Leavenworth City Commission approves event policy, infrastructure contracts and routine reports; sets hearings

The Leavenworth City Commission on Monday approved a series of routine policies, contracts and resolutions, including a special-event street-closure policy, design and safety work for municipal utilities and road improvements, and annual reports required by state and federal agencies.

Among the votes, the commission adopted the stormwater 2024 report (Resolution B2391), approved the City's Section 8 Management Assessment Program certification to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Resolution B2392), and passed a resolution supporting a federal grant application by Leavenworth Water Works (Resolution B2393). The commission also approved contract awards and design supplements for electric switchgear study and an intersection safety project. The consent agenda included claims for $1,272,027.58 and payroll of $424,072.75.

Staff summarized several of the items in the meeting packet. Planning and community development staff presented a proposed special-event street-closure policy that would require applicants to notify the city up to eight weeks in advance, secure signatures from impacted businesses if possible and provide mailed or delivered notice to affected residences. The commission voted to adopt the policy.

On property damage, staff reported that work at a fire-damaged structure at 3851 Tonganoxie Drive has progressed to the point that rough-in inspections were approved and the structure is ready for sheetrock; the commission voted to return held insurance proceeds to the property owner after determining the structure is no longer unsafe.

The commission adopted Resolution B2391 approving the city's 2024 stormwater report submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment; staff said the report states the city has reduced pollution in accordance with applicable requirements. The item was presented as final and available on the city website.

Housing staff presented the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (CMAP) certification and said it included no major program changes. Staff also said the city received 15 additional HUD-VASH vouchers for 2025, earmarked for homeless veterans. The commission voted to adopt the CMAP certification and submit it to HUD.

Leavenworth Water Works representatives and city staff described two planned federal grant applications under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law intended to extend the life and reliability of water treatment facilities. Staff said project needs could total about $57 million; without grant support, Water Works representatives said rate increases of roughly 10% to 15% per year could be required over multiple years, while partial grant funding would reduce that pressure. The City Commission approved a resolution of support for Leavenworth Water Works' federal grant applications; staff emphasized the resolution does not commit city dollars.

For capital improvements, Black & Veatch was recommended for study and design work on automatic switchgear replacement at the wastewater treatment plant; staff said the allocation in the 2025 capital improvement program is $840,000 and recommended a design contract of $226,750. The commission approved the study and design contract.

The commission also approved a supplemental design-services amendment with Merge Midwest for safety improvements at the intersection of Tenth and Limit, in the amount of $19,738.50, citing additional right-of-way and storm-sewer work identified during design.

The commission set April 22 as the public hearing date for three recently identified fire-damaged structures, by adopting Resolution B2394. Planning staff presented a first consideration ordinance for a special-use permit to allow a two-family dwelling at an existing single-family property at 11112 Spruce Street; staff said the Planning Commission had recommended approval 4-0 and the matter advanced without objection for additional consideration.

Votes at a glance (motions approved at the meeting): - Special-event street-closure policy: approved (motion carried; unanimous vote). - Release of insurance proceeds for 3851 Tonganoxie Drive: approved (motion carried; unanimous vote). - Resolution B2391 (2024 stormwater annual report; KDHE submission): adopted (unanimous). - Resolution B2392 (CMAP / Section 8 certification to HUD): adopted (unanimous); staff noted receipt of 15 additional HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless veterans in 2025. - Resolution B2393 (support for Leavenworth Water Works federal grant applications): adopted (unanimous); staff and Water Works representatives described a project need of about $57 million and possible rate impacts. - Resolution B2394 (set public hearing April 22 for unsafe fire-damaged structures): adopted (unanimous). - Award for study and design for 2025 switchgear replacement (Black & Veatch): approved; design fee $226,750; CIP allocation $840,000. - Supplemental design services for Tenth & Limit intersection (Merge Midwest): approved, $19,738.50. - Consent agenda (claims $1,272,027.58; payroll $424,072.75): approved (unanimous). - First consideration: special-use permit for 11112 Spruce Street (two-family dwelling): planning staff reported Planning Commission recommended approval 4-0; matter advanced for later readings.

What it means: The votes finalize routine policy and design steps and set public hearings and procurement decisions that move planned infrastructure and housing items forward. The Water Works resolution signals local support for large federal grant requests that staff said would reduce the need for steep rate increases if awarded.

The meeting also included public comment and an extended staff update on the CoreCivic special-use permit process; no final decisions on CoreCivic or any intergovernmental agreements were made at Monday's meeting.