ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will be looking at multiple projects 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.
Up first in new business will be discussion of Resolution No. 2463 concerning the authorization of a Kansas Tourism Grant application.
“The Kansas Tourism Department’s Attraction Development Grant provides financial assistance for the enhancement of sustainable, market-driven travel experiences in Kansas with the goal of attracting new visitors, influencing travel decisions, and generating economic benefits through new jobs, capital investment, increased revenue, and higher visitation,” the agenda information noted. “Our proposed project, if awarded, would establish an open-access ‘Aviation Playground’ outside the Mid-America Air Museum. The proposed project includes a large airplane-themed playground set, playground turf, pole-mounted solar lighting, fencing, and benches. Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2463, authorizing application submission for the Kansas Tourism Department’s Attraction Development Grant and allowing the mayor, city manager, and grant administrator to execute grant documents.”
The commission will also be discussing Ordinance No. 4659 concerning a Special Use Permit for 401 and 441 Industrial Ave.
“A church intends to occupy the building located at 441 Industrial Ave., formerly known as the old Mosaic facility,” the agenda information noted. “The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed this matter Aug. 13 and subsequently voted to forward a recommendation to the Liberal City Commission to approve the Special Use Permit. Staff recommends the Commission adopt Ordinance No. 4659 allowing the special use of a religious place of worship on 401 and 441 Industrial Ave.”
The commission will then hear another request for another grant application, this time for a Kansas Commerce Grant.
“The Kansas Department of Commerce's Building Local Opportunity through Coordinated Kansas Investment (BLOCK) Program grant provides a unique opportunity for a one-time, 1:1 grant match of up to $500,000.00 to assist in the transformation of a downtown block. Only one award will be made in the state,” the agenda information noted. “The City of Liberal, in collaboration with the Seward County Development Corporation and private property owners, have identified a project scope which is fitting for this program. Due to the aggressive timeline involved with administration of the grant, it is recommended the Seward County Development Corporation serve as the program applicant for the purpose of contracting with project partners to complete the project scope in a timely manner. The City of Liberal will be responsible for preparing and submitting the application on behalf of the Seward County Development Corporation, as well as coordinating management of the project and providing required grant match funding. Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2466, authorizing the City of Liberal to prepare and submit a BLOCK Program grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce on behalf of the Seward County Development Corporation as the grant applicant, and allowing the mayor, city manager, seward county development corporation executive director, and grant administrator to execute grant documents.”
The commission will then discuss the appointment of Ryan Martin to the Planning & Zoning Commission before moving on to discussion of an Innovative Technology Grant.
“The City of Liberal received notice of award for the 2027 Innovative Technology Grant program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation. This grant provides up to $140,944 in funds for eligible purchases of technology deployed to improve the safety, accessibility, and effective mobility for all transportation users,” the agenda information noted. “The project involves smart signal upgrades to three critical intersections in the city: 11th Street and Kansas Ave.; Pine Street and Kansas Ave.; and Pershing Ave. and Pancake Blvd. In addition to purchasing equipment through our standard traffic signal equipment vendor, project implementation will also require utility adjustments to improve intersection wiring and install the necessary infrastructure and equipment. The total cost of the project (based on the recommended service contractor) is $226,271. Of this amount, $137,896 is reimbursable through the KDOT grant, with the remainder of the project to be matched by the City of Liberal. New equipment purchases will replace 30-year-old antiquated signal equipment while also improving pedestrian protective crosswalks. This equipment includes traffic cabinets, blade controllers, fisheye cameras, audible pedestrian push-buttons with countdown timers, uninterruptible power supply systems, and the Currux Vision SmartCity Intelligent Transportation System platform. Prior to installation, staff recommends underground utility rewiring to prevent outages caused by aging infrastructure. Removal, installation, and calibration of the new smart signal equipment and cameras will be required to be performed by contractors specializing in this work.”
To conclude the meeting, the commission will be discussing a solar energy credit transfer.
“In December 2025, the City of Liberal received a Federal Green Energy Tax Credit in the amount of $1,061,189.61 after a successful application stemming from the Solar Energy Project. The check was deposited into Fund 301 for Construction, which resulted in a positive cash balance of $746,610.61 in the project,” the agenda information noted. “Typically, if there is an excess cash balance for a project within the Capital Improvement Fund, the amount needs to be transferred back to the original funding source, but having a tax credit presents a unique situation that gives more flexibility; therefore, City Staff is requesting the positive cash balance be transferred back to the General Fund to support regular operations and assist with the rollover shortage we have encountered over the past two years. The temp note payment has been budgeted from the Debt Service Fund in 2026 and 2027 and will remain in place until we permanently bond it and have an updated payment schedule. City staff requests consideration to transfer the positive cash balance of $746,610.61 from the Solar Energy Project within the Construction Fund to the General Fund, effective Sept. 23.”
