ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will have a rather light agenda to take on for its next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. Tonight’s meeting will be in the commission chambers in the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.
Up first for the commission will be an update on Resolution 2400, which concerns an abatement on a property at 809 N. Pennsylvania Ave. This had been discussed at the commission’s March 14 meeting.
“As you’re all aware, back in December, the commission granted a three-month extension for the owner of this property, James Roubidoux so he could complete the weatherization of the outside of the structure,” Cod Enforcement Officer Dawn Rushton noted at that meeting. “During that period, no additional work has been completed and portions of the fence that were repaired during the first one-month extension were already falling down. As of Monday, however, Mr. Roubidoux came into town and let us know he was starting work again on the property after dealing with some health issues. He did install a new front door, added bricks to the south windows where the wood was exposed, and he painted part of the front of the house. Staff is recommending the commission allow the demolition to proceed as it appears Mr. Roubidoux is not going to be able to make proper or timely renovation of the property.”
Roubidoux then spoke to the commission.
“Long story short, I was dealing with some health issues and put on some pretty strong medication that resulted in nearly losing my eye,” Roubidoux noted at that meeting. “I was treated at the OU Medical Center and have the necessary documentation to support all of that. I did come up to show I’m serious and making the attempt to get this work done. There’s been a lot done in the past few days, with more planned, so if I could have another extension to get the remaining work done, I should be able to fulfill everything.”
The commission ultimately approved an extension. However, this evening’s meeting could end up differently.
“The owner was required to have all exterior weatherization completed. As of April 2, he has failed to complete the required improvements,” the agenda information noted.
Up next for the commission will be discussion of a water line replacement project.
“This is the water line project staff has been working on for the past four years, and we are in need of doing the project,” the agenda information noted. “Back in 2021, we got a loan from Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for $4,058,038.80. That loan amount does not cover the actual cost of the project with all the recent price increase in materials and labor. We recommend extending the loan with KDHE for an additional $1.49 million dollars at the same rate of 1.45 percent to bring the loan amount to $5,548,038.80 and the remaining balance of $1.2 million be paid out of our water reserves fund, with an amount not to exceed $1.5 million. Staff recommends the acceptance of the bid of $6,717,445 from Middlecreek Corporation to complete the water project.”
Concluding the meeting’s new business will be discussion of the water tower maintenance contract.
“The Water Department went out for bids for a maintenance program for our water tower. We only received one bid back. The purpose of this contract will be to have a water tower maintained and up to specifications from the Environmental Protection Agency and KDHE,” the agenda information noted. “The tower is of extreme importance to the community since it is how we regulate the pressure in town. There are some internal issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible. With this contract, we would not have to worry about any maintenance or repair issues since they will be covered in the program, which will include painting the inside and the outside of the tower in the upcoming years. Staff recommends accepting the maintenance agreement with Viking, for an amount not to exceed $75,000 per year, which will come out of the Repair/Maintain Water Wells 530-4941-44026 budget line item.”
