Council moves to participate in Wichita YMCA's 'Y Town,' authorizing up to $20,000 over three years

The council voted to suspend the rules and approve the city’s participation in the Wichita YMCA’s renovation project called "Y Town," authorizing up to $20,000 in city support to be paid over up to three years.

Vanessa, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, told the council the YMCA is "currently in a renovation campaign" and described Y Town as a child-focused, branded space that could include a police department and fire department presence to help connect young people with first responders.

The item was taken under suspension of the rules so the council could act on it at this meeting. A motion to suspend the rules was made and seconded; the chair called for a vote and members answered in the affirmative. The record does not show a named mover or seconder for the suspension motion.

During discussion a council member asked whether the Y Town installation would be indoors; Vanessa confirmed it would. The transcript records the cost as "$20,000 over a period of not to exceed 3 years" and indicates payments would be spread over three years. The council did not record detailed payment schedules or conditions in the on-the-record discussion.

The council also discussed logistics for associated events and asked staff to coordinate with property managers and event organizers in advance. No implementation timeline or contract text was read into the record during the meeting.

The council moved on to other agenda items after voting to approve the city’s participation.