Votes at a glance: Leawood council approves Chamber funding, golf‑cart GPS contract, land‑use plats and traffic calming

The Leawood City Council on April 25 approved a bundle of consent and action items, including a new service and funding agreement with the Leawood Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a license and service agreement for GPS and related software at Iron Horse Golf Course, final plans and plats for multiple developments, a traffic‑calming plan for 130 Second Street/High Drive, and an amendment to the city business‑license expiration date.

Highlights

- Chamber funding: The council approved a service and funding agreement with the Leawood Chamber and EDC. Chamber CEO Stephanie Meyer said the organization will expand outreach to small businesses, host regular sessions with the Small Business Development Center and begin scheduled meetings with larger employers to address retention and concerns. Meyer said the Chamber has “a couple of activities going actually. … We're hoping that it isn't just something that happens in 2025, that it's something we kind of carry on as a part of our overall EDC programming.” The resolution passed unanimously.

- Iron Horse GPS: The council approved a license and service agreement with Club Car LLC for GPS and related software at Iron Horse Golf Course. Ryan Eck, general manager at Iron Horse, said GPS helps golfers with yardage and pace of play, supports live scoring for events and allows cart‑control features that protect turf. The agreement’s recurring cost was discussed by council members as roughly $25,000 per year; the resolution passed unanimously.

- Halbrook Country Club pool renovation: The council approved a final plan for Halbrook Country Club’s pool complex renovation. Architect Mike Kress said the plan calls for demolishing the existing pool after mid‑July and expects the new pool to be open by Memorial Day 2026. The planning commission had unanimously recommended approval; the council approved the final plan on a recorded 6‑0 vote with two members recused.

- Regents Park Villas and landscape plan: The council approved a revised final plan and final plat for Regents Park Villas, changing a previously approved area from 36 twin villas to 18 detached single‑family homes; the council also approved a revised final landscape plan for the same development. The applicant said the change responds to market demand and that attached villa product remains available elsewhere on the site. Both resolutions were approved unanimously.

- Traffic calming on 130 Second Street/High Drive: Following a Public Works Committee recommendation, the council approved installation of additional asphalt speed tables along 130 Second Street/High Drive between Mission Road and 130 Third Street and removal or redeployment of radar feedback signs. The city has spent about $100,000 on traffic calming along the corridor to date; public works reported approximately 80 adjacent residences are in the petition area and residents must secure signatures from 75% of adjacent property owners for the measures to be made permanent. The council approved the recommendation unanimously.

- Business‑license expiration change: The council adopted an ordinance changing the annual expiration date for most city business licenses from June 30 to December 31 to align with a new permitting system rollout this fall. The measure was adopted by roll‑call vote (eight ayes, none opposed).

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Resolution — service and funding agreement with Leawood Chamber and EDC: approved unanimously. - Resolution — license and service agreement with Club Car LLC (GPS at Iron Horse): approved unanimously. - Resolution — final plan, Halbrook Country Club pool renovation (Planning Case 28‑25): approved 6‑0 (two members recused). - Resolution — revised final plan and final plat, Regents Park Villas (Planning Case 29‑25): approved unanimously. - Resolution — revised final landscape plan for Regents Park (Item 8T): approved unanimously. - Resolution — traffic calming devices for 130 Second Street/High Drive: approved unanimously; residents must petition for permanence (75% signatures required). - Ordinance — amend City Code sections 5‑1005 and 5‑1006 (business licenses; change expiration date to 12/31): adopted by roll call, 8‑0.

Context and next steps: Several actions authorize staff to finalize agreements or to proceed to permitting and construction. The traffic‑calming approvals are contingent on resident petition and the developer‑related plats will proceed to county recording and building‑permit steps. The GPS and Chamber agreements will be implemented under terms approved by the council.

Sources: Council meeting transcript and direct remarks from Stephanie Meyer (Leawood Chamber) and Ryan Eck (Iron Horse Golf Club).