The Wichita City Council convened Thursday evening, November 6, 2025, at 6:03 p.m. with all seven members present. The meeting covered a broad agenda spanning property fraud prevention, affordable housing concerns, lodging establishment licensing, quarterly financial oversight, facilities maintenance funding, zoning decisions affecting foster youth housing and an RV campground, a contentious event center capacity dispute, and infrastructure investments in wastewater and sidewalks. The council voted unanimously on nearly every item before adjourning at 9:08 p.m., with Council Member Brandon Johnson casting the lone dissenting vote on adjournment. Assistance from Claude AI.
Council Members Present: Mayor Lily Wu, Vice Mayor JV Johnston, Brandon Johnson, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, Dalton Glasscock, and Maggie Ballard.
Staff Members Present: City Manager Robert Layton, City Attorney Jennifer Magana, City Clerk Shinita Rice.
Awards and Proclamations
The council recognized three commemorations at the outset of the meeting:
- 75th Anniversary of Old Cowtown Museum — celebrating seven and a half decades of Wichita’s premier living history attraction.
- National Family Caregivers Month — honoring those who provide unpaid care for family members across the community.
- National Injury Prevention Day — presented with remarks from Representative Steven Johnson.
I. Public Agenda
1. Property Fraud Alert — Sedgwick County Register of Deeds
Kenly Zehring, Chief Deputy for the Sedgwick County Register of Deeds, appeared on behalf of Register of Deeds Tonya Buckingham to highlight two free public services her office provides to protect residents and notaries.
The first service, Property Fraud Alert, is a free notification system that contacts residents by email, phone call, or text whenever a document is recorded in their name. While it does not prevent fraud from occurring, it provides immediate notice so property owners can review documents and take rapid action if something is amiss. Residents can enroll at propertyfraudalert.com, select Sedgwick County, Kansas, and register their name and preferred contact method.
The second service, Notary Fraud Alert, launched just weeks before this meeting. Functioning similarly to the property alert, it notifies enrolled notaries whenever a document using their name or seal is recorded — providing real-time awareness of whether notarized documents are legitimate. Notaries can sign up at notaryfraudalert.com or through sedgwickcounty.org/deeds.
Council Member Glasscock took the opportunity to highlight an additional service the Register of Deeds office provides for veterans. Zehring confirmed that the office records DD-214 military discharge documents for free, and noted that an upcoming event at Exploration Place during the Veterans Day Parade would offer on-site DD-214 recording, veteran ID issuance, and voter ID assistance.
“Our goal is simple — to protect property rights, increase awareness, and help residents and notaries stay one step ahead.” — Kenly Zehring, Chief Deputy, Sedgwick County Register of Deeds
2. David Martinez — Second Light Concerns (Did Not Appear)
David Martinez, who had been scheduled to speak about issues related to Second Light being moved to his neighborhood, did not attend the meeting.
3. William Glander — Affordable Housing and Displacement in District VI
William Glander of 235 North Elizabeth brought a direct and personal account of the affordability pressures facing residents in the Delano neighborhood. He described developers proposing studio apartments at approximately $1,000 per month on the basis of a market analysis claiming median area income of $80,000 — a figure he disputed as unrepresentative of the neighborhood’s actual residents.
Glander, who identified himself as a City employee, said that figure does not reflect the reality of longtime homeowners and renters, many of whom earn far less. He expressed concern that rising development drives up property taxes for long-time homeowners, causes landlords to raise rents to match new market rates, and ultimately pushes out families who have lived in the community for generations.
“When these high-priced developments come in, everything around them goes up, too. Property taxes rise for long-time homeowners, landlords raise rent to match the new market rates. Suddenly, families who have been here for generations can’t afford to stay. That’s not progress. That’s displacement.” — William Glander
He asked the council to consider three questions before approving high-end projects: How will they impact current residents’ cost of living? What protections can be put in place to keep taxes and rents stable? Can developers be required to include affordable or workforce housing?
Council Member Hoheisel acknowledged the shared concern, noting that tax subsidies for affordable housing often come in the form of multifamily units rather than single-family homes, which many residents prefer. He said the city is actively working with state partners to identify funding sources to make homebuilding and homeownership more affordable.
“It’s a difficult topic right now, but it’s something I think that we’re all focused on up here.” — Council Member Mike Hoheisel
4. Ben Lee — Gangs, Guns, and Violence (Rescheduled)
Ben Lee rescheduled his public comment appearance to the January 13, 2026, council meeting.
5. Sybil Strum — Property and Code Enforcement Dispute
Sybil Strum of 326 North Walnut appeared before the council with longstanding grievances about Central Inspection entering her property without her knowledge or consent, which she described as bullying and unlawful breaking and entering. She alleged that a Victorian tub was taken from the property, that she was not on the premises when inspectors arrived, and that she has a police report documenting the incident. She said legal aid confirmed her ownership of the property.
Mayor Wu asked City Manager Layton to address the history of the matter. Layton stated that City records document an extended engagement with Ms. Strum’s property, noting that the City attempted to fund necessary repairs to keep her in her home but that cost proved prohibitive. The City then assisted her in transitioning to another residence while working toward permanent housing, which she is now in.
“We have a pretty long documentation of everything we’ve done to try to help Ms. Strum stay in safe, permanent housing.” — City Manager Robert Layton
The exchange reflected the often-complex intersection between code enforcement, housing assistance, and individual property rights.
II. Consent Agenda — Items 1 Through 26
Mayor Wu moved to approve all 26 consent agenda items without any items being pulled for separate discussion. The consent agenda encompassed a wide range of routine city business, including:
- License applications, including cereal malt beverage licenses
- Preliminary estimates for public improvement projects
- Contracts for commercial dumpster rental, real estate consulting services for the Bleckley Drainage Project, Four Mile Creek Interceptor Sewer Relief, and the 143rd Street East improvement project
- Design service agreements for Turkey Creek 4th Addition (Phases 4 and 5) and a supplemental design agreement for 143rd Street East from Kellogg to Harry
- A storm sewer and sanitary sewer change order for Brookfield South 2nd Addition, Phase 2
- Property acquisitions, including a Police Department acquisition at 332 North Riverview and parcels for the 143rd Street East project
- Advisory board minutes from the Board of Electrical Appeals, Wichita Library Board of Directors, and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission
- Funding for Water and Sewer Master Plans
- A Permanent Watering Schedule Ordinance establishing year-round watering restrictions
- Debt financing authorization for an Airport Security System technology upgrade at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Colonel James Jabara Airport
- Updates to the Pooled Funds Investment Policy
- Multiple planning items, including zone changes, PUD amendments, vacations of easements and setbacks, a utility easement dedication, and a boundary resolution
- Sale of city-owned housing properties at 1515 East Berkeley Street and 550 North Summitlawn Lane
- Airport security system migration contract ratification
Vote: 7 to 0
III. Board of Bids and Contracts
Jason Brogden from the Finance Department reviewed the Board of Bids and Contracts report dated November 3, 2025, which also included a Wichita Airport Authority Board of Bids report.
Mayor Wu moved to receive and file the report, approve the contracts, and authorize the necessary signatures.
Vote: 7 to 0
IV. Petitions for Public Improvements
No petitions were presented.
V. Unfinished Council Business
1. Industrial Revenue Bond Letter of Intent — Lange Gen Y, LLC (District IV) — WITHDRAWN
Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson informed the council that the applicant, Lange Gen Y, LLC, had requested withdrawal of their petition for approval of a Letter of Intent to Issue Industrial Revenue Bonds. No action was required by the council.
VI. New Council Business
1. Q3 2025 Quarterly Financial Report (Period Ended September 30, 2025)
Mark Manning from the Finance Department presented the quarterly financial report, which the council received with generally positive news. The discussion was detailed and touched on several ARPA-funded programs.
Violence Interrupters Program Data Gaps
Vice Mayor Johnston raised a concern about missing data on Page 22 of the ARPA Recovery Plan Report, specifically that the Violence Interrupters program showed no contact numbers for high-risk individuals during June, July, August, or September.
Assistant City Manager Donte Martin explained that the program evaluator operates on a different quarterly schedule than the city’s financial calendar — with the program’s evaluation starting from the sites’ September 2024 initiation date — and that the external auditor is currently conducting a sub-recipient monitoring review. He anticipated receiving a fourth-quarter report from the program evaluator within 30 days and planned to package that data along with site certification materials.
Mayor Wu pushed further, noting that Page 16 indicates no fourth-quarter figure would be available and that performance measures going forward would be reported only annually. She requested that monthly data continue to be collected and reported.
“I really believe that being data-informed requires us to actually have full data. So I would not like to see annual data, but rather monthly.” — Mayor Lily Wu
Martin agreed to work with the program evaluator and the Community Engagement Institute to provide monthly reporting.
Healthy Corner Store Initiative — Questions About Spending
Vice Mayor Johnston also raised questions about Pages 40-41 of the ARPA report, specifically about expenditures under the Healthy Corner Store Initiative. He noted that approximately $65,000 in product stand spending appeared concentrated at Mr. Mc’s Watermelon Kings, along with $33,000 in equipment and $8,300 in wholesale costs.
Martin explained that Mr. Mc’s market serves as the program’s primary distributor, meaning its invoices reflect bulk purchasing on behalf of all 13 participating corner stores — not just its own location. He also noted that Mr. Mc’s was an early adopter in converting its store to carry fresh produce.
Johnston then pressed on whether a smoke shop — specifically a business called “21 Smoke Shop” — was among the participating healthy corner stores. Martin said he was unfamiliar with the business and committed to following up with the Community Engagement Institute to determine whether the business meets program requirements.
“It is called Healthy Corner Store Initiative and one of the places is a 21 Smoke Shop. Why are we putting healthy food in a 21 Smoke Shop?” — Vice Mayor JV Johnston
Johnston also inquired about approximately $48,000 in remaining ARPA funds tied to the Westlink Library project, asking whether it could fund a sun shade over the play area. Finance Director Manning confirmed those funds were not eligible for repurposing under ARPA rules, as no commitment existed for a canopy prior to the December 31, 2024, ARPA obligation deadline.
Interest Rate Projections
Council Member Hoheisel asked for the city’s interest rate projections. Manning stated the city’s financial model projects rates reaching a terminal rate of approximately 3% by 2027, consistent with the Federal Reserve’s Dot Plot. The Federal Reserve cut rates by 0.25% in both September and October, with a potential additional cut in December. Manning indicated the city’s investment portfolio duration of just over one year provides relatively low interest rate risk in 2026, but that continued cuts could create greater risk in 2027.
Jail Fees
Mayor Wu asked about a $1.5 million increase in jail fee costs referenced in the financial presentation. Manning explained that the city pays jail fees for defendants held on municipal — not state — charges. The increase reflects more aggressive enforcement by the property crimes reduction task force targeting petty theft and related crimes, as well as increased activity around domestic violence cases.
Vote on Financial Reports: 7 to 0
2. Funding for 2026 Facilities Maintenance
Chris Sewell from Public Works and Utilities reviewed a package of 15 bonding resolutions to fund 2026 facilities maintenance across city buildings. Projects included maintenance and improvements for the Advanced Learning Library, aquatics facilities, Century II, Botanica, City Hall, Old Cowtown Museum, fire facilities, park facilities, police facilities, splash pads, and a citywide building energy improvement and security program.
The total city portfolio encompasses more than 500 buildings.
Mayor Wu raised specific concerns about fire station conditions — particularly roof leaks and HVAC systems — noting her visits to multiple fire stations during the year.
Sewell confirmed that roof repairs are handled as reported and that a contract is in place for leak repairs. He noted that Fire Station 1 is slated for a full HVAC system replacement using prior-year funding, and that this project has been intentionally coordinated with design work underway for a new southwest fire station near the airport, so that improved decontamination areas and better air flow controls developed for the new station can be incorporated into existing facilities as well.
“I want to make sure that before winter really hits us here in Wichita, our fire stations don’t have leaks so that our firefighters are not being faced with precipitation from the outside.” — Mayor Lily Wu
City Manager Layton noted that maintenance is driven by work orders submitted by the departments themselves.
Vote: 7 to 0
Gary Janzen, Public Works and Utilities Director, also used the occasion to publicly recognize outgoing Facilities Manager Chris Sewell, who is transitioning to a new position within Public Works. Janzen praised Sewell’s development of the city’s decision support tool for facility management as having significantly improved the city’s long-term planning posture.
3. Funding for 2026 Sidewalk Maintenance Program
Paul Gunzelman from Public Works and Utilities reviewed the sidewalk maintenance funding request supported by Resolution No. 25-484.
Mayor Wu took the opportunity to clarify the often-confusing question of sidewalk ownership and maintenance responsibility. Gunzelman confirmed that sidewalks adjacent to city-owned property — including parks and fire stations — are the city’s responsibility to maintain. Sidewalks in front of residential properties are generally the homeowner’s responsibility, though in some cases along arterial streets where houses back up to the roadway, the city covers those costs.
Council Member Hoheisel asked whether financial assistance exists for low-income property owners who face sidewalk repair obligations. Gunzelman was initially uncertain, but Gary Janzen confirmed that a program exists similar to the city’s dirt street assessment program, with income-based eligibility. Janzen offered to provide specific threshold details.
Vote: 7 to 0
4. Phase 2 Agreement and Funding — Four Mile Creek Digester Expansion (District II)
Gary Janzen reviewed a Phase 2 contract amendment and revised budget for the Four Mile Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant digester expansion, supported by Resolution No. 25-463.
Council Member Hoheisel confirmed that the wastewater contingency fund is separate from the stormwater contingency fund.
Council Member Tuttle expressed support, noting the scale of the city’s water infrastructure investment program.
“We’re investing almost $1 billion worth of infrastructure with our water and sewer treatment plants. Thank you so much for just continuing to be forward-thinking.” — Council Member Becky Tuttle
Vote: 7 to 0 (moved by Council Member Tuttle)
5. Lodging Establishment License Ordinance — Chapter 3.23
Jan Jarman from the Law Department presented Ordinance No. 52-835, which creates a new Chapter 3.23 of the Wichita City Code establishing a lodging establishment licensing regime. The ordinance was championed by Council Member Hoheisel and developed in close collaboration with Visit Wichita and local hotel and motel industry stakeholders.
Key Provisions:
The ordinance requires all lodging establishments — approximately 106 currently licensed by the state — to obtain a city license at a fee of $200 per year. Operators in arrears on money owed to the city may not receive a license. Failure to comply results in a $5-per-day fine, with escalating consequences including potential prosecution for operating without a license. The city intends to use the State of Kansas inspection as the primary inspection mechanism, relying on state-licensed status rather than establishing a parallel inspection apparatus.
City Manager Layton noted the ordinance reflects changes recommended by industry representatives during the review process.
Council Member Glasscock asked whether the ordinance would give the city better tools than the state to manage problem properties without displacing large numbers of residents at once — citing a prior hotel closure along West Kellogg that had been handled by the state. Jarman confirmed that city control would allow for section-by-section suspension rather than an abrupt total shutdown, and that better advance notice would allow more coordinated support for displaced guests.
Council Member Glasscock also asked about digital licensing, and City Manager Layton confirmed that if the ordinance passes, the city would begin work on a digital registration process.
Council Member Tuttle pressed for clarity on monitoring and enforcement — specifically whether someone at the city would track expiration dates and follow up with non-compliant operators. Jarman confirmed that the city has email addresses for all known lodging establishments, that outreach would likely be electronic, and that operators failing to respond would receive visits from the police department for operating without a license.
Mayor Wu noted that she initially had reservations about adding another licensing burden but was persuaded by the specific problems presented by hourly-rate motels in certain corridors.
Public Comment:
Two community members from the South Broadway area spoke in support of the ordinance.
Christopher Swanson, a resident of the SoCe (South Central) neighborhood and prospective coffee shop owner planning to open SoCe Coffee Company at Lincoln and Broadway around September 2026, said that hourly motels along South Broadway have created persistent safety and quality-of-life challenges for residents. He expressed hope that licensing would improve standards without simply displacing the most vulnerable residents who rely on these accommodations.
Timothy McQuary, who lives at 1002 South Broadway and described having six hotels within a mile of his home, said the issue hit close to home — literally. On the day of the meeting, he said there had been a shooting across the street from his home, with people fleeing to a nearby hotel.
“I believe this — passing this — will directly affect our neighborhood and help hold people to what people say is ‘a higher standard.’ I think we’re trying to hold them to just a minimum standard. And that will be helpful.” — Timothy McQuary
Council Members Johnson and Ballard both thanked Hoheisel for his leadership, noting that North Broadway faces similar issues to South Broadway.
Vote: 7 to 0 (moved by Council Member Hoheisel)
VII. Non-Consent Planning Agenda
1. CON2025-00116 — Conditional Use for Car Wash Near Residential Zoning, North Rock Road near 37th Street North (District II) — DENIED
Scott Wadle from the Planning Department reviewed a request for a conditional use permit to operate a car wash within 200 feet of residential zoning on the east side of North Rock Road near 37th Street North.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission had recommended approval, but the District Advisory Board had recommended denial. Council Member Tuttle disclosed that she had received ex parte communication from approximately 204 residents — by email, phone, text, and in-person encounters at a grocery store and restaurants — as well as from the applicant’s agent.
Wadle noted that the applicant had not reached out to concerned neighbors. Key concerns raised at the District Advisory Board and echoed by residents included traffic safety along the already-congested two- and three-lane section of Rock Road, noise from car wash operations, potential icing hazards from water dripping onto roadways in winter, light pollution affecting nearby residences, and pedestrian safety.
Mayor Wu noted that a car wash already exists on the southwest corner of 37th and Rock Road, raising questions about market saturation and the appropriateness of a second such facility in a constrained corridor.
Council Member Tuttle moved to override the MAPC recommendation and deny the conditional use, consistent with the District Advisory Board’s recommendation.
Vote: 7 to 0 (Denied)
2. PUD2025-00016 — Proctor Family Indoor Athletic Facility Zone Change (District II) — WITHDRAWN
The applicant withdrew this application on November 4, 2025, before the meeting. No action was taken.
3. PUD2025-00017 — 944 South Topeka Planned Unit Development, Foster Youth Housing (District III) — DEFERRED to December 2, 2025
Scott Wadle reviewed a zone change request at 944 South Topeka, proposing a Planned Unit Development (PUD #149) on a parcel currently zoned B Multi-Family Residential and GC General Commercial. The development, as described by the applicant, would create approximately 55 units of housing using repurposed shipping containers — 45 intended for youth aging out of foster care and 10 for “intentional neighbors” who agree to live among and support the youth residents at subsidized rent.
The site would also include a church functioning not as a residential space but as a community hub aggregating resources from 52 partner organizations serving foster youth.
Council Discussions:
Several council members disclosed ex parte communication with the applicant prior to the meeting (Tuttle, Hoheisel, Mayor Wu). Vice Mayor Johnston also acknowledged prior conversations with the applicant, identified in the minutes as “Freddy.”
The applicant explained that residents would use Foster Youth Initiative (FYI) vouchers, which operate on standards comparable to Section 8 housing requirements. The development is intended to address the approximately 30% of Wichita youth aging out of foster care who are immediately unhoused.
On parking, the applicant noted that the originally proposed minimum of 36 spaces had been updated to a one-to-one ratio of parking spaces per unit, and that four transportation partner organizations would supplement resident mobility. A bus stop would serve the site.
Building code questions proved complex. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson explained at length that shipping container construction, once units are stacked — placing one unit on top of another — triggers requirements under the International Building Code rather than the International Residential Code, which in turn requires fire-rated construction, fire separation between units, and sprinkler systems. Chris Labrum of MABCD confirmed that stacking containers as described would trigger sprinkler requirements.
Vice Mayor Johnston expressed significant skepticism about project costs, noting that the applicant quoted approximately $62,000 per unit but that Johnston’s own research into container construction — including a tour of a Bel Aire, Kansas manufacturer — suggested costs far exceed that figure even for single-story containers without the added complexity of cutting in large windows, running plumbing, and meeting building codes.
“I really have serious concerns about these units. I don’t think you can do them for $62,000 a piece.” — Vice Mayor JV Johnston
Council Member Hoheisel noted that a meeting with MABCD earlier in the week had raised additional questions and said he wanted the applicant to meet further with MABCD, develop a more complete plan, and return with answers.
Council Member Tuttle expressed support for the program’s intent — housing vulnerable foster youth — but cautioned that the council’s role at this stage is limited to land use, not the specifics of the program’s viability or financing.
Vote to Defer: 7 to 0 (to December 2, 2025, Council Meeting)
4. PUD2025-00019 — Park Village PUD, RV Campground and Manufactured Home Uses, Greenwich Road and Waterman Street (District II) — DENIED
Scott Wadle reviewed a zone change request from MH Manufactured Housing District to PUD for a development that would permit both RV campground uses and manufactured homes on a parcel at the northeast corner of South Greenwich Road and East Waterman Street.
Council Member Tuttle, who had no ex parte communication with any party, summarized the District Advisory Board’s principal concerns: the proposed PUD would introduce transient, short-term RV occupants into a neighborhood currently consisting of manufactured home residents, increasing instability in housing tenure for area residents and placing additional demand on emergency and public services.
“This is a manufactured home neighborhood, and we would be putting RVs in it for people to live in. I think it would significantly change the character of the neighborhood.” — Council Member Becky Tuttle
Vote: 7 to 0 (Denied) (moved by Council Member Tuttle)
5. PUD2025-00021 — PUD #55 Amendment, Event Center Capacity and Parking, 3207 East Douglas Avenue (District I) — APPROVED WITH MODIFIED CONDITIONS
This was one of the meeting’s most complex and extensively debated items. Scott Wadle reviewed a request to amend PUD #55 at 3207 East Douglas Avenue — an event center — to modify building capacity, building coverage area, and maximum gross floor area ratio.
The Capacity Question:
The current PUD limits occupancy to 850 persons. Fire Code and building code, through a 2018 Variance Committee decision, set the building’s actual permitted capacity at 860 — 10 persons above the PUD cap — after the prior owner installed double the required number of fire exits and a voice-enunciated alarm panel in lieu of a fire suppression system. The proposal before the council was to remove the 850-person PUD cap, with the practical effect of allowing occupancy up to the 860 established by the variance, and enabling the owner to seek further capacity increases through proper Fire Code and Building Code processes.
A protest by neighboring property owners exceeding 20% of the area triggered a supermajority requirement: approval required 6 of 7 votes rather than the standard 4 of 7. Staff acknowledged an error on the agenda cover sheet that had incorrectly listed the standard threshold.
Council Member Tuttle engaged in an extended and thorough examination of the relationship between the zoning action and fire safety — seeking to understand that the council, in approving this PUD amendment, was only authorizing a marginal increase from 850 to 860 bodies, and that any further increase would require separate engagement with the Fire Marshal and MABCD under the applicable Fire Code and Building Code.
Fire Marshal Chris Dugan confirmed that under the Fire Code, assembly occupancies classified A2 that serve alcohol and hold more than 300 persons require a fire suppression system — a requirement the 2018 variance letter sidestepped. Any capacity increase above 860 would trigger full Fire Code compliance, including the potential requirement to install a sprinkler system, which Dugan estimated would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Council Member Glasscock expressed admiration for Council Member Johnson’s eventual compromise motion but asked how the applicant could practically control where patrons park given the motion’s requirements.
Council Member Johnson’s Motion:
Rather than deny the application, Council Member Johnson moved to approve the PUD amendment as recommended by MAPC with significant modifications addressing both fire safety and parking:
On fire safety: any increase in occupancy above 860 persons would require a fire suppression system approved by the Fire Department and MABCD, installed prior to that increased occupancy being permitted.
On parking: occupancy at 850 persons would require the existing 17 on-site parking spaces. For occupancy above 850, one parking space would be required for every four occupants. Up to 25% of this requirement could be met by on-street parking, provided the owner submits a survey of those spaces for planning department approval. Private off-street spaces within half a mile could count, provided written agreements from private property owners are submitted and approved. The planning department’s decisions on parking surveys could be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals by either the property owner or neighboring property owners within 200 feet. Enforcement would be complaint-based.
Johnson argued that the motion functionally reflected the applicant’s stated commitments — the applicant had previously told the community he had parking agreements — and would provide a structured, verifiable pathway for capacity increases while requiring fire safety upgrades the fire marshal had indicated were appropriate.
“Basically, much like with WSU, you get directed to a certain place to park. It’s not really a huge burden on him to go do the same thing that he says he’s been doing.” — Council Member Brandon Johnson
Because the motion constituted an adoption (not an override) of a MAPC-recommended zone change in the context of a 20%+ protest petition, it still required 6 of 7 votes to pass.
Vote: 7 to 0 (Approved with Modified Conditions)
VIII. Non-Consent Housing Agenda
No items were presented.
Airport Agenda
No non-consent airport items were presented.
Council Member Agenda
1. Gift Limit Waiver — Mayor Wu’s Rodel Fellowship Attendance
Mayor Wu moved to approve an exception to the Ethics Ordinance gift limit to allow her to accept travel and expenses to attend the Rodel Fellowship Seminar in Amelia Island, Florida, from November 20–23, 2025. The fellowship is hosted by the nonprofit Rodel Institute for the purposes of education, collaboration, and professional development. The estimated value of travel, hotel, meals, and materials is $3,500, with no taxpayer dollars involved.
Vote: 7 to 0
2. Mayor Wu’s Travel to KU Dole Institute of Politics
Mayor Wu moved to approve her travel to attend a High Stakes Leadership program at the KU Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas on November 12, 2025. A city vehicle would be used; all other costs would be paid by the Mayor with no taxpayer funds.
Vote: 7 to 0
Council Member Appointments and Comments
Mayor Wu recognized Elizabeth Timsah, the Mayor’s Youth Council Youth Mayor, who had attended the evening session but needed to leave early to complete homework. Wu thanked youth who are engaging with local civic life.
Council Member Hoheisel moved to appoint Vanessa Christopherson to the Ethics Board.
Vote: 7 to 0
Complete Voting Record
| Item | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes Approval | October 21 and October 28 regular meeting minutes | 7–0 |
| Consent Agenda | Items 1–26 | 7–0 |
| Board of Bids and Contracts | November 3, 2025 report | 7–0 |
| VI-1 | Q3 2025 Quarterly Financial Reports | 7–0 |
| VI-2 | 2026 Facilities Maintenance Funding | 7–0 |
| VI-3 | 2026 Sidewalk Maintenance Program | 7–0 |
| VI-4 | Four Mile Creek Digester Expansion Phase 2 | 7–0 |
| VI-5 | Lodging Establishment License Ordinance (Ch. 3.23) | 7–0 |
| VII-1 | CON2025-00116 Car Wash Conditional Use — DENIED | 7–0 |
| VII-3 | PUD2025-00017 Foster Youth Housing — DEFERRED to Dec. 2 | 7–0 |
| VII-4 | PUD2025-00019 RV/Manufactured Home PUD — DENIED | 7–0 |
| VII-5 | PUD2025-00021 Event Center Capacity Amendment | 7–0 |
| Council Agenda 1 | Mayor Wu gift limit waiver — Rodel Fellowship | 7–0 |
| Council Agenda 2 | Mayor Wu travel — KU Dole Institute | 7–0 |
| Ethics Board Appointment | Vanessa Christopherson to Ethics Board | 7–0 |
| Adjournment | 9:08 p.m. | 6–1 (Nay: Johnson) |
How to Stay Engaged with Wichita City Government
Upcoming Key Dates:
- December 2, 2025 — Next regular Wichita City Council meeting (PUD2025-00017 foster youth housing deferred to this date)
- January 13, 2026 — Ben Lee’s rescheduled public comment on gangs, guns, and violence
Contact Your Council Member:
- Mayor Lily Wu (At-Large)
- Vice Mayor JV Johnston (District I)
- Brandon Johnson (District II)
- Becky Tuttle (District II — note: also covers District planning concerns)
- Mike Hoheisel (District V)
- Dalton Glasscock (District III)
- Maggie Ballard (District VI)
Contact information for all council members is available at wichita.gov/government/citycouncil.
Community Resources from This Meeting:
- Property Fraud Alert: propertyfraudalert.com — select Sedgwick County, Kansas
- Notary Fraud Alert: notaryfraudalert.com
- Sedgwick County Register of Deeds: sedgwickcounty.org/deeds
Public Comment: Residents may address the City Council during the Public Agenda portion of each meeting. Speakers are encouraged to arrive early and register with the City Clerk.
Meeting archives, agendas, and minutes: Available at wichita.gov.
Voice for Liberty is an independent civic journalism publication covering Wichita municipal government. Coverage is based on official City Council proceedings and minutes. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, financial, or policy advice. For questions about city programs referenced in this article, contact the relevant city departments directly.
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