At the Dec. 9 Leavenworth City Commission meeting, the body handled a slate of routine and operational actions alongside the extended public comment period.

What passed: Commissioners approved second consideration of Ordinance 82-73 (special use to allow automobile sales at 1512 South 2nd Street) and Ordinance 82-74 (home occupation permit at 813 Kickapoo Street). The commission approved multiple mayoral appointments (planning commission, port authority, sister city advisory board and others) and appointed Joe Wilson as financial claims reviewer. The consent agenda — including claims totaling $3,901,265.18 and multiple payroll items — was approved.

Insurance and procurement: Staff recommended and the commission approved the city’s 2026 commercial insurance renewal package. After reviewing market quotes (Travelers and Chubb), staff recommended moving property coverage to Chubb to reduce the property premium and lower the wind/hail deductible from 3% to 1%; the overall package increase was reported at about 5.9% with the extra amount covered from reserves.

Housing and infrastructure contracts: The commission awarded a housing needs analysis contract to Baker Tilly for $54,500 to inform potential Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) work, and approved award for sanitary sewer force-main inspections (American Pipeline Solutions, not-to-exceed $105,000). The Wilson Avenue reconstruction contract to Line Weaver Construction was approved at $1,225,113.70 (commissioner Maxwell recused for a conflict). Other contracts approved included a library roof upgrade ($73,437 to American Roofing) and a janitorial services contract (Citywide Facility Solutions, $69,540/year) passed on a 3–2 vote after commissioners discussed preference for local vendors.

Budget and fees: The commission approved amendments to the 2025 budget for the library fund (transfer of unexpectedly higher tax distributions) and changes to the city fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026, including updated public-records per-page costs to align with Kansas Attorney General guidance and increases to some service fees. Finance staff also recommended canceling 20 outstanding city checks older than two years totaling $2,749.62; the commission approved the write-off and reversion to city funds.

What’s next: Several items (notably the CoreCivic special-use permit) will proceed through planning review and future public hearings. The housing needs analysis is intended to guide future RHID proposals and grant work. For capital projects like Wilson Avenue and force-main work, staff will finalize contracts and proceed with project implementation and reimbursements where applicable.