City commission approves multiple routine ordinances, grants and contract awards; executive sessions held

Leavenworth City Commission met in regular session and approved a series of routine ordinances, grant acceptances, and contract awards, then recessed twice for executive sessions; no formal action followed those closed sessions.

The commission adopted three second-reading ordinances by roll-call vote: the city's updated Standard Traffic Ordinances (ordinance 82-67), the Uniform Public Offense Code (ordinance 82-68), and the 2025 Intersection Traffic Control Device Master Index (ordinance 82-69). All were passed on second consideration with unanimous recorded "aye" votes.

On housing and community development matters, the commission: - Adopted a resolution accepting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Capital Fund Program (CFP) grant for "Planters 2" in the amount stated in the meeting materials ($210,487) and approved the related five-year CFP action plan and annual statement. Staff described past CFP work (interior door replacement, cast-iron-to-PVC pipe replacement, hallway remodels, chiller replacement, boiler rebuilds) and listed planned work (parking resurfacing, first-floor flooring replacement, roof repairs, and a kitchen-apartment renovation in a later year). The commission voted to accept the grant and action plan. - Approved submittal of the city's Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to HUD. Staff reported meeting or exceeding several goals: 16 home repairs completed against a goal of 11, five homeownership assists (goal met), and public-service agencies served 5,241 clients (about 75% of the goal). Sidewalk work had been delayed by a staffing vacancy but was finished in July.

On public works and contracts, the commission concurred with Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to award the Kent & Lemont intersection safety project to Julius CAUS Construction Company, Inc., the low bidder at $866,655.55, with construction engineering by JEO ($176,568.44). The project had federal-aid grant eligibility for up to $1,000,000; the city's share of construction and construction engineering was reported as approximately $104,320 based on the low bid. The commission also approved the low bid from Baker Construction for the Industrial Park sanitary-sewer creek crossing repair in the amount of $81,500; the cost will be split 50% sewer fund and 50% stormwater fund, with an expected 60-calendar-day completion timeline beginning no later than Oct. 6 (per staff).

The commission gave first consideration by consensus to adoption of the Leavenworth County Sanitary Code (applying to septic systems) and to a special-use permit to allow a two-family dwelling at 510 Kiowa Street; the planning commission had recommended approval of the special-use permit with the condition that the property complete rental-registration procedures and required permits prior to final approval.

The commission approved claims for Sept. 5'Sept. 18, 2025 in the amount of $1,756,710.62 and payroll (payroll number 18) of $401,552.30.

The meeting recessed into executive session twice, first for employee matters and attorney-client consultation and later for zoning matters in consultation with the attorney; commissioners reported they returned from executive session with no action taken.

Votes at a glance (select items from the meeting record): - Ordinance 82-67, Adopt Standard Traffic Ordinances (2nd reading): Adopted (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 82-68, Adopt Uniform Public Offense Code (2nd reading): Adopted (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 82-69, 2025 Intersection Traffic Control Device Master Index (2nd reading): Adopted (roll-call unanimous). - Resolution B-2406, Accept 2025 CFP grant for Planters 2: Approved (motion passed, unanimous recorded "aye"). - Resolution B-2407, CFP five-year action plan and annual statement for Planters 2: Approved (motion passed, unanimous recorded "aye"). - Resolution B-2408, Approve 2024 CAPER for submittal to HUD: Approved (motion passed, unanimous recorded "aye"). - KDOT project concurrence (Kent & Lemont intersection): Concurred; award to Julius CAUS Construction Co., Inc.; construction engineering to JEO; vote: unanimous recorded "aye". - Industrial Park sanitary sewer crossing repair: Awarded to Baker Construction, $81,500; funding 50% sewer fund / 50% stormwater fund; vote: unanimous recorded "aye". - First consideration ordinances (Leavenworth County Sanitary Code; special-use permit 510 Kiowa St.): By consensus to advance to further consideration.

Commissioners recessed for two executive sessions and announced no action was taken on matters discussed in closed session.