The Wichita City Council convened its regular session on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, beginning at 9:02 a.m. with all seven members present: Mayor Lily Wu, Vice Mayor JV Johnston, and Council Members Brandon Johnson, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, Dalton Glasscock, and Maggie Ballard. City Manager Robert Layton, Law Department representative Jennifer Magana, and City Clerk Shinita Rice also attended.
The meeting touched on a sweeping range of topics. Public speakers delivered urgent testimony about Wichita’s public transit system and its failures for working-class residents, while another resident raised pointed questions about the future of the city’s water supply. In council business, members approved a series of capital infrastructure projects, advanced a multi-year public art maintenance plan, accepted a bronze sculpture donation for the Alfred Branch Library, and extended their contract with Visit Wichita — a conversation that quickly expanded into a substantial discussion about the city’s convention facility deficiencies and the economic opportunity being left on the table. A controversial zoning case near the former Joyland site was approved, while a separate zoning item involving an indoor athletic facility was deferred to November. All votes were unanimous at 7-0 unless otherwise noted. Assistance from Claude AI.
Proclamations and Awards
Before diving into council business, Mayor Wu presided over the recognition portion of the agenda. The council issued proclamations for:
- National Kidney Foundation Walk Day
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Awareness Month
- Manufacturing Day
The council also recognized the city with Polco’s Best in Governance Award, a national recognition for municipal transparency and civic engagement performance.
Public Agenda: Voices from the Community
1. Manuel Gomez — The Human Cost of Wichita’s Public Transportation Gaps
Manuel Gomez delivered what may have been the most personally affecting testimony of the morning — a firsthand account of how Wichita’s public transportation system is failing workers, medical patients, and residents trying to access basic services.
Gomez told the council he had moved to Wichita from cities including Seattle and Los Angeles, and that he had turned down three manufacturing jobs paying over $20 per hour because he could not get to them by bus. He currently earns $13 per hour. “I’ve turned down three jobs that paid over $20 an hour and I’m currently making only $13 because public transportation doesn’t serve the area where the manufacturing jobs are,” he said. “And those areas that do get served, the timing is just way off.”
His testimony wove together several related failures:
Timing. The first downtown buses don’t depart until 6:00 a.m., which makes first-shift manufacturing work — which often starts at 6:00 a.m. — functionally unreachable for transit-dependent residents. Second-shift workers at facilities like Coleman or Johnson Controls end work around midnight or later, when buses have long stopped running, leaving workers stranded.
Coverage gaps. No bus routes connect Wichita to Derby, Haysville, or the airport — all areas with significant employment in manufacturing and warehousing. “There is no bus that takes you to the airport. There’s tons of factories, warehouses around the airport that people could get jobs at,” Gomez said.
Medical appointments. Gomez described canceling medical appointments because dedicating eight hours of his day to a round trip on buses running only once per hour was simply not feasible.
Cost relative to service. Wichita charges fares comparable to major metro systems while covering a fraction of the service area. Uber costs Gomez $20 per day to reach work — equivalent to roughly three hours of his wages.
Food assistance paradox. In perhaps the starkest anecdote, Gomez described hearing of a single mother who was told she could walk to a free downtown dinner service — despite no bus route connecting her location to it.
He also invoked research showing that every dollar invested in public transportation generates approximately four dollars in local economic activity, through trips to grocery stores, medical appointments, local businesses, and employment.
Council Member Hoheisel acknowledged the legitimacy of the concerns and noted some incremental progress: the city has recently extended service hours slightly and is in talks with neighboring communities about connecting bus routes. “We are in talks with some of our fellow communities about having connections between Haysville and Derby and Wichita where their bus routes meet our bus routes,” Hoheisel said. He also mentioned exploring business funding to extend routes an extra mile toward aviation employers. “It’s not enough,” he added directly.
City Manager Robert Layton provided a broader update. He explained that city staff spent approximately a year studying transit service needs and developing a new service plan that will be rolled out in 2026. The plan is expected to increase bus frequency on certain routes, particularly during rush hours. The city is also working with WAMPO (the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) on a regional connectivity study with neighboring communities, asking them to determine whether an implementation plan involving cross-jurisdictional partnerships is feasible.
Council Member Ballard thanked Gomez for coming and emphasized the value of hearing directly from transit riders. “I think it’s really important to get feedback from people that actually use the transit system,” she said.
In a notably human moment, Vice Mayor Johnston — who serves as Executive Director of the Guadalupe Clinic — offered Gomez a direct resource: the clinic provides Lyft rides for uninsured patients traveling to medical appointments.
2. Four Twenty Jim — Camping Ordinance and Cannabis Policy
A speaker identifying himself as “Four Twenty Jim” — noting that is his legal name — addressed the council on two topics. He drives a mobile billboard across the country on an RV and clarified he was not in Wichita to camp but to conduct a petition campaign calling for federal cannabis legalization. He praised the professionalism of Wichita’s police department in their interactions with him, and called on the city to reconsider policies he views as inconsistent — permitting synthetic drug products in local smoke shops while restricting natural cannabis.
No council member responded directly to his remarks.
3. Yadon Duprez — Keep Wichita’s Water Public
Resident Yadon Duprez brought a proposal that was equal parts civic research and policy advocacy: he asked the council to formally commit to keeping Wichita’s municipal water system in public hands — permanently.
Duprez cited examples from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois where municipalities sold their water systems to private or investor-owned firms, resulting in steep rate increases, reduced local control, and slower responsiveness to community needs. He asked the council directly: “Have any discussions, meetings or negotiations taken place with private equity firms, asset management companies or other private entities regarding the potential acquisition or privatization of Wichita’s municipal water supply?”
If the answer was no, he proposed the council pass a resolution declaring the water supply shall remain publicly owned in perpetuity.
Council Member Hoheisel answered the question unequivocally: “No, I don’t believe there’s been any discussions or is it the will of Council to privatize our water source.” He added he would personally be open to a resolution, though he asked Law Department representative Jennifer Magana to clarify its legal weight. Magana confirmed that resolutions are statements of intent rather than codified law — they do not carry the same binding force as ordinances.
Council Member Johnson echoed Hoheisel’s position: “Just to be on the record I don’t support that either. I think it would be a huge mistake for the City to privatize its water.”
City Manager Layton offered important historical context. The city had actually evaluated a public-private partnership model when developing its new water treatment plant. After careful analysis, staff and council determined it was not in the city’s best interest. “It was not the most cost-effective approach and it had elements of risk that were not acceptable to the Council,” Layton said. He expressed doubt that those factors would change in the future, and suggested a formal resolution may not be necessary to reaffirm sound business practices already in place.
Council Member Tuttle noted that water rights are a complex issue and deferred to the city manager’s remarks.
4. Richard Churray — City Bike Trails Need More Attention
Richard Churray, a resident of District 6 who moved to Wichita three years ago from a small Virginia community, offered the council an outsider’s perspective on one of the city’s underappreciated assets: its trail system.
Churray praised the trail network enthusiastically — noting routes from Zoo Boulevard to OJ Watson Park, and the Redbud Trail extending from Hydraulic out toward Andover — but expressed concern that the urban portions of the trail system are not receiving sufficient maintenance. Heavy rains this year have deposited sand on trail surfaces, creating hazardous conditions for cyclists. Overgrown grass, low-hanging branches, and encampments are additional issues.
He proposed a creative solution: assign mounted police officers — one officer, one rookie — to patrol trails monthly on horseback, providing visibility into safety conditions, encampments, and maintenance needs.
Reggie Davidson of the Parks and Recreation Department explained that maintenance crews do follow a scheduled cleaning cycle for the trails, supplemented by public reports submitted through the city’s “See Click and Fix” reporting tool, which routes complaints to the appropriate staff for prioritization.
Mayor Wu asked specifically whether trail maintenance is proactive or complaint-driven, prompting Davidson’s clarification that it is both — but reliant on community reporting for safety-specific issues.
Council Member Ballard thanked Churray and acknowledged the sand issue directly: “My dad fell on his bike, with some sand.”
5. Andrew Crane — National Federation of the Blind Convention
Andrew Crane of Guiding Paws ICT informed the council about the upcoming National Federation of the Blind state convention, scheduled for October 31 through November 2, and invited council members to attend in support of Wichita’s blind and low-vision community. Mayor Wu echoed the invitation from the dais.
Consent Agenda
The council approved Consent Agenda Items 1 through 4 and 6 through 14 by a vote of 7-0, after Mayor Wu pulled Item 5 for separate discussion.
Consent items included:
- Preliminary estimates for paving, sewer, drainage, and water improvements for Greenwich Legacy Addition, Phase 1 (District II)
- Minutes from the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission meetings of August 28 and September 11, 2025
- Proclamation votes
- Osage Park Improvements (District IV)
- Annexation of land at the southwest corner of East 29th Street North and North 143rd Street East — Silo Holdings, LLC (District II)
- Zone change at 825 West Douglas Avenue from LI Limited Industrial to CBD Central Business District (District IV)
- Zone change at 212 North Hillside Avenue from B Multi-Family Residential to LC Limited Commercial (District I)
- Multiple vacation requests for easements and setbacks across Districts I, II, and V
- Plat of Crestwood Landing Addition at East 45th Street North and North Greenwich Road (District II)
Consent Agenda Item 5 (Pulled): Bronze Sculpture Donation by Paul Foley — District IV
Mayor Wu pulled this item not to oppose it, but to give it the public attention she felt it deserved.
The item involves a donation by local artist Paul Foley of a bronze sculpture valued at approximately $70,000. The sculpture — a reclining figure of an adult reading to a child — will be installed at the Alfred Branch Library as part of a broader story walk project being developed there. The artist is personally responsible for transportation and delivery costs; the city’s financial contribution to the installation is expected to be less than $5,000, drawn from a $95,000 budget allocated for the larger story walk project.
Lindsey Benacka of Arts and Cultural Services explained that the library board approved the acquisition and that the Alfred Branch story walk provides a perfect contextual setting for the piece.
Council Member Glasscock praised both the donation and the larger transformation happening at the Alfred Branch Library: “I’m excited to someone who often attended this as a kid to now see it progress as a place for all people and really what’s happening with our libraries and tying in art as a component of that.”
Mayor Wu encouraged residents to seek out public art pieces at libraries and community spaces, and reiterated appreciation for citizens who donate works to the city’s collection.
Vote: 7-0 to approve.
Council Business
Board of Bids and Contracts — October 6, 2025
Josh Lauber of the Finance Department reviewed the Board of Bids and Contracts report dated October 6, 2025. The council received, filed, and approved the report and authorized necessary signatures.
Vote: 7-0
Petitions for Public Improvements — St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church Addition
Paul Gunzelman of Public Works and Utilities reviewed a petition and accompanying resolution for water line expansion improvements to serve the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church Addition.
Vote: 7-0 to approve the petition and budget, adopt the resolution, and authorize signatures.
New Business Item 1: Design Funding for Capital Improvement Program Projects — Districts II and V
This item authorized design funding for three infrastructure projects:
- 13th Street North from Gatewood to Webb Road — a roadway improvement including curb and left-turn expansion
- Pawnee from Greenwich Road to 127th Street East — a roadway with new curb construction, sidewalk expansion, and $60,000 designated for public art
- Mosley Bridge at Chisholm Creek — bridge rehabilitation
The discussion became a wide-ranging forum on traffic calming, public art in transportation corridors, and the legacy of speed bumps.
On the Pawnee corridor art: Mayor Wu asked about the significance of public art on Pawnee near 127th Street. Gunzelman explained that the Design Council identifies projects to receive public art as part of the Capital Improvement Program process each year, and that the Pawnee/127th intersection — which was once considered as a potential roundabout site — presents an opportunity for a meaningful installation.
On sidewalks: The Pawnee project will extend an existing 10-foot multi-use path (running from Woodlawn east to Webb Road, recently extended to Greenwich) further east. The project continues the city’s pattern of providing both wider shared-use paths and standard sidewalks on major corridors.
On speed bumps — why Wichita doesn’t use them: Mayor Wu’s question about speed bump costs led to an extensive explanation from both Gunzelman and Public Works Director Gary Janzen. The short answer: Wichita stopped installing speed bumps in the mid-1980s, and a City Council ordinance enacted sometime in the last 8 to 10 years formally prohibits them on city streets.
The reasons are multifaceted:
- Emergency response concerns: police, fire, and ambulance vehicles are slowed, affecting response times
- Behavioral backlash: studies show drivers often speed between bumps to make up lost time
- Traffic displacement: drivers avoid speed-bumped streets, pushing traffic onto adjacent residential streets and generating more complaints
- Liability: cities have faced injury claims from drivers hitting bumps at speed
- Maintenance costs: speed bumps are costly to install and maintain over time
Janzen pointed to speed tables — wider, less abrupt raised platforms — as a more effective alternative in appropriate settings. The raised crosswalk on 2nd Street in Old Town and one near Equity Bank Park on McLean were cited as successful examples. “I think there’s better ways to do it,” Janzen said. “There’s things that we’ve talked about for traffic calming that I think can be a lot more effective during the design of our roadways.”
On Douglas Street racing: Mayor Wu raised constituent concerns about vehicles racing along Douglas Street from the Delano roundabout to Naftzger Park, enabled by a long stretch of signal-coordinated road with few physical impediments. City Manager Layton noted that Police Chief Sullivan had already begun working on enhanced enforcement downtown, with a written status update forthcoming. Janzen suggested that lane narrowing — similar to delineators installed on eastbound 1st Street approaching the Central Rail Corridor — could be effective on Douglas. Council Member Johnson noted that CIP funding already exists to redesign Douglas Street, including a plan to reduce it from five lanes to three, which would inherently reduce speed and noise.
Council Member Hoheisel requested a future workshop presentation on traffic calming options, noting ongoing neighborhood complaints about speeding. Janzen indicated that information on 27th Street calming measures — including a comparison of temporary versus permanent solutions and funding options — would be brought back to council soon.
Public comment included remarks from Andrew Crane (Guiding Paws ICT), who advocated for ensuring accessible pedestrian crossing signals remain functional for the blind and low-vision community, and Manuel Gomez, who shared research showing that visible public art at street level can slow traffic and suggested that greenery and landscaping serve both aesthetic and noise-remediation functions.
Vote: 7-0 to approve budgets, adopt resolutions, and authorize signatures.
New Business Item 2: Hess Reservoir Improvements — Evergy Agreement Amendment and Funding
Gary Janzen reviewed a package of actions related to two major water infrastructure projects:
Northwest Water Treatment Facility: The facility is undergoing performance testing and is on track for the city to take possession in December. The revised approved budget is approximately $557 million, reduced from $569 million. Janzen said he does not anticipate any further budget increase. Critically, the $12 million reduction reflects the exhaustion of available WIFIA (Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) and SRF (State Revolving Fund) federal loan funding — all of which was consumed by the water treatment plant. The Hess Reservoir project will now be funded through normal utility rates and the CIP. A portion of the additional approximately $4 million will likely come from a combination of cash reserves and bonding.
Hess Reservoir: The item also included discussion of the former parking lots atop the Hess Reservoir, which were removed due to structural concerns — the weight of vehicles was causing damage to the reservoir structures below. Mayor Wu asked Janzen to explain why the parking was removed permanently.
Janzen confirmed that during internal reservoir inspections, structural damage caused by the parking lots was discovered. The city made the repairs and chose not to restore the parking. In its place, the city has issued an RFP (RFP 250305) for Restoration and Management of Hess Pump Station Reservoir Landscape — closing October 31 — inviting proposals to turn the area into a conservation space. Interest so far has centered on native grassland restoration, pollinator habitat (bees, butterflies), and a nature preserve accessible to pedestrians. The lease would transfer maintenance responsibility to the lessee at no cost to the city, while the city retains access to the reservoir infrastructure.
Council Member Ballard clarified for public reassurance: the lease is not for development in any traditional sense — it is solely for conservation use atop the reservoir, with weight and access restrictions in place.
Vote: 7-0 to approve the Evergy amendment, revised budgets, resolutions, and authorize signatures.
New Business Item 3: Library Branch Projects Public Art — Districts III, IV, and VI
Lindsey Benacka presented a plan to fund public art projects at multiple library branches.
Council Member Johnson asked whether the art at the Walters Branch — which apparently honors a specific person — could be developed in collaboration with that person’s family to tell his life story through the artwork. Benacka confirmed that the family is already being engaged as part of the artist selection committee.
Vote: 7-0 to reallocate funds, approve the project, adopt the bonding resolution, and authorize signatures.
New Business Item 4: 2025–2028 Public Art Maintenance Plan
Lindsey Benacka presented the city’s four-year public art maintenance plan, which covers inspection, cleaning, and restoration for Wichita’s growing collection of outdoor and indoor public artworks.
The plan’s funding structure involves two streams:
- General operating budget: $50,000 per year for a contracted art conservator who performs annual cleaning and waxing of bronze sculptures and general maintenance across the entire collection
- Capital budget (CIP): $160,000 allocated for large-scale specialty restoration work — pieces requiring significant conservation intervention
The current 10% of the CIP arts budget going toward maintenance is distinct from the general operating allocation. To change that percentage would require an amendment to city code, as the current allocation was adopted by ordinance.
Benacka identified two major priority projects:
- Warren Langley sculptures along the riverwalk near River Vista Apartments — scheduled to coincide with the 1st Street Bridge project so the sculptures can be removed simultaneously with other construction
- L.W. Clapp Mosaic Mural (Lindberg Panel) on the facade of the Kansas Aviation Museum — conservation timed to align with the Minisa Bridge project
Mayor Wu raised a significant policy question: only 10% of the CIP arts allocation goes toward maintenance, while new acquisitions consume the remaining 90%. She asked whether more resources should go to maintaining what already exists. She also flagged a budget discussion item — a proposal to reduce the arts CIP percentage from 2% to 1% as part of 2027 budget balancing strategies — and asked how such a change would be made. City Manager Layton confirmed it would require a change to city code.
Council Member Johnson offered a strong counterpoint to any potential reduction. He described a City to City visit to Detroit, where Ned Staebler of Wayne State University presented data showing that arts investment is a driver of urban economic development — and that cities have been doing economic development “wrong” for 30 to 50 years by underinvesting in quality-of-life amenities. “Just going to be on record I don’t think we should cut any arts pieces,” Johnson said.
Mayor Wu also asked about the origins of the Joan of Arc statue now displayed inside City Hall. Benacka explained that the city actually has two Joan of Arc statues — both gifts from Wichita’s sister city of Orléans, France. The original, made from materials sensitive to Kansas weather, was moved indoors and replaced outside with a replica (which still stands in front of the former Central Library). The original had been in storage for many years before Mayor Wu and committee members advocated for its restoration and display. The art conservator found it in good condition, performed minor restoration work, and a plinth was built. Total cost to bring it back into public view: $5,700.
Vote: 7-0 to approve the project, contracts, bonding resolution, and authorize signatures.
New Business Item 5: 2026 Contract Renewal with Visit Wichita
What began as a contract renewal quickly became one of the most substantive policy discussions of the meeting — a frank assessment of Wichita’s convention infrastructure deficit and what it is costing the city economically.
Lindsey Benacka and Visit Wichita President and CEO Suzie Santo presented the 2026 contract renewal. The relationship involves transient guest tax funding supporting Visit Wichita’s tourism promotion and event attraction work. Notably, the renewal includes $100,000 in city funding toward a Destination Master Plan — the first of its kind for Wichita — which will take a holistic look at the region’s visitor economy, attractions, and infrastructure needs from a tourism lens. Visit Wichita plans to raise an additional $200,000 (combining its own contribution with outside fundraising) to bring the total plan budget to approximately $300,000.
Highlights from the discussion:
Visitor economic impact: Santo noted that in the prior year, visitors generated approximately $210 million in tax revenue for the community — taxes that non-Wichitans helped pay. This figure underscores the argument for a sales tax approach to funding visitor amenities, as it spreads the cost beyond local residents.
The convention facility gap: Santo was candid about Wichita’s most significant tourism infrastructure weakness. The city currently markets Bob Brown Convention Hall — approximately 90,000 gross square feet, with only about 60,000 square feet of usable “prime” space that meets ceiling height and floor configuration standards. That 60,000 square feet cannot be subdivided, meaning the city can only host one event at a time in that space.
What convention industry standards require is approximately 150,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space, plus additional ballroom and breakout meeting space. Wichita is competing against Omaha, Des Moines, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Overland Park — all of which have invested in their convention facilities. Santo estimated the city loses more than $45 million annually in economic impact by not having a facility capable of attracting mid-to-large conventions.
The prior study considered extending Bob Brown by building outward to achieve 150,000 contiguous square feet, adding a ballroom and meeting rooms, and potentially connecting to the Century II round building or even the library via underground passages. Santo emphasized: the conversation should be focused on convention facility need — specifically the need for a flat-floor, subdividable, contiguous exhibit space — separate from the emotionally charged debate about Century II’s round building.
Mayor Wu was careful to draw this distinction repeatedly: “I’m not talking about Century II, not the round building, we’re talking about simply the convention space which is the box.”
Mayor Wu also shared that she recently spoke with the organizers of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity’s Western Regional Boulay, who will host their event in Wichita in October 2039 — and that convention space was a central topic of that conversation.
Council Member Glasscock offered enthusiastic support: “When it comes to Convention Performing Arts Center I’m also ready to go. It’s past time that the communities had that conversation.”
Youth sports success: Santo highlighted Wichita’s remarkable achievement in youth sports tourism. The city recently secured a three-year contract from US Youth Soccer — the first time in the organization’s history that a three-year deal was awarded to any host city. Mayor Wu attributed the win to two factors within the city’s control: its investment in Striker Complex (in Council Member Tuttle’s district) and its track record of partnership and delivery. Tulsa, Tampa, and other competitors were in the running. Mayor Wu noted she plans to email Tampa Mayor Castor about the outcome.
Locals and the Convention Center: Public speaker Manuel Gomez offered a suggestion during public comment: Wichita should give local residents reasons to visit the Convention Center year-round — citing San Diego’s permanent restaurant and arts attractions, and Seattle’s farmers markets and wine tastings inside its convention facility. Council Member Johnson agreed: “I’ve been saying for years we should be investing in ourselves for ourselves and not just for outside folks.”
Mayor Wu reminded the audience that the Convention Center already hosts events accessible to the public, including Junior League’s Holiday Galleria and various car shows.
Vote: 7-0 to approve the contract and authorize signatures.
Planning Agenda
Non-Consent Planning Item 1: Proctor Family Indoor Athletic Facility — Deferred (District II)
This item — a zone change request from LI Limited Industrial to PUD Planned Unit Development to create an indoor athletic facility at 11010 East 28th Street North — was deferred.
Council Member Tuttle described the deferral as “unprecedented” in terms of how the situation arose, and thanked planning staff, the Law Department, and her colleagues for their patience in working through a last-minute change to the item. She moved to defer the item to the November 6 evening meeting.
Vote: 7-0 to defer to November 6.
Non-Consent Planning Item 2: Zone Change Near Former Joyland Site — South Hillside Avenue (District III)
The council approved a zone change request from MF-29 Multi-Family Residential District to LC Limited Commercial District for a parcel on the east side of South Hillside Avenue, approximately one-half mile south of East Pawnee Avenue. The applicant seeks to develop a vehicle repair facility and use the rezoned parcel for parking and accessory uses associated with that facility.
Scott Wadle of the Planning Department explained the mechanics: the parcel is currently zoned for residential use (MF-29 allows intensive multi-family development, up to tall apartment buildings). To use it for parking associated with a commercial auto repair business, the owner needs either a full rezone or a conditional use approval. The property owner stated they intended to develop the site regardless of the zoning outcome — a comment that prompted Mayor Wu to walk through the consequences: without a zone change, building permits for commercial use would be denied, which would halt development.
Joyland clarification: Mayor Wu used the hearing to address a separate but related public misconception. The rezoned parcel is across the street from the former Joyland amusement park. Mayor Wu confirmed on the record that the City of Wichita never owned Joyland, does not currently own that property, and that questions about revitalizing Joyland must be directed to its private owners. The triangular parcel subject to this rezoning request was platted as part of the Plainview subdivision in 1955 and was purchased by the current owner relatively recently.
Environmental safeguards: Concerns were raised about proximity to Gypsum Creek. Wadle confirmed that permit compliance — including stormwater management and other environmental regulations — would be required before any development proceeds.
Council Member Hoheisel moved to approve the zone change per MAPC’s recommendation, noting that the District Advisory Board grew more comfortable with the project after additional review and understanding of the environmental safeguards.
Vote: 7-0 to adopt MAPC findings and approve the zone change.
Council Member Comments
Council Member Hoheisel invited the community to the annual Candy Crawl at Plainview Park on Friday, October 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. — a free family event with first responders, police, fire, and park staff in attendance.
Mayor Wu thanked the organizers of the Prairie Fire Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K — sponsored by the Wichita Sports Commission — and gave special mention to Council Members Johnson and Glasscock, both of whom participated in the race.
Executive Session
The council recessed into Executive Session at 11:55 a.m. for 10 minutes.
Vote: 7-0
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Vote: 4-0 (three members had stepped away)
Voting Record Summary
| Agenda Item | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Approve October 7 minutes | Regular meeting minutes | 7-0 |
| Consent Agenda Items 1–4, 6–14 | Multiple routine items | 7-0 |
| Consent Item 5 — Paul Foley Bronze Sculpture | Donation acceptance, Alfred Branch Library | 7-0 |
| Board of Bids and Contracts (Oct. 6) | Receive, file, and approve | 7-0 |
| Petitions for Public Improvements | St. Peter the Apostle water line expansion | 7-0 |
| New Business VI-1 — CIP Design Funding | 13th St N, Pawnee, Mosley Bridge | 7-0 |
| New Business VI-2 — Hess Reservoir / Evergy Amendment | Budget revisions and water infrastructure | 7-0 |
| New Business VI-3 — Library Branch Public Art | Districts III, IV, VI | 7-0 |
| New Business VI-4 — Public Art Maintenance 2025–2028 | Multi-year maintenance plan | 7-0 |
| New Business VI-5 — Visit Wichita 2026 Contract | Tourism contract renewal | 7-0 |
| Planning VII-1 — Proctor Family Athletic Facility | Deferred to November 6 | 7-0 |
| Planning VII-2 — South Hillside Zone Change | MF-29 to LC, vehicle repair / parking | 7-0 |
| Executive Session | 10 minutes | 7-0 |
| Adjournment | 4-0 |
Civic Engagement — How to Participate
Submit a Public Comment or Report an Issue:
- Attend a City Council meeting in person — public comment is accepted on most agenda items
- Use the city’s See Click and Fix tool to report trail maintenance and safety issues
- Visit Wichita.gov for meeting agendas, council member contact information, and updates
Public Art Donations:
- Residents and artists interested in donating to the city’s public art collection can contact the Arts and Cultural Services department
- Visit Wichita.gov/arts for more information
Transit Feedback:
- The city’s 2026 transit service plan is in development — contact council members or City Manager’s office to share input
Contact Your Council Member:
- District I — TBD | District II — Becky Tuttle | District III — Mike Hoheisel | District IV — Dalton Glasscock | District V — Brandon Johnson | District VI — Maggie Ballard | At-Large — Vice Mayor JV Johnston | Mayor — Lily Wu
- Full contact directory: Wichita.gov/citycouncil
Voice for Liberty covers Wichita City Council meetings to keep residents informed about the decisions shaping their community. Coverage is independently produced and does not represent the official position of the City of Wichita.