Research the records yourself

The same records database behind our reports is free and open. Connect it to Claude and ask your own questions about Shawnee city government — every answer comes back cited to specific meeting dates, page numbers, and source documents.

Set up in three steps

connect — claude × civic-research
  1. Open claude.ai or the Claude Desktop app.
  2. Go to Settings → Connectors and click Add custom connector.
  3. Name it Shawnee Research and paste this URL:
https://civic-research.com/mcp

Click Add, then Connect — you're ready to search. Free to use, no account with us required.

What's actually happening here?

The connector uses MCP — an open standard that lets an AI assistant like Claude securely use outside tools. Adding our connector gives Claude the ability to search Civic Research's database of Shawnee public records. When you ask a question, Claude searches the actual city documents and answers from what it finds, citing each source — instead of guessing from memory.

Then try asking…

  • What is the full history of the Wonderscope Children's Museum project?
  • Show me every TIF district and its current status
  • How has stormwater policy changed since 2015?
  • Summarize the 2026 budget priorities

Common questions

What records are included?
City council minutes (1982–2026), planning commission minutes (1995–2026), meeting agendas with full staff reports (2012–2026), Board of Zoning Appeals records, monthly and quarterly reports, annual budgets, financial reports, the Achieve Shawnee Comprehensive Plan, policy statements, charter ordinances, and administrative codes.
How current is the data?
Records are synced daily from the city's public document portal. New meeting agendas, minutes, and reports are typically available within 24 hours of the city posting them.
Do I need a Claude account?
Yes — the research tools work through Claude (claude.ai or the Claude Desktop app), so you need an account with Anthropic. The Civic Research connector itself is free and requires no account with us.
Can I use this for other cities?
Not yet. Civic Research currently covers Shawnee, Kansas only. We're exploring expansion to other municipalities.

Don't use Claude? No problem — the reports are written for you.

Browse the reports