Wichita City Council Meeting
Documenter name: Ty Davis
Agency: Wichita City Council Meetings/Workshops
Date: Sept. 3, 2024
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Notes
Today’s city council meeting was productive and well-structured, thanks to a clear agenda that kept discussions focused and efficient. Despite the numerous topics covered, we managed to adjourn before 12:30 PM.
One of the significant announcements was that September has been designated as the month to raise awareness about food hunger, blood cancer, and opioid and alcohol recovery. Additionally, the City of Wichita received the prestigious award for the best-tasting water in Kansas—a title not held since 2009. To celebrate, Mayor Wu and the council members toasted with glasses of the award-winning water.
As part of the unfinished business agenda, the council enacted a new ordinance targeting parties held at short-term rental properties like AirBNBs. This initiative was introduced by Councilmember Brandon Johnson following a shooting at an East Side AirBNB in 2021 that was within his district.
Another noteworthy discussion centered around Clapp Park, which has undergone significant revitalization over the past three years. Previously neglected, the park has seen improvements such as trash removal, tree trimming, and sidewalk repairs. The growing popularity of disc golf and cross-country activities has increased foot traffic, thanks in part to a tenant, Ducks Flying Discs, who signed an agreement in 2021 and has actively contributed to the park's upkeep.
However, concerns were raised during the meeting. The council discussed the fact that the tenant’s rent was originally set at $300 per month with a stipulated 30% annual increase, but the rent has not been adjusted in the past three years. Mayor Lily Wu expressed her dissatisfaction with this oversight and hesitated to endorse a proposed $7 million investment into Clapp Park. Councilmember Johnson also voiced concerns that if occupancy lapses, interest in disc golf and cross-country activities might wane, undoing much of the progress made in revitalizing the park. Councilmember Tuttle added that reduced park traffic could potentially lead to increased crime and homelessness in the area. The council decided to revisit the issue in a future meeting, with suggestions to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find a better-suited tenant who can maintain the park's momentum while addressing the community's needs.
In addition to these discussions, the need for more senior healthcare centers was highlighted as a pressing issue. The city was approached by Presbyterian Manors for approval of revenue bonds to improve facilities throughout the state, including their facility in Wichita. The city voted unanimously to approve this request.
Staying on the topic of community welfare, the Multi-Agency Center (MAC) was also discussed. The proposal aims to repurpose the vacant Park Elementary building into a shelter for the homeless and a hub for housing and employment services. The project will be executed in three phases, with the first phase—a winter shelter for the homeless—scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving 2024. To address neighborhood concerns, the proposal includes security measures such as a perimeter wall and enhanced surveillance systems to ensure the safety and integration of the shelter into the community. Mayor Wu spoke about the process that has gone into approving this center. She said that it combined three separate agencies, the City of Wichita, USD 259 and the Kansas State legislature, to come together and move this initiative forward.
The council tackled three zoning matters. The first involved a venue near 51st Street North and Meridian seeking permission for entertainment, which was approved. The second request, for placing two duplexes at the Lincoln and South Clifton curve, sparked significant discussion but was denied. The third, and most exciting to the council, was the rezoning of the Park Elementary site to limited commercial use to start work on the MAC, which received enthusiastic approval.
Overall, the meeting addressed critical issues facing the community, with plans set in motion for future discussions and actions.
Summary
Summarize the 3 most important outcomes or takeaways from your notes....
- Wichita Was Rewarded For Clean Water
- There’s A Demand For More Senior Healthcare Facilities
- The City Has Developed Clapp Park Yet The Future Direction Of This Park Is Uncertain
- Homeless Shelter Initiative Is A Collaboration Of Three Agencies
Follow-Up Questions
What are you left wondering? Ask up to 3 of your own follow-up questions...
- What has Wichita done to improve the quality of its water over the last fifteen years?
- When will the board meet again and finalize the decision regarding the future of Clapp Park?
- Are residents in agreement to the Homeless Shelter being moved directly in their neighborhood and if not is there any alternative?
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.