ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
After tackling a work session earlier in the afternoon, the Liberal City Commission made quick work of its agenda at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.
The commission began by approving a bid from Dynapak for the purchase of trash bags. The bid is for 780 cases at $81.85 per case, for a total of $63,843, with funding coming the Trash Bag Supplies line item within the Solid Waste budget.
After that discussion, the Liberal Animal Shelter was on hand with 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 to 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,” Grant Director Kristyn Reust said. “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. We’re recommending purchasing VET Baffles and suspension hardware from NetWell Noise Control in an amount not to exceed $14,000, with funding coming from the Animal Control line item in the Gifts and Donations Fund, to be reimbursed by a secured grant.”
The motion was ultimately unanimously approved, as was a request for the purchase of a shade structure for the shelter.
“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,” Reust said. “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, 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. We’re recommending 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.”
“Are we ever looking at expanding the size of that area, what has been looked into with that?” Vice Mayor Janeth Vazquez said.
“We haven't talked about it yet. I know the expansion that was done has been well received and is used a lot,” City Manager Scarlette Diseker said.
“I will said, I feel like the size it is right now is good. When you get larger groups of animals together, that's when you get more chances of fights and other conflict,” Liberal Animal Shelter Manager Tara Logan said. “The size it is now is perfect for small groups, three to five dogs at a time – they have plenty of room to play, we have a pool out there, and we bring out the sprinkler when they need it. The shade will be great, it's going to cover the south half of the play yard so that way, the animals can get some sun. I really like the size the yard is now. It's perfectly contained between the two buildings, tall fences on both sides, one gate, so you have less trouble and few chances of it getting left open. I think it's perfect the way it is.”
Discussion then moved to discussion of a downtown redevelopment funds transfer.
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,” Diseker said. “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 was discussion of a proposal for the purchase of water rights, which included multiple reports and inspections and other work.
“A phase one environmental site assessment has been completed at the direction of the commission. It was discovered a 25-gallon hydraulic oil spill was reported in 2019 on the roadway right road right-of-way on the boundary of the property. The KDHE completed reports indicate the incident was remediated by physical removal of the contaminated soil with investigation statuses closed,” Finance Director Brian Mannel said. “Additional notes include oil and gas operations in the area holding the potential for soil and groundwater contamination with no incidents cited. Above ground storage tanks located on the site as well as adjacent properties were also noted in the report with no obvious indication of spills releases observed. The report also notes a relatively low likelihood of petroleum related impacts to the two existing on-site irrigation water wells from the on-site oil and gas wells while recognizing the potential will remain with the ongoing oil and gas operations in the area. There was another site that included some oil spill remediation but it's quite a ways to the east and it's find active oil wells on the on there's an active natural gas well gas well. There is also a saltwater disposal tank on the southeast corner of the property. With all of that being said, city staff recommends the commission review the attached document and determine if there is anything which merits further investigation with the phase two environmental site assessment or if the commission wishes to proceed with purchase of the subject water rights and amount not to ex exceed $615,000. The 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.”
After several more minutes of discussion, commissioners ultimately decided to allow the engineering to review documents and start working on contracts to possibly proceed with the proposal.
