ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission looks to have a relatively easy night for 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 for the commission will be discussion of the purchase of trash bags for the Solid Waste Department.

“Every three years, city staff budgets an order for the trash bags that are sold through the Utility Billing Department. We currently have a three-month supply in stock, so these bags will be available for purchase in 2027 and will come with a small price increase for the customer due to recent quotes,” the agenda information noted. “City staff reached out to two vendors and received bids from WasteZero for $79.26 per case and Dynapak for $81.85 per case. The city wishes to purchase 780 cases total. Staff would like to stay with Dynapak as our vendor because we are familiar with the quality of their products. Although the price is slightly higher, the rolls are bigger. We will need to increase the purchase price to the public from $14 per roll to $18 per roll, and this amount will be reflected in our 2027 Fee Schedule. Staff requests consideration to approve the bid from Dynapak for 780 cases at $81.85 per cash, for a total of $63,843, with funding coming the Trash Bag Supplies line item within the Solid Waste Budget.”

The Liberal Animal Shelter will also be on hand for a pair of requests, beginning with the purchase of sound reduction baffles.

“Current sound readings within the shelter show an average of approximately 84 decibels (dB), with peak levels reaching 113 dB. For comparison, motorcycles and very large machinery commonly produce sound levels of 90-100 dB, while rock concerts can reach approximately 100-110 dB. The proposed acoustic baffles will absorb sound currently reflecting off the shelter's hard surfaces, reducing echo and reverberation and creating a quieter, less stressful environment for the animals and staff,” the agenda information noted. “Three vendors were contacted for quotes: NetWell Noise Control, Soundproofing USA, and STOP NOISE. NetWell submitted the lowest quote at $13,496.00, compared with $14,688 from Soundproofing USA, while STOP NOISE was unable to provide a quote incorporating the required hanging elements. NetWell is the preferred vendor primarily because its VET Baffles are specifically designed for animal shelter and kennel environments and are waterproof, non-toxic, fire-rated, and suitable for areas requiring frequent cleaning. NetWell reports the baffles can absorb up to 80 percent of unwanted echo, significantly improving the acoustic environment. Staff recommends purchasing VET Baffles and suspension hardware from NetWell Noise Control in an amount not to exceed $14,000.00, with funding coming from the Animal Control line item in the Gifts and Donations Fund, to be reimbursed by a secured grant.”

The shelter will also be requesting the purchase of a shade structure.

“During the summer months, the artificial turf in the play yard can become extremely hot, limiting the amount of time the dogs can safely spend outdoors. The proposed shade structure will provide protection from direct sunlight, reduce heat exposure, and create a safer and more comfortable outdoor environment for the animals,” the agenda information noted. “Three vendors were contacted for quotes for the shade structure and installation, with two quotes received from All Inclusive Rec and Superior Recreational Products. All Inclusive Rec submitted the lowest quote at $27,990.00 including $12,945 for the shade structure, $12,875 for installation, and freight. Superior Recreational Products submitted a quote of $19,434, including freight, but did not provide an installation option. All Inclusive Rec is the preferred vendor as its proposal provides the requested shade structure and complete installation. Staff recommends purchasing the shade structure and installation from All Inclusive Rec in an amount not to exceed $28,000, with funding coming from the Animal Control line item in the Gifts and Donations Fund, to be reimbursed by a secured grant.”

The commission will also be discussing the transfer of some funds.

“In order to prepare for the Downtown BLOCK Grant Project, City Staff is requesting the transfer of $435,000 from the Housing and Community Development portion of the One-Percent Sales Tax to Seward County Development Corporation in order to fund the 1:1 match,” the agenda information noted. “All procurement for this one-time, ‘Rock the Block’ Project will be initiated through SCDC. We anticipate a forthcoming contract from the Kansas Department of Commerce, with the expectation that 50 percent will paid at the onset of the project and 50 percent upon completion. Projected revenue and expense details are included in the packet and show a breakdown of the contractor estimates, along with grant, cash, and in-kind funding sources. The Downtown BLOCK Grant Project will take place during the fourth quarter, with facade completion by year-end, and the downtown ‘Rail Yard’ green space expected to be open by Summer 2027. Staff requests consideration to transfer $435,000 from the Housing and Community Development portion of the 1-cent Sales Tax to Seward County Development Corporation for the 1:1 match funding of the Downtown BLOCK Grant Project through the Kansas Department of Commerce.”

Concluding the meeting’s new business will be discussion of water rights.

“Previous discussions have taken place regarding the purchase of 363.62 acres of surface and two accompanying water rights. The water rights are #454, dated Oct. 29, 1948 and #27,277 dated Aug. 27, 1976,” the agenda information noted. “The water acre feet total 702 with the Division of Water Resources assigning a reduction to 89.1% for municipal use. The conversion will place municipal use appropriation at 625 acre feet. The sellers priced the real estate in the amount of $1,050,000 for both surface and water rights. Previous direction requested the exploration of purchasing water rights with the surface potentially being sold to a third party and a request to make installment payments for the purchase of water rights. Swalar LLC has agreed to sell the surface and water separately while both sales would need to be concurrent. Swalar LLC has negotiated a contingent agreement to sell the surface rights to a third party for $1,200/ac or $436,224. This leaves the balance to the City of $613,766 for the purchase of the 702 acre feet of water rights. The City would assume the duties and costs of contracts and deeds for separation of the water from surface rights with the surface rights conveyed to the third party buyer. The water rights would retain an easement on the 363.52 acres of surface. Swalar LLC has offered to the City an initial sale closing installment of $350,000 with the balance due in July of 2027. Swalar LLC has remained open to a combined surface and water rights sale to the City but do not desire payment in full beyond July 2027. Staff recommends the commission review and determine if there is anything which merits further investigation with a Phase II ESA or if the commission wishes to proceed with the purchase of the subject water rights in an amount not to exceed $615,000. Sellers are asking for $350,000 at closing with the potential funding from the Water Equipment Reserve, which has a current balance of $2,273,690. The remaining balance of the water rights purchase is proposed to come from the Water Fund in July of 2027 with the authority established within the recently adopted 2027 budget.”