Leavenworth City Commission approves contracts, appointments, fee change and design supplements

The Leavenworth City Commission approved multiple contracts, reappointments and a change to the city fee schedule during its Jan. meeting, including construction contracts for street and storm repairs and supplemental design work for federally funded sidewalk and ADA ramp projects.

The commission voted to award a construction contract to JM Fahey for improvements to K‑7 Fourth Street from Rees to Poplar for $455,987.75. City staff said the project is part of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) City Connecting Link program, with KDOT covering about 85% of eligible costs; the maximum KDOT contribution was described at $4,400,000. The commission also approved a $135,465 contract with Line and Weaver Construction for storm repairs at Twentieth and Seneca and authorized low-bid chemical purchases for the Water Pollution Control Division not to exceed $100,000 (staff estimate $88,007.90 based on anticipated quantities).

Commissioners approved supplemental design services: Bartlett & West received an additional not-to-exceed $35,002.81 for the Vilas Street ADA and sidewalk upgrades project (work includes sanitary and storm design and easement-related redesign to avoid condemnation), and Wilson & Company received a supplement not to exceed $30,000 to update downtown ADA intersection ramp plans to KDOT standards after the project received a KDOT Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant. Staff said the Vilas Street construction estimate is about $1,600,000 with a federal TA award of $1,260,000 (80% federal, 20% local). The downtown project was awarded $629,750 for construction; staff said the city will pay design costs.

The commission reappointed and appointed numerous advisory members across city boards and committees by a single consolidated motion, including appointments to the Airport Advisory Board, Convention and Tourism Committee, Deere Management Advisory Committee, Planning Commission (an unexpired term), Parks and Community Activities Board and Sister City Advisory Board.

On code enforcement and fees, the commission approved third reading/roll-call adoption of Ordinance No. 8255 amending Articles 1 and 2 of Chapter 38 of the municipal code concerning trash provisions. Following that action, commissioners approved an amendment to the city fee schedule to add an owner damage replacement fee tied to the ordinance; staff said the fee schedule amendment is effective Jan. 15, 2025.

The commission also granted the owner and contractor of a fire-damaged structure at 3851 Tungunaxi Drive an additional 60 days to complete repairs; staff said the home was damaged in May and the commission previously approved a resolution in September giving 90 days for repairs. Commissioners voted to authorize the mayor to sign the various contracts and supplemental agreements presented.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from 12/10/2024: motion passed (roll-call recorded; no detailed dissent recorded). - Ordinance No. 8255 (amending Chapter 38 trash sections): approved by roll call (Commissioner Martin: Aye; Bowden: Aye; Pittman: Aye; Wilson: Aye; Hingulate/Hingla: Aye). - Fee schedule amendment (add owner damage replacement fee; effective 01/15/2025): approved. - Reappointments and appointments to advisory boards and commissions (multiple positions; consolidated motion): approved. - Allow owner/contractor additional 60 days for repairs at 3851 Tungunaxi Drive: approved (motion passed). - Construction contract, JM Fahey — K‑7 Fourth Street (Rees to Poplar), not to exceed $455,987.75: approved. - Construction contract, Line and Weaver — Twentieth and Seneca storm repairs, not to exceed $135,465: approved. - Water Pollution Control Division 2025 chemical purchases (low bids), total cost not to exceed $100,000: approved. - Supplemental design services, Bartlett & West — Vilas Street ADA/sidewalk upgrades, not to exceed $35,002.81: approved. - Supplemental design services, Wilson & Company — Downtown ADA intersection ramps, not to exceed $30,000: approved. - Claims and payroll approvals (dates and amounts as read into the record): approved (claims 12/06/2024–01/09/2025 in the amount of $4,576,655.49 and payroll items as read).

First-reading/land-use items

Commissioners took first consideration or consensus on several related land-use items and special-use permit requests originating with DePaul Inc., which sought to redevelop vacant lots with two-family dwellings under R‑16 zoning. Staff said DePaul received a grant from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation for affordable housing development; several rezonings and special-use permit first considerations were moved forward for later public hearing/second reading.

Why it matters

The actions advance several capital and federally funded projects, allocate local matching funds for sidewalk and ADA upgrades, and put a new trash-related fee into effect immediately. The construction and design contracts affect downtown access, multiple city neighborhoods and stormwater infrastructure; the decisions also preserve the city’s options on a fire‑damaged home while work continues.

Meeting context and next steps

Staff said the Fourth Street project was expected to start in spring when asphalt plants open, with concrete work possibly starting as early as March and overall construction timing around 90 days once underway. The Vilas Street and downtown ADA projects proceed under KDOT TA funding timelines; staff said additional right-of-way clearance and final plans are required before bidding. Land-use items advanced as first consideration will return for additional public hearings or subsequent readings before final action.