Board Meeting Minutes- February 9, 2026

Monday, February 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM | 601 Cherokee Leavenworth, KS 66048-0576

Directors in Attendance

• Eric Peterson
• William Daniels
• Nick Poff
• Eric Price
• Camalla Leonhard

Directors Absent (Excused)

• None

Staff in Attendance

• Joel Mahnken, General Manager
• Dana Splichal, Finance Manager
• John Hodgden, Distribution Manager
• Neil Seichepine, Treatment Manager
• Britni Huff, Staff Engineer

Others in Attendance

• Michael Stag, Stag Liuzza LLC (on line)
• Jacob Copeland, Perry & Trent LLC
• Shane Lillich, Perry & Trent LLC

Director Peterson called the meeting to order at 4:59 PM.

Director Peterson noted that a quorum was present.

Michel Stag with Stag Liuzza LLC, Jacob Copeland, and Shane Lilich with Perry & Trent, LLC, Attorneys at Law presented information on a national PFAS settlement with the intent of inviting Leavenworth Waterworks to participate.

Upon motion from Director Poff and seconded by Director Leonhard, motion passed 5-0…..

RESOLVED (No. 15647), that the Board authorized the General Manager to pursue a settlement associated with Perry & Trent, LLC, subject to legal review by Crow & Associates.

Director Leonhard asked for clarification on Board members attending conferences, specifically the AWWA ACE Conference held in Washington, D.C. in June this year as she would like to attend. Discussion was held.

Upon motion from Director Daniels and seconded by Director Leonhard, motion passed 3-2 with Directors Peterson and Poff voting no. Director Poff noted that his no was because the cost of Board member attendance was not included in the 2026 budget.

RESOLVED (No. 15648), that the Board approved attendance of two Directors at the ACE AWWA conference.

Tabled until the next Board meeting

Upon motion from Director Leonhard and seconded by Director Price, motion passed 5-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15649), that the Board approved the consent agenda as presented.

At the previous Board meeting, the proposed policy for the Administrative Water Reconnection Fee was reviewed. The Board requested a specific revision to the final paragraph regarding customer notification. The goal of this revision was to clarify that while the utility follows a strict written notification schedule, no secondary or "courtesy" contact (via phone or email) is legally required prior to the termination of service or the assessment of fees.

After discussion, the Board requested further edits to the final paragraph of the policy.

Upon motion from Director Price and seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 5-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15650), that the Board adopt the resolution and policy, as amended.

After discussion and upon motion from Director Leonhard and seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 5-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15651), that the Board approved the December 2025 financial statements as presented.

The General Manager noted that after the interview stage of the request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services, it was the recommendation of staff and the Directors in attendance for all three interviews to move forward with Carollo Engineers, Inc. as the engineering firm for the South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project.

After discussion, which included discussion on possible technology and visiting past projects of Carollo Engineers, Director Daniels suggested a visit to a project prior to signing a contract. After discussion, and upon motion from Director Price and seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 5-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15652), that the Board authorized the General Manager to negotiate an engineering services contract with Carollo Engineers, Inc. for the South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project for Board consideration.

Administration

1. December financial statements
2. Working on continuing education for license renewal
3. Updating/documenting various policies and procedures
4. Attended engineering firm presentations

Moving forward, will be providing number of late notices sent each month as well as shut offs performed due to non-payment.

Distribution

Water Distribution Projects

1. Lead & Copper Service Inventory
   • Total 4/37 for the year.
2. Lawrence Ave
   • Stamped, awaiting KDHE review.

Water Distribution Operations

1. Main Break: 1914 W 7th, 2” CI, 1952
2. Trench safety class scheduled.
3. KRWA Conf. booked for distribution

Water Treatment

Treatment Summary

1. Finalizing the Emergency Response Plan
2. Met with Engineering firms about South Plant Upgrade
3. February Usage: 15,486,353 gallons Daily Average Usage: 3,871,588 gallons

Ohio Street Booster Station

1. C&B Equipment rebuilt and reinstalled Pump #1 (2/4/2026)
2. Preventative maintenance completed on generator (2/5/2026)

Noted that rooms reserved for KRWA conference

Director Price asked about the pump and Neil said to replace the pump, the cost would be approximately $52,000. Noted that C&B Equipment is surge testing the old one

General Manager

• Water Tank Project
  • Waiting on Final Pay Request to finalize Contract #2.
  • Will working to close out the KPWSLF loan as soon as possible.
• South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project
  • $1.25 M Federal STAG authorized in the Dept. of the Interior’s budget.
  • Consultant trying to arrange a meeting with Senator Moran’s office to discuss FY 27 budget on March 5th. Suggesting Chair, myself, and someone from the business community attend.
  • Interviews for Engineering firm held on January 26th, 27th, and 28th.
  • Reviewing financial projections for debt financing.
• Waiting on permit review by KDHE for the Lawrence Ave./9th St. WMR Project.
• Met with the Appraiser for KDOT on the Centennial Bridge Project on February 3rd.

Noted that the Taste of Leavenworth had requested a donation of a decommission hydrant to be auctioned off as part of their annual fundraiser. The consensus of the Board was to do so.

The General Manager followed up on his note regarding someone from the business community attended the visit in Washington DC with himself, Director Peterson and the consultant, Chad Tenpenny. He noted cost is estimated at $900 to $1,000 per person and requested Lisa Haack, LCDC’s Executive Director, attend, with Leavenworth Waterworks paying for her as well.

After discussion, and upon motion from Director Leonhard and seconded by Director Price, motion passed 5-0…

RESOLVED (No. 15653), that the Board approved Lisa Haack accompanying the General Manager and Board Chair to Washington, DC at a cost not to exceed $1,000.

Upon motion from Director Leonhard, seconded by Director Poff, motion passed 5-0.

Director Peterson adjourned the meeting at 6:07 PM.