Leavenworth commission approves liquor-waiver requests for two church events, appoints member and OKs public-works contracts; reviews stormwater report

The Leavenworth City Commission on Tuesday approved multiple routine and program items, including distance waivers that let two churches apply for temporary liquor permits at upcoming community events, an appointment to the Convention and Tourism Committee and two public-works contracts related to stormwater and street work. Commissioners also reviewed a draft annual stormwater report required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and discussed proposed changes to the city’s special-event and street-closure policy.

The commission voted to waive the 300-foot distance requirement in city code so Immaculate Conception Church and Saint Joseph Church may apply for temporary liquor permits for their Saint Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner on March 9 and the German Fest dinner and dance on Oct. 4, staff told the commission. “This year’s corned beef and cabbage dinner…is on Sunday, March 9 from 11:30 to 2 in the church basement,” John Williams, representing the churches, said.

City staff said letters notifying property owners within 300 feet of both church locations were mailed and that the commission may grant the waiver under the city code. The motion to grant the distance waiver passed on a voice vote.

Commissioners also approved a mayoral appointment, naming Jen Anders to fill an unexpired term on the Convention and Tourism Committee that ends in January (term end year not specified in the meeting materials).

On public works, the commission authorized a construction contract for a stormwater repair at Ninth and Osage — the project grew from a culvert collapse reported in 2021 — and approved a not-to-exceed contract for construction observation services on the Fourth Street mill-and-overlay project. Staff said Napier Engineering prepared project plans for the Ninth and Osage culvert repair; bids reopened Feb. 5 and Line and Weaver Construction submitted the low bid.

City staff reported an engineer’s estimate for the Ninth and Osage project of about $336,000 and said the low bidder’s number was reported in the meeting packet as $290,003.80. The commission authorized the mayor to sign a construction services contract for the stormwater project with the low bidder; the motion as recorded in the minutes referenced $290,380. Work is expected to begin in March and has 90 calendar days for completion, staff said.

Because the Fourth Street resurfacing project includes Kansas Department of Transportation funding, the commission approved hiring JEO Consulting Group for construction observation and inspection services in a not-to-exceed amount of $72,565. Staff said KDOT requires a KDOT-certified inspector for federally supported work and the JEO fee represents roughly 15–18 percent of typical inspection costs on similar projects.

Commissioners reviewed the draft 2024 KDHE-required stormwater annual report, which summarizes the city’s work on the six minimum control measures for stormwater management: public education/outreach, public involvement/participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction stormwater management, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Staff said the previous KDHE permit covered Nov. 2019–Oct. 2024; the city’s new permit became effective Aug. 1, 2024, and runs to Dec. 30, 2027. The draft report is posted on the city website under Public Works, and staff requested comments before returning a final draft to the commission on Feb. 25.

Separately, commissioners discussed revisions to the city’s special-event and street-closure policy. Staff described changes aimed at easing the notification burden on event sponsors while maintaining notice to impacted neighbors: businesses in affected areas will be asked to sign an acknowledgment that they received notification; residences must receive a mailed or hand-delivered notification and the applicant must provide a sample letter and a list of addresses notified. Staff said the city will provide a template letter and that applicants will be responsible for setting up and removing barricades after the city drops them off at a designated location; the city will collect the barricades once they are returned to the pickup point. Commissioners asked staff to monitor whether the lower cost of some street closures encourages repeated use and to consider fee adjustments for Haymarket Square during budget discussions. The commission asked staff to return the policy for first consideration with the revisions and minor edits.

Votes at a glance: - Waiver of 300-foot distance requirement to allow Immaculate Conception Church and Saint Joseph Church to apply for temporary liquor permits for events on March 9 and Oct. 4 — motion to grant waiver approved (voice vote). - Appointment of Jen Anders to the Convention and Tourism Committee to an unexpired term ending in January (year not specified) — approved (voice vote). - Construction contract award for stormwater project, Ninth and Osage (including alley): low bid reported as $290,003.80; engineer’s estimate $336,000; commission authorized contract with low bidder (motion referenced $290,380) — approved (voice vote). Funding: stormwater capital fund; inspection by city staff. - Construction observation services contract with JEO Consulting Group for K-7 and Fourth Street improvements from Reese to Poplar — not-to-exceed $72,565 — approved (voice vote). Funding: grant-matching capital projects fund. - Claims and payroll approval for Jan. 24–Feb. 6, 2025: total claims $1,923,456.57; payroll $438,154.12 (includes police and fire pension of $7,753.58) — approved (voice vote).

What happens next: Staff will accept public and commissioner comments on the stormwater annual report and return a final report to the commission on Feb. 25 for submission to KDHE. The revised special-event/street-closure policy will return for first consideration with the changes and minor edits described by staff. Several construction contracts are scheduled to begin in March pending final contract execution and mobilization.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this report are identified by name and role as they appeared in the meeting record: Holly Pittman, Mayor of Leavenworth; John Williams, event representative for Immaculate Conception and Saint Joseph churches; Father Glenn Snow, clergy referenced by Mr. Williams; and city staff presenting public-works and permitting items.