ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will have a busy afternoon and evening on its hands today.
After a special meeting at 3 p.m. to hear presentations from not-for-profit groups, the commission will move on to its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., which will start with discussion of Ordinance No. 4637 concerning the adoption of the Launch Liberal 2035 Comprehensive Plan.
“Per K.S.A. 12-747, cities must have a development plan approved by the planning commission which is reviewed and/or amended annually. Our last comprehensive plan was developed in 2003. In 2024, we started working with Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) and Wichita State's Public Policy and Management Center to create a 10-year plan for Liberal's development,” the agenda information noted. “The Launch Liberal 2035 comprehensive plan is the result of considerable analysis and study of our community as it exists today, as well as significant collaboration, participation, and input from Liberal residents and stakeholders throughout the planning process. This plan will assist the Liberal City Commission in making well-informed decisions regarding land use and capital improvements. The Launch Liberal 2035 comprehensive plan communicates our aspirations and goals to private sector investors, local institutions, businesses, and residents. The plan serves as a playbook for local leaders to understand the appropriate types of development and land uses in the city, realizing that each new development or redevelopment project creates a lasting impact on the city’s design, built form, economic well-being, and quality of life. Staff recommends approval of Ordinance No. 4637 to adopt the Launch Liberal 2035 comprehensive plan as approved by the Liberal Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.”
Up next on the agenda’s new business will be discussion of Ordinance No. 4638 concerning amending Chapter 2, Section 2-204 of the Code of Ordinances, which would accommodate the necessity of medical institutions (veterinarian clinics), and education institutions (Liberal High School), to treat animals (medical) and keep livestock (educational) on hand, within City of Liberal limits.
Also up for approval will be Ordinance No. 4639 concerning rezoning 101 E. 2nd Street to C-3 Core Commercial.
“This rezone will allow the property to be used for the types of businesses more fitting to its size and location,” the agenda information noted. “The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the rezone on July 10 at its regularly scheduled meeting. The Building Department has received no comments in opposition to this rezone. Staff recommends the commission follow the recommendation of Planning and Zoning, and approve Ordinance 4639 rezoning 101 E. 2nd St. to C-3 Core Commercial District.”
The commission will also be asked to approve Resolution No. 2436 concerning authorization of the Housing Preservation Grant.
“The Liberal Housing Preservation Project will enable the City of Liberal to improve the condition of existing owner-occupied housing and to assist income-eligible homeowners with these improvements so their home meets building codes and Section 8 Housing Quality Standards,” the agenda information noted. “Some eligible hard costs include structural repairs, repair or replacement of major housing systems, costs to meet rehabilitation standards and local codes, reduction of lead-based paint hazards, accessibility modifications, and necessary site improvements. All rehabilitation will take place within the city limits of Liberal. No new construction will be permitted under the grant. Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2436, allowing the application of the USDA Housing Preservation Grant and allowing the mayor, city manager, and finance director to execute grant documents.”
The commission will also be discussing a Placer.ai renewal amendment.
“Placer.ai is a location analytics company which uses anonymized geolocation data from enabled mobile devices to provide users with valuable information about visitor and consumer patterns,” the agenda information noted. “Data generated from Placer.ai provides powerful information which can be used to study visitation and economic impact, commercial leakage to surrounding communities, and forecast the potential performance of prospective businesses and industries. Data can be used to inform marketing strategies, understand public infrastructure usage, provide data for grant applications, and examine unmet retail/commercial demands. Placer.ai is being used by multiple city departments and by our Seward County Development Corporation (SCDC). Local businesses have used the program to study visitation trends at their locations and evaluate business decisions based on Placer.ai reports. The Seward County Development Corporation entered into a 24-month agreement in September 2023 for a subscription to Placer.ai services with the City of Liberal providing payment for service access. Approval of this amendment will renew services for a new 12-month term. Staff recommends approval of the Placer.ai amendment to the order form executed through the Seward County Development Corporation, with the City of Liberal paying the annual licensing fee of $17,850 through the Economic Development portion of the 1-cent sales tax.”
Representatives from the Mid-America Air Museum will also be on hand to talk to the commission about new heaters for the museum’s hangar and sprinkler system maintenance, and the meeting’s new business will conclude with discussion about establishing who will be the permit holder for the newly approved Common Consumption Area.
The commission will then host another special meeting set to start at 6:30 p.m., where SCDC Executive Director Eli Svaty will make multiple presentations regarding upcoming economic development opportunities and partnerships as well as information on an incentive scoring tool that could be utilized by the commission with future development projects.
All meetings will be in the commission chambers in the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.
