ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission made quick work of its agenda at its most recent regular meeting Tuesday evening.
Up first for the commission was discussion of the purchase of a backhoe for the Water Department.
“Per the agenda information, 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,” Assistant City Manager Brad Beer said. “We received two quotes from Bobcat and Foley Equipment. This is the first Bobcat backhoe they've released, so it's essentially their prototype. Out of the two quotes, we’re recommending going with the quote from Foley Equipment for an amount not to exceed $115,000 to be funded from the Water Department Equipment Reserve.”
The purchase was approved 4-0, with Liberal Vice Mayor Matt Landry absent from the meeting.
Up next for the commission was discussion of the purchase of a salt spreader for the Streets Department.
“Per the agenda information, the Streets Department is requesting the purchase of a salt spreader from the Alamo Group for an amount not to exceed $32,000,” Beer said. “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. We’re recommending the quote from the Alamo Group in an amount not to exceed $32,000, and that will be funded from the Snow Removal Reserve Fund.”
The purchase was again approved 4-0.
To conclude the meeting’s new business, the commission briefly discussed repairs to Arkalon Road.
“As you all remember, at the commission’s Sept. 16 meeting, the Liberal City Commission adopted the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, which included an estimated amount for Arkalon Road repairs,” City Manager Scarlette Diseker said.. “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. Since we know 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.”
Beer then gave some more detail about the project.
“About two weeks ago, a group of us met up, and the idea is to mill the existing roadway and stockpile 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. The area where this will be taking place will go from the cattle guard as people enter the park to the cattle guard that enters the campgrounds. We’re asking 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. For those who haven’t been out there, it’s pretty rough, and I think it’s gotten even worse in just the past couple months.”
After some more brief discussion, the project was again approved 4-0.
