Wichita City Council Meeting

Documenter name: Paige Koeppen

Agency: Wichita City Council Meetings/Workshops

Date: Oct. 1, 2024

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org

Notes

City Council Awards and Proclamations

October 1:

1.  BOMA Day which stands for Building Owners and Managers Association.

Area real estate leaders were honored for their contributions to Wichita and its growth.

2. Junior League of Wichita Appreciation Month

Junior League was founded in Wichita in 1925 and continues to make volunteerism as its central goal to to make Wichita a better place for all. Their annual fundraiser, Holiday Galleria, is this weekend.

3. Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Mayor Wu honored hard working and caring individuals who fight against domestic violence everyday.

4. Pete Najero from the United Ways of the Plains gave a special presentation to the council and the mayor. This organization was founded in 1922 and has worked tirelessly over those many years to help Wichitan’s in need. When we help others we are a powerful voice for good.

Public Agenda

• Celeste Racette, candidate for Sedgwick County Commissioner, District 3, spoke on the 80 year celebration of the liberation of Orleans, France. Orleans is one of our sister cities. Racette attended the celebration as an ambassador for Wichita. The celebration was a wonderful tribute to the Kansas soldiers who helped liberate their city and country.

• Andrew Crane spoke on access issues for the visually impaired in downtown Wichita. KSN has done an article on the topic but there were not many specifics on what needs to be improved. The Access Advisory Board is upset with the article also. Gary Janzen, Public Works and Utilities will be talking to the access advisory board and get their input on needed changes.

• Twila Puritty spoke on the lack of parking at city hall which limits citizens ability to access its services and attend meetings. She is also concerned about the future paid parking plan in downtown Wichita. She worries about the effects on our poor and disadvantaged citizens.

• Another ambassador for Wichita presented Mayor Wu with a book from our sister city of Orleans. She was on the trip to see the celebration of the liberation of Orleans, France.

• Harlan Baskin from District 3 was also concerned about parking at city hall.

Board of Bids and Contacts

All were approved 7-0

Petitions for Public Improvements

All were approved 7-0

Consent Agenda Items

They were approved except for 3A, 3B and 8. Further discussion on these three consent items ensued. 3A and 3B were about public art budgets on public spaces and 8 was about expenses of maintenance on city vehicles and machinery. After discussion all three were approved. The vote was 6-1 with Wu voting against.

New Council Business

The council voted to approve a public hearing on consideration of an amendment to Center City South Redevelopment District Plan. It was approved 7-0.

Cheney Lake Dam Repairs were discussed and approved 7-0. Gary Janzen, Public Works and Utilities reported that this is a great time to do them due to the low water level at Cheney Lake. A survey heat map shows where the most critical repairs are needed.

Railroad Crossing Improvements were discussed and approved 7-0.

Cheney Copper Ion Equipment Replacement was discussed and approved 7-0. Zebra Mussels are a huge problem at Cheney Lake and others across the area. This equipment was needed due to those pesky varmints.

Equus Wellfield Spurline Replacements was voted on and approved 7-0.

Reconnecting Communities Discretionary Pilot Grant Agreement and Funding was approved 7-0. This will study the train disruptions in the city. Broadway and 21st Street is one of the worst for disrupting car travel. Council person Maggie Ballard is very concerned about this issue and asked for a timeline on when the consultant would be hired. January the first is that date to be followed by 16 to 18 months to get the plan off the ground. Both Mayor Wu and Council person Ballard were disappointed by this timeline.

Approve the application for the 2025 Federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Grant. It was voted on and approved 7-0. Captain Aaron Moses spoke on this grant and would like to hire four new officers to be directly working with Integrated Care Team ICT 1 . As it is now two officers go out for every mental health related call, but this would leave those officers to deal with other issues and have specific officers to go out on these calls. The grant would also pay for radios and some other items needed.

The Bond and Note sale was approved 7-0. There were a record number of bidders, the spread between the bids was narrow and it was on point for other similar cities.

Airport Agenda

Jesse Romo, Wichita Airport Authority spoke on the new hotel that is being built. There have been some delays but with $73,668 in rent for the land, it has not caused any financial issues. This was approved 7-0.

Council Member Agenda

Approval of travel for Council Members Dalton Glasscock, Becky Tuttle and Mayor Wu were approved 7-0. No taxpayer money is being used for these three separate conferences.

Meeting is adjourned at 11:35.

Summary

• Parking both at City Hall and downtown is a hot button issue with many opinions and few answers as to what is right.
• Mental Health related calls to 911 are increasing so ICT 1 is an awesome and beneficial program.
• One of the only benefits of the drought here in Wichita is the ability for the city to make needed repairs on the Cheney Lake Dam.

Follow-Up Questions

• Why is it going to take so long for the train disruptions at 21st Street and Broadway to be discussed, when it is apparent what the problem continues to be? Many studies have been done over the past years.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@citybureau.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.