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Council schedules May 27 workshop on mold, landlord retaliation and code changes after tenant testimony
Summary
After a resident described black mold, eviction and landlord retaliation, councilmembers directed staff to hold a May 27 workshop to discuss ordinance and code updates and to refer tenants to city processes; HUD inspection standards were also noted as forthcoming.
A public speaker’s account of ongoing black‑mold problems and alleged landlord retaliation prompted Wichita councilmembers to highlight a May 27 workshop on proposed ordinance and code changes and to point residents toward existing complaint procedures.
At the public agenda, Arthur Stokes described long-running mold problems and a disputed eviction history and urged stronger penalties for landlords. Council member Hoheisel responded that the city will address mold and related code changes at a May 27 workshop and asked residents with eviction or retaliation concerns to attend and register for the workshop. He also told attendees that HUD inspection standards for Section 8 would likely change in October, which could affect local inspection practices.
Hoheisel and other council members encouraged affected residents to contact city staff about the landlord‑retaliation process and to reach out to Sedgwick County and state legislators for matters beyond city authority. Council members thanked the speaker and urged others with direct experience to attend the workshop and present public comment then.
City staff confirmed the workshop date and said the city maintains a landlord retaliation complaint process that staff will explain at the workshop. No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council scheduled the workshop for May 27 as a next step to review potential code changes and to gather stakeholder input.
