August 31, 2026 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
6:00 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the public hearing for the CDBG grant to order at 327 Elmore St. Lecompton, KS. Council members present at roll call included Troy Clark, Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer, Steve Freeman and Norraine Wingfield. City Clerk Lynley Sanford was also present. Residents or township members present included Jeremey Allen, Nicole Kanaman and Elsie Middleton.
Mayor Wilkins presented highlights of the CDBG grant process, provided information about the grant award the City is seeking, how much the 10% City match will be. Mayor Wilkins identified Nicole Kanaman as the grant coordinator and named BG Consultants as the engineering firm completing the preliminary engineering review.
Mayor Wilkins outline the general scope of improvements for each facility and opened the floor for public comment.
Question from the gallery asked “in-kind” donations/services can they be part of the match funds for the City? Grant coordinator Nicole answered yes, but there are limits.
6:10p Stephanie Confer motioned to adjourn the public hearing for the CDBG Grant. Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
6:11 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the special meeting regarding strategic planning for the City of Lecompton to order at 327 Elmore St. Lecompton, KS. Council members present at roll call included Troy Clark, Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer, Steve Freeman, and Norraine Wingfield. City Clerk Lynley Sanford was also present. Residents or township members present included Jeremey Allen, Elsie Middleton and Mark Kasson.
The City Council discussed Municipal water service and infrastructure, identifying immediate repairs at water plant, consideration of “wi-fi” meters, street and alley repairs, Duckweed and Lagoon concerns, maintenance and improvement on City Buildings. Consideration of forming a municipal court, expanding HR policies and staffing.
In regards to water service and maintaining KDHE compliance, the council brainstormed contract operator options. Kurt Bookout with KMU offered, council also suggested RWD #3 Ryan Edmonds, he is local, would need to contract for 1 year minimum.
The City was provided a community vision and revitalization plan created by Rachael Allen. The visual mockups with new signage, street lamps, and landscapes presented a beautiful potential for Lecompton. The Council agreed that this vision is something to strive for.
Mayor Wilkins opened the floor for public comment.
Elsie Middleton noted the following:
– Inquiring about timing of approved council meeting minutes for the City of Lecompton as compared to City of Lawrence. The council responded that what she is probably seeing online is from someone with the local media agency providing the information from notes they took at the public meetings.
– Concern regarding Lawrence encroaching on City of Lecompton especially to the South and East borders. How can Lecompton encourage developers/planners and protect our community.
– It is imperative that the City water and sewer plants are brought back into alignment and function correctly.
– Can the City look at grants for housing and urban assistance? Finances could be part of the problem with some of the dilapidated structures in our community, if we can get grants to close this gap, we could assist homeowners.
– Recommends the City hire and outside entity to issue orders of violation for non-code compliance.
7:19P Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to adjourn. Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk