ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The City of Liberal could see a new permanent city manager as early as tonight at the Liberal City Commission meeting beginning at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.
One of the major items on tonight’s agenda is a request for the approval of an employment contract with Scarlette Diseker to become the new city manager.
“On Jan. 14, the Liberal City Commission met with Interim City Manager Scarlette Diseker regarding an employment contract,” the agenda information noted. “Requests discussed and presented that night are detailed in the attached contract for the commission’s consideration.”
Also on the agenda will be a request for some logistical details for the return of the Liberal AirFair, currently scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4.
“As a one-day event, we plan on having two shows – first, an afternoon show starting at 2 p.m. and lasting for about two hours, and then a twilight/night show beginning shortly after sunset and lasting for 60 to 90 minutes,” the agenda information noted. “Our last AirFair in 2018 had an estimated 13,000 in attendance, and this year, our goal is to bring more to the public, including Food Truck Saturdays, a kids’ zone, live entertainment, and much more. To pull this off, we will be raising $100,000 and putting in thousands of hours in hard work with our volunteers. This has historically been one of the biggest community events in Liberal. We are asking for permanent fencing for the Mid-America Air Museum display area ... and requesting to use the portable/non-permanent fencing panels used for the Duck Race Festival and Pancake Day. The safety of the public, AirFair performers and volunteers are of utmost priority, and we are also asking for the Liberal Police Department and Liberal Fire Department to help us with traffic outside the gate and security inside the gate.”
The commission will also be asked to adopt Ordinance No. 4630 concerning repealing and rescinding Ordinance No. 4619 in order to consider adopting a new Development Agreement with G & G Developments, LLC, and will also be asked to adopt Resolution No. 2428, which sets a public hearing for the commission’s March 11 meeting to discuss adopting a new ordinance and development plan agreement for the Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) for the Larry Street and Hickory Street Development in the Doll Addition.
The commission will also hear from Grants Director Karen LaFreniere for the 2024 Grants annual report and will revisit a change order for the Ortuño Addition.
“The attached Change Order for the Ortuño Housing Addition combines two areas that need to be addressed: 1) Corrections/Deletions resulting from the water meter discussion on 11/26/24, and 2) Addition of inlet box for storm sewer needs,” the agenda information noted. “An inlet box was required to be made taller, so the 30" storm sewer could be installed under the existing 12" sanitary sewer and existing 10" waterline. The price includes the additional cost for the extra depth of excavation for the box and 30" storm sewer trench. After conversations between Edgar Ortuño, Earles Engineering, and the City of Liberal, it was agreed the City of Liberal Water Department would be responsible for providing and installing service lines, water meters, meter pits, tapping saddles, corp. stops, and curb stops from the mainline to individual lots. The contractor would remain responsible for installing the 6" water mains, 6" water vales, 6" fittings, main line tapping valves, and fire hydrants. The contractor would also be responsible for the water main until it has been tested and signed off on by Earles Engineering. Following this, it will become the property of the City of Liberal. This will make the new contract prices $1,650,791.32, which is $5,359.00 lower than the originally approved number of $1,656,150.32. City staff is requesting the commission’s consideration to approve Change Order No. 1 for the Ortuño Housing Addition.”
The commission will also hear a Bid and Progress Update for Resolution 2398 and the abatement of property at 809 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
“The resolution for demolition of the structures at 809 N pennsylvania was passed by the Liberal City Commission June 27, 2023. The matter was put on hold after an appeal from the property owner requesting to repair the property,” the agenda information noted. “Multiple deadlines were set by the commission, and after meeting the first two deadlines, the owner has ceased any progress. The property has had no improvement of any kind since March 2024. Additional notices have been provided to the property owner, giving a solid deadline of Feb. 14 for licensed and permitted work to begin, or the property will be demolished. The original bid for demolition for $12,000 was from a contractor that no longer does business here. The next lowest bid of $15,500 from M&S Demolition will still be honored by the company. The requisition before the commission is to approve the change in bid cost. All costs will still be billed to the property owner.”
The commission will also consider a Special Use Permit for property at 624 N. Grant Ave.
“The property located at 624 N. Grant Ave., which was formerly USD 480 offices, was purchased by For Custom Construction at the time USD 480 vacated it,” the agenda information noted. “The building, which is zoned Residential, has no residential uses. Efforts to rezone the property were met with heavy public resistance and were denied. For Custom then applied for, and was granted, a Special Use Permit for operating their construction company from the address. There has been a portion of the building which has remained empty since For Custom purchased it. Zoning allows only a few uses in a residential district, other than residences making the vacant portion of the building unusable. For Custom has applied for a second Special Use Permit for the vacant portion of the building to be rented and opened as professional services, such as accountants, attorneys, cosmetology, etc. This would add small businesses to the neighborhood without increasing traffic to a problematic point. The special use was passed unanimously by the Planning and Zoning Board Jan. 9, 2025. Staff recommends the Commission approve Ordinance 4629 granting a Special Use Permit for Professional Service Businesses to be conducted at 624 N Grant Ave.”
The commission will also hear updates on several City of Liberal housing programs before concluding the meeting with discussion of the 2025 Crack and Chip Sealing program and a remodeling project for the pro shop at Willow Tree Golf Course.
