good evening and welcome everybody it is 6 uh  p.m. we will call this this meeting to order   it's the last time I'm going to be able to do  that so we're going to go and hit the gavel uh   we'd like to welcome you all to this evening  special occasions uh we will be saying goodbye   to two council members uh council member Jeff  fluba and of course council member Brian fry   and we are here to recognize them for the many  years of dedication and public service and I will   also be saying goodbye to my seat as mayor and  handing over the gavel to the maril Lily woo uh   but before we do that we also will be welcoming  two new council members to the bench JV Johnson   and Dalton glassco and of course welcoming back  council member Becky Tuttle who was a glutton for   punishment because she's com back for another  four years uh and at this time I would like to   recognize our invocator uh Bishop Wade Moore  from the Christian Faith Center and we invite   him up uh to come to the podium and with that we  do ask those who are with us if you're both will   willing and able to stand for the invocation  delivered by our friend Bishop Wade Moore amen   thank you mayor let's all bow our heads please  almighty God In The Name of Jesus father we come   before you Lord humbled Lord to be serving this  city we're grateful for the leadership that has   been over this city we thank you for mayor  uh uh Brandon Lord and everything that he   has brought to this city and his service to this  city we thank you for the outgoing City council   members and father we're grateful that you have  chosen uh Lily to lead this city and God we're   asking that you will give her wisdom knowledge  strength courage that you will keep this city   council unified Mighty God and Lord we just ask  your blessings upon our city that you'll keep   witchar as a shining light in this region we're  asking that its citizens will come together in   unity work together and Lord we'll build this  city Mighty God to what you want it to be let   it be that light that shines in this nation and  we ask your favor upon witchar in Jesus name amen amen to the flag of the United States  of America and to the repic for which   it stands one nation under God  indivisible liy and justice for all thank you Bishop Madame clerk would you call the first  item presentation to outgoing council member   Jeff blueba all right right now we're going  to recognize the outgoing council member   uh blueba from the fourth district  but before we do so we're ask from   comments uh from the current city council  regarding the service of council member blue council member Tuttle thank you I just want  to thank council member blueba for your service   I've had the opportunity to work with you for five  years I tell this story often council member blue   b was one of the first people that really sat  down and talked to me I was appointed to fulfill   the last year of a term so a little bit different  of a process and my first week there he came in   and he said you know whatever you do now you're  reflective of all seven of us and so the good and   the bad and so you have been a big brother to me  for the last 5 years I appreciate it and we will   continue to be friends long into the future I  wish you all the best vice mayor hoisel thank   you mayor uh Jeff we we share some boundaries we  share some common interest uh we share a sight of   town uh it's been a pleasure to work with you  the last two years and get to know some of the   people and some of the ways that we operate in  the South Side um you've been great to talk to   you've been you have a wealth of institutional  knowledge having served 11 almost 11 years now   so the the things you've seen in your term  um there's plentiful and you have definitely   left a mark on the city so thank you for your  service sir council member fry thank you um so   Jeff and I share a boundary we share a bench  and we share a Brotherhood as wagon Masters um   thank you for your guidance and your friendship  over the years when when I got on the council I   was the only new one and I started the next week  and you kind of took me under your wing and and   really helped me understand the responsibility  of this role and the dedication and the hours   you need to put into it um so you're one of  those people I look up to and uh never I've   had a brother but you've been a brother to me just  like my real brother and um you know we're going   to stay in touch we're going to stay friends  we're going to stay wagon Mashers and I look   forward to to your next steps you got a beautiful  family and um a beautiful life so thank you for   your service to Witchita and uh good luck to  you brother council member Ballard thank you   mayor I just want to say thank you for um your  service and we also share a boundary uh deleno   we've worked on a lot of projects together and I'm  excited to see uh where you go from here so good   luck and council member Johnson thanks mayor  council member blueall just want to say thank   you for your service to our city um and I wish  you the very best in your future endeavors as well council member bluebot I do want to say uh  thank you for being someone who is so passionate   and dedicated to uh the work of not only the  city but more importantly South Witchita which   is a place where I believe uh a lot of residents  believe that they have not seen the investment   uh over the last few years uh as it could be if  we had more people like you who have that heart   to ensure that we're bringing back services to  areas of our city uh that I think that they have   been left behind also thanks for being a guy on  the bench who's not afraid to push back but also   doesn't hold a grudge a lot of people might  not know but Council M blueall and I not only   do we debate I I think council member fry and  I we debate a lot council member blueball and   I we kind of scrap uh sometimes it gets a little  crazy uh but he's always in the back willing to   have a conversation afterwards uh he's someone  that it doesn't matter if we had a rough day   at work the day before because we both get really  passionate about these issues if something's on a   docket the next or the agenda the next day uh  we're talking about it if it's good for South   Witchita we're working together so Jeff thanks for  being that example of someone who uh truly truly   really uh uh shows us uh what the value of this  position is uh and it's not that we all just uh   uh get along all the time but actually we fight  for what we believe in but we know when to work   together uh when we have a common cause and with  that Jeff I would like to excuse me council member   blueba I would like to invite you down here and  receive uh this small appreciation uh by the uh   city council and it is a going on down and for  those who don't know this is the highest honor   that we can bestow on a person here at the city  it is the key to the city of Witchita presented   to Jeff blueberg blueberg sorry Jeff uh man  hopefully this night goes a little smoother   for me uh Jeff uh blog city council member in  recognition and gratitude for your outstanding   service to the witch talk Community from 2013  to 2024 Jeff is one of the oldest members of   this body and I mean that by experience uh I'm  right here yeah I'm right here and I mean that   by experience and frankly he's our go-to when it  comes to institutional knowledge uh his wealth   of knowledge is going to be sincerely missed  and I hope that uh you keep your cell phone   uh on at times we you're out the lake or taking  the kids fishing uh so that the new members uh   can call on you uh to get that background and  institutional knowledge uh that we know that   you uh have uh really mastered so with this i'  would like to hand us to you and then then it's   yours and of course by the way uh for friends  and family feel free to come to the front if   you want to get in on uh uh photos uh or be a  part of this that is of of course appropriate   I can't guarantee your seat will be there  afterwards because we got a lot of folks in   the back thank you [Applause] mayor all right  don't worry everyone we got Casey with the the camera and she'll text was a video well thank you everyone for your for your  kind words first and foremost I want to thank   my wife Megan and our family for supporting  me for the last 11 years Megan I'm sorry for   all the dinners or kids doctor's appointments  dentist appointments or School functions that   I have missed while attending city meetings or  events serving as vice mayor my second year with   a 5-year-old an 18-month-old then have having a  baby that year and running another campaign that   year while Megan was running our family as well  as our real estate business was a tough time for   us and to be elected as vice mayor in four more  years and run a campaign that year it pays a toll   on a young family serving on the council puts  a large burden on family life I ask each of the   existing council members and the new council  members to make sure you're checking in with   your families and do not become so involved with  leading the city that you miss the good stuff with   your families Megan Hayden Avery Sam Harper  thank you all for being supportive of my role   representing the city of witto I appreciate each  and every one of you thank [Applause] you I want   to thank the people of the city witto for allowing  me the privilege to serve the council longer than   any other council member in the last 30 years  serving the city council is usually limited to   two full terms when I was first elected to the  city council in 2013 it was to fill the last   two years of an unfilled seat and then I was and  and when the state elections moved from April to   November it added an additional nine months  to my terms after being elected for two full   additional terms one two-year term then additional  9 months it came up to 10 years and N months so   that's how the 11 years a lot of people might I  think that's kind of an odd number to serve but   that that's how it ended up but I do I I'm I'm  I I mean this from the bottom of my heart I am   humbled to be able to represent the people of  witto and specifically the people of Southwest   witto and South witto to let me serve them for  so many years I do specifically want to point out   South and Southwest witto for their support South  witto is an area that often feels overlooked when   it comes to infrastructure and quality of life  amenities we've worked hard to bring both both   to the area and I'm sure new council members  Glascock or or Southside um council members   Glascock and hoisel will continue to fight for  people on the south side and make sure that they   feel that they do have a voice down here at City  Hall during my time on Council I served with three   Mayors former mayor Brewer was the first mayor  I served with and he welcomed me with open arms   of the city council and was a great leadership  Mentor for me to serve the role in the city I   um Carl up there above I thank you for everything  that you and all the knowledge and institutional   knowledge you shined on me thank you Carl um I've  also served with a lot of great people I want to   thank Becky Brandon Johnson Michael Heisel mayor  Whipple Cil M fry and Maggie Ballard you you all   mean a lot to me and I've appreciated your working  relationships I just I look forward to a new day   with mayor-elect Lily woo and the addition of  council members JV Johnson son and Dalton Glascock   to step in and lead the city by the will of the  wit by the will of witon thank you very [Music] much think my eyes sweating a little bit that's yeah  thank you council member uh blueball for not only   uh uh the work that you have done but the Legacy  leap behind uh we appreciate and value you you   and your service to our city thank you so much  for all you've done Madam clerk presentation to   outgoing council member Brian fry does anybody  have anything good to say about Brian fry I'm sorry I'm sorry um we go vice mayor hoisel  thank you mayor Brian I there's been a lot of   talk about Brotherhood here lately and um I don't  know if we ever got to that level but I I think I   might have been the annoying younger brother and  I know what those are like so um I in all honesty   I I appreciate your thoughtfulness I appreciate  your your integrity because you are definitely a   person who sticks to your morals and your values  and we may have clashed at times over the last   two years um but I respect the heck out of you  sir and I I thank you for your service to our   community thank you and with one more point it's  glad to have somebody on Council who understands   the years of angst and anger that comes with  being a Kansas City Chiefs fan so um I'm I'm   glad that we've gotten a couple of championships  here l lately and um you're you're definitely a   Hall of Fame worthy council member absolutely uh  council member Johnson thanks mayor council member   fry I said a little bit last week but I have just  truly appreciated serving with you um I've known   every committee or board council meeting you  always had witch at heart could always count on   you to recall information uh correct me when I'm  wrong I'm glad you always admitted I was always   right though um but I've really appreciated your  service you've served District 5 well um you have   become a great friend to me I've appreciated our  friendship and I also appreciate it in some of the   toughest times that this city has faced you being  willing to um show that we can work together even   when we think differently um and that has been  something that has really stuck with me and it   was a great example for our city so I greatly  appreciate you and your service and thank you   council member tutle thank you um council member  fry and I have the privilege of officing next to   each other and one of my first weeks when I was  on Council I I may or may not have been a little   frustrated in shedding a few tears and council  member fry came over and said are you crying and   I said I am and he said there's no crying in City  Hall and I said there is now and so for the last   5 years he has brought me Kleenex consistently  but I I appreciate that you're always quick with   the joke I appreciate that you're more prepared  for any meeting than I could ever be and I truly   truly appreciate your dedication to Witchita the  fact that you come in a Witchita flag suit shows   us where your heart is so I wish you all the  best thank you council member Ballard thanks   mayor Brian I just want to say thank you for  always being so prepared for all the meetings   you love all of your little notes and um I just  appreciate uh you being always being there if I   have a question um so um Good Luck in all of your  endeavors and thank you for your service to the city well council member fry thank you for being  such an active uh participant in the art of debate   thanks for teaching me that this art helps us  pursue the best policy ideas for the people   that we work with and encouraged me to look at  all sides of an issue and for always having that   business attitude that allows disagreements to  stay at the bench and I got a short story and   then we're going to get to honoring council  member fry for his years of service uh one of   the interesting things is you know I know that  let's just say council member fry and I we ran   into primary uh against one another for mayor  and I remember we kind of jabbed each other   in the media while we were both in Washington  DC and then we were sitting next to each other   uh at a restaurant uh watching a Shockers game  together like an hour later uh he was someone   who uh uh frankly um was always the professional  even in disagreements and even at times where   you know he didn't really have to be uh so that  he brought that business attitude that business   mindset to the bench and it's something that  uh I definitely think we needed I look forward   to knowing what you're going to do next uh  and with that we're going to uh ask you to   come down so that we can give you this token of  our small this small token of our appreciation this the key to the city of witch presented  to Brian fry council member and recognition   and gratitude for your outstanding service  to the witch talk Community from 2015 to [Applause] 2024 thank you s to be a pictures with your so uh first I need to explain why my  family's not here tonight both of my kids   are uh working which is great you know 21 and 18y  old you know glad they're working and my my wife   is dealing with uh her ailing mother so family's  always been most important to me so um I'd like   to begin by congratulating the newly elected uh  I've known each of them for years Dalton and I   where you at Dalton we serve together on Jeff  longwell's Advisory Board um Lily l lily and   I worked together at cake tv for several years  and uh JV served on my district Advisory Board   uh for several years a word of advice JB uh for  someone who operated clothing store for years   we need to talk about your wardrobe District 5  has certain expectations of their representative okay so I never set out to be a politician my drive has always been to serve witto to make it  the place people are proud to call themselves   witchin to make it the city my kids and their  friends choose as their home and I'm proud to   say they have to make witto the most inviting  City it can be and much to the shagrin of   English teachers everywhere because it's a phrase  that I've used repeatedly to make Witchita more better for the last eight plus years it has been  my honor and privilege to serve as the District 5   council member for Witchita thank you for this  amazing opportunity I am truly humbled thank you to my Lord and Savior his love helped make  me a better Christian thank you to all of my   colleagues current and former Bob Leighton City  staff and volunteers who served on boards and   committees that I had the opportunity  to appoint point you helped make me a   better council member thank you to every person  business Corporation and LLC who took the time sorry who took the time to reach out and  share their voice with me you helped make   me a better listener thank you to all my friends  and supporters your encouragement and inspiration   helped make me a better person and thank  you to my wife children and family their   patience love and understanding helped make me  a better husband father son and brother you know   I've long believed that the people who make a  difference in your life are not the ones with   the most credentials the most money or the  fanciest title quite simp Ates the ones who   care the most much like everyone here tonight  I care deeply about Witchita and Witchita is   better when its neighbors Express how much they  care about Witchita an example of this was the   closing of public pools my worst day as a member  of the witcha park board was when we had to close   Country Acres in Edgemore pool I learned to swim  at Edgemore pool and we had to close it in 2012   history repeated itself in 2016 16 when as a  city council member we had to close mcadam's   pool citizens spoke out often saying we must do  better than this people wanted more days more   hours and more features basically our pools  were described as big old tired tubs of water   repeatedly neighbors told us to take better care  of our infrastructure to create Recreation for our   youth and provide life-saving swimming lessons  it was clear that we had to find Solutions and   make a difference in the lives of our neighbors  we battled naysayers nimes and cavers look them   up you'll figure out what those words are we  Face countless critics doubters and complainers   we explored dozens of ideas Alternatives and  scenarios we had people offer friendly advice   While others yell at us like Bobcat gowe now  he was a famous comedian for shouting it's an   age reference I'm sorry finally in 27 we passed  the aquatics master plan and today we have five   refurbished pools including McAdams and seven  new unique water playgrounds across the city   you know I was able to accomplish a lot of things  as a council member but the aquatics master plan   is one that I'm most proud of because it's an  example of how the community came together to   make witch more better other accomplishments other  accomplishments that I have to mention Eisenhower   airport the advanced learning library Riverfront  stadium and witchta Waterworks treatment plant   currently under construction you know witchta is  known for its grit we are authentic hardworking   humble and resourceful generations of risk-takers  who make things happen for their families their   neighbors and visitors maybe one this maybe one  day this will mean a state-of-the-art Performing   Arts Center an industry-leading Convention Center  a vibrant public Green Space along the r Kansas   River and and a Northwest Expressway it's okay to  want nice things for Witchita and we should never   forget that to my colleagues who are continuing  to their service and to Mayor woo council member   Glascock and council member Johnston I encourage  you to review president Theodore Roosevelt's   citizen in Republic speech from 1910 the quote  that it's often referred to is it's not the   critic who counts not the man who points out  how the strong man stumbles or where the doer   of Deeds could have done them better the credit  belongs to the man who is actually in the arena   whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood  who strives valiantly who airs and comes up short   again and again because there are not because  there is not enough effort without error and   shortcoming but who actually strives to do the  deed who knows the great enthusiasms the great   devotion who spins himself in a worthy cause  who at the best knows in the end the triumphs   of high achievements and who at the worst if  he fails at least fails while daring greatly   so this is my call for you to embrace challenges  to learn the lessons through failure and to have   productive engagement with our neighbors citizens  acting together can do more than any individual or   council member as a recovering council member and  Community volunteer I will continue in that spirit   and I encourage all witchin to make a difference  for your neighbors from the Victorian homes in   Riverside to the Arts and Crafts bungalows  in College Hill to the sprawling ranch   homes in the suburbs and everywhere in between  because Witchita is more better together thank you thank you for your service Brian your dedication  your dedicated service to Witch is appreciated   I want to have one last round of applause  for the outgoing council members to serve   is to give yourself and their time and  their sacrifices recognized and of course   appreciated so please one last round of  applause for those who have given so much Madame clerk presentation to outgoing mayor  Brandon wible oh at this time I will hereby   relinquish my chairmanship to the vice chair  Vice chair I mean vice mayor uh vice mayor   hoisel thank you mayor um I would like to start  off by sharing some comments and allow um asking   the rest of council to to share along as well  uh you have had a historic four years the the   challenges you face from the very beginning  um it's something that my family and I are   grateful to you and the other council members for  guiding us through you've set the foundations for   some great things that are going to happen  in our city for years to come the whole city   owes you a debt and we all know how much you  care because we've seen you fight we've seen   you fight for what you believe we've seen  you fight for what you think is right and   that fighting spirit is something that we  could all benefit from because you have to   go out and you have to you have to fight for  what you believe you really do and we've done   it it's been hectic and it's been contentious  at times but this is democracy this is what   we've signed up for so thank you on behalf  of my family um thank you for your service   over the last four years thank you for being a  friend and a mentor um and thank you for helping   to put us in place to make some good changes  and long-term effects for the city thank you sir council member Johnson thanks vice mayor um  mayor I just want to say I I truly appreciate   your willingness not only to step up and and  serve as mayor but to uh hit every Challenge   headon and um I can't imagine what what it  was like to uh get sworn in and hear about   a crisis and then covid George Floyd there  was just so many big things that happened   and I appreciate you being willing to uh  step to every challenge do what you thought   was right um and work to get things done a  lot was accomplished under your leadership   I'm appreciative uh for that I think Witch is  in a better space because of that as well uh   and it would not have happened uh without you  being mayor so I want to say thank you to that   I wish you well and your future endeavors I'm  sure I'll see you over at WSU sometimes um but   again thank you for for all that you've done  and being willing to to step up not everyone is sorry council member Ballard thank you uh  mayor Whipple it has been an honor to serve   with you over the past two years I appreciate you  taking the time to answer questions and brainstorm   ideas thank you for always being there to support  any project or idea I had for district 6 because   I know there's a lot no matter what you always  had my back thank you for your leadership and   for your friendship keep in touch your energy and  love for Witchita is contagious I can't wait to   see what you do next but for now spend extra time  with Chelsea and the boys I know they've missed   you wichat is better because of your service  as mayor and I am dedicated to continue your progress council member Tuttle thank you uh one  of the things thank you for your service mayor   Whipple and truly appreciate it I know that  you have a young family and how challenging   it is to not be there to see every Milestone  that happens one thing that I have appreciated   certainly in the last four years is that you not  only have seen challenges but you've tried to go   to the right people to learn when you can and I  remember in March of 2020 we were in Washington   DC and we first heard of covid and you came  to me and said you're a past public health   professional what's a pandemic and we had some  thoughtful discussions and I appreciated that   you were willing to hear my opinion uh one of my  favorite stories of you is it's no secret mayor   whiplin I like to debate and we were having  some challenging debates and and one time in   the in the background that was a conversation  that I was in debate in high school and Whipple   mayor Whipple said you were in debate in high  school and I said and college and he said holy   heck that explains everything so while we've  had robust debates we've also agreed on many   things especially that witcha is a fantastic  Community to raise a family just like yours   I wish you all the best now Mr Mayor if you and  your family would like to join me at the podium well I I don't know if you know this but  uh it's a pretty big deal to get one of   these keys to the city um a key to the city  is a rare honor given to those who have given   of themselves and the service to others on  a grand scale of self-sacrifice tonight it   is my pleasure to present to you and  your family with the key to the city   as a token of our appreciation for all  you have done for wiah and for pushing   our city forward and of giving your time and  love to our community we thank you for your service do one with what we got what we got we got AJ well um actually wasn't expeced to key the  city uh thank you so much uh not only to vice   mayor hoisel but to get such an honor it does  have to actually be approved by the council   so uh thank you to my colleagues um please don't  change the locks I guess but yeah I gotta tell you   guys uh it's been a lot this last couple months  reflecting on the past four years and really our   opportunity of where we get to go uh and when I  thought about writing stuff down I I I'm a bit   off the cuff um but I'm also really optimistic and  frankly somewhat excited about our new where mayor   elect mayor and I uh am so glad that uh frankly  we're handing you the Reigns of a city that has   gone through so much these last four years but  because of the community that I know you know this   because of we are such an incredible Community  we made it out stronger in the other side and   the council and I focused uh once we turned the  page on cover on a budget that's not only balance   but has generated a surplus year after year  which has been reinvested in services such as   fire police and infrastructure at a level never  before seen in mad mayel we hand you the Reigns   of a city with an economy that is leading the  state in economic growth and opportunity as one   of the lowest sustained unemployment rates that  we've ever had and along with that is one of the   most diverse pipelines of Industry that we've seen  here in decades and it is with such Pride that I   stand here knowing that today we're in a better  place economically financially and structurally   than we were in the past and I truly hope that you  can look back in your first term with such Pride   of the accomplishments that you're about to make  and these results they don't happen in a vacuum   and it's interesting in politics uh you know we we  uh the politician gets to take all the credit when   things go right and staff takes all the blame when  things go wrong uh that's usually the unwritten   rule here uh but the reality of it is the success  uh doesn't happen uh again in a vacuum it happens   because the folks who show up to City Hall every  day providing us with their time and their talents   to push our community forward so I do have some  folks to think uh I'm going to first start with   the council but I am going to recognize the staff  and some of the people who have just made uh this   type of success possible over the last few years  uh first um to my colleague council member Becky   Tuttle uh Becky you're someone who seriously you  wear your heart on your sleeve and I I I think   that we're a lot alike in that way and sometimes  we clash and I want to thank you for not only   being passionate when we're in a disagreement  but also uh leading with heart and being caring   uh when when we're just around one another uh  asking about chalsey asking about the kids um   being someone uh who uh frankly isn't afraid to  give a hug uh if it looks like the person needs   it uh regardless what the debate is so I hope you  never change thank you uh for um for it's been   an honor to work with you I've already said some  nice stuff about Jeff Johnson Johnson uh frankly   Johnson you're a pillar of this community and  you are an anchor for us in the office at times   Brandon Johnson is our moral compass that brings  us back together when we were all off and our own   ideas in our own world uh he was one of my only  friends uh that first few months when I came into   to office because I was just getting to know  people and I will always appreciate the text   messages uh the sometimes evening text messages  just to check in and to uh also make sure uh   that Chelsea and the boys and whatever we're going  through uh uh we're doing okay with it uh Maggie   is one of the most passionate people I've ever met  she's in this for the right reasons she's someone   whose heart and soul goes into her work not for  her but for the people she serves uh and Maggie   you're one of the people excuse me council member  Ballard you're one of the people uh who and I hate   to say it this way who made this job a little  more fun because you open my eyes that we are   in a position where we can positively influence  people's lives and I'll tell a quick story I'm off   script now and I'm probably taking too long and  I apologize but you never have to hear from me at   this Podium again after tonight uh so I remember  being in church uh it was uh Council M Balor was   just elected and she was texting me because  there was a veteran uh who had some issues uh   but his house had a fire in it and he kept coming  to the city council asking for delays uh and then   it at the final council meeting there was no  more delays uh these houses these structures   if they're not sound they actually could be  dangerous they can people can they catch fire   people can use them for for illegal activity and  I got a text from council member Ballard saying   can we reverse that decision and she was up and  she felt bad about it and she wanted to put him   in touch with people that could help him and so  we went back like well okay I guess we went back   and we figured out a way that we could hear the  item again uh bring that item back up and because   of her connections because of her going above and  beyond uh we were actually to get this person uh   in touch with a contractor who donated his time  with resources so that these repairs could get   done and this person now is living in that house  and it shows the type of power that influence has   and what good leadership can do and I got to tell  you uh I don't think we would have done that or   anything like that if it wasn't for leadership uh  heart-based leadership like council member Ballard   and to my colleague council member hoisel you know  we use this term like servant leader a lot and I'm   not sure everyone knows what it means but if you  want to see someone who truly leads leads with   service watch council member hoisel he's someone  who takes the hard meetings the meetings with   people who we might call them uh frequent flyers  the people who come in and they always got a lot   to say and it's always nothing nice and and not  only does he take those meetings but he makes   action uh he turns those meetings into action  he's someone I can call on if I have a question   or frankly if I need someone to help me redo my my  floors uh over the weekend which we've helped done   by the way we need to rehang that siding uh but  he's someone who's truly here for the community   thank you council member hoisel for not only the  work you've done but also opening up uh us uh uh   to your family I think you probably have my nephew  kicking around here uh and your wife I'm sure is   around here I can't wait to uh see little Henry  so for staff I I want to tell you all that Megan   lovely runs this entire Place uh thank you Megan  lovely for um being um she's back there going no   no she's uh don't tell anyone my secret uh thank  you me Megan for making this job not even fun but   also keeping things moving uh she is one of the  people who works in our Communications Department   um and when I first got here uh she was one  of the few people who told me uh uh where the   council offices were and how to uh get things done  um but now she's the one who names our snowplows   uh and does if you haven't seen our snowplows  they're actually pretty hilariously named thanks   to Megan also Jim Corey Nolan and Tyler who are  in a Communications Department you all are the uh   really the window that looks into city government  uh and uh we love uh the work that you do to try   to make student city government um a little more  uh digestible uh for folks who frankly just want   their streets their their streets paved and their  streets plowed I also want to thank directors uh   uh Jennifer from law um thank you for challenging  me uh thank you for uh teaching me that this is   different than a legislature uh and even in  times where uh we would go back and forth I I   feel that I've learned more from you than I have  uh from most and I want to thank you not just for   your knowledge but uh for putting up uh not just  with with myself but also an aggressive counsel   who who uh has policy uh goals and you're always a  professional uh and you're someone that we've been   able to turn to I want to thank Sally with housing  I'm not sure if she's here uh she's absolutely one   of my favorite people Sally she's in the back uh  one of the people who uh I've been in government   too long probably about 11 years uh Sally is  one of the people who actually gets things   done uh thank you for being that example uh and  for getting us through some really trying times   particularly with covid and trying to keep people  in their homes uh when they were getting evicted   uh take advantage of federal programs uh I want  to thank Gary where's Gary bar hey Gary I don't   know if you know if we call that that we call you  gar bear but uh thank you for putting up with us   it uh Gary's the guy who who explains to us all  of the um all of the uh infrastructure projects   coming in and we've had a lot of really good  stuff happen last few years so thank you Gary for   your work and thank you for putting up with our  Shenanigans including nick names uh I also want   to thank Chief snow uh Chief snow thank you for  your professionalism thank you for filling me in   on the ins and outs of um of what what fire needs  and how complex that is uh I really enjoyed our   meetings thank you for uh frankly never missing a  meeting uh very much appreciate work with you uh   Jamie from uh from a library where's Jamie she's  not here she's probably on a library bus okay uh   Jamie thank you for bringing our libraries to the  next level uh thank you for um always just being   a kind person uh and someone who when we call with  a new idea CU we get back from NLC conventions and   whatnot uh you're always open to those ideas uh  so so thank you for growing not just the libraries   but really opportunities in our city uh where's  the Man Mark Manning thank you for all your work   in budget uh you and Elizabeth do do amazing uh  stuff to make sure that uh our trains run on time   and our bills are paid thank you for all the work  you I know these last few years adding arper on   top of our general fund this has not been easy so  I want to thank you I also want to than Elizabeth   is she here so I saw Scott so Elizabeth might uh  uh be the one stuck at home with the kids so I   also want to thank Scott uh Scott wagel I think I  saw him uh thank you Scott for explaining zoning   to all of us uh that's not an easy job to my  staff that I work with daily I want to thank Casey   Yingling um I couldn't have done this without you  and I don't think I would have even wanted to try   uh thank you for the last two years uh for being  not only an intelligent lawyer but also someone   who makes this fun who can make jokes uh who can  laugh with me about myself uh and uh who frankly   um who who make sure that we're doing the right  thing uh also uh I want to thank Norma I don't   know if Norma's here here Norma's the person  in the front who takes all the terrible phone   calls uh thank you for all the work you do uh and  thank you for the gift basket I really enjoyed   the black licorice that you immediately made fun  of me for enjoying uh but appreciate that also I   want to thank Janet Johnson she's not with us  uh she's still alive but she's not with us um   she was uh my assistant for the first uh uh  or second year uh she's uh really an amazing   person um and I just want to give her a thanks  hopefully she's watching us well hopefully she's   on a cruise ship somewhere enjoying retirement uh  and I do want to just give a shout out to Ted uh   who is with the um fire Union for giving us an  opportunity to work beside each other uh for a   better contract he was someone uh who came to us  and really wanted uh uh a uh all of us progressing   forward and last but definitely not least special  thanks to Mother Don uh my priest uh who who keeps   me grounded I want to thank Pastor Pam of um the  uh African-American Episcopal Church who uh also   is someone who reaches out periodically when she  knows uh that that I need a little encouragement   and also miss uh Casey Eckles who also sends many  text messages and stuff periodically when they see   that we're having a tough time here at the city  and I guess they should say something special   about Bob um yeah so Bob you know what's funny is  I've learned so much from you and I don't like to   admit that uh but uh Bob you have been just a a  constant professional soone that we can um bounce   ideas off of work with you do not have an easy job  I might complain that I have to deal uh with you   know I guess rants on Facebook uh from folks uh  but you have to deal with all of us and I couldn't   imagine having to do that so I want to uh thank  you uh for being uh someone that we could uh uh   someone that I could look towards uh for really  learning the ins and outs of local government uh   and I I I appreciate that so to the next mayor  and Council as we look forward please consider   us myself and of course the members who are who  have left please consider us uh on the same team   in Witchita we know that although the political  season can get a little nasty we see what's   happening in the uh uh National politics and this  other stuff if you go online uh but we know that   Witch is bigger than politics and we know that  from what we've been through in the last few   years we are stronger and we are better when we  work together to my followers uh those who support   me and have support me uh please and I'm begging  you please keep an open mind about our new mayor   please do not put the political Target that was on  my back the moment I took office on her because we   are working together to make Witchita stronger and  I would just ask please to make sure that we're   focusing on issues and not on people that we're  focusing on progress and not on politics and that   we're making sure that we give our elected leaders  the benefit of the doubt so they have room to be   successful de may we not only do I congratulate  you on your Victory but I sincerely want you to   succeed I want you to look back as I said on your  first term and although it won't be perfect uh   and I want you to be able to feel that you brought  Witchita to a better place and all I have to offer   you is my friendship and my counsel if should you  ever seek it and because May to Mayor I know the   mountain you're about to climb and if you ever  want to talk about anything thing know that we   are always off the Record and I will always be  honest with you because again I want you to be   great at this because it's no longer about us  it is about Witchita and if we do this right   we can make the type of witch that doesn't just  improve the lives of the people here but improves   the lives of these little guys here in the front  and their children and that next Generation to   my family I'm wrapping up guys don't worry to my  family thank you for putting up with this thank   you for putting up with me uh seeking my calling  to public life and um I'm going to really look   forward to dropping you guys off at school picking  you up on time and uh I don't know learning what   Roblox is so so with that wi it has been my life's  honor it has been a privilege it's also been the   biggest challenge to serve as your mayor for  the past four years thank you for giving me   the opportunity thank you for working with me and  let's give it up for mayor elect who's going to   take the Reigns for the next four years and bring  us to an even better place than we are today thank you Madame clerk will you please call the next   item oath of office administered by  judge Rouse for mayor elect Lily woo hi please raise your right hand and repeat after  me I Lily woo solemnly swear I ly woo solemnly   swear that I will support the Constitution of the  United States that I will support the Constitution   of the United States and the constitution of  the state of Kansas and the constitution of   the state of Kansas and Faithfully discharge  the duty and Faithfully discharge the duties   of the mayor for the city of Witchita Kansas of  the mayor for the city of wiah so help me God so   help me God it is my honor to introduce to you the  mayor of the city of witch talk Lily [Applause] woodo thank you to my friend judge Rous Pastor Moore  and God I also welcome all of you to the City   Hall which is your home too for many of you  this is your first time in these Chambers and   I want to welcome you for the first time but  hopefully not the last time I'm encouraging   more and more of our community to come out  to City Council meetings which happen every   Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. because we need all of  you to be part of our community helping us   solve the big challenges we all face I am  humbled and so grateful that my Witchita   story has led me here tonight it started when  my family immigrated from Guatemala it includes   growing up in Southwest Witchita learning  English in Witchita Public School schools   graduating from Witchita East High becoming  the first in my family to attend in graduate   college thanks to the gore scholarship at  Witchita State University and fulfilling my   dream of my career on television news today  I stand before you the first woman elected   to a full term and the first Asian-American  Amer mayor of the largest city of [Applause] [Music] Kansas this was possible with the help  of a supportive family chosen family and caring   mentors as well as friends and supporters both  here watching and with us in spirit my Witchita   story was certainly not possible without hard  work perseverance and a desire to achieve earned   success that's the American dream and right here  in Witchita Kansas it's possible so thank you   witch thanks to the more than 3,000 City staff for  your service to our community thanks city manager   Leighton assistant managers Martin and Anderson  and the 15 department leaders who continue to   help with this transition and thank you all for  being here to help make this a special night for   all of us and our city I'm going to tell you my  why what we will focus on and how we're going to   move forward my why has and will continue to be  all of you from the children in our audience and   in our community to my centenarian neighbors  my why is us and we I've been speaking about   the power of we a concept I borrowed from a  friend and the dean of the WSU Barton School   of Business go shocks we're all on the same team  we're part of Team witcha being a witchin is both   a privilege and a responsibility all of us play  a role in making our city a better place to live   work and raise a family but we Face a number of  challenges over a 100 police officer vacancies   increasing homelessness a drought in our community  continued challenges of brain drain and a looming   budget deficit just to name a few so here's what  we're going to do and this is where we're going to   start we will conduct business with Integrity  humility and respect we will get back to the   basics by focusing on priorities and protecting  taxpayer dollars we will engage and energize our   community by listening first to understand and  communicating better it's time to put the all   for witto vision into action ensure Public Safety  strengthen our economy restore trust in City Hall   and build a United Community that goal isn't just  to leave witta a better place and we found it but   to bring out the best in Witchita so how are we  going to accomplish this with your help and with   the help of our Council Brandon Becky Mike Dalton  JV and Maggie I'm here for you and with you and   excited to serve alongside you together we won't  always agree but it's how we disagree that will   Define our success if we're willing to learn from  each other find common ground and not care who   gets the credit there's no limit to what we can  accomplish as a team together the kind of change   we need doesn't happen overnight but we'll work  hard to achieve it every day I'm not a politician   so some things may look a little bit different  but I'll promise you this I will listen I will   learn and I will work hard to be the best public  servant for our community wiah is my home it's   our home and now it's time the rest of the world  realizes there really is no place like home thank [Music] [Music] you congratulations to Mayor woo I now hand over  the Reigns and the gavl for her to begin her   mayoral duties and watch out that thing's pretty  [Applause] powerful thank you vice mayor hoisel   it is truly my honor to serve alongside you  and our Council I'd like to once again thank   those who are leaving the bench this evening and  anyone who has served including the 102 Mayors   who served before me I look forward to working  together for a shared vision of making our city   the best place to live work and raise a family  at this time we will transition into the oath of   office for the rest of our council members  I invite judge Bill Kerr to join me at the podium and Madam Clerk would you please  call the next [Music] item oath of office   administered by judge Kerr for  district 2 council member Becky Tuttle pleas raise your right hand repeat  after me I Becky I Becky chedle solemnly   swear solemnly swear that I will support  the Constitution of the United States that   I will support the Constitution of the United  States and the constitution of the state of   Kansas and the constitution of the state of  Kansas and Faithfully discharge the duties   of the district 2 city council member for the  city of wit talk Kansas and Faithfully lady   discharge discharge the duties for the city  council member in District Two for the city   of which a talk so help me God so help me  God congratulations thank you so much thank you thank [Music] [Applause] you than you sir good evening good evening good  evening good evening thank you we're here to   celebrate Witchita tonight I am Becky Tuttle  and it is my privilege and honor to serve on   witchata city council representing District 2 this  is the third time I've been sworn in so hopefully   the third time is a charm but I'm super glad to  be here this evening and thank you for everyone   for coming to City Hall the fact that you're  here not only support shows that you support   a candidate who's being sworn in this evening  or leaving after much service but it also shows   that you care about Witchita and if you want the  secret we hope you will come back to Witchita we   hope you'll come back to City Hall the best coffee  is in the Council Office on first floor it's the   best of the worst coffee we have in the city so  as my favorite Faith leader within the city always   says blessed are the brief because they shall  be invited back so I'm just going to make a few   comments but I first of all want to thank my dear  husband Patrick I could never be more grateful for   your patience your support and your love imagine  being married to this every day I could not and   would not want to do this job without you Patrick  I like me best when I am with you I also want to   thank all of the voters in District 2 for giving  me their most precious right their right to vote   and for everyone who helped me along my campaign  journey I appreciate your trust your treasure   and your time and I will strive to keep all of  the commitments that I made I have always been   a roll upyou sleeves kind of leader and that is  not going to change as the next 1,464 days while   I'm serving a city council member in District  2 I am am extremely proud of this great nation   the United States of America and I am so proud of  our active servicemen and women and our veterans   it is not lost on me that 1% of our population  protects 99% of us I am also aware that many men   and women have given their lives so that we can  live and I can serve in a representative Republic   to them thank you for your service and your  sacrifice and if you are an active Serv member   or a veteran would you please stand so that we  can honor and recognize you I know there's a few thank you for your service also thank you to  Mayor Whipple council member fry council member   blueb for your time in office and your service  to our great City I know much has already been   said but I have learned something from each of  you and each of you have made me a better person   I wish you the best of luck in future endeavors  and that I hope you will continue to serve and   be engaged as you should also congratulations to  Mayor woo and council member elect Johnston and   council member elect Glascock that's the last time  you're going to be called that for four years so   enjoy I will look forward to working with each of  you as we continue to move Witchita forward also   thank you to council members Johnson council  member H Heisel and council member Ballard I   appreciate you being here this evening and your  commitment to Witchita we haven't always agreed   on everything but we have agreed on one thing and  that's putting Witchita first and then finally   thank you to Witchita staff I am well aware that  each and every one of you come to work to serve   the community well you are the content experts  and it is my role to be the advocate for the work   that you do I always say there aren't 3,100 city  employees but there's 3,17 because it is our duty   as mayor and city council to work with staff  to ensure that they have the support in every   capacity that we can and a special thanks to city  manager Bob Leighton for your service as a role   model to staff and being a forward thinker the  impact of your work will be felt for generations   to come so thank you if your actions inspire you  to dream more think more do more and become more   you are a leader John Quincy Adams said that many  years ago but I say it every day every morning as   I'm traveling to work I recite that quote and  I've done it for more than a decade it helps   me to focus my attention on where I can Inspire  and support others to be leaders in our great   Community my goal over the next four years is to  use this quote to inspire WI to continue to be the   leading City in our nation let's all work together  to help witch dream more which wiah should dream   about our City's core and what it could do to be  bold and Visionary dream more about creating jobs   for today's middle school students so that we  can tether them here dream more about the next   leaders and do everything that we can to support  them Ure they will stay we have an amazing airport   inclusive libraries and an incredible Park system  but let's not keep dreaming about what they can   do to be better let's consider every option and  every idea unless it's not bold and Visionary   let's stop talking about why we can't and dream  about what we will let's all work together to help   Witchita think more wiah should think about how  to expand and diversify our economy think about   how to attract and retain our Witchita police  and fire department employees who keep us safe   every day and think about providing them with  state-of-the-art training and the equipment   they need to be successful think about developing  safe and reliable infrastructure with the focus   on maintaining enhancing and then expanding we  should nurture our minds with great thoughts for   you will never go higher than what you think let's  all do more to help Witchita Witchita to should do   more to help our most vulnerable everyone who  calls themselves a witchin should have access   to food safe and reliable child care and a home  do more to support the Arts which help attract   and retain not only talent but also business and  industry do more to make Witchita the vibrant and   energetic community that has kept or LED each of  us in this room here and challenge each of us as   mayor this challenge is not just for the mayor  and city council but for every member in this   room and every member of our great City we can  all do more and what we do makes a difference we   must each decide what kind of difference we want  to make for Witchita and finally let's all become   more Witchita can and will become more if we all  focus on a future generation mindset let's all   dream more think more and do more so that witch  all can become more let's have witch do become the   best city in the world to live learn earn play  and pray thank you for your time and attention   this evening and for being here it means so much  that you care everyone get home safely and go wiah Madame clerk call the next item please oath   of office administered by judge Kerr  for District 4 council member Dalton Glascock please raise your right hand I Dalton  Glascock I Dalton Glascock solemnly   swear solemnly swear that I will support the  Constitution of the United States of America   that I will support the Constitution  of the United States of America and the   constitution for the state of Kansas and  the constitution for the state of Kansas   and Faithfully discharge the duties of  the District 4 city council member and   Faithfully discharge the duties of the District  4 city council member for the city of Witchita   Kansas the city of witch Kansas so help me  God so help me God congratulations thank [Music] you just need a signature real quick f the pin isn't working than mayor woo councilman Johnson hoisel  councilman elect Johnston councilman Ballard and   Tuttle manager Leighton and fellow witchin  thank you for being here tonight to those   who have served thank you for your dedication  especially councilman blueba who's Faithfully   served Southwest witw for over 10 years and  thank you to the citizens of District 4 who   trusted me to be their voice I also want to thank  staff who've had the incredible opportunity to do   onboarding and we have some of the best staff in  the world I want to thank my family uh they taught   me the skills that I will be very useful up here  my brother is one of the toughest uh people that   I know my mom is one of the most hardworking  and my dad's taught me to argue and debate and   uh I know that I'll need that at the bench as  well I also want to thank my grandparents who   are not here um I had the opportunity to swear in  on both my grandmother Peggy and Grandma Diane's   Bible I also want to thank my grandpa buddy and  Grandpa Steve who are incredible influences in   my life and pushed me to be here today tonight  we celebrate a city and a future but we also   recognize and remember our history witch's story  is filled with pioneers and dreamers who darare to   Envision a future Beyond the Horizon the Native  American tribes who first called the the land   home and the Intrepid explorers who ventured  across the vast prairies laid the foundation   for what would become the heart of the Heartland  Visionaries transformed the skies and in doing so   they transformed Witchita the city's factories  hummed with Melodies of progress after aircraft   and aircraft rolled off the assembly line carrying  the aspirations of a nation and forging us as the   air capital of the world but wit's story isn't  just about industry it's about the people it's   about the men and women who weathered the storms  of economic downturns stood resilient in the face   of challenges and embraced diversity as a source  of our strength I remember sitting in this room   at just 16 somewhere over there as a member of  the mayor's youth Council as Carl Brewer took   his second oath of office as a community we Face  unique challenges pulling oursel out of the 2008   recession and since have emerged stronger more  Diversified and prepared for future storms this   previous Council work to do what they thought was  right when similarly faced with the unforeseen   chaos of 2020 I too know that this Council will  face our own challenges some we can prepare for   and some we must learn through over the next  few years but I'm confident that the answers   to those challenges aren't found in a silo from  this bench this room this building and that like   our past through the dreamers the doers The  Visionaries and our citizens we can come out   stronger yet again with that in mind I ask each  of you in this room you watching at home and to   all witch itans pray for this Council pray for  our city pray for our people and pray for our   Collective future we must all remember especially  up here that we're individually just one of seven   but we lead a staff of 3,000 and represent a major  American city of nearly 400,000 of our neighbors   we must always remember to lean to those voices  to move this city forward we will disagree but in   our disagreements and because of our diversity  univers I'm confident that we will be better   public servants finally I know that this is not  my seat I've just been given the opportunity to be   the voice for southwest and west Witchita for the  next four years and I commit to you my colleagues   and our citizens that I'll think strategically  ask the tough questions work to practice Grace   and kindness and always listen Witchita this is  again our moment and let's get to work thank you Madame clerk please call the next item oath of   office administered by judge ker for  District 5 council member JB Johnston raise your right hand I JV Johnston I JV  Johnston solemnly swear solemnly swear that   I will support the Constitution of the United  States I will support the Constitution of the   United States and the constitution of the state  of Kansas and the constitution of the state of   Kansas and Faithfully discharge the duties of  the District 5 city council and Faithfully to   discharge the duties of District 5 city  council for the city of witch talk Kansas   for the city of witch talk Kansas so help  me God so help me God congratulations thank you I have [Music] no when Bill and I were in high school who would  have thought we'd end up here right was a lot   of years ago judge cerr thank you very much  I appreciate it first I want to thank my wife   Veronica she has supported me in this crazy  and unseen Adventure she also worked tireless   on our campaign and campaigning also I'd like to  recognize Jake Betty Bella mattity and James uh   one of my four Sons three of my eight grandkids  and uh someone pointed out that I'm the only one   on Council that has grandkids and I got eight  of them so it'd be good second thank you to   the voters in District 5 for trusting me to  represent you in Witchita I'd also like to   thank Patrick Goble he was our Treasurer did  a great job of the finances and reports also   provided some very good advice thank you  Patrick thank you to my over 230 donors   and many who knocked on doors also thanks to  those who publicly endorsed me including Mike   Hill Paul Dugan David Dennis Les Donovan and  Brian fry thank you to a true rock star uh Ali kersner she did all of our mailings Palm cards  website social media campaign and a lot more so   she is the Smart I've said this before she's the  smartest person I've ever known and it is true   also thank you to Brian fry for his leadership  and providing a great example of what a city   council men should be thank you Brian I want to  share just a couple of quick stories first one is   about an 8-year-old boy who had no confidence  and limited athletic ability against his will   his mother signing him up for B basketball  Ray Parker coached three teams of 30 kids he   was number 30 the worst one after the season  his mother dragged him to a 12-year-old bitty   basketball allstar game during that game  she looked at him and said you can be out there she had hope for her son it was me in 1958 Jose and Petra armandas had a family with  eight kids and were living   in a one room house with dirt floors in Chihuahua Mexico I won't tell you the whole  story which should be made into a   movie someday but with God's help they  legally immigrated to America to Hobs   New Mexico they had hope for a better  life for their family by the way they   had two more kids in Hobs and one of them  was my wife the youngest one oh [Music] yeah the common theme in both of  those stories is Hope many people   have expressed Express to me the hope  for this new city council hopefully we   can build on the successes of the  previous Council and create a city   where people proudly announce they are from  the greatest city in America which are thank you I want to thank judge Kerr and judge Rous for  being here tonight to administer the Oaths of   office but before we depart I welcome our guests  to join us for a light reception in the boardroom   and welcome the community in joining us and  welcoming our new Council and saying goodbye   to our old council at this time I would like  to make a motion to adjourn and would welcome   a Voice vote of all those in favor please say  I we need a second second we need a second do   I need a second legal do we need a second that  would make it official that would be great I I   second the motion I have a second do we now have  the [Music] votes I thank you I there we go now   motion passes well this concludes tonight's  special council meeting we welcome you all   again for tomorrow's first council meeting at 9:00  a.m. and thank you again for attending and please   feel free to join us in the boardroom across the  hall for Refreshments thank you very [Applause] much