The Wichita City Council convened on January 20, 2026, for a marathon session that lasted from 9:00 AM until adjournment at 12:27 PM. The meeting was dominated by extensive discussion of the troubled Wichita Water Works project, revealing that liquidated damages were not extended past the September 2024 substantial completion date—a detail not previously disclosed to the Council or public. The session also included approval of the Delano Common Consumption Area expansion, adoption of 2026 legislative agendas emphasizing sales tax removal on groceries, and routine business. All seven council members were present: Mayor Lily Wu, Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock, and Council Members Joseph Shepard, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, JV Johnston, and Maggie Ballard. Assistance from Claude AI.
Quick Reference: Major Actions
Approved (All Unanimous 7-0 Votes):
- Minutes from three previous meetings (January 12, 13, 14)
- Consent agenda items 1-19
- Four petitions for public improvements
- Delano Common Consumption Area expansion to full-time status
- 2026 City and Joint State Legislative Agendas
- $769,446 Garver contract extension (Owner’s Site Representative Phase 3) for water plant oversight
- Council Member Shepard’s travel to NLC Congressional City Conference (March 15-18)
- Sarah Haymaker appointment to Food and Farm Council
Key Discussions:
- Extensive water treatment plant clarifier failures and repair timeline
- Contract terms and liquidated damages controversy
- Settlement claim negotiations with Wichita Water Partners
- Monthly water plant progress reports directed
Public Agenda
Road Improvement Request – Dale Jones
Speaker: Dale Jones, 1703 N Womer Drive
Issue Raised: Jones requested road improvements on 13th Street between West Street and Amidon, citing frequent accidents at St. Paul and Meridian due to lack of left turn lanes. Jones, who grew up in the area, emphasized the need for widening and turn lane installation.
Council Response: Council Member Maggie Ballard thanked Jones for attending and requested he leave contact information with the clerk for follow-up…