[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6667870,"mediaKeyId","2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3","parentId",2253514,"title","Leavenworth resident raises complaint about neighbor's trees during public comment","audioSeconds",83,"startMs",126000,"endMs",209000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3&start=126&end=209","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3/thumbnail_126000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6667870/Kansas/Leavenworth-resident-raises-complaint-about-neighbors-trees-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667870-07bc0e9d23bb5bb8539e18086dc243d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684185&Signature=OK1~tzlyTst94vNH58q-axbLKH6urDN0R3HehCT9x~xPGXiFIIuK2ZfxGtfGy6sVyTWrqiqXqtHyE2wL9oK8k50RTzKnQzJBYParIn23jQbtLa2z9PRprn9PqBmWsjytHJltx1eDjSZZbmC9FsdQQYxVtcioF3JPwOIjTJkUeOw0e9QyNzoKr~VytiBHmRn9c9~iIUc~qTeo4ZjFVkqcKyrauOS4N5kYSLc1g8oBQ3HPC-sN60rDjJYS5C5Twk3VJXM6QWBi1TcXwt9HQsDtxQqGZw--Lk7HVadsZru7OdmasMKowwy5xdUxaoc9qLzrmOh3kXfDhNEgKD8VQRyNCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leavenworth, KS","date","2025-01-11T18:05:22.753Z","article","Mary Boleski, a Leavenworth resident, urged the commission during public comment to assist with an ongoing problem involving trees on a neighbor's property that she says deposit branches and a heavy volume of leaves on her yard.

\"She's got 10 or 13 trees in her yard. And the branches are always falling off in my yard,\" Mary Boleski said. She told the commission she has paid contractors and purchased leaf guards, reporting she has paid roughly $4,400 for leaf-guard work and related cleanup and had previously spent about $1,000 to trim trees on the neighbor's property.

Boleski said the volume of debris has made it difficult to keep up with cleanup; she offered to show photographs on her phone. City staff acknowledged the concern and the mayor asked city staff (Mr. Peterson) to outline options and follow up with her.

Why it matters
Tree and vegetation disputes between neighbors often involve property-maintenance rules, nuisance ordinances or civil remedies. The resident sought municipal assistance because the volume of debris and repeated cleanup expenses had become a financial burden.

Meeting context
The comment was made during the public comment portion of the Dec. 10 meeting and no formal city action was taken during the meeting. Staff committed to follow up with the resident and provide outline of possible remedies or next steps.

Ending
City staff said they would provide follow-up information to the resident regarding available options and next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leavenworth City Commission Regular Meeting December 10, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Resident Mary Boleski told the commission that branches and large volumes of leaves from a neighbor's yard are covering her property and causing repeated expenses; staff said they would follow up with options to discuss.","taxTitle","Leavenworth City, Leavenworth County, Kansas","taxId",53903,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667874,"Holly Pittman becomes Leavenworth mayor; emphasizes economic development and communication",185,232000,417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3&start=232&end=417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3/thumbnail_232000.jpg","/articles/6667874/Kansas/Holly-Pittman-becomes-Leavenworth-mayor-emphasizes-economic-development-and-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667874-544fb4b596f4639d65773e90971f8e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684185&Signature=g2hsC1t4HfAOmn0N0SN35ZsNTAcPw6YaCt8kUViE7rTKlhg2VpvASpu3j0b6nPy0lUYlOOeQaPpL~f4pKC-fXDrewltx2RYIZR~xE5HFvIe5BMq09iNGbPuhDqrQrRfET0foLncBX91atMAfACVamXNMjVqKI6nxMjVQU3J7wXimKLUEizOGi17hamp5nxqk-bdegnWN4V3DFNzI8IkWBtNkKj79CQEza64vtw0Cp8ZFtqaMdkpRnABFRttV9m4gaBqU3F9T256SSNt9nfc2CV8vcO-2CI~ARLIomi1E7Btd5uFr5rSxl6a0JPLJbs5jfH3ihV1Uz7B9~gzY9Thv~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holly Pittman will serve as mayor of the Leavenworth City Commission from Dec. 10, 2024, through Dec. 9, 2025, the commission confirmed at its Dec. 10 meeting. The seat change formalizes practices described in prior meetings and a 2024 ordinance, staff said.

Pittman, speaking after the seating, thanked family and supporters and outlined several priorities for her year as mayor, singling out economic development and improving communication between the city and residents.

\"We need to bring in more businesses to the community,\" Mayor Holly Pittman said. \"We need to fill that space in our business park, whether it be with residential, second-story residential living in our downtown...we definitely need to expand our tax base here in Leavenworth.\" She also said the city would explore technology-based updates such as text alerts to keep residents informed.

Pittman asked residents to contact her directly about problems rather than using social media: \"Call me because I want to help problem-solve with you. I'm going to be transparent and I want to try to problem solve together. So I am super excited to be the mayor.\" She also thanked outgoing Mayor Martin for his leadership.

Why it matters
The mayoral seating is largely ceremonial in many city commissions but can shape agenda priorities and the commission's emphasis for the coming year. Pittman framed her term around economic development and resident communication, priorities that connect to several items discussed elsewhere on the agenda: downtown property use (including accessory dwelling units), procurement and service delivery improvements.

Meeting context
The seating followed prior actions referenced at a March study session and an ordinance passed March 12, 2024, that formalized annual selection practice. Commissioners and staff offered congratulations; the meeting proceeded to other agenda items after the mayor's remarks.

Ending
Pittman said she would focus on practical problem-solving and transparency and encouraged residents to contact city staff or her office directly with concerns.","At the Dec. 10 meeting, Commissioner Holly Pittman was formalized as mayor for a one-year term beginning Dec. 10, 2024; she laid out priorities including economic development, downtown housing and improved resident communication.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667878,"Leavenworth Commission approves series of routine and budget items, awards HVAC contract",1200,68000,1268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3&start=68&end=1268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2253514-c8ea475c2964c6ea393e5b272c9a41f3/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6667878/Kansas/Leavenworth-Commission-approves-series-of-routine-and-budget-items-awards-HVAC-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667878-6871db0c99a6d559ead879e737f959e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684185&Signature=NcPdG7dorJ8nruasiC1gbIVRwbLVOzxzv~zGH-0kipydqbDHXNa8cSmOp9W6Uommqg1cpGmfIDLGf0X2f-kcNnz3bXxD8AUtoLKRc1mp0LKECrz-reY8YHJ5KGXg2KeON1lesrayaCKdrdBdGHOZprU4VNV2cNkm385Q8NSaBvTJhLPpcUDoAhXJY5Aq0kfw9O0tQEb2b4fvm5OtnR3VdwauZaPRz9qE~Z7cIn1leIy90tCcLtY8dOOxi8DtDRjBO7gLZZIdfPhOIbQvJt14ezeae4yNPG3zMTEFngPmFC0TqALnGDTm63qD1jcsBkKOHITS9rk8RPZ6~9qj-zPJwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth City Commission on Dec. 10 approved a package of motions and resolutions ranging from a special-use permit for an accessory dwelling unit to a commercial insurance renewal and a replacement HVAC system for Fire Station No. 1.

The commission voted 5-0 to adopt minutes from its Nov. 26 regular meeting and later approved Ordinance No. 8254, a special-use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit at 303 North Esplanade Street; the item was described by staff as unchanged from first consideration and carried on a roll-call vote. The commission also approved cancellation of the Dec. 24 city commission meeting and directed city facilities to close at noon on Dec. 24.

Commissioners approved the 2025 cereal malt beverage license renewals for 21 establishments after a police records check and granted approval to amend the 2024 budget to increase expenditure authority for the recreation fund, the library fund and the library employee benefit fund; staff said none of the changes will require additional tax levies and cited state publication requirements for budget amendments.

On housing-related items the commission adopted a resolution deleting uncollectible tenant accounts, as required by HUD rules, and adopted an updated Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and the Section 8 Administrative Plan, which staff said reflect recent federal changes and new inspection processes.

In procurement and capital works, the commission approved an award to Rane Construction (listed in staff materials as Rand/Rane Construction) for replacement of the Fire Station No. 1 air handler and related work in a contract not to exceed $129,896; staff said a Department of Energy grant application could offset a portion of the project but that reserves or the CIP would cover the balance if the grant is not awarded. The commission also approved the city's 2025 commercial insurance renewal package with Travelers after broker Mike Riley explained the proposed increase in premiums owing to recent catastrophic losses, supply-chain cost increases and higher reinsurance costs.

Financial matters concluded with approval of claims from Nov. 22 through Dec. 5, 2024, in the amount of $1,846,301.65 and payroll net amounts as listed on the agenda.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of Nov. 26 meeting minutes: motion passed, 5-0.
- Ordinance No. 8254 (special-use permit, 303 N. Esplanade St.): approved, 5-0.
- Nomination and approval of financial claims reviewer (Griff Martins nominated): approved by voice vote.
- Cancellation of Dec. 24, 2024 meeting and closure of nonessential facilities at noon: approved by voice vote.
- 2025 cereal malt beverage license renewals (21 establishments): approved by roll call.
- Publication and amendment of the 2024 budget (recreation fund, library fund, library employee benefit fund): approved by roll call; staff cited KSA 79 29 29 a for amendment authority and confirmed no tax levy increase.
- Resolution deleting uncollectible tenant accounts (HUD-required tenant write-offs): adopted.
- Resolution adopting Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy: adopted.
- Resolution adopting Section 8 Administrative Plan: adopted.
- Award of Fire Station No. 1 HVAC project to Rane Construction: approved; amount not to exceed $129,896.
- Approval of city commercial insurance package (Travelers): approved; commission received detailed presentation on market conditions and a 31.4% increase noted in staff discussion.
- Claims approved: $1,846,301.65 (Nov. 22 '6 Dec. 5, 2024).

Why it matters
The bundle of approvals covers routine municipal operations (licenses, claims, budget adjustments) and several items with direct budget or service impacts: a sizable insurance premium increase that staff said will be absorbed across funds, a capital HVAC replacement for Fire Station No. 1 with potential grant offset, and routine HUD-related housing policy updates. The votes keep city services moving into 2025 and set up project work and policy compliance required by state and federal rules.

Meeting context
Several items were presented as routine with limited public comment. The insurance renewal prompted an extended presentation by the city's broker, who described industry-wide drivers behind premium increases and outlined limited alternative markets.

Ending note
Commissioners indicated continued attention to service delivery and cost pressures in 2025, including potential grant outcomes and further analysis of insurance options.","At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Leavenworth City Commission approved an accessory dwelling special-use permit, annual license renewals, budget amendments and multiple resolutions, awarded a Fire Station No. 1 HVAC contract and approved a new commercial insurance package and claims totaling $1.85 million.","actionData","errors"]

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Leavenworth resident raises complaint about neighbor's trees during public comment

Holly Pittman becomes Leavenworth mayor; emphasizes economic development and communication

Leavenworth Commission approves series of routine and budget items, awards HVAC contract