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Votes at a glance: Leavenworth commission approves easement resolution for Tenth & Limit, event permits and payroll/claims
Summary
At the May 25 meeting the Leavenworth City Commission approved a condemnation-resolution process to secure easements for the Tenth & Limit intersection project, granted event permits and waivers for city events, approved two reappointments and adopted the consent agenda for claims and payroll.
The Leavenworth City Commission took several formal actions on May 25, 2025, including initiating a condemnation process to secure easements for a road-improvement project, approving event permits and waivers, confirming two board reappointments and approving the city’s claims and payroll.
The commission approved Resolution B 23 99 to begin the process for acquiring temporary and permanent right-of-way and construction easements for the Tenth & Limit Street intersection improvement project. City staff and the project consultant told commissioners that easements already have been secured from three property owners but that three remaining properties are still under negotiation; staff said initiating condemnation is a parallel step intended to protect project funding and schedule while negotiations continue. Staff noted costs the city will incur if condemnation proceeds (attorney fees, appraiser fees, filing fees, and court-ordered compensation). The project is expected to bid later in 2025 and to begin construction in spring 2026, subject to easement acquisition and signal lead times.
The commission approved a transient-merchant-permit waiver for an art show at Hawthorne Park on June 22 as part of the Leavenworth Family Pride picnic. The waiver allows the sale of art by the event’s vendors on city park property while all other fees and permit requirements remain in place. City minutes record a final motion passing with the clerk’s notation of a 3–2 outcome; the public record also notes a commissioner abstention during the vote.
The commission adopted Resolution B 23 98 allowing Leavenworth Main Street to close a portion of Cherokee Street for special events on June 7 and July 12 and to permit possession and consumption of alcohol within a roped and marked area in compliance with state rules. The police chief had approved the closure and staff emphasized that event organizers must maintain water-department access at the specified entrance.
The meeting also included mayoral reappointments to advisory bodies: David Ramirez was reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals (term ending May 1, 2028) and Bridal Stevens was reappointed to the Leavenworth Planning Commission (term ending May 1, 2028). The motions were approved and recorded as passing 4–0.
The commission approved the consent agenda including claims totaling $2,816,927.11 and payrolls: payroll #8 (net $418,363.11, which includes $7,753.58 for police and fire pension) and payroll #9 (net $406,474.31; no police and fire pension). Commissioners then recessed into a 30-minute executive session to consult with the city attorney about a development matter per K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) and later returned to adjourn.
Ending: The commission recorded no immediate policy changes tied to the Tenth & Limit condemnation resolution beyond authorizing the process; staff will continue negotiations with property owners and will update the commission on progress and any costs incurred.
