provide invocation following that indication, we will have to pledge of allegiance and we ask that you please stand for both reference Staley. >> Let's pray together. Lord. We have much to celebrate and be thankful for and this holiday season. Do you view things? For allowing us to live? Where we are free and are at peace. And we remember those who are not free. Because of the other troubles in their land or in their lives. We give you thanks for the way that you provide for has all that we need, according to your loving care and promises. We give you thanks for the way that you touched our lives. But we remember the poor and the homeless and those who are not well. We praise you would raise them up out of darkness to light and life. And help us know ways that we can serve them as well as one. Another. Thank you for our mayor and her gifted and compassion and leadership in 4. Our council members all faithfully service and we pray. That you leave them in ways with integrity and wisdom. Guidance in every part of our meeting today. And they all of our actions show the character of Christ. And whose name we pray. Amen. >> A nation under all. And it was he just is. >> Thank you very much, Reverend Staley. Madam Clerk, please call the first item. >> Approve the minutes of the regular meeting. November 19th and the consent agenda meeting November. 26 2024. >> Are there any changes or corrections to the minutes? I have one. For the workshop meeting on November. 26, there is e-mail address that goes to all 7 of us and it should State D L. City Council members plural at Wichita DOT Gov. And that is how individuals can contact all 7 of us at once without having to look each e-mail address. DL City Council members. At which time DOT Gov. Any other changes or correction? I see none. Is there a motion to approve? I motion to approve. motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 6, 0, with one abstention. >> Mayor, I seconded that motion. Not do. Madam Clerk will correct that. Thank you very much. clerk, can you please call the next item? >> Service Award for Patrick McKernan director for culture. >> May we please ask Patrick McKernan to please come forward? which like to Well, this is a distinct honor that I get to do this alongside city manager Bob Layton. >> On behalf of the city of Wichita, we want to recognize Patrick s McKernan. In recognition for his dedicated and meritorious service friend or to the community and the citizens of the city of Wichita, Kansas, for the last 42 years. In his 42 years and 9 months of service, Mr. McKernan has served as a gardening supervisor landscape supervisor and this retiring as a general maintenance supervisor. So we want to congratulate him on his years of service to the city of Wichita. So I want to take an opportunity really highlight. And some of the career of Pat McRae and cause he does not grandstand if you know him at all. So I'm gonna grandstand for him just a little bit. And once you cannot director of arts and cultural services and have the great honor of working alongside pad who I've only known for a couple years, but his service with the city's spans over 40 years. And while he might say he's just a gardener and that's what he told me 3 years ago when I met him, he's like I'm just Gardner. He's really served as the director of horticulture botanic up for several decades. Pat join the city of which on 1982 where he was the landscape supervisor. Any worked in the parks division few Lee. 8 years later, he was assigned to help. I get that Annika off the ground during the development at the gardens, he became the first head gardener at 10, a goer he's been ever since. It officially opened in 1987. So if you've ever been to that Pat is one of the people to help make it happen across 4 decades, he has tended nurture the gardens but community garden to now a major regional attraction. Pat has a steady hand and has expertise in gardening has led the organization further than I'm guessing anyone could have. It met imagined. Back in 1987, if you've ever visited the gardens and enjoy the plantings of the designs. No, that pats bright green thumb is behind all of that. His unmatched expertise and horticulture has made it all happen for for several decades. For some sense of scale. And over the this planting season, he's responsible 17 acres of gardens and this winter alone, the design included the planting of 5,000 moms, 10,000, pansies and 70,000 tulip bulbs are planted this fall. That will get to enjoy in the spring to get any of those numbers right? Just hundreds of thousands of plants have been under his care for for the last 42 years. Pat does not grandstand his boat, humble kind and help patiently answer any gardening question. Anyone will ask and he's inspired my own tulip collections. So for that, I'm incredibly great. Great fall. He's also led a team of dedicated staff and hundreds volunteers throughout the years. Many of which are in that room today for from my observation, are treated just like family. 10. He's most deserving of the service award and recognition. Annie's has a lot to be proud of. And knowing that his legacy, the legacy that he leaves behind in the gardens. Patty, thank you for all you've done in the gardens and all that you've inspired over the years. Congratulations on your retirement. You're welcome to come back and volunteer on Monday. I hear you might have some free time coming up. But thank you, Patty, half the city for for all that you've done. She's First, a few words. I just want to thank >> the city and everyone that's been an honor to build that and can take care of last 37 years. I want to thank the staff, my family and volunteers back here that came out today. Thank you. Have a great day. >> Madam Clerk, please call the next item. Johnny Roth will can vets united and the veteran homeless street in which ♪ ♪ >> Johnny Rothwell 1, 1, 6, 9, North Bracken Street, Kansas 6, 7, 2, 0, 6, Good morning Council members. My name is Johnny Rothwell, which resident district 2. I'm joined here do with my fellow board members from candidates United and Leeds, social worker from the Bob Dole VA center, Kenny Parker. In October, a few board members and I had the privilege of viewing the wonderful documentary hope in the heartland, which does question homelessness at the tall grass festival. I was struck by the comments by several council members and here a few comments that resonate with me. Councilmember Johnson. The government cannot solve the issue of homelessness alone is going to take a combined effort of local government and the private sector to solve this issue. Councilmember total. I want to help that person on the side of the street. I don't want to just drive by. I want to help. Mayor will. This is not a handout. This is a hand up. Director of housing. Sally, staying. We also need to find ways to get out in front of this issue and prevent homelessness in the first place. Well, council members, I'm here today to tell you about one such organization that does everything you described canned that's United. Down in 2020 in the mission of canned that united is to provide relief to distressed underprivileged veterans and Wichita, Kansas. We have grown into a small group of 9 local citizens that worked to help veterans in crisis. The unique niche we have carved out for ourselves over the past few years. So we collaborate directly with our local VA, social workers to bridge the gaps. The service the VA cannot fill, for example. Homeless veteran is ready to be house. They cannot afford the deposit. calls can. That's veteran has fallen behind on rent is about to be evicted and become homeless. The DA calls can vets. We financed the service gaps of the VA with privately raised funds to accelerate the VA submission to chief functional 0 homelessness in Wichita. We are regular folks with regular jobs who have volunteered our time to build a great relationship with the VA and other veteran organizations. We have no overhead and no costs. Every dollar we raise goes to veterans in crisis are catch phrases. Can vets local heroes, local support. We are here today to simply let you know who we are and how just a few, which just isn't are dramatically helping our city accelerate towards achieving the goal. Functional 0 veteran homelessness. We hope that using this platform today will inspire individuals and businesses to help sustain our work to end veteran homelessness. To tell you more about the impact can that says having have invited the lead, social worker, Kenny Barker to speak as well. Thank you. Good morning. Thank you, Johnny. And thank you candidates for all you do. I'm honored speak today as the homes program supervisor the Robert J Dole VA Medical Center. >> About the critical partnership between the VA can together. We we made a profound difference in the lives of many homeless veterans. And what really just to simplify that path to housing for them to truly appreciate the value this partnership. Let paint a court really quick picture of what homes for my experience without this partnership. So imagine a better living on the streets carrying everything they own. The first step is meeting that street outreach worker. One of my one of my team members who conducts an initial screening loads of paperwork. have a pet so they need to complete paperwork for morning that pet. And finally they get in shelter that complete their intake forms and shelter, water and shelter. They moved to housing navigator that housing navigator helps them set up an intake. And initial assessment additional screening eligibility, paperwork, and then find out there's some challenges they're facing. additional barriers meeting. Maybe they need an ID. Maybe they need be a health. Grady. They got to get access to due to 14. So security documents, the list goes on and on. Each step brings more and more frustration. More waiting, more challenges. Finally, we might identify housing plan for them. They get a housing voucher, potentially additional paperwork take to be filled out for that. Think Alice Department applications waiting waiting until we finally get an approval. Just there as we get to the finish line, additional barriers might come where we don't have that deposit. We don't have additional documents an order. So we work with it with other entities to help him get through that process may be that for Spencer. It's not not ready for them to today. They remain in shelter. There remain unsheltered violent, potentially really the point becomes really hone in on where the veteran thinks is it really really worth it to go through this whole process? Honestly, this is work and that's comes They step in and know the challenges like Johnny mention that it is for our community to reach functional. Hear from veterans and they were cut to partner with the VA to make that referral process. Very simple. Quick, easy and effective rva service providers appreciate the partnership between candidates and really can't somebodys with the best of what a public private partnership can can together. We're not just helping veterans navigate a maze of forms, but restoring hope, dignity and stability to those who have sacrificed so much for us. Thank you. >> Councilmember Tuttle, thank you. I just want to thank you all for being here. Johnny and I had an opportunity to meet. We've been connecting ever sense and and Kenny and I have the pleasure of serving together in the greater which area veterans advocacy board. So I just truly appreciate and applaud your efforts and it really does show us what can happen when a group of people come together in our community just care and want to make the situation better. So and, you know, thank you for serving those who have served of so honored, least appreciate your efforts. And if I can be of assistance in any capacity, please continue to reach out. Thank you. Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you, Thank you guys. For all you do for. >> The people lay their lives on the line for us in our own community. There's group of people here that would be great for you guys to touch base with you guys chose the right day, maybe touch base with some of the group directly behind you before you guys leave. Also, please reach out to myself. And I think the rest of the council to I'm sure we'd all love to chat with you guys to see how we can help you guys and your mission and how we can make sure the incorporate your group into the operations of the Mac that we have opening up. I think we've done a lot of good work as far as trying to get veterans housed here in the last couple of years. But we can always do better. So please just reach out to us all we'll see what we can do to make sure we accomplish our shared goal. Thank you guys. >> Councilmember Johnson. >> Thanks. Mayor Councilmember always stills on my notes. So I will just say thank you all for the work that you do. My father and father-in-law, our veterans as well. So just appreciate what you're doing for our veterans served our country. >> Councilmember Johnston. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'd also like pecan and his team and candidates you've had to a model of success that needs to be a kid. homeless. So thank you for your leadership and that thank you everything you've done and we very much appreciate it. >> Thank you. Again, I just wanted to give some data points that just given to us about an hour and a half ago by a group of individuals here in our community are part of the coalition to end homelessness specifically the city of which ties a partner and trying to achieve functional 0 among veteran homelessness right here. And ending veteran homelessness by November 2025. 49 veterans identified during the annual point in time. Count on January. 26 2023. Joint announcements were made in July 2023. for this partnership. 195 veterans have been housed since the announcement was made. 34% decrease in veteran homelessness since January 2023. and I know the coalition is working diligently with all the partners, including can vets. And we appreciate all your efforts and helping are individuals facing homelessness who are also our brave men and women in our community. Thank you. Can you please call the next item? >> Ron result lists the 21st and Broadway Corridor development and the train traffic study that was reported on in February of 2023. >> Good Morning. And vice mayor's. And members of the council. My name is Ronald Solace. I'm from 6th District. I just want to go over a few things situation that's been going on for quite a while on the north side of Wichita and could and specific the 21st and Broadway corridor. here to present an opportunity to further develop economic development within the 21st Street and I-35 corridor between 20st Street. I-35 Broadway and of course, 21st Street maybe heading east and west that East-West corridor. The opportunity is this the quarter between to I-35 intersection of 21st and Broadway. These to be improved. In order thrive, smoother traffic flow between east and west traffic. Currently this barrier impedes the economic development of many businesses. called this area home. I speak on behalf of many of the Mexican American people are born and raised in this community and who are all homeowners, business owners landlords. And made area. They're living for many, many years. Despite this barrier. With private development going on with some of you probably already know about. On the intersection of 21st and Broadway renewed interest and particularly with the Empire Group bashing family. Which the building was actually turned over to them. But there's also lots of development going on on the 21st Street and market area on the south part 21st Street. So with this going on, there's a lot of business going on. And but unfortunately. There's not a good traffic flow between East and West. Going mainly again, going from the highway over to 20st Street. In order to connect these 2 parts of our city. We really need to look what's been going on with the study with the connecting community grants that was approved. Also, I have sent that out to each of you guys, all the the Lynx references that I'm making about. News articles, TV articles about this. This grant we know was it was a million dollars, but we need to make sure that somebody from our community is he's contacted about what's going on with this grant. But unfortunately, the problem continues. And I just really want to put that is out there to all of you that. We need to have something communicated to our community about what grant is well, what is going on with the grant mainly? And then, of course, something to us about what can be done. As you know, this railroad tracks the railroad companies, I'm sure are not very cooperative, but at least we could do something within the city power to at least addressed the traffic flow, whether it be. Repaving, 21st Street. Me personally, I would like to see something like a 5 lane. Cord or something like that. To help with that traffic flow from again from the east and West sides. As in again, 21st Street area, there are areas within the city are within just this neighborhood that have. Stood the test of time. Colleagues, Mexico Cafe for one. We know a lot of businesses within just a square block where I live on. That really are mainly for the Mexican American community. But there's so much more that can be developed within this area. A lot more. But again. This has been going on for decades. And so I just feel that, you know, we need some sort of communication between the city and community leaders when that within this area. To find out. What more can be done. And also just my and I want to thank you guys for. Re dedicating the name of the 18th Street Bridge Buster Paul Buster Sanchez, fellow veteran myself being a retired veteran. again, thank you for doing that. And also want to say thank you for the people of listen to me and some by colleagues within the community, the particular councilmember Ballard Mayor wound Councilmember whole highs. So really appreciate you guys listening and hopefully we can get something we saw with in the near future. Thanks again. Vice Mayor Ballard. Thank you, Mayor. >> Gary or Paul, could someone please give an update on reconnecting communities? Grant? Thank you so much for continuing to advocate. >> Yes, Gausman public works and utilities we had recently received the approved. approved agreement from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Million Dollar reconnecting communities. Grant. I'm completing finishing up the draft requests for proposals for solicitation to consultants to submit for planning study. I'm hoping to get that out here. Then the next week and then have proposals to. Early to Mid-January, January 10th. That's kind of what I'm targeting right now. So >> once we have a consultant on board and we will re-engage the stakeholders that we had met with prior 2 as we are feeling out the grant application. I know wrong was with one of those. So we will continue to reach out to him and make sure he's on. One of the committees has been forward. >> Can you address His question about and 21st in mostly and talk about the road improvements that >> are coming We do have some additional road improvements for that to, you know, we had completed phase one, which was to the east and we have another project coming up. Hopefully after the first year will put that out for We are in the midst of finalizing right away acquisition that will put that out for bid and that will make some improvements to to corridors. Well. >> And it will expand 21st Street. Yes, okay. Berman, did you have any other questions about road improvement? Thanks. Thanks, Paul. S. Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, Thank you, Ron, for both your service and for coming before us today to talk about these issues. Just a quick question. Is there a particular group that you feel the city doesn't need to reach out to and just keep them up-to-date a little more neighborhood association or it's a particular group of people that we should be on the lookout for. Okay. appreciate that. Maggie is the best one of the best communicators of same with the community and her I'm sure she'll to make sure that groups brought in given all the updates that we can with them. So thank you again on >> Thank you to 2 of our speakers. We now have time for 3 additional people who would like to address the council for up to 5 minutes. Each. >> Good morning on him as Greenlee. was everywhere. A homeless homeless is 2019 as more of these, I'm scared. I'm nervous. So what I want to I heard to speak speak about that runs being homeless as well as the I do has been about homelessness. And reconstructing a city like our roads and stuff. I'm a Christian in on case saved. But homeless has not been easy. He's on amount VE Day. Holmes and all. It's the it. U.S. and a lot of stuff. We want to build our cities right? We want like. The homes this year to trust the people there to help and the people that can help us want to be able the homeless, trust them. But first, what I've seen is that we have a wall all based on what we believe about each other. walked into businesses and many businesses that couple you see that change my life around. It has been difficult because ice be a drug dealer, a criminal. It's bill caused base. The judges. But if it's on the use of talking to politicians, I was talking to a lawyer and the DA and the judge. So light. So I am nervous because you want to see better opportunities for my city. Destroyed the city. Well as it get you, I don't blame nobody. blame all of us, including myself because that eye wall, that division that dew point that we have each other. only way we can make it better to reduce homelessness. We can't get rid of So the year, but we can reduce it a cream but opportunities for everybody. The social workers in August DCF Adhs. So this could all that. Were all struggling to find a solution. honestly, with the fall, we have to break that wall. That was how we look each other. How we view each other. Was was tight. What do to each other? Because homeless. can get no help. Bristow. Ultimately, you know during those. A lot of us think the homeless as drug addicts, criminals and trying to behave a lot of us. Let's go to war. know we can't get better job to come up as history and then resources fall. It's everybody's fall. The way we look at each other. God has put some more. I started a ministry come I didn't want me talk about your trusty that we have to go as a community just as a homeless man. A lot of people want opportunities. A lot of people want handouts, but a lot of us don't want that one dissenting. You guys want. And you guys sending that you guys have for us. But we'll never get will never get to come together. you're looking at Sure that general, I'm an individual. Not a not a public. I belong in his community, but among individual different issues. If our if our opening statements to help somebody is the first to tell you that we look into the drug on and off of the rehab, but I don't need it. That's going want to Walk out the door. It's going to close door everybody. So what I'm asking as we come together with a real solution really work. But not generalize. And everybody one category because with a fitted with what we see. The this book to read, based on its cover based on what aside the content of the Copa, those covers. You see that. know that a book is good. because on the cover of this but I didn't bring me but open it up. Another read. missed so many things because we will assumptions. That's correct. A factual, but it really. Doesn't that as a it'll be changed because of those because of that because of opinions in ocean of others because I was homeless. I don't plan to doctors. I don't blame my community. I did have up as well as but I've been Use. What I'm saying is that I would like to speak people. About the atrocity, but what we can do about it. Oh, God has put an idea called the bin is what I do. Where it can also create funds. We know that the economy put off a business on local businesses. So we'll talk about it today. But a little local help, I think which talk everybody which ideas, outsiders, but we can bring outsiders to make the fun happen. So. On July, 22 seconds. And that it come prepared defend Bush. My teeth. I just heard about this ahead. Cole, because I think of a voice is important. That's all we can see. Pass the exterior of 6 actually inside of us. >> Thank you. Miss your family. Councilmember Jaisol. >> Thank you, Mayor. Mr. Calmly was that your name? Greenlee? Okay. I thank you, sir. For. You're fine. Thank you for coming up and having the courage to speak before us today. I know it can be. Pretty daunting. We need more people with lived. Experience to have a part in this process to really understand. All the gaps that are out there and how really make the system more aficion an open for people. With their diverse reasons for being on the street. So my hope before you leave today that we can get a chance to speak with you or maybe somebody on the city staff just to get some information and see if maybe we can include you in the process because it sounds like you have some interesting ideas and perspectives to to bring to the table. So thank you, sir. Please. I don't know who he was here from city staff maybe just touch base with you. Real quick on the way out, just to make sure we get your information. But thank you, sir, for coming up here >> Councilmember Johnson. Thanks, I just wanted to say. know you said you heard about the meeting showed sometimes when calls you just answered you. You showed up today and I think everything that you had to say was valuable and needed to be heard folks, especially about the lived experiences and the way that some of us judge each by our outward appearances. So thank you for that. That's great reminder remember to engage one another no matter what are our to parents is and going forward. I think as we move forward with a Mac, it's important that we do that same thing. A lot of the point you made today, a lot of sense and what I heard was to engage with people without judgment without thinking that they are drug addicts some of the things you talked about so again, I appreciate you being here answering that call and getting up there and speaking to us and council member who was upset that we can connect with you and stand touch because I think your work would be valuable to trying to reduce homelessness. >> Vice Mayor Ballard. Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to say congratulations on 8 years being clean and sober. Mr. Greenlee asked how did you find out about coming to this meeting? Social media? So I just wanted to remind our community. Thank you. I see now some youth attending the city Council meeting. >> Our efforts are to have greater awareness about the resources that are available in our community. And it takes all of us to share that information, including Humankind Ministry says here right now. I just want to say thank you because they've opened up the emergency winter shelter ahead of schedule on Friday and have been helping individuals facing homelessness with an opportunity to come indoors, have a warm meal and also a safe place. And then hopefully connect to resources. So again, I am appreciative that people are sharing the information about coming to city council meetings and speaking in front of your counsel and also seeing these youth right here being active citizens of our community. And I really appreciate that, too. So thank you very much, Mr. Cantlie. We have 2 more spots for anyone who would like to address the council. Council. >> Hi, my name is Sonya Austin and I am homeless too. at of it for homeless. I have a lot where I was raised at that 12 rally cats. No house there. And I'm here to represent the women that are still scared to go into the Mac. And if I can get funding are helping to develop something for the women because we don't have to. Michelle didn't. Do you got places where you can go? If And BYU's or, you know, stuff like that. But when I was still scared to go into the Mac. Due to like me, my situation will calm care. I was over medicated to come care. And now I have seizures. So I can get a grand or some way I can open up a place where we can. I can help talked to him in and I work at the breakthrough. I volunteer at the break outreach. hands-on with these women still scared to go into the net. lot of them. They've been abused by people that allowed in the Met. So basing your abuser from the street going into building. This. It doesn't feel welcome me. I know ban people say they're just food. But as the scare person that they says abuser that welcome in there. I would not go in there. like I said, I want to open a place where I can talk to women. Let them know it will be okay to go Get theirs idea. Don't get there. You know, communication with them where they will feel welcome. You know, it starts that way. Talking women, you know, like And it's stories like my story really get down the streets pensions and at the women are still scared. And that's all I have to >> Vice Mayor Ballard, thank ma'am. I was just curious >> if you a leader a little bit, too. But if you have any suggestions and something that we might be able to do. And to make people feel more comfortable. And I know it hasn't even been opened before we get so we're still kind of in the beginning stages. But we want to make sure that everybody does feel welcome. And I think we've worked really hard. Trying to answer all those call. So if you have a suggestion or I'm happy to give you my card you can talk about it afterwards. But having, you know, having your own lived experience. And I think that could be really powerful for you to help us understand or encourage people and to be brave and go there because we do have some people there and that are wanting to you get you the next stage. haven't people like be this homeless are being to situation talking to these ladies. >> I know you have a lot of people stealing comcare agency's advantage situation, but they still scared to come to with there. How to get them because don't know Medicaid it like I was that don't want to be judged tour. Look like, you know, because Latimer used to be prostitutes or our Ed. It's are, you urbahn to human trafficking. It's kind of hard to talk to it to somebody very educated, you know, there, you know, if we have people that you're like me and kit talk to these women. Let them know it's going to be OK. It's alright to be okay. You know, we're scared. You know? >> I appreciate you being brave in coming and talking to us. Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you, Thank you, ma'am, for coming and speaking before us today. >> The same as a gentleman before you. It takes a lot of for it to come up here and speak to power. So I really do appreciate it. And we need to be very mindful of the situation's as we move forward and making sure that we're real intentional, too. Provide all the services to everybody. Jim. Can we make sure to get the contact info Jim Jonas suspect they're standing up. Police touched base with him on the way out so we can get your guys, his contact info again. You guys are living it every day. So it's important that we listen and understand what we can do that to make this whole process as effective as we can to make sure to get you guys the help it that your community needs. So thank you guys to. >> Councilmember Justin. >> Thank you. I too have heard this many times over the last couple Women are scared to go in there and it's a concerns, legitimate concern that that we need to be addressed and good information for the for the plan of the final back. So thank you for speaking. >> We have one more spot for anyone who would like to address the city Council. >> I'm here because I'm banned from home to my family. Comes back. OK, I would die for my cake. So Keepers Academy is an honor. Just go there Oh, yeah. on streets became homeless. 2 Christmases ago. So this would be my first happy Christmas and light. 20 years. I froze depressing. OK, I have my family here with me I'm Santa I don't know. I still want to place 3 times into March for 08:00AM and got my first ever comcare side. You guys are for 7. Well. Educate them and I've got a cause Leon Rose today offer for big companies never made over the parking lot because got working not this is the happiest I've ever been in my life, have a $0 in my pocket. Really? The freeze I ever felt was I in jail 15 times a minute. Don't you don't have as crazy. If they do not meet free can start stud. What are they doing to the privileges? Yeah, but they do know that now they have bills, you know, 5 years ago, Saint Joe's Hospital had a revelation about. When we get mistreated by the and a security, I give a speech claim the I'm the voice of the voiceless. At that point, I had never met a homeless man. I had never met a and never hung up mentally. I've like that. But I claim to end It's I am. And I mean, just killed me already. Yes, got to say that that, you know, the saying over and I love 3 winners of the testimony. I know the men of Delta Kappa check my Never read the Bible. we lost my faith. That's 10 only thing. I didn't know anything other that from the Mormons. But what value, what Saint was actually in heaven. Look, I know any and I barely scratched service. So for me to just 23 pages of the Bible in jail. And just they say that's crazy. But yes, got to say that have no idea. Thank Well, >> thank you very much to all of our speakers, strength public agenda. Madam please call the next item. >> Consent agenda items, one through 19. >> Are there any items to be pulled from the consent agenda? Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> I just have a couple questions with item 10. >> Well, Paul item number 10. Any other consent agenda items to be pulled. I have to. 3 a and 6. And the others. I see none. I motion to approve the consent agenda without consent agenda items. 3, 6.10. Motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none that a clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 7, 0, We'll going numerical order. We'll start with item number 3. Director Gary Jansen. This is regarding the MS Mitch Project. Can you just give us a quick little background regarding project and how many houses are out of the flood? Plain thanks to this project. >> mayor and Councilmembers. Great chance and public works utilities. This item is our annual service agreement between the city, Wichita and Sedgwick County for maintenance. Of the floodway investments, Mitchell Floodway. We've had whatever want to call it for many, many years. Now back to the 1950's from when the flood it was built. So this provides funding from both the city and the county for operations and capital improvements that are needed to keep the floodway and in shape, good shape and to also to keep the levees certified, which is the most important part. Of the just over 52,000 properties are out of the floodway flood plain as a result of the certified levee system. None of those require a flood insurance probably over 90,000 structures as part of those properties that do not require a flood insurance. information on the agenda item. Also that talks about just over 9,000 properties do remain in the flood plain, but they are able to obtain flood insurance because of the certify levee system. So. If the levee system was not there the floodway was not there. They would not even be able to get flood insurance for those properties. >> Questions for staff beginning with Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you, There. Is it just? The upper see that we're going to be spending money on with this bout with this, I guess generation of funding. >> As far as looking at the map, yeah, the not I have to get back to. I think all the details for this year. The if you're looking at that map for dream replacement, some of those are. So I think you're right. Sorry us on the upper see would be likely for most of the capital funding would go for this year and that's towed runs mostly that's the bulk of the funding that where that is the bulk of the capital funding for the Appreciate it. Thank you. >> And Gary, this is split between the city of Wichita and Sedgwick County is 2 separate government entities, correct? What is the total amount again for the budget? >> So the total operating budget is just over 3 million dollars. So city's portion is 1 million, 514,000 dollars. agency is responsible in for $760,000 for a for capital improvement. City with stause responsible for the operations. We have the staff. Completes all the maintenance and operations for the floodway, mowing, whatever it takes, including the oversight of Project Delivery and management. >> I see no further questions for staff. Will vote on this. I move to approve consent agenda. Item 3, a second motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Next item is item number 6 on the consent agenda item. Also, Kerry Jansen. This item. I have several questions. So I'll start off with. This is a 1.3 million dollar project for just that design built portion. Can we? a discussion regarding why design build and not just going ahead and replacing it with a temporary shutdown of the facilities. So you could maybe do this more efficiently. >> So one thing and fire. Real quick on the 1.3 million dollars. That's the full amount of the 2024 cultural, CFP fundings that was approved. This project is expected to be probably just under a million dollars. we've set that budget for now just to be on the safe side based on previous costs, including inflation. So whatever costs are use would stay within the project. Other things that are being done with this budget. >> Includes some exterior work and electrical work at museum world treasures. >> Some fire alarm work, but Annika admin building in America, All Indian Museum, a cow town market electrical works. We've got multiple things happening within this budget. The biggest project is with sausage. It County Historical Museum. So we have previously looked at the idea of closing. So, you know, replacing an active HVAC system in a store clear registered act by building is complex. Needless to say, approximately 5 years ago, we did the same type of work of the Woods Art museum. We found that work best to move the exhibits work on one area that time. The challenge with closing the building as we think that would take up to 2 months and working with winds have been aka in particular and the impact that it would have on the nonprofit that operates it. Anything more than that today, just several days we think would be detrimental to their operations a 2 month closure for nonprofit. mentioned we Desormeaux their viability. The city would presumably need to supplement the last based on our operating agreement with them, an extended closure would most likely require other exhibits to be relocated to a climate-controlled facility. So that length of time for closure is just not viable. Began with would take at least 2 months to be able to do that. So our proposed of proteus for a design build effort so that we can have a consultant and a contractor looked at this collectively. The first phase of this would be to evaluate options to consider operations and the most cost-effective and efficient way to get this done as quick as we can. And again, we did the same thing as we start museum 5 years ago and found this approach to be the most successful. >> Councilmember Glass Cup. Thank you, mayor. What was the total cost would start to project? don't have that with me, but I can certainly get that for pretty comparable in square feet. >> No size was. But yes, Crystal says, yes, they're comparable. >> And then do we ever just what the cost savings would be or cost savings or cost increase if we did shut down the facility supplement. >> We have not gotten that far yet because I'm not even sure how we would get to that point. I sing of those part of the consideration, but well, the cost factor was not because when we got to point of deciding that it would take 2 months to do and the impact on the organization. That was when decide to go the route that we did, we could. We could try to take steps that, but I'm not even sure how it come up with a number. >> Councilmember Johnston. >> Thank you, Mayor Gary. I appreciate that approach. Having built building myself with signed Bill Duke, there's a lot of cost savings when you're working together. Instead of against each other. So thank you. Thank you for doing this. And We appreciate it. And I hope it goes well. >> I'm still very concerned about this under 1 million dollars just to replace HVAC when right now we're replacing the roof and the Old Central Library, which is way under 1 million dollars. I feel like it's prudent that we should also take into consideration what it would look like if you shut it down for 2 months and really just focus on the HVAC that have a grand opening yet again with the community and say this is now a energy efficient building. So I'm concerned about this item that we don't have option right now. The only option is the design. Build and in this budget, as you said, for the whole improvement, just 1.3. But for this project, just under 1 Million. So I will not be motioning to approve this. >> I will move to approve it as presented Councilmember Johnson. Councilmember Johnston already made the motion. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion. I seen bottom clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 6, 1, The next item is consent agenda item number 10. >> Thank you for coming up and thank you for everything you do for the city, sir. Thank I just had 2 quick questions. One, what is the screening process to get people into into this program just for people at home. This is the special liquor tax allocation, which we take the tax from our liquor sales and put an end to drug and alcohol rehab. >> Rams yes. So SAC does our screening in the jail. And so when people are identified as people could benefit from the continuum, we have sack screen them. And then there if they're identified as in need of the continuing care, the rapidly transition to inpatient from inpatient to outpatient, which this is tanning, too. And then there's case management overlaid throughout that whole process Sparta, your program at all. >> Okay. Yeah. The the goals here. They're pretty ambitious and I hope we're hitting them. We're getting close to them. You know, for some 50% of clients complete treatment, 80% will not test positive during the program after the first 30 days. There's a lot of like I said, really good goals And then. Are we supposed to be getting updates quarterly? >> So the updates go to the Liquor Tax Coalition quarterly and that's managed by the W S U P M C. And so they take in all that information. And I just didn't produce a thing for that coalition. We to a quarterly basis, OK, can we get just that just e-mailed council? maybe the latest quarterly report does not way we can. >> To see how well the program's working absolutely. All right. Thank you. That's all ahead, sir. >> I have questions first and foremost, what is the cost and what is the price? >> So for this one, this is already been approved by the council. The only difference is that so you all approved at first. Then it went across the street to the county that there was subtle language added that referred to a work product and we really don't even receive any work product or any of valuations that that. being done on the individuals for are in the program. It's more retained in the calm care system. So the only difference between what you previously approved and what we have today is that minor changes the contract regarding ownership of work product the contract. >> My next question is, are you actually achieving cost recovery charging $250, according to green sheet. So this is. >> So that's the that's the next item item. 11. Under new business. Thank you. >> Alas, that next. Thank you very You have any further questions for staff. I see councilmember whole jaisol. >> Thank you, I'd like to take the action the to approve the contract in its current form approve any necessary budget adjustments and authorizing necessary signatures as was previously approved. I could. >> Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, That of clerk. Please call next item. >> Board of bids and contracts dated December second 2024. >> Mayor City Council just department finance. Hopefully this will be our brief. It's part of his presentation. We've had. Purchasing. We have the itinerant encampment. Cleanup remediation for Barney and Holden's Global DBA Boulevard. Construction Group LLC for an estimated annual usage of 478,000 for one year with 2, 1, years. And we have fest phonics, acid for water buys enterprises for an estimated annual usage of $28,592 for one year with 2, 1, years. This is how to become a vendor with the city. These events out in the community. If you're interested in participating with the city are being an business at the city please get in contact with us. These public opportunities out on the street today. And I'd be happy to try to answer your questions. And I recommend your approval. >> Questions for staff beginning with Councilmember Glasscock. >> Thank you, Mayor. Can we go back to slide? 3 chair? Okay. Can you tell me more about >> Yeah. Reggie, can you help me out with general overview as a lot to it? >> As you're aware, we're currently in the We're we're doing the camp. Leno was transitioning to parks and work to manage process. We move forward ordering equipment that we have posting for the crew that we have in place to be to manage process. This is a contract goes out equivalent to what we currently split for the last fiscal year and it will be it will not obligate us to spend those dollars to gives us an opportunity use it on as needed bases as we transition into mention that process and >> So that was one of my questions. Is budget request or is this bit recommendation for 78 comparable to what we did this past year? >> That's what's worse. The budgeted amount between police and well parts. How much to about how much out of the 4 78 2 we expect given that we're in housing, it. >> majority of the cleanups currently. So I can we actually spent last year. park at $300,000 that amount that was allocated for this. And we expended $112,000 debt. >> And that was down from the previous year when we actually spent $211,000 towards But I'm out. >> OK, so that was that was one of my questions. Is the bid recommendations for But only spent 112,000 last year in the 211,000. So what is the projection? Why this is significantly. >> Mayor, if I can and Josh, you may be able to help me. Also. I think you're proving unit prices and we're projecting that if we were to continue the program as we were, this is what the maximum price or what the estimated price would be. But we are actually technically approving unit prices. We just need to be able to compare the business. >> Yeah, managers practice a unit based fixed pricing. So we have roughly 7 different itemized contractual rates and then those rates as an aggregate are estimates based on our customer, which is the department that aggregate total is the 4.78, but it's not obligated that we have to spend 4.78. Okay. So right now the 4.70, what is that per camp? >> So when we this out, we have. The big rip or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, item. So we have this mall site removal for $300. That's a estimated based on our customer and putting the been specs 250. >> Estimated quantity. They have the general site removal for estimated 250. That's going to be $400. We have the biohazard material, dispose or disposal skews me unit price for 5 tons is estimated usage for unit price of $100. We have the large site removal for 125 estimated for $2,400. Each. And then we have on site mobilization when cleanups cannot be to itinerant occupy it noncompliance or by police directive. We have an estimated 50 that will occur at $50 each time that occurs. So every. >> Maybe question to so every clean up that we're doing now, regardless of what it is is minimally costing taxpayers $300 maximum site could be $2400. >> That is correct. That's what we're presenting. What we've actually done for a past history. >> And then last question I have and I'm probably still in this from the vice She always asked and there's huge discrepancies and beds. The 4.78, to 4 million is one of the largest gaps that I probably see >> And I I will say that this is probably it looks different, but it's a good thing when I mean by that, a good thing is that you are now starting to see nationally companies participating these opportunities. So like, for instance, we had site disposal site removal. We had a gentleman visit from Missouri to Wichita, Kansas, to bid on these. So you're now seeing within procurement portal, then there's that we've not seen before. And some of those are learning our processes. And this happened likely be won. I'm not talking to this. This company, but if its way off market, they're just bidding and hoping that maybe they'll get it. >> That's slightly concerning. If sometimes people are just getting. Robert about expecting cities to pay for. So that's more of a question not just as a crazy amount I follow up question to that. The 4 million, how much are they charging per small camp and per large can. high better had a unit price of 2004 small site where we were. We were here. We are warning today, $300. >> There was a unit price of general site removal for $5,350 we're awarding today, $400. There was that tonnage removal of $13,500 are being charged $200. And then there was the large site removal. $22,775 that we are contracting today with a different from the low bid. 2,400 and the last price for onsite mobilization where they are mobilized but can't clean. They bid $2050. We're rewarding today. $50. So nearly 10 times as much Thank you for choosing this bid. So well. just to be clear, you know that that's part of our outreach and part of the reason that we have our small business program is that we want to engage constantly businesses in this process. We want as many vendors as possible because the lower amount of competition, the high rates we pay. Vice Mayor Ballard. >> Thank you, mayor quick question is this who is currently doing or >> yes, we had previously contracted boulevard and first professional landscaping. We're only requesting one because we're working on bringing this in-house. >> Okay. Perfect do you know if it's still true? I know it probably last year. >> We have more encampments, but they're just smaller. Is that still correct? Do >> I'm not sure if it's more smaller and I carried a baby gives more information. took a I just manages And then the other question was going to ask the next slide. It's just I think we only got. >> One veteran Ovitz, correct? We have one that if you just have any information about that. >> We over 500 contacts that were notified in the system. And I think it's a policy situation where we're looking at the threshold 4. If we have vendors that are completing procurements, a very formal process and we're contracting through that process up specifically chemicals. I will tell you in the fields in the trenches operating it's difficult to contract with chemical companies because they're not used to the maybe the formality sometimes that we go through and they're just wanting payment. So it's it's a it's a balance. But that's a policy decision. And part of that policy decision is impacting strategically whether we see these vendors participating at certain amounts because their staff have to invest a lot of time in these processes. It's not very easy and to go through contract. It's not very easy to go through, we try to make it as easy as possible. But there are deterrents that vigil say it's just not for me. >> Okay. 2 more questions for quick When you say is we've had several conversations, even if the city manager about or working on bringing in-house, what does that exactly? >> We address that week ago. But go ahead, So we've actually move for with to pursue necessary equipment to be able to manage internally. >> Also allocated for positions that will be feels beginning on January 6. One man is that process. And we're also preparing that we can. Start providing service until we actually get the equipment in place as well. >> We are full and then on the very last that shows things are out on the street. I just wanted to point out that. >> I appreciate the bat. Sorry, one before that. How to do business with the city. There's a workshop. I appreciate doing You could probably be a very convoluted and difficult sometimes to navigate what you guys are actually looking worse. I appreciate opportunity for anybody that I have not already been doing business with the city to have the opportunity learn. thank you. >> I really appreciate acknowledgment. We've been trying very hard. I think the past couple of years to figure out ways to to break down some of the intricacies and may and things that make government procurement complicated. And I would just as a shout out if I can. I just want request anybody who branding selling any type promotional item creation. We do have those small business proposal training workshop, specifically for them because we we know that if your small business step of going to be janitorial branding mowing, those are very common avenues we see at the city for small businesses. So very much appreciate vendors out there that want help learning how to submit proposal would proposal looks like we're happy to help. >> Councilmember Glasscock. Sorry. Thank you, Meredith Heuer questions back to 3 just in terms of the process because we're in housing it as well. So the 4.78 212. So we spent last year if we don't get to the for 78 because we're awarding the bid. It's a reallocation is are possible reallocation to parks or record public works at 366,000 for mediation. >> Not not really. It's all incorporated into our budget. We don't anticipate spending more than 100,000 and probably some hopefully less than that. And that's all factored into our budget. Actually, I think we'd run into more problems if we have greater number of camps can handle them and have to use contract. Let's say we had a double what we anticipated. That probably would have us exceed our budget in that case. So we really are planning on using this except for well, frankly, to follow the council's advice or the direction. And that is to try to be a little more aggressive in the cleanup. That next. Follow-up question regarding We're not talking about that. for 2 more weeks. >> Or the individuals that bid on this aware of. >> possibility of. Expedited timeline, terms of cleanup. >> So right now we are operating with an administrative authority of 50,000 for current need So for it with directly with Reggie. And we have been working with 2 vendors that we've previously used. This process is to allow us to move forward. If we hit past 50. If there's if there's a timeline urgency, I'm sorry, want to make sure understand question we'll complete the contract process once that contract processes formalized executed, he'll work directly with they'll work directly with Reggie to say what their upcoming items are and what their needs are. So there's not a requirement that they have to do a certain X amount today where there's not a not a quota, to speak. Thank you. we will inform them of a >> timeliness of clean-ups and that the time frame has changed. But there has been a delay and that's one of there's a few reasons we moved in House. One was to reduce our cost and the other was to try to increase the timeliness of cleanups so their ability to mobilize may not be that different than it has been up to this point, which again speaks to why we want to do as many and houses possible. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate want to say thank you again to your team for trying to get its on these processes, especially with 10 times of the competition breeds success. And this is a very good example of that. I know it brought up at the Queen I first week on the council on. I'm sure we do something similar to But local banks, local lenders regarding small businesses, do we have a handout that we give local lenders that they could give to businesses that they work with of? Hey, here are the opportunities be present with the city? Because they usually have probably the most direct connection with individuals. That's great idea. And I appreciate that. So we just recently completed marketing materials and I've >> Big stack in the council office. I appreciate that suggestion. I think that's something we'll start working with immediately. Also, thanks. I appreciate the presentation. >> Couple more questions since this is a new contract given that the previous contract and I've heard from multiple businesses and individuals and community that have seen the 7th. So our current camping ordinance allows 72 hour notice. But then there's an additional time of for the contractor to come in clean up that site. And the delay has really the net. Source of contention among community members. So are there any provisions in the contract that could show that they need to expedite if again, in 2 weeks the new camping ordinance would go into effect, which but change it from 72 hours to 48 hours, in addition to their more, it's opportunities for cleanup. >> So there's there's 2 ways in a work with Jennifer on this. And when we present to you representing the vendor price and recommendation, then we complete the contracts with their law department. There's 2 methods that you're describing. There's an incentive math and up math and you can have liquidated damages or you can have a price or you can have a contractual reward. typically what I've seen is liquidated damages. We can work on that with law department and have something stipulated that fact. >> Can that be something that we could consider given that I know that. We've seen 72 hour notices and then additional 2 weeks on top of it before it actually cleaned up in some camp sites. And that is part of the contention. And right now we do have a camping ordinance. It just is not fully being utilized due to the contractor. >> Yes, mayor will work with purchasing to draft a contract to meet goals. >> Any further questions for staff? I see none. I move to prove. The port of bids and contracts. The second. Motion and a second any further discussion. I see none that a clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Petitions for public improvements. >> Yes, Paul Gausman public works and utilities. I have some new and revised petitions for your consideration this morning. The signatures on the petitions represent 100% of the improvement district. And the petitions are valid for Kansas statute. Pike addition Pike 3rd edition and Pike 4th edition located in District 4 project will provide sewer improvements required for a new residential development and to cover the cost of a private bed. Pegasus Edition and Pegasus Second edition located in District 2. On March, 5th 2024, the city Council approved water. Sewer and paving improvements required for a new residential development. The developer has submitted revised petitions with revised budgets to reflect current market conditions. And some revised petitions for Pike addition 3rd edition and Pike 4th edition and January 24th 2023, the City Council approved. Drainage sewer and paving improvements required for a new residential development. The developer has submitted. Provides petitions with revised improvement districts. Poor. Multiple phases, water. Phase 6 of storm water drain improvements. Multiple phases of sanitary sewer improvements and multiple paving improvements. The budgets for water and sewer main the same petitions with revised budgets. Current. Reflect current market conditions and cover the cost of a private bed. And Buffalo Pines Edition located in District 2 on September. 24th 2024. City Council approved water improvements to serve a full pint edition developer has submitted revised petition with revised budget to reflect. Market conditions. With that, it is recommended that city council approved the new and revised petitions and budgets adopt a new and mending resolution authorize necessary signatures. I will stand for questions. >> Any questions for staff? I see none. I move to approve the petitions for public improvements. Second motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 7, 0, Before we move to the new business items. I just want use my point of privilege to recognize the Southeast high school students who are here this morning to 10 our council meeting and just wanted to remind you, but you are allowed to speak on any of these items. It will have up to 5 minutes during public comment. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Multi-agency center implementation. Some recipient agreement. >> mayor members of council Troy Anderson, assistant city manager. So as a follow-up to acquisition of the site and 10. 25 North main. subsequent design build contract for what we've referred to as project one, which the emergency winter shelter. The subsequent operating agreement for the emergency winter shelter through the end of March 2025. To subscribe design, build contract for project to which is the full build out of the multi-agency center. I'm excited to stand in front of you today and present to you bring soupy agreement with multi agencies center board and referred to them as the board as well as their collaborative efforts with community stakeholders public policy Management Also PPM Co Wichita State University. In preparation for this summer sippy, agreement over the last year or 2, as we've continued to engage. Community stakeholders, service providers in and around the space of providing wrap-around services, coordinated services associated with those all that are unhoused suffering from mental health, substance abuse. One of the recommendations that came out of that was to create a new. Corporation, nonprofit that has since been formed. So Blackboard Inc has been created currently consists of 5 community members >> they have experience and community nonprofit services, housing and addressing large-scale community issues, honor Durst the board here in just a minute. An additional that the work UPMC has, Don and the space of coordinating events and activities associated with all the service providers developing budgets to help. Transition Mac board and to the actual operator of the multi-agency center. The board has created by laws, articles of incorporation and are continuing to work towards policies and procedures. So having said all all introduce the board, most of which are here in attendance today, Robyn Chadwick currently serves as the chairperson for the Mental Substance Abuse Coalition. Steve Dickson, who is with Pb Hoy Dale, Jason Gregory within say real estate mode. You're awesome. With Meira Trust and Gary Schmitt with interest Bank. Steve Dickson is the chair of Mac or dank and Modi. Rossen is the vice chair. And again, we have representatives of the board here in attendance today as well as PMC to answer any questions that you may have. Our proposal as part of the sub recipient agreement is to allocate 5 million dollars and American Rescue Plan Act arpa funding 4 mac related activities through the end of 2026. funds may be used to offset administration operation implementation and maintenance costs. The board will contract with PP. MC to provide the pressure on U.S. trade of support necessary to implement operate the Mac. There are a number of duties that are identified in the summer city. An agreement. I won't run through those. Those are all part of the And that will be one happy to answer any questions on any of those. Additionally, there are key milestones that have been identified and those are all here in front of you. I won't belabor those that will be able to answer any questions you might have on any of those. But that being said city which has 5 million and arpa funding available for implementation of the back. As part of the revenue replacement services. No impact to the general fund Law Department's review and approve the agreement as to form. Staff recommends that city council approved the agreement and the allocation of arpa funding authorize the necessary signatures and authorize staff to approve future revisions to project budgets and performance measures consistent with agreement an otherwise I'll stand for questions. >> Thank you. Troy will begin with Jaisol. >> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Troy and thank you to everybody is been working on. has been a long process. I'm glad to see that where pretty close to getting this I just have a couple of questions we talk about oversight. Is there a place I saw? Can we go back to slide? 34 0nd. Just let it sit there for a minute. The talk about compliance requirements and oversee the services compliance requirements. That's a big one because this is replacement fund. So. This replacement still. Held to the highest or engine of But the arpa funding is. We have check all the qualifications there. Yes. >> Mayor. Councilmember all eyes will. There are a number of layers of reporting that are involved here of their first of all, are the standard reporting requirements for arpa. And so yes, the answer is they'll be required to follow the same guidelines and the same type the measures that we do for all of the outside funding that we had projects using arpa dollars. But they also then need to produce reports for outcomes for the Mac itself. And then for the U.S. providers that are involved in the MAC as well. So we'll be monitoring the performance of each of the agencies and then tying that into a total performance report for the Mac itself. We've got representatives from PPM see here that will help them through that process and they can answer any specific questions that you have regarding the performance standards. But significant amount of monitoring that will come with this. And does a city have any part in the oversight? Are they? >> Including us on. On the like the reports coming in. >> city's staff will monitor will receive financial reports monthly for the activities of appreciate >> This agreement only last through the dispersion of the arpa funding for this particular agreement. >> This runs through the end of December. So December 31st. 2026, all funds must be expended by and of Q 3, 2026 so that we can close out the project. >> And then from there, it's pivoting to the next generation of what this looks like. Correct? On the scope of services that talks about possible revision of this co on the city's side will be a communication with the board to approve any of the changes scope to services. >> So there will be a number of staff members, our finance department, our audit ING team. Myself, Housing community services. There will be a number of city manager City manager's office or will be a number of folks who will be engaged throughout the process. Okay. >> And the final question has to do with new appointments to the board of day. It's a they're wanting to expand Saunders, key areas. Is there anybody from the city that will be serving on this board? What the process is to appoint new board members and what are you guys looking for? As far as new board members coming? So I don't know if that's appropriate for you guys or you know the answer to >> So I know that the expansion is anticipated and January of 2025. But yeah, all all refer to chair of Mac forward to more clarity on Thank you. >> Yeah, so to answer the question we are, you know, first off, we have to get through 3 months, right? We have a process we're going to going through with the city finalizing this agreement first, then finalize an operation agreement and then finalizing Lee's. Once we get those milestones completed we will have an opportunity sit down to stir some strategic planning What are we looking for? How do we want to go? How fast we want to bring new members on board discussions healthy. Yes, we will have city representation. It will be somebody from the city council. just at this point time we have yet determined how we're going to make that happen. But there will a representative from the City Council on the board. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Steve, a follow-up question to I know that there are other folks on board, but specific to that question, how many people will be on the boy? >> So again, until we have opportunity to sit down actually strategically planned that out, what I will tell areas that we know we will have an odd number and the goal right now we have a current 5. We'll do a multiples and had 2 at a time because we do want to maintain an odd number. I will tell you that from my personal experience aboard much larger than about 9 persons gets to be a little bit unwieldy. But again, we'll get that ironed out. Once you had an opportunity sit down and put together our strategic plan going forward. >> I have a follow-up question to that. Given I think councilmember whole high school said the city of Wichita. There is a distinction the city selected by the people. So we would be representatives of the people. So with their. Possibly be 2 spots. To counsel people on the board to represent the people of Wichita. >> Mayor, again with until we had a chance to sit down and really look through how many people we need to have. We are open to anything and we will. All of that is definitely part of the discussion will have. I can't commit because we have not yet made that decision. >> I have a bit of concern regarding that since we are the elected individuals, we don't we are not staff members of the city of Wichita per se. We are actually just selected individuals again representing 6, 6 districts or the city has a whole. And so I I would challenge asked that at least 2 spots. Available for 2 elected individuals who represent people of Wichita. I can appreciate that. Absolutely. Thank you. Councilmember Glass Cup. >> Thank you, Mayor. I going to go to the nitty gritty, the contracts a little. I do have a question for you here in just seconds of this one might be a trick question. Go sorry. Looking at item number 10 one of the contracts. And I this is our perscriptions as well. Highlighted says that none of the funds provided under agreement shall be used for lobbying tonight. It's Congress or the legislature. state of Kansas. I know we had discussions about lobbying. >> The state for funding for the MAC. So does this completely prohibit? >> The provider from or MAC Inc from lobbying the state of Kansas in support funds for continuation of the facility. >> Saul. And so that may be 2 ways. Number one. This agreement does not preclude them from lobbying this agreement just doesn't allow their lobbying efforts to be reimbursed. The funds associate with loving to be reimbursed. So we cannot use these funds for law, that doesn't preclude him from lobbying. The other aspect about it. And I'll have to defer to the chair gym, their articles of Corporation and their bylaws. I know they applying for 5 on C 3 status may have restrictions on lobbying, but that's a separate. Deal. Them just what this summer subpoena agreement. Yeah, the final one. C 3 paperwork is being finalized. Hopefully by the end of this week so that I do not believe there's anything specific. Well, excuse me, I don't have not for the final edition. So I'm not going to comment as to what we can and can't do. >> Thank you. This is maybe a follow-up from councilman was question. Also highlight is a It is the subversive responsibility. Read. Understand a player regulations. What is the liability city if the subversive doesn't comply. And I know this is a larger arpa question, but a lot of the arpa funds dispersed before him. Some of us are on the council. you'll note that in that agreement as we continue to work side-by-side with. >> The Board act or tank, we will continue to kind of communicate what their operating funds are, what their operating expenses are as part of their advance funds for this. They will those expenses that they reasonably anticipate to expand with Short period of time as well. Know what their requests are before actually advancing funds and will be able to run the traps again. Our team and their legal staff to make sure that we're in compliance in advance if for whatever reason we come to find out that expense was not eligible. We won't bear the burden of the cost. It will have to be borne by board. But we're going to try to run those traps before any of those dollars. >> Mayor, if I if I could council we >> Previous agreements where the agency did not perform to not meet the objectives or found as they try to execute, they would not be able to. So we terminated those agreements and see stuff lot fund or to expend any more arpa dollars we re program those arpa dollars. Thank you. That's a great answer. >> And then >> there's a few more questions. I know that back would be running the operations of multi agency center. So does that mean the operator of the emergency shelter as of because it looks like this starts on December 31st. That mean that switches WHO humankind reports during this process to knock regarding that as what would be the transition from that. >> Yeah. So I'll tell ya, this begins the just the process of the sub recipient agreement. There are still sort of operational and landlord tenant agreement that we will bring back to you before sort of April one of 2025. and so yes. Currently humankind is the operator of the emergency Winter Shelter. Staff agreement has been approved by City Council. So board chooses to continue to subcontract with humankind to provide those programs and services. That's that's entirely up to them. It up. >> To quick questions as well regarding this would probably be. Regarding continued funding streams for back. Obviously, this only goes through 2026. What are your intentions? What are your plans? I know that the board is coming up and that's going to be part of the strategic planning process as well. Can you give us some direction of the continued funding stream for this as well? >> Yeah, absolutely. And I think that it's really important. Understand that is I think we've heard multiple times already today. This is a community-based problem, right? And so there will be funding streams will be. can see and talk to city. Talk to the county, talked to the state. However, we are also engaging with the phone traffic community, the business community, part of the reason that we have business folks on this is to create those connections to help explain the Y. Where would you know why the Maxim Port what it can help, what we're hoping to accomplish with it and how it's going help to serve the community. So we're going to engage in all potential revenue streams and that again, because this is gives us the runway to have those conversations actually show proof of concept and the show. Hey, we know what we're doing here's how it's working. Here's the outcomes we have. I think that's going to make But she's your conversation. Hold with private philanthropic community. >> Thank you. I have one quick loss coming to have a quick follow-up question. Comment in regards to the Bears, question if the city likely means funding, this will be one of the south funders to launch. see center I would feel more comfortable about interest and no your conversation having a city representative, if we are really the south and are at this point while we're trying to have capital campaigns and I have assurance that he will appoint a city representative. I don't think that that's not going to happen. Correct, however, is part of the agreement that would be something that I might be interested or I'm happy to have a discussion my colleagues as well as that. It's if we give these funds are disbursed, these funds. It's a that there would be requirement that there be a city representative because majority's funds would be city funds. Understood. Councilmember Johnston, if I could just respond to that. >> I'm not sure the sub recipient agreement is the right place for that. But you will have other documents that that will be agreements with Mac Board for execution the programming and so that maybe if there is a requirement if you want to codify that, we could do that. And one of those agree, yes, contingent on the funds that the city of the city's offer refunds that we would have a a >> councilmember Johnston. I think there's tremendous will from the citizens of which sought to make this happen to be successful. I think that's displayed also by the all the council members were on same page. This has to work that being said, I it's no doubt that snow secret that I'm advocate as separate 5, one C 3 to run it full time. 24 7, 3, 65 every day. The year to focus on its solely. I appreciate the 5 board members agreed to serve. I know all of you some better than I think a lot of all of you specially Steve Dickson, chair, appreciate appreciate your service. Emphasize we've had discussions the last 2 about I will emphasize that. I think it's important to get. The board up to the amount that you want. I think 9 is a good number. Sooner than later. Discuss that. January, February. That way, you can start leaders that the search for an executive director. President CEO you want to call. That person? I think it Paramount that they start developing relationships. Not only with a large providers like LIKE Humankind Play, play a big role in this space. There's there's over 140 people that came to evergreen that want to be a part of this over 80 organizations want to help solve this issue. A lot or little mom and pops. It serves 6 mental health people, maybe 12 substance abuse people. And we need to engage. These small nonprofits to be part of the solution. mean, have to have space in the Mac. Discuss that. But I think there has to be navigators. Hired by executive director that can make those connections and get him to the right place. So I think it's huge. Huge project. I think 5, 1, C 3 board can be nimble. It could just quickly. So I appreciate that very much. I wish you the best of luck and I'm sure we'll be glad to helping any way we can. And we we must succeed. I appreciate that. And a great pick. Councilmember Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you, I know you have a lot of stuff to work through trying to get into that. But >> if it is the will of this body and you all are thinking about it. And I know you know this, but taking a page out of the partnership playbook we just rotate and his council could be a part of your by lost. If that's something you are interested. And but probably the easiest way to do it. Once you get through everything you got to work through. want give know, I appreciate that. Thank you very much. >> Any further questions for staff or to the board? I have just one more in this proposal. The word transitional housing us left out intentionally because permanent housing is the federal government for Bridge of Housing. First and I would challenge this board to really consider using the word transitional housing also part of that mission. Transitional housing are groups like Union Rescue Mission have 3 months to 12 here. I talk about programs for individuals. Her tried to get out of homeless, TESS and need additional resources. You have Salvation Army who just stopped having there sheltering so that they could focus more on programming and that is transitional Housing. Humankind Ministry says that 2 with the studios. And so I really would challenge that the work transitional housing also is put somewhere with then the by this group. And I just want to make sure that those organizations provide transitional housing are being and asked to come to the table. So my question with all of that is what solid commitments have been made by other organizations to be president at the back as of today. >> So again, because we have just stood up the organization. We have not had the opportunity to create use and I don't want to speak out of turn. But the board has not yet. So that side, any agreements with any any organization that will be part of the process ongoing as we stand up. And as we roll through and so we get to that transitional date of April. 1st. So the goal be to have those understandings in place and ammo use signed prior? Well, prior to April, 1st. So I can't commit to anything yet because that has not been done. >> I will us follow up because I did ask this question via email and I did get a response from the city manager. So read his response. In part, he said to date 3 organizations have formally committed to Matt Participation. The Lords Diner Union Rescue mission and the city's housing Department board members have visited the open DOOR Humankind, Mental Health of America and such a county and have received tentative commitments to locate in the back. So I know that, you know, use had been signed. But I know that all council members received a letter from Union Rescue mission say that they will dedicate an individual in the back so that they can connect. And so I'm just very appreciative for those who have stepped up and really made a full commitment. I encourage more folks to contact your board. who want to be a part of it as they showed to the evergreen meeting and there's a lot of enthusiasm to work collaboratively. So again, thank you again to the Lords Diner Union Rescue mission and the city's housing department for having formal commitments that they want to present. To your point. Absolutely. Appreciate that. Any further questions for staff or 2. Steve Dickson. I see none. Thank you very much. You will now open it up for public comment. I see no one from the public who would like to speak. We will bring it back to the bench. Councilmember Class. Scott, thank you, Very supportive of this. I one of the individuals Mr. Wrigley or Mister Greenlee couldn't make it out completely. But he said something stuck with me that I think. >> Preuss the efficacy of this is quote. I'm an individual. We from a body in a government institution have to treat a Rivera. Galuteria don't. We can't look at the individual case by individual case, but the nonprofit community can and you can help people where they are or were not able to do that, create tailored approach to it. So thank you for your willingness to step up to serve the community. I think this going to be a success for our community. And I know that everybody from the spent just going to be supportive and make sure that working holistically together. So thank you for your leadership. >> Councilmember tunnel, thank you. And I just first want to thank staff. I remember the first presentation that we had on this one. >> Director staying came to us and talked about the Mac and I was like, what Akron and did I miss right? So this has been a long time coming. Thank Troy. Also really appreciate Art's are cited in our involvement city managers. Well, also just want to thank the new board. I wish you the best. I wish luck and I'm here. If you need me in any capacity for support, but I have nothing but complete confidence that we have the right people. At the table who can help us address this. I mentioned last week during workshop. Having the homeless shelter having the multi agency center isn't going to be a complete solution. Everyone who is experiencing mental health substance abuse, homelessness, all of the issues that make up some members of our community more vulnerable, have a different path of how they got there. But this is certainly one way that we can try and address this issue. I said a couple months ago from the bench, we were dangerously close to saying there's nothing we could do about homelessness in Wichita. And I am so glad that we're pursuing this path. So thank you to the board. Also, thank you to PP. MC I know that you're providing much guidance, much leadership and so that's not lost on me as well. And then as councilmember Glasscock said, I just want to thank my colleagues. I think that since January, this has been one thing that we have absolutely all agreed on and have been supported. And so I think the community sees that. I hope they feel it. And you will have my complete support today and in the future. Thank >> Lysol. >> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you guys for everybody on the board for the work you've done so far. Thank you for the work that you're going to be telling in the future we plan on supporting as much as we can your endeavors in the future. And that's important that we get this right. So I just encourage us all the to maintain a two-way street here. As far as and serves at anyone body might have towards another that we continue to listen to each other with open ears and open hearts and continue to just. Do the best we possibly can because we owe it to this ad. We owe it to the people who are out there on the street. This is our role. So I appreciate everything you guys are doing I plan on being open here, too, to all of you as well, sir. Please reach out to us any thoughts and concerns and we'll be sure to do the same thing with you guys. Thank you. >> I have one question for illegal actually, given that we just talked about board member seats right now, there are 5 board members is there a recommendation that would allow the compromise that councilmember class cut mention at the very least having one. Board member seat moving forward from this body as a council. >> The council can make recommendations to to think organization as it sees fit, if that's the question you're asking. >> So I councilmember class. >> Just a follow-up regarding or to the manager. Is this the opportunity that contingent on the funds that we're allocating to the MAC or is this a separate? Agreement that could be that could be taking place that still makes the funds contingent on the city. Heavy representative there. >> Councilmember, I think the latter would be the most appropriate. I don't want to don't want to complicate the sub recipient agreement that has all the arpa requirement Senate. What I would prefer those the next agreement that we bring forward to that that be a requirement in that police agreement for their use of the building and execution of that have a timeline of they come back up. It will be some time. In the 1st quarter. I think the intent, the council's intent is pretty clear here. And I think what you're saying is that before and executive directors hired the council would like to have the seat on the board. I think I think everybody is heard that so and then will codify that. But I don't want to wait until later in the 1st quarter for that to happen. So we will work with the Mac Board to make sure that the city there's a city wrapped before that actions taken Thank you. >> And given that the conversation has also been at the very least one seat. And I think I'm the one that proposes 2 seats given that again, 5 million dollars in operating to kick off the Mac. It's coming from city of which tough federal funds. Again, I just got a challenge that 2 seats should be available for 2 elected individuals from this body. With that, I wanted to see a couple comments before making that motion. really appreciative that Vice Mayor Ballard, I know that. In her district, the former Park Elementary School is now the location not just the emergency winter shelter. But the future multi-agency center. And so I'm very appreciative that she engaged community members and district 6 and appreciate her leadership in that. And then I want to reflect back really quickly that over the last nearly 12 months, this council as a whole as councilmember Tuttle election. We may not agree on everything that comes before us, but we have agreed on one thing we have agreed that this is a community wide challenge. And so homelessness has taken a priority on our to do lists for this community. And under our leadership as a body of 7 individuals, we have made at the forefront of what been doing for the past year from going to He got to advocate for idea of the Mac. To having a town hall in February have community tell us what they needed want. To seeing an opportunity with the closure of Park Elementary School and asking partners like USD 2, 5, 9, to see if that could be a viable location for That. To having multiple community engagement that have allowed community to tell us what is truly needed in our community. To that last week having a workshop about the future up illegal camping ordinance. To then also last week on Friday, thanks to the leadership of God Chapel and Humankind Ministries. Going ahead of schedule and opening the emergency winter shelter and providing warm place and a warm meal to anyone who needs that helping hand over this last Thanksgiving week at I really, really grateful to all of you and your team. This is just one And I know that as a council, we will continue to work diligently to make Mack a realization ad. Truly one that we can be proud of and helping individuals who face homelessness to provide them with the opportunity with housing. So thank you all very much for getting us to this point in time. So I will proudly move. To take the recommended action. And approved the agreement and the allocation of arpa funding authorized the necessary signatures and authorize staff to approve future revisions to the project. Budget and performance measures consistent with the agreement. Motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Thank you again to the board. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. Heavy equipment replacement. >> Good morning. Mayor members of the city Council. I'm Erin ending with the Department of Public Works and Utilities. But today we are seeking. Your initiation of a recurring and long standing capital improvement program. cip Sorry, Capital Improvement program or cip item for the replacement of aging. Heavy equipment assets and non enterprise funded operations. These assets include equipment like the dump trucks and skid steers Houston Street Park and Forestry operations tractors used to maintain the MS Mitch Mitchell floodway and tire service trucks used to maintain virtually this entire Rolling Fleet. Of the roughly 2600 vehicle and equipment assets that make up the city's total fleet. But 244 presently meet the non enterprise, heavy equipment designation. Because they are relatively expensive, long lived assets. That financing is used to support their replacement. The adopted cip includes nearly 35 million dollars in heavy equipment replacement funding over the next 10 years. And just under 3 and a half million is budgeted for 2025. Both the recurring cip budgets and targeted equipment, replacement are informed by a predictive analytics model which refer to as the Fleet decision support tool or D ST. The DST was developed several years ago in collaboration with which to State University to help staff optimize replacement intervals and the balance between low ownership costs and high operational viability. At present that optimize replacement interval for heavy equipment as 13 years. As shown in the table on this slide, the D St prioritizes the replacement of 19 heavy equipment assets and 2025. These assets have met or exceeded that optimize 13 year replacement interval. And it includes multiple dump trucks. Skid steer loaders and other equipment that are essential to various operations provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Public Works and utilities. Before finalizing these replacement decisions. Those staff will be conducting an intensive assessment of these and other heavy equipment assets. In addition to age the intensive assessment, which is an industry best practice considers factors like total miles driven total hours of Operation total service dates to date and overall condition. staff continues that intensive analysis over the next few months. If another asset should end up scoring lower the comprehensive condition assessment or another asset should unexpectedly fail beyond reasonable repair. The final mix of replacements may change a little bit from the list. Run on the slide in order to maximize the city's return on investments. few examples of equipment targeted for replacement. Include 20 year-old Luke truck that functions as a mobile service station for other heavy equipment engaged in maintaining the end. This Mitch Mitchell floodway rather than bringing multiple assets from the floodway to a central service station. This loop track is used to deliver fuel oil agrees and others central fluids to the field. A second. We have a 17 year-old Bob tell or single axle dump truck that's used by park maintenance for numerous operations, including hauling material ranging from plane topsoil to trash illegally dumped and city Parks towing trailer trailers to transport other heavy equipment lakes gets years and tractors and performing snow and ice removal operations with a mounted salt spreader and snow plow. Lastly, we have a 14 year-old aerial platform truck that's used by the traffic maintenance section of the street maintenance division to repair and maintain both traffic signals and overhead signage. Again, the adopted 2025. To 2034 Cip includes just under 3 and a half million for heavy equipment, replacement and 2025. Safir request initiating the full amount. And staff recommends that the city council approved the project adopt a binding resolution and authorize the necessary signatures. And I will gladly stand for any questions. Any questions for staff? >> I see Thank you very much. Thank you. We will now open it up for public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. I will motion to approve. The project to adopt a binding resolution that authorized the necessary signatures. Second motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Professional services contracts for grounds maintenance at closed city waste disposal sites. >> Good morning again. Ending with public works and utilities for the record today. We are also seeking your approval of a contract to provide grounds maintenance services at 3 closed waste disposal sites owned by the city. Federal and state regulations require a minimum level of ground maintenance is part of post closure care. 4 closed waste disposal sites. The city is maintain contracts for ground maintenance at close Waste Disposal site since 2007. And these contracts have provided for mowing weed control and land and cap and tree maintenance as needed at the 3 locations on by the City. Brooks Landfill, Chapin Landfill and John's sludge Pond. Brooks Landfill is located in District 6 at 4100 Northwest Street just just north of the K 96 and West Street interchange. It served as a city municipal solid waste landfill from 1966, until its closure in 2001. And since 2001. And it's continued to serve as an active see in the landfill. The proposed contract provides for 325 acres of mowing we control and the landfill cap maintenance. Chafen Landfill is located in District 3. 2400 MacArthur inside but is now shaping park. It was a city municipal, solid waste landfill from 1955. To 1980, and a C and D landfill from 18 79 to 1987. Was repurposes Che from Park and 2009, the proposed contract provides for just 10 acres of mowing and weed control. Because the the balance is now a park and mode by park operations. But we do have landfill gas collection equipment and flyers about 10 acres of the side. It's fenced in and this contract does provoke, provide for maintaining those areas as well as 120 acres of the landfill, kept maintenance. Finally, Judge John's sludge pond is located in district one between the Union Pacific Railroad and the southwest corner of K 96 Fishing Lake Park. The site was used in the 1950's and 60's as a disposal site by the John super refined oil company. The city of Wichita assumed responsibility for the site in 1986. as part of the K 96 Northeast bypass project. The proposed contract provides for approximately 5 acres of mowing weed control and cat maintenance at that site. The preceding grounds maintenance contract expired in July of this year. anticipation for that. An RFP was issued April 24th of this year. The reason for the the delay between April and now is is really as do a 2 factors. One is just, you know, cut staff capacity and trying to prioritize what gets through. And in the meantime, the impact of the drought basically precluded any mowing and maintenance activities outside the growing season this year. So everything that needed to be accomplished was accomplished with the existing contract. And this new contract with your approval will take us into that to the next year. Proposals were received from 2 vendors. And the staff screening and selection committee interviewed both of those responders. This was after e-mail notification of the RFP was sent to approximately 231 registered vendors. The staff screening and selection committee following its interviews recommended awarding the contract to Jsp Land Services LLC based on its technical qualifications, understanding of the project and pricing. The initial term of the contract is one year with options to renew under the same terms for up to 4 additional one-year periods, the not to exceed annual cost of the initial contract term is just over 329,000 and funding is included in the Landfill Post Closure Fund to cover the cost of the contract. With that staff recommends the city council approved the recommended vendor approve the contract and authorize the necessary signatures. I will gladly stand for any questions. >> Any questions for staff? I see none. Thank Thank you. We will now open it up for public comment. We have no public comment will bring it back to the bench. I will move to approve. The recommended vendor approved the contract and authorized necessary signatures. Motion Councilmember Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. >> That would not have the goats. >> There wasn't worry about. I think we should bring a bag. >> Motion and a second Thank you. Any further discussion scene and that a clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Water production will rehabilitation. >> Good morning. members which to city Council for the record on Henry Public works and utilities data for you at the moment. What initiated funding for ongoing work in the city's Equus beds. Wellfield the well Fields located northwest of the city northern Sedgwick and southern Harvey counties. It includes a total of 75 water wells with 61 of them holding municipal rights and the other 14 being used exclusively for artificial recharge associated with the us our project. It's important to maintain the oppor ability in full functionality of the water worlds because that's where furnishes about half of the city's role water supply each year. We have a licensed professional geologist that manages the Wellfields name is Shaun Maloney and he set up a very effective program that provides data informed decisions on the timing type of work that we carry out his a degradation curve assigned to each well and tracks us productivity year to year. rehab is is scheduled to make sure that we're maximizing the investment that we make. In the assets as well as providing the largest potential rate of recovery of water. Examples of work under this funding authorization include drilling 5 new wells that will replace wells that have outlived their useful life. It also will include rehabilitating a number of wells, which includes things like pulling the column pipe and replacing the pop. Removing debris from the well bore. Brushing the screen searches to ensure optimize flow into the casing so it can be pumped and then creek chemical treatment to take care of an Easter burn deposits within the formation of self and on the screen. The adopted 2025. 2034 Capital Improvement program includes 3 million, $120,000 in 2024. and 303 million, $120,000 and 2025. to address This project, the project is listed in the current adopted CRP Swf for Wellfields. Well, rehab staff request to the full amount of 6 million, 240,000 dollars be approved for this work. Therefore, it is recommended that the city council approved the budget, adopt the resolution and authorize the necessary signatures. >> Questions for staff Councilmember Jaisol. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate the presentation. Don, can we go back to the map of expense? As is where was where it circled there. That's a lot more easily recharge than the rest of the area. Correct. >> Correct. necklace beds itself is very different from we hear about the overall and western Kansas. Overall, the Equus beds very resilient in terms of being able to draw to every charge particular in the area of the city's central will feel. >> Okay is that we're going to focus on putting these new new wells and right and the the designated area there and that will spend correct. will be a combination of of best location. >> And and age and condition of the well that it's going to replace. But we will look at that. Certainly make sense to transfer one right from a location to another that's always taken into consideration because we want to make sure that we're we might. We maintain the ability to recover are full water right through time. >> In a rugged just going to be drilling down to the same level that they currently are. >> that will be on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, it may make sense to go even deeper. Rarely do we go? The full saturated thickness of the will be looking at that on the well by well bases. Okay. Yeah. That's what I hear about. Especially in western Kansas as they keep going. >> Deeper and deeper because they have reach the water. >> I think that kind of gets us into some issues. There saying how it most of its not easily rechargeable. So just a couple of questions about that. Thank you. >> For their questions for staff. I see none. Thank you very much. We'll open it up for public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. I motion to approve the budget and adopt the resolution and authorize necessary signatures. Second motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see Madam Clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Golf course. Irrigation. >> Thank you, Mayor City Council. I'm Justin Kaufmann on the manager of the Gulf Vision. And talking about the golf course irrigation project. little background on this project. We have for municipal golf courses that are operated under the golf Division, which is under the Department of Parks and Recreation. The terms conditions that these golf courses are crucial for the quality of the play for the patrons. They they are the golf course. enhanced customer experience increases the Gulf system's financial viability as of as the customer experience goes down, they stop playing golf courses. So it's very important. The irrigation systems at all for courses are aged and basically completely broken. The old system was that Sam Arthur, be some golf course. It was last renovated in 1988 and the newest system was that is at Auburn Hills and it was installed in 2001. On August 13th of this year, staff presented a capital spending plan to the city Council for the golf system. And on August, 20th, the plan was City Council and incorporated into the 2025. 3, 2034 adopted Capital improvement program. It includes 8 million dollars over 4 years to find irrigation improvements at all for courses. And of that. That includes 1.5 billion in 2024. For our to be some golf course. And 2 million in 2025 or make of course. Analysis of this broke this project. The United States Golf Association or the USDA. So is that the expected life of an irrigation system is 15 to 30 years, depending on climate and other various factors. The irrigation system at Sam Golf Course is 36 years old far beyond the expected useful life. Aging systems have resulted in continuous and costly repairs consuming hundreds of staff labor hours. And of course, while there. Digging holes trying to track down leaks and repair heads. They're not doing the other projects that we need to get to. Downtown caused by operable irrigation systems equals diminish course. Conditions decreased course revenue negatively impacted customer experience. Benefits of a modern irrigation system mainly it's just much more efficient. The lower water consumption is a big one more effective at water placement and it reduces the inefficient usage of water. provides a lower electro consumption from irrigation farms and lower maintenance costs. Financial considerations, the adopted 2025. 2034 CFP includes 1.5 million in 2024. In 2 Million 2025. For golf irrigation systems funded with general obligation, bonds staff recommends initiating both amounts at this time for a total of 3.5 million, the golf and golf and which is an enterprise fund. Required to fund the annual debt service on any debt issued for this project. Are expected to have the capacity to fund any required debt service for this project through continued operating surpluses. Expected savings from maintenance and utilities from the new irrigation systems and cash funding available in previously approved for this project. Also, the Gulf Board of Governors has been reviewing options for a fee increases ensure that revenues increase to give even more security that we would go to pay for this. We'll ensure golf and is adequately position to fund future capital Go to pay for this as well. The as well as the other projects that we need to continue to do. And this recommendation is anticipated in spring of 2025. We're looking at putting the new rates in effect on March. 1st. Legal considerations and recommended action. The law department has reviewed and approved the bonding resolution as to form. And it is rec recommended that the city council authorize initiation of the project adopt a binding resolution and authorize the necessary signatures. And I'll stand for any questions. >> Thank you. Jessi questions for staff. I only have Obviously we're still in a drought. And we just talked about the wellfield wanted to know what are ways that the 4 golf courses are being. Conservative about their water usage had how this new irrigation system will help reduce the need for water, but also much more efficiency. >> Sure. there's few things that we're trying to do on our end. Looking at more Nomo area. So the areas that are more out of play between the holes that are really part of the golf course, we're looking at letting that grow up in a native grass over not having it and we can kind of let it go without that watering as much. We're trying to switch in areas where we can to more drought resistant tops of So it doesn't require as much water, especially in the heat of the summer. We are looking at 33 of the courses are wills at McDonald's off course it. We do not have a well there. So we. We have retention ponds that we use and then we have to go to city water. Obviously when there's no rain, the retention ponds, don't. It is much water. So we do have to go to city water at that point. We are looking at expanding those ponds as well to be able capture more water for the irrigation with the new irrigation systems. They're much more efficient right now. Our systems are so broke that we need water at point a and we have to turn it on and way more places than what we need just to get the water in the spot that we And we will be able to pinpoint much more accurately where the water placement is be much more efficient in the way that we use the water. Any time we put applications down to have to be watered in. We can do that much more efficiently and have much more control over the water that we use. As of right now. It's basically turn it on everywhere and plus, with all the breaks that we have, they, of course, happened at night. It seems like every time. So we coming in the morning and there's been a break and there was water leaking all night long. And we have today find that break-in. Fix it. So with a new irrigation softly that would not be the case. And if there is a break, there's much more technology in the new system. Some we army, we're notified that there's a problem. >> nice mare Ballard. Thank you, Just how approximately did you guys spend repairs to irrigation system? >> Over the last 2 and it's hard to put a numbers because there's so many different things that we're constantly fixing. I would say $400,000. That's not counting labor that some parts of federal place, the the different Thompson, the different all the different elements that we've had to fix. And of course, every day our guys are unfortunately. Playing in the mud. They're digging holes, trying to find the leak. And a lot of man hours that we're using. Thank you for that. >> Jesse, I see no further questions for staff. We'll open it up for public comment. Seeing none. We'll bring it back to the bench. Councilmember Johnston. >> Thank you, mayor. I like think Jesse for his great work on the golf course really turn it around. Well, mission that they're very profitable. profits get him back in 2 to help him pay for this golfers are going to help pay for this. A good part of it. And if there are many golfers that objected, that so they realize I remember when I got just to get here. But anyway, year and a half lead in short time. I came in from take grandkids play golf. And I see him there and recognizing him this thing I said, hey, Jesse, you got a leak on number 18, about 200 yards out. So it was just a constant battle of leaks. So very important to it. This is the quality of life issue for which citizens. it's just the workforce. workforce, that's their enjoyment play golf. And I think it's very important so fully support it. >> Councilmember Tuttle, thank you. And one of the things that I've tried to really do during the last August when we went into phase 2 of the drought is to be a true champion for making sure that our community is aware of the child in the conservation efforts that they can take so that and we don't go into phase 3, which I think would be really devastating for industries within our community. And so I had pause with this when it first came to us. But I was supportive and I will be supportive again today. I like the fact is Councilmember Johnston said that the users will be paying for it. And I like the fact that it will make watering more efficient. So we have to water the golf courses. And if we have to, then we should do it in the most efficient way. So I just also wanted to thank and Vice Mayor Ballard. She was one that brought this to our attention when we're working on budget and CHP in and made the recommendation, I had many conversations about about this to better understand because that are typical, of course, and in my district. So again, I will be supportive. thank Jessi, for all you've done. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about you. Since joined team were exceptionally grateful for the work that you do. So thank you for being a part of the city of Wichita. >> I just want you to know that this is not a reflection of the work. I believe that the staff is doing to try to repair and maintain our current assets. I know that maintenance really needs to be the priority here. And I'm very appreciative that Vice Mayor Ballard did bring this to our attention along with it. Councilmember Johnston regarding the need for irrigation systems upgrades. But I know that our community spoke in a community survey BAS year and they told us that the for top priorities really the top 3, we're about public safety, the economy and streets. And so I was prudent in that decision-making during the budget and I voted against this and I will be voting against this again because I believe our city needs to prioritize and while again, I am appreciative of all the good that is happening with the Gulf system. I have to remind this community that we do have some tough decisions to make. so I hope that the dollars will be utilized appropriately to continue maintaining the assets that we have. So I will not be motioning this item. Councilmember Glasscock. >> Thank you, mayor. week, some brief comments because I have 2 of the 4 golf courses in my district and I've been a broken record from this bench about deferred maintenance and making sure we take care of our assets that we have before investing in new ones and all our golf courses some of the best assets we have in the community. I think through the parking conversation we've seen that we need to make sure that we're investing in what we have. So we don't get to a point later on or to more cost prohibitive the future. And so I'll be supporting to make sure that we take care what we have and be good stewards of doctors. Parkland, we have but also taxpayer dollars. >> Vice Mayor ballot. Yes, some comments. if I'm ready for the make it. I spent bit when all my colleagues and thank you so much to Jesse for. >> Kind of taking the bull by the horns with golf. When you got here, it was very disrepair. And I appreciate all the hard work and efforts that you've made working with what you had and you been able to make some really awesome improvements along the way in certainly can't play We don't have grass. So I know how important that the irrigation so with that, I'd like to take the recommended action authorized initiation of the project adopted funding resolution authorizing serious Second. Motion and a second count of the bridge. Johnson. >> I was just to what everyone else said. Jesse, you're awesome. >> We have a motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. I did not make that motion. Vice Mayor Ballard did. Motion passes. 6, 1, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Lincoln Street Dam maintenance. >> Good morning again for the record on Henry Public works and utilities. The item before would initiate funding for critical work on the city's Lincoln Street. Them. The Lincoln Street Dam is located, of course, near Lincoln Street and Murdaugh at the new Dam was constructed and 2012 band consists of 4 water level control gates, a walkway control building that houses the telemetry and control is necessary for raising and lowering the gates and a combination boat pass fish later. The storm water utility division operates and maintains the dam in order to establish desired water levels in the Arkansas River improve this Ted X through the downtown area to provide for special events venues for recreation. While the the dam itself is not used for flood control per se failure of the dam result in water levels of the Arkansas River dropping to the base flow. The pond failure. The hydraulic system loses pressure. The gates fall and then Waters released a set up that way. So a failure were to occur during a high flow event at the water would not get outside the banks in the downtown area. Should this happen? Doused their own status would be negatively impacted and access to route watercraft and for special events might not be possible for as long as the dam remained down for repair. Critical components of the dam, such as the hydraulic system must be rebuilt, replace periodically, turn sure ongoing functionality. This also. Avoids more costly emergency repairs. As the dam components of age, you can conditions assessment is necessary at this time to schedule the required work and then provide for an ongoing maintenance schedule so we can make sure that we're maximizing the dollars that we invest in the assets. The adopted 2025. 2034 Cip includes $385,000 in 2024. and $450,000 in funding for 2025. For the Lincoln Street Dam Mine. This project. Staff recommends approval of $835,000 for the project at this time. Therefore, it is recommended that the city council approved the budget adopt a resolution and authorize the necessary signatures. >> Questions for staff. Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, Thank you, Don. What is the lifespan of the day and that we have currently? >> The overall lifespan of the dam. can't give you that number off the top of my head, but I can I can get back to you with that. With the expected life of the dam is think it would very, very long lived. The hydraulic have a expectancy of about. 5 years per cylinder. And that's kind of the main component. You know, the physical component for raising and lowering one of the things that we've seen are a couple early failures on those not part of the reason for the condition assessment assessment and make sure that we have work schedule based upon data rather than than than just institutional knowledge. how far back does. How far back? How far back are we flooding it up to the appropriate levels for downtown doesn't go all the way back to Riverside. Doesn't go north of Wichita. I'm just a little bit of background here. I get complaints from my side, a town about the dam being there. And that's having essentially a dry gulch through the rest of. South Wichita side. I'm just curious as to how far back the effectiveness of the rising levels are there? >> Yeah, I would have to rely on our flood control engineer provide that exact information. Apologize. don't have it up I this is out. Yeah, but but yeah, you know, now that we're in a drought, of course, to the the positive affected that impoundment. It's less, you know, just like it would be for for Cheney, Reza War or any other body of water where you don't have significant and flow and what are yours? It's going to make more of an impact and probably even on the level of the of the little Arc River upstream, we may not be experiencing now. OK, thank you. Appreciate it. >> Fuller talking about the Arkansas River. I just wanted to know if there's an update regarding the West Bank improvements. I know that the water levels were lowered. Can you just give us a quick update? >> I not hear city engineers are. So we're still I think tracking towards being complete sometime in the spring. We're even with a win. The river came up drains we had November. They're able to keep. So we're going to instead thought long. But right now we're still tracking through I think March probably for the bulk of that work to be completed. Along the river. What's happening with the new seawall and everything that goes with that? I would tell you real quick. is on that It was senseless same as that new bridge. The structure itself should last. 75 200 years. The all the moving parts. The gates and hydraulic cylinders. What we've got to stay on top of overtime. >> Any further questions for staff? I see none open it up for public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. I will move to approve the budget, adopt the resolution and authorizing necessary signatures. Second motion and a second any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Water and sewer rate adjustments for 2025. >> Good Morning, America. Customers care chance of public works utilities again. The item before you this morning is recommended adjustment to water and sewer rates for 2025. Along with some fees and the discussion of few other things related to the same. So this look familiar to you from workshop discussion we had last month. lot of us the same. So some of the so it's been maybe as much time on. We're going to talk about rate drivers. We've done historically up to this point, especially starting in 2019. With a consideration of rate stability over 10 year period, which is still a good thing. And that's our goal. But changes since that time. We've had to be more adaptive and more flexible. We'll talk about the rates themselves. How we compare to peer cities, affordability assistance programs. Want to talk about a little bit more than we did at workshop. So it's have an understanding of of everything we've we do to help the community when it comes to utility bills. And then we've got some other options that will talk before the recommendations. So so this same rate plan has been shared with city Council since December of 2019. This line that you see will look pretty from there. Despite many significant changes since that time, the rate plan has not changed. We had again a focus on on keeping the rate adjustment predictable over time. Not wanting to step away from But there's some things that, well, it made us come back to this point, especially this year. And I think each year going forward that we need to address at any point in time. That plan is longer sustainable. Did record inflation, operational changes and other challenges. Additionally, one specific example, talk about more. The moment is that operations and maintenance costs related to her new water treatment plant that previously estimated turnout, We'll still do all we can to keep rates level. Avoid spikes along the way. But again, we just more flexibility to respond to these economic drivers. one of the biggest factors in our recommendation and discussion today is what has happened with. Inflationary impacts on operations and maintenance. So the great model current right model assumes 3% operations and maintenance inflation over time. That includes estimated that based on what our capital improvement program, any additional expenses beyond inflation. Factored in individually that could be new commodity costs, staffing, etc. Average on him cost increases in the past 3 years have been 10% and water and 7% in Syria. So you can see that alone compared to the 3% estimate next. Really big difference in what we're what we're considering here today. Our financial consultant for the utility nudge in recommended increasing inflation assumptions during the cost of service analysis. It was completed in 2022. They also recommend higher rate increases. Then we're in the 2019 rate plan. We did not move either. One of those forward thought it would be better to monitor the long-term impacts inflation and respond as needed rather than making immediate changes based on the early data. Today, we've got better information. We know where we need to And so that's what our record recommendation will be centered on to be able to address this. few more examples of inflationary impact on him. The left chart shows chemical costs for treatment plants after holding steady for years, chemical prices shot up almost 2 million dollars in the past 3 years. The blue line being for water, green line being for sewer. We're seeing that across all of our operations. The chart on the right shows salaries and benefits for existing staff versus contractual costs. Persistent vacancies within many of our divisions have driven up the use of contract services by lost 3.5 million dollars since 2020. And we have not seen the same savings and are personnel costs to be able to offset that. Few more things to talk about related an inflationary impacts. Not all increases. ERs drastic is chemicals and contract services. But collectively they still add a so. So if you examples again, they're not real big numbers. But across the operation of our size, they really do start to make a difference. Bank fees are up 156%. Energy and other utilities. Are up almost $750,000. Technology charges are up. Insurance premiums are up to 4 our facilities for almost $300,000. So talk about some specific changes related to our biggest facilities, our largest projects in again, saw water works. This is related to operations and maintenance, only commodities operations, anything related operations, maintenance staffing. The capital costs for which saw what works in the water treatment plant are all still contained within the original budget. So I think we're talking about today is not related to the capital costs for. Building a plant. So our assumptions for chemicals in 2019 for the treatment plant or $269,000 increase, starting in 2025. Based on the inflationary numbers, we just looked at. That is now over $720,000 increase starting next year. Energy for the plant was estimated to be $600,000 increase starting next year. We're estimating 50% increase in that a $900,000 again, unit price inflation since the time of the original estimate staffing transition to the new plan we had originally thought. It made sense for contract a contract, temporary service. Contract, temporary services. For the transition period that we would bring someone to operate or current water treatment plant. We have our staff winner, the new one. The market doesn't work real well that way. A decision was made over the course of time. The staff working with City Council that we want to hire additional staff. original estimate 2019 for temporary contract services was just under $600,000 in 2024. and almost double that in 2025. With ongoing expenses because we would be done with the temporary contract services. It would be utilizing our current staff to move forward. A lot of things have changed since then is this project is progressively. realize what we need from operational standpoint. The number of people we need for this plant large complex facility. That number is now 1.5 million dollars in 2024. 2.4 million dollars in 2025. And on going to start. We'll see you after 2025. once the current treatment plant comes off line. What we decide when you do a staffing there. Staff costs includes the amount needed to increase existing employees wages, something closer to the market rate. So as we went through the last several years. Try to make sure we're competitive to make sure we can get the right southend to operate this facility long term. felt it necessary to raise a the salary and benefits for employees to which has helped. We're still got a few people trying to get her, but I think it's made a difference. For buying a biological nutrient removal project. In 2019, we didn't have near as much moving forward on this project at the time or a little design. So in some areas were weren't even able to make assumptions that were still working towards salaries and benefits for Bnr. Half a million dollar increase starting in 2026. Double that 2027. We're not changing that yet. market analysis as was done for the water treatment plant is needed and will impact this assumption. We expect that to be done over the next 12 to 18 months. So we can come back to this discussion probably at the same time next year, discussing a potential rate impacts. Chemicals and energy for being our. There was no soon changes at the time because really had no additional information having gotten really into new design work yet. We now are assuming $864,000 increase starting next year. Double that in 2026. For Chemicals. $145,000 increase starting in 2026? Double that 2027. lot of this has to do with the odor control technology. That's a part of that project. Very focal point of being are gonna make an impact on the neighborhood that as we get further into this project, construction is well underway. The majority of the facilities won't be operational until late 2026. So we're going to continue to push on this and make sure the right spot operationally and everything we have to do for maintenance things like chemicals and energy that we can dial in on those numbers. The capital improvements that what we have within the cip for the utility. Is a big part of what drives rates. The utilities are capital intensive business. You've heard me talk about these numbers, but but I kind of like to repeat them, just servant understands the size and complexity of the system that we own and maintain but maintains over 4,000 miles of water and sewer pipes, 60 sewer, lift stations treatment plants of various types of 160,000 meter connections from customers. We operate and maintain or 50,000 water voles and the same number of manholes and more. I could go on a lot of stuff. We've got a lot of assets ago. Lot operate maintain. All of this is needed to serve 17% of the population of Kansas. So the pie chart on the left. Shows that most of the revenue increases utility needs are for infrastructure. That these improvements help us on the operations and maintenance side. This is where. Most of our maintenance needs are met. This helps combat against hopefully having deferred maintenance in too many areas with these capital improvements. You can see the chart on the left. 72 1% of that. Annual revenue increases for infrastructure. That's in the cip. 28 1% in him. The 2 on the right or breakdown of the ten-year cip. By sewer and water both showing the major portion is renewal and replacement as opposed to expansion, again helps us on the. Maintenance site and being able to maintain our existing facilities and what we own. Continuing on that a little bit. There's a lot of information on here. I won't go through and much detail. But within the cip itself, the current 2025 2034 Cip. We have almost 800 million dollars in proposed water and sewer improvements. That does not include. Costs already. We have as part of our debt service for we saw water works for being our. Or the 176 million dollars in projects already underway. So all in all debt service, all included, which needs to be covered by a current rates as 1.9 billion dollars. So mention one quick project on the top 5 water projects, number 3 phase water supply plan. Just just some quick details on that. That is a focus on SR project, including the recharge basins. We did were able to receive some portion that's from your of reclamation, which was good. But the bulk of the cost is still hours. It also includes improvements to local wellfield, all which is going to help with our long term resiliency. And response to the drought. lot of other projects on for water and sewer. We have made changes within the capital improvement program to maintain rate stability from the 2019 plan. But that's not a sustainable as it was on time. So we've been having to take projects and move about produce the scope of them. We're going to need to be able to get back to where we were with a lot of those. Hopefully. If the council so inclined to improve approves recommended rates today so we can get back to a better place using capital funds for long-term maintenance needs right. Drivers also include current debt payments. Again, this is part of the large utility operation. Principal and interest has been holding steady but is poised to increase. So the show's water in the blue, sir, in the green, you can see the principal and interest payments on revenue bonds with loans and of loans that are already in place. chart does not include future revenue. Bonds the final 2 loans of the Bnr Sr F series which are expected ask you the next 2 years. However, we have included that with our long-term outlook. So what have we done to our efforts to stabilize rate adjustments? Just talk about a few things here. Again, some of these numbers aren't real big that across everything that we do. They start to add up our utilities up to macean optimization program save nearly 7 million dollars in especially in energy, chemical and efficiency savings over time. So additional examples to that. The call center say just over $111,000 by adding full foot 5 full-time staff and you eliminate use of temporary services. Wait times and other metrics improved in the process. So again, some efficiencies and better responsiveness to are customers. The bill campaign increase the number of customers build electronically, getting prints and postage costs by about $5,000. The first year stuff is always looking for these types improvements in ways that we can save help us elsewhere. Operational savings are not enough to overcome place. Another challenges. And then Sunday we continuously review the cip for opportunities to differ, revise or eliminate projects. We've also reduced contend that sea levels within the financial model, which is not ideal. It does not help us respond. 2 unknowns to extreme events like we're facing now with the drought. And one of the other ways we've we look to stabilize rate adjustments as we've pursued favorable financing opportunities for with us or a feat which you all know about. Just a quick reminder for with salt water works through the utilization of those 2 programs. We saved Prop approximately 180 million dollars to the rate payers. Bnr was 129 million dollars. So that's been great for us. Showed you this chart before. This is one that we've looked at since 2019. This is part of the discussion at that time as we moved into which saw a lot of work Symbian are and how they would be financed. And trying to create. We've talked about this generational equity and spreading the rates out over time trying to smooth the rates out initially. If you looked at the red line, which is the combined utilities with out with you can see rates as high as 10% for multiple years. The blue line. With with with it and sr of might notice the top right part of graph shows without with your bonds, mid-level user for estimated 2020 a customer bills to center and $21 with with you. That came down to $116. Our current rate model that we're recommending today puts that 2028 bill at just under $110 were able to do even better than that by everything that we're putting into this. And and, you know, some of those loans were in that able to get more favorable rates than we had thought at one time. So recommended rate adjustment for today to 6.1 4% combined rate adjustment compared to 5.0 3. That was in the 2019 rate plan included in this recommended rate is the adopted Cip. Which includes reductions or revisions proposed by staff to adopted current budget, all existing debt. 2 remaining SRF loan is for the NRA yet to be issued future revenue. Bonds. This includes the transition staff and contract services that we reviewed for which waterworks. It also includes $300,000 annual for Owen him for the current water treatment plant. And that mention, again, we will be bringing that project back to council sometime in January for consideration of the option. But right now we think. estimated $300,000 would be what we would need to cover any option that we move forward with not included in this current recommended rate adjustment. As for funding for changes in lead and copper PFAS regulations in the emerging contaminants. We're keeping a very close eye on that. We're doing a lot of work with community right now on the lead and copper rules and the current revisions. We've got a lot of information out to the public right now trying update our database on. Service lines that are out there. We've got a little bit of before anything has to be done starting in 2027. There's 10 years as far as we know right now. To get a lead service lines replaced. We're not aware of any we have on our side. We're not sure what that means on the private side just yet. We'll have see what that does from a financial standpoint but we'll keep a close eye on revenue. This is not include revenue losses from to wholesale customers building their own treatment plants. City of Derby has indicated that they plan to build a water treatment plant with their existing water rights to be able to and peak demand during the high summer months. They would still be a lot of customer of ours. But during those times would take less water, which is good from a conservation standpoint. But something we still have to keep an eye on from the water sales. Perspective. City of Dallas Center is also working to build their own water treatment plant. They think at some point in time they effectively come entirely off of the city which saw this may still need some water supply to maintain their system. But we're watching both of those working with both of those trying to predict the timing and see where we're at. That could affect potentially future rates. I don't think with either one of them right now are concerned that this is going to be a major impact. But we'll just have to see as we get closer. I mentioned to one more time this this current rate recommendation does not include additional contingencies to provide resiliency. At this time. We want really focus on what we need and in the future for able to bring that back into play. That's fun. So the resulting debt coverage is very important for us keep an eye on to maintain utilities. Double a minus credit depth coverage, level of 120% as established by the credit rating agency. Or above is required. So you can see the combined minimum required is the red line. The combined all and projection is the black line projected to 2034 the revised rate plan provides only enough coverage to meet the minimum requirement does not provide a safety net for enforce unforeseen negative circumstances. But this is not necessarily unusual. This is typically where we've we've looked at in the past. So I think we feel pretty good with where we're at. I want to show you real quick. Then the same chart and what the 2019 rate plan would look like at the same time if we were to stay that same course with what the recommended rate increase was at that time. You can see that green line dips below that minimum combined. All in-depth coverage, which would have a without a doubt, an impact to our future credit rating. So what does that look like for customer impacts on on? Maybe the last time talk about this 2019 rate plan. But this is where we've been vs. Our recommendation today. The majority of our customers are low volume users, which is that first line. So if you look at the proposed 2025, Bill and yellow, the 62 $62. And $0.44. That is a change $3.21. per month from the 2024 bill, the proposed 2019 plan at the far right. Was a potential change of $2 and between the 2019 plan where we were headed at one time in our recommendation today. That's an increase of 68 says I don't want throw too many numbers and make this a hard for him. understand that might be listening. Bottom line is for the majority of our customers, this would be estimated $3 and $0.21 per month increase. To residential customers. Look real quick at the pier cities comparison. This is along the I-35 corridor except for, of course, mostly toll. So this is based on level user, 7500 gallons per month. We've looked at this before. You can see that Wichita is at the bottom of the list and the best place for affordability of all the cities looking at the overall monthly bill of $92.63 for that mid level user. But I referenced you was the low volume user, which is the most of our customers. But industry looks and mid-level user. We're 17 per cent below the next closest of Fort Worth. EPA affordability metric is something that we always look at and want to share with the council. The EPA considers rates of Florida. Both annual cost is at or below 4.5% of the area's median household income. The you can see on the left part of this is the 2025 bill. If you look at you, the low or the mid. For the users, the 1.7%, of the median household income. 2024 is effectively the same. So there's a very little change there, except for the mid and high-level users increase just a little bit. Well within that affordability that for median household income in Sedgwick County. So talk about assistance programs. Thank you for bearing with This is important part for us. Our staff does a wonderful job of working with the community on assistance programs. There are a lot of organizations and agencies in which also help with this. There's specific places that we provide. Potential financial assistance talk about and then mentioned some of the others. So if you look at this graph initially and then I'll show you some more specific numbers from 2021 to 2023 as we talked about before. Those are a lot higher because federal funds helped Americans with utility expenses in the wake of COVID-19. Assistance funds from our end typically come from customer donations and a one-tenth of one percent water and sewer rate revenue which was put into place by the city Council in 2015 customer donations to the H 2 a program more than doubled after introducing online giving options this year, which show those numbers here shortly. So kind some river systems programs and what we to notify everybody what's out there. And we're continuing this effort currently working with her community service representatives. To the community centers. But there's plenty of information on our website. We're for for people to our customer service, folks, as often as we can. So there's direct customer contact by city staff. Also. We look at the history of billing and folks that may have had issues in the past but being able to pay their bills, we will make direct contact and then the sides and city hall. We have an annual contract with assistance agencies which I'll talk about a moment. There are fliers provided for that. There's promotion at Evergy's Connect Leave events and website low-income emergency assistance program. Promotion DCFC events for the same and the newest that I mentioned, his outreach to community centers to make sure that we can try to connect with even more people. They're also low-income emergency assistance programs, 3 agencies like Salvation Army and others are. Staff has a long list of it, but the trying to make sure everybody knows where they can go to. Mike talk real quick about the H 2, o care Fund. This provides emergency financial assistance for individuals and families in Wichita, its administered by the Center of Hope, a local nonprofit. One of the things that the center of Hope also does when refer customers, there's they provide budget counseling. They help people have a better understanding what they need to do to pay the monthly bills. They also have other funding programs above and beyond. What is our assistance, which is available as 100 $100 one-time annual payment. But they've got resource is well above and beyond that, the rate relief assistance program, which is managed by our staff. It requires an application accepted between October 1st and December 31st. Eligibility requires recipient of the leave benefits within the year. So they would you have to go through the center of hope DCF, whatever it is for income eligibility that provides a $50 credit for eligible customers. These 2 programs in particular when we hear from customers who may be struggling to pay their bills are where we start. We send everybody information they need. We work with him directly. They're eligible for both from city perspective. It could be $150 a year. But again, there's a lot of other programs out there that will offer and provide even more. And then one of the things we do offer to payment plans, which I'll talk about in just a moment. So looking at the numbers for the assistance the area on the left, I just bring attention to the bull, the numbers, the opening balance from 2024. Was $129,000. So I would tell you, we talked about this last time. I was up here. And I did confirm from 2015 when this one 10th of one percent of the race was put in place by the council. There was really no direction at the time of what that does. We have treated a carry over so we can take care of these funds over 4 near the next right now. We had. The total balance of $208,000. But keep in mind that the rate relief program, all happens towards the end of the year starts October. First we see the book of our assistance in these final months. We expect more of that to be used up to what it has so far. If you look at the customer's helped on the right foreign 69 through the end of October, I would expect that number will be a lot higher by the time we get through the end of the year. So there's still funding there. We're going to continue to push and find ways that we can again, especially through the community service representatives. always open to other suggestions, but I think we're doing a really great, great job of reaching out to and trying to make contact with as many people as we can. Moving on from that. I'm happy to come back to that with any questions. User fees are also part of a recommendation today. These are routine updates every 2 years. These things like account or origination once that they can kill shut off for nonpayment standard. Greece maintenance for require grease traps license backflow testing, which is part of what we do to make sure is no contamination. Our system, these are for cost recovery. Ali. So the course of 2 years, we also seeing some inflation impacts here, too. These typically are fees that go to contractors that are part of owning a home by home, whatever it might be. There's a long list of these which include of us want to provide those as an example. Getting close. Plus, I talking about was the our current late fee. If you look at that are currently payment feagles 1.5% of the unpaid balance. This is not been updated in recent history and it was below many peers, cities. Same list of cities. You can see the highest is 4th at 10%. Oklahoma City, Tulsa which star 101 and a half percent. We are recommending that this be change to 5%. And I'll give you some context kind of what that looks like in just a minute. We so so talk a little bit about payment plans. If if someone doesn't pay, their bill were in charge of a late fee. What we hope for is that they'll come to us ahead of time and say I'm may not be able to pay my bills so we can talk about all these Just mentioned so that we can refer them to the center of hopes we can talk about the rate relief program. And so we can talk about putting them on a payment program so that they can hopefully avoid making late payments. Approximately to $1000 in late fees were waived between 2021 2023, according to our internal guidelines. I will tell you these are not codified guidelines. These are more of a process we've used for a long time. We've got some great staff spend a lot of time doing this. That have a really good feel of what can work here and what we've offered to citizens for some period of time. Well, I'll tell you about the number of payment plans and how what people have done with those over the years. Examples of reasons for waiving late fees, leak adjustments may we allocate excess consumption the tier one based on the customer's average with late fees potentially wave during a leak investigation. We hear a lot of time. Some people they hadn't done league. They used a lot of water pushed him into other 2 years. So their bill is a lot higher. We want right off the water consumption but will move him back in the Tier one that takes some time anybody late fee during that period of time, large overdue balances referred to collections may have some fees waived as part of the settlement negotiation. Any fees incurred due to an error by the city 60,000 bills. Unfortunate happens at times. And this another example is earlier this year bills are unavailable on the city's website for a period of 25 days. Many people still pay their bill, but if requested those late fees were waived. I want to show you those examples because they want to come back to the point someone chooses not pay their bill. We're going to Cecil 8 feet. The currently. If you look at the average bill, what the average bill will be for most of users of $62.44. one and a half percent late fee is $0.67. how long if that's what their current bill is it that would be month is 67 says. Costs associated with late payments or administrative time to update accounts, reach out to customers with calls and notices and eventually send accounts to collections are legal is cost recovery on our staff time. And cut that were not getting their one and a half percent. What happens is those folks who do pay their bills on time. They're subsidizing the others who are not. So we'd like to try to get away from that. I recommended 5% on a 62 $62.44. cent per month. The average bill, that's $3.12. So for an average monthly bill, the late fee would go from $0.67 to $3.12. I still don't think we're getting to the point of cost recovery, but it's better than where we were. if it happens to be an incentive for folks, more folks to pay on time. I think that's OK. So we talk about payment plans and help people can avoid this. Everybody's taking advantage of this. A lot of people start there but don't finish in 2021. To 2023. We averaged over 10,000 payment arrangements annually. That's a lot. We got a lot of customers. That's more than I would have expected. We've got staff working on payment arrangements on a daily bases of the only 8% were kept. 5% were canceled. 87% were broken. And less than one-tenth of one percent still active. I only tell you that because we're doing everything we can to try to keep people and a good spot where they don't have to pay late fees to work out payment plans with them flexible as we can. People say they want to do that upfront. Customers will and then not a lot of people follow through. So we're going to continue working with them, letting them know that's their London, though, the values of the in the meantime, I just want to mention again, if someone's late on a payment, they're gonna pay the late fee outside of those things that we talked about. One last thing I want talk about what's been a lot of time on that because we talked about it before was the consideration of changes conservation? 2 years was our Tier 2 and tier 3. Just last week the city council approved a contract amendment with New Gen for further analysis of this. We expect to be able to share this with council in 2025. In time for the race discussion next year. I just mentioned again, whatever. biggest challenge is with increasing potentially increasing to 2, 3 rates from a conservation standpoint is what that does to commercial businesses. You have discretionary additional water use during the higher months could potentially analyzed, have impacted their business. That's where we're gonna really focus and see what we can come up with. With that staff recommends city council approved the recommended rate and fee adjustment someplace ordinance on first reading. Appreciate you with me. And I'd be happy any questions. >> Thank you, Gary. Have a full board trying to ask questions starting with Vice Mayor ballot. Thank you, Mayor. A Kerry have a couple questions. So there's. >> One line item on water. >> Great and one on the sewer that are both actually lower and said increasing. Just curious about that, whatever it for the meter box and the other one for the sewers. Category 5. >> And talking about for the fees. So it is practical over time. And we've seen that a lot of what we do even with a right of ways permits. Again, we're focused on cost recovery for whatever reason there. We have found different times that. Cost of commodities parts labor might have changed. Probably not the Labor Party, but we're trying to be true to cost recovery and so there's I can look at those specifically in probably provide a reason why that we have seen so far is go down in the past. >> Okay. And >> So I Interested in learning more about the H 2, 0, fun. I mean, I personally get e-mails from people that water turned off sign. I'm sure that we're being as creative as possible, trying to get the word out. But I'm curious if we don't use the whole h 2, 0, find doesn't roll over to the next year. If it does it does it go? How many people use it? I'm just curious. >> It doesn't. I'm sorry. I wasn't clear on that. It does roll over to next year. If you look at this tape. So that's where we end up right now with this $208 balance. Although I do think we'll see more of that used through the end of this year because the rate relief program itself is focused in the last quarter of each year. If you look at the table to the right, you can see how many customers have been helped. Including repeats from the prior year. Right now through the end of act over that number looks We would expect to increase significantly by the end of the year. But that number does carry over. That's why we've continued our efforts and will always continue our efforts on what we're doing for outreach at the bottom of this is the newest effort to the community centers. This just started up mostly working sick to SARS. We're hoping that this helps also folks will come in there and see that information. >> So I know part of the money goes to water conservation with rain, barrels and rebates and things like correct. >> Within everything we're talking about her. Yeah. There is funding also for a rebate program. Correct? >> I think all its many people actions, councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you. got a few for >> Couple year or I guess. And at the end of 22, I think we used arpa funding to do the if you go back to slide. 96. Yeah. We use arpa funding for the 2023 to help people. You know what I believe maybe a month's worth that they qualify financially to help with the rate increase. What's the status of We exhaust all the the funds allocated for that. >> The funding for at the time. I think it was up to $36 actively fi fund get this right. We're looking the same to that. The monthly increase of E around $3. over the course of the year. 36 $1 12 months would help offset any that additional increase. All of that funding has has now been utilized. enough put in place for that. But that hasn't carried forward with the rest of it. >> Okay. I was just curious about that. We're essentially adding another percentage point field. Brate increases that we had figured was around little over 5%. And now we're looking at 6.1, 4% for the water rates, correct? That. What is that taking into account for the future is that current inflation rates included? Is that the long-term projections here? >> The. >> So for now, we historically. Once we got past maybe 4 or 5 years, we tried to get back to where we thought was just inflationary rate only and that was at This projection. Once we get to that point, more like 5% based on where able to do this each year and have discussion with you allows us to be able to be flexible. And make some changes that if needed either way. But right now we're looking at future inflation impacts of 5% compared to 3 in the past because of that's. >> That's what we're looking at here. is what our estimates are. Current estimates are as far as potential increases rate increases going forward. Yes, okay. I just want to make sure on that. This is a come radar. Just a 6.0. 1, 4%, across all tiers, correct? So every tier tier one tier 2 tier 3 is facing a as far as water goes. 0.7 for yes. That with the service contractors. Is this the most cost-effective way too to get the services going through service contractors. It be cheaper too, bringing this in-house. You talk about >> Fees. Just. >> Well, we contract out to as far as providing services for the. >> Well, yeah, can be cheaper to bringing in-house. Our challenge has been trying to hire staff and being able to keep them. Those were our challenge has been if you look at our water distribution group in particular. Or we've probably seen the highest rate of contractual needs. We probably my confident over time could do that or cheaper. We're just struggling to get folks to do that. >> And what's the expected revenue with increase and late fees. >> I don't know if we can. Take a guess at that right now. I appreciate asking that question because I asked that same question to I don't know what impact that's going to have. >> On it from one year to the next. It's not real consistent on the revenue from late fees. I would hope like 8 minutes and that may be. With her late fee that it could be we may see less. We may see more people making their payments on time. That would be our hope. Make a stop at a number and get back to Don't have that West. >> appreciate that. Yeah, I don't think it's going to have very much affect us too, getting people to pay on time. I think it's here. Yeah. paying your bills. That's there's a reason for that. That is one of the main concerns I have with us when Lee. Do we have any financial hardship program for people to waive possible late fees? >> Like I said, we'll we'll here's the best thing that people can do is not wait until after they've already got a late fee with a payment. The I think from the payment programs that we offer payment plans. The assistance programs. I can't tell you exactly. You what people's bills are and what their situations are, how much they might get from that. But there are so many opportunities out there. I mentioned the center of Hope. >> We're we $100 annual. A $50 annual towards their bill. They've got I've heard a lot of times. They've got programs that help provide an additional 2 or $300. So. >> There is assistance out there. I think our goal is making sure as much as we can. Everybody knows what that is. >> We here's our challenge with late fees. Not. Trying to be anything more than cover our costs, but hoping that everybody will do what they can to look ahead. Talk to us before they get to that situation. Because we've got 160,000 customers. If we're not careful. And how we go about dealing with late fees. We're going be here this from a lot of people about and then pay my bill. And here's why that becomes a real challenge for us to figure out. Who really impacting who was in effect mixes. Yeah, I understand. But I just also know that there's a number of families out there, >> Across an expected have to choose between. >> Paying their water bill and maybe medication or whatever the case may be. So I understood and not to belabor it and I'm sorry to our hope, our hope and recommendation and everybody has to come to before you get to that point. >> Let us find a way that they don't get to that point where they've missed paying a bill. >> And now we've got to talk about this whole late fee scenario will will do everything we can work with them as long as they get with us ahead of time. Yeah. Here also one of those. >> Like we see with the number of people who fall behind on their rent. I mean, this is a minuscule amount compared to what they do that sometimes it's just difficult to dig yourself hole when year. They're already behind. And in regards to this line right here be more helpful for us in the future to maybe see the the lower tier sunsets, mostly where our customers are in relation to because this is made here. So. What our most of our customers pay. What does that look like compared to the peer cities? For most of the coast so we can do that. I could. >> certainly do. The last time we take a look at that, there was an even bigger disparity and in a good that we're even more affordable issue will we can do that. >> And do we have any breakdown of as far as the late fees bite here as that? I would assume Tier one is it? Comparable to how many residents are in or do we have late fees from the higher? >> Life is based off of the current bill. That's do it doesn't matter what tears it was. I'm just curious how many people as far as to 6? Yeah, I don't know if we have that, but I could look, I I have that handy. We're talking here about the suggestion to start paying drive time. That was one of the suggestions that we include that in the water rates as well is paying for drive time to come out and address any issues. We have. Right. So so when we look at the breakdown. >> Of user fees, this is the same. I can remember when we look to our right, we use permits and our inspectors, this or abcd housing inspectors do that. Our inspectors in the city engineers office that are out inspecting work that's going on right away. It's a necessary part of what we do many years ago. We had not considered that factor and the costs that are associated with that. So it's quite simply rolled into cost recovery of the time included for someone to go make those inspections and be able to come back to their office. I don't think it had a big impact on some was more so others. And I was curious about what the >> what that added to as far as our rates and >> the last thing right now he was. but let me be clear. Sorry, do you get these user fees are separate from the This is just something we're doing at the same time, kind of all in. So so thank you for making me think of that. But you see here for user or direct user fees for those specific services. This is not included in our rate structure. Rates are not impacted by these user fees, fees for those specific services. Okay. >> Appreciate you clarifying that. The last thing I have right now is and when you hear it, they refer to that. We're having people come in and take a look at the the tears why do we stop at 100 and 10% of average winner and what that help if we but that down to 100%. What impact will that have >> Level rate. will part of our consideration. We we when we did the real quick look previously prior to entering states to the drought response plan. And wondered whether how this might impact things. We looked at that that will be part of our analysis with news. Jim, what are those are in the right place? theory, if you set out if you water our, you're going to go into tier 2, most like most likely now the not to confuse this. There's a reason why look at this average. Winter consumption is set at another 6,000 gallons a month regardless of what users, a lot of people out there that don't even use that. So they actually have a little bit of built-in cushion here because they're tear 2 starts 6600. Forgot my mouth, right? Yeah. They actually have some cushion before they get there. The those are the things we're looking at based on. Data from users. It's quite possible. We may at some point in time make a recommendation to change that. They've looked at what other communities done across the country. American Water Works Association really supports. This is a method for conservation. These numbers are fairly consistent with what many other communities doesn't seem to work pretty well. Okay. I was going ask very dark >> Is that 110 per cent com? >> I think it is. Yes, I think it is. I think makes sense that we're going look at that even more with new >> All right. Thank you. That's all I have for now. Councilmember Glasscock. Thank you, Mayor. I wrote tons of to try to go regarding what's a status quo. We don't increase rates. How much are >> so that we don't impact our future bond rating, which would be the most detrimental to us. What we would do is look even further under a cip. That's about the first place that we can go and we'll just have to start moving projects out. As a way to make sure that we don't end for that green line. Is that so that we can try to stay at that 100 to it? Because, again, long term, if our debt rating changes, this really starts to compound And and no matter what or rates are at that time, we've got a lot less buying power that and so I think the first thing we have to do is make some significant changes to the Capital Improvement program, which is again used a lot for maintenance of our system. And we've already done Even at the recommended rate. >> I just some deep concerns of 2023 are increases. 4.9, 4.9, 5% 2024. 5%. And now we're going to 6.1 4%. So we're seeing the percentage increase every year. And so have we ever consider just an automatic increase people can plan forward? Because at this point we're increasing the percentage every single years subsequently. >> I don't know that we've considered an automatic increase. I think we want to make sure that the council and the public are part of this discussion. Our customers each year. You know, everything I talked about today is trying to catch up to those past years. But our focus was really on rate stability, trying to stay right where we were based on 2019 projections. And we just can't do it anymore. I hope I hope you know what's going to happen even in the next year. But our hope is the 6.1 4% gets us in a better place going forward. But next year's not another full percentage. That's not what we think is going to happen right now. This spot is necessary thing to get us over where that the deficit was since 2019 and get us to a better place. >> We considered or have a program for automatic forgiveness of your first late fee. lot of individuals I know we have the aspiration that they're going to try to reach out to us prior to. That's not going to happen. people probably don't know any other resources. we have questions from the bench about the resources. I imagine the community has it automatic forgiveness of your first want to let them know. Hey, here are the resources available. >> We haven't. I don't mind looking at that. It might offer up mind or 2021 to 2023 annually. We averaged 10,000 payment plan or arrangement. People know we've offered this. They've asked they know there's assistance there. That's not just offering a payment plan that's also providing them those resources. 87% of those were broken in it. And I don't tell you that anything more than just the facts and the data. I think based on 10,000 a year, I think the word is getting out there. We will work with folks. Most of chosen not to move forward with so so we're still willing to do anything we can. I don't mind taking a look at kind of concerned. About. Now folks might take advantage of a late fee waiver. But we're starting with a look at it. >> I also probably echo Faisal concerns about I don't think the late fee incentivizes people. there's an increase of or a benefit, the community of going from one 5 to 5%. Especially that's not cost recovery and self already. So I have a few comments later, but I think that might be all the questions that have written. >> Councilmember Tuttle, thank you, Gary. Just because old and slow and I couldn't get it fast enough. And the >> users are Bo use. What was the is 3 dollars-and, OK, $3 in 2021 cents. powerful. It will go on. Online right after. just in case. But I just want to make sure that I had it. And then and Slade 94. So this talks mid-level residential users when we're comparing ourselves, I just want to be able when it making no comments or people ask me questions in the community. Most of our users are low level. If we looked at low-level, would it still be the same where we would probably be at the bottom of our peer cities in I-35 corridor? I think what I remember we'll take a look at the scent. The I think what I remember, we're still to bottom and I think there might even be a bigger gap. >> Between us and most other communities based on the lower level years or so. And it's something that was mentioned. I think we need to look at in the future. Okay. >> And then my other question regarding this slide and, you know, just anecdotally so we were talking about here, mid-level residential users, the slate previously we talked about not only residential but commercial in industrial. If we looked at our peers, cities for commercial and industrial, do you think that we would fare pretty well with peers. Cities along I-35 corridor. I think we probably would just based on her history of where we've been at with. >> Compared to a lot of them, this fairly minimal rate increases. I would say that we would be things can start to vary, especially the industrial side. When you see such a large water users, some communities do different things. When you get to a certain volume which can create other impacts. But I would guess with our history of rate increases and where they've been. And I I'm sure we'd still be there. And that same spot is concern, obviously. But anyone who calls himself which a 10 or any of our, you know, water consumers since we do supply 17% of the water to Kansans. >> But then in a vulnerable populations, but also our business and industry and want to make sure that, you know, they're they're also in our minds when Rican councilmember glass cut kind of was along this line. But it sounds like to you for everything that I'm understanding and I serve on the 2022. Cars Services Analysis Committee. And I remember having robust discussions that when we first looked at this in 2019, the world was very different than it was in 2022. And that's why know inflation and all the things that you did such a good of explaining. I really appreciate that because, you know, these conversations, Ortiz, even and they're not easy now. But if we don't do this, what that means is that we're going to have to cut other things for mercy, AP that would be. Official to the community. Is that correct? That's correct. Mayor, if I >> Council member, Gary, can you go back pie church? That shows how? The expense right? Yeah. Thank you. We spent a lot of time talking about this recognizing that raking recommendation to move off into 2019 >> great plan. And and so. As we discussed this at the staff level, we were very mindful of the work that the council has done over the last several years to solidify our position with the water and sewer infrastructure. It's easy to forget because so much of it is underground. It's not like putting your tire on a pothole, right? But I unfortunate reminder of what happens if there's disinvestment in maintenance is what we had with the water boil order when we significant main on the east side, a distribution main on the side. And so. Gary, give you a list of projects that are highest priorities and some projects that we are that we believe we can differ. But we finally I think I've gotten to a good place on maintaining aging infrastructure so that if you remember much of it is World War, 2 and it it is going to deteriorate. It's carrying liquids carrying water and fluent her sewage and there are elements are in those materials are of that will help deteriorate our pipes. And so there's we just have to be thoughtful about that. And if we don't put the right amount of money into our infrastructure, we will pay the price and unfortunately not just to increase cost, but it's failures which have significant impacts on residents. And I like I said, we took this very seriously and spent multiple months talking through options before we brought this forward for the workshop as well as today. Absolutely. In 100% knew you had. And that's why I want to ask the question that. >> You know, if we week some ways and I'll have comments you after everybody else and then we open to the public and we bring it back to the bench. But it seems to me like we we have to do this I do appreciate that were being is considered as we can with low-income residents, people who may be struggling because they're also feeling the inflation that's happening in our community. Like the fact that, you know, 10,000 of our 160,000 residents or in some sort of plan. And, you know, having a thoughtful discussion of the late fee and does it matter or not, but they're there comes a time, especially with our most precious resource that we have water in our community that, you we have to take steps to make sure that we protect and preserve it. and I this is part of it comments. Thank you. >> Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, mayor. Just one more quick question. And then I'll have some. It's a movie. Suggestion or whatnot during our discussion period. Are these late Do they also apply to at the at the same level to derby to any of our other water customers all of our water cuts. Well. >> We don't. So our whole so customers are 8 cities in 3 rural water district says part of our agreement. That's separate if they don't make payments us. We've got late charges for that. But those are our customers which saw and over are direct customers. Those are the ones that that late fee hour, our customers that we build those late fees where they apply. >> Do you know what the late fee rates are for? They're be or any of the others? I do all I can get that to. have to look and see what the also water Karina says. But think it's also probably a percentage of what they owe each year. >> Councilmember Glasscock. >> Thank you. 2 questions I noticed on Page 97 on the powerful enough to go to it. Good list of community centers, libraries, work. Listen, I don't have a community center in my area. I do have a library that people, ISIS, a community resource center, sometimes have we also provided all of these resources equally or library system. That's our community centers. >> I can't tell you that. But I think it's a great idea make sure to follow up sure that we And also thank you. >> And then at that, it's all half percent. Vice Mayor ballot. >> Thank you, >> how >> much is billed or collected early fees and how impactful as it overall to the budget? >> I and I apologize. I don't have that number. I can get it. Do you think it's significant? don't think it's significant. Not not. When you look at what 1.5% is. >> for average bill again and not trying to diminish that number. But if you right now, but this proposed rate increase, the majority of our users is $62.44. per month, somewhere around there, 1.5% Even if you've got half of those people paying a late fee, I suppose every month to the course of the year, it's not significant. It's from a revenue standpoint and it's certainly not getting as close to anywhere near what we need to be for cost recovery for our resource and staff time to be able to process late payments. And what happens then the ones that go to collections. >> Councilmember Glasscock to that question. This be a question for legal like a question for you, recommended actions of the city council approved the recommended rate and the adjustments. Is there a way to sever both of those in 2 separate votes today? >> Council member there that they do. I just have It's really more a recommendation for staff to the city manager. >> Can you please ask communications to stick? Can you stay on that slide regarding communications? Kerry? I know that there are multiple media outlets here and that's another way to get this information out. As you have mentioned, not everyone gets their information. Vo website some get it through social media. As we saw this morning, some get it our media partners through TV, others through other publications. So city manager, can you please ask communications too, see how he could? They can work with public works and getting this information to the library said Councilmember Class caucus mention, but also to some of our media partners. I know of got some questions regarding senior citizens and how they might be affected by the late fee. So working some of the, for instance, active age and other partners that help communicate like senior services over across with the county. Can. Can that be coordinated with communication? The city of which toss communications department an this assistance programs. Thank you very. We'll now open it up for public comment. >> Hello, Faith, apartments. Excite south jury on slide. 93. It talked about the rates for residential commercial and industrial. And I was just. And maybe this has been understanding with talked a lot about increases for residents. And residential rates. I didn't see. The comparison of how commercial rates and industrial rates were going up or down matter of fact, it looked like. If I fill up my pool, I'm paying the same rate as an industrial user. That's has 10 million gallons are using. So I'm just curious there. And I kept hearing the word choose. And I think it's fair. No one choosing not to pay their bill. They're forced to make some really hard budget decisions. It seems like. We keep hearing about how we have to spend more. We have to tighten her belt. And I think the city has been trying to tighten their belts as well, but not being able to hire staff. What's it like a big chunk of that? I don't think it's a good reason to increase the ladies. I got a text message while this conversation was going on talking about senior citizens that their sole security check comes in late. They may be assessed a late fee and it is completely out of their control. And I don't know that even the senior citizen population signed up for the bill. I don't have those numbers in front of me. But if they aren't signed up for bill and they're not being communicated and it's hard for them to let the city, though might check, came in late. I can still pay either. Still assess that fee. So I think it's really important to take those kind of things into consideration. And you guys may already do But when someone has a late payment when they're communicated, you have a late payment. Are all of the options for assistance and that late payment because I at one time in my life had to choose between. Prescriptions and paying a water bill. And I'll tell you what water bill comes until you're like, oh, water, bill. Just water just got turned off. So. if I would have known then how easy it was to give assistance that probably would have got it shut off or whatever probably would know. Got it set off because I would have done that ahead of time. But >> I don't many people know about it as you think they do. If 10,000 people took assistance, there's probably 25,000 people that needed it. The didn't take advantage of it. So that's to say thank you. >> Kerry, can you please address that? >> So the one thing I want to make just before forget. Unequivocally without doubt before anybody water gets shut off, their advised directly from staff of all the assistance programs that are available. So we work through that given the time that they need. Offer to set up a payment plan. What we're working through that before anybody's water shut off. So I'm confident we've got that part whether anybody saw anything about it prior to the Internet. That we work with closely and assistance programs. We focus on looking at the majority of our customers. Want to talk about residential rates. Most of the users are. 100 and 35,000 of our customers are residential customers. That's why we've kind of stay there. Commercial industrial generally are the same increase. But 3rd, a different rate. And so I mean, the comment about filling up the pool comparatively. Well, that just looks at is tier 1, 2, 3, rates still at the residential rates. But if you exceed your average winter consumption, no matter what it is that you're doing filling up a pool, water, ingress, whatever it might be. As you know, that rate structure, commercial industrial and different different rate structures, if you will. But for the purposes of what we're looking at today, the recommended increase overall impacts all the same or less. >> At follow-up regarding late fees. I know multiple questions for us from sending your e-mail council wants know the breakdown of the late fee payments by customers over the last couple years. Buy low mid and high level users and then break down the 10,000 payment arrangements over the last few years by maybe medium and high levels as well. Because I feel like there's going to be discussion regarding the late fee. And so. If you can provide that prior to or after. >> Okay, I we'll do everything we can trying to break down 30,000 payment arrangements over 3 years is probably going to be a challenge. And where are those that will see what we can do? >> Mayor VI can Councilmember Glasscock, I think kind of alluded to this in his comments. We you can defer action if you wanted to in late fees and we can bring more data back to you. And that will not impact the rest of action. >> We will continue with public comment. Good morning. I live in district Polo Club. My name is Twyla purity. I just have different comments. One of them is an overall kind of frustration I've had when I've heard presentations on water and it's a town that feels that to me. Sounds like. >> The burden should be more on citizen customers and residential customers versus commercial customers. >> And I don't necessarily agree with that town or and then I think even this lack of transparency on. commercial rates in and asked to rate and exactly how they compare. I think if we could see that transparency. Maybe I would be comforted feeling like yes, the commercial industrial taking their share. And that's not put on the residents. But I'm not seeing that. And I'm hearing something different. The tone and a lot of these presentations it just seems very commercial friendly. With commercial users. You know how many of those are delinquent? How many of those perhaps our friend with having their water shut off. Do they have different terms to what payment plants and so forth? A question. I don't understand why the rain relief. Shows up mostly in the last quarter doesn't really make much sense to me. And when they have 10,000 people on payment plans and a very small percentage of them. Just follow through on the plans. Does that mean that a large percentage have their water turned off or are they paying off the plants early? I would think if yet 10,000 folks with no water, there would be more of a an outcry about that. The cost recovery for late fees. can But let's talk about the assistance programs. It bothers me that they're not codified. So when you say, you know, the staff has a great feel, does that mean that somebody I care about? You know, it's still luck of the draw when they call an, you know, a dog, get somebody who is going to be compassion are helpful or somebody who's had a really day. Then maybe because not codified. That's just very concerning. And I would hope that you would be concerned about that. The the feast, the $35 fee for return. Check for small banks are charging exorbitant fees for that too. So by the time you have a bank fee and then what the city charges, it's probably more than Somebodys water bill. That $35. If it's the payment is rejected. Okay. So it's not a timer. Oh, hold on. Here we The 34 if the electronic payment has rejected. That goes right to what face was saying before senior citizen and their Medicare check their Social Security check command. But they've set up for automatic payments. Then there they are. They're stuck with a pretty significant fee. So and have compact concerns about that. that I would just encourage you to really ask for data across the residential commercial industrial. See the whole package and just make sure that the residents aren't carrying unnecessary burden of all this. Thanks for your time. Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, What is the parent? Charge that we have 4 rejection of payment. All right. As that question sorry. What's the current charge for rejection payment? $35. So that's what we currently have $35. Yes. City manager late. >> Thank you, mayor. There were 2 items that came up in the last comment that I I wanted to address. First of all, the issue of residential versus commercial industrial councilmember Total talked about cost service analysis that we perform. actually, we bring in a consultant to help us review the classes and what their pain. And we have the council of past unleashed. At least 2 occasions has adjusted rates where they felt that a class was over pain in comparison to the other. So we tried to make sure that the burden is reflective is equitable across all of our customers. So it's not we don't necessarily. In fact, I think in the past we have given rate relief to residential because we felt that they were being over charged relation to commercial industrial. I think that was the result, possibly the 20 to study that we did. The other thing is regarding payment plans. We do have guidelines for payment plans, but we provide discretion for our callers in the call center. call takers in the call center to be able to work within those guidelines and give them a little bit of freedom to try to recognize unique circumstances of each customer that's calling in. >> We'll continue with public comment. >> Good morning. So let's reset. So one thing I want to start with, I want to separate into 2 parts and the first part is the background of where we're at now. So it's really frustrating to hear we're facing a debt crisis because when I've spoken up here in the past 5 years, I have repeatedly told you we're facing a debt crisis and now that's the excuse I'm hearing today for why we must do this rate increase with late fees. Additional charges on the users of our water. And I think that's frustrating to me because as an account of ward, you all that we were hitting our debt ceilings and our current rate credit rating has already dropped once, which means higher interest payments on the debt. And so here we are backing ourselves into a corner. And I heard it right from staff. We could face another drop in our credit rating. So after 5 years of trying to speak before you had some of your new, but some of you have been here and you have your terming out. It's frustrating that I try to bring you solid advice is an accountant and a fraud investigator and give you the facts. So here we are in a debt crisis. The contract also with the water plant was mishandled. So that's frustrating to it involved a former mayor. We won't go there. But a golfing trip led to the awarding of the contract. So here's a direct impact of cronyism. The other thing I want to say is I want to focus on late fees because I appreciate the comments that came from some of you regarding late fees as an account. And there's no reason on Earth why staff member can't give you statistics on who is typically late, how much that usually runs that their past due. You can do excel worksheet on huge amounts of numbers and sort to find that information you do when you make these decisions and it alarms me when staff says, I don't Or I guess you should get facts from your staff before you make these decisions. And that alarms me, too, because again, I've been asking for this for 5 years. But anyway, to late face, what the situation was late fees is alarming is that it's a 300% increase and people who this is going to impact the most and what it reminds me of is when I was a payday lender, fraud investigator for the FDIC and people who are low-income, hardworking, blue collar families when they have late fees and then they have returned check fees and then they have the fee that you're charging them for a bounced payment. This racks up really fast and it reminds me of payday loans, which I used to bring down when I was a fraud investigator. I think what you should do separate this from the discussion. Get statistics from staff because that's what they're paid for. And then I would also offer a carrot with the stick with whatever late fee you come up with, why don't you send a notice with that first late fee and offered to waive it if they come into the office and set up a payment plan and signed off on it. Waive that fee because that's the carrot that saying if you come in to get help because you're in a desperate situation, we'll work with you and to show good faith will actually waive the fee. So that's my suggestion. Anyway, I would get more answers from staff and I appreciate the thoughtful questions that were coming from several view from the bench. Thank you. Vice Mayor Ballot. Thank you, Mayor. >> Celeste, I like your idea waiving the fee, but we also know that transportation is a huge barrier to so I don't know. I don't know I'd be happy to brainstorm some more ideas. I really do like the idea of. Trying to find a way to help mitigate the feat. But I do know that transportation is just another barrier to kind of put away. push your comments. We'll continue with public comment. I see none. I'll bring it back to the bench. Councilman pick last caught. >> Thank you, mayor. Just a few comments. I'm looking forward to seeing how we can have the conservation water rates. I think that's needed to make sure being good stewards of the environment and good stewards or resources as well. And that will present probably additional financial challenges. People are taking advantage of conservation that could present or challenges. But I think conservation has to be a priority we think people no what happens at this bench, but they often don't. And I been here. months now and every day I found out about a new program, the city offers or a resource that we offer. And if I don't know about it, I can guarantee you that 99% of my constituents also don't know about it as well. And so I am supportive mention my comments about forgiveness, approach towards the first late payment. quick NASA. Let's correct me if I'm wrong, anyone as well. So let's say the doesn't set up automatic payment. They have a rejection notice because they withdrawn. That's $35. And then $42 to be able shut off for nonpayment. That doesn't include turning it back on as well. So looking at $117 before they turned back on. That is significant for someone and that's it. The $77. Plus the $40 of what a 6.1 point 6.1 4% increase comes out $217. That doesn't include turning back on and then create a cycle and then the somebody can't pay because they have a late hit 117 and they it creates a system. And so I think we do have address that. And I will be making a motion at some point unless someone else does prior to sever the rate of adjustment as well, the late fees because that is significant people, icing people that have margins where they are counting their budget by the sense and you're adding $117 that could put people in the cycle. Then they're choosing again between medication or food. And so I'm very interested in waiving the fee for the first time making sure that people know about or consistent ability directly to them. Hey, here are the resources we offer and especially with what more than $200,000 and are accountable help people pay Mont. And we only use 66,000 of it this year. So far, we have significant more ability to be able to help pay men as well. I think those are majority of my comments. But looking for here in discussion for my colleagues as well. >> Vice Mayor Ballard, thank Year I was just going to ask legal what that would look like because I agree with Councilmember class Catholic to separate the 2 until we can get more data on late fees. >> Vice one option is to just request that before. Second reading the delete the portion, which is really or on late charges. Until further notice maybe another way to do it or we could just leave it as is tougher to carry. And by because this is an ordinance in it. Again for speeding today. >> Yeah, and think that's one less. >> I'd be happy to entertain after comments. Councilmember Tuttle, thank you very much. And Gary, I just want to thank you and your team for your exceptional work on this. And I know it's unfortunate that rates are increasing. >> No one likes that and glad that this pensions being cognizant of the most vulnerable in our community. And it sounds like maybe he'll be in option for something we can do. But I just want to highlight a couple things that I think are good that deserve to be given accolades on Slate. 83, you talked about, you know, part of the reason for the increase is because chemicals have cost more operating management costs. More. The one thing to that we've dealt with the staffing and I know that lurk wake and others on your team have just an exceptional job trying to make sure that we're able to staff are brand new water treatment plant and keep functioning. What we have and then think about what we'll do with the plant in the future for redundancy. So, you know, like I mentioned, the world has changed significantly since we went into this in 2019, since we did the cost of services analysis in 2022. And now here we are in 2024. With record-breaking inflation and things that are out of our control. But we have to still deal with the other Ackley that I do want to give is that when you look at our peers, cities in the I-135, the I-35 corridor there, 6 cities that we often compare ourselves to Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, we're lower than all of them. And we have a brand state-of-the-art water treatment plant that's getting ready to go online next year. So I I would think that that the other communities are peer communities along this corridor, which can be of us to not only have the infrastructure that we have, but also the low rates that we're continuing to maintain for. Residents for industry in for commercial that is not lost me. I I look forward to the discussion of the late fees. you know, for folks or industry or commercial who are late or aren't able to pay. We've heard about examples in the news where it's not just residential that don't pay and we have to shut off water supplies. So but I just want to say thank you to you and your public works team for your exceptional work on this. Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you, mayor. Another quick question. This $35 insufficient funds fee. Is that something that we our charge from the bank as well for. So that's. >> That's just passing that cost on. Yes, And that's $35. Okay. I don't know if there's. Well from the bench to put that on hold as well or take a look at that time. let's take what I would recommend if you don't mind me jump. And then as >> everything I've heard, I think it makes sense to put the late fees of from there. And I think we can reopen that same part of it. Everything that goes into, I think Councilmember Glasscock did a good job of breaking down. What could happen here potentially. And so I think we could come back at a later time and talk about the process. What leads to? fee for nonpayment shut off all those things. How this timing works and we can include bank fees, whatever it might be with all of that together. And I think we could have a better discussion. Lay all this out together by itself. I know it cost the city, but >> we're really looking at trying to make some change for people who are struggling to pay their I think that's something we need to look at as well. >> Vice Mayor Ballard. Thank you, Mayor. I was just going to make a motion us. Don't comment. So public >> good Council are vice mayor. >> It I believe you make a motion for the ordinance with the deletion of Section 4 late charges that will get you where you want to go and then will bring back data for you at some point in the future on the lead. >> Charges to just read the motion with the exception of Section leading Section 4. So just before, just to be clear, there's there's new rules and there's Roman numerals in this. So it's it's under section 2 Roman Numeral for in the water ordinance. The late charges section that I think you're wanting to. >> So that think that recommended action approval recommended rate and fee adjustment ordinance on first reading and authorizing necessary signatures. With exception of that. Section, 2 revenue rose 4 that eliminates charges Section. We have a motion and a second any further discussion. I would just add a couple of comments really quickly. I think the number one we need to focus on education. So I really, again will encourage the city manager to work with the communications department. >> To help educate our community about the programs that are available. Number 2, this is about cost recovery, making sure that we are making intentional investments. And I think Jerry mention, quote, We will pay the price such as failures like the water boil advisory. If we don't continue making investments like this. And with that, I will be voting in the affirmative because we have a plan towards education costs, recovery in investment. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none that a clerk, please open the. Motion passes 7, 0, will take a short break 15 minutes. We will return at one 15. And we will continue the council meeting. To the council meeting. Madam Clerk, can you please call the next item? Chisholm Trail Parkway Park designation and naming? >> if go. Good afternoon, America. Also before you today to talk about the Chisholm Trail Parkway designation and naming. It's a little background on this on August, the 20th of 2019, the city Council adopted Elaina neighborhood plan as an amendment to the community investment plan. This will include a recommendation to redevelop the former Missouri Pacific Railway corridor, north of Douglas, between all artisan and Sycamore to youth path. Part of the well way the land was planted as Pearl Street beginning April 2024. Construction has won the way, but on the way to develop discuss from west of position Street Sates improve is expected to be completed thought this month. In addition the 10 foot bicycle pedestrian path, additional contest with sidewalks, landscape parking and the dog park and included in these improvements. Does a designs have been prepared to add an inclusive playground to the west end of the space into future improvement. So now says the list of benefits tune in for the City Department of Parks and Rec is doesn't in this part Space Park's and rec and more efficiently allocate resources when planning and you may miss in budgets and identifies capital improvements needs also maintaining the property into a park, supple, folio, apartheid funding and staffing assuring the amenities of capping conditional line with community needs. And Houston veterans by city ordinance, Parks and authorized to prohibit a campus and designated parts bases but not other public spaces. Parker, it work coordination with the home is always teen and relocating individuals that cameras there for to adjust to the public safety and health concerns for that. You lost city of Minot E. So continuing analysis of this into 20 10 of the Board of Park Commissioners, you not only voted to recommend that the City Council doesn't ad property as a park in a minute says Intro Parkway. A representative from Toledo Neighborhood Association is to de-escalate supported in a compliance with the city policy. Number 13, neighboring and public facilities of land to board up. Our commissioners is acting as a naming committee on to the policy and considering proposing the part. The name is a recommendation. Dana cases apart by historical and geographical landmarks. So financial legal considerations, the financial impact would be limited to the continued maintenance of the land. It costs us all scientists to designated areas apart and the costs would be minimal and be funded within a 2025 adopt a budget for park maintenance. The law has reviewed and approved a resolution to form. And recommend action is that recommend City Council, doesn't for use as a park in the real property owner on didn't control of the city along Pearl Street partisan to Sycamore Street approve the name of the park. That's just intro parkway. Adopt a resolution and authorizing necessary signatures stand for any questions. >> Thank you, Reggie. We'll begin with Councilmember Glasscock think Jen. Thank you, This is kind of a questions. Suggestions wonder the financial considerations. I know says that it would be limited. Hard numbers might be helpful for the future as well. I know, there's one line here, install signage to designate the area as a park. I remember a vote that take in one of our first votes. The council I was about signage, summer parks and the signage was pretty significant swell. And if in the future, may be a qualified number. What the signage cost. Give an estimate of that right now. I can actually gather that costs and I know we produce a sign is internally to our Parks would include just or distance there. >> Along with the park operation hours in operating hours. So I don't know. Gary, who's here has estimate of what that cost is what we produce. Tulsa. >> So may not be the same signs that we purchased earlier this year have a partisan nations because those multiple thousands of dollars. >> I think we need some time to talk about that because we were trying to standardize the new signage. So what will we'll get something back. OK? Sounds good. Thank you. I appreciate this. >> Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you, mayor. Just quick question. Was there no like? Support for, you know, Poetry Parkway instead missed. Okay. I guess not. Thank you. Appreciate >> Reggie, I actually have questions specific to this initially. I was. I had 137 parks than 140 park. 44 parks, and then another number was 100. 46 parks. But when I asked this question, the answer was that different number. And so I'm really wanting the community to have the actual number of parks. So my question is. What number will this be in terms of number of parks and how many parks to we actually have? >> So we actually have 120 which are designated as development as actual part. This will be the number one. 21 and there are other spaces that are identified that are there. That may be that unknown parts which may consist of like all the Hill golf course in other spaces that we have that may be in the number that you they've been referenced earlier. >> It was actually not by reference. It was the previous director of Parks who gave that number. So I just want the community to know the number that has been shown multiple locations, including visit Wichita at 144 parks is inaccurate. So really this will be parked number one. 21. >> And then there 8 not on parks correct. >> That is correct. We actually have the parts that are designated as not actual park clinic of a potential use as planned in the future. And then we have additional parts that are non parks that already golf courses in other spaces that may be referencing this 18 of those. >> I know that we're still going to have comprehensive study regarding the park system. Can can the city manager give us an update? Yes, mayor, thank you the >> there are about 10 projects that we're working to complete by the end of the year. As in preparation for the budget, the preparation of an RFP for the conference of Bar for the Park plan. Update is included in that. There's a draft right now that sun, I think its final phase and we'll be sharing that with the council before we go out. So make sure that we're all on the same page, both the Park board and the council before we solicit proposals. >> And do we know the ongoing costs to maintain this new park? But will that be? >> I don't know the exact amount, but it's something that we're currently maintaining now. So wouldn't be an additional cost for. We would just be continuing as part uses. Now have some other destinations with being able to allocate resources in the future if we need to for future improvements. >> I see no further questions for staff. We will open it up for public comment. Any individuals who would like to speak? Seeing none. We'll bring it back to the bench. This resides in Vice Mayor Ballard's district. Thank you. May would like to take the recommended action designated for use as a park. Any real property owned in under the control. The city along Pearl Street from Martin's into Sycamore Street proof the naming of the park as Chisholm Trail Parkway adopt the resolution authorizing necessary signatures. I will second that motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none before that, though. Can we please update the website to reflect all this new information regarding the parks? >> Yes, we'll make sure we designated by those numbers so which ones are not actual parks. Thank you. >> Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Use agreement for Napster Park patio. >> have to know Mayor Council Reggie Davis, again, the used a user agreement for the national Park patio space. So I told first of 2019 council approved the use of agreement between the city of Wichita in a Douglas Development, LLC for portion of national part provides a space where the and the strip land running parallel to the development adjacent to NASA. Part approximately 765 square feet. The initial turn for the rent was for 3 for $2000 for 2.5%. increase over each year with options since we prepare a renewed agreement with both initial term and officers have been exhausted. So a contractor is agreed to. contractors agreed to increase rental rates for their renewal. The initial term expiring on December 31st of 2021, the court sides with the lease between the Douglas Development LLC and the tenant homeroom. The Des area will be used solely for outdoor dining, including including the service of food and are calling on alcoholic beverages. serving of alcohol require proper permitting and follow the state. All state laws and developer will planners that are in that area. That is typically please. then a fight that area where they're actually serving the alcohol in the compliance with because I call the Beverage Commission a regulation for being able to offer those services. The board of Port commissioners on the property doesn't made about of use agreement aboard his into agreement assignments with number of entities for the use of park properties and facilities due to the thank about the rise in the use property for 4 Park Corporation. Some cops as well as consumption. Not all beverages on premises. Staff is recommending city Council ratification postscript. >> Any questions for staff? I see none. Thank you. Reading or I'm sorry. Sorry. >> So the interviews for the 4th is $3,000 for the first year. The agreement and the few increased by 3% for the succeeding year. Well, the initial turn and there will be extended for one-year options with the user fee will be negotiated and revenue from the agreement will be directed back to the Park and Recreation operating budget. And has been the law department reviewed and approved the use Some form and has recommended the city Council ratified use agreement and authorizing necessary signatures. >> Councilmember Alaska, thank you, mayor. This question before I think 100 can get a slight 117. The few should be increased by 3% for each succeeding year. The initial term I know the council has previously our budget allocation in August helps maybe the enforcement of contracts and the automatic room are we have a systematic? We have something in place now that will see the 3% each year know that's been. The challenge and some contracts previously. >> with the direction that I believe we receive from the council's to be mindful of ongoing increases our lease agreements. I think they're going to come back to you in different forms. Some will similar. This 3% to reflect are estimated cost living. We do have some contracts are coming to you in the near future. We're trying to play catch-up. So we're actually going to have larger increase because we believe that they were bull market to begin with. And then we have some that are going to be stairs. And so we may bring something with a recommendation. 4 3 to 5 years at a certain rate and then a significant increase after But we're mindful of the fact that the council make sure that we're escalating with markets so to speak. So yes escalation with market, but is it going to be each department has handled with that escalation of self-rule, be in-house and finance to make sure that person the escalation. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. Yes, we've put into place are actually Aaron Turner, all internal auditors helping with review of those has also come up with procedures provide guidance to all the departments on monitoring. Contract performance making up. >> Any further questions for staff? I see Thank you, Reggie. open it up for public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. This resides Councilmember Johnson's district. Thank you, Mayor. >> I would move that city for City Council ratified the use agreement and authorizing necessary signatures. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Golf course. Pro shop services contracts. >> All right. Hello again. Justin Kaufmann manager, the golf Division. This is in regards to the golf course. The golf Pro Services contracts. Some background on this topic. We again, we have for municipal golf courses that are operating under the golf division that are under the umbrella of the Department Parks and Recreation. Those are to be Auburn Hills McDonald and tax can soccer park and rec manages clubhouse activities and retain city employee golf professionals at the courses. And since 2001 agreements have been into effect between the city and the golf professionals to provide pro shop sells and services as Lisi separate from their city. Important. Analysis of this topic, the intent of the agreement says to assign responsibility to the leases for stalking aug off related retail items at the facilities. Every move city liability for golf, apparel and equipment and eliminates the need for city inventory. City-owned inventory. Police seize will provide a minimum of 40 hours of private golf, less lessons annually at a rate approved by the city. The force base of the clubhouses in the pro shops will be leased to the golf professionals for 5% of the gross cells, including golf lessons to be remitted to the city monthly proposed agreement will be affective through December 31st of 2025 with the option to renew for additional one-year terms, the prior existing agreements will be terminated upon execution of the proposed new agreements. To further reduce liability and increase transparency, transparency between city and see the proposed agreements have been amended with the following changes. The least. He will agree to complete a quarterly inventory of merchandise for review by the city. Police say it will close accounts with merchandise vendors within 30 days of contract termination and any merchandise received after that point is Ali sees responsibility. And the city merchandise buyout. In case of a termination is limited to $50,000. The Board of Governors Reviewed Golf Board of Governors reviewed and unanimously unanimously approved The agreements at a special meeting on November. 26. Financial and legal considerations based on past performance. These agreements will provide estimated revenue of around $20,000 annually to the Gulf and and the law department has reviewed and approved the contract as to form. And a recommended action by staff is. It is recommended that the city council approved the contract for Golf course pro shop services and authorize the necessary signatures. And I'll stand for any questions. >> Thanks, Jesse Councilmember Jaisol. Thank you, You talked about it that the golf board. Okay. the vendors to go and essentially what was the application process like? Is it just open application in? Everybody? That's on it like assist open and they need pick the top 4. >> No. The so the golf pro. This is the least. He would be the golfer, obviously. And they determine what products they carry us their money on the line. They have an LLC. It's their product. The Gulf forward. Just they reviewed the these contracts between the city and the gospel. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm not the golf pros going to do. proves the Gulf going and there's that something that the Gulf Board approves. >> Yeah. I mean, there it would be the golf pros that are employed by the season would be just like. So that go through the hiring process, hard to pro and then they cost just see a higher Pros. Okay. for sure. Is that okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. The only other question says talks about a reasonable rate for golf lessons for the 40 hours a year. Do they usually, though, more than 40 hours? >> It's been very difficult the last few years because we've been short staffed and we've been so busy that it's hard for them to take time away from the shop. So they're doing a lot of outside of their normal hours. But yeah, they definitely have so many group lessons and your lessons that are part of that also so that their spread pretty thin. But when they do try to do as many as possible, we want to make that option available to as many citizens that want those private lessons as possible. >> Okay. And then we just take like an average of golf lessons. And that's the reasonable rate that they. Right. And there's a little bit of. >> So when a golfer is given lessons, they have their own kind of their in their methods and how we do it. So some people want to do hold off Rosewood. 45 would rather do it hour and 15. It all depends on their teaching method and how they do that. So the rates or individual by the golf pro the Gulf were approved the race pace. thank you. >> Councilmember Johnston. If we back into a number of how much merchandise and offices are given. 5% for any. We come up for $1000. It seems I think that number. Can be increased for all the golf courses sales, all the golf courses. Plus golf lessons. It could be in it slowly been increasing over the last 3 years. And I expect that to continue. >> And the other thing, the process birch and going up with everything that will bring in more yeah, I definitely think there's opportunity again, the merchandise. There's opportunity from the western side. It's having staff where they can do more of these lessons and get out of the clubhouse what the ability to leave the club to do the lessons to increase ever. >> I know Auburn Hills, that's a lot for tonight. And of course, name not so much so Auburn Hills and tax are the top They have the volume there at Texas crazy. And then the clientele at Auburn just and always had very we'll stop Roche up and working on that at the other 2 as well with the rent clubhouse renovation. So I think that will slowly increase. You know, you're >> I see no further questions for staff. We'll open it up for public comment. >> It appear don't have a time right now. Thank you, district one. I live in Polo club. Number one just not a call for a businesswoman, right? So some of the stuff I'm just looking for clarification. This 5% is that typical and other communities, 4 pro. So they're ready. I understand out there paid by the city. >> And then. They have an incentive, I guess to stay. And and so stuff. >> They're only good enough force to do 40 hours of lessons in a year. Kind of like a sweet open a medical press. I don't know that much about it. At $20,000, approx met. I guess that's all 4 golf. Golf courses since like really low. So I guess maybe a little disappointed that you guys don't have a lot of data. You know, by golf course, how many hours of lessons I mean, is that quantified? All right. They hold into to the contract that they're doing the minimum of 40 hours. 5%. And what exactly approximately 20,000. Maybe you should see exactly which golf courses are bringing to It's I don't know. You're asked to make a decision and you're asked approve a contract that's going on. For a year. And how long is this 5% been in place? Just lots of questions. And I don't know, I think about cough. But from a business standpoint, that seems a little murky. >> Vice Mayor Ballard. Thank you, mayor. to that and the answers any of her. >> Questions concerns. >> Yeah. So I mean to address the is a standard. There are multiple ways to set up this the situation. So you could have a typically if if the city owns the pro shop, the salaries are going to be a little bit higher because the supplements salary. So it allows us to bring them in at a little bit lower cost and the liability. We don't have the liability if their staff to the merchandise, it's it's their merchandise. They ensure it. It's it's on them. So takes that liability away. As far as the 20 out or the 40 hours of lessons that some minimal and we can track that. We can look and see exactly how many lessons amid done and they do considerably more. That is just said in the contract is a minimum requirement. They do more than that. The other theirs. A few different ways. You can do it. That was set up that we have here. There are other mean I work for a municipality that we on the pro shop and that's the pros made a lot more in salary of the problem with that was the liability. When something happened. I had to be some kind of disciplinary measures in place over. It was a responsible for stolen merchandise. Things like that. The other way is we own the the merchandise and we pay a commission on again. That puts the liability of theft in our hands so there's there's. Different ways to set up the situation. 5%. I believe that has been the same number that's that's been in place since the beginning of the contracts in 2001. Try think of everything she brought up. Any anything else I can touch on. >> Just maybe that. I think maybe she littered that were like data or in some of these areas. But you do track all of these things. Just don't have it. >> Can get you part of that, right? I can look up And so, yes, I do. Of course, by course. >> Yeah, get you anything. You need. Thank you. Councilmember Johnston. One thing I do know it's retail. Spent 36 years and it's so I mean, typical retail. Your rent is 5 to 8%. Utilities are one to 2% chance 20%. I mean, it all comes up to about 90%. Cost it may be is a little bit of a sweetheart deal. But I will tell you that these pros are not paid market rate. Versus other golf courses that the competing against. So it is it does supplement their income. It's it's really. Everybody thinks really glamorous to be a. Golf pro. And I play with former golf pro in a city courses. His joke is he was a golf pro for years to get. He got promoted to be a truck driver. He dressed here St. Louis and back every day as a team. But anyway, it's really hard job, but it's a long, long hours. It's very demanding. It's not the glamorous, but you think it is. And it is hard to get away to get lessons. But it is important give lessons. think is. The golf pros have been very proactive about. And Jesse has been programs for for women. It lays in the golfing getting juniors and a golfing. First, MacDonald also junior programs I've seen tax Auburn both so getting more people into the game. So there's a lot more that goes into it and just what you think it does. I don't have a problem with that at all. wind gusts, no numbers vary. Tell you tell me. I'll tell you what, there. >> Councilmember whole Jaisol. Thank you. Mayor of are just in. This one just popped and 9. Could you talk about some of the oversight mechanisms we've put in place to just ensure that there's no abuse going on with. Any other golf pros in cycles. The golf courses? Sure yet. the way we everything goes through our system, every lesson, every march so goes through our system. We collect that money and then we pay them the the 95% off of that. So we we can track all souls now. >> You know, the one they step outside and so something out of cash, we you know, we can't track that how you really do that. Even if we on the Martian dust. But we do track all of the cells. We track all of the lessons we track all of the the programming you're talking about. So we can we can keep up what's going on. We can compare course, by course. And we do and I've got some kind of developmental plans with some of some of the 8 pro kind as strengths and weaknesses and each course is a completely different set up. It's different lay out different operation. So trying to maximize those things, using that data to figure out what are your strengths, what your weaknesses and how do we improve? >> Any further public comment? Seeing none. We'll bring it back to the bench. This councils. 6, There was a motion. >> I that the city council approve the contracts for the Golf course pro shop services and authorizing necessary. >> Motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. clerk please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Wichita intervention program Guard services. >> Mayor members of the council, Nathan Emery Court administrator, which time municipal courts. The background of the city of Wichita, requires defendants convicted of a first-time DUI spend 48 hours in custody. Most of those utilize our which intervention program. It was started in 1984 and it is. At intervention Slash program that occurs in a non jail setting. this contract is for one aspect of that. That's the security We also have a housing piece and educational piece. And so those pieces all fit together to create a program that allows people to receive very intense education on the custodial and environment. That's not. We also provide this service 2 courts that are outside the city of which like a the 18th judicial circuit and other municipalities. We requested proposals. To provide the security arrangement only received star current vendor those are the hourly rates for for the guards. And it's it is a within the constraints of our adopted budget for the program. What I will say from monetary aspect. court has tried to keep this program very accessible to people. So 4 from 2005 to this year. We kept the program at the same rate $250 this year. We looked raised it to $300. During that time. It either been revenue neutral or, you know, collections have exceeded. What what the program projected to work the collection's exceeded the cost. The program in 2019, average about $201, a person. The program for 40 people averages $277 right now. So we're collecting about 8% over. This contract will make it about $310 in cost per person. And right now we charge 300 so it will work. Were. Current rate. We would be recouping 96.5% of costs. because we've we've always sought to be revenue neutral will end up having discussions with our judges and figuring out. How what what structures we're going to need to remain revenue neutral, at least. But at this. Current rate and with this contract, we would already be recouping 96.5% of costs. Been reviewed by city law and the recommended action is that the city council approved the contract with Ventec Enterprises and authorize the necessary signatures. And I'll stand for any questions. Thank you, Nathan. >> Questions for staff beginning with councilmember class Com. Thank you, mayor. How many we can see or do we do this? >> It varies on volume. So we try to make sure that we get 40 people, the volume utilization has gone down. A bit over time. We don't know if that is going to be a trend that continues. We saw. >> We're for from our court just over. >> Close to 450 individuals last year with just over 300 individuals referred from outside agencies and so just as we we worked really hard with our partners to make sure we're scheduling and not taking slots that they can use for other enterprises. So we've reduced some of some of our volume, but it really just depends you know, we do the number of classes that the volume requires. >> Does this occur immediately following their arrest or could this be 9 months later? Yeah. So the judges typically give them a period of time to schedule it and has to occur typically within their probation period. >> And so all that is monitored by a probation officer cause This would be a person who's been convicted DUI and that's what up a component of their probation. The other folks might this could be a component of their diversion programs. So that would also be requirement within a time frame. And if they don't do within the timeframe that would failed or diversion and they can choose this over kale, correct. >> And then >> they're its full user fees associated with So. >> So as I was saying before, it has been, you know, an is right now, this change is going to have to will force us to discuss how we we remain revenue neutral structures. We want to adopt to continue that because we're going be about. $11. More expenses than a lot this. It's very close. >> Councilmember Jaisol, thank you, Thank you. Nate. I think I asked says every time this comes up, what's the recidivism rate for this program? So typically it's it's very, very low. We saw we saw uptick that we're still trying understand to about 6%. >> In 2022, but in 2021, it was 1.3, 2% in 2020. It was. >> 1.3, 5. And so those are very traditional recidivism rates. So this is a very, very successful program over time. We see a very low recidivism rates coming out of this program and it was just weird uptick last year. Yeah, you know it. We had, you know. A number that it was surprising to us and we're still looking at what those causes might Appreciate >> Having the 5 guards there and then I believe the 2 guards always there is that our own requirements is that of our own standards? It is. It is. So it's it's both to maintain, you know, kind of control over folks in a custodial environment, also to keep them safe. >> And and the environment and ensure that people are drinking are doing the things are doing. >> Negative behaviors and this hotel. So without them, it wouldn't be a custodial environment. It would just being hotel. Stay. So they're really a critical component of this program. >> Or the regular incidents that happened at these not very often. I. >> I can't remember the last time I got a call where I needed to handle something. There. So it's it's a pretty well maintained, could pretty good running program and structure also worked really hard with security to make sure that folks are complying are safe and are getting really good instruction over the course that we can. >> Okay. says here that they are an armed guard. So was that include mace or tasers or anything like that. Are we? >> No. If they had a situation, they would they would call the police. They are trained security. But we we didn't want them to have those type of apparatus is. In that environment. You know, it is supposed to be an instructional educational environment. The more you introduce those types of implements the last, alas, it is. that okay? I appreciate >> Maybe that I have few questions regarding this. >> First and foremost, what was the actual her? Our rate for guards and supervisors previous to this new contract. >> I believe that was as Courtney, you. Our previous contract. >> It was it was 13 81 15. 86. The security company has seen a substantial uptick insurance costs associated with with participating in this program. And additionally, they're very much struggling, like many others are too higher. Appropriate staff we've seen an improvement in the quality of staff at some point, we did see some problems, certainly haven't been seeing problems with that quality. it is a very large increase from the previous numbers. >> So getting this correctly, it was 13 81. It's now 28, 15 for guards is it was 15 86 and will now be 29, 15. Her supervisors. So my biggest concern is actually cost recovery. I asked this question via email to you and I know that you mentioned it's now 96%. The initial. She actually still had to 50. So my question is what are ways that we are trying to. Chilly. Look at cost recovery back to you, sir. Him or herself. >> What I would say is we've we've been committed to cost recovery costs recovery throughout the program. When we have increases that occurred and 2023 due to our contracting the new Hotel. We ended up doing that through increasing user fees. So we bumped it from 2.52, 3.10, I think we've shown that we've we've been pretty responsible costs recovery aspect throughout the pendency of this program. And I we will we will continue to do so. So off to sit down with our judges and look at what models we want to engage to ensure that we are still covering all the costs incurred through. This will providing valuable service. >> So the roughly 10 to $11 that we don't recover is my concern. It bothers me that it's not being again Newt role or at least even just that slight upper recovery. Can you help us figure out what are ways that we can look at. Full recovery even right now before vote. >> Yeah. So. The easy, the obvious and easy solution is that we would increase user fees to a number that is above, you know, the cost. You know, so whether that's to 3.11, or 3.25, or 3.50. It could also be that there's a tiered. Costs system where we charge slightly more for folks who are outside of our jurisdiction to make sure that, you know, we're providing a she a relatively inexpensive and effective service to people in our community while still offering it to others outside of our community. So there's a variety of of ways that we could look at doing that and and plan on looking at doing that. And those are just 2 examples out of out of the kind of portfolio of options. >> You say outside of our jurisdiction. So outside of what other agencies utilize the sun currently, we're not. We're keeping it at the same exact participation fee for both which it the non tons. >> Currently, that is the case. So right now the 18th Judicial Circuit uses our services and there are also several other municipal courts that will send folks to use our services. >> Or you with idea other >> The percentage. We'll have the percentage. But I can tell you, Jerry. Winfield, we get Selena has a program. They're just not offered as often. So we get a lot from Salina. think right off the top my head and over. We get a lot for me and over and a lot of small town jurisdictions. They they contract with the probation office. South Central Kansas. So he sends a lot So those are a lot of really, really small jurisdictions that come through that probation, that he senses a Lions team. Chris Davis runs that program so he'll send us quite a few. It. He's probably our biggest user. That's an outside. >> So looking at the percentage with the change in the state law. That doesn't mandate state law doesn't mandate. 48 hours in custody anymore. We've maintained that because of belief and the success of this program. The proportion has changed in 2023. So in 2021 2022, it was 2 to one outside jurisdictions it's now a. Closer to one to one. But we actually exceed the number of participants. That we send from the city of Wichita versus outside jurisdiction. So last year we sent. Roughly 450 individuals from which municipal court around 310 ish. I came from outside jurisdictions. >> Councilmember Tuttle, thank In part sparked a question. Do some math here quick. But what happens if somebody can't pay the $300 what happens to >> So we've we've actually got some options that we've discussed with housing where they have some programs that can assist people with with the fee. It's surprisingly it's not something that has come up because we provide people time generally people can prioritize. This something they need to do as part of their sentence and get the $300 together to be able to do it. So that's it hasn't been an issue. But we are we are well aware of its importance and the importance of making sure that people have the opportunity to participate. So keep our eyes open for those situations, we just don't see them. >> And that's good to hear, because truly the goal is that they. Have this opportunity for counseling that can hopefully change their lives so that they don't get in the situation again. And, you know, the second defense, they won't have the luxury of this program, the country that they're actually going to jail. It's $75 a day each day to house inmate in center county jail and that the text Haier fee right bill that back to the individuals. Yeah, sure. yeah. It was just doing like I said quick math at this hard and forte. But and there are 450 folks from Wichita going through and then 310 from other municipalities in paying 300 dollars right? That's 220 grand a year to help pay for this guard services and other needed services. Correct. >> Again, I will challenge that. It is necessary that we always think about cost recovery and not only that, but on the backs of which you who pay for this service. There should be whether it's a discount or a fee that. First and foremost covers the costs. But if we have a lot of individuals that are coming from outside of our community utilizing the service because it is such a great quality service there could be an opportunity there to try to again so that we are they get. In the negative. And so I would just challenge staff through the city manager to really look at that. >> appreciate the guidance. >> Thank you, Nathan. We'll now open it up for public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. I have a motion by councilmember class caulk. >> Mayor, I knew that the city council approved the contract but then been tech enterprises will see an author. That's a necessary signatures. >> Motion and a second, any further discussion. I will just give my thoughts one more time that I am voting in the negative for this just because it concerns me that it is not full cost recovery. It cost $300 310 to $311. And we're only charging 300. That is a problem because it can compound. And so I will voting in the negative. Council member. Klaas also give comments to my motion. Then. >> What we're proving today's the contract with under tech and present all C not approving the price for the program. I think staff has a history of 96 or 96% questions as it is right now. I have 100% collection or not collection because recovery currently we have a history of more than 100%. around. So this is a change that takes us down. And so we will reevaluate. >> Our cost structure so that we can maintain our revenue and that's able to happen. You history of that. And that's regardless of this contract with under tech into prices in terms of total costs recovery. If there's 450 individuals in which to seek an $11 right around $5,000, has to be recouped. >> So I don't want to hurt a good program, an unnecessary program for our community knowing that staff can find a way to save $5,000 program. >> Motion a second. Any further discussion? I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 6, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Public comment on consent agenda items. >> Afternoon, Mayor Councilmembers, Jennifer City attorney. The item before you would amend the one of the ordinances that deals with procedure for your meetings. This item addresses city code section 2 point 0, 9, 5, which sets the order of business for your workshop and consent agenda items, workshop, meetings by ordinance used a consent agenda. This ordinance provides for consent agenda items be pulled for 3 reasons. One for comment or clarification, one or 2 for declaring a conflict of interest and 3, 4, voting item the ordinance as it stands is not specifically provide for public comment on such items as is provided by City Council, regular agenda, new business items ordinance. But during a recent council meeting, we were requested to prepare an amendment 2 at the public comment portion to consent agenda. Workshop items. So the proposed amendment is really just one sentence. It would add a. One cents to Section one F and it would allow specifically provide for public comment on individual items on the consent agenda that are pulled for discussion and this amendment would mirror the public comment provision. That's ordinance for regular council meetings that doesn't allow members to speak directly to those items since the item was the packets were distributed. Mayor, you identified a need for clarification and we we can make that happen for second reading. The item would just be the second sense that the lessons that the bond would read. I pulled for discussion that are not suffered shell be open for public comment following staff's presentation. And also I think there's a number M Pix. We need to make. But that would just be suggested at it from today's pack. It very brief. think we can do that for second reading and stand for questions. If you have thank you. Council member Jaisol. >> Thank you, Yeah, our council meetings short enough. okay with with this pace. I just one quick question. Does this apply to zoning cases that are on consent because we get a number that. Go through. It's been an oppose the other way that that that does not really seem to apply to this. This is the general consent agenda. >> They're are not consent zoning cases, but they're handled separately se. So no, it would just to apply to the consent agenda that we think of traditionally. And Jennifer, One question, this is only for the workshop meetings, doctor, regular meeting. That is the way it is drafted. Their words. For instance, today I pulled 2 items comes whole jaisol pulled one item. >> In those situations, there top the public comment. >> Not as the way it's drafted. If you choose to do that, we can add a provision to section 2 point '04, 1, 9, 0, which is the regular meeting, consent agenda. If that's the will the council. Any further questions for staff? >> I see none. We'll open it up for public comment. I got the number 8, 2 point 0, 1, 2 point. Oh, one for What she said. >> I think that that is important amendment. You bring up a great point is pulled off consent. I've gone to county meetings before or something was pulled off consent and we were allowed to give public feedback on that. And so I love the direction this amendment is going. I really appreciate. I think you should add the option to if you pull it here at a county or city council meeting that you allow for public comment as well. Thank you. >> Any further public comment? So let's reset, which to native all be brief. Second with Fay said, I appreciate the direction you're taking. I've asked for consent item to be pulled before. And a former mayor denied it. So I was stuck not being able to comment. Thank you for going in this direction. For more transparency. And I hope it adds to the length of the meeting but having an ability to speak is so critical. So I support but Faith said and I appreciate this. Any further public comment. >> I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. Councilmember Glasscock. >> Thank you, mayor. And the reason I was supportive of this and recommended it was because exactly what just happened Can we have public comment? People can give their input. And I think if we from the bench of the ability to offer our comments on something public should as well. And so all the support of this is why will also be support after by Ballard has comments of adding 2 point 0, 4.1. I that right? Okay. Because the consent agenda items, whether regardless here or in the consent agenda item or in the workshop are still consent agenda items polled. And we believe that it's important to pull that, I think the community should have say put on as well. respond quickly, just a technical observational for going to that other one. >> Only to put it on first reading next week because it's a different ordinance. And so it will be first reading next week and then it'll be a second meeting unless you adopt emergency. But I think cleaner negative so we can put this on second reading next week and putting for separating Tech. Thank you. Thanks. Vice Mayor ballot. >> I don't necessarily have a problem with it, but I just curious what the point consent agenda is. we are going to offer. >> Public comment because I don't have a problem with it. And then I just wondered why are only talking about. >> It out right now and we didn't. I loved just kind of strange to me that we're only talking about it for workshops and not a. It was a separate ordinance now, but and just because talked about last week. But curious. I believe this was actually discussed during our evening meeting. >> So the first intention was just the workshop is what we're talking about. Workshop. But now regular council meetings which also have consent agenda item. It's now being proposed as also. Councilmember Just gonna clarification for that is why think it is my intention that it would happen at both consent agenda items that we had discussion of whether or not. >> They're separate ordinance is about a workshop this meeting as well so there's confusion about a workshop a meeting and that there's 2 separate ordinance is guiding public comment in 2 different ways. So was the context there. And then in terms of consent agenda items, they're definitely items that if this body doesn't feel or controversial, then we don't have to pull from agenda. Items of this is just items that are polled for discussion. And I think any time any person that is messaged me questions about something on consent. I pulled it. So this gives the ability for the public to if they want something pulled, they can message me likely going to pull it. And so that will give them the ability have discussion on it. >> I'll just add couple comments regarding this. This chain crease transparency and increase. Civic engagement among our community. We appreciate when people come to city council meetings and sometimes because a consent agenda is so large oftentimes unless it is pulled by one of the 7 individuals here, you want know that that was part of the consent agenda at that was past and perfect example. This morning we had item number 6 where it was a 6 to one But prior to even voting on that, the community could have spoken about it. If we hot public comment in the consent agenda item. So this is, again, opportunity for greater transparency, greater civic engagement really about communications. So I really appreciate that. Law helped draft this. And so I will move. 2. Approve. The first reading of this ordinance and authorizing necessary signatures. Second with a clarification question, do we have Jennifer? Do we have to add for next week, an item? >> Or 2 point '04? I think you've already directed me to do that will bring something back. And just to clarify for the motion with fairly a fix on the final slide, that >> Those up there. Well, we'll address that second reading. Yes, thank you. Thank you. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the real. Motion passes 6, 1, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Over name the 18th Street Bridge to Honor Kit poll Busters Sanchez >> Good afternoon. Mayor and City Council. This is Lopez with the city minute minister's office here to present your next item over naming of 18th Street Bridge in District 6. The city manager received a request from the north and community to over named the 18th Street Street Bridge to honor Kit Paul Buster Sanchez. To celebrate the vibrancy of the Latino community while recognizing and honoring a distinguished citizen who made lasting contributions to the north end. As part of the agenda. You received a letter by state representative for the 100 and 3rd District, Angela Martinez, who was present. At the meeting today. The north and this recognizes the heart of which toss Hispanic and Latino community celebrating a proud heritage, vibrant culture and the lasting contributions that have shaped the city's identity. little history of the north end. Mexican workers settle in the early 20th century building their homes and lives near 21st Street. Shifting from railroads to better jobs in meat, packing plants known as liberal or the north end areas like and what became symbols of resilience, culture and community pride. The north and thrived in the 1920's and 30's. As a hub of opportunity where Mexican African-American Anglo families worked together in packing houses, railroads and other local industries. Along 21st Street, Byron businesses and institutions blossom transforming the north and into a beating into the beating heart of Mexican American culture in Wichita. Al Pasar Sanchez was born November 29th 1950, in and what I to neighborhood along mostly street. He's a descendant of soldiers from the you've got done to the World War. 2 battlefields. Busters early life was marked by a strong sense of identity and belonging which later influence he's varias his various Sunday endeavors. He was he was a visionary who advocated for the north and community to rise to its full potential. He inspired change and progress through his education and leadership. His lifelong love of his community in country and body in his Moto C Subway. He was also the organizer of community events, including the North Mexican Fiesta and the Mexican American softball games at Woodland Park. He graduated from North, Hide, enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1968. Where he served as in Vietnam as a machine gunner with echo company. He continued service with the National Guard, including 9.11, deployments. He was a soldier dedicated to honoring sacrifices of his past generations. And he served in the military forces, his serve his service, military forces shaped his perspective on life and his commitment to service. He was also community leader advocate and with a degree in administration of justice and minority studies from WSU Mr. Sanchez served as a job skills, educator with the Red Cross is the director of operational support providing disaster relief and has a truancy officer mentoring at risk youth at North High. As a passionate organizer of cultural events in the North end, he organized the North and Mexican Fiesta. Mexican America's Mexican American softball games. And he was also an editor and sports. Contributer of anybody Go, which is the Spanish newsletter. Local news letter. He was dedicated to celebrating cultural heritage and fostering community engagement. Busters love for sports extended beyond journalism. He played fast pitch softball for the witch bottles by the U.S. and Albers from 1964, to 1991, his dedication to the sport and his exceptional skill on the field earned him a place in the American Mexican American Fastpitch Hall of Fame in 2001. His life a testament to the resilience, passion and unwavering commitment to this community. To throw his poetry activists and journalists and sports. He has left an incredible mark on the north and community and those who have had the privilege of knowing him. The 18th bridge is a well known landmark in the north renaming the bridge to honor Busters Sanchez would acknowledge his lasting impact and reflect his tireless dedication to improving the lives up north and residents. A personal connection. He lived near the bridge and he throughout his life where he frequented the bridge. It's also serves as a symbol of honor representation of his commitment to connect uplift in the north and community. And it also serves as the inspiration for future regulation. Generations. It serves as a lasting reminder of the power and dedication of community building, inspiring future leaders to uphold and strengthen the bonds within which toss north and community. The financial considerations. It estimated that the cost to manufacture and install the signed late says less than $1000 the city will retain responsibility for maintenance of the sign waits and the post on which they are mount. It. There is funding available in the public works and utilities operating budget budget to fund. Also see cost. Legal considerations. Legal department has reviewed the proposed process and it is in compliance with the City Council policy 13th which governs the naming or the naming or renaming of public facilities. It is recommended that the city council approved the over naming of the 18th Street Bridge to Honor Kit Paul Buster Sanchez and Wave the City Council policy based on the deaths are a combination recombination. With that, I stand for questions. Thank you, Donna. Any questions for staff? I see that. Thank you. Again. We will now open up for public comment. >> I seen we'll bring it back to the bench. Vice Mayor Ballard We do see. Representative Martinez is coming forward to public comment. >> Afternoon thank you for your consideration. I just wanted to add to it to to the the >> presentation that the slump has just if it was wonderful. I just want to say, as the years have past our community has evolved I've grown heard lots of stories growing up with from Mr. Sanchez, he was a friend of my father's an just an icon in the community as time has gone on, I've learned to appreciate and understand the struggles and sacrifices And appreciate the trails that people such as best place for us today. And a story makes sense. Now. He wanted fairness and opportunity for his people. He recognized the importance for Hispanic kits to be educated. So he worked with in work in schools with acts on truancy. He recognized the Hispanics needed employment and fair wages. So he worked with Sarah Jobs for progress, which provided job training. He recognized Hispanic community, unity of representation of cultures. So he took on the Mexican fiestas, which is to date still the largest Mexican celebration that that ever was. We have lots now and because of him, we because of that his actions and those that that that worked with him, we are able to celebrate e our culture all over the state. He recognized the need from the devastation of natural disaster. just natural disasters. So he volunteered and went to help Sanchez recognize the importance of fighting for freedom and democracy and he volunteered for 3 wars, one, which he was too old. So he had to get approval. There's big story there. And Buster was a gentle giant who cared about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He didn't talk much, but his actions spoke volumes into change and he inspired many even now as I stand before you as an elected official. Changes made made up of individuals like Buster his actions and ideas have contributed to the ongoing story of our community. Understanding and acknowledging the past is essential for grasping who we are, where we have been and knowing where we are going with all of the opportunities, those before us have created to blaze a new trail. Thank you for for your consideration. Vice Mayor Balick. >> Thank you, mayor. There was a speaker here earlier that had to leave and I told her that I chair on her behalf. She said Buster was a son of the north end pride to our community. I knew him as a poet activist. Fast pitch softball player, a fighter with a gentle I wanted to read a poem that he wrote. It's called Holy Great is giant with arms extending to all the winds reach out and take me into your grass. Hold me as a child protect and cuddle me. You are my father. Great stature. Good indeed. Take be teach me. Show me. Help me. Leave me. And when you released me, let me strike down UK. Give me the strength to lead the week. Orion your full your joy in your Dry eye center, greatness from all that is. I little knowledge. This each you to share your grace with me and you have already for another will come and lead after me. My purpose was ordained that I live by examples to erase fall in youth from foolish actions to really push the guilty conscience. By new endeavor to return. Behold the answer to strive, to engage happiness through merit and will and manhood. I will reconcile by experience. The teacher of the wise to judge in all encounters as you would judge. And now he who will come upon us to spread the light to the shelter. To reach embrace with your grace. When this has come to be, this world will be as evident and goodness and has come pretty in clouds of the Let all need to be aware. There is salvation from despair. He is upon us. vice Mayor, Ballard, Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, Can I get everybody in? The audience is here for this item to please stand up or raise your hand? As so many of your family members. And I see some of you also have served in the military. So thank you guys for your service and thank you for sharing Mister Sanchez and all the great things he did for our community. With >> We're bringing it back to the bench. Vice Mayor Ballard, this recites in your district. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to take staff's recommended action, approved over naming at the 18th Street Bridge to Honor Kit Paul Buster Sanchez and Bypass City Council policy. 13. They started at 6 recommendations. Motion and the second any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next 2025 con trick renew visit. Wichita. >> Good afternoon. Mayor City Council Lindsay package, director of arts and cultural services with the city manager's office here for annual contract visit which talk. A little bit of the tourism and convention Fund support special event activities such as conventions and special funds and the community at the city of Wichita contracts historically with visit, which got to promote tourism and convention activities within city limits visit, which has also provide services under separate contracts for the tourism business improvement district that we affectionally call that he did. That is directed by an advisory board and a separate budget comes to council typically in the spring. I just also want to add the tourism impacts the local economy by bringing new dollars to Wichita area, generates new tax revenue and creates jobs. There's a witch hunt. Particulars are leading expert locally and on and on a national INS in the tourism industry with decades of experience in marketing, which top both as a regional and national destination. tracks a variety of metrics that show tourism as an economic driver in the community and leads efforts in bringing conventions, meetings and sporting events to our community. They're also a partner and liaison to tells and track nightly occupancy in daily rates just really work as a liaison to the hotel industry here locally, according to study conducted by tourism economics, the economic impact of tourism in the greater area. I was 1.5 billion and 2023 and domestic travel expenditures generate approximately 17,000 jobs and Cedric County, which offers a white or wide array of services that go beyond just marketing our community and leads let efforts and conventions meeting and sport. It's sporting bids. And as we again, a liaison to the hotel industry here in Wichita pass the torch over present CEO of visit, which tosses the Santo who does an incredible job of of leading the organization to talk more about what you did to me. Good afternoon. Mayor Vice Mayor Councilmember see Santa's visit which tied at 5 on 5 South Main Street. It's a pleasure to be here today and talk to you about. >> Tourism, you have in your packet. But it will kind of refresh a couple of the performance metrics that we look at our economic impact and being good stewards of the dollars that were given the results were really strong by the team last year with significant economic impact as well. When you look at the financial stewardship result, really pleased with these results. But I am gonna pull out one that if you've looked in your dashboard, you might say, hey, wait a minute, why is that number lower on every turn of events next month. prior year. And that is a future group bookings. Our ally. So it has decreased from where we were last year and the reason is we spent a lot more out of our strategic events fund this year and we didn't prior year. And that's a good thing because that means we have a lot of events that were hosting here and we're bringing that economic impact to Wichita. So there are 3 reasons that we've spent more of that strategic of that fun this year. First, we've hosted more sporting events than ever in a chat. More about that in a moment. 2, we won the right to host 2 different meetings that bring meeting planners and bid rights holders to Wichita to showcase our city. And 3rd, we had a huge win when we announced that Wichita had been selected for the 2025 provision U.S. figure skating National championships. And we've already started to incur a few Qasem to go into a little bit more detail about this 2024. Was a massive year in sports for our team to visit which time and for which a tie in general. We started the year with the U.S. figure skating, synchronized skating championships over interest Bank Arena. We moved out to Park City Arena with NCAA D 2 men's wrestling. And then we had in diamonds wrestling. We are back out at Scheels striker filled with lacrosse. Then we moved to WSU and with the pro softball audience limited, we're down at century to with USA Boxing National Junior Olympics back out it. She'll striker with us. You soccer. And most recently, just 2 weeks ago, 700 athletes and coaches for the in JC, a division, one men's and women's soccer championships. And right now our sports team is out. It shows striker and we are hosting the N a I a men soccer championship. So again, great to host all these. But with those become those increased cost. But it's been a fabulous year for our sports team. If you're watching, hopefully you'll get out and see some incredible soccer this weekend at the Shoals striker complex. Secondly, I mention that we're in the right to host 2 pretty cool events. And these are events you want to bring to your community because they're bringing those planners and this bid rights holders. So this was a sports relationship conference we've have hosted about 50 rights holders. Again, they're looking for places to hold their sporting events in the future and about 150 suppliers and we had pleasure of hosting our opening night over at the stadium. And you can see it was fabulous really well attended. But again, our team got to meet with every one of those to talk about a facility that might meet their needs. And Wichita. And then the second one moving to the meetings and conventions, spaces destination, Midwest. We hosted 27 meeting. Planners that specialize in are looking for a place to hold their meetings and conventions in the Midwest. So this is the perfect group we want to bring to Wichita and you can see we got him out on the river. They're all over town out chicken and pickle and had a great time at zoo. The really showcasing our city and again, the team got to meet individually with each one of those planners. And again, that's looking for future business. I do want to make one other comment about the group meeting space. As you can see an agenda. You know, we're not back to where we were before the pandemic with that convention business. What we've done this year is we added a new position just in August that is solely responsible for prospecting business that could fit and century too. We want to make sure we're doing everything we can possibly do to bring business a century to. And so with that, we're excited to see where that leads us as we're uncovering new business. And for those of you watching are the counselor, anybody here. And if you ever attend a conference or meeting our convention and you think, hey, Wichita should host this, we make it really easy. All you gotta do is call visit Wichita. Courtney will answer the phone and just say you there's an idea of this convention and we will take it from there. That's what are sales team does. There's so many out there. We would love to partner with the community to keep bringing business and still century, too. And then the 3rd piece, hopefully you've all heard, but we are beyond thrilled that for the first time ever in Kansas in Wichita in January, we are hosting the U.S. figure skating provision figure skating championships. And bet she all. But I grew up watching this. I'm not going to tell you who I was because that will date be. But if you think about through the cristiana good cheese and the Brian Boitano, this is where they go. This is their championship and they're going to be Wichita at the end of January. Hopefully you Santa's this past year. I know I saw the mayor was able to participate in our little ice rink that we set up music. Wichita for frozen. And it was so fun to see the kids get excited as we promote it as well as we brought in our current national champion in for Glenn. And she was here out at striker. I mean, out the baseball stadium throwing out the first pitch she met with a dozen influencers over at the ice rink to get people excited about what's coming. And more recently credit Union of America Presents Cay Fest. We partnered with the Excuse me. Big Brothers, Big sisters and we had over 200 kids and older kids come out and learn to skate. The youngest that signed up was 3. The oldest that signed up with over 70 90% had never. I skated before. And this could have been done without the great partnership at the which ties center. And I want to just tell you, tell you all that they're doing a great job over there. They're great partners and also want to thank the city and the manager for keeping that facility so that we are able to host an event like this and by investing, the ice is is good and we'll be ready to host the best of the best coming here in January. So that's a lot of fun. Okay. And then we're back at open streets ICT. I know certainly be stopped by to see us as well. I'd be remiss if I didn't think the city again, we are so excited on that Thursday of championships. We are hosting what we're calling 6 great day and with the corporate sponsors on the screen, we have and our partnership with U.S. Chief USD, 2, 5, 9, we're inviting all the 6th graders to come out to that Thursday morning session. Will they will see other junior skaters out there for just a great morning. It would have been possible without the city and the county and all the other folks that helped us. We are hopeful that we'll have over 2006 graders. They're enjoying this wonderful event. And I will add that 2, 5, 9, it's been such a delight to work with and they're going to build a educational component into the learning before the event takes place. So just to wrap up a site, talk about figure skating if you are watching, you have purchased tickets. Tickets start as low as $15. We'd love to fill the stadium. These athletes have been training their whole life for this moment. It is going to be televised live on NBC and their affiliates. So we'll be showcasing Wichita to the country in the world. And finally, this is where the road to Milan. That is the 2026 Winter Olympics begins. Who you see here skating interest Bank arena at the end January is who you're going to be cheering for in Twenty-twenty 6. And as I was thinking about my time in which I don't know that we've ever had that to be so close to the Olympics to see these incredible athletes here that we can share of on. So I hope you'll come out. It's going to be a lot of fun. So moving from we've talked a little bit about some of the significant winds by winning that privilege in us figure skating championship listed a few of the other wins that the team had this year. There's some in your packet as well. But I do want to talk a few minutes about the very last one. The 2025 travel bloggers Exchange Summit America. We call this TX. This is huge for Wichita. I can't even tell you how excited we are that we won the opportunity to host this event. To fix that claim to be the largest community of travel creators and influencers in the world brings together hundreds of creators and influencers and destination marketing organizations like we are they meet. They learn. And and they are here for several days. I will tell you to Beck's host 3 annual conferences year, only 3, and we are in very good company to the next year. is in Ireland. Too. That's North America is in Quebec City. This last year. The 2 Beck, some it was an Anchorage and next year, the 2 Beck summit is in Wichita, Kansas. How awesome is that? We've got one chance. Wichita, one chance to show the world how incredible we are as we invite over 100 150 influencers to be talking about Wichita, this kind of impossible that our partnership with the state tourism, we really came together visit Wichita will take the lead on a couple of days before the conference starts. All these influencer. Welcome to Wichita. We will show them an incredible welcome for the morning moment to get off that plane to everything they do in Wichita with magical moments happening around the city with the ability for them to post every which way. And so we'll have people talking about Wichita after the conference. They will head out and go to all different parts of Kansas and Kansas tourism is taking the lead on that initiative and will coordinate all of those tours. So huge effort to showcase Wichita. Here's a Opportunity showcase Kansas as we invite these influencers to come. So this past summer, a visit which time Kansas tourism were actually at the conference in Puerto Rico where they announced who was hosting it next year. And I thought I'd take just a quick minute and play video. The Kansas tourism created in that we played the summer. Let's see if I can get to. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ So we're pretty excited about this. We're in great company. Go great company with those that have hosted before us. We're hosting our first meeting this Thursday. We've got about 60 or so partners. I know the city is sending folks and thank you, mayor got few folks that are coming. But we're going to about 60 partners that are offices that are learning from the president of 2 backs. And we're bringing in a blogger. So we're starting preparing now of what's coming. But you'll hear you'll him talk me. Talk more about this in the future. pretty excited. Okay. And then lastly, so I moved to we've talked about what's coming next year with the championships in January. We've talked about 2 backs. S if I didn't mention we've got March Madness coming here in March. So if you're having bought your tickets and you just want to be part of the excitement, if you'll remember in 2018, that incredible atmosphere that happened around the Reno. When we host hosted the Men's D one rounds, one and 2, we've already been meeting with all of the partners around the arena and it's even going to be bigger than last year. So it's going to be a place you want to be during March to watch the games and and hang out and people watch. I want to Parks and Recs and the city will be activated. NASCAR Park and so look for a great time there. So as you can tell, we're thrilled. We've got an exciting year ahead. We've had a great year and I'm really honored to be representing the team back in the office and those that are out show striker work in the event. We thank you for the opportunity to market the city and appreciate all your support. We can do what we do. Get ready for next year. I tell you, it's gonna be fun. Those happy to answer questions. Thank you. And I'll just wrap it up here at the financial considerations is the annual allocate allocation not to exceed. >> 2 million, 785,594 dollars. An additional reimbursement fund of up to 150,000 Force Special Events Commission promotion contingency. And the recommendation from staff is to prove that this up 2025 contract renewal and authorizing necessary signatures and air I available for questions. >> Questions for staff or visit which chop beginning with Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, Thank you guys for the presentation. Looks exciting. The next year. As far as everything we're bringing in just a couple of quick questions. I look hair under the total operating costs. And we have. More than double what we did last year, which is great. We're still about. $10 return on the dollar short of our goal is that is that mostly pertain to future group bookings or what's behind and then also next year, the goals, 72. So is that sustainable? Do we feel pretty good about that number as well? >> Yeah. So I think you're looking at a couple want to make answer it. Unlike the yes. And then to be that that's where the big dip this a 13. And that's what drop that down this year. And that's because we spent more out of that strategic event fund account and we spent more and that was to do this kind of those 3 big items between all of the sporting events, the 2 conferences. It's rare that we get one of those conferences that we put on year that brings meeting planners and we did 2 of them. Plus some of the prep for figure skating. So that's what impacted this year. But we felt we feel good about next year's. >> And this is this is the second straight year that we've had in the future future bookings. So we feel. Do we what are we? We feel good about next year. The 16,500 essential. The goal for next year. >> Yes, we Okay. >> Do we do exit interviews with the conventions that come here and to see we do. We send out surveys and >> whatever we have any of those learnings, we speak to them. And you know, just. >> Okay. And you share that with the board as well. >> We do. Yeah, we I mean, truthfully, we get more positive and every now and then there could be facility issue or something that's minor. But we have not. But yes, we do. >> And I guess this one of the Lindsay we negotiate these races are like a baseline. As far as a percentage of the transit. Gas tax. We start from in our negotiations or is it? Performance-based or kind of the mix of everything? Yeah, that's a great question. And it's something have to do now or just can't talking about because Pre-pandemic there is a somewhat of a set rate was my understanding of that? >> Of the transient guest tax since the pandemic. We haven't gotten back to that percentage level necessarily, but we're trying to just recover back to where we are performing previously. So we don't necessarily have a set rate. Really good advice from the budget office and the managers office what the numbers should be for the future year. >> Councilman pick last Cup. >> Thank you, mayor. So looking dissipation of you. >> regarding future group bookings a number of room nights tickets. 46,000 is the goal for 2025. Yes. Out of the 46,000, how many of those would be like Airbnb? That's tells hotels tells yes. So when I >> doing some research regarding the transient guest tax, it looks like Airbnbs that or 2 or more. >> Also pay the trans stacks of its one room doesn't. Is that correct? >> You know what? That is a great question. I believe you're right. There's been a lot of discussion to try to understand it and he's collecting it and he's not that. That's my understanding. So the 46,000 is doesn't include any. It does not listen. >> Do we know what percent of our transient guest tax comes from Air I don't know that we don't get the level of clarity from that. I believe. >> Whether leave the city can reach back out to the state and ask for that. in the past several years ago, it was. Just a couple of percentage was very small and that and so, you know, it's interesting you hit on that point like when we bring in teams, cetera, no doubt some of them might stay in Airbnb. However, we're still these are hotel room. So you get that plus anything else that we're picking up. >> By the fall of the have the city staff because I think the last 10 times I traveled outside of community, it's been area has tell you make sure having full capture concert question. >> Any further questions for staff or visit, which top? Seeing none. I did have just one quick question regarding. picks America when the community or when the city is able to win one of these contracts, what is the actual cost to the city sick which time you know it, it is it. We will And I have to go back and look at it. I want to misspeak, but that's where we needed the partnership of the state. >> But we'll be into it for over 100,000 with the state. It's very significant. And so we look at it as a marketing. We're looking at it that moment. I can tell you that the state is using their like influencer budget on this event. And when we think about bringing influencers and if you bring in one, you might spend the flight or whatever that is when we think about will probably have 150 influencers and be able to showcase not only which by the state, it's going to be really priceless. I think in the end, the PR that we will get. >> And the return on investment on influencers for says partial and a city to try to entice people to come to a child. Do you see a better return any points for market? You know, Mayor, I think that's like the question right now. That's what we are constantly evaluating the influencer for, says the our ally. >> It really is heart hearts. We tell think I have straight answer, but I know that when you market these days, there's so much noise out there. You have to look at it. across multiple channels right? There's not one way through digital or TV IX center. We have really hit it all. so they're all important. Our plan. Had one more question. obviously, you look at convention business associations that want to host their annual event here versus sports championships. Where are you seeing the growth and why are you seeing that growth? Yeah, one or the So we've seen a big growth in sports. And when you look at the facilities that we have, we're able to meet that need. We have some really good sport facilities. We've got a lot of basketball course. We've got great soccer facilities, cetera. And so we've been able to capitalism that on the flip side is, you know, we've talked bit of my real now 12 years and I've talked extensively about the shortcomings of our convention space. And so we know that the convention space puts us at little bit of a challenge. However, however, we still need to sell it and we need a bucket. And that's why we've added a position to really focus on who are those markets that will come to our facility. But when we look at our convention and I know you'll know this. But when you look at our convention space compared or even regional competitors. You know, we have fallen behind in that It has been I more natural on the sports because of those facilities that we have that meet that need. That is we were given up. Mayor, we're doing everything we can to bring business to century too. Thank you. I see no further questions for staff or visit which time we will now open it up for public comment. Thank you. >> Mayor City Council Celeste are set so visit, which it has one of those public private partnerships that I've been looking at financially and it needs more transparency. So I'm appealing to you again. Let's get more transparency into their numbers. He right, councilmember highs. Will they used to be performance-based? But in COVID we changed it. We need to switch it back to performance-based. That's what this is supposed to be driven by is how well are they meeting their metrics and they're not meeting those. So we should be adjusting. Their contracts were not. They get nearly 6 million dollars in taxpayer funds. I don't know if you added the numbers up but they get to money and they also get the transient guest tax hotel guests, tax money facing the deficit that we're facing next year. It's really important that we look at where we can save a dollar or where we're spending taxpayer money wisely. The hotel guests tax was created to take care of our which start museum. The Native American News Century Cho, the advance Learning Library. So whenever we divert money away from the hotel guests, tax, we need to make sure we're diverting it wisely because as you know, I center had deferred maintenance. The former public library had deferred maintenance century to have deferred maintenance. And we're now paying catch up to take care of all those problems, including a broken eye center that we didn't take care of when we diverted money. So the first thing I want to bring up is money has been diverted 4 million dollars we are currently paying for debt which is another problem we have with the city for Jenna Corks Fairfield. And when we diverted the hotel guests tax to help him out with building his own private hotel in water, walk. He says so that hotel, but we still have that debt on our books with a 2 million dollar balloon payment. That's coming due in a short amount of time. So I look at how we spend this money and it's a difficult to get answers. For example, when I look at their financial statements, I have to file a kora in order to get those audited financial statements. And I don't know if this is the strategic fund or not that their cash and investments has been growing from 2 and a half million and 2019 to 4 million dollars in 2022, why is this balance that short-term investments, short-term cash allowing to grow into the millions and millions. That's my first question. My second question is why are we paying rent for their offices and water walk? We should be using the former public library or another public facility and save nearly half a million dollars and read it. I mean, I'm talking to you about cost savings. Another question I've had and I've presented to city Council for is why are we sending up request for proposal? An RFP Tibet out part of this work and just make sure there isn't another firm out there that parts Orbitz or maybe all of it that they're doing and RFP lets you know if you're getting competitive services and the bang for your buck that you deserve. When you're talking about a 67 million dollar budget. The other thing I want to finally point out is its. It's still bothers me the center's makes over $400,000 salary and benefits. That's more than the city manager. Leighton. That's more than the which Chief Police Sullivan. That's more than even the mayor of Wichita. And with all the hard work, those individuals do. Why is she making such a high salary? I understand it's an important job. I support tourism. We absolutely need it. I'm excited about this summit. I'm vice president of Wichita area, sister cities. And we do all we can. We're going to have joint festivals with Halo, which is the Hispanic community with the Asian community. We do a lot joint efforts to promote tourism international will even be having 9 visitors from or Leon France in April that we will be hosting as part of wall coming to Kansas and trying to evaluate trade opportunities we have. So I absolutely support tourism, but it has to be smart spending and it has to be the best bang. This is our taxes going into their coffers. And I just hope there's a few of the view that are sitting on their board. I don't have this information. It's not public information, but I would hope that if if if you are sitting on visit, which has board like Jim Court did in the past when he diverted 4 million dollars into his hotel that you are keeping an eye on their finances and being the fiscal stewards. I'm asking you to be today. More public comment regarding this item. Kind of parity district. Polo club. I agree with everything Sluss said, but I'm just looking at it from contractual standpoint. I looked at the agreement. >> And I'm I'm finding that and I don't know who was the source of this contract. If it was something presented by Wichita or if it was city contract. But there's no indemnification clause. So there's no protection that I could see no year there's no protection for the city on what this other entity is doing behalf of the city. And I read through the attachments and so for it and I didn't see any insurance requirements, you know, so if you're not going to have any protection, you want at least know that they have nice high limits of insurance and there is liability here. You know, they brought in the 17 folks. better event. Planners and they have responsibility for those they're bringing in these top influencers side. Know what's the definition of a top influencer? How do we know? They're like top and just not somebody really, you know, looking for a cool free trip somewhere. So that the contracts, you know, should there be like a checklist like every contract the city enters into? There should be some basic things. You know, and dedication is 72 or not insurance requirements, performance standards, et cetera. could be some of these. But wanted to grant your attention. Thank you. Vice Mayor ballot. >> Thank you, Susie. Are you able to address any disparities questions? Why are any of that? question about it. It's a contract that originally from the city. So Happy to have continued conversation. Okay. Thanks. Suze. Since you're up here, can you address some of the questions? That's a less hat regarding financial statements? I know that I'm on the board. So is Councilmember We see these financials and we do ask questions, can you address obviously piece parts of financials are open to the The ones that we see at a board meeting are very similar. But detail. And then she asked about rent at water walk. What else just about RFP to bit out this work? Yeah, I could talk a little bit about that. And I think she made comment about how much money we have in reserve. >> I think a big portion of that. Again, we talk about the strategic event fun and that's when I really want to make a point talk about spent what we spent this year on that she mentioned. Let's see the was it the reserve, mayor, would you mind mentioning that again? Want to make sure I touch ash. >> 2.5 million in 2019 versus 4 Million. 20 twen 2. Yeah, I don't have that statement in front of me. I will tell you that we do provide after we worked a few years ago with the city to provide a weekly financial. >> A statement to monthly we provide that every month to the city on the transit tax. But when we look at our bucket and I know we talk about in the board about the dollars that we have, we have an operating reserve that sees that for a raining day and any nonprofit would have 3 to 6 month. And that's what we have. And we have the strategic events and and the strategic events and is exactly to do what we did this year. If we did not have that strategic of that, the fun, every one of those sporting events that we talked about that utilize the facilities across the city would not have come to Wichita. Some of whole jaisol. >> Thank you, mayor. I guess this is more question for staff usually on contracts. We have a sheet that talks about equal protection. Some of the standards that we says as a city that is that goes with every contract. I don't see it with. something possibly that went missing. That might also deal with maybe some of the insurance information or is that not Weisel? This is a contract that >> does include which is our non discrimination. I'm opportunity for months. That is an attachment. Its contract. >> You Section. To the signature paced exhibit A day. Cassie. So usually it's just a shame that has everything laid out on Again. Is that something that's just not included with this contract? >> Each one of our country says it's not necessarily. One size fits all approach. We work with the clean the Department client. Well, uh, the particular service where we're seeking. So it's just a decision working with with the department and with law. Look at what what the needs of that particular contractor. >> Okay. We just didn't feel like that was necessary with this contract. >> just also add historically we have not had in the contract to my understanding and not that a full rinse and repeat, really to see says an update year to year. So not familiar to being in the contract in the past, but something we could definitely explore council joins Okay. Yeah. I mean, enough. ISIS. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> I see no further questions on the board. We'll continue with public comment. I see no further public comment will bring it back to the bench. Councilmember tell. Thank you. just want thank plenty for your presentation. Appreciate your effort. >> And I want thanks to see a new team. And whenever it give you praise his say it's not me. It's my team. But every team has to have coach and a leader. And you certainly are. And I and I truly appreciate that. I have the experience and pleasure of getting to work with you and your team because of striker and so I can see firsthand not only the labor you put into it, but the fruits of your labor. You are marketing Wichita, essentially, but it's so much more than that. And the mission vision visit, which is to grow the travel and tourism economy in it is it, which I didn't do that. Who would? And so an example that I always site when we have you before us is that it's striker, which is in district 2, the shields striker multi-sports complex. If there's a soccer tournament on a Saturday up in that area, every restaurant, every hotel, every retail is packed full and you see soccer uniforms. If it's an adult tournament or if it's little kiddos, people are coming to which Todd, they're spending their money in our city. They are buying Well, days are unaided. And instead the equivalent number of at of maximum will days well day hours that a position to be eligible for, which is a COVID of 3 days are included in the vacation accrual rates. The annual clothing allowances increase from $850 to $1000 annually. A new maternity and paternity leave benefit has been added eligible. Employees will receive 8 weeks of paid leave for qualifying events of the longevity table has been amended to change longevity after completion of 11 years of service to the new practice of after 10 years of service. In addition, the amount paid per year for longevity has been increased. And finally the years of service, which longevity is paid is capped at 21 years of service. Field training officer pay for police officers. is one 25 per hour to $3 per hour. And for sergeant serving his field training officers, the rate increases from one 15 per hour to $3 per hour. The bilingual pay program is adjusted currently an additional $10 per hour is paid. A bilingual staff are utilized. The new provisions will eliminate and the state provides staff that are certified as Biden will lead additional pay $135 per month. In Twenty-twenty 6 in general pay adjustment of 2% is provided for all ranges and steps. Merritt step increases of 2.5% are included for eligible project positions that are not at top of range. And there's an increase each vacation accrual rate by 10 hours and Easter will be what will be recognized as a personal holiday. Financial consideration. The proposed amendment is aligned with the parody of retaining and attracting police officers. The cost of the agreement has also impacted by steps taken to align provisions. recommendation identified in the Jets. A news report. The total cost of the agreement is estimated at 3.2 million more than is currently budgeted in 2025. Adopted budget. However, for 2026 wage increases are more moderate, reducing the amount over the 2020 26 part projected budget to 1.8 million. This agreement. We'll also create compression issues with other police commander aches that will be addressed in the 2025. Sally Ordinance. Legal consideration. The law Department has approved this agreement, asked to form. And now we're going to talk about some of the ginseng Hughes, him and implementations. And we're going to have Captain Aaron Moses coming up. Good afternoon, mayor and council Captain Aaron Moses, executive officer of the Wichita Police Department. >> Get a highlight. The tension, Hughes recommendations where we're at on implementing those and reviewing those and then the process moving forward. So with this contract negotiation, we undertook a concerted effort internally with the police Department, executive staff, human resources and the law department to evaluate the ginseng. His recommendations. And understand which of those recommendations were contractual in nature versus policy in nature. Contractual issues like the Code of conduct Code of conduct standard pay were discussed through contract negotiations whereas policy issues are being handled and managed through the meet and confer process where executive staff meets with the Fraternal Order of Police leadership to discuss policy and months, policy changes and act. Those changes that's been a longstanding practice. Executive staff has regular meetings with fraternal Order of Police leadership to have these conversations. As director Hood mention Code of Conduct Standard pays addressed in this contract. Some additional updates that have taken place within this period where significant updates to policy 902, which is our policy related to criminal investigations of department into department employees. The big revision to to this was through 10's and Hughes, delineating Krimmel conduct investigations versus administrative internal investigations. And additionally, we now are executive staff and chief police now has the ability to authorize a administrative internal investigation before the conclusion of a criminal conduct investigation. That's the big change. The policy 902. So under previous practices, executive staff and the chief police had to wait until all proceedings related to a criminal investigation into an employee were completed until an administrative internal investigation could begin under the new policy 902, that you can now make that decision to initiate that administrative internal investigation. Concurrently. Which is it discuss their under administrative investigations. The the purpose of that is to quickly resolve matters of public importance and public interest. Policy. 901. We were actually discussing policy, not a one which is administrative into investigations this morning as executive staff through our policy Review, our weekly policy review, many of the of the policy updates that are coming to policy 901, are already being conducted in practice. One of which would be the ability for someone other than a complainant to be in the interview room and professional standards. We already do that in practice. We're working through codifying that in policy. And many recommendations are within policy 901. So that a review of executive staff happened this morning. We have some minor changes to make to that based on executive feedback and then that will go to the for told police leadership to review and the law department to review. Overall engines. And Hughes, we do have a dashboard online where people can access this information. But 30 items have been implemented. 23 items are listed in progress. Updating standard operating procedures. That is a much larger task. And it sounds like on paper pretty much every bureau that we have within the police department has an independent standard operating procedure in some of those have not been updated for a very long time. So our all of our bureau commanders are going through their individual standard operating procedures, updating them as necessary. And that's going through the workflow process to get to the deputy chief for approval and publishing again code of conduct standard pay as of today still shows in progress because that's being addressed through this contractual agreement. Promotional process overhauls plan for 2026. That's an additional 4 items. It's important to note that our promotional process is actually a managed through a 3rd party. So we provide content for the testing, the written exam to a 3rd party. They write the exam. We administer it. That is a contractual agreement that was already in place for 2025 promotional process, which is why we're identifying 2026 promotional process for a complete overhaul, working with human resources to get that done. The Fraternal Order of Police leadership has been supportive of the route that we would like to take with that emotional process overhaul. There are multiple items in the gentian, his recommendations related to our regulations. So we have policy items and then we have regulations, regulations being specific conduct that's outlined in our policy manual that is not allowed or or how things are supposed to be done and then it relates to a discipline code which goes back to our discipline Matrix, which says for offense first offense, this is what you would receive and so on and so forth myself. Lieutenant Hutchins from professional Standards, Bureau and Fraternal Order of Police Leadership have been meeting regularly in order to do a line item review of all of our regulations. That is a lot of ground to cover. They've been very productive conversations and we're continuing those conversations were going to be that light out and review. And then we're going to go back and we're going look at the actual discipline Matrix and make that in line with the line item review of the regulations. As far as supervisor pre promotional training. We had a very productive meeting with human resources. And I think we're all on the same page where we'd like to go with that, including incorporating some of our promotional material into that pre promotional training to better prepare people for promotional examinations. Again policy. one has been drafted for approval as review. This morning, we have some tweaks to make. There are 2 items listed in progress for the Citizens Review Board. One of those would be. Moving the date and time of the meetings, which I believe the meetings moving forward soon to happen are going to be at the library, not at City Hall or at least that's a discussion. And I know that they did tests having the meetings at a later time to see if more people would attend those meetings. And I do. I don't believe that they did the one time that they change the time. Additionally under review is a Citizens Review board annual report. And a strategic plan is listed in progress for Citizens Review board. I will turn it back over to director, but so it is the recommendation of that City Council receiving comment. >> And schedule for adoption. December Chance 2024. And will stand for questions. That's >> Questions for staff taking with Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, The few here. And I'm and have some more next week. 88% was the though from P dust dust ups told us and do we know how what the figures were for the last 2 when we did last year and then the one I guess would be 2021. >> I can try to find out someone knows it. Okay. I appreciate 2021 and >> and what was longevity currently before this. >> Before this, I think it it's 19 years. It's now 21. And as the compression. >> That working to address next year. Is that figured into the future cost of this contract. I >> thinks. Well, now. >> So that'll be an additional cost a minute. Just wanting to make sure. How many of these gents and items are we do. We need the FOP to sign off on to negotiate with and how many of them are just more internal policy, things that we can do. >> The internal policy things that we can do. We've we've worked through like promotions for the ranks of deputy chief and captains of have been incorporated into policy. The lieutenants are not represented by the Fraternal Order of Police were able to make some of those decisions independently and put those things in the policy. >> I mean, >> through the public employee employer, your employer rights at kind of guiding body of how we do things related to employer engagement and and bargaining units. Any change we make. The policy has the potential to change. Conditions, which means we have to meet with the with union leadership to ensure that that they're on board and it also helps us functional perspective, right? That executive staff may have a vision for the way that they want a policy to read. But someone who has a different position interacts with the community differently may see something differently. And oftentimes through these meet and confer processes people outside of executive staff will say, you know, I I don't know if that's reading the way that you intended to or maybe we need to clarify that this way. So many policy changes. If not all policy changes go through that process. So it is a meeting for do they have to vote on that or is that there's no no obligations to okay if I if you. >> I got a little more information was prepared by our law department. There are 4 sections that need to be approved as part of the contracts are contractual relationship. 16. Recommendations use require mean can for. And then we had I think. 3, 4, that were had not been implemented yet. That simply could be implemented by management. >> It's so out of the 4 that we need the FOP to agree with how many of those happen >> Those include minimum score in stands for promotion test, which we've talked about. And that is in progress. We've talked about removing code of conduct pay. What you would do today if you're part next Tuesday, if you approve the agreement. The changes and minor one and changes 902. >> Those would be through the meeting for processor or negotiations. Death. So the ones that we can address, have addressed to the best of our ability. >> Do we any idea of when they can finish other ones that meet and confer have a today. Middle of next year or? >> I don't know that we have a target date. I mean, I understand we understand that the community, obviously once many of these recommendations in place as soon as possible, if not yesterday, it's important to get the language right to make sure that it benefits everybody. And so we're focused on making sure that the changes to regulation that we make in the best interest of everybody. And that's going to be a long, a long process. But we are working diligently to get through it as quickly as we can. And the Fraternal Order of police has been very active in those conversations with us to to ensure that we can work through regulations as quickly as possible. that'll be the longest term. Yeah. >> I from my perspective, everything moves into or flows into the Matrix. The Discipline Matrix is what I would consider I'd like to have is the highest priority so that we can get those issues resolved. But it's time-consuming, correct? >> Thank Councilmember Glasscock. >> Quick question. I know counselor who ask a lot of the questions that I have regarding instances. I have 2 that I highlighted on toward the financial considerations as criminal. Also great compression issues that are police ranks will be dressed in the 2025 salary ordinance. But a few individuals reach out that we're concerned about selling organs be approved later, how that affects their retirement. If a seller ordinance is approved in January, does it go in effect till July? It pushes the return back. I know is that the manager questions about that. The email. >> So I have response. I haven't had a chance to review yet, but I will get that tonight. And they were talking about this next week, too. be helpful. Thank you. And then this would be procedural questions since this. My first time with this. >> While on the bench it obviously is revised offer revised budget to the 2025 budget or device costs. 2025 budget. Why do we negotiate or is it just a long negotiation? The results in us. >> Voting on this now before the budget comes out before the proposed budget comes out August, we vote on the budget. It's just long negotiations. A result why we have revise and is there a way to address that in the future that would to revise the budget toward the end? >> So if you're up, it sounds like you're asking, is there a way to make the negotiation process quicker? So answer is no. Not with a full Because I mean, it's. >> It would be more responsive for us up here. When were, you know, looking at the 2020 fire? We approve the 2025 budget to have full budget allocation instead of coming back for a vice budget because that would have maybe have different opinions when we're at the bench as well. In terms of where allocating resources and we're at I need it and we started I want to start early, too, because I wanted to free summer and that did not happen. >> So it's it's just a long process. If you have further comments and I think this applies to every yeah union that we negotiate it's just a matter. It does take. >> significant amount of time make sure that we all of the employee issues are heard. Management issues are heard and it takes, know, not just a long time to hear them and understand that more important to find that acceptable middle ground. Usually. Probably the best way to to get where you want to go, which I truly understand is to start the process. Earlier, for instance, in the previous year are the prior year's start. The negotiations, the difficulty will be. Getting getting them all the agreements in place in time for for you to make it and budget decisions because you're making decisions starting in January, you're giving us direction and you adopt the budget August. But you pretty much have given us significant direction. By the time we presented in July. so I feel presents. >> Or more challenges later on are trying to address deficits. We don't have that number. >> Obviously had in mind our financial position. And that came up. I think it's safe to say in almost every meeting. >> With that full and they acknowledge and they understood. >> Even in the future it closer and closer to August deadline. That's helpful. I think we're trying to make more holistic conversations that were allocated resources disagree. >> Councilmember Johnson. >> Thanks, Just to add to and I think everybody would like to see the process go a little quicker. If you remember last year there even conversations about this year's negotiations while we were looking at the bonuses and the Rays at the end of last year. So while the negotiation and fully open conversations had already kind of started to see what this might look like. So it it is always a long process trying to get everybody together and see what folks agree on. And I think that the manager gives many updates as possible during the budget season, but takes as long as it takes at this point. But this is actually the conversation started early last >> Johnston. Thank at a question for city manager. 2 part question is do we have contingency fund it too? To address that budget shortfall? Second one is. There are savings from open positions are open positions to that address. >> our budget does contain certain contingencies for unknown salary increase is related to the contract. However, probably not enough to be able to make up for the amount in 2025. So what it does is it sets the stage for 24 25 discussions, especially as we talk about. Any enhancement programs, new programs that will limit the council's ability to be able to do any do that. And terms of salary savings if the salary savings followed the pattern that we had anticipated and I don't have an up-to-date report on that. We probably already program that savings into the budget as part of our plan. Savings. If. The most recent number I saw in terms of vacancies. We may have some salary savings that will have help offset this because it's a little higher number than I anticipated. We've had a lot of success with our recruit classes, but I think we still have a little bit of erosion. Are our existing staffing. So I will spend some time taking a look at that. >> Any further questions for staff? I just have to all of last year, what I kept hearing from the community was the need for police officers, recruitment and retention of officers. So I have seen that this council has prioritized that. So I wanted to know number one, how many recruits to we currently have? And will this help with the numbers and what challenges are currently pose. Spy. I believe you only have 2 training sessions per year. >> Yes, we currently have. Just under 40 recruits and our economy class. Right now we have another class slated to begin in January. You are correct. We can only run to academy classes a year which for a city our size is kind of an anomaly. We don't necessarily have the space to run multiple classes at one time. >> But we have tried. To increase the size and we have increased the size of our academy classes since Chief Sullivan arrived. So I believe the first class that graduated after chiefs on and got here started before he arrived and it was 9, 9 recruits. And we have graduated over 20, if not 30. And the last few classes. So we have seeing those numbers increase and we've actually seen our numbers of applications increase. We look at peer cities we've spoken with some of our peer cities that are having more struggles and we are as far as getting applications and getting people through the door. So we have some encouraging trends related to recruitment. We believe that the one-year contract last year was was it a big reason for that? also just some of the cultural changes that we're making internally. We believe are are part of that as well. Our training girl has also looked creative strategies, one of which would be a program we call uniform to uniform. So we partnered Tabor College and their athletic program to bring athletes to our training academy. Let them experience or training academy. And I believe we currently have 3 people slated to begin our academy class in January. That were a part of that pilot program this year. So we're going to look to continue to do that as well. Creative recruitment strategies being places where we haven't been before and trying to reach out to a diverse group of applicants to to increase our applicant pool. Yes, thank you, manager for reminding me of that. We also started early on board process. So one of the barriers we sought to people joining our academy class was we would offer them a job and because of only being able to run to academy classes a year, we would say we'll see you in the academy class and 3 months and they would go find a job somewhere else and that 3 months. So Chief Sullivan worked with human resources and others to to create an early on board process. So we now have the ability at the time that we offer a conditional job offer to find somewhere in our organization for those people, those recruits to start learning policy process. In fact, we're talking about incorporating physical exercise into that program. Now to continue to allow people to stay and in physical shape until the academy begins. And member Johnson, thanks, mayor. Just want to shout >> No knock against the Blue Jays of Tabor, but the friends Falcons are also great. If you want to talk to them to, we are actively talking to multiple universities about that program. And the only reason Taylor was selected as because we had a previous employees who >> worsening athletic department there who was very easy to engage with to get that pilot project started. But we're definitely looking to increase it. >> Can you also talk about I've seen your efforts in terms recruitment team going out to very diverse populations to try to recruit whether it's women, Hispanic or Spanish-speaking officers, Asian-American officers can talk about the effort you guys have made and really trying to recruit as many highly qualified individuals into the department. >> To sort talks about it all the time The numbers related to diversity in our department? Racial diversity are not where we want them to be. We recognize that and we ask all the time for anybody and everybody. I say everybody know somebody that they think would be a great police officer or a great public servant and they should be referring them to come work with us and be a part of what we're doing in our community. And that's how we won way that we increase diversity at encouraging Lee. We are over the national average when it comes to representation of female police officers were about 17%, which is higher than the national average, which sits around 12 to 15. So we have seen progress there. We continue to work on diversity, hiring sergeant and his recommendation talking about diversity and promotion. Our command staff is now approximately 20% minority. But we do have an underrepresentation of women command ranks and she's holding talks about that as well. We have 3 female lieutenants. We have multiple female sergeant. So we look all the time at opportunities for career development. And we even talked about. Starting that career Delap development, conversation of the officer rank right like the moment you join our department. We should be looking at ways to encourage you to continue your career with us and continue to promote. It's a long-term investment. It's there is no overnight fix, but we're we're making progress. We're not where we want to be. But we continue to ask his help in that endeavor. >> I see no further questions for staff. We will open it up for public comment. >> Hello, Faith, Martin, vice chair of the which are racial racial profiling. Citizens Advisory Board. I've honored to come to some of your data over the summer to talk about this contract. I know we've emailed every single city council person. We've had multiple meetings with city manager's office staff, even H R throughout this process. I hear it's going to be too. But for now, every 3 years city of Wichita and the paternal are petite, please enter into collected collective bargaining process. Racial profiling board does not want to get in the middle of a racial or are they a collective bargaining process? What we want to do is want to elevate the voices of the community that have raised concerns prior to Justin. His recommendations. The racial profiling board has been making these recommendations. One of our based on the document that we've given, you has been more entry points into this process so that the recommendations from the community and the points of concern from the community, all of you want to start that process earlier. We would all like to be part of that process earlier, not necessarily in the middle of the collective bargaining agreement and the bargaining between that unit but giving the city and giving a city staff that information prior to meeting with them so really early on. I have a lot of notes. I'm gonna try to get through pretty quickly. But we stood with the previous administration to support and promote the Jensen. His recommendation at its Inception Dashboard was created to address and communicate updates and implementation of However, there's been a couple problems with the dashboard and I what am I? Cohorts going to talk a little bit more about the dashboard, but one of the issues I just found today is it's I'm not able to scroll through the dashboard. It's locked in place and then on somebody else's phone, it looks differently. So we're still having trouble with the dashboard. But one of the first things that was talked about and I hear it at citizens reward all the time as codified the use of coaching and mentoring for discipline. I went to the policy and the policy. So mental state specifically the coaching and mentoring is not a disciplined. So is mean can for? The new contract does not require that officers immediately report misconduct to a supervisor. Is that a mean cat fur that's been on the dashboard since 2023 as pending. The new contract continues to prohibit the city from releasing the names of officers involved in a civilian shooting or that commit misconduct even conferred. And officers accused of misconduct are still allowed to review the investigation. File prior to PSP because it doesn't contractually state that they can't that the city won't give that to them. And then when I was looking through, sorry, have to pull up screenshots because the contract as long. Some of the screen shots. But I took one said. That the addresses of the names and addresses of all the witnesses will be provided to the person that's under investigation. So that's concerning. trading vacation days to avoid suspensions, which is a perception of the community. Is that I mean can for and really the code of conduct pay and saying we're getting rid of it and adding it to the salary and talks of raises and bonuses during a budget shortfall is pretty irresponsible considering that the complaint was giving them a code of conduct and that's already part of their job. Then if there's misconduct, they're still receiving the code of conduct for just rolling it into their salary. So I have a lot a note. The lack of transparency and the police budget as we move into the shortfall and over 40% of the budget is policing. It's contrary to some of the Jensen. recommendations of more transparency communication. I could be wrong with this number, but it feels like it's about 6 million over the proposed budget. And if I'm wrong, I'm happy to be corrected. I have a question how many officers were retain the last time we came and gave the public comment about and FOP contract in the amendment was passed. 3.4 million was approved in 2023. How many officers were retain due to that? That's all I have. I guess my could be before you approve next week that you get some of these question answered and find out what the meet and confer process actually means doesn't mean they just talk about it and nothing happens or we talk about it in something actually moves forward because we are the community is over 3 years under this process of being told that we're going mention said Hughes giving more money out of the budget, especially when there's a budget shortfall being promised, the recommendations are going to be implemented in the next contract. And here we are at the next contract. We still have all these outstanding items. I appreciate your time. Thank you. And I stand for any questions. If you have any. >> Captain Moses, can you please address some of the things that were set? >> I'd be happy to first of all, many of the things mentioned by the previous speaker do in fact, following meet and confer duty to intervene. We've already drafted language in regulation that executive staff would like to incorporate. That is part of the meeting her meet and confer process and we're moving through that. But beyond that, what executive staff has done as we brought in training for our entire department, our entire department went through active bystander ship for law enforcement, which is a training tool from the Police Executive Research Forum. That talks about duty to intervene our entire department through that from the chief all the way through officers. So we take steps beyond just policy. We're talking about culture regarding officers able to review investigative file. That is not true. That changed last year in policy. What we do now is officers have the ability to review would a citizens will be able to review through basically Cora. So if there's an officer's body-worn camera video, they're able to review that video prior to an interview. They're able to review any surveillance video that shows them and their actions and they are able to review their police report. That is it. They are not able to review the entire investigative file that was taken away last year. Regarding the names and addresses of complainants. I'm not aware that we provide that information to 2 focus. Officers are being investigated, but I here follow on that with our professional standards Bureau commander and the code of conduct. Was more nuanced than what was expressed, right? It was you got this pay. And then if you are sustaining a violation that pay one way or you could give that pay in lieu of discipline or or however it was worded. So beyond just rolling that pay into the base salary. What's happening is those contractual agreements related to that pay are also going away. So it's just a few of the highlights. Also look into that functionality. What I was looking at it earlier today, I was able to use it without any issues. So I'll make sure I look into that and address that issue as well. Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you, mayor. That just one big thing for it happen. We have any idea the number of cases where code of conduct a was taken away in this last year. >> I don't have that number, but I will make a note to follow up on that for next week. >> And they just not eligible for the code of conduct pay for the rest of the year calendar year or what does that process look like under the current agreement for I'll have that next week for what that looks like and what it's gonna change. You also say. >> We did a poll numbers related to the bonuses. They were about 100 100 people that qualified for the $5,000 bonus last year that were eligible for retirement. That did not retire. It's a huge number 100 people is is about a 6th of our of our commission and rank. So that's a lot of people. And additionally, we did see attrition numbers at the lowest level that we've seen for the last 3 years. When I pulled that those numbers this Thank you, And just one thing, the faith. There you I was on the agents and use dashboard earlier today. I understand what you're saying. It's a little monkey, but then I clicked on operations there pulled up the. A bigger paychecks lot a lot easier to to manage to go through and has all the recommendations listed so yeah, that the little one that's on the page, Abbott them to click on it. And I did desktop mandate on my phone and it just top. And you can even read the rest of the line. We're all trying to pull it up. So, yeah, I've had the but I'm a dinosaur. So I look The monitor here. Thank >> Continue with public comment. High wind up here at Polo Club District. One. >> I'm not opposed step in here. I just want to make sure that you're getting what you pay for. I am a little disappointed at the end last year. City council. And when this came up, you know, we were assured that all a chance and he is at the right would be implemented before more money be spent because so much was spent and contract amendment last year. And so and that hasn't happened. And I know they have a lot of reasons why. think kind of like where's the accountability what's that commitment to the recommendations and and what's up process for deviations. The very top one on on the dashboard says that it will be an assistant chief, but that didn't happen. That's what Jensen Hughes said. You know, something different happened, but who approves those deviations have asked for that before, you know, Citizens Review Board, meeting some no longer on that board. And at dad meetings, I've asked at the dashboard, be updated first a target date so we can make sure if making progress and also when updates are made that they're dated pretty simple things. I think. But that hasn't happened. And the stash ports been in place now for a year and a half. So kuz approving these exceptions. I think that's kind of think deal. Germans who made the city is contracted with the law firm specific 2 representing the city in excessive force. And so it's always about data, you are things getting better or are they not? One of the things I don't want to manage time, some going jump to it. Its data right? And if you'll go back to start maybe even in 2022. In Chance. And Hughes first came up. The Citizens Review board members that an ice pack. It of data for them to review. And it gotten smaller and smaller over time. One of the things that went missing and I bring up missing data because it was a topic from November nighttime meeting. I think it had to do with the animal shelter. Somebody came up and said there was missing data. Well, there's a big missing data data point. The Citizens Review Board reports it was sent tonight asked for report it for a while. people being investigated. Broke down gender and race right. And then so I took that data over all the months. I had people, the number of by gender and race investigated. And then I also had what they made up total department and through the data. You can tell that minority folks right investigated minority police officers investigated at a higher rate than whites right were not minorities. I put all that in a spreadsheet at a May 16th meeting with citizens know that racial profiling advisory board. The chief of police and Adam. The head of professional standards. After the meeting I brought that up and I said, do you realize this is going on and he didn't know about it. And by golly, if at the next meeting, all of that data is no longer being presented to the crb along with so many other things. If you go back pull up the crb agenda from 2022. pull up the crb agenda. Alright, minutes that have all the attachments from after May. You'll see the amount of data that's presented to the crb. So much of it has gone away and they'll say it's because they don't have the staff, but maybe that in 2022, I think staffing was hard because we're post COVID. All right. So it's concerning. Less data. So Justin Hughes, yes, they knew what the Crb was getting. They had one reckoned that Monday more description right? But now yet the description on one report is longer everything else M I a concerning. Another thing look at the entire compensation package, right? Starting at 33 dollars an hour. Whatever it is. 6 69,000 a year and then all of the PTO on vacation, a brand new person in 2026. You're going to have 6 weeks between holidays, days vacation. And on top of that, another 6 days of sick. Leave a lot. It's a good ones. Deserve it. look at entire compensation package. Thank you for your time. Have questions for me. I'm always be able thanks. Some of the information presented at the Citizens Review Board has changed. Some of that has been at the direction of some of the board members. There's obviously been a change in in board membership. But I will look at that data. >> Figure out where when does give me the opportunity talk about something that I'm going to talk about next week, which is a a new. System for our complaint tracking investigations, use of force and pursuits that will allow us to have this information on hand, much quicker in an automated way. We're very excited about Additionally, I will say one thing that I haven't spoken about as a a professional standards dashboard that we now have online it's going to have some walking functionality as well just because it uses the same. Process we use for the tension, his dashboard. But the community know at their whim can go on and see all pending internal investigations and all closed internal investigations, including including the case summary that's provided to the Citizens Review Board. So look at the information related to the racial breakdown. I know that there was feedback about the complexity of that packet and people getting kinda lost in the packet of the Citizens Review Board. But I assure you we are continuing our work on the chin to his recommendations related to the decision. assistant chief. I think the chief police reserves the right to make a decision when he arrives about whether he needs an assistant chief. And we've tried to be very clear in the dashboard about what we have done and what we have not and the fact that the community is able to understand that we made a different decision than the assistant chief shows that the dashboard is working, that the community has access to the information related to decisions that are being made on these recommendations. Hi there, councilmembers. Olivia Hasan, the deputy director for the 4th District, Kansas Libertarian Party. >> So in regards to the changes today, I find approving these over budget and without some of the most impactful parts of Jensen and also at the same time, potentially cutting other departments to keep us safe like fire. I find all those things together to be highly inappropriate. That don't hear what I'm not saying. I'm not saying not to support police. I have cohorts that might think differently, but that's not where I'm at. I think they've been well supported this year and I'm simply suggesting that perhaps we need to stay of additional resources, at least until we can look at some of these other departments and bring them up to par. Police is a big part of public safety, but they're not the only part public safety. So I'm simply asking that we do right by some of these other departments, at least before going over budget on behalf of police. >> Any further public comment? I see none. I kept in >> Afternoon charity is on the current FOP president. little statement here won't take up too much your time and try to get to some of your questions that you guys have asked already. But I would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in this recent contract negotiations. Your dedication and efforts have resulted in an agreement that addresses critical staffing challenges by making our department more competitive in the state with the goal to attracting the most qualified candidates. Additionally, we as the FOP acknowledge ongoing work between the FOP and the chief of police, Joe Sullivan and addressing the Jensen, his recommendations. These are a significant undertaking that required time and focus and we remain committed to their thoughtful implementation. Thank you for your continued commitment to success of our department and the community we serve by voting to approve this contract next week. To get to some of your questions, Jaisol previous votes in 2023. And 24 in the contract for 21 to 23 was 93%. Point went for the amendment. Was 95%. And then this one was 88%. Mr. Glasscock. Yes, the FOP would love to have a more streamlined process. I don't think it's simple p holding it up. I don't think it's HR holding it up. It's just a very time consuming process. I would love to get you guys paid numbers before August and we're open to negotiating earlier. The problem I'd only recommendation I could make today is I think is you guys are presented a budget with the cost of living increase of one and a half percent. We need to make that more reasonable and fair knowing that we're going into negotiations at a one and a half percent pay raise going into your proposed budget is most likely not the fair number that we're going to settle on. That's what got us into the problem that we were in and had to be addressed in 2024. So we would like to continue making meaningful progress at not getting stuck in lower pay raises which put a Senate puts the police department in a bind where we have to amend contracts for higher pay raises because we're critical staffing issue. As far some of the comments from the public. Code of conduct wasn't designed to pay officers to behave. It was it was designed as a way for 4 additional pay raise. That would not compound to at additional years. So it was kind of an easy budget item for the city, 2 budget. It wasn't to pay officers to to stay out of trouble. There was some language in there that they could forfeit that has since gone away. We no longer have the code of conduct, but to just ultimately get rid of code of conduct would have not. We sought goals to be competitive in the state. If we would have taken the $2.25 away. We were already behind at our starting wage and we want to stay behind without rolling that number into our base wage. And that's why it was decided that it needed to be rolled in to get that starting pay wage, pay wage up there where we are competitive and in 2025 we will be number one in the state of Kansas in Twenty-twenty 6. We'll see what happens with the other departments we do already fall behind Khp as they got a significant pay raise and other departments will be going into contract negotiations. But that's something we can address later down the road. Hopefully the budget is looking better. And if you want to know more about conduct that have the past president here with me, he can discuss that if you do have additional questions on how that was dot designed how it was negotiated with HR. This the the issue with their police department staffing is we are held to 2 classes a year. I think we need to come together and try to find a way WSU has been good to us. But I don't think that facility allows us to get beyond 2 classes a year. We may have to were large enough department where the largest police department in the state. We have our own training facility. We train our own officers. We need to probably have our own training facility. But that's for later conversation that if we want to keep the numbers up on the police department, we're going to have to look at even if the chief of police could hire the 54 openings that we have. That is not suffice for the city of Wichita and that again, that'll be a discussion for later date. Stanford questions. >> Vice Mayor Ballard Mayor, thank you being here. It's a question you mentioned that the voting percentage was 88%. Yes, and couple times before that was 95 in 92. >> They just super happy with. >> Everything or just curious. A lot of >> members put highly put voting thinking into a couple items that they really wanted to see. >> One is a lot of departments are size are looking into take-home vehicle programs. It's a benefit when and you take pride in ownership. If you're giving a vehicle that you can take care of, you can send it up the way you want to set it up. And you know, you're going to be in that vehicle right now. We have to share vehicle. So you don't know you're getting an after. That was one big item and the second item that a lot of our members want to see as retirement insurance. So I think some of the voting why was a little bit lower since this contract in an address, either one of those they went ahead and voted no. >> Thank you percent. Thank you, Jeremy. Questions. >> We will continue with public comment if there's anyone else. We'll bring it back to the bench. This is just a reminder. This is not to approve the contract assists is a process. So that the community can see this one week in advance before the council actually vote on the contract. Council members don't have any. I will go ahead and move. To receive file, the Commons and schedule for adoption on Tuesday, December 10th 2024. Bush a second. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> The conditional use request in the city to permit and celery parking on property zoned to family residential generally located one block south of East Douglas Avenue and one quarter mile east of South Hillside Avenue one, 23, one, 25, South Clifton Avenue. 33 44 East Oakland Avenue. >> Hello, good afternoon, Scott. from the planning Department. So for this item, the applicant is requesting a conditional uses. You to allow residential zoned properties to be used for auxiliary motor vehicle parking its case is being heard because they've been protests mended against the application. The city Council previously considered similar request for this site. That's where PD 2021 dash 18 and on 2023, dash 2, 1, In terms of subject site. It consists of 3 parcels at the northwest corner of the intersection of Oakland Avenue in Clifton Avenue, just just south of Douglas. You can see here subjects site is approximately 0.3, 5 acres and in size. It consists of 2 vacant parcels and one with a single-family house. The majority of the site is OT F 3. In terms of context properties to the north are zoned else. He limited commercial and developed as a commercial center with a restaurant market and cafe. Property to the East across Clifton Avenue GEO General office and developed as a church with parking. Properties to the south across Oakland Avenue are zoned SF 5 single family residential and developed with single-family homes. The property to the West is zoned TR 3 to family and developed with a single family home. In terms of the staff report, the staff report on this item contains information about the history of related applications on the site and parking occupancy survey of the area. In terms of review on October 24th, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request subject to 11 conditions that are identified in the staff report. That vote was 93. Meeting. 6 individual spoke on the item. 5 individuals were opposed to the application. One individual was in support. Prior to the meeting, the Planning Commission received 46 letters and e-mails from the public. 35 of those written comments were in favor of the conditional use. Well, 11 were opposed to the conditional use. In general. The comments for support senator around improving available capacity for all existing and propose businesses and happiness Plaza and reducing the number of cars parked on street which makes a space is available for individuals who visit or live nearby. In general comments against the application senator around concerns about setting a precedent that would promote nearby businesses to buy residential properties and convert them to parking. Also noise pollution and congestion from delivery trucks and light pollution from the headlights of vehicles in the proposed parking lot. On November. 4th, the District Advisory board reviewed the application and recommended approval with the same conditions as the Planning Commission. That vote was 62. 15 members of the public spoke regard to the application. 8 of those spoke in opposition to the request citing the concerns similar to what was expressed at the Ma PC meeting. 6 members of the public were in support of the requests. A conditional use. And one of those members took a more nuanced stance but was in favor of the application. But only after the College Hill neighborhood plan would be completed in adopted by the city. 101 protests petitions were received against the conditional use application. With 7 of those properties in the protest area. Protests petitions within the calculation area equal. 23 point to 2% of the protest area. This exceeds the state statute threshold of 20%. And so therefore, any approval would require super majority or 6 of 7 votes. The recommended action is at City Council dot the findings of the Planning Commission approved the request a conditional use authorize necessary signatures and struck the city clerk published resolution after approval. That again would require 6 of 7 votes. Alternatives include the following. As always, you can override the planning commission, adopt alternative findings. And tonight the conditional use request that would require 5 of 7 votes or of course, you can return the case of the Planning Commission for additional consideration. That would require 4 of 7 votes. In terms of process. Just a quick note that city Council policy is at the public hearing for planning agenda items occurs at the Planning Commission meeting according to the policy. The city council does not typically receive public comments on zoning items. Now related to that, I would also mention that the applicant did submit a power point today and is in the audience as well. There are also members of the public who are in opposition of the conditional use and they are also here today. So with that, I'll take you through some of the images and graphics related to the case. So here's the aerial image shows the subject site outlined in the turquoise color. It's a little bit broader view. You see Douglas running through the center of the screen. Here's a zoning map. Again. The properties are mix of zoning, which was more common back when they were zoned. But the majority of its own T of 3. Here's a map from the comprehensive plan. Showing new residential recommended in the area. Here's the graphic that was submitted as part of the application showing the proposed parking lot. Is a map of the protests. We have received some quite a ways out. So we have circled those with red circles. We also have maps zoom in a little bit closer on this. So again, the ones in the protest area outlined in that green and Purple Circle. And if they're valid, showed up and color red. Here are photos from the area. This is the subject site recently. Photos of. Places in close proximity. It's quite a few photos. So I can certainly go back. There's any questions. But as it happens, Plaza. Across the street. the houses as part of the subject site. All right. And with that will stand for any questions. Councilmember Johnson. >> Thanks, for staff had ex parte communications with the applicant and talk to residents in neighborhood. Scott, there was one question. Don't know the answer to. Asked me this, but it's asking you. It was said that if this was approved today because of the setbacks that you can see on >> site plan attachment number one that graphic that you showed. They may have to go through this process again. >> they have a couple of options. They could modify their site plan or they could come in request a vacation of that in order to be able to develop the parking lot as they currently show it. But yes, that's true. And they would. So if they requested a vacation goes. >> Back out through this whole process again. Yes, it would be a public process with that. Yes, sir. Okay. >> This resides in Councilmember Johnson's district. >> All right. Before I make a motion since I've seen this now 3 times just to make sure. The DAV. Additional. Conditions. Those are the same as them a piece talk about some differences and screening. But I think it ultimately came to be the same as I'm a PC. That is correct. Yes, sir. For this case, I would move that the Wichita City Council adopt the findings of the I'm a PC and approve the request. A conditional use authorize the necessary signatures and struck the city clerk to publish the resolution after approval. >> Motion. And I'll second that Councilmember Glasscock. Thank you. Mayor just wanted also say ex parte communication, the applicant one time. >> neighbors 4, 5 times case. Councilmember. thank you. to have had expert a communications with the applicant and also with community members. >> To have seen this now, 3 times. And I just want to just state for the record the first time that this came before us more residents told me that they didn't want it than they did. And then also the parking study that said it wasn't warranted. Last time this came to us more residents told me they wanted it and didn't. And the park and study justified. And this also has been approved by him, a PC. It's been approved by the District Advisory board. I. I truly believe that it to safety issue to have this many cars on the street. I think it's dangerous for pedestrians and it's dangerous for cyclists that I have been a long advocate for so I will be support of this today. Thank you. >> On number whole Jaisol. Thank you, I too have had ex parte communication with both the applicant and residents of the neighborhoods. Just want to put that out. Vice Mayor Ballard. >> Thank you. Mayor didn't know had through conversations the applicant, at the Councilmember Johnston. >> Well, I guess I'm the only one has had. However. Call it feels affectionately known as the Catholic And I have a lot of friends. And that neighborhood and they are all supportive of it. I eat at Belmont Archers. Both of them have to park on the street. Is dangerous era streets and I will be supporting this. >> We have a motion and a second, any further discussion before we vote. I also had ex parte communication with both the applicant and residents. I do want to make mention that there was a lot of effort. There was e-mail that was sent to all of us this morning by the applicant showing support letters and more signatures and there was a lot diligence. I think taking a very long time but engaging the neighbors is really the key here. And I what to say. Thank you to all the individuals who contacted all 7 of us whether it was for or against this project. And this does resided Councilmember Johnson's district and he had council meeting that loss to tell 11 30 just about 11:30PM, the night before we had our there are went to meeting. just going to say thank you for everyone that has been listening and trying to come up with a compromise and something that helps both the neighbors as well as the amenities that are for that neighborhood and this community. So we have a motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none that a clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 6, 1, But clerk please call the next item. >> See up amendment in the city to see up. >> To allow warehouse self-service storage change, building size and height and except parcel to from architectural controls, generally located on the west side of North 127 Street east with 400 feet south of east 21st Street North. >> Scott, we again from the planning Department. So as you heard for this one, the applicant requesting amendments to see up which overlays the base owning. So it's a second layer of zoning in this case. The up is Summit Crossing Community Unit plan and it specifically targeted at parcel number 2. I've got some graphics that show that as you heard there, requesting the amendments in order to allow for warehouse self storage as a permitted use, its currently not permitted. They are also asking to exempt this particular parcel in the C up from architectural controls associated with general provision. 8 of the CPA know I've got some graphics that show that as well. In addition, they are seeking to alter the development standards for the building, height, floor area and building coverage. In addition to those modifications to this up, they are also requesting a waiver of the unified zoning code. Supplementary use regulation, which requires a resident manager to be on site for warehouse self storage. Use. So this item is being heard today because protests have been received against the application in terms of the request. The applicant has indicated that they are requesting the amendments and waiver so that they can build a three-story self storage facility. In terms of the property. The site it's generally located to the south and west of the intersection of one 27th Street and 21st Street. The subject site consist of one ownership parcel is approximately 2.6 acres in size. see a limited commercial and is in the community unit plan. existing community unit plan generally extends from 21st Street almost all the way south to 19th Street and from 127 street to Garnet Street, which you can see on the graphic here. The community unit plan includes multiple parts properties and are generally developed as office and commercial uses. It has 2 zoning parcels within it. And the subject site is on. It started as multiple zoning parcels within this up. And the subject site isn't community unit plan parcel number 2. The sea up general provision number 8 regards the architectural controls, which requires that all buildings share uniform, architectural character, color and saint prominent exterior building material. It limits exterior colors requires that the building walls do not utilize medal as a predominant exterior facade material unless approved administratively. In terms of context properties to the North South and west are zoned Elsie and within the cip properties to the north and south are both undeveloped. As you can see here. The property says South is planted as a reserve. Properties to the West are developed this medical offices properties to the east across one 27th Street are zoned LC with any different. See up and their development duplexes and a daycare facility. A quick note here about residential in the area. The nearest existing homes are across 120th street to the east and they are approximately 127 feet away. The staff report provides information about the self storage as a use and zoning process required to get approval. Also the requirement for self storage to have a resident manager provides information about the development and also information about the requested amendments to the CP, including the detailed language in terms of review on October 24th, the Metropolitan Planning Commission considered this up and recommended amendments and recommended approval of the amendments and the waiver. That vote was 9 to 3. And that was subject to conditions that are listed in the staff report. As part of that, though, please note that the MPC also made the recommendation for the parcel to remain subject to Cp's general provision number 8 so that the architectural controls would still apply. They're not recommending that you modify this up due to waive that. 2 members of the public spoke in opposition to the request at that hearing with concerns about the developments, eyes, architectural design and permitted use on the site. On November 13th District Advisory board. Consider this up amendment request and recommended to 0 the same as in PC 3 members of the public spoke at that meeting in opposition to the request again with the same concerns were expressed at the in the PC meeting. 54 protests were received accounting forward. 55 point to 6% of the protest area exceeds the 20% threshold, therefore require 6 out of 7 votes. So the recommendation is that the city council adopt the findings of the Planning Commission approved the amendments to this up, adopt the resolution authorizing necessary signatures and instruct the city clerk to publish resolution after approval as well as granting the waiver to the supplementary use regulation. In terms of alternatives. As always, you can override the planning commission, adopt alternative findings. And tonight this up amendment which requires 5 of 7 votes are you can return the case of the Planning Commission for additional consideration, which would require FORTY-SEVEN votes. And as always, just a quick note about the process that the city Council policies that the public hearing Kurz at the Planning Commission meeting. So with that, I'll take you through some of the images. So here's the aerial showing the subject site. Here's the zoning in the area. You can see that it's a combination a variety of different zoning districts, but mostly LCA nearby. Here's a map from the comprehensive plan showing a mix of residential unemployment recommended for the area here, a graphic showing the see up that the properties. And again, it is parcel number 2, but this just shows you the. Parcels that are located in this up in more detail. Here's a site plan that was submitted along with the application by the applicant shows the layout of the proposed building. Here's the map showing the protests petitions that were received again. It totaled 55% of the protest area. Here's a closer men. Here are photos from the site and the surrounding area. At a site across the street. South. And with that, I'll stand for any questions. Questions for staff. >> I see none this recites and councilmember totals district. Thank you. Thank you for your help on the sky. And this is probably one the more challenging decisions I've made since I've been in council and the first euros and counsel. We had a very similar situation where it was a storage unit was going to be 3 stories. >> The difference then is it that really backed up to residential and in this clique case, there isn't residential in close proximity. It's across the street, correct? >> There is residential located to the south to the south and that is approximately 500 feet away. >> I have a should have stated person and very sorry I have not had. I have had no ex parte communication with the applicant or any community members. They have emailed me and I my response until after I made my decision. As I mentioned. And Mace PC approved. My DAV approved unanimously with the modification that it could not be a metal structure as originally, the application, if it were a metal structure, I would not entertain this at all. My dad also indicated that they would not have supported it if it was a metal structure that based on the architectural designs, I think that it's going to be a static Lee pleasing. It will fit into the area. The other thing is, you know, the concern is that it's 3 stories and not to. But this area is growing and there is vacant property there, but it's not going to be for long. We're going to see more development in this area. I see it is an opportunity for growth. So when I look at the Golden rules and will significantly change the character of the neighborhood? I don't believe And so with that, I will take the record recommended action that the staff that the city council adopt the findings that I'm a PC and approve the CP amendments, but off the resolution authorize the necessary signatures and then struck the city clerk depend publish the resolution of 100 after approval. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion. Before I get my vote. I will also say that I was contacted through email and many people on the council were also contacted via e-mail. so I understand that that is the process. Unfortunately, you cannot speak during there's no public comment in these items, but they were noted it. I think all of us have noted the emails for and against all of these projects. So at this time I will be voting against this. So motion and a second, any further discussion. Seeing none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion. Just not carry separate. Need 6 out of 7 votes. That's correct. Right now we have I. 2. So we'll just go back to me. PC. Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> In the Crown Uptown Theater planned unit development number. 55 to increase the building capacity to 2066 persons generally located south of East Douglas Avenue within 100 feet of north Hillside Avenue at 30 to 7 East Douglas Avenue. >> We again from the planning Department for this case. As you heard, the applicant is requesting to amend an existing planned unit development, which custom zoning for the Crown Uptown Theater at 30 to 7 East Douglas Avenue. This item is being heard because the District Advisory board and the Planning Commission recommendations are different. And also because protests have been received against the application. In terms of the request, the applicant is indicated that they are requesting increase the maximum number of persons allowed at the facility. The PD zoning currently limits it to 850 persons. The applicant is requesting to amend the PD to allow 2066 persons. They've indicated that they are requesting the rezoning in order to allow for more viable events at the business and to make the business more viable at the property. In terms of the property. The site is generally located to the south and east of the intersection of hillside in Douglas. It is made up of 2 ownership. Parcels approximately 0.5, 2 acres in size owning and is developed with the theater and a parking lot that has 17 spaces. The Crown Uptown Theater is listed in the Wichita Historic Preservation Plan. Appendix an inventory of which ties and designated historic resources, the witch Municipal Code Section 2. 12.1, 0, 2, 4.1 provides that the preservation planner a place immediate but temporary interim controls prohibiting the alteration or demolition of any building site or structure identified and the city's preservation plan as an undesignated historic resource. There is a notice requirement and the interim control cannot exceed 30 days except if extended by the city Council. There is an appeal process to the director of planning and also to the City Council. In terms of context properties to the north are zoned GC General Commercial and developed with commercial stores properties to the South are zoned else. He limited commercial and be multi-family residential are developed with multifamily dwellings and a duplex property to the east zone GC and developed with an art gallery property to the West is ogc and developed with the commercial storefront. Terms of the staff report. The staff report provides information about the Crown Uptown Theater building parking and the existing planned unit development. Zoning. In terms of review on October 24th, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item and recommended approval for the staff recommendations. That vote was 62. 2 members of the public spoke regarding the request. One member of the public stated that they were in favor if long-term written agreements, parking agreements could be produced by the applicant. And one member of the public was post the request citing concerns of alcohol consumption by patrons and overflow parking into their neighboring parking lot. In addition, one member of the public sent in written communication was opposed to the request, citing concerns regarding a lack of on street parking in the area for such a large number of people attending events in the theater. On November 4th, the District Advisory Board review the application and recommended denial that 62, 10 members of the public spoke regarding this application. 9 of the individual spoke in opposition to the request citing concerns about a lack of parking increased pedestrian traffic through neighboring properties, noise pollution from concerts and increased traffic in general, one individual spoke in favor of the inquest at that same meeting, 16 protests petitions were received against the application. They totaled 46.4 6% of the protest area. It succeeds the 20% threshold and therefore require 6 out of 7 votes to approve any changes. In terms of council actions recommended the city council adopt the findings of the Planning Commission approve the requested amendment to the PD place. The ordinance on the first reading authorize necessary signatures and struck the city clerk publish ordinance after approval on the second reading that would require 6 of 7 votes. Alternatives include the following. You can override the planning commission, adopt alternative findings. And tonight the PD request require 5 of 7 votes. Always always return the case of the planning Commission for additional consideration, which would require 4 of 7 votes, terms of process. Just another quick note about policy. Number 9 in the public hearing occurs at the planning Commission. So with that, I'll take you through some of the graphics and photos here. So here's the aerial showing the subject site. Here's the zoning for the area. Here's the map of the comprehensive plan recommending new residential in the area. Here's site schematic that was provided by the applicant is part of the application. Here's the protests map showing the protests that we received. And zooming out. So you can see once we receive from little bit further away. Here are photos from the surrounding area and the subject site. This is the interior. And with that all stand for any questions. Questions for staff. >> Can address the historical portion that was added to our agenda item? Yes, yes, I was made aware of that last week that it is listed that is included on that inventory as well as the implications from the municipal code. It appears that it's been on this list for quite some time since 1990's. Fi remember correctly and that there's procedures that are established in the municipal code that should the owner or their contractor in this case come in and submit an application for a demolition permit or other building permits, threw him ABC, D that they are required to notify the preservation planner. And then the preservation planner has the discretion about whether or not to place interim temporary control to restrict the issuance of those permits for up to 30 days during that time, the individual, the owner can also appeal to planning director. And if they do like the answer that they received their, they may also appeal it further to the City Council. Also during that 30 day time period, the city council has the discretion to extend the interim control up to 180 days. And some of class come. Thank you, mayor, by question. Be about regarding fire capacity. Fire safety approved by. >> Fire department. >> So the fire code would Trump any occupancy limits that the zoning would place on it. So its separate and independent, but it overrides anything that would be in the planning in the zoning. What is fire code capacity? I do not know. I know that the owner has been working on making fire improvements and there's been conversation between them and the plant and the fire department. But I do not know what it's authorized. Capacity is from the fire department. >> Vice Mayor Ballard. Thank you. Is that something we can try to find quick he called Co certainly can. It will take some time to work through. Chris, to the rescue. Also. I mean, it seems pretty going from 800 to 2000 that that's right. >> That is correct. It's 850 to 2066. >> Yes, Vice Mayor Calais Miguel class, slavery, maybe city for the record. So in conjunction with building code and the fire code is what's with set. The building occupancy. It's my understanding that the owner is now willing to includes sprinkler system with this. We would require that to go above the current 860, which is where our occupancy is set, which is ironically 10 higher than the previous PD. The calculated occupancy at this point as 1537 that we would authorize the fire marshal has the final say in that. There are some adjustments they could potentially make with their space with their layout, cetera, to increase that somewhat. And the owner has expressed an interest in doing so. So as is correct? Pasadena's 15, 37. So as as it is today, 860 basis with a sprinkler system that would be 1537. >> With given the layout we've received from a previously received from the architect and the owners representatives. So that's the highest able to go with fire code city code less than that is all directions. That is correct. Yes exactly. And that's with fire suppression at first question, correct? >> Vice Mayor Belich, thank you, mayor. So what would they have to do in addition to get to 2066? >> I do not see any way they could get to 2066. We could potentially get UNOS squeeze. I would not want to give an exact number again. That's for Marshall Dugan's. Final call. I know they have expressed a desire to get at least in the neighborhood of 1700. We will certainly be willing to work with them towards that number. >> And some of it yet. Thank you, Mayor. I knew owned it long, time ago. I understand it was license for 1500 at that time. He lowered the license. 7800. >> So forever acted as a theater. Now my records and my records say that in 1977, is when it was lowered to 560. And was that point? It was it received an A to occupancy, which is an event center type occupancy. There were few petitions and requests to increase that in 2018. >> Given the exits and there was some work done to the exits, to remove some tripping hazards and then additionally there was an increase fire alarm system. So not sprinklers, but fire alarm that was installed at that time. And with that, the calculations allowed to increase to about his initial Friday. 77 shock. I believe you're correct, that it about 1500. Yeah. So thank you. Which would be more consistent with the theater type occupancy. >> I just want add that I had ex parte communication with the applicant as well as some of the protesters. And so I've also been appreciative of all the e-mails for and against this project and just like the last project, I believe that it's important to engage your neighbors, all of And so having that clear communication as part of the process. and I know at the first case, multiple years before they get to this position it required a lot of community engagement. So I appreciate Scott for continuing this process. Council member who jaisol. >> Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to add a headache sparked a communication with the applicants. >> Councilmember Glasscock. I will echo that as well as residents and opposition. Vice Mayor ballot. >> Thank you. I spoke several people in a position that I have not spoke with the applicant. Councilmember Johnston. >> I also had communication with applicant. I called him and out. I've had a lot of communication with the president's health. >> Councilmember tough. So make being their ally have not had community communication with the applicant. received numerous emails from residents that I address after the vote. Thank you. The sites and council member Johnson's district. Thanks, Mayor District. One day. >> I have had ex parte communication with the applicant, his attorney and many, many residents regarding Given the significant protests and other concerns raised, I would move that the city Council returned this case. May PC for additional consideration. Specifically had like to know where their options that can result in a better balance between the use of the property for large events and impact to the neighborhood. applicant stated at a public meeting they were interested and 64 capacity standing room only events per year. I was extremely concerning to community members. I'd like to know is there a balance to a ballot or limit between full-capacity events have requested capacity events any event at its current capacity. No limit on that because it's already there. I'd also like to see him a PC consider how this potential change to capacity with impact or be impacted by the college to overlay plan develop. That's nearly done. also like to see some. Demonstration that the applicant has a plan to. Show the occupancy can be substantially increased without the terminal parking impacts to nearby properties. To date the applicant has yet to produce any written parking agreements, but publicly spoke to have a verbal agreement. And I feel that that would provide more clarity to the neighborhood impact as well. >> Motion and a second discussion Councilmember Tunnel. >> Thank you. And thank you for the recommendations I too have concerns about parking. But honestly, my biggest concern and I don't think I heard you say it. So he did very sorry and I would love to be corrected. But, you know, we know that right now fire code is 860 convince. And Chris, our director Abcd said that even with sprinklers, it would be 1537. So I don't know where discrepancy between the 2066 in the 1537 is that to me is the biggest concern because people's lives would be at risk the city liability could be at risk. >> So that's something that I would also like to see addressed. I mean, if our director Abcd saying it can't happen, then. Why are we looking still at the 2066? It should just be the maximum of 1537 to thank you. >> Just just a brief response. I didn't say it because he said it couldn't happen. So I did bring about. Councilmember Class Cup. >> Thank you, mayor. I councilmember totals. Concern is safety. Be my number one concern. Regarding this application and then I think there I just have received conflicting information from. that be the report or whether what I hear from the applicant where you're from the community? And so I just want answers. >> We have a motion and a second to return the case. I'm a PC. Any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the rule. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Change in council meeting schedule. >> That's presenting this. >> Mariners counsel Bob Whitten City manager. I believe I drew the short straw here this item would set council meeting schedule for next year for 2025. Specifically scheduling for evening meetings for the city council and one in March one and June one and August one November. And noting that the November 4th City Council meeting would be moved to November 6th and then would establish for meeting dates for non bonk are possible on box with the County Board of Commissioners January April, July and October. Glad answer any questions regarding the dates. >> I have a couple suggestions. Number August 5th. All right. The primaries. So is that an issue? I know that it was changed from November 4th to November 6 because of also elections. That's the general election. Any questions? Any feedback on that? >> Well, wouldn't be a problem for me, but I would think it could be those that are involved in the primary. we've more than happy to schedule. I'm sorry will punch We can look moving that. Also to August, 7th, similar what we did for a general election in November. >> I I would like to see that only because they want to respect that. There are council members who will be up for re-election. Yes, and I don't want to be worried about Yes. Councilmember Johns. Thanks, >> I just wanted to say talked to you, Mayor Councilmember total. Think about A mountain top, Councilmember Johnston, but just wanted to make a suggestion on the evening meetings that those are one item meetings and not the full council meeting. So if it was another like parking discussion, they would only be parking that way. We can get engagement on the one issue. And hopefully be here until 01:00AM. But one item I think would allow people to focus on that and we can be met as necessary as day comes forward. >> Some of I don't think you cause for just and I talked about this and attachment councilmember holistically as well in 2018 and conservatives and I were the only ones that were here that we had evening meeting about budget, which we always do. And I think we always should. then we had an evening meeting regarding baseball and we didn't do consent. We didn't do any public comment regarding just topics. We just had a presentation from staff about the baseball stadium proposal and then opened it up to public comments. it was a fantastic meeting and it took several hours. But everybody who was here was here for that topic. So it was a prudent use of their time and we didn't get out. So late cited weren't worry about people's public safety. The meeting that we left at 1 o'clock a couple weeks ago, I truly was worried about staff in her community members who are walking into the dark downtown at 1 o'clock in the morning. And then driving after they've been working for 17 hours than getting up the next morning and going to work at 8 o'clock. So I just think that this is a really good solution. I think it's more efficient for staff it more efficient for us and it's more efficient for community engagement. So I I do hope that that's the path that we can take and Kuzma or Johnson. And I also talked maybe instead of replacing council meeting. Maybe it's we do consent during the workshop day that day. So we have just a brief consent meeting and then we do a workshop that night. There's a lot different ways that we can makes this up to be more efficient and effective and and community, the community's reached out to me and said, please change this Glad to see this moving forward. Thanks. >> I will last city manager because currently those states are not workshop days. So city manager, how could that be alleviated given that those are not workshop days. >> Mayor, what I would ask is for a hybrid. I understand the council's desire not to have any other new business items, but because we have especially I get worried about the November meeting. It especially because we start really get a lot of business items that stack up, if you would be willing to entertain consent agenda. And then one item of new business, I think that would be we'd be able to keep things moving and that we would that would not be as disruptive to our schedule. >> The suggestion is to have consent agenda and just one topic. >> When you visit that City Council's wish yes. Councilmember whole Jaisol. >> Thank you. Mayor is going to say this for comments later. my my thought on it, I agree with much of one of other council members said I think we when discussing things at midnight, 1 o'clock in the morning, a kind of that's not the intent that we have and it makes it a little more difficult for the public to see what's going on. So my suggestion would be to have the regular meeting during the week and then. He specialized whatever parking or what comes up quarterly. We have a separate maybe Thursday. So we still go through with everything on a regular council meeting and then we have a good time for whatever specialized item is there. So we don't get behind on consent agenda and a lot of the other regular So my suggestion there this love to hear some conversation about it. Thank you. >> Councilmember Johnston, thank you, mayor. I like to say managers idea. I don't think need that. Another meeting to leak. may. But I do like the one item and have consented keep those normal things going along. We'll add there's not a lot of traffic at 1 o'clock in the morning. In a long time to time driven that time. >> Councilmember Class Scott, thank you, mayor. I also like the managers recommendation. I think that's probably most comprehensive way to get business Also help. >> Any further questions? I did have one during the agenda review. I asked how many have been where evening meetings and I was hoping to get those numbers so far today between right now at the 60's to over 100 people have been watching this YouTube City Council meeting. So I'm just curious get this council voted earlier this year that we would have more than just evening budget. discussion we would have a total of 4 evening meeting so community could come because many have to work during the daytime. So I just again wanted to know if we could get that back. It won't affect my vote. But I want to know. >> Merit. They've gathered a lot of that information already. I think the preliminary information shows better viewership for the night meetings. Then the day meetings and then, but usually after that, I think when the big item was finished. significant drop-off. But we'll get to all >> Councilmember Tuttle. I don't know a lot about this kind of stuff. So this may be a dumb question. But I know lots of people. And I was surprised by this. But they work during the day. So in the evening or in the weekend they go back and watch the meetings. Are those numbers accounted for? 2? You know, or is it just the actual lives? The gift? Yeah, like I said, because people. there's ever going to be a great time, right, people work during the day that in the evening they have kiddos or maybe their caregivers for their their elderly family members. >> If some people work in the evening so I think we certainly are trying to accommodate the best we can. But I do know quite a few people who they don't necessarily need to come and make a comment that they're just interested in what's going in the communities. They watch it later. So that's always an option for folks thank you. >> I see no further questions for staff. Any public comment. I see none. We'll bring it back to the bench. I will motion to approve changing the city council meetings. >> 4 March 18, June 3rd, August 7. >> November 6 for regular city council meetings from 09:00AM to 06:00PM, which will include one new business. I-10 and the consent agenda. We will also remove November for 2025 regular meeting and the regular August 5th, regular meeting to accommodate for 2 elections. The primaries and the general and also scheduled on bought meetings 4 January 29th April 29th July, 29th and October 29th of 2025. Lysol. >> Thank you, Just a question on the on Bucs. Are these scheduled or these kind of hold the day, like, are we feeling these with it? Something that we don't necessarily need to talk to county about because we're having them or are these I mean, are they seeing minute it has on boxes more? What I'm asking. >> It was part of scheduling. Is that These are placeholders not necessarily knowing that you'll have 4 topics you want to discuss also by having these as placeholders. The mayor talked before about the possibility on bunk with >> school board school board. And so that could go into one of those >> Thank >> Any further comments? I have a motion. Do I have a second? Thanks. Mayor Ballard seconded. We'll now open it up comments that would be council member John. >> Thanks, We do have to put into a book. We know the council intent on the one item or do we need to put that motion? >> I thought the mayor had that her >> I this So we have a motion and a second, any further discussion. I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, Madam Clerk, please call the next item. >> Councilmember appointments and comments. >> Any appointments by council members. Councilmember Johnston, thank you, mayor, like to point blame Beasley District 5 advisory board as state representative. >> Motion to approve the recommendations for board appointments. Thank you, motion. second, any further discussion? I see none. Madam Clerk, please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, It is now time for comments that council members are there any comments by council members? Councilmember just >> It significant day on Black Friday. Is I got a hole in one. Number 12, Auburn Hills, my 3rd one. So. It only cost between $3 and beers. >> The only comment I have is I just want to take say thank you to the individuals who were able get the emergency winter shelter open by last Friday. think it was very important for our community to now have Wichita's 24 7 shelter. This will be now an opportunity for individuals over the age of 18 men or women to have an option for sheltering during these winter months. And then transition into 24 7 sheltering beyond that, the contract with Humankind Ministries. So again, I just want to say thank you to Humankind ministries and all the staff that work during the holiday weekend and all the individuals who donated food for past weekend and the individuals that if you know, anyone that is facing hardship and that possible homelessness in their own lives. Please connect them to the multi-agency again, located at 10th and Main Street. That is it uncommon. I won't move to adjourn this meeting. I can't motion and a second, any further discussion. I seen that that a please open the role. Motion passes 7, 0, We have a great rest of your evening.