ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will have multiple projects and bills to consider at its next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.
To begin the meeting’s new business, the commission will be asked to award a bid to French Construction in the amount of $1,439,755 for the Doll Addition Rural Housing Incentive District. The commission will then be asked to approve a Letter of Intent with Air Products.
“The City of Liberal has been in talks with the Air Products Helium Team for close to a year regarding the purchase of land north of the Mid-America Air Museum,” the agenda information noted. “The survey and appraisal have been completed. We have attached the formal Letter of Intent for commission approval. City staff requests commission consideration to approve the attached Letter of Intent from Air Products Helium Team.”
The commission will then be discussing the installation of new lighting at a few of the parks in Liberal.
“The City of Liberal Parks Department is requesting approval to purchase solar walking path lights for Country Club Park, South Blue Bonnet Park, Mahuron Park, and McCray Park,” the agenda information noted. “There are many members in the community who feel there is a need for better lighting in our parks. The addition of lights to our parks will increase the safety and accessibility for our citizens. This purchase will consist of the following: Country Club Park/Sunflower pathway (75 Bollard path lights with 30-foot spacing); South Blue Bonnet Park: (32 pole mount lights on 20-foot poles with 120-foot spacing); Mahuron Park (19 pole mount lights on 20-foot poles with 120-foot spacing); and McCray Park (15 pole mount lights on existing poles with 80-foot spacing). These lights are backed by a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and batteries with a 10-plus year life expectancy. Installation will be done in-house by the Parks Department. City staff recommends approval of the purchase of path lighting from First Light Technologies not to exceed $348,000, to be funded by the Streets, Drainage, and Capital Improvement portion of the 1-cent sales tax, and approval of the McCray Park lighting for an amount not to exceed $52,000 to be funded by the Crime Prevention portion of the 1-cent sales tax. We ask for the purchasing policy be waived due to extensive research on First Light Technologies and their work both in this community and on a national scale.”
The commission will then be discussing parallel taxiway agreements.
“Liberal Municipal Airport is adding a parallel taxiway to the crosswind runway. The airport and Lochner went out for bid May 16 and received three bids back on June 11. Koss Construction was the low bid at $5,411,436.86,” the agenda information noted. “At this time, Lochner has sent the agreements, application, and other documents for the City to sign and return to the FAA for the grant. This will be a 95 percent-5 percent split between the City of Liberal and the FAA. We have also sent in an application to the Build Kansas Fund through the Kansas Infrastructure Hub to see about getting additional assistance in reducing the amount that we will have to pay. What I understand is that with the 95 percent of our funds associated with the grant ($157,665 x 95 percent = $149,781), our amount would be reduced by $7,884 if we are awarded, for a total City share of Phase 2 construction of $141,897. The total project cost estimate is $6,353,000. The FAA will pay 95 percent, and the City of Liberal will pay 5 percent, which amounts to $317,650. This will be less if we receive the extra grant from the Build Kansas Fund. Staff recommends the commission allow the mayor or city manager and airport manager to sign the agreement, application, and any documents related to the parallel taxiway project. The City of Liberal’s portion of the project will come from land sale and grant proceeds.”
The Liberal Fire Department will also be on hand to request the purchase rescue tools.
“The Fire Department is seeking approval to proceed with the purchase of a set of battery-operated rescue/extrication tools,” the agenda information noted. “Previously, the department has kept two sets of hydraulic tools. One set, purchased in 2004, has reached an age where it is experiencing mechanical problems, and parts are so scarce that repair is very difficult and cost-prohibitive. In recent years, technology has progressed to the point that battery-operated tools are just as effective, quicker to deploy, and easier to maintain. Over the past two years, we have participated in multiple evaluation demos for different brands of these types of tools. We have found that Genesis Rescue Systems produces the best tools to meet our needs and applications. These tools are primarily used for vehicle extrication, but can be used in several other disciplines, including confined space rescue, trench rescue, industrial rescue and structural collapse. Battalion Chief Luman has reached out to both authorized Kansas sales representatives for quotes on the equipment. Only Emergency Fire Equipment from Mayfield responded. Therefore, it will be our recommendation to accept their quote and purchase the equipment from them. City staff recommends the purchase of a set of Genesis rescue tools & chargers from Emergency Fire Equipment in the amount of $48,948.”
The commission will also be asked to approve the upgrading of door access control systems.
“City staff is seeking approval to upgrade and integrate these systems into a unified door access control solution that will serve six departments across nine locations. This upgrade consolidates control under the IT Department, which will enhance overall building security and streamline management processes,” the agenda information noted. “This project involves the installation of access control hardware and software licenses for 46 doors. It includes sensors and readers that will be integrated with our current system. Staff recommends acceptance of the quote from INA Alert for the installation of door access control systems and propose entering into a contract with INA Alert for this project, with a total amount not to exceed $170,000. An initial payment of $41,079.23 will be allocated from the 2025 Crime Prevention portion of the 1-cent sales tax. The remaining balance of $123,237.70 will be funded through the 2026 Crime Prevention portion of the 1-cent sales tax.”
To conclude the meeting’s new business, the commission will be asked to approve utility bill waivers for Stepping Stone Shelter.
