WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Wichita City Council members are expected to choose between several plans determining how and when you’ll pay to park downtown.

This is a problem that has been brewing for almost a year.

Just after the new year last January, the city council approved paid parking and planned to have it in place by Jan. 1, 2025. It slowed down its plan to get feedback this fall after hearing from many people opposed to this decision.

Once council selects a plan, city staff will move forward with introducing paid parking downtown.

We will be at Tuesday’s meeting to let you know how much paid parking will cost and when it will come into effect.

The City Council can also approve changes to the city’s illegal camping ordinance. This after a U.S. Supreme Court opinion gave cities more power to enforce illegal camping policies on public property.

If approved, the city will be able to clean up certain public spaces without notice. Those who violate the order face a $200 fine.

Advocates hope to see fair policing for both the city and unhoused people.

Under the current ordinance, people can face a fine of up to $500 for illegal camping, and the city must give 72 hours’ notice before clearing a campground. The city said it spent more than $200,000 to clean up illegal campsites in 2023.

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