The Wichita City Council was given a preview of items set for its July 1 and July 8 meetings, City Manager Layton told the council, including a proposed multifamily residential revenue bond for affordable housing in District 1; proposed changes to the city’s common consumption provisions to enable a common consumption district in Delano; a letter of intent to issue $3,600,000 in industrial revenue bonds for a manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility; and a grant application for two hybrid buses and five hybrid vans to support paratransit service and experiments with microtransit.

The agenda preview matters because the items would affect housing finance, local alcohol-consumption rules, economic development incentives and transit service options if the council approves them. All items were presented as forthcoming agenda votes or actions; no votes were taken during the preview.

City Manager Layton read the lists of items scheduled for consideration. For the July 1 meeting, the council will be asked to approve on-call contracts for promotional items and brand services, a paving project for the 1,600 block of South Eisenhower Court and a design concept, supplemental design contract and funding for improvements on Maple from 130 Fifth to 160 Seventh Streets West. The council will also be asked during July 1 to select an appeal panel for a suspension of tobacco and club, drinking and/or mixed beverage (CMB) licenses in District 1 and to consider a claim settlement related to an accident involving a police vehicle.

For the July 8 meeting, Layton said the council will consider approval of the issuance of a multifamily residential revenue bond for an affordable housing project in District 1 and a triple-net lease with Sabore for space in Old Town. New-business items on that agenda include receiving and filing the annual comprehensive financial report and the popular annual financial report, and approving a letter of intent to issue $3,600,000 in industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for a manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility.

Other July 8 items listed by Layton include the Mount Vernon hydraulic intersection improvement project; proposed changes to the city’s common consumption provisions to accommodate creation of a common consumption district in Delano; an extension of a contract to assist with startup and commissioning of a new water plant ("no additional cost is associated with the extension," Layton said); an IT infrastructure contract; settlement of a separate claim involving a police vehicle; and a grant application for two hybrid buses and five hybrid vans that the city says would serve paratransit and allow experimentation with microtransit.

Layton noted that the water-plant contract extension would not increase cost to the city. The preview did not include detailed staff reports or final contract terms; those details are scheduled to be provided with the formal agenda materials prior to the respective meetings. No formal actions, motions or votes occurred during the preview briefing.

Council members made no substantive comments during the preview, and the mayor offered no further announcements. The council will take up the listed items at the July 1 and July 8 meetings, where staff presentations, public comment and formal votes may follow.