Tonganoxie City Council members approved sanitary sewer improvement services for more than $256,000 at Monday’s regular meeting

The city received three bids after issuing a request for proposals.

Low bid was from Westland Construction for $256,134. Other bids were from Havens Construction for $259,865 and Bennett Inc. for $347,150.

Fund to complete contracted sewer repair projects, including the scope of work for this project. Based on the bid results and recommended award, the City would be within a very close margin to the estimated project construction cost subcomponent and staff recommend moving forward with the recommended bid award.

The bid was approved, 4-0, with Council Member Jennifer McCutchen absent.

Council approves temporary alcohol license for fair

Council members approved a temporary cereal malt beverage license for grandstand events at the Leavenworth County Fair.

The Leavenworth County Fair Association applied for the permit. The grandstand events are 4 p.m.-midnight July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2.

Members approved the measure by a 4-0 vote. The application fee for the permit requests is $150.

In-home dog grooming and photography permit approved

A special-use permit has been approved for a dog grooming and photography business on Eighth Street.

Council members approved the special-use permit for Pupperazzi Dog Spa at 615 E. Eighth St.

The Tonganoxie Planning Commission held a public hearing about the business on June 5. Brooke Kesinger submitted the special-use permit for the spa. The request was to allow dog grooming and pet photography at the residence. The property is zoned residential single family. According to the City Zoning Ordinance, a pet grooming facility is allowed as a use through a special-use permit.

The commission recommended approval of the request after the hearing and discussion. The permit was subject to conditions recommended by staff.

Conditions include:

• The Special Use Permit is limited for a period of 2 years following the date of City Council approval; upon renewal of the permit, the Planning Commission may consider longer periods if the circumstances warrant.

• The permit is not transferable to another owner or operator of the business.

• The application shall be limited in scale and scope to the proposed operations. Specifically;

• Employees are limited to residents of the house and up to two additional non-resident employees

• Hours of operation must be within 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Operations are by appointment only

• Generally, no more than six appointments a day

• Animals and customers will not stay beyond scheduled appointment times, and no animals will be outside for prolonged periods.

• Any expansion beyond this shall require amendment of the Special Use Permit subject to all applicable review criteria and considerations.

• No signs or other alterations to the property to support the business are permitted other than those that are purely residential in nature.

LCDC gives presentation, discusses funding request

The council discussed a 2026 funding request from Leavenworth County Development Corporation for economic development support.

The 2025 adopted budget included $22,450 from the general fund for funding support for LCDC. The requested amount of $22,450 is a slight increase from the prior year funding amount.

Lisa Hack with LCDC and Greg Kaaz with the Leavenworth County Port Authority spoke to the council about what LCDC’s partnerships with communities in Leavenworth County. Tonganoxie has been a longtime partner with LCDC, as the organization assists with business retention and attracting new businesses, such as those at Tonganoxie Business Park and Urban Hess Business Center.

LCDC uses a funding mechanism to determine amounts requested from cities based on a percentage per dollar of assessed valuation and per resident of each community.

No action was taken, as the council ultimately will make its decision on funding when it approves the 2026 budget in a few weeks.

Organizations ask for funding consideration

Tonganoxie Arts Council, Tonganoxie Farmers Market and Tonganoxie Community Historical Society had representatives speak at the meeting regarding financial requests for the 2026 budget.

All three asked for the maximum $5,000 request. For instance, Natalie Frese, manager with the farmers market, said the market would like to use funds to provide an internship for high school students.