2026-10-20 - City Council

00:33Good morning to all of you. Thank you

00:34for joining us for this week's City

00:36Council meeting. We call this meeting to

00:39order.

00:40With us this morning is Pastor Alan

00:42Stucky of First Church of the Brethren

00:45to provide our invocation. Following

00:47that invocation, we will have our pledge

00:49of allegiance and we ask you please

00:51stand for both.

01:00>> Good morning, everyone.

01:04>> [sighs]

01:05>> If you will indulge me, I'll begin with

01:07a short scripture followed by the

01:08prayer.

01:11When the Son of Man comes into his glory

01:13and all the angels with him, he will sit

01:14on the throne of his glory. All the

01:16nations will be gathered before him and

01:18he will separate from one people from

01:20one another the shepherd as a shepherd

01:22shepherd separates the sheep from the

01:24goats. And he will put the sheep at his

01:26right hand and the goats at the left.

01:27Then the king will say to those at his

01:29right hand, "Come, that you are blessed

01:31by my father.

01:33Inherit the kingdom prepared for you

01:34from the foundation of the world for I

01:36was hungry

01:38and you gave me food.

01:40I was thirsty and you gave me something

01:41to drink. I was a stranger and you

01:43welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me

01:46clothing. I was sick and you took care

01:47of me.

01:48I was in prison and you visited me."

01:51Then the righteous will answer him,

01:53"Lord, when was it that we saw you

01:54hungry and gave you food or thirsty and

01:56gave you something to drink? When was it

01:58that we saw you a stranger and welcomed

02:00you or naked and gave you clothing? When

02:01was it that we saw you sick or in prison

02:04and visited you?

02:05And the king will answer them, "Truly, I

02:07tell you,

02:08just as you did it to the one of the

02:11least of these who are members of my

02:13family, you did it to me."

02:15Then he will say to those at his left

02:17hand, "You that are accursed, depart

02:19from me into the eternal fire prepared

02:21for the devil and his angels. For I was

02:23hungry and you gave me no food. I was

02:26thirsty and you gave me nothing to

02:27drink. I was a stranger and you did not

02:30welcome me. Naked and you did not give

02:32me clothing, sick and in prison and you

02:33did not visit me."

02:35Then they will answer also, "Lord, when

02:37was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty

02:39or stranger or naked or sick or in

02:40prison and did not take care of you?"

02:44Then he will answer them, "Truly, I tell

02:46you,

02:47just as you did not do it

02:49to one of the least of these, you did

02:51not do it to me."

02:55Let's pray.

02:58Oh God, at some point in our life we are

03:00all the least of these.

03:03Some point we are in need

03:06from the help of our community.

03:10As a community here in Wichita and

03:12beyond, we are required to care for one

03:14another.

03:15And sometimes those in need are well

03:18known to us.

03:20Today, we remember those in the Stryker

03:24soccer field tragedy.

03:26Those who are in need of grace, peace,

03:29and strength,

03:30who grieve

03:32the loss of others and loved ones.

03:37Surround them with your love and your

03:39care.

03:41God, we also know

03:43that there are many of us

03:45who are in need, who are the least of

03:47these, who are unknown and ignored.

03:53Bring those people to our minds.

03:56Do not let us forget or turn our heads.

04:02God, today as this council meets, I pray

04:04especially for these leaders

04:06of our city.

04:09I pray that they step fully into the

04:11mission that you have called them to.

04:14Not simply to

04:16further their own goals or enrich

04:18themselves or serve select few, but you

04:20have placed them here as a practical way

04:23for the community of Wichita to love

04:26each other.

04:29Even in the mundane and bureaucratic

04:32acts of budgets and meetings,

04:35this place is one way that we as a

04:37community in Wichita love our neighbors.

04:42All our neighbors.

04:46God, remind us today that we do not get

04:49to draw out the neighbors that we do not

04:52like

04:53from who we would call neighbors.

04:57Bring to mind those who are left behind

05:00in our community,

05:02particularly the hungry

05:04and the thirsty neighbors,

05:07the naked and the sick neighbors,

05:10our immigrants neighbors, whether legal

05:13or illegal, or even for that matter,

05:16those who are in prison

05:19just next door to us, who have broken

05:21the law.

05:24God, remind us that we must love our

05:26neighbors, even the ones that we don't

05:27like.

05:29Even the neighbors that we might call

05:31enemies.

05:33Remind us that we must love our

05:35neighbors well,

05:37as you have taught us.

05:40And also, remind us as the scripture

05:43says that when we care or neglect those

05:45neighbors, especially the most

05:48vulnerable.

05:49We also do it to you, Lord.

05:53God, lead and guide this meeting and all

05:55the activities with our city leadership

05:57with your wisdom, your courage, your

06:00strength, and your power.

06:02Amen.

06:05>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

06:08United States of America and to the

06:11republic for which it stands, one nation

06:14under God,

06:15indivisible, with liberty and justice

06:18for all.

06:23>> Thank you, Pastor Stucky.

06:25Before we move on from our council

06:28meeting, um Council member Becky Tuttle,

06:31um who represents District 2 where the

06:34tragedy occurred on Saturday, asked for

06:37a moment of silence. And before we go to

06:40that moment of silence, I spoke with the

06:42mayor of McPherson yesterday as he

06:45visited those who are still wounded here

06:47in our community. And he asked me just

06:49to read um what the city of McPherson

06:53posted yesterday, um so that you all

06:55could hear this before the moment of

06:57silence.

06:59We are so deeply moved by the continued

07:01outpouring of love and support shown for

07:03those deeply affected. Perhaps a rainbow

07:06photo that they shared can be a gentle

07:08reminder that none of us are alone. And

07:11that even in the darkest moments, there

07:14is still hope.

07:15As we continue that support, please let

07:17us all remember that some are carrying

07:19unimaginable grief and stress.

07:22A little kindness, a listening ear, or

07:25simply checking in can make a meaningful

07:28difference.

07:29May we continue

07:35May we continue to lead with compassion,

07:38hold those who are hurting close, and

07:40remind one another that no one has to

07:43face these difficult days alone.

07:46We love you, McPherson.

07:48I am very grateful that the COMCARE team

07:53is at Stryker Complex the next few days

07:57assisting individuals who need any

08:00mental health support or just someone to

08:03listen to.

08:05They were there last night. They will be

08:07there again tonight, tomorrow, and

08:10they're hoping if there's any assistance

08:12that anyone needs at any time to please

08:15call 988. So, I just want to say thank

08:17you to Director Calvert who provided

08:20additional resources.

08:23With that, can we please have a moment

08:24of silence?

08:45Thank you all.

08:49Madam Clerk, can you please call the

08:51first item?

08:53>> Approve the minutes of the regular

08:54meeting October 13th, 2026.

08:59>> Council members, are there any items to

09:02be edited from the minutes?

09:05I see none. With that, I move to approve

09:08the regular meeting minutes for October

09:1013th, 2026.

09:12>> Second.

09:13>> Motion second, discussion?

09:15See none. Madam Clerk, please open the

09:17roll.

09:19>> Aye.

09:22>> Motion passes 7-0.

09:25Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

09:27>> Awards and proclamations. Today's

09:29proclamations are Child Entrepreneurs

09:31Day, Lights On Afterschool, Dyslexia

09:34Awareness Month, and the 45th annual

09:37Wichita Asian Festival.

09:40>> May I please ask the individuals with

09:41the child entrepreneurs day to come

09:44forward at this time.

10:06The proclamation reads, the city of

10:08Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870.

10:11Whereas November is recognized

10:13nationally as National Entrepreneurship

10:15Month, a time to proudly honor and

10:17celebrate the entrepreneurs of all ages

10:20whose bold ideas, relentless innovation,

10:24and unwavering commitment fuel economic

10:26growth, expand opportunity, and enrich

10:29the strength and vitality of our

10:31communities.

10:33Whereas children throughout Wichita

10:34demonstrate remarkable initiative,

10:37creativity, and leadership by developing

10:40and operating their own businesses,

10:42thereby gaining confidence, financial

10:44literacy, communication skills,

10:47problem-solving abilities, and other

10:50essential competencies through

10:51meaningful real-world experience.

10:54Whereas the Children's Business Fair on

10:56November 21st, 2026, organized by the

10:59Society of Child Entrepreneurs in

11:02partnership with the Wichita Flea Market

11:05at the Century II Performing Arts and

11:07Convention Center, provides an inspiring

11:09platform for young entrepreneurs to

11:12showcase their products and services,

11:15engage directly with customers, and

11:17demonstrate the hard work, and

11:20ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit

11:22that strengthen our community.

11:25Whereas this celebration held during

11:27Global Entrepreneurship ship Week 2026

11:31affirms the extraordinary capacity of

11:33children to contribute meaningful ideas,

11:36innovative businesses, and impactful

11:38solutions to their communities today,

11:41helping to build a stronger, more

11:43dynamic, and more innovative future for

11:45Wichita.

11:47Now, therefore, be it resolved that the

11:49Wichita City Council does hereby

11:51proclaim November 21st, 2026

11:55as Child Entrepreneurs Day.

11:58>> [applause]

12:07>> Thank you for the city of Wichita for

12:09honoring us.

12:12>> [applause]

12:39>> May I please ask the Wichita Public

12:41Schools Stealth After School Program and

12:43its supporters to come forward at this

12:45time.

12:49The proclamation reads, "The city of

12:51Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870,

12:54whereas the city of Wichita stands

12:56firmly committed to ensuring that all

12:58young people have access to high-quality

13:01afterschool programs and opportunities,

13:04recognizing that such programs provide

13:06critical support for the academic

13:08growth, social development, and overall

13:11well-being of youth, while offering

13:14enriching experiences and inspire

13:16learning, broaden horizons, and empower

13:18young people to thrive. Whereas the

13:21Wichita Public Schools Stealth After

13:23School Program has demonstrated

13:25significant leadership in fostering

13:27community involvement in the education

13:30and well-being of our youth, upholding

13:32the principle that high-quality

13:34after-school programs are essential to

13:36helping children develop the skills,

13:39confidence, and support they need to

13:40grow into successful, contributing

13:42adults.

13:43Whereas for every child currently served

13:45in an after-school program, four more

13:48are waiting for the opportunity to

13:49participate. And many after-school

13:52programs across the nation are facing

13:54severe operational and funding

13:56challenges that they are at risk of the

14:00closing their doors, threatening to

14:02leave countless young people without the

14:04critical support, safety, and enrichment

14:06these programs provide.

14:09Whereas Lights On Afterschool, the

14:12national celebration of after-school

14:14programs held this year on October 22nd,

14:172026,

14:19powerfully highlights the vital role

14:20after-school programs play in the lives

14:23of children, families, and communities.

14:25And the city of Wichita reaffirms its

14:27unwavering commitment to investing in

14:29the health, and safety, and success of

14:33all young people. Now, therefore, be it

14:35resolved that the Wichita City Council

14:37does hereby proclaim October 22nd, 2026

14:41as Lights On Afterschool Day.

14:47>> [applause]

14:50>> Thank you, Mayor Woo and City Council

14:51members, for another year recognizing

14:53Lights On Afterschool, a celebration of

14:55after-school programming. We currently

14:57run stealth programs at nine district

14:59schools: Adams, Anderson, Buckner,

15:01Cessna, Dodge, Gordon Parks, Jefferson,

15:03Ortiz, and Washington. Combined, these

15:05sites serve more than 600 at-risk

15:08students every day. All of these

15:10programs have waitlists, and there are

15:11countless other students in the district

15:13who could benefit from after-school

15:14programming.

15:16Stealth has been running for over 10

15:17years, and the programs are proven to

15:19increase attendance, lower behaviors,

15:21and increase academic performance. These

15:23programs have been recognized by the

15:25state and this last year when the state

15:27dropped the number of awards from 35 to

15:2917, we received five. Three of those

15:33were new programs and we were the only

15:34district to receive new program awards

15:36last year.

15:38What is happening in stealth is changing

15:39lives and we couldn't do it without the

15:41support we received from the community

15:42and local partners. Thank you.

15:46>> [applause]

15:59>> May please ask the Phillips Fundamental

16:01Learning Center and its supporters to

16:03come forward at this time.

16:21The proclamation reads, the city of

16:23Wichita, Kansas founded in 1870,

16:27whereas dyslexia, a neurological

16:29learning disability affecting

16:31approximately 20% of readers in our

16:33community, hinders students' ability to

16:36read, write, and spell, limiting

16:39vocabulary development, reading

16:41comprehension, and the acquisition of

16:44essential knowledge, and early

16:46recognition of dyslexia is critical to

16:49ensuring that every student receives the

16:52timely, evidence-based support necessary

16:55to attain full literacy.

16:57Whereas Phillips Fundamental Learning

16:59Center was founded in 2001 with a

17:02mission to empower children, especially

17:05those with dyslexia, by teaching them to

17:08read, write, and spell, to educate

17:11adults by providing research-based

17:13literacy programs for children,

17:16and enlighten parents and the broader

17:18community to the educational and health

17:21needs of their children.

17:23Whereas Phillips Fundamental Learning

17:25Center has had a hand in helping

17:27countless educators and hundreds of

17:30thousands of children with dyslexia both

17:33within Wichita and far beyond.

17:36Through its full-time school, distance

17:38learning offerings, screenings, and

17:41comprehensive curriculums, the sound

17:43case, the fundamental case, and the

17:46grammar case.

17:48Whereas the city of Wichita upholds

17:51every child's right to learn and

17:53recognizes that literacy is a

17:55fundamental pillar of academic

17:58achievement and lifelong opportunity.

18:01Acknowledging that students who are not

18:03reading at grade level by third grade

18:06are four times more likely to not

18:08graduate from high school with a

18:10diploma.

18:12Now therefore be it resolved that the

18:14Wichita City Council does hereby

18:16proclaim the month of October 2026

18:21as Dyslexia Awareness Month.

18:25>> [applause]

18:30>> Hi. Good morning. I'm Janine Phillips.

18:34Um, this is such an honor. Lily, thank

18:37you. Council, thank you so much for this

18:40uh proclamation. I will tell you I have

18:43waited 26 years for this moment. So,

18:47this is really big. Behind me are staff

18:51members, board members who have joined

18:54me and not around me are thousands of

18:58children and hundreds and hundreds of

19:00families we have helped. So, thank you

19:04again. We're honored and from now on

19:07October will be Dyslexia Month in

19:10Wichita, Kansas.

19:12thank you.

19:14>> [applause]

19:59>> May I please ask the Wichita Asian

20:01Association to come forward at this

20:04time.

20:13This proclamation was to be read on

20:16Saturday, and unfortunately, um, Council

20:18member Shepherd and I could not attend,

20:21so we are

20:22providing this proclamation this

20:25morning.

20:26The proclamation reads, "The city of

20:28Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1870,

20:31whereas the Wichita Asian Association,

20:33founded in 1981,

20:36is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated

20:39to promoting cultural understanding,

20:41education, connection, and appreciation

20:45among Wichita's diverse Asian

20:47communities.

20:48Whereas for more than four decades, the

20:51Wichita Asian Association has worked to

20:53preserve and share Asian cultures,

20:56traditions, arts, and heritage while

20:59creating opportunities for leadership,

21:02community engagement, and cross-cultural

21:05understanding.

21:06Whereas the Wichita Asian Festival

21:08brings the community together to

21:10experience and celebrate the richness of

21:13Asian cultures through traditional

21:15performances, cuisine, art, local

21:18vendors, and the Miss Wichita Asian

21:21Festival Scholarship Pageant.

21:23Whereas the annual Wichita Asian

21:25Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary

21:30in 2026

21:32and continues a long-standing Wichita

21:34tradition that provides Asian

21:36communities the opportunity to proudly

21:39share their heritage while fostering

21:42cultural awareness, appreciation, and

21:45unity throughout the greater Wichita

21:47community.

21:48Now, therefore, be it resolved that the

21:50Wichita City Council does hereby

21:52proclaim October 17th, 2026

21:56as the 45th annual Wichita Asian

21:59Festival Day.

22:01>> [applause]

22:10>> All right. Good morning, everybody. My

22:12name is Jasmine Vo Win, Miss Wichita

22:14Asian Association 2026, and I'm

22:17incredibly grateful to have this

22:19opportunity to share this moment with

22:20you all. This past Saturday, as Mayor Wu

22:23mentioned, we celebrated our 45th annual

22:25Asian Wichita Asian Festival. I wanted

22:28to share that our milestone year uh

22:31theme was Journey Across Borders. Um at

22:34our festival, we highlighted our local

22:36artists and creatives. We supported our

22:38vendors who are often small business

22:40owners or student organizations. We

22:42invested in the next generations of our

22:45leaders through our scholarship pageant,

22:47and we celebrated multiculturalism.

22:50The Wichita Asian Festival is a

22:52beautiful reflection of Wichita's

22:54spirit. It reminds us that we can

22:57journey across borders and find a place

22:59where we are able to dream bigger for

23:02ourselves, celebrate not only our

23:04individual successes, but also the

23:06successes of our neighbors, and uplift

23:08one another as we build a community that

23:10we are proud to call home. I encourage

23:13you all to join us next year at Wichita

23:15Asian Festival. But for now, thank you

23:17to again Mayor Wu, the City Council, and

23:20the City of Wichita for recognizing this

23:21day. Thank you.

23:24>> [applause]

24:01>> Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

24:05From the city's

24:07adopted civility pledge, the City

24:08Council is committed to promoting

24:10civility. They stand united, they lead

24:12with respect and dignity, and they honor

24:14every resident in all communities. They

24:16are working to create an environment

24:17that values shared goals with increased

24:19empathy and genuine dialogue. We now

24:21come to public agenda. The public agenda

24:23allows for up to five speakers to have 5

24:25minutes each to address the council.

24:27Please bear in mind this is not a period

24:28of dialogue with council or question and

24:30answer period. This is your opportunity

24:33to address the City Council with your

24:34concerns. I ask that you address your

24:36remarks to the City Council as a body

24:38and not to any individual council

24:40member. No action will be taken relative

24:42to items on the public agenda other than

24:44referral to the city manager for

24:46information as necessary. Speakers will

24:48please speak into the microphone, please

24:49state their name for the record. A time

24:51clock will display the speaker's

24:52remaining time to speak. Order and rules

24:54of decorum will be observed. The first

24:56speaker today is Deja Hill, police

24:58accountability.

25:14>> Hello again. Good morning. My name is

25:17Deja Hill, now Saunders cuz I just got

25:19married.

25:21Um but I am the big sister of Deandre

25:23Hill.

25:24My brother Deandre Hill was killed by

25:26Wichita police on January 20th of 2026.

25:29And I stood here with my mother um in

25:32front of you guys in August. I am back

25:34because my family still need answers and

25:36we need our meaningful action

25:38from the people elected to serve this

25:40community.

25:41Um Council member Shepherd, you sent my

25:43mother and me a heartfelt message um the

25:46last time we were here. You said you

25:47would attend one of our protest. On the

25:49day of the protest, you however learned

25:52that you had a conflicting meeting and

25:54you joined by video instead and I

25:56acknowledge that effort.

25:58Um but there were opportunities to show

26:00up afterward including our September

26:02protest cuz we hold it the same day.

26:04Instead we saw you attending Open

26:06Streets ICT and you know, I understand

26:08community

26:10um is very important and those events do

26:11matter but grieving families demanding

26:14accountability matters as well.

26:17But I came back to this meeting to speak

26:19to you face to face because the

26:20compassion in your message has not been

26:22delivered as of yet. And um we really

26:25hoped for it. When a grieving family

26:27hears, I will be there, we take those

26:28words very seriously.

26:31Um

26:32so

26:33the whole council meeting, great

26:34leadership requires consistency. It

26:36means following through on commitments

26:38and making an effort to reconnect

26:39reconnect with when a commitment is

26:41missed.

26:43Family should not have to wonder whether

26:44the support

26:46offered to them was sincere.

26:49This responsibility extends beyond one

26:50council member.

26:52What is this council doing within its

26:53authority to address excessive force and

26:55strengthen police accountability?

26:58Today, October 20th, we have our 10th

27:00protest from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on 21st

27:03and Hillside, across from the substation

27:05that responded the day of my brother's

27:07death.

27:09Um so I am personally inviting all of

27:12you to attend whether it's only for you

27:14for a few minutes.

27:16Um this is an opportunity to listen to

27:18your affected families and follow your

27:19words with your actions.

27:22So to everyone here and watching, this

27:24Thursday is October 22nd and also known

27:28as 022, which is National Protest Day

27:31um against police brutality.

27:35Um

27:36from

27:37my experience in Wichita, I've never

27:38seen any event being held.

27:41And so we will be holding one at the

27:43same location on 21st and Hillside from

27:462:00 to 6:00 p.m.

27:48Um we will have snacks and water and um

27:51bring you know, you can bring your

27:52signs. We can help you make signs.

27:55And if you have a loved one you want us

27:56to recognize, please let us know cuz we

27:57want to make sure that everybody is

27:59included cuz everybody is important.

28:02My little brother's life mattered.

28:04Deondre was my best friend.

28:06He was so funny. He was charismatic.

28:09He was a wonderful music artist.

28:14And he was very hardworking.

28:16My brother was a manager at Planet

28:17Fitness and he rode his bike to work

28:20every morning.

28:25My brother was not a troublemaker.

28:27In fact, I had enough encounters with

28:29law enforcement for the both of us.

28:31And I used to joke that I was his

28:33example of what not to do.

28:35>> [snorts]

28:36>> But my brother's life mattered.

28:38Beyond his accomplishments Beyond his

28:40accomplishments,

28:41thank you. Or whether he ever got into

28:43trouble, he was a person. He was loved.

28:45He had a future and he deserved to be

28:48here today.

28:50And if necessary, I will return to this

28:51council every month until we see

28:54meaningful actions. We should not have

28:56to keep introducing our pain for it to

28:58become a priority.

29:00Thank you.

29:05>> Thank you, Ms. Hill.

29:07Madam Clerk, please call the next

29:09individual.

29:10>> Cynthia Fitz, City Leadership

29:12Accountability and Community Trust.

29:27>> I honor to the Most High.

29:29I am Cynthia Fitz.

29:32#justicefordeandre

29:34on every facet, also Edget the Artist on

29:37all

29:38music facets. You can keep up with

29:41events on our Justice for Deondre page

29:43on Facebook. We protest on the 20th of

29:46every month, 21st and Hillside, also

29:49Central and Main. Today, we will be on

29:5221st and Hillside.

29:54Um we alternate every month. Deondre was

29:57only 28. He played the trumpet, sax,

30:00bongo drums, the drum kit, electric

30:03drums, the bass guitar, the acoustic,

30:05the piano, keyboard, organ, synthesizer.

30:09Deondre won awards in the arts

30:13and track.

30:15He was a producer, a promoter for

30:16himself and others, a videographer,

30:19songwriter, cartoon

30:21cartoonist, and photographer. And you

30:24should see my 55 uh year birthday

30:27spread. Very nice.

30:29A uh content creator who was to have a

30:33kickoff with a famous soccer player

30:36uh at the Boys & Girls Club this year

30:38well

30:39this year. Um where it won't be

30:41happening now.

30:43Um,

30:45Deondre managed a recovery home for men

30:47after defeating addiction himself. His

30:50stepfather has a lifetime award handed

30:53out in his name every year in that area.

30:56Deondre was also a manager at Planet

30:58Fitness where he was um,

31:00known to be encouraging, supporting,

31:03even to me.

31:05Everyone, um, young and old loved him

31:08there. He was the type of person who

31:11took change at the end of the week and

31:13put it aside in,

31:15um, ziplock bags for his three nieces

31:17for their future.

31:19Um, because at the end of the week

31:21that's all he had left was change.

31:23Um,

31:26>> [sighs]

31:30>> He was a magnificent person that was

31:32taken away who was a entrepreneur,

31:35um, a future leader also.

31:37Um, I hear the last time I was here he

31:38was talking about entrepre-

31:40entrepreneurship and he had his hands

31:42everywhere. I don't think that you

31:43should have a piece of paper to have to

31:45back you. I taught him to read and

31:47learn. You don't have to spend thousands

31:48of dollars to do what, um,

31:51what should you what comes, um, what you

31:53have the knowledge to understand in

31:55actuality.

31:57Um,

31:59Qualified immunity

32:00breeds liars in Wichita, Kansas.

32:03Um,

32:04I've seen, uh, the footage of the murder

32:07of my son.

32:09Um,

32:11He was totally lied on. He had a right

32:13to carry a gun.

32:15Um, the police knocked and never showed

32:17themselves physically,

32:19um, in front of him. He never knew what

32:20he was up against.

32:22Um, he was hunted like a slave.

32:30Um, I get messages saying, "Oh, I see

32:32this policeman laughing and being with

32:34his family." Not There is no downtime

32:37for him. He get He got to go right back

32:39to work. All of them did.

32:43I'm asking for help for the ones that he

32:46paid his taxes to

32:48and the one I'm paid my taxes to, who

32:50took an oath to defend the Constitution,

32:52which defends us and DeAndre.

32:56And if you guys if we can't depend on

32:58you, how are you going to build a bridge

33:00to the people?

33:01Cuz um I haven't trusted you. You

33:03haven't given me any reason to.

33:05Um Being in Kansas Kansas is a has

33:09always been a prejudiced state. I grew

33:11up here.

33:12I've experienced it.

33:14Um and I fight through it every day.

33:18And not only that, um status is a thing

33:21here.

33:22And I fight against that, too.

33:25Because um we are all equally equally

33:30and should be equally provided for. Our

33:33money should be given the equal chance

33:36for um liberty

33:40and the pursuit of happiness and all of

33:42that. And how can we do it um in peace

33:45when we have a mob

33:47that's

33:49against people here, regular everyday

33:51people.

33:53It can happen to your cousins and things

33:55like that, especially if they don't know

33:56you.

33:57And I never expected to be in this

33:59position. I feel sorry for every mother

34:00who has to be in this position, anyone,

34:02period.

34:04But Kansas is known for not prosecuting

34:07cops making bad decisions that they have

34:09training not to make.

34:12Thank you.

34:18>> Thank you, Ms. Fitz. Madam Clerk, please

34:20call the next individual.

34:22>> Madam Mayor, we don't have anybody else

34:23signed up.

34:25>> We have space for three individuals who

34:28would like to speak to the council.

34:30I see none. I'll bring it back to the

34:32bench. Madam Clerk, please call the next

34:34item.

34:36Sorry. Council member Shepherd.

34:38>> Thank you so much. Uh City Attorney

34:40Magaña, I emailed you on February 6th,

34:432026, and on August 20th, 2026, in

34:46regards to the Deondre Hill case.

34:48Can you tell me where we are at in terms

34:51of litigation with that case?

34:55>> Yes, Council member um

34:57Shepherd, that case is uh pending in

34:59litigation. We've received a notice of

35:01claim from a plaintiff

35:03involved in that case, and so the city

35:04is

35:05um responding as we would normally in

35:08any case.

35:09>> And as a result of that pending

35:11litigation, what is the role of a

35:13council member? What what

35:15what boundaries must we follow?

35:21>> As representatives of the city of

35:22Wichita, um we would advise you to um

35:25refrain from any public statement about

35:27the case. It could become evidentiary,

35:30and we would um encourage the case to be

35:32tried in the courts. So, we advise

35:35council members in any pending

35:36litigation to refrain from commenting.

35:39>> Final question. Uh the mother or it's

35:42like previous speaker just spoke about

35:43seeing the footage. I'd also like to see

35:46the footage.

35:50Discuss.

35:51Are there any policies that prohibit me

35:53from seeing the footage?

35:56>> That matter is treated as a criminal

35:58investigation record, and we would treat

36:00any criminal criminal investigation

36:02record um in a confidential manner. We

36:04would um [clears throat] be happy to

36:06visit with you about that.

36:08>> Thank you.

36:12Madam Clerk.

36:18Matt.

36:19Madam Clerk, can you please call the

36:21next individual?

36:23>> Uh the next item. The next item is

36:25consent agenda items 1 through 13.

36:28>> Council members, any items to be pulled

36:30from consent?

36:31>> Yes, I'd like to pull item number 10.

36:44>> Any other items, council members?

36:46I see none. With that, I move to approve

36:48the consent agenda items

36:51without number 10.

36:53>> Second.

36:53>> Motion second. Discussion? See none.

36:56Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

37:04Um I do have one quick one, though. Um

37:07this is not to get a revote, but agenda

37:09item number four, consent agenda item

37:11four, had a miscount. It was a 7-0 vote,

37:16but it reflects a 6-

37:190 vote

37:23on Asian Festival.

37:25So, I just would like that to be

37:26corrected.

37:27>> I'll take care of it.

37:28>> Thank you.

37:29Council member Johnston.

37:32>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh the applicant has

37:34requested that we pull this item.

37:36So, I I would like to pull this item

37:38from agenda.

37:40From consent.

37:42Pull it and

37:43not vote on it. Indefinitely deferred.

37:47To defer it?

37:50Just table it.

37:54>> So, we have consent agenda item number

37:5610, which is a zoning case,

37:58um and it is located near Central and

38:02Maize Road.

38:04Um because we pulled this item from

38:06consent,

38:07uh do you have any questions for staff?

38:10>> No.

38:10>> Okay. No questions for staff. With that,

38:13we will open it up for public comment on

38:15this specific item.

38:17I see no one from the public who would

38:19like to speak on this item. Bring it

38:21back to the bench. Council member

38:22Johnson, what's your motion?

38:25>> Uh I'd like to table item number 10.

38:28Second. Is that

38:32indefinitely?

38:35>> We have a motion and a second. Any

38:37discussion?

38:38See none, Madam Clerk, please open the

38:40roll.

38:44Motion passes, 7-0.

38:47Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

38:49>> Order of bids and contracts dated

38:51October 19th, 2026.

38:58>> Morning, Mayor, City Council. Josh

39:00Lauber, Department of Finance.

39:02The Board of Bids and Contracts convened

39:04yesterday, October 19th, for the

39:05following items.

39:07For purchasing, we have the publication

39:09of legal notices for various city

39:11departments, boards, and agencies

39:12contract, recommending SIJ Holdings LLC,

39:16doing business as McClatchy Media, for

39:18the rates listed of a 10.5 pica line and

39:21seven typeset for 1 year with two 1-year

39:23options to renew.

39:25We have the fire sprinkler systems

39:27testing and modifications

39:29contract for Myers Automot- Automatic,

39:33excuse me, Fire Protection LLC for base

39:36bid of 25,000 and options 1 through 5

39:38listed for 1 year with two 1-year

39:40options to renew.

39:42We have the solid tire track skid steer

39:45steer loader

39:46uh for White Star Machinery and Supply

39:49Company Incorporated, a division of

39:51Berry Companies Inc., for base bid of

39:54with options 3 through 5 totaled as

39:56$99,130.55.

40:01We have the access control and video

40:02surveillance system, West Patrol

40:04Substation, for Sandifer Engineering &

40:07Controls Incorporated in the amount of

40:09$188,714.62.

40:13Uh this item in the backup material, I

40:15need to clarify a scrivener's error.

40:17Staff caught there was a purchasing

40:19[clears throat] form that was completed

40:20that's referenced the multi-modal

40:22facility. It's the West Patrol

40:24Substation. So, thank you for staff for

40:26pointing that out. That was my error.

40:29>> [snorts]

40:29>> Um the ferric sulfate contract change

40:32order for Penn Co. Incorporated, there

40:34is an amended estimated annual usage of

40:36$235,400.

40:40This is how to become a vendor with the

40:42city of Wichita.

40:47This is a purchasing calendar of small

40:49business resource partners the city's

40:51hosting or participating in.

40:54And these are open public opportunities

40:55out on the street today.

40:58And I'd be happy to try to answer any of

40:59your questions and recommend your

41:00approval.

41:02>> Council members, anything to ask for to

41:05staff?

41:07I see none. With that, I will move to

41:08approve the Board of Bids and Contracts

41:10dated October 19th, 2026.

41:13>> Second.

41:14>> Motion second. Discussion? See none.

41:16Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

41:20Motion passes 7-0. Madam Clerk, please

41:23call the next item. Bless you.

41:25>> Petitions for public improvements.

41:29>> Good morning, Mayor and City Council

41:31members. Paul Gonsalman, Public Works

41:32and Utilities for the record. I have one

41:35location of new petitions for your

41:36consideration this morning.

41:38The petitions The signature on the

41:40petitions represent 100% of the

41:43improvement district.

41:45And the petitions are valid per Kansas

41:46statute.

41:48Cabazos Addition, located in District 2.

41:51Project will provide water, drainage,

41:54sewer,

41:55paving

41:58for multiple phases required for a new

42:00residential development and to cover the

42:02cost of a private bid.

42:08And it is recommended that the City

42:09Council approve the new petitions and

42:11budgets, adopt the new resolutions, and

42:13authorize necessary signatures. I will

42:15stand for questions.

42:17>> Thank you, Paul. Questions for staff? I

42:20see none. With that, I move to approve

42:22the petitions for public improvements.

42:24>> Second.

42:25>> Motion second. Discussion? See none.

42:27Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

42:31Motion passes 7-0. Madam Clerk, please

42:34call the next item.

42:36>> 2026 cultural funding operational grant

42:39recommendations.

42:48>> Good morning, Mayor Council. Lindsay

42:49Benaka, Arts and Cultural Services with

42:51the City Manager's Office. I'm here to

42:54present the 2027 operational grant

42:56recommendations from the Cultural

42:57Funding Committee.

42:59Um a little bit background. We have a

43:01cultural arts strategic plan, which most

43:03of you should be familiar with. The way

43:04I usually start my presentations talking

43:06about our mission and

43:07vision statement, which is really to

43:09ensure equitable access to arts and

43:11cultural offerings across the community

43:13for our Wichita residents. Um objective

43:152.1 within our cultural plan really

43:18addresses our cultural funding program

43:20and the revamping that we've done in the

43:21program over the last few years. Um the

43:24results of today's recommendations are

43:26really the work of revamping that plan

43:29and and and the program. And we have two

43:31specific strategies around

43:33accountability and impact for

43:35organizations in this sector.

43:38A little bit about the program itself.

43:40Um we We the city funds local arts and

43:43culture nonprofit organizations and

43:44individual artists through this program.

43:46We have a Cultural Funding Committee, we

43:48call it the CFC. There are 11 members,

43:51seven are appointed by you, and four

43:53appointments come from the Wichita Arts

43:55Council, an independent nonprofit

43:56partner organization. Uh the committee

43:58reviews all applications. They advise on

44:01the the program's um

44:04goals and objectives, and and they make

44:06the recommendation to you all.

44:08I I will say for this round of

44:10applications we have five new members on

44:12the committee this year of the 11. So

44:14fresh eyes is always exciting to to see

44:17what they what they can contribute and

44:19make suggestions for the for the

44:21program.

44:22Committee members have reported this

44:23year that they

44:25spend anywhere from 15 to 20 hours

44:27reviewing applications themselves and

44:29another 10 to 15 hours in meetings

44:32reviewing and discussing and debating

44:35the allocation structure. They also met

44:37with applicants through the Q&A process.

44:38So it's a very thorough process to get

44:40us through this point. So

44:42without further ado I'll move move on to

44:45a little bit more.

44:46We have several different tiers and

44:48programs with

44:49opportunities for funding within the the

44:51cultural funding program. Operational

44:54grants is what we're here to talk about

44:55today. We adjusted the strategy this

44:57year. So you're only seeing

45:00eligible organizations within the

45:02cultural partner organizations. We have

45:04several organizations that are now on

45:06multi-year contracts

45:08at the cultural anchor and institution

45:09category.

45:11So all of those organizations on

45:13multi-year contracts we don't see them

45:14today. We'll see them in another three

45:16five years when their contracts come up

45:18for renewal. We also have an activation

45:20grant program. This is for one-time

45:22programmatic or capacity building

45:25capacity building funding opportunities

45:26for individual artists and nonprofits.

45:28You'll see me back here again before the

45:30end of the year with recommendations

45:32from the committee on activation grant

45:34recipients.

45:36So the recommendations from the

45:38committee are to award 17 grants

45:40reserving the remainder of the fund for

45:42the activation grants totaling today's

45:44recommendations is $231,572.

45:51These are the award recommendations.

45:55I won't read them all but I'll pause on

45:56it for a moment. I do want to note that

45:58there is one first-time

46:00funding recommendation from Artbeat

46:03Ponder This.

46:06In terms of financial considerations,

46:08it's estimated that the 2027 cultural

46:10funding grant allocation total, uh, the

46:13total program budget is $595,722.

46:17Um, and that, uh, is based on assessed

46:19valuation growth. We obviously won't

46:20know that number, uh,

46:22finitely here for another month or so,

46:25uh, but uh,

46:26the the funds recommended today are well

46:28within that budgeted amount.

46:30The law department has reviewed the

46:32contract templates for the grant

46:33recipients as to form.

46:36And staff recommend approving the

46:38the 2027 cultural funding program

46:40operating grants as recommended by the

46:42cultural funding committee and authorize

46:43any necessary signatures. And with that,

46:46I'm available for questions. I do want

46:47to acknowledge we have several committee

46:48members in the room, including, uh,

46:50Chairman uh, Ne- Chairperson Nadine

46:53Long.

46:56>> Thank you, Lindsey.

46:58We'll start with Councilmember Chapman.

47:00>> Thank you so much, and Lindsey, I just

47:02want to commend you all for the very

47:03robust minutes that were included in the

47:06packet. That also helps us understand

47:09the rationale behind the decision. I

47:10think it's a model for clarity for us as

47:13we're viewing this. So, one of my

47:15questions, uh, was what supports are

47:17available or what do we do to help

47:19mobilize folks to maybe resources to

47:21help them close some of the gaps that

47:23the committee identified.

47:25>> Um, sure. So, our cultural arts

47:27administrator, Jesse Cosa, who's also in

47:29the room, who administers this program,

47:31he works very closely with applicants,

47:33um, across the board at all different

47:35levels to help them put together a

47:36strong application. We see the

47:38application as capacity building itself.

47:40So, there are two organizations that

47:41were not recommended for funding. Even

47:43just going through the process of, okay,

47:45putting together an annual budget,

47:47having a board of directors, putting the

47:49packet together, we see as capacity

47:50building, and he works very closely with

47:52them, um, throughout that process, and

47:55that helps them set

47:56sets them up to go for state grants and

47:59other

48:00foundation uh opportunities. So, we've

48:02seen that success through the program.

48:04And he does one-on-one counseling uh

48:06with applicants or prospective

48:07applicants as well and tell them like,

48:08"Hey, you might not be competitive in

48:10this category. Maybe let's look at this

48:12other category where you where you might

48:13might be uh more eligible." So, um is we

48:16really treat it as case-by-case because

48:18there's not a one-size-fits-all model.

48:19We try not to compare apples to oranges

48:22um because the the nature of arts and

48:24culture organizations is they just serve

48:26very different parts of the community

48:28through different services. So, it's

48:29really coaching. Um but we're also open

48:31for feedback as well. We survey our

48:33applicants um after the program to say

48:35like, "Hey, what can we be doing

48:36better?" Um

48:38is the committee's meeting with them. We

48:40also do site visits. We we meet with

48:42applicants throughout the year or the

48:43funding recipients throughout the year

48:45because we really don't want this to be

48:46a transaction. We really want to build a

48:48partnership to know what's happening in

48:50the community. How can we push put

48:52puzzle pieces together to the best of

48:54our ability?

48:54>> That's

48:55>> Hopefully that answers some questions.

48:56>> Yeah. And final question is contingent

48:58on receiving the funding, what the

49:01city's ask of them? Is it that they

49:05put our logo on certain things or or

49:08what is the mutual benefit that we're

49:09receiving?

49:10>> Sure. Um this is an operational fund

49:14funding opportunity for for today's

49:15recommendation. Uh so, we do have a

49:17contractual with them that has various

49:19performance measures that are all linked

49:21to our strategic plan. I want to say

49:23they have to meet five of eight

49:25performance measures to be considered

49:26successful. Um and they submit an annual

49:29report to us that the committee then

49:31reviews to make sure they're in

49:32compliance. Uh within our contract, they

49:34also have to uh showcase um the city's

49:38logo and recognition in different ways

49:42that make sense for that organization

49:43where whether it be a logo on their

49:45website or verbal acknowledgement at an

49:47event. Um and that should be throughout

49:49the year. So, we follow federal

49:51guidelines with what the

49:52NEA and the state arts commission do.

49:54So, if an organization is receiving all

49:56of them, they can just kind of do one

49:58big package of recognition. Uh but

50:00really, uh the program is supposed to

50:02serve Wichita residents through arts and

50:04cultural opportunities. So, that at the

50:06end of the day is they have to to

50:07showcase how they're doing that and and

50:09we hold them accountable to it.

50:15>> I see no further questions. I simply

50:17want to say thank you to the committee

50:20that helped make these recommendations.

50:21These are wonderful nonprofit

50:23organizations that really add to the

50:25cultural vitality of Wichita. So, thank

50:28you all very much for your countless

50:31hours and um going through all the

50:33applications and really understanding

50:35the organizations and then providing

50:37them the feedback so that they can be a

50:40stronger nonprofit that does provide

50:42that uh cultural arts um amenities and

50:46and programming that we all enjoy in our

50:48community. So, thank you.

50:50With that, we'll open it up for public

50:52comment.

51:02>> Good morning, mayor and council members.

51:05Uh Matthew Broderick with the Arts

51:06Council.

51:08Um

51:09I prepared remarks today just so that I

51:11could keep it under 5 minutes.

51:13Thanks for the opportunity to to speak

51:15and thanks to the cultural funding

51:17committee folks for their hard work in

51:19recommending these dollars for our

51:21community.

51:23The recommendation matters and I want to

51:25begin by recognizing the people who put

51:27in that time and thought into making it.

51:29As president of the Arts Council, I've

51:32got the privilege of working alongside

51:34people who believe

51:36in

51:36>> [sighs]

51:37>> the importance of this city and the role

51:40that the arts and culture play in making

51:42it a place where people want to live,

51:44work, and raise a family, build a

51:46business, and put down roots.

51:48Our mission is to ignite creativity and

51:51foster arts and culture in our community

51:53through education and advocacy. And I

51:55love that word ignite because it

51:57captures something important about the

51:59arts. The arts don't simply entertain

52:01us, they spark something different in

52:03us. They challenge us to think

52:05differently. They help us see the world

52:07through someone else's eyes, and they

52:08bring people together who might

52:10otherwise find themselves not in the

52:13same room. That's not a luxury, that's

52:15part of what makes Wichita special.

52:19It's our entrepreneurial spirit. It's

52:20our history of building things and doing

52:23things our own way. It's neighborhoods,

52:25local businesses, schools, nonprofits,

52:28and people who volunteer their time

52:30to make this city better. It's woven

52:32throughout all of that. It's It's the

52:35creative community. It's It's the

52:37student discovering a talent that they

52:39didn't know they had. It's the local

52:41artist that's transforming an ordinary

52:43wall into something that makes an entire

52:46neighborhood stop and look. It's a

52:48performance that brings people downtown

52:51and a festival that introduces neighbors

52:54to one another.

52:55These moments may seem small

52:57individually,

52:58but together they shape how people

53:00experience Wichita.

53:02They shape whether our children can

53:04imagine a future here, whether a young

53:06professional chooses to stay, whether a

53:09business owner believes that this is a

53:11community worth investing in, and

53:14whether someone visiting Wichita leaves

53:16with a better understanding of who we

53:17are.

53:18Arts and culture are part of the quality

53:20of life, and the quality of life is part

53:22of our economic future.

53:24We spend a lot of time appropriately

53:26talking about jobs, development,

53:28infrastructure, and attracting

53:29investments, and those things matter.

53:32But people don't choose the community

53:34based on spreadsheets alone. They choose

53:37it based on what life looks like when

53:39the work day ends. What can I experience

53:42here? Where can my family connect? What

53:44opportunities will my children have? A

53:46vibrant arts and culture community helps

53:48answer those questions, and these

53:50dollars will help create that community.

53:53Wichita has so much to build on. We have

53:56extraordinary artists, committed

53:57cultural organizations, generous

53:59supporters, and institutions with

54:01histories that stretch back generations.

54:04We also have new ideas, new energy, and

54:07people who are ready to help shape that

54:09what comes next. It's now our

54:11opportunity

54:13to connect those strengths, broaden

54:15access, and make sure that the creative

54:17energy already present in our community

54:20has room to grow. And

54:22what that takes is investment. I

54:24recognize that the city has competing

54:28priorities. Every dollar allocated to

54:30one purpose is a dollar that cannot be

54:33allocated somewhere else, and I don't

54:35take that responsibility lightly, and I

54:37know you don't either.

54:39But I would encourage you to think about

54:41the arts funding not simply as an

54:42expenditure, but as an investment in the

54:45people and places that make Wichita a

54:47city worth choosing.

54:49The cultural funding committee's

54:50recommendation is a meaningful step in

54:53that direction. It recognizes that arts

54:55and cultures deserve a place in our

54:57community's priorities, and it creates

54:59an opportunity to strengthen the

55:01organizations and the creative work that

55:03serves Wichita residents every day.

55:06We also recognize that public funding

55:08comes with the responsibility to

55:09demonstrate value, build partnerships,

55:11reach out to the community, and make the

55:13most of the resources that are entrusted

55:15to us.

55:16And the arts community must do its part,

55:18too.

55:19To collaborate, to advocate, to invite

55:22new audiences in, and show the

55:23difference that investment will make.

55:26We want to be partners in that work, and

55:28because this isn't about the arts

55:30community asking Wichita to invest in

55:31the arts for the sake of the arts

55:33community,

55:34a city that values creativity, a city

55:36that gives its young people

55:37opportunities to discover their

55:39potential, a city that welcomes new

55:41voices and honors its history is a city

55:44that understands that economic growth

55:45and cur- cultural vitality are not

55:48competing ambitions, they'll reinforce

55:50one another.

55:51Thanks for your time, for your service

55:54to our community, and for considering

55:55this investment in Wichita's creative

55:58future.

56:00>> Thank you, Matthew.

56:07>> Good morning, Mayor and City Council.

56:09Lon Smith, uh executive director of

56:11Great Plains Transportation Museum. I'm

56:13still recovering from laryngitis, so I

56:15apologize my voice is a little rough.

56:17And I also wasn't actually prepared to

56:19speak today, so I'm speaking

56:20extemporaneously.

56:22You know, there's a a plethora of

56:24research that demonstrates the efficacy

56:27of

56:27uh arts and rich arts and cultural

56:29organizations in our community. You all

56:32know that. We all know that. But it's

56:35tough, as

56:36you just heard, to weigh that against

56:38some other needs in our community. It

56:40takes courage to do that. And we in the

56:43arts community appreciate the courage

56:46that you have shown in supporting uh

56:49arts and cultural organizations here in

56:51Wichita. My father was a politician and

56:54public servant for 40 years in my

56:56hometown back in Illinois. And he had

56:58this thing that he used to say, at any

57:00given time, no matter what decision he

57:02made, about 49% of the people in the in

57:05the community hated his guts.

57:07That may be slightly overstated, but um

57:09you know, it's what you do is a tough

57:11job, and we appreciate what you do, even

57:14when it doesn't seem like we do. And we

57:16appreciate your support of arts and

57:17culture. One last thing I want to say,

57:20the members of the staff um in arts and

57:23culture, you know, they are so

57:26incredibly supportive of what we do.

57:28They've made numerous trips over to the

57:30museum, um met with us, talked with us,

57:34talked about strategies for how we can

57:36grow, how we can become better. And so,

57:38I want to say how much I appreciate them

57:39as well. And then, all the members of

57:41the Cultural Arts Funding Committee.

57:43They're wonderful people. They support

57:45the arts, and we love them very much.

57:47All right, thank you so much.

57:50>> Thank you, Lon.

57:53I see no other individuals who would

57:55like to speak. I'm going to close public

57:57uh comment and just say thank you to our

58:00two speakers. I appreciate uh your

58:02commentary, and also your service to our

58:05community. I've had the opportunity to

58:07tour Lon's place, and it's just

58:10wonderful to see there's so many

58:12opportunities in the city, and I hope

58:15people do take advantage of all these

58:17opportunities. Um, and with that, I just

58:19want to make one correction on our green

58:22sheet. It says 143,000.

58:25I believe the actual total is 143,300.

58:30So, I just want that to be corrected for

58:33the record.

58:34>> Council [snorts] member Tuttle.

58:35>> Thank you. I just want to thank Lindsey

58:37and all of your staff for providing the

58:39assistance for this process, and a

58:41thanks to the Cultural Funding Committee

58:43for all of their time. I'm a proud

58:44member of the Arts Council Board of

58:46Directors, and we heard about um the

58:49time that people put in because they

58:51care, and they want to be involved in

58:53the process, and they want to help

58:54nurture the arts in our community. So,

58:56I'm very grateful for that. I did want

58:58to say with an abundance of caution, I

59:00will be abstaining from this vote due to

59:03a potential conflict of interest.

59:08>> With that, I want to say uh

59:10congratulations to the organizations

59:13that will be receiving funding from the

59:15city of Wichita, which means the

59:17residents of this community are

59:19supporting the arts. And those partners

59:22are Artbeat, Ponder This, Envision

59:24Foundation, Forum Theatre Company, Great

59:27Plains Transportation Museum, Juniper

59:30Arts Academy, Kansas Bluegrass

59:32Association, KMUW, McCormick School

59:35Museum, Music Youth Partnership, Orpheum

59:38Performing Arts Center, PBS Kansas,

59:41Storytime Village, Wichita Asian

59:44Association, Wichita Chamber Chorale,

59:47Wichita Grand Opera, Wichita Jazz

59:50Festival, and the Wichita Repertory

59:53Theater ICT Rep. With that, I will move

59:56to approve the funding allocations

59:57recommended for the following

59:58organizations by the Cultural Funding

1:00:01Committee and authorize the necessary

1:00:03signatures.

1:00:03>> Second.

1:00:04>> Motion second, discussion? Seeing none,

1:00:06Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

1:00:13Motion passes 6-0 with one abstention.

1:00:17Madam Clerk, please call the next item.

1:00:20>> Affordable Housing Fund program plan

1:00:23updates and expenditures.

1:00:37Good morning, Mayor and Council members.

1:00:39My name is Carmen Hoffhine and I'm with

1:00:41the Housing and Community Services

1:00:43Department and I'm here to present the

1:00:45Affordable Housing Fund program plan

1:00:47updates and expenditures.

1:00:51For a little bit of background, in 2021,

1:00:54the city received 72.4 million and a

1:00:58million dollars in American Rescue Plan

1:01:00Act funding, which is also known as

1:01:02ARPA.

1:01:03Of that amount, $5 million was allocated

1:01:06to establish the Affordable Housing

1:01:07Fund. In April 2022, City Council

1:01:11approved the Affordable Housing Fund

1:01:12program plan and ordinance.

1:01:17Since the program was established,

1:01:19Council's approved several updates and

1:01:21funding allocations to support

1:01:23affordable housing. These included

1:01:25funding for the acquisition and rehab of

1:01:28properties from the Wichita Housing

1:01:29Authority. The most recent program plan

1:01:32update was approved in August of 2025.

1:01:38The proposed updates would allow the

1:01:40city to acquire the 21 remaining unsold

1:01:43single-family homes from the Wichita

1:01:45Housing Authority. The goal is to

1:01:46preserve these properties as affordable

1:01:49rental housing and continue using

1:01:51affordable housing fund resources for

1:01:53eligible housing activities.

1:01:55Following acquisition, the city plans to

1:01:58make the properties available to

1:01:59developers through a competitive request

1:02:01for proposal process, also known as an

1:02:04RFP.

1:02:08The estimated acquisition cost for the

1:02:1021 properties is $1,569,000.

1:02:15We're also requesting up to $50,000 for

1:02:18carrying costs, which may include

1:02:20insurance, utilities, repairs, and other

1:02:22property-related expenses for the total

1:02:25anticipated cost to be $1,619,000.

1:02:35Selected developers may receive up to

1:02:37$40,000 per property in affordable

1:02:39housing fund subsidy to assist with

1:02:42acquisition and rehab. The properties

1:02:44must remain subsidized rental housing

1:02:47either through project-based vouchers or

1:02:49by being made available exclusively to

1:02:51housing choice voucher participants.

1:02:54Property acquisitions are anticipated in

1:02:572027.

1:03:00For financial considerations, as previ-

1:03:02previously mentioned, the total

1:03:04anticipated cost is $1,619,000

1:03:08to include the acquisition and carrying

1:03:10cost. However, expenditures are subject

1:03:13to available certified expenditure

1:03:15authority.

1:03:19The certified expenditure limit for 2026

1:03:22is $1,597,351,

1:03:27which includes prior affordable housing

1:03:29fund expenditures.

1:03:31Property closings are anticipated in

1:03:332027 when the current certified

1:03:35expenditure limit is $837,351.

1:03:40We are currently coordinating with

1:03:42finance to address the difference in

1:03:44expenditure authority.

1:03:48For legal considerations, I did want to

1:03:50point out so during our final review, we

1:03:53did identify the language that was

1:03:55incorrect for the MOU that was submitted

1:03:59um and approved by law. So, the current

1:04:01one that um all of you have states that

1:04:06um

1:04:08So,

1:04:10I want to make sure I say this

1:04:11correctly.

1:04:13So, it states that the rehab will be

1:04:15completed after the transfer, but the

1:04:18rehab or repairs need to be completed

1:04:20before the transfer. I did submit um the

1:04:24revised contract to the law department

1:04:26and did receive it this morning and

1:04:27submitted it this morning. So, the

1:04:29correct one you will have to to sign.

1:04:32So, that MOU has been approved. The

1:04:34revised MOU has been approved as to form

1:04:37by the law department.

1:04:43So, for the recommendation, we are

1:04:45recommend recommending the approve the

1:04:48city council approve the updated

1:04:50affordable housing fund program plan,

1:04:52authorize expenditures not to exceed

1:04:55$1,597,351

1:05:00from the affordable housing fund for the

1:05:01acquisition of 21 single-family homes

1:05:04from the Wichita Housing Authority and

1:05:06associated carrying costs subject to

1:05:09available certified expenditure

1:05:11authority, approve the memorandum of

1:05:13understanding with the Wichita Housing

1:05:15Authority, and authorize the necessary

1:05:17signatures. And I stand for questions.

1:05:21>> Thank you, Carmen. Questions for staff?

1:05:25See none, we'll open it up for public

1:05:28comment.

1:05:29See none, bringing it back to the bench.

1:05:32With that, I will move to approve the

1:05:35updated affordable housing fund program

1:05:37plan, authorize expenditures not to

1:05:39exceed $1,597,351

1:05:45from the affordable housing fund for the

1:05:46acquisition of 21 single family homes

1:05:49from the Wichita Housing Authority and

1:05:51associated carrying costs, subject to

1:05:53available certified expenditure

1:05:55authority, approve the memorandum of

1:05:57understanding with the Wichita Housing

1:05:59Authority, and authorize the necessary

1:06:01signatures.

1:06:02>> Second.

1:06:03>> Motion second, discussion? See none,

1:06:05Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

1:06:13Motion passes 7-0. Madam Clerk, please

1:06:16call the next item.

1:06:19>> Council member appointments and

1:06:20comments.

1:06:23>> Council members, let's start with

1:06:25appointments. Are there any?

1:06:28>> Mayor, I would like to appoint Grant

1:06:30Phillips to the Access Advisory Board,

1:06:33and then I also have a correction to

1:06:36make.

1:06:39On May 5th, 2026, I appointed Tiana

1:06:41Kelly to the Affordable Housing Review

1:06:42Board. However, for the record, I would

1:06:45like to make the following correction.

1:06:46My intention was to appoint Ms. Kelly to

1:06:49the Community Services Block Grant

1:06:51Review Board. You all might remember I

1:06:54appointed Ashley Collins to the

1:06:55Affordable Housing Review Board

1:06:57a couple weeks back. So, I just wanted

1:06:59to make that correction on record.

1:07:03>> I see no other appointments.

1:07:05>> I was on there.

1:07:06>> Council member Todd. Thank you. I would

1:07:08like to appoint Lisa Veda to the access

1:07:11advisory board.

1:07:13>> [snorts]

1:07:15>> With a question for legal, do we need to

1:07:18reappoint our members that were

1:07:20previously on the access advisory board

1:07:23based on the council's vote couple weeks

1:07:25ago?

1:07:25>> I need to look at that ordinance, but I

1:07:27think so.

1:07:28>> Okay. Well, out of abundance precaution,

1:07:30I'll nominate Jim Underwood to the

1:07:32access advisory board.

1:07:36>> Council member title.

1:07:40Okay.

1:07:41Council member Johnston.

1:07:43>> Well, I'll also re-nominate Jill Carson

1:07:46access advisory board.

1:07:48>> Council member Hoheisel.

1:07:51Okay.

1:07:58Council member Ballard.

1:07:59I would like to appoint or reappoint

1:08:02Mary Ware to access advisory board.

1:08:15Council member Hoheisel.

1:08:18I'll wait with you too then.

1:08:20Uh with that, I will move to approve the

1:08:24appointments for district one, district

1:08:25two, district four, district five, and

1:08:28district six.

1:08:29>> Second.

1:08:30>> Motion second discussion. See none,

1:08:32Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

1:08:37Motion passes Oh,

1:08:39motion passes 7-0.

1:08:41>> Did you

1:08:42Yes, if we can still or if we're still

1:08:45on it, can I reappoint Jared Holcomb to

1:08:48the access advisory board?

1:08:51>> I move to approve that appointment for

1:08:52district three.

1:08:53>> Second.

1:08:54>> Motion second discussion. See none,

1:08:57Madam Clerk, please open the roll.

1:09:02>> I.

1:09:03>> All those in favor say aye. Aye. All

1:09:05those opposed same sign. Motion passes

1:09:077-0.

1:09:09Madam Madam Clerk, actually no, we're in

1:09:12Council Member Comments. Council Member

1:09:14Vice Mayor Glasscock.

1:09:16>> Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to say

1:09:18this past weekend I had the opportunity

1:09:20to be in Orleans, France for the

1:09:23Indian 50th race. It's the 50th year

1:09:26that they've hosted a Keeper of the

1:09:27Plains race in Orleans. I competed. I

1:09:30did not PR. I did not do that well

1:09:33on my 5K, but we had 20 Wichitans that

1:09:35joined and I just want to thank all 20

1:09:38individuals from our community that went

1:09:40there, especially Kelly Harper from our

1:09:42Sister Cities organization who planned

1:09:44the delegation trip. It was an

1:09:46incredible opportunity for people to see

1:09:50our global partnerships in action and

1:09:52also to see how embraced the city of

1:09:55Wichita is abroad. They have a Keeper of

1:09:58the Plains replica that we gave them I

1:10:00think in the 1970s or 80s.

1:10:04And that they have a Keeper of the

1:10:05Plains bus stop which I thought was

1:10:08pretty cool, so we took a photo outside

1:10:09of that. And then in addition, I'm a

1:10:10history nerd, so there's a place where

1:10:13Queen Mary of Scots lived for a little

1:10:15bit in Orleans. And Wichita's mentioned

1:10:18inside of there when we liberated them

1:10:20after World War II, we re-gave

1:10:23them back the French flag

1:10:26for the French Republic and that's hung

1:10:27in there noting Wichita's involvement.

1:10:30So I just want to say that Wichita was

1:10:31very well represented among all the

1:10:33runners and we look forward to hosting

1:10:35them as well and bringing them back. So

1:10:38thank you for the opportunity. It was a

1:10:40great experience.

1:10:43>> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Council Member

1:10:44Hoheisel.

1:10:45>> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to send

1:10:47out some heartfelt condolences to some

1:10:51of our neighboring communities for the

1:10:53tragedy on Saturday. And also want to

1:10:56recognize our first responders.

1:10:59Um

1:11:00It's It's tough enough just to be in our

1:11:02scene and hear about it. I couldn't

1:11:04imagine arriving at that scene.

1:11:07Um I also want to make a just a quick

1:11:09remark. A lot of people have been

1:11:11somewhat critical of our police chief

1:11:13for insisting on barriers and whatnot in

1:11:18uh some of our parades and events. Um

1:11:20but this is a reminder of

1:11:23why that happens. It's safety first. So,

1:11:25we we really got to keep that in mind.

1:11:28Um

1:11:29I know we added in the budget this year

1:11:31um some more um

1:11:33protections in some of our higher

1:11:36utilized parks. So,

1:11:38that's something we definitely need to

1:11:39consider going forward as well. And

1:11:41again,

1:11:42uh heartfelt condolences to everybody

1:11:44involved.

1:11:47>> Councilmember Shepherd

1:11:48>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh

1:11:50I just I know that I've been including

1:11:52many of my colleagues on back and forth

1:11:54communication with the city manager as

1:11:56it relates to Chapin Park. I believe

1:11:58even as of this morning, myself,

1:11:59Councilmember Ballard, and Councilmember

1:12:01Hoheisel has We have received additional

1:12:03questions. I think there's a lot of

1:12:05unknowns and still a lot of gaps. I

1:12:07would really like to just nip this in

1:12:09the bud so we can once and for all get

1:12:10all the information that we need to

1:12:12communicate with residents who are

1:12:14interested. The city manager did respond

1:12:17to me this morning that um you know, the

1:12:20last request that I've share that I've

1:12:21asked for would be included on Friday's

1:12:24city retreat agenda,

1:12:26uh which is scheduled for Thursday and

1:12:28Friday. I do not see that listed in the

1:12:31agenda for Friday. I see additional

1:12:33topics as time permits. I believe that

1:12:36this should be listed as an actual topic

1:12:38and given actual time and not an

1:12:41additional topic as time permits. And I

1:12:43was wondering if any of my colleagues

1:12:45would agree with me that we should

1:12:46dedicate ample time to this discussion

1:12:48to get the necessary answers.

1:12:52>> I agree.

1:12:53>> I

1:12:53>> agree.

1:12:57So, I would actually say that if we're

1:12:59going to talk about encampment and the

1:13:02encampment ordinance, we need to talk

1:13:04about it holistically, not just Chisholm

1:13:06Park. Um we have received multiple

1:13:09emails and witnessed additional

1:13:11encampments throughout the city of

1:13:13Wichita. Um so, if we're going to talk

1:13:15about the topic, then we need to talk

1:13:17about encampment ordinance um as a

1:13:20holistic topic.

1:13:22>> Sure. Thank you, Mayor. I actually I

1:13:24think that's great. I'm not interested

1:13:26in changing anything in regards to the

1:13:28policy. I think we've been there, we've

1:13:30done that. I don't want to open up those

1:13:32can of worms, but I'm more so interested

1:13:34in again, I've included in communication

1:13:37with the with my colleagues so that

1:13:38they're aware, but just a couple of

1:13:40questions that I think are still

1:13:41unknown. The bill of the billable units

1:13:44in the site classification, the contract

1:13:46documentation and verification of the

1:13:48completed work, the total clean-up

1:13:50expenditures and the budget

1:13:51reconciliation, uh specifically if

1:13:53additional appropriations, authorized

1:13:55transfers, budget adjustments, or other

1:13:57fund funding sources supported the

1:13:59expenditures, I think that the city

1:14:01manager should let us know how that

1:14:02occurred. Uh the work authorization and

1:14:05fiscal year authority and KDOT's

1:14:06contribution to the final project cost.

1:14:09Um again, I don't want to reopen the

1:14:11policy itself. I think you all have had

1:14:13some healthy and spirited conversations

1:14:15about that already, um but I do

1:14:17understand that there are a lot of

1:14:19people who are concerned following the

1:14:21encampment clean-up up Chisholm, and in

1:14:23fact, maybe even some districts who have

1:14:25noticed some uptick in their uh

1:14:27particular area. But if you, Mayor, want

1:14:30to have a conversation on encampments in

1:14:32general, that's fine. I just I'm not I'm

1:14:34personally not interested in revisiting

1:14:35the policy.

1:14:37>> So, I think that

1:14:40to try to keep the retreat focus on

1:14:43these items, may I suggest maybe the

1:14:46workshop would be better?

1:14:49>> I don't think a workshop or I guess the

1:14:51next workshop would be on the 27th if

1:14:54I'm remembering correctly, but I think

1:14:56we already have a very full workshop.

1:14:58So, I think adding an additional item

1:15:01probably wouldn't be a good use of time

1:15:03given everything that we have already on

1:15:05the agenda.

1:15:07So, the retreat is what the city manager

1:15:09suggested. That didn't come from me,

1:15:11that came from the city manager.

1:15:15>> I'm okay with adding it. I think right

1:15:17now the topics are state of the city

1:15:20expenses, agenda development process,

1:15:22green sheet review, proclamations, key

1:15:25to the city process, public agenda

1:15:27times, travel approvals, and then this

1:15:30would be additional topics. So, you just

1:15:31want to add this as instead of

1:15:33additional topics an actual topic.

1:15:36Not hot topics.

1:15:38>> Yep, and I would be even in favor of

1:15:39compromising with my colleagues if there

1:15:41is a topic that can wait that we don't

1:15:43want to discuss at retreat like the

1:15:46proclam- or city key to the city

1:15:49process. I think shaping would probably

1:15:51take more of a priority than than that.

1:15:54>> I I agree. I think put shaping up near

1:15:57the top. The rest of those I don't know

1:15:59that they would be very in-depth

1:16:01conversations honestly at this point. Um

1:16:04I think we could still probably hit on

1:16:05those and

1:16:06get it all done, but yeah, I think

1:16:08there's a priority on there.

1:16:11>> So, these are current and organizational

1:16:14issues. Would you categorize that as an

1:16:17organizational issue or you want it just

1:16:19a topic in itself?

1:16:21>> Thank you, Mayor. I think I've been very

1:16:22clear in the communication back and

1:16:23forth with the city manager as well as

1:16:25my colleagues out of respect for you

1:16:26all. I think it's important that you all

1:16:28know what conversations I'm having in

1:16:30regards to this. I do think it is an

1:16:32organizational issue. I think that there

1:16:34are a lot of questions that I've asked

1:16:36as it pertains to our specific roles and

1:16:38responsibilities as council members that

1:16:40that not get have received a a

1:16:42definitive response on. Even when I

1:16:44asked for the risk assessment, I was met

1:16:46with a screenshot of just two of the

1:16:50items of the risk assessment instead of

1:16:52the actual full documentation of the

1:16:54risk assessment. So, if there was a risk

1:16:56assessment done, if there was $17,000

1:16:58spent on a clutch consulting model that

1:17:00Housing brought in to showcase best

1:17:02practices that I've not seen, in

1:17:04addition to several members that were a

1:17:07part of this having serious concerns and

1:17:09a budget adjustment, I think that we as

1:17:13council members owe it to our community

1:17:15to both know that, understand it, and

1:17:17ask questions to get clarity so we can

1:17:18mobilize that to the community.

1:17:21>> Council member Johnston.

1:17:23Thank you, Mayor. Council member

1:17:24Shepherd, are you What is the concern

1:17:26that there's misappropriation of money

1:17:29by the maybe by the Parks Department or

1:17:31Public Works? Is that the Is that the

1:17:32concern?

1:17:33>> Thank you, Council member Johnston. No,

1:17:35that's not my concern.

1:17:37I guess the concern is I don't know.

1:17:40I don't I don't know how we made this

1:17:41happen. I think the Mayor did a fine job

1:17:43when we talked about this and I think it

1:17:45was on the dashboard where the Mayor

1:17:46quoted the public dashboard about how

1:17:48much we've spent to date. And so, I'm

1:17:50just wondering if we spent I think it

1:17:52was somewhere around $365,000

1:17:54on encampment cleanup. One of the

1:17:56questions that I asked in the email that

1:17:58I didn't include you on was, how did we

1:17:59get here and are we in the red or how

1:18:02did you make this number work from

1:18:04fiscal year budget 2026 if those dollars

1:18:07were not there yet until 2027? In

1:18:10addition, I would like to be able to

1:18:11read the clutch consulting findings and

1:18:14really understand if we spent nearly

1:18:16$20,000 on a professional coming in to

1:18:18give us best practices, what did we

1:18:21follow, what didn't we follow, and then

1:18:22also look at the risk assessment to

1:18:24ensure that we're arming both our staff

1:18:26and our city manager with the supports

1:18:28that they needed for future cleanup so

1:18:30that way we can do it differently. As

1:18:32the city manager has shared with me

1:18:33privately and Council member Ballard on

1:18:35Friday, I believe, when we went to go

1:18:36talk to him, that there were a lot of

1:18:38learning moments from this. And so, I

1:18:39would like to know what those learning

1:18:40moments were, and then what can we do

1:18:42from a policy lens to equip our staff

1:18:44and our city manager with those

1:18:45supports?

1:18:46>> Okay.

1:18:50I am okay with adding it as the first

1:18:53topic for current and organizational

1:18:55issues. Uh

1:18:57and since you want to be very specific

1:18:59on Cheyne and Park, um I think it's

1:19:02important to note what I mentioned is

1:19:05public knowledge, and that is the

1:19:06dashboard. And that is um separate than

1:19:09the Cheyne and Park.

1:19:11I think it's separate.

1:19:13>> I don't But see, I think this is the

1:19:14clarity I need. I'm being told that it's

1:19:16not separate. I would encourage you to

1:19:17go read the responses from the city

1:19:19manager.

1:19:20>> Well, I think that this is work that has

1:19:21already been done. So, it's prior to the

1:19:25additional uh contractor coming in. So,

1:19:28this is what has been completed um as of

1:19:312026.

1:19:33And I think the numbers I don't think

1:19:34have changed much. 531 work orders,

1:19:37345,100

1:19:39total work order costs, and total labor

1:19:42hours 4,935.

1:19:44And I think that's city staff hours.

1:19:48>> Thank you, Mayor. The Again, I think

1:19:50this is worth the conversation for

1:19:51clarity for me, and I reserve the right

1:19:53to be wrong, but I think that's where

1:19:55I'm lost, and I need a I need a little

1:19:57bit more insight on this. I'm being told

1:19:59that the dollars for that and the

1:20:01dollars for the Cheyne and cleanup are

1:20:03coming from the same place that we

1:20:05approved.

1:20:06I I just want clarity. I don't I don't

1:20:08want to make any accusations, but that's

1:20:10what I keep asking, and I can't get a

1:20:13clear answer. So, I think you just

1:20:16highlighted the point again that I think

1:20:18we just need a little bit more clarity

1:20:19to be able to assure our constituents

1:20:22that we followed the right protocol

1:20:23processes.

1:20:25>> Um I am in favor of adding Cheyne and

1:20:29Park encampment cleanup as the very

1:20:32first topic in hot topics current and

1:20:34organizational issues.

1:20:37So, we have four people that are in

1:20:38favor of that. We will add that to the

1:20:40Friday 8:00 a.m. agenda.

1:20:42With that, any other

1:20:44topics?

1:20:46I see none. We have a blue sheet.

1:20:50With that, I move that the city council

1:20:52recess into executive session for 10

1:20:54minutes to receive information on an

1:20:57upcoming mediation pursuant to KSA

1:21:0075-4319b2

1:21:03for legal consultation with the city

1:21:05attorney, which would be deemed

1:21:06privileged in the attorney-client

1:21:08relationship, potential litigation,

1:21:10legal advice. The executive session is

1:21:12required to protect attorney-client

1:21:14privilege and the public interest. The

1:21:17executive session will begin at 10:25

1:21:20a.m. and end at 10:35 a.m. The meeting

1:21:24will resume in council chambers.

1:21:27>> Second.

1:21:28>> Motion second, discussion. See none,

1:21:29have our clerk, please open the roll.

1:21:37Motion passes 7-0. We'll see you at

1:21:40executive session at 10:25 a.m. Thank

1:21:42you.