ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will look to have an easy 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.
Up first for the commission will be discussion of the purchase of a backhoe for the Water Department.
“The Water Department is seeking approval to purchase a 2026 Cat Backhoe. The one we currently use is a 2006. The old one will be handed down to the Wastewater Department, as they are in need of one,” the agenda information noted. “We received two quotes from Bobcat and Foley Equipment. This is the first Bobcat backhoe they've released, so it's essentially their prototype. Staff recommends going with the quote from Foley Equipment for an amount not to exceed $115,000 to be funded from the Water Department Equipment Reserve.”
Up next for the commission will be discussion of the purchase of a salt spreader for the Streets Department.
“The Streets Department is requesting the purchase of a salt spreader from the Alamo Group for an amount not to exceed $32,000,” the agenda information noted. “We currently have two truck-mounted salt spreaders. One existing unit is beyond repair and needs to be replaced in order for us to take care of the streets during inclement weather. Staff recommends the approval of the purchase of the salt spreader from the Alamo Group in an amount not to exceed $32,000. This will be funded from the Snow Removal Reserve Fund.”
To conclude the meeting’s new business, the commission will be discussing repairs to Arkalon Road.
“On Sept. 16, the Liberal City Commission adopted the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget. Included in this budget was an estimated amount for Arkalon Road repairs,” the agenda information noted. “At the end of October, we will close the park down for the year and begin our off-season work. During this time, we intend to complete the road repairs in order to have the project finished by the time we reopen in the spring. Because we know that our preferred construction group has limited availability, we would like to get on their schedule as soon as possible. If work can be completed by year end, the invoice will paid in January or February 2026, as approved in the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, with funding coming from the Streets, Drainage, and Capital Improvements portion of the 1-Cent Sales Tax. We received a quote from J&R Construction Group for $323,030. This proposal includes profile milling the existing roadway and stockpiling the millings at two locations near the project site. They will then place a 3-inch overlay on the milled surface with HMA Commercial Grade asphalt per Kansas Department of Transportation specifications. Staff requests the commission’s consideration to approve the quote from J&R Construction Group in an amount not to exceed $330,000 with funding coming from the Streets, Drainage, and Capital Improvements portion of the 1-Cent Sales Tax. The Purchasing Policy will also need to be waived for the acceptance of this quote, as other companies were not solicited due to our previous experience with this vendor.”
