ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

There will be multiple ordinances for the Liberal City Commission to consider 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.

The first of the many ordinances up for consideration will be Ordinance No. 4646 concerning the establishment of the Liberal Youth Council.

“Staff have proposed the formation of the Liberal Youth Council (LYC) to give high school students a voice in local government to address community issues. Through the LYC, young residents will have the opportunity to learn about city operations, engage their elected officials in dialogue, and help influence local policies and projects in Liberal,” the agenda information noted. “LYC’s proposed purpose is to introduce young residents to local government leaders, staff, and operations, provide a formal method for young residents to share their perspectives on City of Liberal issues, encourage civic engagement and future involvement in leadership roles, and connect the Liberal City Commission and staff with new ideas for development. The proposed membership structure includes up to 15 residents, ages 14 through 19, who live in or attend school in Liberal. Applicants under the age of 18 will require parental/guardian consent to participate. Members will be selected for a two-year term through appointment by the Liberal City Commission. In addition to members, the Liberal City Commission will select a commissioner liaison on an annual basis to attend LYC meetings. The city manager and/or designees will be invited to attend meetings to provide information and staff support as non-voting mentors for the council. Meetings are proposed to be held during odd-calendar months (September, November, January, March, May and July) with members sharing comments from the council during the second city commission meeting of even- calendar months (October, December, February, April and June). Members will be encouraged to attend Town Halls and public outreach events as representatives of the council.”

Up next for the commission’s consideration will be Ordinance No. 4647 concerning a Temporary Event Permit for the Seward County United Way.

“The Seward County United Way has requested a Temporary Event Permit to sell and serve liquor during their ‘Taco Libre’ fundraising event on Lincoln Avenue between 2nd Street and 3rd Street Saturday, May 16,” the agenda information noted. “The fundraiser will include vendor booths, food trucks, crafts, local businesses/agencies, live music, and family activities. The United Way has requested to sell and serve liquor at the event and will be responsible for obtaining their state and local permits upon approval of this ordinance. city staff recommends the approval of Ordinance No. 4647 to issue a Temporary Event Permit to the United Way to allow liquor sales and consumption during the ‘Taco Libre’ fundraising event Saturday, May 16.”

The next pair of ordinances concern rezoning, beginning with Ordinance No. 4648 concerning the rezone of 601 E. 15th Street from R-3 to C-2.

“The property at 601 E. 15th Street (formerly All Nations Church) is currently owned by Seward County Community College. The college has requested to rezone the property from R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling District to C-2 General Commercial District,” the agenda information noted. “The rezone was brought before the Planning Commission Feb. 12, passed, then forwarded to the Liberal City Commission. The rezone matches the Launch Liberal 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The building official has received no objections to the rezone from the public. Staff recommends the commission approve Ordinance No. 4648, rezoning 601 E. 15th Street from R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling District to C-2 General Commercial District.”

Up next will be Ordinance No. 4649 concerning the rezone of 1011 E. 8th Street from I-1 to R-3.

“The property located at 1011 E. 8th Street is currently owned by Israel Camacho. He has requested to rezone the property from I-1 Light Industrial District to R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling District,” the agenda information noted. “The rezone was brought before the Planning Commission on March 14, 2026 and passed, then forwarded to the city commission. The rezone of the property does match the Launch Liberal 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The building official has received no objections to the rezone from the public. Staff recommends the commission approve Ordinance No. 4649, rezoning 1011 E. 8th Street from I-1 Light Industrial District to R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling District.”

The next pair of ordinances will concern the annexations of properties in the city.

“With the planned expansion of the Liberal City Cemetery, the land already owned by the city must be annexed into the city limits, and city staff recommends the commission adopt Ordinance No. 4650, annexing certain parcels of ground into the city limits,” the agenda information noted. “When annexing property into the city limits, the building official believes it is important to keep city boundaries as uniform as possible. The parcel for this annexation is owned by a Mr. Zamora, who has signed a petition consenting to the property’s inclusion within the city limits, so city staff recommends the commission adopt Ordinance No. 4651, annexing certain properties into the city limits.”

The commission’s final item of new business could help a second overpass project take a step forward.

“The City of Liberal issued a request for proposals with service cost bids for environmental assessment services required for the successful execution of our Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant project for a secondary railroad overpass. Two profiles and bids were received as a result of the competitive bid process to complete the following tasks: a Biological Resources Report; a Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum; a Floodplain Impact Analysis Technical Memorandum; a Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Technical Memorandum; and the preparation of NEPA/Section 106 documentation. The budgeted cost for these consulting services under our grant agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration is $300,000. The Railroad Crossing Elimination grant will reimburse 80% of costs up to $283,264.00, with additional funding match from the State of Kansas’ Build Kansas providing up to $12,500 in additional reimbursements. Staff recommends approval for the mayor and city manager to negotiate and enter into contract addendum terms with Professional Engineering Consultants for the completion of RCE Project Environmental Assessment tasks in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00. Project funding will come from the Capital Improvements portion of the 1-Percent Sales Tax with matching reimbursement grant funds from the Federal Railroad Administration and State of Kansas.”