Leawood council asks staff to notify residents about Leawood South/Waterford flood study; staff says prior letter sent in June

Councilmembers asked staff to notify residents near Wenonga Avenue about the Leawood South and Waterford flood study after the consent-agenda staff report was presented and approved.

Councilmember Larson asked staff to ensure residents in the Lake Winonga area are aware of the study because the timetable for community outreach has slipped. “They probably haven't heard from us. I think I emailed them about a month ago just to make sure that they know that they're on our radar,” Larson said.

Public Works staff said a letter was sent in June and acknowledged that the timetable had moved back. Director of Public Works David Lay told the governing body the city had sent materials about three to four weeks earlier and that recent flash flooding influenced timing. “I believe we sent a letter out about 3 to 4 weeks ago. We sent it in June. And then the timetable has moved back some,” Lay said.

Mayor Mark Elkins reported he personally drove down Wenonga Avenue during two recent storm events and observed that the 72-inch storm sewer repairs were holding; the mayor said the area did not have running water during those events. City staff noted Leawood received about 3 inches of rain during the two storms while other parts of Johnson County saw higher totals.

The governing body voted to accept the Public Works staff report as part of the consent agenda by a unanimous voice vote. Councilmembers recorded no additional formal action at the meeting but asked staff to follow up with resident notification and community outreach as the flood study proceeds.