Wichita City Council Workshop
Documenter name: Josh Bernat
Agency: Wichita City Council Meetings/Workshops
Date: Aug. 27, 2024
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Notes
I arrived at City Hall around 8:50 am. The meeting was held in a boardroom near the council chambers, where meetings normally occur. The Mayor and Council were faced away from audience attendants with city officials taking space on the room's side walls.
The meeting started exactly at 9:00 with Mayor Lily Wu and all Council members in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
- The motion was approved by Council 7-0.
Consent Agenda Items
- Mayor Wu declared a motion for a further review of items four and seven of the Consent Agenda.
- A review of these items was approved by the board.
- Mayor Wu then called a motion to approve all other consent items.
- Public Works Department member, Paul Gunzelman, took the podium to clarify Item 4 on the Consent Agenda.
- This item was for approval of traffic signalization equipment that would go towards an improvement project on 135th St (From Central Ave to 13th).
- The need for approval on traffic signal equipment was made because the lead time on ordering and receiving equipment would take longer than other items in the project.
- The total project cost will be $6 million and include the traffic signalization bid being discussed at this meeting.
- There was only one bid for this part of the project and it was over the department estimate with the price of signal materials.
- The project is expected to begin and end in 2025.
- Council member Glasscock asked about whether the vote made today was for an initiation of $500,000, the approval of the extra $65.000, or both.
- City Manager Robert Layton clarified it was for the initiation of $500,000 out of the already approved budget of $1,075,000 and the vote just recognizes the increased $65,000.
- Mayor Wu addressed Item seven on the second reading ordinances.
- She expressed appreciation for the staff for providing a summary of these ordinances
- Stated that there will be more explanation as to what the ordinance change will look like
Board of Bids and Contracts
- The first bid was for improvements to the water distribution, stormwater drain system, sanitary sewer, and paving needs to serve Bunker Hill Addition.
- The bid approval is dependent on the City Council’s approval of the new Engineer's Estimate and Budget Authorization, which takes place on Sept. 10.
- Later in the meeting, Mayor Wu asked if this bid would come back up at the Sept. 10 meeting because of a needed budget increase. Clarification was given that a budget increase will be requested due to a city engineer underestimation.
- The recommended and approved bid was from Prado Construction, LLC at $118,128.
- Mayor Wu asked if these improvements would be the last capital improvements for this year. This was confirmed by City Manager Robert Layton.
- Council member Ballard got confirmation that both of the projects would be done by the end of the year.
- Both bids were approved.
- Two slides of open bids the city is still seeking vendors for were shared.
- Council member Glasscock asked to look at the second slide of bids.
- Mayor Wu made a motion to approve the bids presented, still subject to budget approval on Sept. 10. The motion was approved 7-0.
- Petitions for Public Improvement
- The only petition was for the Kings Coast addition. This project is to provide water, drainage, and sewer improvements required for a new residential development.
- No questions were asked, and the petition was approved.
- Council member Tuttle was approved to travel to the National League of City's Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program in Kansas City.
- Council member Tuttle commented that Wichita was one of seven cities selected by the organization. Also, she stated the travel would be of no cost to the city.
- The travel was approved by the council.
- Council member appointments
- Council members Ballard and Johnson had appointments for multiple boards
- Appointment of Claribel Gutierrez Ramirez for her Youth District Advisory Board.
- Appointment of Jessica Maldonado for Diversity and Inclusion Civil Rights Board.
- Appointment of Kristen Stinnett to the ethics board.
- Council approved all appointments.
- There are further dates for meetings about the downtown parking issue, and an update (not a decision) will be given on Sept. 10.
Summary
Summarize the 3 most important outcomes or takeaways from your notes....
- This meeting was mostly procedural and administrative items for the city to vote on.
- Items had essentially no pushback and were passed very easily.
- Mayor Wu graciously came up and introduced herself to me and thanked me and the documenters for being there.
Follow-Up Questions
What are you left wondering? Ask up to 3 of your own follow-up questions...
- How will the council account for certain bids when reviewing budget approvals on Sept. 10?
- What changes are the council making to their policy review procedure to ensure an item like the downtown parking issue, doesn't get passed again?
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.