[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632956,"mediaKeyId","2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e","parentId",2667386,"title","Council conditionally approves renaming City Hall courtyard to Leawood Veterans Memorial Plaza","audioSeconds",531,"startMs",6964000,"endMs",7495000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e&start=6964&end=7495","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e/thumbnail_6964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632956/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Council-conditionally-approves-renaming-City-Hall-courtyard-to-Leawood-Veterans-Memorial-Plaza","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632956-f86ea981f9ebb7f1f7d8d47ae113d345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198322&Signature=oKiwfAzf4wvFeNpXbP6rZhWDTynpw9Uj7ar6A-f~lmHYPWC-SfZh0GYQvFxltvK2vttmpCARYiEu02gKt-g3IFl3je5ImWqayiZdmEw-jT49m3Ty39juM2L3Qw5cFAuAoTNMqXipSzfoKsAATPROiqqaPKmcQvtD7rxXUJvWEVP1ovDVi2q4DLdLHZ~YdBpauuWGx6dzgMZELLiF1a1wficYuW~sP7Q8R9saN9KXj425njKc6-nRd-KNX6Tq9FEsRPoxl3kxzBG07qWwW6Sf9lcjNqFJ2oBXMqdAGz0Z70sDj~0o29WIpXyq3fMoIs6e2PwSx6IZRv-NMY69uNFNPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Leawood, KS","date","2025-03-18T02:50:36.09Z","article","The governing body unanimously approved a contingent request on March 17 to name the City Hall courtyard “Leawood Veterans Memorial Plaza,” subject to the consent of the Douthat family, whose prior land donations and memorials were discussed during the item.

Pam Duggan, representing the Veterans Memorial Group, told the council the organization seeks to add a granite sign in the southwest corner of a planter bed and to integrate the sign with the group’s broader memorial and plaque project. “This would be integrated into the full project if approved,” Duggan said when asked about timing of plaque dedications.

Councilmembers discussed notifying and seeking consent from the Douthat family because of their historic donations of land used for the town center and library. Alice Hawke (address provided for the record) said she would contact the family; councilmember Larson and councilmember Sunkel moved and seconded a contingent approval, respectively.

Mayor Mark E. Elkins and several councilmembers voiced strong support for the project while acknowledging the name would broaden the scope of the modest flag-and-plaque memorial that currently sits in the courtyard. One councilmember noted the motion would expand the memorial’s footprint and prominence; others said the added recognition of veterans was appropriate.

The motion passed unanimously with the condition that staff confirm the Douthat family’s consent before the matter is finalized. Staff said, if consent is received, the signing and related donor-funded elements would proceed as part of the memorial fundraising and installation plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Body-Regular Session - Mar 17 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted unanimously to approve renaming the City Hall courtyard contingent on the Douthat family’s consent; the Veterans Memorial Group plans a granite sign integrated with the memorial project and expects to proceed with fundraising.","taxTitle","Leawood, Johnson County, Kansas","taxId",55742,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632961,"Leawood resident urges audit of Troon golf contract, cites missing liquor and revenue detail",367,432000,799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e&start=432&end=799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e/thumbnail_432000.jpg","/articles/6632961/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-resident-urges-audit-of-Troon-golf-contract-cites-missing-liquor-and-revenue-detail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632961-e2b67c52e36e617684c809f0a4b3d16e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198322&Signature=Ag5kEab~LU6gkjBVLfJWUZSADBL8SEbhv7bZWiFTPpIZc62AsUiJfAnHiylezY1yZp5UF5pZurDJ75XHelFtSY9GXlNPJ3WHDSMqjSDUIJTVb86gfa0fdJYS13vCh3u7lcQ5EJnCH2z~RE5t7J11ThRuzb~slWjqE04HQEjBW2x8wIXqLf4ElzVboTkgXKR1W0pEQkqfvrPkbSf4mJmFkPVBtlodwpa-UBAjXLmaKuWySb7CMLbV8X78OOaNjpWICqqWQmjHt1It0TCoISgT~4QzcHWbQSKWHzqbptab57uRpKIcRw-rpFPTUnZRTdACuwkbWcn1RlBPI3o1CyrYWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident, Ron Vine, used the citizens’ comment portion of the March 17 meeting to urge the Leawood governing body to conduct a top-down review of the city’s contract with Troon Golf at Iron Horse Golf Course, saying the city has been poorly served by oversight in recent years.

Vine said his four-month review found the city overpaid Troon roughly $60,000 per year in the past two years because the incentive management bonus has not been updated in 15 years, that Troon’s point-of-sale system does not track rounds by resident demographics, and that contract and business-plan documents contain “nothing” addressing the $2,000,000 city investment in a facility called Vista. “The current contract is a bad contract,” Vine said. “It might have been a good contract 15 years ago. It's a bad contract now for our residents, and the current oversight is bad.”

He cited specific provisions, saying Article 805 requires Troon to maintain and deliver books and records related to alcohol-beverage sales but that the city lacks liquor-sales revenue detail. He also urged an independent annual audit of the facility and a refreshed business plan; Vine said he was told the city has not performed an independent audit in 15 years.

Vine recommended a top-down contractual review covering liquor sales, bonuses, management fees, complimentary golf use and tournament scheduling. He said tournament scheduling has, in his count, limited resident access: “Currently, 55 tournaments are scheduled at the golf course this year. That equals about 2, maybe 3 tournaments every week during prime golf season. The people who really suffer from this are residents of the city who can't get on the golf course.”

No Troon representative spoke at the meeting and no staff response or council direction to initiate an audit was recorded on the council floor that night. Councilmembers did not vote on the matter; Stoddard acknowledged staff was aware of the topic and noted the city is working on updating a business plan for the facility.","A resident told the council the city’s 15-year contract with Troon (Iron Horse/municipal golf management) lacks updated incentive language, liquor revenue reporting and independent audits and urged a top-down review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632966,"Leawood delays decision on 96th & Lee park master plan; council asks for costs, more board input",2485,4485000,6970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e&start=4485&end=6970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e/thumbnail_4485000.jpg","/articles/6632966/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-delays-decision-on-96th-Lee-park-master-plan-council-asks-for-costs-more-board-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632966-82502dac8a2defb381181fc62fde67b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198322&Signature=cjVdxywwLLdWRIGZ5Wlwplza3TuuJvSBGG2eb8HCtOOf~IwLFi~IjHMdgZmc5e~rkmRsIo3AE6dRjWxaADh-EkTRv0i1LqrHal8hdATw391N~4KQ-AYoRFcApjz8Ww1QarrMwUHUgvHj~LOCwMDemv4VD3ES2hh6iHF9Cb-WFYTJlgD9cYyP-vcsGzcBsMvf5UUovMn9k9G2gTxvXRDIrTk0Pn3IVqhApPy5ooeYqdCbWXrlMIV5pD4I6nLclFZ3cR9GfCqiN4asPCqB-7x6hiBPeeRxxrF0dgSX5eMxAm~N06l0bXzpNdo1ifKovaHQo95vR9NsP0P2WIH12hAJFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Leawood council on March 17 that BBN Architects proposed a $39,240 scope of work to develop a park-site master plan for the 96th & Lee property that would produce 3–4 schematic concept plans, neighborhood open-house feedback, a preferred concept with phasing, and itemized, phased cost estimates for construction.

Diane Stoddard, city administrator, said the scope calls for the consultant to deliver 3–4 concepts, hold an initial neighborhood open-house, present the concepts and public feedback to the council in a work session (anticipated early June), then refine a preferred alternative with illustrative site plans and a phased cost estimate. “This just sets forth an overall vision and a plan,” Stoddard said, noting the master plan would allow the city to phase work as funds become available.

Council members raised concerns about sequencing, committee input and cost realism. Doctor Castor asked whether the concepts would include “guesstimates” for construction costs so neighbors can evaluate feasibility; Stoddard pointed to the BBN exhibit which states deliverables include “conceptual-level estimates for construction costs.”

Several council members urged that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board be formally looped into the process before the council’s final review. Councilmember Sippel and others said the parks board should have a chance to review concepts and offer recommendations; several council members asked that the initial schedule be adjusted so the council and the parks board see the concepts before neighborhood open houses or vice versa, depending on council preference.

Councilmembers also debated which historic structures — the former city hall and the fire station — should be assumed in early concepts. Stoddard said BBN developed the proposed concepts using the January 21 work session as a starting point; one of the starting assumptions in the materials listed “City hall will be demolished” based on earlier discussions, a point several council members requested staff clarify with the consultant.

Councilmember Harrison urged limiting multiple neighborhood meetings and cautioned against presenting “Cadillac” concepts to residents that might not be affordable. Several council members asked staff to ensure the consultant’s first set of concepts presents costed options, not only aspirational designs. Councilmember Villa pressed for the process to include charrettes and stronger weighting of input from residents closest to the site.

After discussion, the council voted unanimously to continue the item so staff can revise the scope and schedule with BBN to incorporate council direction — adding parks-board review earlier in the process and ensuring conceptual cost estimates accompany the initial concepts. Stoddard said she will return with a revised scope and schedule for further council review.","City staff proposed a $39,240 contract with BBN Architects to develop 3–4 schematic concepts and a phased master plan for the 96th & Lee site; council voted to continue the item so staff can revise the scope, add Parks & Recreation Board input and include conceptual cost estimates with early concepts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632971,"Leawood council hears $9.4 million energy-efficiency package; state FCIP covers $3.02 million",2684,1454000,4138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e&start=1454&end=4138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667386-2a62623a4e3fcaadf8f4a34a926bb54e/thumbnail_1454000.jpg","/articles/6632971/Leawood/Johnson-County/Kansas/Leawood-council-hears-94-million-energy-efficiency-package-state-FCIP-covers-302-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632971-040ed0affd8df11af2592eb00f5ec002/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198322&Signature=DZeGw2NUcL4dJq62nnBaL6FUT57~BqERTh5FbkAeJnOKco0N8orV4Kf5rXw2tMeAHrsgiloruZEoAJkReHTUlPs0w4mfMN92HMKuScjrwG3V-kx5fgjYHZ5mEJPehQMgRl9nuYFg-SLVjkcH0rpJLYm3nlTd~donv4C7pzxMz7wA7FpCqhHQ-CVwP3OB-UpCwlX8wNMN5YozOHGUge15GECLL85iqVF-h9FXIRWgGIW1QMryug3HIymkf8vyG3fJs97aCQ9uSLSxTB-fCDUq-Dx~EpUFiXOKZ-NnYSpcGbG7irow3slGWplDiQb5M2kVvxA9L7GmN4s-dHUuFVz7Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leawood city staff and energy consultant Navitas on March 17 outlined a combined set of facility and street-lighting upgrades estimated at about $9.4 million that city officials say will produce operational savings to offset project costs over time.

The package includes a $3.02 million suite of projects that meet the Kansas Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) payback threshold (15 years), and additional non-FCIP items that together bring the total Navitas scope to roughly $9.4 million. Navitas projected an annual energy savings of about $205,000 and annual operations and maintenance savings of about $262,000; over 20 years the firm presented a 20-year net savings estimate of about $9.36 million versus an approximate $9.4 million project cost.

Diane Stoddard, city administrator, told the council the state-run FCIP program allows municipalities to finance energy- and maintenance-related upgrades that produce savings which then repay the work over time. “A number of these projects were on our CIP list already,” Stoddard said, and the FCIP process can pull forward items that otherwise might not compete for capital dollars.

Ryan Terry, Navitas project lead, described the top-tier FCIP items as interior and exterior LED retrofits, major roadway (Cobra-head) lighting replacements and a solar array eligible for the federal energy investment tax credit (EITC). “That project has a 13.5-year simple payback,” Terry said of the FCIP-eligible bundle. He also described non-FCIP work including decorative street lighting, a consolidated building automation/energy management system, several HVAC replacements and retro-commissioning work.

Council members pressed Navitas and staff on warranties, expected equipment life, timing and financing. Terry said LED fixtures commonly carry a 10-year warranty and manufacturers estimate typical LED lifespans of 75,000 hours; “if you were burning it all the time, that’s at least 12 years,” he said, adding many fixtures are expected to last longer.

Don Cobby (finance) presented preliminary debt modeling and said rebates and early savings could reduce the expected amount to be financed. “Instead of issuing the $9.4 million in debt, I’m hoping it’s around $8 million,” he said, adding the city may split work between calendar years depending on timing and contingency costs. Cobby also said the city could receive the federal EITC directly under current law, though third-party tax-administration costs would apply.

Questions from council included who does the installation (Navitas answered that the program is turnkey and Navitas will engage contractors under a guaranteed maximum price), whether the city’s public-works staff would be overburdened (Public Works staff said Navitas handled most coordination in other cities), and whether payback calculations assume rising energy prices. Terry said the “simple payback” figures shown do not project future energy-price escalation; adding escalation would shorten payback.

Navitas and staff stressed timing concerns: tariffs and potential changes to the EITC could affect final project costs or benefits. “The timing of us moving forward with these projects is pretty important,” Stoddard said, noting the city may prioritize work that secures tax credits and avoids potential tariff windows.

The council received the Navitas presentation and staff recommendations for the record; staff said no formal council action was requested that night and that a formal agreement with Navitas would return for approval at a later meeting once final scope, pricing and financing details were available.

Council members who asked technical or policy questions included Dr. Castor, Councilmember Harrison, Councilmember Villa, Councilmember Gaines and Councilmember Sippel. Staff and consultants identified next steps as finalizing scope and pricing, confirming rebates and tax-credit expectations, and returning with a financing package for council consideration.","City staff and consultant Navitas presented a package of LED, HVAC and solar projects estimated at $9.4 million that aim to produce roughly $205,000 in annual energy savings and $262,000 in yearly operations and maintenance savings; $3.02 million of the package meets Kansas FCIP payback criteria.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council conditionally approves renaming City Hall courtyard to Leawood Veterans Memorial Plaza

Leawood resident urges audit of Troon golf contract, cites missing liquor and revenue detail

Leawood delays decision on 96th & Lee park master plan; council asks for costs, more board input

Leawood council hears $9.4 million energy-efficiency package; state FCIP covers $3.02 million