Board Meeting Minutes- March 9, 2026

Monday, March 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

• Olivia Long

Director Peterson called the meeting to order at 4:57 PM.

Director Peterson noted that a quorum was present.

Olivia Long was present to discuss her damaged retaining wall located at 1316 Spruce St.

Ms. Long stated that on February 26, she saw a man from Leavenworth Waterworks in her yard that jumped from her retaining wall to the sidewalk and that there was a Leavenworth Waterworks truck on the street as well. A couple days later, the wall collapsed after a rainstorm. She called John on March 2 to discuss the damaged wall, stating that she believes that the wall wouldn’t have collapsed if a utility worker hadn’t been in her yard and jumped off the wall. She stated that the jump caused part of the stabilizing concrete to crack along the top of the wall. She is looking for Leavenworth Waterworks to repair the wall. Ms. Long is getting price estimates from various companies for the cost of the repair.

John confirmed that two employees were on site, completing a locate request for a city project. They were marking meters and lines in the city ROW. The retaining wall is located in the ROW. Employees stated that they did not jump off of the wall.

Director Peterson thanked Ms. Long for bringing her concern to our attention and stated the Board would need to review details further before any decision is made. Ms. Long left the Board Meeting.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15657), that Leavenworth Waterworks will not pay for the damaged retaining wall located at 1316 Spruce St and that the damage to the wall is likely the result of age and erosion over time due to stormwater.

None

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

RESOLVED (No. 15658), that the Board approved the minutes from February 23, 2026, as amended.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15659), that the Board approved the consent agenda as presented.

Staff is recommending that the travel per diem for employees be adjusted to reflect the per diem utilized by the Federal GSA, based on destination.

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

RESOLVED (No. 15660), that the Board approved the amendment to the personnel manual as presented.

Administration

1. February month end reconciliations
2. Continue working on CPE for license renewal – due in June
3. Updating/documenting various policies and procedures
4. Attended KSAWWA Conference in West Virginia February 25th to 27th
5. Prepping for annual audit and submitting documentation to auditors; working on year-end documentation and reconciliations for the audit

Distribution

Water Distribution Projects

1. Lead & Copper Service Inventory
   • Total 8/37 for the year.
2. Lawrence Ave
   • KDHE on 2nd Review

Water Distribution Operations

1. Main Break: 701 Muncie, 8” DI, 1997
2. Plans for South Adams Co. pellet softener tour made
3. RPR for Wilson Ave City Project began 3.3.26

Water Treatment

Treatment Summary

1. Reviewed the scope for the South Plant upgrade with Carollo
2. Spring maintenance is underway at the North plant
3. Attended Safety Meeting on February 27th
4. February Usage: 102,582,315 gallons         Daily Average Usage: 3,663,654 gallons

General Manager

• KMU Safety Training held February 27th on “Hazardous Communications” & “GHS”.
• Water Tank Project
  • We are still waiting for the Final Pay Request to finalize Contract #2 and the Project.
• South Treatment Plant Resiliency Project
  • Meetings with Senator Marshall and the staff of Senator Moran as well as Congressman Schmidt to discuss FY 27 CDS budget request on March 5th in Washington DC.
  • Working on engineering contract with Carollo Engineers.
  • Plan to participate in a webinar on infrastructure grants from Google on March 18th.
• Waiting on permit review by KDHE for the Lawrence Ave./9th St. WMR Project.
• Discussed the PFAS class action lawsuit representation agreement with Crow & Associates.
• Worked with Crow & Associates regarding the online February 11th meeting with KDOT on the Centennial Bridge Project transmission line relocations, property fencing, and safety features at the Chlorine Contact Basin. Ask that they draft a letter to State Legislators and prepare for potential
  litigation.

The General Manager gave a verbal report on to the Board about his trip to Washington DC seeking grant funding for the South Treatment Plant Project.

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

Director Peterson adjourned the meeting at 5:36 PM.