Sustainability Integration Board
Documenter name: Maleah Evans
Agency: Wichita Sustainability Integration Board
Date: May 28, 2025
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Notes
The Sustainability Integration Board (SIB) held its May 28, 2025 meeting at the Advanced Learning Library. Eight members were present, either in person or via zoom.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The meeting minutes for March were approved unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Staff Updates
There were two new Board members introduced at this meeting, Dylan Thiessen and Renee Boggs. Ethan Kershaw, City of Wichita’s Sustainability Coordinator, discussed new updates to SIB’s website. It includes a new interactive air quality feature to make it easier for people to read. The new website also has more comprehensive drought information and home composting information. Other staff updates mentioned that the Riverfest Sustainability Committee has proposed offering recycling at the food court––as opposed to just trash––at this year's festival.
Board Updates
The Q-line is offering extended routes to museums running throughout the summer starting May 24. Overall ridership of the Q-line has gone down and employees are investigating why. Board member Jessica Maldonado, who serves on the Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights Board (DICRAB) as well, discussed the strategic plan that the DICRAB has been working on. This plan also contains an internal survey to city employees. Maldonado and fellow Board member Lori Lawrence brought up that Energy is planning to propose methane gas plants, costing about $4 billion for both.
Chair Updates
Board Chairperson Ibrahim A Abdallah spoke about his proposal for water treatment and reuse. He acknowledged prior feedback and expressed his desire to move forward with the proposal.
Changes to Ordinance
The Board changed some internal voting policies at this meeting. Previously, board membership expired on odd years instead of even (which is the case for every other board). This creates turn-over, though, leads to increased pressure to make sure members are re-appointed and sworn in, and requires the Chair to vote every year. It was recommended to change the current term to expire March 31, 2026 in order to align with other city board expirations. This would improve the appointment process as well. The recommendation was approved unanimously by the board.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
SIB Overview
Lizeth Ortega, City of Wichita’s Senior Environmental Specialist, covered the history and creation of the SIB board, which began in 2021. The SIB holds 14 voting members, 7 appointed from City Council or the mayor and 7 from other boards, including the Transit Advisory Board, Mayor’s Youth Council, Council Districts I-VI, among others. Members are either appointed by City Council or through vote of their own board. They then take an oath of office and have a limit of 4 consecutive 2-year terms. The purpose of the SIB is to advise City Council and city staff on sustainability matters that affect the city’s longer-term livability. According to bylaws, the board must meet at least once quarterly, and must elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson each year before July 1.
Potential Projects
Much attention was given to potential projects. SIB has an original budget of $100,000 and there is about $40,000 remaining in funds for future projects. Some possible projects include one focused on food waste reduction. It will streamline food recovery efforts from grocery stores, restaurants, and schools to divert food to pantries, food banks and other facilities. The project would also promote composting on-site or off-site through partners like Nudge or Brooks if compositing capabilities expanded. The drawback, though, is that it might be more labor intensive than other options, depending on the decided scope.
The Board is also considering creating a seed rebate program. This would provide resources on how to convert lawns to ones that are less water intensive. It will include a rebate program for certain seeds to incentivize residents and offer general resources on lawn care maintenance to reduce overwatering and over fertilizing. The rebate would be capped at approximately $150 per household, provided a receipt is submitted. The City estimates $10,000 dollars in rebates would be provided and a $2,500 educational program would be needed as well. There is hope that that program could be offered in conjunction with the K-State Sedgwick County Extension Office as well.
The final potential project deals with air quality sensors. The City plans on purchasing around 80 to 125 Purple Air censors at $200 to $300 per senor. The program will also rely on $5,000 for educational material. These sensors will be given away at libraries, neighborhood resource centers, outdoor recreation areas such as playgrounds, and schools. Informational material will be included. The program could be later supplemented with other city funds.
Summary
Summarize the 3 most important outcomes or takeaways from your notes....
- The Board voted and passed to change the current term to expire on March 31st, 2026 to align with other Board’s terms.
- Three projects were proposed to utilize the remaining funds given to SIB.
- The Q-Line is experiencing a decline in ridership, and employees are investigating as to why.
Follow-Up Questions
What are you left wondering? Ask up to 3 of your own follow-up questions...
- Will SIB work to use all of the remaining funds amongst the three proposed projects, or will they focus on only one?
- How did the terms shift to end on odd years instead of even like originally intended?
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at dhaslam@kansasleadershipcenter.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.