Leavenworth moves forward on PFAS claims, city policies, yard waste pickup

During its Sept. 9 meeting, the Leavenworth City Council approved actions to pursue PFAS-related class-action settlement funds and updated several city policies. The city will hire legal services on a contingency fee basis to explore potential claims against manufacturers 3M and DuPont, which could yield funds for water filtration systems amid concerns over PFAS contamination. The council also repealed an outdated stop sign placement policy, granting authority to the city engineer to ensure decisions align with current traffic conditions. In addition, a new lost and found policy was enacted for city parks, requiring items to be held for a minimum of 96 hours.

City officials, including Public Works Director Andi Zontek-Backstrum, noted that current water testing shows no detectable PFAS levels. City Councilmember Anne Hessburg raised concerns regarding potential legal costs, but contract terms clarified that the city would not incur fees exceeding any settlement award. These measures aim to enhance governance, transparency, and public safety in Leavenworth. Local officials emphasized the importance of accurate monitoring and responsiveness to community needs.