April 2021 Newsletter

Board of County Commissioners

To coincide with Public Health Week, the Board of County Commissioners have declared April 5 - 11th, 2021, as "Heroes Week" in Leavenworth County. Heroes Week is a way for Leavenworth County Government to show appreciation to our community partners and county employees for a year of hard work and collaboration in fighting the pandemic in Leavenworth County. Heroes Week also acknowledges the impact of the pandemic on our community and recognizes its sacrifice and resiliency.

Proclimation

Sheriff's Office
DEA

Saturday, April 24th, the Leavenworth Sheriff Office will join other law enforcement agencies to participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Getting unused medication out of homes and safely disposed of prevents them from falling into the wrong hands.

Sheriff Deputies will be at the Leavenworth CVS, 390 Limit Street, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

For people who cannot make it to this event, the Leavenworth County Sheriff Department maintains prescription drug receptacles at the Leavenworth Justice Center and the Leavenworth County Annex in Tonganoxie throughout the year during regular business hours.

County Clerk's Office

Hunting and Fishing The Clerk's Office would like to remind anyone interested in filing for the 2021 City/School Election that now is the time to do so.
The filing deadline is Tuesday, June 1st, at noon. All of the filing forms and information are posted on our website. Candidates must file in the Leavenworth County Clerk's Office.

With spring here and summer arriving soon, now is an excellent time to get your hunting and fishing license.
You may purchase your license at the County Clerk's Office.

Transfer Station News and Updates

The Transfer Station is located at 24967 136th Street, Lansing KS 66043 • PH:  913.727.2858

Hours of operation:  Tuesday – Friday 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 1:45 PM

We are very excited to announce that a Request for Proposals went out for a new outbound scale. A new scale aims to eliminate traffic jams and increase safety.   The Transfer Station has seen tremendous growth in its usage.  In 2011 the transfer station had a total customer count of 23,656.  In 2020, it grew to 34,413.  The Leavenworth County Clerk's office will receive sealed proposals until 10:30 AM on April 7, 2021.

A service of the Transfer Station we would like to highlight in this newsletter is their Household Hazardous Waste Disposal options.  The Leavenworth County Transfer Station is open and accepting household hazardous waste. 

Homes are full of Household Hazardous Waste.  Look for the words DANGER, POISON, WARNING, FLAMMABLE, TOXIC or CAUTION on the product or symbols such as a skull and cross bone.

HHW Image - House

Leavenworth County residents can dispose of HHW free of charge at the Transfer Station.  If you have more than 10 gallons please call  913-727-2858 to make an appointment.  If less than 10 gallons, bring in during our open hours, come across the scale and notify operator.  County businesses can dispose of HHW, for a fee, after submitting an application and receiving approval.

Building and Grounds

Springtime brings many projects to surface for the B&G team. Mowing Season is here and our crews  are focused on treating our lawns against weeds and promoting healthy looking grass at several facilities throughout the county.
Courthouse Lawn
It is also time to plan construction and maintenance projects.  Some of the many include hiring a qualified architect or design firm who will be responsible for the first floor remodel of our Cushing Building and soliciting bids for both the Transfer Station Scale and Scale House.

March has found us planning an upcoming conversion / remodel of the former Juvenile Detention Center to Community Corrections office space, replacing a rooftop motor on the Justice Center (JC), accompanying State inspectors of the Courthouse (CH) and JC boilers, Chiller maintenance at both CH & JC, maintenance of all lawn equipment in preparation for mowing season and sewer district motor replacements. We are also working with the Sheriff’s Office regarding CH security.

B&G is affected by the ever-changing weather; from snow removal to salting and sanding parking lots and sidewalks, freezing temperatures causing broken pipes and downed heating units, as well as wind-blown door issues.

Please report any maintenance issues to maintenance@leavenworthcounty.gov 

GIS

The Leavenworth County GIS mapping department is working to create and update new GIS webpages and products to serve Leavenworth county citizens and staff. 

The staff's goal for 2020-2021 is to make accessing data and finding information smoother for the community. This will be through their new GIS Hub system.
GIS

All available maps through the Hub website are designed to answer your questions regarding changes within the County.

GIS staff plans to make simpler maps while keeping the integrity of the GIS data accessible to everyone. This includes Property, Land Use, and a multitude of additional datasets. The team has been working together with different organizations during a turbulent 2020, creating custom maps with City Planning, Emergency Services, and the Historical Society.

Another winter season prompted assistance with GIS to update Snow Plow routes and future roadway and bridge maintenance.

Over the next year, staff will be updating physical map copies for public consumption. This will include PDF and mapping data used in Google Earth and ESRI software and can be found here. The public is free to browse available files, and download said PDF maps and Shapefiles.

Council on Aging

Vaccination Support from the Council on Aging

If you need transportation to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or walk-in clinic at the Riverfront Community Center, please call the Council on Aging Transportation team at (913) 684-0778 to schedule a ride on the Senior Express. Rides to the Riverfront Community Center cost $1.00 per round trip. Space is limited due to COVID safety measures.

LEGAL AID

Legal aid for seniors, age 60 and over, is available at the Council on Aging for support with Living Wills, Powers of Attorney (POA), and minor legal issues. A volunteer attorney with Kansas Legal Services is available at our office on the fourth Tuesday of each month to meet with clients. Appointments are required to meet with the attorney, so please call our office at 913-684-0777 to schedule your appointment. SENIOR EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION
  • We are available to assist with your transportation needs for seniors age 50 and over, as well as disabled persons of any age. We are currently scheduling transportation to medical trips, shopping (twice per month on alternate weeks) and work. As always, reservations are required, and taken on a first call, first serve basis, for all trip purposes. A fee is required per trip per person.
  • For your continued safety as well as ours, we limit rides to one person per vehicle (unless you require an attendant). Prior to your trip, we will also ask health screening questions. Your temperature will be taken, and a mask is required to be worn while in the vehicle.
  • For current service status, fees and to schedule your trip, call 913-684-0778.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 am— 4:00 pm.

Service Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Closed on weekends and most Federal holidays.

LEISURE & LEARNING ACTIVITIES

We are excited to begin hosting a few activities and support groups.   For your continued safety as well as ours, we will practice social distancing and wear masks.  Stay tuned for more activities to come! If you would like more information, call 913-684-0777.

  • GRANDPARENTS SUPPORT GROUP: Are you raising your grandchildren? If so, please join our support group at the Council on Aging on April 28 and continuing once a month on the fourth Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 am. We will meet and spend the hour sharing ideas and learning new techniques to help you deal with the demands you are feeling. Guest speakers will occasionally present information.
  • MEN’S ONLY COFFEE GROUP: Begins May 3rd and continues on the first and third Mondays of each month from 9:00-10:00 am. We will provide the coffee and donuts; you provide the conversation. This is a wonderful way to connect with other men and just sit and enjoy visiting. Make this group a habit you won’t want to miss. If you would like more information, call 913-684-0777.
  • Goin’ Sewin’: We’re hoping to resume meetings on the first Monday of the month beginning on June 7th from1:00-2:30 p.m. We are making many items for local agencies and charities. Everything is provided: fabric, notions, sewing machines and cutting areas/tables. Occasional treats & refreshments served. If you would like more information, call 913-684-0777.

County Treasurer’s Office

  • Just a reminder that the second half of taxes is due for those who paid only the first half in December.  After May 10th, interest will be added.
  • April is the renewal month for the letters “C & D” on the motor vehicle side and May is renewal month for the letters E, F, and G.  Anyone can renew their registrations up to 60 days in advance of their renewal dates.
  • Driver’s License has now reopened at the Annex for renewals only and by appointment only, Tuesday through Friday.  Please call the Annex at 364-5730 for an appointment.

Planning and Zoning

PC
The Board of County Commissioners is accepting applications from interested parties to serve on the Planning Commission. Leavenworth County depends upon citizen participation, service, and input. Planning Commissioners play a vital role in the shape of the County and are an important element in achieving the County’s goals.

How to Apply to serve on the Planning Commission: Complete a Planning Commission Application and email it to Planning and Zoning at pz@leavenworthcounty.gov. You can also complete a paper application and County Clerk's Office at 300 Walnut, Leavenworth, KS.  Applications will be kept on file and reviewed when there is a vacancy on the Board.


Register of Deeds

PFA

Property Fraud Alert (PFA) Keeps You Fully Informed!

  • Property fraud remains a common crime Fraudsters continue preying on property owners throughout the country
  • Property Fraud Alert as an essential service Your property interest is protected when monitored by alert service
  • Service without cost FREE activation for you to subscribe which monitors all recorded activity from the Register of Deeds Office

If you’ve watched any TV at all, chances are good you’ve seen commercials for buying protection of your valuable home.  You can pay to receive notification of anyone trying to steal your home by filing an illegal deed. 

As your Register of Deeds, I offer a FREE program to every citizen of Leavenworth County to alert you immediately of any document filed on your property.  Our Property Fraud Alert program is simple to sign up.  Call us at 913.684.0424.  We would love to help you!

Currently, there is no way to prosecute an individual who files nuisance liens on your home.  A new bill from the Committee on Judiciary would add a provision to the Kansas Criminal Code to prohibit the filing of certain liens or claims against real or personal property and provide for criminal penalties.  The wonderful news out of Topeka is that Senate Bill 58 has passed out of the Senate 39-0 and out of the House of Representatives 122-0.  The bill is waiting for a hearing in a Conference Committee of both House and Senate members to resolve their differences on added amendments.  Contact your Senator and Representative to encourage support of passage for SB 58 at www.kslegislature.org:

Sen. Tom Holland
Sen. Jeff Pittman
Rep. Tim Johnson
Rep. David French
Rep. Lance Neely
Rep. Pat Proctor

Please, consider calling our office at 913.684.0424 to subscribe to our FREE Property Fraud Alert program today!

TerriLois Mashburn
Register of Deeds
Leavenworth County KS

County Attorney
Volunteer-Banner_web-en
Leavenworth County Attorney's office has started a volunteer program. We are looking for individuals who are able to commit four or more hours a week with at least a six-month commitment to assisting our office. We have a wide variety of tasks volunteers can assist with in our office. Volunteers will work with victims and witnesses, help with clerical paperwork, assist with phone calls, data entry, and assist in ongoing cases. 

Volunteers must have the ability to work with professionals and the public, a commitment to confidentiality must be 18 years or older, be sensitive to others needs, have a willingness to commit time regularly, have the ability to communicate effectively, pay attention to detail, and there must be no criminal history on either the volunteer or any of their family members.

Public Works
PWUpdate

With summer quickly approaching, Leavenworth County has awarded construction contracts for the replacement of two southern Leavenworth County bridges.

 

On January 6th, Dondlinger & Sons Construction was awarded the bridge replacement contract for SH-30. Construction for this bridge, located south of Archer Road on 158th Street, will begin no later than June 30th and will take approximately 90 days. During construction, this road will be closed to all traffic. This project includes the removal of the existing concrete box culvert and installation of a natural bottom bridge to support fish movement along Kaw Creek. With these efforts, Leavenworth County was awarded $50,000 from the National Fish Passage Program, part of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.

 

The second bridge on the County’s construction schedule was awarded to King Construction on February 24th. SH-22, located on 206th Street, north of K-32 over Ninemile Creek, will begin no later than May 19th and will take approximately 180 days. During construction, this road will also be closed to all traffic.

 

Project status updates and information on either of these two bridges or any other county project can be found on the public works department page of the Leavenworth County website at Project Status Updates.

Alerts
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