The Wichita City Council convened in regular session on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 9:01 a.m. All seven council members were present: Mayor Lily Wu, Vice Mayor JV Johnston, Brandon Johnson, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, Dalton Glasscock, and Maggie Ballard. Senior staff in attendance included City Manager Robert Layton, Assistant City Managers Donte Martin and Troy Anderson, Director of Law Jennifer Magana, and Deputy City Clerk Shana Warkentine.
The meeting was relatively brief on the formal business side — the council dispatched nine consent agenda items, received and approved a board of bids report, made two board appointments, and took action on a handful of notable off-agenda items before moving into a lengthy workshop session and two rounds of executive session.
Here is a detailed look at what happened and why it matters to Wichita residents. Assistance from Claude AI.
I. Public Agenda
Mayor Wu opened the meeting by inviting members of the public to address the council under the public agenda portion. No speakers came forward, and the council moved immediately to consent agenda business.
What this means: The public agenda is an opportunity for any Wichita resident to speak to the full city council on any topic — not just items on that day’s agenda. While no one took the opportunity on October 28, residents should know this option exists at every regular meeting.
II. Consent Agenda — Items 1 Through 9
Vote: 7–0 (Approved)
The consent agenda is a bundled list of routine items that the council votes on as a single package without individual debate, unless a council member requests to pull an item for separate discussion. All nine items passed unanimously.
Here is what was included:
Item 1 — Applications for Licenses to Retail Cereal Malt Beverages
The council approved applications from businesses seeking licenses to sell cereal malt beverages — a category that generally includes low-alcohol beer products. These license approvals are a routine administrative function that come before the council periodically.
Item 2 — Preliminary Estimates
The council received and approved a set of preliminary cost estimates, as documented in the accompanying attachment. Preliminary estimates are early-stage financial projections that help the city plan for upcoming public improvement projects before full bids or contracts are awarded.
Item 3 — Agreements and Contracts
Several contracts were included under this item:
a. Contract for Illegal Dumping Cleanup The city approved a contract with HD Mills for illegal dumping cleanup services. Illegal dumping — the unauthorized disposal of waste on public or private property — is an ongoing problem in many urban areas, including Wichita. This contract provides the city with a mechanism to address and clean up those sites.
b. Security Software Renewal The council approved the renewal of a contract for security software. While details were not elaborated upon in the meeting minutes, security software renewals are a standard IT maintenance function for a city government with extensive digital infrastructure.
c. IdeaTek and Logicalis Agreements Two technology-related agreements were approved: one with IdeaTek and one with Logicalis. These vendors provide IT and network services. Again, specifics were not detailed in the minutes, but agreements of this nature typically cover network infrastructure, connectivity, or related managed services for city operations.
d. IT Security Agreement A separate IT security agreement was approved as part of the consent package. Given the frequency and severity of cyberattacks against government entities nationwide, maintaining up-to-date IT security contracts is essential for protecting city systems and resident data.
e. 2023–2026 Kansas Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Agreement The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Kansas Special Traffic Enforcement Program through 2026. STEP is a federally funded program — typically administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation — that provides resources to local law enforcement agencies for targeted traffic safety enforcement. This includes campaigns focused on impaired driving, speeding, and seatbelt compliance. Participation allows Wichita to receive grant funding to supplement its traffic enforcement efforts.
Item 4 — Minutes of Advisory Boards and Commissions
The council received and filed minutes from a range of advisory bodies, covering meetings held between June and September 2025:
- Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) — September 25, 2025
- Appeals Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters — June 25, 2025
- Board of Park Commissioners — July 14, August 11, and September 8, 2025
- Citizens’ Review Board — August 28, 2025
- Board of Appeals of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Warm Air Heating and Boilers — September 4, 2025
- Wichita Transit Advisory Board — August 20, 2025
What this means: Advisory boards and commissions are citizen-led bodies that provide recommendations to the city council on specialized policy areas. Receiving and filing their minutes is a transparency measure that ensures the public record reflects the work of these volunteer groups.
Item 5 — SWAT Armored Critical Incident Vehicle
The council approved the purchase of a SWAT Armored Critical Incident Vehicle for the Wichita Police Department. Armored vehicles of this type are used by law enforcement tactical units to safely transport officers and equipment during high-risk incidents — including hostage situations, barricaded subject events, or active shooter scenarios — where conventional vehicles would expose officers to unacceptable risk.
These acquisitions periodically draw public attention given debates around the militarization of police. The item passed without discussion as part of the consent package.
Item 6 — Notice of Intent to Use Debt Financing: Campus Electrical Distribution Study, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
The council approved a notice of intent to use debt financing in connection with a Campus Electrical Distribution Study at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). This resolution (Resolution No. 25-467) signals that the city intends to issue bonds or use another debt instrument to fund the cost of studying and potentially upgrading the electrical distribution infrastructure on the airport campus.
What this means: Electrical infrastructure at a major airport is critical for everything from runway lighting and air traffic control systems to terminal operations and security equipment. A distribution study would assess the current condition of that infrastructure and identify what upgrades or replacements may be needed to ensure reliability and compliance with federal aviation requirements. The notice of intent is a procedural step required before the city can formally proceed with debt financing.
Item 7 — Consent to Subordination of Industrial Revenue Bonds: DIDCOT and Mid-Continent Instruments (District II)
The council approved a consent to subordination involving Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) associated with two projects: DIDCOT and Mid-Continent Instruments, both located in Council District II. Resolution No. 25-468 was adopted in connection with the Mid-Continent Instrument project.
What this means: IRBs are a financing tool used in Kansas to attract economic development. When the city issues IRBs on behalf of a private business, the business can access tax-exempt financing to fund facility construction or improvements. “Subordination” in a bond context refers to the prioritization of claims if a borrower defaults — agreeing to subordinate means agreeing that another creditor’s claim takes priority. This type of consent is typically required when a business refinances or seeks additional financing. Council approval ensures the city’s interests and legal obligations are formally documented.
Item 8 — Second Reading Ordinances
Ordinance No. 52-834 received its second and final reading. This ordinance amends Sections 6.02.010, 6.02.020, and 6.02.030 of the Wichita City Code, making two changes to the Animal Services Advisory Board:
- Changing the number of board members — the ordinance adjusts the composition of the board (the specific new number was not detailed in the meeting minutes, but this would be reflected in the ordinance text).
- Changing the name of the board — the Animal Services Advisory Board will be renamed under the new ordinance.
What this means: Municipal code changes like this require two public readings before taking effect — a procedural safeguard that gives the public and the council time to review and raise concerns. The passage of the second reading means Ordinance No. 52-834 is now adopted.
Item 9 — Campus Electrical Distribution Study Contract: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
Complementing Item 6 above, the council approved the actual contract for the Campus Electrical Distribution Study at ICT airport. While Item 6 was the notice of intent to use debt financing for this work, Item 9 is the contract authorizing the study to proceed. The attached document referenced a PEC (Professional Engineering Contract or similar) for the electrical distribution study.
III. Board of Bids and Contracts — October 27, 2025
Vote: 7–0 (Approved)
Josh Lauber of the city’s Finance Department presented the Board of Bids and Contracts report dated October 27, 2025. The council voted to receive and file the report, approve the listed contracts, and authorize the necessary signatures.
Council Member Ballard’s Question on Single-Bid Items
The most substantive exchange on this item came from Council Member Maggie Ballard, who asked Lauber to explain several slides that showed only a single bid — or in some cases, what appeared to be no competitive bids at all.
Lauber explained that these situations fall under a category called competitive exemptions, authorized under City Code 2.64020B. He walked through several examples:
Sole Source Procurement: Some purchases cannot be competitively bid because only one vendor can provide a specific product or service. Examples discussed included:
- Building Automation Control Services — The city’s security system requires integration with specific software that must be compatible with existing infrastructure. Switching vendors would break that compatibility, making a sole-source exemption appropriate.
- NEOGOV — NEOGOV is an applicant tracking and human resources software platform used by government agencies. Because NEOGOV is a proprietary system with no functionally equivalent substitute, the city cannot solicit competing bids for it.
- LinkedIn subscription — The city maintains a LinkedIn subscription (likely used for recruiting and employer branding) for which no competitive bids were solicited, as LinkedIn is a unique platform without a direct substitute.
Piggyback Procurement: One item involved what Lauber described as “piggybacking” — participating in a procurement contract already negotiated by another government entity. In this case, the city is joining a state of Kansas contract. Kansas law allows sub-political entities (like cities and counties) to piggyback on state contracts, with the benefit of volume discounts, favorable terms, and pre-negotiated pricing.
Lauber emphasized that transparency is central to this process. The city’s purchasing office reviews each sole-source or exemption request internally to verify merit before presenting it to the council. Each item in the agenda packet is accompanied by a narrative explanation from the requesting department, allowing both the council and the public to understand why competitive bidding was waived.
“Within public procurement in general, every single item cannot possibly be bidded,” Lauber explained. “It’s important for purchasing that we have that transparency for the governing body where we say this is the code section, this is the rationale.”
Council Member Ballard thanked Lauber for the explanation, noting that she sometimes receives constituent questions when only one bid is presented.
IV. Council Member Appointments and Comments
Second Light Board Appointments
Vote: 7–0 (Approved)
Mayor Wu nominated two individuals to serve on the Second Light Board:
- Council Member Maggie Ballard (District 6)
- Mayor Lily Wu
The motion carried unanimously.
What is the Second Light Board? Second Light is a Wichita-based nonprofit organization focused on youth arts education and mentoring. The board appointment of elected officials to such bodies represents a formal civic partnership between city government and the community organization.
Recognition of National First Responders Day
Council Member Becky Tuttle used her comment time to recognize National First Responders Day, observed annually on October 28. She extended a public thank-you to police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders serving both the city and Sedgwick County.
“If you see anyone today who’s a first responder, please take the opportunity to thank them for their service,” Tuttle said.
Mayor Wu added that the Wichita Police and Fire Foundation was providing a free lunch to first responders that afternoon.
V. Workshop Session
Following the conclusion of formal council business at approximately 9:10 a.m., the council transitioned to a workshop session. Workshops are working meetings in which council members receive in-depth staff briefings and discuss policy matters in a less formal setting. Official votes are not taken during workshops.
Mayor Wu departed the council chambers prior to the start of the workshop to attend what she described as “a big military announcement here in Wichita.” Vice Mayor JV Johnston presided over the workshop in her absence.
The workshop ran from 9:10 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. — a substantial two-and-a-half-hour session. The specific topics covered in the workshop were not detailed in the official meeting minutes.
VI. Executive Session
After the workshop concluded, the council reconvened for executive session — a closed, non-public meeting that is permitted under Kansas law for specific purposes such as discussing personnel matters, receiving legal advice, or reviewing confidential information.
First Executive Session Vote: 7–0 (Approved) Mayor Wu moved to enter executive session for 30 minutes, from 11:42 a.m. to 12:12 p.m. All seven council members were present and voted in favor.
Extended Executive Session Vote: 4–0 (Approved, with three members absent) Mayor Wu moved to extend the executive session for an additional 30 minutes, from 12:12 p.m. to 12:42 p.m. Council Members Tuttle, Glasscock, and Ballard were not present for this vote. The extension carried 4–0.
What Kansas law says about executive sessions: Under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), governing bodies like the Wichita City Council are required to state the justification for entering executive session and must return to open session before adjourning. The specific justification for this executive session was not detailed in the published minutes, but the context — and a subsequent agenda item about City Manager recruitment — strongly suggests it was related to personnel matters or legal consultation connected to the city manager search process.
VII. Off-Agenda Action: Property Maintenance Advisory Task Force
Vote: 7–0 (Approved)
Upon returning from executive session, Mayor Wu moved to add an off-agenda item to create a Property Maintenance Advisory Task Force. The motion carried unanimously.
What this means: Off-agenda items are occasionally added at the end of meetings when time-sensitive or newly arising matters require council action before the next regular meeting. The creation of a task force — rather than a standing committee or board — typically signals a focused, time-limited body convened to study a specific problem and make recommendations.
Property maintenance is an issue that touches on housing code enforcement, blight reduction, neighborhood quality of life, and the responsibilities of property owners. The task force’s composition, charge, and timeline were not specified in the minutes. Voice for Liberty will follow up as more details become available.
VIII. Special Meeting Scheduled for November 10, 2025
Vote: 7–0 (Approved)
The council voted unanimously to hold a special meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in the first floor board room. The sole purpose of the special meeting will be to hold an executive session to receive information from:
- The City Manager Selection Committee, and
- The City Manager Recruitment Consultant
…regarding candidates for the City Manager position.
What this means: The City of Wichita has been conducting a search for a permanent city manager. City Manager Robert Layton was present at the October 28 meeting, but the recruitment process for either a successor or a permanent appointment is underway. The November 10 special meeting will allow the council to receive confidential candidate information in a closed session — a common practice in executive-level government hiring to protect candidate privacy during the evaluation process.
This is a significant development for Wichita’s city government. The city manager is the chief executive of city operations, responsible for implementing council policy, overseeing city departments, and managing the city’s budget and workforce. The council’s selection will shape Wichita’s municipal administration for years to come.
Complete Voting Record
| Item | Description | Vote | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consent Agenda (Items 1–9) | Routine approvals including licenses, contracts, ordinance second reading, airport study | 7–0 | Approved |
| Board of Bids and Contracts | Receive/file report, approve contracts | 7–0 | Approved |
| Second Light Board Appointments | Appoint Ballard and Wu | 7–0 | Approved |
| Executive Session (30 min) | 11:42–12:12 p.m. | 7–0 | Approved |
| Executive Session Extension (30 min) | 12:12–12:42 p.m. | 4–0 (Tuttle, Glasscock, Ballard absent) | Approved |
| Property Maintenance Advisory Task Force | Create off-agenda task force | 7–0 | Approved |
| Special Meeting – November 10 | Executive session on city manager candidates | 7–0 | Approved |
| Adjournment | 7–0 | Approved |
Civic Engagement: What’s Next
Upcoming Dates:
- November 10, 2025, 8:30 a.m. — Special City Council Meeting, First Floor Board Room, City Hall. Executive session on city manager candidates. This meeting will be closed to the public per Kansas law, but residents may attend the public session that opens and closes the meeting.
- Regular City Council Meetings — Typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers on the 26th floor of City Hall, 455 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202.
How to Engage:
- Public Agenda: Residents may address the full council at the start of every regular meeting. No agenda item is required — you may speak on any topic.
- Watch Meetings Live: City Council meetings are broadcast live on the City of Wichita’s website and cable access channel.
- Review Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Full agendas and approved minutes are available at wichita.gov.
- Contact Your Council Member: Find contact information for your district representative at wichita.gov or by calling City Hall at (316) 268-4331.
Voice for Liberty is an independent civic journalism publication covering Wichita, Kansas municipal government. Our mission is to make local government accessible, understandable, and accountable to every resident. #ICT