March 16, 2026 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the Lecompton City Council Meeting to order at 327 Elmore St. Lecompton, KS. Council Members Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer, Steve Freeman and Waynie Wingfield were present at roll call. Council Member Troy Clark was absent., City Clerk Lynley Sanford was present. City Superintendent Ryan Davis was absent. Residents or township members present included Elsie Middleton, Greg Howard, Nicole Kanaman, Mark Kasson, Roger Bartels, Lindsey Trent, and Jessica Zullig
Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to approve the meeting minutes from March 2nd, 2026. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays
Steve Freeman motioned to approve the bills before the council. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion. Mayor Wilkins noted that he had been contacted about some overtime for City Clerk Lynley and approved the time.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.
Mayor Wilkins opened the show cause hearing for 710 Simons St. property owned by Cynthia Coffelt. Notice had been published in the LJ World, notification was sent certified return receipt and first class to all addresses affiliated with Cynthia. City Council reviewed current photos of the exterior condition of the structure and open the floor for anyone present to speak on the matter. Roger Bartels was present for Cynthia, he provided testimony that Ms. Coffelt was who does not live in Kansas was making arrangements to sell the property. The plan is to have a contract with a realtor by Friday March 20th. The realtor believes the property will sell within 15 days.
Stephanie Confer motioned to provide 21 days to show good progress in moving forward on this property. In the next 7 days Roger must show proof of contract to the city office for the realtor, and have until the next council meeting to show the property under contract. If no progress is made, the city holds the right to proceed with condemnation. Steve Freeman seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays
Ryan Davis – absent, but the following updates were provided.
– The High Service pump was reinstalled. The company will come back to remove the older Highservice pump to restore.
Lynley Sanford –
– Invitation to the special public hearing was mailed to all residents and all tax payers to City of Lecompton in the township.
– Working on compliance for renewing iron/manganese backwash discharge permit as well as new Lead/Copper reporting requirements. KDHE will probably require some sludge removal/maintenance schedule for all lagoons even the backwash lagoon.
Public Comment
Mayor Wilkins opened the floor for Council Member Waynie Wingfield to share her opinions about the survey that was okay by the council for the special meeting. Waynie expressed disappointment regarding the survey because it does not specifically ask if the person completing the survey is a taxpayer in the City of Lecompton. Furthermore, she expressed it is important to know the opinions of those whose taxes will support the maintenance & operation of the building.
Lindsey Trent has a house under construction at 218 Halderman. She has concerns over the location of the water meter, being as it was installed in the middle of the ditch. The County inspector was worried about the meter location and the exposure of the meter pit wall which may cause the meter to freeze in the winter. Also, she has requested that the sewer main be exposed in preparation of her service connection. Just some concerns about communication with the City Superintendent. Mayor Wilkins said he would speak with the Superintendent regarding the work.
Greg Howard president of Lecompton Community Empowerment shared Thank-yous for the City’s matching funds to the heritage grant for new windows in the old rural highschool building. Lecompton Community Empowerment has also pledged funds towards the grant.
Greg brought with him Nicole Kanaman who is the Community Empowerment youth dance instructor. Nicole has a lot of experience in grant writing and feels Lecompton has a great grant profile with the history of the town and the stats of the city. There are some great Kansas Commerce Grant opportunities especially for recreation outside of urban area. The City council is excited for any potential help and leads on grant writing for Lecompton.
Kristin Gantz is still working on the plan for kids to paint the flower barrels as part of an art project for USA’s 250th Birthday.
On that note, Waynie Wingfield stated the Lecompton Historical Society will be honoring veterans at Territorial Capital Museum with a display of the Veterans Memorial, military uniforms and photos. The Lecompton Historical Society motto for the 250th celebration is “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave”.
City Clerk Lynley Sanford mentioned that an email went out today for local businesses regarding FIFA 2026 providing a link for the KC FIFA 2026 Community Playbook and a link for the Google Translate App.
In that email Lynley mentioned the City would like to decorate for USA’s 250th birthday and asked local businesses to participate by decorating their business fronts.
The City Council discussed interest in banners and flags for the City to be displayed mid-June through July 31st.
Jessica Zullig with Jr Kaws softball spoke to the city council about summer ball. The Jr Kaws are just finishing up enrollment for the summer season. Jessica asked if Jr. Kaws softball could use the Lecompton Ball field at no cost Monday-Friday 5p-9p for practices.
Stephanie Confer motioned for Jr. Kaws teams to be provided first option to use the field Monday-Friday 5p-9p April 1st- July 31st for free. No lights will be provided, a key for the bathroom will be shared, and the coaches will give the City Office a heads up if anything needs attention in the restrooms. Steve Freeman seconded the motion.
Additional discussion: If a fee paying tournament request came up for a week-day or weekend that the Jr. Kaws were using the field the city asks that the Jr. Kaws be flexible so the City Could rent the field out.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.
Teams and schedules should be coming out next week.
Old Business
– No additional updates on window grant for the Lecompton Rural High-school. Grant award announcements will be made around April 2nd. Council will wait to make a decision.
– Mayor Wilkins shared with the council his meeting with Douglas County Zoning and Codes. Regarding the Market Bakery and apartments specifically, the county is willing to work with the City to require what the city sees as necessary. Fire Code/Fire Wall will be an expectation. File a building permit with the City to move forward. Get word to Chad Rea.
– Bids for gymnasium repairs was shared with the City Council. This information will be provided at the public meeting.
It was asked if the City Would consider selling the gymnasium? Would the council entertain learning the commercial real estate value? The Council is not interested in selling the gymnasium.
New Business
– No new business was discussed.
8:30 pm Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to go into executive session to discuss matters regarding non-elected personnel. Waynie Winfield seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays (1 absent Troy Clark)
8:40pm Mayor Wilkins brought the council meeting back into open session.
8:40pm – Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to adjourn. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk