Commission approves new KDOT agreement for 230 Fifth Street project, cancels prior contract; surplus equipment also approved

The Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners voted to cancel its current Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) agreement for the 230 Fifth Street project (project 52C-5250-01) and to enter a new agreement that will allow federal congressional-directed funds to be applied first, followed by Kansas cost-share funds.

Bill, who presented the item for Public Works, told commissioners the cancellation is a procedural step required by KDOT so the county can sequence two funding sources: federal congressional-directed spending and the Kansas cost-share. Bill said KDOT will issue a notice to proceed once it receives the signed agreement and the final plans, and the county will be able to advertise the project for bids — possibly as soon as the next week if KDOT posts it promptly, or up to 30 days if posted on KDOT’s schedule. He told the board the action brings approximately $2,980,000 in additional grant funding to the project and that scheduled work will extend the project to Dempsey Road.

The board approved both the cancellation of the previous agreement and the new agreement with KDOT. Commissioners noted the project has been in planning for many years and thanked county and federal officials for securing funding; staff said an additional congressional appropriation request of about $6.5 million is pending to extend the work to U.S. 92.

The commissioners also approved a surplus-equipment list for Public Works and directed staff to sell the listed items on the Purple Wave online auction platform. Under the surplus motion the county will reduce fleet size by retiring one clerk’s office vehicle and sell several replaced dump trucks through Purple Wave.

Other routine items passed on unanimous voice votes, including acceptance of the consent agenda.