor Glasscock presented reappointments to District Advisory Boards effective April 1, including: Gage Hunt, Alex Garcia Villatoro, June Johnson, Stephanie Yeager, Josiah Watney, Wally Bell, Jonathan Walden, Gentry Thiesen, Patricia Davis, Kerry Willis, Josh Shorter, and Sierra Scott to the Airport Advisory Board. Approved 6-0 (Johnston absent).
Future Agenda Item: ROTOR Act Resolution
Council Member Shepard requested placement of a resolution on next week’s agenda urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the ROTOR Act, which would expand rotary-wing pilot training programs. The motion received unanimous agreement. Council Member Hoheisel expressed personal disappointment the legislation had not yet passed, calling it commonsense policy.
Closing Notes
Before adjourning, the council recessed into executive session for five minutes to discuss preliminary real property acquisition negotiations for a street improvement project, pursuant to KSA 75-4319(B)(2).
Council Member Shepard offered Women’s History Month remarks, thanking Mayor Wu, Tuttle, and Ballard for their leadership and camaraderie.
Council Member Tuttle corrected the record to note she had been ill and did not travel for a scheduled early learning advocacy event the prior week, as previously disclosed to the City Clerk.
The meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m.
Complete Voting Record
| Item | Action | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes (Feb. 17 & Feb. 24) | Approved | 7-0 |
| Consent Agenda (Items 1-18) | Approved | 7-0 |
| Board of Bids and Contracts | Received and filed | 7-0 |
| Fire Station 23 Construction | Approved with bonding resolution | 7-0 |
| Prairie Glen Multifamily Bonds | Deferred to 4/7 | 7-0 |
| Chronic Nuisance Ordinance | First reading approved | 7-0 |
| Police Armored Rescue Vehicle | Approved with bonding | 7-0 |
| 1890 W. Harry Police Acquisition | Approved | 7-0 |
| 444 E. William Lease (Wichita Festivals) | Approved | 6-1 (Nay: Ballard) |
| Water/Sewer Infrastructure Bonds (8 resolutions) | Approved | 7-0 |
| ASR Phase 3 Recharge Basins | Approved | 7-0 |
| Auburn Hills Irrigation Exigency | Affirmed | 7-0 |
| Seasonal Staffing Contracts | Approved | 7-0 |
| Downtown Sculpture Purchase (13 pieces) | Approved | 6-1 (Nay: Wu) |
| First Street Bridge Public Art (30% design) | Approved | 7-0 |
| Northridge Plaza CUP/Billboard (District V) | Approved | 7-0 |
| Zone Change — 724 N. Dougherty (District VI) | Approved | 7-0 |
| Zone Change — McLean Blvd. (District VI) | Deferred to 4/21 | 6-0 (Johnston absent) |
| Ballard Travel — Cincinnati | Approved | 6-0 (Johnston absent) |
| Glasscock Travel — Cincinnati | Approved | 6-0 (Johnston absent) |
| Board Appointments | Approved | 6-0 (Johnston absent) |
How to Engage
- Watch council meetings: wichita.gov — meetings are streamed live and archived
- Contact your council member: Find district representatives at wichita.gov/council
- Public comment: Residents may address the council during the Public Agenda at the start of each regular meeting
- Sales tax results: The March 3 referendum results will be reported by the Sedgwick County Election Office
Voice for Liberty covers Wichita city government to help residents stay informed and engaged. All information in this report is drawn from official City Council minutes dated March 3, 2026.