Derby City Council on Oct. 14 reviewed and approved an updated list of council priorities covering water and wastewater infrastructure, parks and municipal facilities, and several policy and planning items, voting 7-0 to adopt the update.

Kyle (city planning/engineering staff) presented the update, reporting progress on a number of long-running capital projects: the north-area sewer interceptor (red/green/blue sections), the Phase 1 wastewater improvements and related work at the treatment plant, the nearly-complete energy-efficiency contract items, Dukarski Park Phase 2 construction, and the senior center construction scheduled for completion in early 2026.

New and removed items: Staff recommended removing projects substantially complete and adding several items. New shorter-term priorities include a formal consent-annexation transparency policy (to provide earlier notice and clearer information to neighboring property owners when landowners petition to annex) and a consultant RFP to design three neighborhood parks (Amber Ridge, Glen Hills and Duck Creek) as part of implementation of the Derby Difference parks program. Staff also proposed adding duplex design standards and density options to the watch list for longer-term zoning and subdivision updates after multiple council conversations about housing types.

Other updates: Staff reported progress on the K-15 area plan, Amber Ridge/Starbonne construction and storm sewer work, and efforts to keep ARC‑95 (a long-range east–west corridor) on KDOT’s radar; Sedgwick County has helped fund overlay and corridor design tasks. Staff also said the city and Wichita have discussed adjustments to the wholesale water contract to allow Derby to phase in use of a larger share of its appropriated groundwater rights, which would reduce long-term wholesale purchases.

Why it matters: The priority list frames capital scheduling, budgeting and policy work for staff and council and identifies items that will move toward design, procurement and public outreach. Council members asked that the annexation transparency policy and duplex standards be developed with public engagement and clear definitions of scope and incentives.

Action: Council Member Molt moved to approve the updated priorities list; council approved the motion 7-0.

Ending: Staff will return with draft policy language for consent-annexation notices and with procurement steps for neighborhood park design, and will continue to monitor water‑reuse policy and duplex-design standards as part of upcoming zoning and subdivision regulation updates.