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[27:39] call this meeting to order. Roll call.
[27:42] >> Mayor Parson
[27:42] >> here.
[27:43] >> Vice Mayor Baskque
[27:44] >> here. Commissioner Laura
[27:45] >> present.
[27:46] >> Commissioner McCaffrey
[27:47] >> present.
[27:47] >> Commissioner Warren
[27:48] >> here.
[27:49] >> We have a honor.
[27:50] >> Thank you very much. If you'd stand and
[27:51] join me for the pledge of allegiance,
[27:53] please.
[27:55] I pledge algiance to the flag of the
[27:58] United States of America and to the
[28:01] republic for which it stands. One nation
[28:04] under God, indivisible with liberty and
[28:08] justice for all.
[28:09] >> If you remain standing for the
[28:11] invitation, please.
[28:18] » Hello everybody. My name is Lanna Kley
[28:20] and I'm here representing the Liberal
[28:22] Ministerial Alliance. And I thank you
[28:24] all for allowing me to be here.
[28:28] Father, we just come before you today
[28:30] and we just ask you, Lord, to lead us in
[28:32] every decision that comes forth here
[28:34] tonight. Father, that you would bring
[28:35] your mercy and your truth and your
[28:38] knowledge and your wisdom would come
[28:39] forth out of this room tonight. Father
[28:41] God, that you would touch each
[28:42] individual and give them your
[28:45] understanding and your knowledge and
[28:47] your truth. Father, I just lift them
[28:49] before you tonight and I thank you in
[28:51] Jesus name. Amen.
[28:53] >> Amen.
[28:54] >> Thank you very much.
[29:01] » Item number one is awards proclamations
[29:04] and presentations. I know we have one
[29:07] proclamation
[29:08] tonight which I'll read real quickly um
[29:12] for fire prevention month, fire
[29:15] prevention week. Whereas Liberal Kansas
[29:18] is committed to ensuring the safety and
[29:21] security of all those living in and
[29:23] visiting Liberal. And whereas fire
[29:26] remains a serious public safety concern
[29:28] both locally and nationally, and the
[29:30] presence of lithium ion batteries in
[29:32] many household devices introduces fire
[29:35] risks. And whereas most of the
[29:38] rechargeable electronics used in homes
[29:40] daily, including smartphones, tablets,
[29:43] laptops, power tools, ebikes, e-
[29:45] scooters, and toys, are powered by
[29:47] lithium ion batteries, which if misused,
[29:50] damaged, or improperly charged can
[29:53] overheat, start a fire, or explode. And
[29:56] whereas the way lithium ion battery
[29:59] devices are charged can make a
[30:00] difference in helping prevent home
[30:02] fires. And whereas safe charging
[30:06] includes using the cord and charger that
[30:08] came with your device or one approved by
[30:10] the manufacturer. Charging on a hard
[30:13] flat surface, watching for warning signs
[30:15] like uh devices that are very hot or
[30:18] start to swell, unplugging when fully
[30:21] charged, and charging larger devices
[30:23] like ebikes outside and away from exits.
[30:27] And whereas residents are encouraged to
[30:29] understand that safe charging means
[30:30] making smart choices every time they
[30:32] plug in. And whereas liberal Kansas
[30:36] first responders remain dedicated to
[30:38] reducing the occurrence of fires through
[30:40] prevention, safety education, and
[30:42] community outreach. And whereas the 2026
[30:46] fire prevention week theme, charge into
[30:49] fire safety, safe charging is
[30:51] superpower, serves to remind all
[30:54] residents that safe charging can reduce
[30:56] the risk of fires in homes and
[30:58] communities. Now therefore, I, Jeff
[31:00] Parson's, mayor, do hereby proclaim
[31:03] October 4th through the 10th, 2026,
[31:06] uh, as fire prevention week throughout
[31:08] liberal Kansas, and urge all residents
[31:10] to learn about and practice safe
[31:12] charging habits.
[31:15] So, someone want to come up and
[31:50] appcate.
[31:51] Thank you.
[32:05] Item number 1B is uh fire department's
[32:08] commendations for the West Haven
[32:10] residential fire.
[32:14] » Good evening, mayor, commissioners. It's
[32:16] a this is a privilege for me to be here
[32:18] tonight to uh recognize some people for
[32:21] extraordinary efforts. As I I think I
[32:24] know you're all aware, one family in our
[32:26] community suffered a devastating
[32:28] houseire back on August 17th and um kind
[32:32] of the ana, you know, I've been here a
[32:34] long time and I've been to a lot of
[32:35] houseires. One thing I've always taught
[32:37] in public safety education, one thing I
[32:39] know from experience is that fire is
[32:41] extremely fast. It's um when we tell
[32:44] people you need smoke detectors to to
[32:47] make an easy escape, we we mean that. I
[32:49] mean, you have literally seconds to
[32:51] minutes to to get out of the house. So,
[32:53] kind of the anatomy of a house fire in
[32:55] Liberal is by the nature of the way it
[32:57] works, the 911 call taker receives the
[32:59] call, of course. Um this fire happened
[33:02] at 4:00 a.m. in the morning. So, um the
[33:05] firefighters are in their stations,
[33:07] probably in bed, just the way we work
[33:08] here. Uh the call gets dispatched out
[33:11] and our officers who are patrolling 24/7
[33:13] 365 are on the streets and they're one
[33:16] of the first to arrive at almost every
[33:18] houseire that we have and their efforts
[33:21] um can go a long way to a successful
[33:23] outcome and they're one link in that
[33:24] chain. Um they'll be followed quickly
[33:26] hopefully by fire units and probably EMS
[33:29] units depending on the type of fire that
[33:31] we have. So this fire was a very complex
[33:34] fire and following every fire there's an
[33:37] investigation that happens and um when I
[33:41] mentioned earlier that fire is fast you
[33:42] know when I got to this fire I was there
[33:44] you know I don't recall but it was
[33:46] within like probably 8 to 10 minutes
[33:48] when I arrived and took command of the
[33:50] fire and things happened so fast and
[33:52] I've seen this time and again and in
[33:54] this case with the complexity of the
[33:56] fire that we were facing and the way
[33:59] that things worked when when it's all
[34:00] done we hadn't had a fire in a while and
[34:02] I was I was very pleased with the
[34:03] outcome of the fire. Well, then the
[34:05] investigation starts and this
[34:07] investigation was different than most.
[34:09] It took a few twists and turns um as we
[34:12] uncovered different information through
[34:13] the through the investigation. We we you
[34:17] know we even considered lightning strike
[34:19] because thunderstorms had rolled through
[34:21] the area that night which I don't know
[34:22] if you saw this weekend Junction City
[34:24] suffered a terrible fire due to
[34:25] lightning strike on an apartment
[34:27] complex. Um, we always consider arson
[34:30] and then we try to rule out all of the
[34:32] accidental causes. So, in this case, um,
[34:35] while I was very pleased with the
[34:37] outcome of the fire, as we were going
[34:38] through the investigation, I had the
[34:40] opportunity to watch the body cam of the
[34:42] police officers that were on scene. And
[34:44] when I was done watching that body cam,
[34:46] I felt in my heart that this is one case
[34:48] where we need to give some recognition
[34:50] to the first people who were on scene
[34:52] that night. Um things have been, you
[34:55] know, going good with with the fire
[34:58] department, the police department here
[34:59] in town. And I I want to compliment
[35:01] Chief Pinkston and Deputy Chief Head. Um
[35:04] I really feel like they've got it going
[35:05] in the right direction over there. Um we
[35:08] have had training with them that I don't
[35:09] think I've seen more than two or three
[35:11] times in my 35 years. And um we're
[35:14] communicating better than ever before, I
[35:16] think. And um so I wanted to take this
[35:19] opportunity to get in front of you
[35:20] tonight and and recognize some efforts.
[35:23] So what happened there was the neighbor
[35:26] notified us of the fire and when first
[35:28] arriving police officers arrived on
[35:30] scene um the fire had control of two
[35:33] vehicles in the driveway and the fascia
[35:35] and sophet over the garage area directly
[35:37] in front of the vehicles and it was just
[35:39] starting to extend to a covered porch to
[35:41] the front door. These officers when they
[35:43] arrived they made the correct decision
[35:45] that there were still people in that
[35:47] house and through their efforts they
[35:49] made entry into that house. Not knowing
[35:51] how much time they had left. They awoke
[35:53] and got three individuals and they were
[35:55] able to one of the individuals was able
[35:57] to bring a cat out of the house fire as
[35:58] well. They got them out. Things are very
[36:01] hectic. Things are kind of wild. They
[36:03] kept the family under control. They kept
[36:05] the family away from the scene for us.
[36:08] And then their efforts didn't stop
[36:10] there. They also assisted as our fire
[36:12] units are starting to come in. There was
[36:14] a fire hydrant not 100 feet away, but it
[36:17] was an orange hydrant. Not the best
[36:19] hydrant on our water system. And that
[36:21] was going to be adequate to get us
[36:23] started, but that wasn't going to be
[36:24] adequate to finish the job. Because when
[36:25] we get to a house fire, we have to draw
[36:27] a line in the sand and decide where
[36:29] we're going to stop this fire. And in
[36:30] this case, when I got there, I very much
[36:32] feared for the house to the north of the
[36:34] house that was on fire and somewhat for
[36:36] the house that was to the south. I knew
[36:38] we were going to need a bigger water
[36:39] supply and in this case our next hydrant
[36:42] line had to come from Roosevelt down
[36:44] West Haven and it was nearly we laid
[36:46] every inch of hose off the truck and we
[36:48] carried 1,200 ft of hose on the truck.
[36:50] So then we needed to we had the initial
[36:52] water supply and those officers helped
[36:53] us get hooked up to the first fire
[36:55] hydrant and they were also not only did
[36:58] they account for everyone, evacuate the
[37:00] neighboring homes and let us know what
[37:02] was still in there, they told us there's
[37:04] still a 12-year-old service dog in the
[37:05] house. we'll make every effort we can to
[37:07] protect life safety. We sent four
[37:09] firefighters in while firefighting
[37:11] efforts were happening. Um brought the
[37:14] service dog out. It had succumbed to
[37:16] smoke unfortunately and the officers
[37:17] assisted with the resuscitation efforts
[37:19] on that dog which were tragically they
[37:22] were unsuccessful and the family lost
[37:23] their dog. But in the end, the outcome
[37:26] of this fire was that a family survived
[37:29] the fire.
[37:30] Back up a little bit on that body cam.
[37:32] When they bring the family out, when the
[37:34] last officer comes out and the family
[37:36] completely evacuates
[37:38] the house, the body cam catches the fire
[37:41] and it's starting to make its way down
[37:43] the porch to the front door. And in the
[37:45] body cam, it's less than 90 seconds
[37:47] later that the front door was
[37:48] impassible. And when my deputy chief
[37:51] Cody went to the back door, he came back
[37:53] and advised me that black smoke was
[37:55] about a foot off the floor coming out
[37:57] the back door. So, it might not have
[37:59] been survivable if these guys hadn't
[38:00] done what they what they did.
[38:03] >> Are we all here?
[38:05] >> Awesome. Okay. I was kind of stalling a
[38:07] little bit to make sure we got
[38:10] >> Can you have them come up or stand up?
[38:13] >> Can you have them come? I actually want
[38:15] to want to call it. Can I call up to the
[38:17] podium now Corporal Nathan Brennan,
[38:20] Officer Kaylin Martinez, Officer Isa
[38:23] Romo, Officer Brendan Bryant, and
[38:27] Officer Joel Lopez.
[38:35] Tonight I want to present to each one of
[38:38] these officers a certificate of commenation.
[38:43] And I'll just tell you right now, I was
[38:46] able to find the fire department
[38:47] challenge coin. And our challenge coins
[38:48] are numbered. I was able to find
[38:50] everyone's badge number. So I've got a
[38:52] challenge coin with your badge number on
[38:54] there with the exception of Officer
[38:56] Lopez.
[38:59] I don't have 553, but I got 453. And if
[39:01] there's another three-digit number
[39:03] that's significant to you, I'll sure to
[39:06] Full disclosure.
[39:08] So if you don't mind, I'll read to you
[39:10] the certificate of commendation. This
[39:12] certificate of accommodation and
[39:14] presented to Corporal Nathan Brennan,
[39:15] officer badge number 524. In the early
[39:18] morning hours of August 17th, 2026, a
[39:21] residential fire was dispatched at 1126
[39:23] West Haven Drive. Among our first
[39:26] responders to arrive on scene, Corporal
[39:27] Nathan Brennan along with four other
[39:29] officers took immediate action to safely
[39:31] remove three occupants and a family pet
[39:34] from the burning home. They led them to
[39:35] safety with only moments to spare.
[39:38] Further, after accounting for all
[39:39] occupants, Corporal Brown and the fellow
[39:41] officers were able to evacuate two
[39:43] neighboring homes being threatened. They
[39:45] were able to account for all human life
[39:46] and notify the fire personnel of a
[39:48] family service dog that remained trapped
[39:50] in the home. Corporal Brennan's efforts
[39:52] continued as firefighting operations
[39:54] began with his assistance in
[39:56] establishing a water supply to the first
[39:58] arriving engine from a nearby fire
[39:59] hydrant. And once the family pet was
[40:02] located, law enforcement officers
[40:03] assisted with resuscitation efforts,
[40:05] which were tragically unsuccessful.
[40:07] However, due to their selfless actions
[40:09] of Corporal Brennan and his fellow
[40:11] officers, the family survived unharmed
[40:12] to rebuild and move forward following
[40:14] this devastating fire. The bravery and
[40:16] professionalism exhibited by Corporal
[40:18] Brennan under extremely dangerous and
[40:20] difficult circumstances is to be
[40:22] recognized and commended. This
[40:24] certificate is hereby presented this
[40:26] 22nd day of September 2026 by Fire Chief
[40:30] Kelly Kirk.
[40:42] And what I just read to you is
[40:43] personalized to each one of them in
[40:44] their certificates. And next for officer
[40:46] Kaylin Martinez, match number 542.
[40:56] Officer Isa Romo, Bath number 545.
[41:04] Officer Brandon R. B46.
[41:12] Last but certainly not least, Officer
[41:14] Joel Lopez. I'll pass.
[41:23] Uh they deserve a tremendous amount of
[41:25] recognition. I don't know if they want
[41:26] to say anything, but I'm proud to be a
[41:28] part of this community and part of the
[41:30] first responders that serve here.
[41:34] » Thank you all very much. We
[41:37] >> Thank you.
[41:38] guys. Thank you.
[41:49] » Everything we do from here on out is
[41:50] going to be a let down.
[41:54] » Okay. Item number two, approval of the
[41:56] agenda.
[41:59] I'll make a motion that we approve the
[42:01] agenda as printed.
[42:03] >> Second.
[42:06] » Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[42:08] discussion or questions? Okay, seeing
[42:10] none, all those in favor?
[42:13] Motion passes 5 to zero. Item number
[42:16] three, uh, minutes from the September
[42:19] 15, 2026 regular meeting.
[42:24] » I'll make a motion that we approve the
[42:26] September 15, 2026 regular meeting
[42:28] minutes.
[42:30] >> Second.
[42:33] » And we have a motion and a second. Any
[42:35] questions or discussion?
[42:38] Okay. All those in favor?
[42:40] Motion passes five to zero. Item number
[42:43] four, items from citizens. Are there any
[42:45] citizens here that would like to address
[42:47] the commission?
[42:51] Okay, seeing none, items from groups.
[42:53] Are there any groups represented here
[42:55] that would like to address the
[42:56] commission?
[42:59] » All right. Item number six, the consent
[43:01] agenda. I move we approve the consent
[43:05] agenda as presented.
[43:08] >> Second.
[43:12] » Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[43:14] questions or discussion?
[43:18] Okay, all those in favor?
[43:20] Motion passes 5 to zero.
[43:23] Item number seven, resolution number
[43:25] 2463,
[43:27] authorization of Kansas tourism grant
[43:29] application.
[43:31] Mayor, vice mayor, and commissioners.
[43:32] We're bringing back resolution number
[43:34] 2463. We took no action on this item
[43:36] last meeting. Um this is for the Kansas
[43:39] Tourism Department's attraction
[43:41] development grant and we are applying to
[43:43] be able to create the um aviation
[43:46] playground that we presented to you all
[43:49] during the budget sessions. Um this
[43:51] would go out in front of the Liberal Air
[43:53] Museum. It would include the playground
[43:55] itself, which is shaped as an airplane.
[43:58] uh playground turf, polemounted
[44:00] lighting, um uh fencing, and then
[44:03] protective barriers as well. So, um this
[44:06] is something that we will submit in mid
[44:08] October pending approval of this
[44:10] resolution. Um it is a 60 40% and so the
[44:15] state would pay for 40% of the project.
[44:17] We are proposing for the match from the
[44:20] city of Liberal to come from our
[44:21] transient guest tax dollars through the
[44:23] convention and tourism center. And so we
[44:26] are recommending approval of resolution
[44:28] number 2463 authorizing us to submit the
[44:32] attraction development grant.
[44:37] » Do we have a total cost per
[44:39] >> it is nearing 255,000.
[44:44] The bulk of that being the playground
[44:45] itself. The equipment
[44:48] and this is equipment that has been
[44:50] installed. That same style has been
[44:53] installed in other places. So, it's not
[44:55] a custom build in any way.
[44:59] >> Did we say we were going to do a shade
[45:01] on that one or
[45:02] >> um
[45:03] >> that's not included.
[45:04] >> The design of the plane itself is a
[45:06] biplane and so there's a portion of it
[45:09] that is in the shade because it's
[45:10] underneath the wing. So,
[45:16] » so you said $255,000
[45:19] about
[45:20] >> about We're still in the process of
[45:22] collecting everything for the
[45:24] application itself.
[45:25] >> And it looks like just to kind of be
[45:27] clear, the grant would cover
[45:30] 40% of that,
[45:32] >> correct?
[45:32] >> And then the city would be covering the
[45:34] remaining 60%.
[45:36] And we we are looking for um in terms of
[45:39] especially the concrete work, there's
[45:41] some of that we can count as in kind
[45:42] matching
[45:43] >> so we can offset some of that cost.
[45:49] I move that we uh approve resolution
[45:52] number 2463, a resolution authorizing
[45:56] the submittal of an attraction
[45:58] development grant application through
[46:00] the Kansas Tourism Department and allow
[46:05] or authorize the mayor, city manager,
[46:07] and grant administrator to execute the
[46:10] grant documents.
[46:12] Second.
[46:15] Okay, we have a Got a motion and a
[46:17] second. Any discussion questions for
[46:20] Keely?
[46:21] >> Not really, but I'm pleased to see this
[46:22] back on the agenda after it did not make
[46:24] the agenda last week. So, very much
[46:26] >> not quite sure about the ins and outs of
[46:28] that, but glad to see it back.
[46:30] >> Y Thank you.
[46:33] >> Okay, all those in favor?
[46:36] Motion passes 5 Z. Thank you, Keely.
[46:39] Item number eight, ordinance number
[46:41] 4659, a special use permit 401 and 441
[46:46] Industrial Avenue.
[46:47] >> Mr. Mayor, commissioners, um, this
[46:51] matter was taken before the planning and
[46:53] zoning board August 13th. Uh, they voted
[46:56] unanimously to forward a recommendation
[46:58] on you on to you to approve this. The
[47:01] application is to utilize 441 and 401
[47:05] industrial which was formerly the Mosaic
[47:08] building and it currently sits empty. Uh
[47:11] utilize it as a religious place of
[47:13] worship which is allowed by the special
[47:16] use permit. Um, I received no negative
[47:20] comments about this use and uh, they did
[47:25] recommend that you guys approve
[47:28] ordinance 4659
[47:30] authorizing the special use
[47:34] of a religious place of worship for 401
[47:36] and 441 Industrial Avenue.
[47:38] >> So, just more of a curiosity question
[47:41] than anything. This would be
[47:46] like a new church that's occupying it or
[47:48] a church that's already in liberal
[47:50] that's also going to use it if you know.
[47:54] >> Mhm.
[48:03] » Yeah. Come forward.
[48:05] >> Just uh state your name if you would.
[48:07] >> Sure. My name is Jose Eopa, pastor. for
[48:11] a reason glory church here in liberal
[48:13] Kansas.
[48:14] We uh are part of us are here. We are
[48:18] the one trying to purchase that building
[48:22] depending on the permit uh to use it as
[48:25] a place of worship. It's not an it's not
[48:28] a new church. We are we've been here for
[48:29] 30 years.
[48:30] >> Okay. I was just curious. Okay. Thank
[48:33] you for that.
[48:40] Well, I'll make a motion that we adopt
[48:42] ordinance number 4659
[48:46] allowing the special use of a religious
[48:48] place of worship on 401 and 441
[48:50] Industrial Avenue.
[48:53] >> Second.
[48:55] >> Okay, we have a motion and a second.
[48:59] Any questions or further discussion?
[49:04] All right, all those in favor?
[49:06] Okay, motion passes 5 to zero.
[49:08] >> Congratulations.
[49:10] >> Thank you.
[49:10] >> Appreciate it.
[49:11] >> Thank you.
[49:14] >> Item number nine, resolution 2466,
[49:17] authorization of Kansas Commerce Grant
[49:19] application.
[49:21] >> Mayor, vice mayor, and commissioners,
[49:22] we're really excited to bring this to
[49:24] you. Um, you may have heard that Kansas
[49:27] Commerce launched a very special
[49:30] one-time half a million dollar program
[49:34] to help transform a downtown block. Um,
[49:37] this is again one time only one
[49:41] community is going to win this. It's an
[49:43] extremely aggressive grant application
[49:45] timeline as well as a two week extreme
[49:49] makeover transformation time frame. So,
[49:52] um, just to kind of give you an update
[49:54] on where we're at, this grant, if, uh,
[49:56] we approve this resolution, is due at
[49:58] the end of the month, and we would know
[50:00] by October 9th or 10th whether or not we
[50:03] received the grants so that we can move
[50:06] forward with some very quick material
[50:09] acquisition and lining up contractors
[50:11] and um, you know, making some other
[50:13] decisions based around this project. Um,
[50:16] this resolution is a little different
[50:18] because we were in our calls with
[50:20] commerce, they recommended just because
[50:22] of the aggressive timeline that we apply
[50:26] as Seward County Development Corporation
[50:28] because they are able to make those
[50:29] purchases faster without having to go
[50:31] back through a governing body to do so.
[50:33] Um, and so we are assisting with this.
[50:36] Um and we would be uh providing the
[50:39] matching funds, some of which have
[50:42] already been expended and are able
[50:44] actually from prior investments made by
[50:46] property owners, private individuals in
[50:49] that block to be used as account towards
[50:50] our grant. Um so it's there's a lot of
[50:54] moving pieces to this thing. Um, but
[50:56] essentially we are looking to be able to
[50:58] do three facade updates to a series of
[51:02] buildings in the middle of the 200 block
[51:04] on the west side of Kansas Avenue. Um,
[51:07] among those um, one of those buildings
[51:10] we would look to demo and be able to
[51:13] turn into a very um, much needed
[51:15] courtyard area to be able to host
[51:17] downtown events um, and bring the
[51:18] community together and activate those
[51:20] spaces. Um this was an idea brought to
[51:23] us by the property owners and then this
[51:24] grant launched. So we feel it was kind
[51:27] of just
[51:28] timing that all fell together in the
[51:30] right place. So um again it's a very
[51:32] competitive grant but we are hopeful
[51:34] that we'll be able to get this put
[51:35] together and be selected. Um Eli and I
[51:38] have been working on the grant itself.
[51:40] Um we've got great participation from
[51:42] contractors who are ready to see us
[51:44] through as well. So, um, with that, um,
[51:47] our recommendation would be to approve
[51:48] the resolution authorizing us to help
[51:51] prepare and submit this through the
[51:54] Sierra County Development Corporation as
[51:55] a grant applicant and we would be
[51:57] providing the matching funds behind the
[51:59] project if awarded.
[52:00] >> And when you describe it as very
[52:02] competitive,
[52:03] >> only one award will be made in the
[52:06] entire state of Kansas.
[52:07] >> Yes.
[52:08] >> So, with that, I really want to win.
[52:11] >> Yes. Is there anything we can do? we
[52:14] >> to allow us to be more competitive.
[52:16] >> Yeah, we're looking for everything we
[52:18] can possibly do. Um and
[52:20] >> like in the community,
[52:22] >> um we are actually reaching out and have
[52:24] already received back some letters of
[52:26] support and so we are definitely I
[52:28] talked with a couple that owned a
[52:29] business just they saw me out taking
[52:31] pictures this afternoon, talk to them
[52:32] about the grant. They're like, "Oh,
[52:33] that's awesome. How can we?" And so
[52:35] we'll approach them about doing a um
[52:37] letter of support. Um that's very
[52:39] helpful. They want to see the buyin of
[52:41] the community, of the property owners,
[52:43] of the contractors working on the
[52:44] project because this is a big thing for
[52:46] them too. They want to be able to highly
[52:47] publicize this project and so it's
[52:49] really important for them that things go
[52:51] through the way they need to on the time
[52:54] >> the time frame.
[52:55] >> Yes. So the project has to be completed,
[52:58] the twoe transformation portion has to
[53:00] be completed by December the 15th. They
[53:03] want all of the facade improvements and
[53:05] those types of changes to be made in
[53:07] that two week time frame prior to
[53:09] December the 15th in terms of that
[53:11] courtyard we talked about.
[53:13] >> That would be that would be
[53:15] >> so that's after you would be
[53:17] >> that would be after.
[53:18] >> What's the approval process timeline?
[53:20] >> Uh so October 9th or 10th is when we
[53:22] think we'll have that done. So our goal
[53:24] is to have that completely demolished.
[53:26] we would then use that site to be able
[53:28] to stage for that two-week construction
[53:31] time frame because that's going to be a
[53:32] lot of moving pieces and and people
[53:34] working on those improvements. Um so
[53:37] that is our plan for that. Um we did uh
[53:40] have calls of course with PEC with
[53:42] Hutton Design Build as well about our
[53:44] concept because we want to be able to
[53:46] show visually what some early concept
[53:48] ideas of that courtyard would look like.
[53:50] Um and we feel commerce told us that
[53:53] would be a very important piece of this.
[53:54] We understand that would have to be done
[53:55] in stages. Um even though the demolition
[53:58] would happen before the two week
[54:00] opening, that demolition cost would
[54:02] count towards our match. So, um we're
[54:06] hopeful, we're excited about this. Um
[54:10] >> I can tell
[54:11] >> like I'm so this will just completely
[54:13] transform downtown.
[54:14] >> We'll be able to do a lot of more events
[54:17] and farmers market. And
[54:18] >> they did say they're not looking for a
[54:20] downtown that's already great. They're
[54:22] looking for a downtown that's in
[54:24] transition right now.
[54:25] >> We have one of those.
[54:26] We're we're right
[54:28] in the middle of the downtown
[54:30] redevelopment plan and they love to see
[54:32] that. They're like, "Highlight that, you
[54:33] know, tell us what you know already and
[54:35] your, you know, and what you found out
[54:36] from people um because of course we
[54:39] identified this as a huge need through
[54:40] the comprehensive plan." So, the pieces
[54:43] are just kind of falling into place and
[54:44] we're very hopeful we can make it work.
[54:45] >> Do we know who at the Kansas Department
[54:47] of Commerce is reviewing these and
[54:48] making a decision?
[54:50] Yes, we've had calls. We've had multiple
[54:52] calls.
[54:53] >> Is it just like the secretary or is it
[54:55] >> um the secretary is involved? There's a
[54:57] couple of other key staff members in
[54:58] their quality places division. So, um
[55:00] Eli and I are pretty familiar with that
[55:03] team. So,
[55:07] » this has been just an absolute fullcourt
[55:09] press. I mean, when this happened,
[55:11] everybody just sort of into action.
[55:13] >> Yeah.
[55:14] >> And
[55:15] >> well, Commissioner Vasquez, you're the
[55:16] most excited, so do you want to make the
[55:18] motion? Yes, please. I I can't wait. So,
[55:22] I will approve resolution 2466
[55:26] authorizing the city of Liberal to
[55:28] prepare and submit a block program grant
[55:30] application to the Kansas Department of
[55:32] Commerce on behalf of the Seward County
[55:34] Development Corporation as the grant
[55:37] applicant and allowing the mayor, city
[55:39] manager, Seward County Development
[55:41] Corporation Executive Director and Grant
[55:43] Administrator to execute grant
[55:45] documents.
[55:46] >> Second.
[55:51] Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[55:53] further discussion or questions for
[55:54] staff?
[55:55] >> All I'm going to say is if this gets
[55:57] approved and gets done, you have to
[55:58] throw away your shirt that nothing good
[56:00] happens fast.
[56:01] >> This is very true.
[56:04] I'll have to scratch out and say most
[56:06] things. So there
[56:10] was
[56:10] >> in favor.
[56:11] >> Yeah. You'll have to make new PR shirts.
[56:14] Yeah.
[56:15] >> Motion passes five to zero. Thank you,
[56:18] Keely.
[56:19] >> Item number 10, planning and zoning
[56:21] board appointment.
[56:23] >> Mr. Mayor, commissioners, um, with
[56:27] Hierro Vasquez moving to the county
[56:29] commission and being forced to step down
[56:31] from the planning and zoning board. Um,
[56:34] Edgar Ortunio then had to move because
[56:36] he had moved into town, moved to the
[56:38] city seat that Hiro had been occupying,
[56:41] leaving a vacant county seat, which is
[56:44] somebody who has to live within the
[56:46] three outside the city limits, but
[56:48] within the three mile extra territorial.
[56:50] Um, we did receive a uh board
[56:53] application from Mr. Ryan Martin. He did
[56:56] attend the August 13th meeting of the
[56:59] planning and zoning board and discuss
[57:01] with them. They have uh
[57:06] recommended that you appoint Mr. Ryan
[57:09] Martin to the planning and zoning board
[57:12] uh for a term to end January of 2029.
[57:17] Mr. Martin was not able to be here
[57:18] tonight. I believe he's out of the
[57:20] country.
[57:22] >> Is he then replacing
[57:26] Edgar? Yes, he would be filling the seat
[57:29] that Edgar vacated by moving to a city
[57:31] seat. We have we have
[57:33] >> there's seven people on the board. Five
[57:35] of them have to live within the
[57:36] corporate city limits. The other two
[57:39] have to live outside the corporate city
[57:40] limits but inside the three mileage
[57:42] territorial and that those two county
[57:44] seats are hard to fill when they become
[57:47] empty.
[57:49] >> Yes,
[57:52] that's what I was asking.
[57:54] >> And his vote um was it unanimous? I
[57:56] believe so.
[57:57] >> Okay.
[57:59] >> And then would that bring it to seven?
[58:01] >> That will bring the board back to a full
[58:04] seven. Yes.
[58:05] >> Okay.
[58:07] >> Well, in that case, I recommend um
[58:10] commission appoint Ryan Martin to the
[58:12] planning and zoning board for the term
[58:14] ending January 2029.
[58:17] >> Second.
[58:21] » We have a motion and a second. Any
[58:23] further discussion, questions?
[58:26] Right. All those in favor?
[58:29] Motion passes 5-0. Thank you, Keith.
[58:32] Item number 11, innovative technology
[58:34] grant, smart signals project,
[58:41] » mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, city
[58:43] staff. Um, so pretty much um this is
[58:46] regarding the innovation technology
[58:47] grant. It's very exciting. Maybe not
[58:49] exciting as Janet was with the other
[58:51] projects, but you know, it's a very good
[58:53] point.
[58:54] >> Thank you.
[58:55] >> So, it it kind of involves a um uh uh
[58:59] Liberal received a notice of award for
[59:01] 2027 innovation technology um uh for the
[59:05] Kansas Department of Transportation. Um,
[59:08] this grant was provided up to $140,944
[59:12] uh and funds for eligible technology um
[59:15] deployment improvement and safety
[59:17] accessibility and effectiveness mobility
[59:19] for transportation users around town. Uh
[59:21] three intersections will be uh we're
[59:23] trying to do three intersections. The
[59:25] intersections will be uh 11th Street and
[59:27] Kansas Avenue, uh Pine Street and Kansas
[59:29] Avenue, and Persian Avenue and Pancake
[59:31] Boulevard. um they're much needed uh uh
[59:35] to be updated as well. Uh really
[59:38] outdated uh information. So in addition
[59:41] to purchasing equipment uh throughout
[59:43] our standard traffic signal equipment
[59:45] vendor, we also need implementation of
[59:47] also requirement of some upgrades in the uh intersection which will be
[59:52] installing new wiring uh uh and
[59:55] infrastructure equipment as well. Uh so
[59:57] pretty much the total cost uh for this
[1:00:00] project uh which will be divided in two
[1:00:02] different sections uh will be a total of
[1:00:03] 226,271
[1:00:06] which of $137,89
[1:00:10] uh6 will be reimbur reimburseable
[1:00:12] through the K dot grant. Um so uh so
[1:00:16] that'd be a big help you know through to
[1:00:17] the city as well and the uh and the
[1:00:20] taxpayers uh here in in uh in the city
[1:00:24] of Liberal. Uh first it came with the uh
[1:00:27] agenda item number 11A which is the uh equipment purchase. Uh this will be
[1:00:34] purchased through um through gadies. Uh
[1:00:37] this new equipment purchases will
[1:00:39] replace 30-year uh antiquated signal
[1:00:41] equipment which is also improving uh
[1:00:44] pedestrian protector crosswalking. Um
[1:00:47] also the equipment will includes traffic
[1:00:49] cabinets, blade controllers, uh fisheye
[1:00:52] cameras, audible pedestrian push buttons
[1:00:55] and uh countdown timers uh interrupted
[1:00:58] power supply systems and the curvision
[1:01:01] smart city intelligent transportation
[1:01:03] system platform is just pretty much just
[1:01:05] to kind of take count of traffic. So,
[1:01:07] it's kind of fancy word to say it. Um,
[1:01:09] the smart signals will be installed will
[1:01:12] use real-time sensitive technology and
[1:01:14] data analytic to automatically detect
[1:01:17] and report vehicles stopped um on the
[1:01:19] shoulder. A vehicle stopped uh in a lane
[1:01:22] or slow traffic. Um also stop traffic,
[1:01:25] uh vehicles moving in the wrong
[1:01:26] direction, crosswalk violations, double
[1:01:28] yell, yellow line crossings, uh
[1:01:31] commercial vehicle speeding, uh near
[1:01:33] miss incidents, and red light
[1:01:34] violations. uh traffic also flow would
[1:01:37] be uh enhanced through implementation of
[1:01:39] a traffic control platform which uses
[1:01:41] real-time data feeds to adjust signal
[1:01:43] timing and optical uh traffic movement
[1:01:46] during periods of heavy traffic. Like I
[1:01:48] said, sometimes we sit in the in the
[1:01:49] stop sign or in the traffic sign, you
[1:01:51] know, then the other lanes are empty.
[1:01:53] So, this will help out with the new
[1:01:54] technology being the new radar and um
[1:01:56] help out with that. So, so traffic will
[1:01:58] flow faster and evenly. Also, these
[1:02:00] signals do not uh do not read license
[1:02:02] plates or perform any facial
[1:02:04] recognition. Um, key reached out to uh
[1:02:07] James with Katies and asked him directly
[1:02:09] about that and he assured us that it
[1:02:11] does not take a facial recognition or
[1:02:13] license plate. So I know right now it's
[1:02:15] a big concern in Liberal. So that'd be
[1:02:17] something um as well to take
[1:02:19] implementation. Uh so there are not
[1:02:21] built or sold as surveillance
[1:02:23] enforcement tools. The system does not
[1:02:25] require a stable internet connection to
[1:02:27] run signal programming. So traffic
[1:02:28] counts can be uh tabulated and pulled
[1:02:31] from the system records. Also the video
[1:02:33] feed for our system will be configured
[1:02:35] strictly for vehicle detection purposes
[1:02:37] and will not be able to capture and
[1:02:39] store video for later retrieval of this
[1:02:42] uh um of the uh vehicles and pedestrians
[1:02:45] as well. So um with this right here
[1:02:47] recommendation staff recommends approval
[1:02:50] of the equipment purchase for the smart
[1:02:51] signal project from Gaty Sales uh
[1:02:54] company Inc. in the amount of $137,896
[1:02:58] from the streets, drains, and cap
[1:03:00] improvement portion of the 1 cent sales
[1:03:02] tax, which uh like I said, will be fully
[1:03:05] uh reimbursed from the Kansas Department
[1:03:07] of Transportation, Innovation,
[1:03:08] Technology um fund. So, we pay right
[1:03:11] now, but we we'll be refunded uh for the
[1:03:13] actual equipment purchase. So, um
[1:03:17] that'll be the first part of the of this
[1:03:19] grant.
[1:03:21] >> We have any questions? I know it's a lot
[1:03:22] of information. We try to kind of you
[1:03:24] should have seen the list. We just kind
[1:03:26] try to minimize it to keep it a little
[1:03:27] more simple. So,
[1:03:29] >> and this question may be for you or for
[1:03:32] Keely and we may not even know the
[1:03:34] answer on this one. This technology will
[1:03:37] and only the one on Pancake Boulevard.
[1:03:40] Um will it work with the technology
[1:03:43] they're trying to install for their
[1:03:44] technology corridor on 83? No, that 83
[1:03:49] has more to do with um
[1:03:51] >> I know that's for semi
[1:03:52] >> remote sensors and moving yeah targets
[1:03:55] through different geographic areas. This
[1:03:57] is simply it uses an AI processor to be
[1:04:01] able to intake the information it's
[1:04:03] seeing visually and make real-time
[1:04:06] adjustments. Some of its historic
[1:04:08] adjustments it'll kind of learn from
[1:04:09] itself basically. We know especially at
[1:04:12] 11th in Kansas and Pine in Kansas that
[1:04:15] school zone changing times have a lot to
[1:04:18] do with the traffic flow there.
[1:04:20] >> Um so it
[1:04:22] uh yeah it's it's one of those that it
[1:04:25] learns from itself, it learns about and
[1:04:27] gives us some really good insights. The
[1:04:29] reason that it does the double yellow
[1:04:32] line crossing, the red light violations,
[1:04:34] those types of measurements and counts
[1:04:36] is so we can pull the data and be able
[1:04:38] to say, is do we need to be enforcing
[1:04:40] this? Is this a really dangerous
[1:04:42] intersection? Are people, you know,
[1:04:44] disobeying traffic signals and and
[1:04:46] driving in ways they shouldn't be. Um,
[1:04:49] it also does do traffic counts for us,
[1:04:50] which is always something that's very
[1:04:52] helpful when we're looking at road
[1:04:53] utilization um and making repairs and that type of a thing. So, And we
[1:04:59] kind of do like a we have to do like
[1:05:00] pull data or you know just kind of see
[1:05:03] to adjust speed limits and so this data
[1:05:05] will help out with that because we know
[1:05:06] how much traffic flows to those areas
[1:05:08] and you know just help out with with
[1:05:10] future studies as well. So it's really awesome. Like I said the new the new cameras that we be using in this
[1:05:16] are different than the ones we use right
[1:05:17] now. Right now we have a lot of issues.
[1:05:19] You know I know like six points and um
[1:05:21] this morning on 15th and in Kansas you
[1:05:24] know the sun hits it and just you know
[1:05:25] it just messes up with the system. With
[1:05:27] this newer one, it'll be just be two
[1:05:28] cameras, you know, bird eye, so it'll be
[1:05:31] um kind of backing up each other up. So,
[1:05:33] we won't need as much cameras in the
[1:05:34] interstation as well, which is helps out
[1:05:36] as well. So, it's going to be, like I
[1:05:38] said, I mean, this is a um
[1:05:41] >> you know, nice nice technology upgrade
[1:05:42] that we're going to be doing.
[1:05:43] >> So, I know you definitely address it. I
[1:05:46] will give you credit for that. But
[1:05:50] you know when we say that it
[1:05:58] » is not used for surveillance.
[1:06:00] >> It's not used for surveillance. But then
[1:06:01] we talked about pulling reports and
[1:06:03] data.
[1:06:04] >> It just
[1:06:04] >> How do you mesh those two things?
[1:06:06] >> It only pulls data about an incident
[1:06:09] >> by what?
[1:06:09] >> It it only pulls data about an incident
[1:06:11] as a count. So if someone ran a red
[1:06:13] light, we just know a person ran a red
[1:06:16] light and we don't know anything more
[1:06:18] about it. It does our system will be set
[1:06:20] up so that it is not recording any data
[1:06:23] that can be or any video feed that can
[1:06:25] be revisited. If someone wants to file
[1:06:27] an insurance claim, our camera didn't
[1:06:29] pick it up enough. I mean, there's not
[1:06:31] enough information there to say what
[1:06:33] happened or who was involved, period.
[1:06:35] And so then just kind of along those
[1:06:37] same lines just to make sure that
[1:06:39] >> I guess we're covering any possible
[1:06:41] loopholes that you may or may not even
[1:06:43] be aware of.
[1:06:44] >> Um and I'll have one more question I
[1:06:46] think after this but you know it says
[1:06:48] we'll use real time safety sensing
[1:06:50] technology and data analytics to
[1:06:52] automatically detect and report a
[1:06:55] vehicle stopped on the shoulder. So how
[1:06:57] does that work? What does that look
[1:06:58] like? Where is the report going to? It
[1:07:01] feeds to the traffic signal itself. So
[1:07:04] that if you have if there's been a
[1:07:06] collision near the intersection or in
[1:07:08] the middle of the intersection,
[1:07:10] >> the lights all go red.
[1:07:12] >> I mean, it's not going to continue
[1:07:13] running traffic light signals because it
[1:07:15] knows there's been something wrong. It
[1:07:17] does not report to emergency response
[1:07:20] agencies that something has occurred.
[1:07:22] >> Yeah. And I guess that's really what I
[1:07:24] was getting at and should asked more
[1:07:25] directly, although your explanation was
[1:07:27] helpful. I mean, it's not sending alerts
[1:07:29] to emergency response or law enforcement
[1:07:31] or anything like that.
[1:07:33] >> No, just allows it to be able to say,
[1:07:34] "Wait, something's wrong here. I need to
[1:07:37] stop the signals," basically.
[1:07:38] >> And then what happens?
[1:07:41] >> It's from there. I mean, obviously, you
[1:07:43] kind of just respond to the incident as
[1:07:45] that scene clears and the camera is able
[1:07:47] to see, okay, things are operating
[1:07:49] normally again, it just goes back to
[1:07:50] normal function.
[1:07:51] >> Okay. And so then kind of again along
[1:07:53] the same lines
[1:07:55] again, I think you addressed it here,
[1:07:57] but just to kind of double down on it,
[1:07:59] there's not any type of video, whether
[1:08:02] it's recorded or stored or not, that's
[1:08:04] being transmitted anywhere. Like we
[1:08:06] don't have a person with our Department
[1:08:08] of Transportation.
[1:08:09] >> No.
[1:08:10] >> Sitting somewhere who can watch a live
[1:08:12] feed or anything like that?
[1:08:13] >> No.
[1:08:14] >> Since like I said, it's not it doesn't
[1:08:15] require the Wi-Fi connection. We're not
[1:08:17] going to have Wi-Fi connections on it.
[1:08:19] So like say just it's just just to
[1:08:20] modify the circumstances around it.
[1:08:22] Usually when they have like um when our
[1:08:25] signals go, you know, start blinking
[1:08:26] red, we usually get a call from the um
[1:08:29] from uh
[1:08:32] >> Man, that's the
[1:08:35] dispatch. They they give us a call and
[1:08:36] we'll show up on scene.
[1:08:37] >> Yeah. Are they going to be like
[1:08:38] automatically new traffic lights or is
[1:08:40] this a little thing that's going to look
[1:08:42] like a camera that
[1:08:43] >> or do you know
[1:08:45] >> it's more like it's just a Yeah, just
[1:08:48] it'll just be a next to the traffic, you
[1:08:50] know, the it'll just be up top on the
[1:08:52] pole and then it'll just it just to
[1:08:53] detect. It's just what it is just like a
[1:08:56] more and more advanced detection.
[1:08:57] >> As we sat here, obviously I'm kind of
[1:08:58] comfortable with that. But
[1:08:59] >> yeah,
[1:09:00] >> I think we all know how that's going to
[1:09:01] be perceived once those start going up.
[1:09:03] So that's the reason for these
[1:09:05] questions. We currently have cameras
[1:09:11] » and all is in that zone
[1:09:14] >> and it's going to it's going to rotate
[1:09:16] the lights.
[1:09:17] >> Mhm.
[1:09:18] >> Which I certainly appreciate. I like
[1:09:22] >> Okay.
[1:09:24] >> Yeah.
[1:09:26] >> Like we set up the detections. It would
[1:09:27] be like 30 seconds for each slide, you
[1:09:29] know. But if if there's this if you pull
[1:09:32] up to your signal and then it's their
[1:09:35] turn to go, it'll detect it and you have
[1:09:36] to do the full cycle 30 seconds to
[1:09:38] automatically change to the the VAS that
[1:09:40] actually being used. So So it helps out
[1:09:43] like that's it helps out with the flow
[1:09:44] of traffic as well. So
[1:09:45] >> does this replace the conflict monitor
[1:09:47] or
[1:09:48] >> No, it still be with it. It's just like
[1:09:50] I said, it'll be just newer newer
[1:09:52] equipment that is done.
[1:09:53] >> Yeah, it's just because
[1:09:54] >> just a sensor then?
[1:09:55] >> Yes. Yeah, pretty much. just like a
[1:09:56] detection sensor. That'll be that's
[1:09:58] pretty much
[1:09:58] >> there's a full cabinet and everything
[1:09:59] that's
[1:10:00] >> Yeah, everything's cabinet. We got the
[1:10:02] >> to store the housing for everything.
[1:10:04] >> Yeah, the control and everything. It'll
[1:10:05] be the exact same thing. It's just like
[1:10:06] I said, just a newer version. Um the
[1:10:08] cameras that we actually have right now
[1:10:10] um uh
[1:10:13] I think eventually we're going to have
[1:10:14] to update them as well because they
[1:10:16] don't uh gives deal with them anymore.
[1:10:19] So, it's kind of we kind of have to look
[1:10:21] start looking into is what may replacing
[1:10:22] some of them as well just because
[1:10:23] they're
[1:10:23] >> sensor is probably the better word
[1:10:26] >> as opposed to camera because
[1:10:29] >> that carries some different type of
[1:10:32] >> sureation with it. So,
[1:10:34] >> only this one will probably look like a
[1:10:37] camera cuz it's a little bold.
[1:10:38] >> Yeah.
[1:10:39] >> Where the other ones are sensors cuz it
[1:10:40] has that white face that points at. We
[1:10:43] would definitely be highlighting and
[1:10:45] giving Kot a shout out to thank them for
[1:10:48] what these actually do. And so that's
[1:10:50] where we would be able to do that public
[1:10:52] education about what they actually do.
[1:10:54] So
[1:10:55] >> we definitely understand that. And yeah,
[1:10:57] >> we grilled them.
[1:10:58] >> Yeah.
[1:10:59] >> Very well.
[1:10:59] >> We're cautious on on the equipment that
[1:11:01] we're using as well. So
[1:11:03] >> people have taken that there's been an
[1:11:06] accident. You got it on camera.
[1:11:13] The other great thing this does is it
[1:11:15] does have that uninterrupted power
[1:11:17] supply to it. And so there have been a
[1:11:19] lot of outages, especially on Pine,
[1:11:22] Kansas.
[1:11:22] >> I remember last year we were going out,
[1:11:24] you know, a couple times that all the
[1:11:26] power went out. So we're over there
[1:11:27] scrambling trying to get four-way stop
[1:11:28] signs and blinkers and sandbags and
[1:11:31] everything. With this one right here, it
[1:11:33] has that backup camera um I mean backup
[1:11:35] power source that we don't have to go to
[1:11:37] as many intersections as we usually do.
[1:11:39] So, it's kind of like the six points
[1:11:41] once power goes out that the backup
[1:11:42] power source kicks in, which makes it
[1:11:46] really nice. Um, we don't have to worry
[1:11:47] about, you know, with that. I mean, I
[1:11:49] know I know has a t a limit time, but I
[1:11:51] mean, it just super helpful. I mean, we
[1:11:52] just have outages out here and then
[1:11:54] power comes back on. So, and with that,
[1:11:56] it just keep everything going smoothly.
[1:11:58] Um, so we don't have to go to that many
[1:12:00] intersections and running out of stop
[1:12:02] signs around Lville.
[1:12:07] Well, I move that we approve the
[1:12:09] equipment purchase for the Smart Signals
[1:12:11] project from Gates Sales in the amount
[1:12:15] of $137,896
[1:12:19] from the street streets drainage and
[1:12:21] capital improvement portion of the 1%
[1:12:24] sales tax with full reimbursement from
[1:12:27] the Kansas Department of
[1:12:28] Transportation's Innovative Technology
[1:12:31] Grant Fund Award.
[1:12:34] Second.
[1:12:37] >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[1:12:39] further discussion,
[1:12:40] comments, questions?
[1:12:43] Okay, all those in favor?
[1:12:45] Motion passes five to zero. All right.
[1:12:48] Item, the section B of this innovation
[1:12:51] technology grant, the service contract.
[1:12:54] So with this one right here um prior to
[1:12:57] installation of the equipment um uh
[1:12:59] staff recommended underground utility
[1:13:01] rewiring to prevent outages causes by
[1:13:03] aging uh infrastructure removal
[1:13:05] installation and calibration of the new
[1:13:08] smart signal equipment and cameras will
[1:13:10] be um uh required to perform by
[1:13:13] contractors especially in the work. So
[1:13:15] with this right here we have a lot of u
[1:13:17] underground wiring um they're getting
[1:13:19] old and um all the insulation around are
[1:13:22] kind of deteriorating. So, we were
[1:13:23] having an issue on 11th in Kansas a
[1:13:26] while back that just due to the uh to
[1:13:28] the wiring being exposed, they were
[1:13:29] contacting each other and they were
[1:13:31] making the signals going to fault. So,
[1:13:33] um it took us a while to um change that
[1:13:35] out. So, with this one right here, it'll
[1:13:36] be uh same thing, doing new underground
[1:13:39] wiring and then running the um the uh
[1:13:43] all the uh wiring for the cameras as
[1:13:45] well. That'll be part of the uh for the
[1:13:49] with the contractors doing the work. We
[1:13:51] had two uh different um bids. One was
[1:13:54] from Phillips Southern Electric Company
[1:13:57] and the other one uh in the total of
[1:13:59] 80,000 $87,47780.
[1:14:03] And we had another bid from LNS Electric
[1:14:06] LLC from Salina, Kansas in the amount of
[1:14:09] 88,375.
[1:14:11] Um utility work and installation are not
[1:14:14] eligible for for reimbursement from the
[1:14:16] KOT. So this one will be would have to
[1:14:18] the city would have to pay for uh with
[1:14:20] the funds you know however payment for
[1:14:23] these contract services are part of the
[1:14:25] project counts towards our required
[1:14:27] local match. So, um, with this one, we
[1:14:30] recommend staff recommends approval of
[1:14:33] the service contract for the smart
[1:14:34] signal project from LNS Electric LLC in
[1:14:38] the amount of88,375
[1:14:42] from the streets, drainage, and capital
[1:14:43] improvement portion of 1 cent sales tax.
[1:14:46] Uh, myself and my staff felt more
[1:14:48] comfortable going with the with the LNS
[1:14:50] Electric Company. I know it's a little
[1:14:51] bit more uh a little bit more small
[1:14:53] more. It's like $875,
[1:14:56] I think, around.
[1:14:58] So more than the than the other one, but
[1:15:00] they were um with LNS, Jeremy, you know,
[1:15:03] he came out here, checked out our sites.
[1:15:06] Uh we all, you know, worked together to
[1:15:07] kind of figure out the solution for
[1:15:09] this. And so he was more, like I said,
[1:15:11] more on hands. He was personal. He he
[1:15:13] came down, visited with us. Uh we went
[1:15:15] through every single site and checked
[1:15:17] out, uh the better solutions for this work. So we felt, you know,
[1:15:20] with him it's more we felt more
[1:15:22] comfortable with him because just
[1:15:23] because um of the time and effort he put
[1:15:25] into to helping us out with this with
[1:15:27] this project.
[1:15:29] >> Did the other company send anybody down
[1:15:31] to take a look?
[1:15:32] >> No.
[1:15:33] >> Okay.
[1:15:33] >> And have we done any work with either
[1:15:35] company in the past?
[1:15:37] >> I think with Phillips I think we might
[1:15:39] have used them at six points um uh at
[1:15:43] one time. uh with LNS electric um we
[1:15:47] consulted with the with Gatis and they
[1:15:48] recommended him uh who was the first
[1:15:51] recommendation for us uh for for hearing
[1:15:53] for liberal so so right now we're just
[1:15:56] um like I said it was a highly
[1:15:57] recommended by by them so so we
[1:16:00] contacted Jeremy from LNS and he came
[1:16:02] down and and we met with Gatis both gats
[1:16:05] and and Jeremy as well um regarding this
[1:16:15] Policywise, is there anything that says
[1:16:17] we have to accept the lower bid or if we
[1:16:19] accept a higher bid, we have to do
[1:16:21] something special? No,
[1:16:22] >> it's within the
[1:16:25] >> and only within um local. I don't think
[1:16:28] there
[1:16:29] >> I knew there was the local one, but I
[1:16:30] didn't know
[1:16:31] >> I didn't know how that applied to two
[1:16:33] competing ones outside. Take the higher
[1:16:35] one.
[1:16:52] Go ahead and move that we approve the
[1:16:54] service contract for the Smart Signals
[1:16:56] project from LNS Electric LLC in the
[1:16:59] amount in the amount of $88,375
[1:17:04] from street drainage and capital
[1:17:06] improvement portion of the 1centent
[1:17:07] sales tax.
[1:17:09] >> Second.
[1:17:12] » Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[1:17:15] further discussion or questions?
[1:17:18] Okay. All those in favor?
[1:17:21] Motion passes. 5 Z. Thank you.
[1:17:23] >> Thank you.
[1:17:25] >> Item number 12, solar energy credit
[1:17:28] transfer. So, mayor, vice mayor,
[1:17:30] commissioners, as you remember, in
[1:17:32] December of 2025, the city of Liberal
[1:17:35] received a federal green energy tax
[1:17:37] credit in the amount of 1,61,18961
[1:17:42] after a successful application that
[1:17:44] stemmed from the solar energy project
[1:17:46] that we had a couple years prior. Um,
[1:17:48] the check was deposited at that time
[1:17:50] into fund 301 for construction. This
[1:17:53] resulted in a positive cash balance of
[1:17:55] 746,61061.
[1:17:59] You might ask why the cash balance in
[1:18:01] construction is less than the check
[1:18:03] amount. Well, it's like any other
[1:18:04] project that we have. Sometimes it's
[1:18:06] just not about solar panels, but you
[1:18:08] have additional costs that go into that.
[1:18:10] So, in the case of the solar project, we
[1:18:12] had fencing. We had to pay accountants
[1:18:14] to help us with the green energy credit,
[1:18:16] bond council, financial planning, and
[1:18:19] any other materials that went into that.
[1:18:20] So, we've been sitting on this 746,61061
[1:18:24] for almost a year trying to decide what
[1:18:26] we wanted to do with it. Originally, we
[1:18:29] wanted to pay down the temp note and
[1:18:31] then permanently bond it. But we do have
[1:18:33] flexibility with this money because it's
[1:18:35] not very often that you receive or that
[1:18:37] a government receives um a tax credit
[1:18:39] like this. So, we have discussed it with
[1:18:42] auditors and they are okay with the
[1:18:45] flexibility. So, we are asking that we
[1:18:48] transfer it from fund 301 construction
[1:18:50] to the general fund to assist with
[1:18:52] regular operations and that rollover
[1:18:54] shortage. That will help it greatly as
[1:18:56] we move into the new year. Um, we'll
[1:18:58] probably have to do a water transfer at
[1:19:00] end of year just to get it balanced out.
[1:19:02] But after that point, I feel very
[1:19:04] certain that we are on the right track
[1:19:06] in the general fund. I feel comfortable
[1:19:08] with this transaction and if approved,
[1:19:10] we will make sure that it is in the
[1:19:12] accounting system tomorrow so that we
[1:19:14] can handle everything we need to before
[1:19:16] the next distribution from the county
[1:19:17] for the final property tax.
[1:19:28] » I'm 100% okay with this. Okay.
[1:19:30] >> Yeah.
[1:19:32] >> Something like this when I was here, so
[1:19:33] I'll kind of
[1:19:35] >> let you guys take the lead on
[1:19:38] what you may have talked about or
[1:19:39] thought about when you did that.
[1:19:40] >> We have done the due diligence on the
[1:19:42] transfer and the capability to do that
[1:19:44] and the compliance that's involved in
[1:19:46] that. And we feel comfortable with it.
[1:19:48] Again, we've sat on it for a while
[1:19:50] trying to figure out exactly how we
[1:19:51] wanted to handle it and I'm kind of glad
[1:19:53] that we did. So, we ask that you go
[1:19:55] ahead and approve that. will take care
[1:19:57] of it and that will set us on a very
[1:19:59] solid path. I feel in the general
[1:20:09] I'll make a motion that we allow the
[1:20:11] transfer of the positive cash balance of
[1:20:13] $746,61061
[1:20:17] from the solar energy project within the
[1:20:19] construction fund to the general fund
[1:20:21] effective September 23rd, 2026. Second.
[1:20:27] Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any
[1:20:29] discussion, questions?
[1:20:32] Okay, all those in favor?
[1:20:35] Motion passes five to zero.
[1:20:38] Item number 13, city staff.
[1:20:43] » Uh, just real quickly, we will be at the
[1:20:45] Duck Festival on Saturday from 10 to 2.
[1:20:47] So, come over and say hi. Um, this will
[1:20:50] be another opportunity for us to do our
[1:20:52] public outreach for the downtown
[1:20:54] project. And so I'll have a full-size
[1:20:56] map on the table itself. Uh, so people
[1:20:59] can scribble all over and add their
[1:21:00] ideas.
[1:21:01] >> Ask me anything.
[1:21:02] Yes. My sign will be
[1:21:05] there.
[1:21:09] » Anybody else? Kristen.
[1:21:10] >> Yes. Um, at one of the previous
[1:21:12] commission meetings, we had Tara,
[1:21:14] Nicole, and Bro here presenting upcoming
[1:21:17] projects at the animal shelter,
[1:21:19] including sound reduction and shade for
[1:21:21] their play area. And so, we are very
[1:21:23] happy to announce that we've received
[1:21:25] grant funding for both of those
[1:21:26] projects. And so, the next commission
[1:21:28] meeting, we will be bringing those items
[1:21:30] here for your consideration.
[1:21:33] Right.
[1:21:34] >> Just a reminder, we'll have a special
[1:21:36] meeting on Wednesday, September 30th at
[1:21:38] 3:30 here in chambers. Um, also wanted
[1:21:41] to announce to the public that we will
[1:21:44] have all five city commissioners attend
[1:21:46] the annual League of Kansas
[1:21:48] Municipalities Conference
[1:21:50] um, in Witchah on October 8th through
[1:21:52] the 10th. There will be no city
[1:21:54] business. It's training conference.
[1:21:56] Thank you.
[1:22:01] » Good evening. I would love to share some
[1:22:05] information and invitation concerning
[1:22:07] the local air tour that's coming up.
[1:22:12] Thank you. Thank you.
[1:22:18] » Fly Kansas Air Tour begins a week from
[1:22:20] today, next Tuesday. This tour visits
[1:22:24] eight airports across western Kansas
[1:22:26] over three days. At each stop, uh pilots
[1:22:29] who are in the tour will present STEM
[1:22:31] activities to children and generally
[1:22:34] promote the aviation industry across our
[1:22:36] state. Uh last year pilots from Nebraska
[1:22:39] and Texas and several other states
[1:22:42] participated. Uh just last week I
[1:22:44] received a phone call from a pilot who
[1:22:45] lives south of Del Dallas who told me
[1:22:48] how excited he was for the event, what a
[1:22:50] great event it is. He's looking forward
[1:22:51] to starting uh here in Liberal and doing
[1:22:53] the whole Kansas Air Tour. Like I said,
[1:22:55] he lives well south of Dallas. Um and
[1:22:58] we're going to uh give him a great
[1:22:59] welcome. So pilots from a large region
[1:23:02] are expected to visit us. What makes our
[1:23:05] portion of the tour really special is
[1:23:06] that we're very first, so we get a
[1:23:08] little bit of extra time to make a good
[1:23:10] impression on the pilots and on the
[1:23:12] visitors. We've been working pretty hard
[1:23:14] with several groups to plan a really
[1:23:16] quality event. Uh the tourism and
[1:23:18] transportation departments, Lyden
[1:23:20] Aerosenter, our hotel partner, uh the
[1:23:23] air museum are all contributing.
[1:23:26] This event really wouldn't be possible
[1:23:27] without our worldclass air museum. So I
[1:23:29] want to thank Bob and his team uh for
[1:23:31] their contributions. It takes a big
[1:23:33] effort to host pilots, to host meals,
[1:23:36] and potentially hundreds of students
[1:23:38] across two days. The flyer that you see
[1:23:40] in front of you there, tourism
[1:23:42] department designed that beautiful
[1:23:43] flyer. So, thank you, Mandy, for doing
[1:23:45] that. Um, it really is a citywide effort
[1:23:48] propelling the event, and I'm grateful
[1:23:49] for all the cooperation that we've got
[1:23:51] as we plan this. The schedule of events
[1:23:54] should be on the second page that I
[1:23:55] provided there to you. So, we invite you
[1:23:57] to visit the airport. We invite you to
[1:23:59] visit the air museum. And perhaps you
[1:24:02] might see that really incredible spark
[1:24:04] that happens in a student's mind, you
[1:24:06] know, when they see an airplane up close
[1:24:08] for the first time or when they see an
[1:24:09] aircraft fly for the first time. So,
[1:24:12] please come see us next Tuesday if
[1:24:14] you're able. Thank you for allowing me
[1:24:15] to speak and most of all, thank you for
[1:24:17] supporting the airport and for making me
[1:24:19] so welcome since I joined the team in
[1:24:21] August.
[1:24:23] >> Thank you.
[1:24:28] » Any other city staff, Steve?
[1:24:33] Mayor, vice mayor, uh commissioners. Um
[1:24:35] just want to give you a update on our
[1:24:38] bus shelter project. Um as you know that
[1:24:43] uh this project has been around for a
[1:24:45] couple years. Um it was funded uh for
[1:24:49] total project around $50,000 for uh 10
[1:24:52] bus shelters
[1:24:54] um solar lighting benches concrete and
[1:24:58] all the work being done in house. So um
[1:25:02] over the years we ran into the problem
[1:25:03] of uh environmental studies and um which
[1:25:07] delayed the project. uh we were
[1:25:10] fortunate to collaborate with PEC uh to
[1:25:13] come up with a solution which was to
[1:25:16] eliminate the uh the part of the project
[1:25:19] where we do all the ground work and
[1:25:21] strictly go uh to a procurement style um
[1:25:25] process. So um we collected um quotes
[1:25:31] for just the material that we need
[1:25:33] excluding the concrete uh work. Um so
[1:25:36] that would be the shelters, the solar
[1:25:39] and the benches. Um from three different
[1:25:42] vendors um that was cost averages
[1:25:45] average. So long and short of it is uh
[1:25:48] we went back to uh KOT and proposed a
[1:25:52] change of uh of scope in the total
[1:25:55] amount of the project $99,461.
[1:25:59] Um, and original that was $40,000 that
[1:26:03] we were getting from them and we were
[1:26:04] going to supply the $10,000 for that
[1:26:06] 50,000. Um, so they they uh we requested
[1:26:12] an an additional amount for the total
[1:26:14] grant to be uh $79,569
[1:26:19] which puts the city at uh 19,892.
[1:26:23] So we um I think that's a win. Um and we
[1:26:28] are looking at doing seven um shelters.
[1:26:32] Um and then on top of that, we'd also
[1:26:34] have to do the concrete and the working
[1:26:35] house. So we're looking probably
[1:26:37] estimate around another $20,000 on that.
[1:26:40] But we received that information late
[1:26:42] this afternoon and just wanted to share
[1:26:44] that with you.
[1:26:46] >> Thank you.
[1:26:46] Steve. That's great.
[1:26:48] >> Excited for them, too.
[1:26:54] » Keep the parade coming. Jennifer, you're
[1:26:56] next.
[1:26:57] >> Mr. Mayor, commissioners,
[1:27:01] lately there have been several online
[1:27:05] attacks against code enforcement from
[1:27:08] different directions. I wanted to get up
[1:27:11] here and just reassure you that our code
[1:27:16] enforcement staff are good,
[1:27:19] hard-working,
[1:27:21] valued, wonderful members of our
[1:27:24] community. They are doing probably the
[1:27:26] most thankless job in the community. And
[1:27:30] I'm here to guarantee you that they do
[1:27:33] not target anyone. They apply rules
[1:27:36] fairly across the board. They've been
[1:27:39] told once they find a violation, I don't
[1:27:41] care if it's Scarlet's house, write the
[1:27:43] violation up and start the case. But
[1:27:46] with the negative stuff that has been
[1:27:51] spewed across social media like
[1:27:55] ignorant, wrong, keyboard warrior
[1:27:58] attacks that have gone to personal
[1:28:00] levels against my staff, my fellow
[1:28:03] co-workers, my fellow members of the
[1:28:05] community. I wanted to just get up here
[1:28:06] and reassure you that you have good code
[1:28:10] enforcement working for this city. And
[1:28:12] they're doing the best job they can to
[1:28:14] try and enforce rules that the majority
[1:28:16] of the community does support. Nobody
[1:28:19] wants free rain. Let your weeds grow as
[1:28:22] tall as they want.
[1:28:24] So, I just thought I would get up and
[1:28:26] say that to you.
[1:28:27] >> So, I go ahead.
[1:28:29] >> I do want to thank you for taking the
[1:28:31] time to come up here and to defend your
[1:28:33] staff. I think that's very brave of you
[1:28:35] to to do so. And to I mean, you are the
[1:28:38] one that has the most experience dealing
[1:28:40] with them every single day. You know
[1:28:42] what the product of their work is like.
[1:28:44] Um, to the negative comments, I will say
[1:28:47] we have people in our community who
[1:28:49] we're never going to make happy. Um,
[1:28:51] unfortunately those individuals tend to
[1:28:53] complain about everything. So sometimes
[1:28:56] they're just nitpicking at things. Uh,
[1:28:59] but we are extremely proud of all of the
[1:29:01] work that they say. So just because
[1:29:03] sometimes there are voices that are the
[1:29:05] loudest in the room doesn't mean that's
[1:29:07] how the majority of the people feel. So
[1:29:09] we thank them for their work.
[1:29:11] >> Yeah. And you know, just to echo that, I
[1:29:15] you know, I mean, uh, these guys do good
[1:29:17] hard work. Uh and and I've seen it in
[1:29:20] action. You know, we see those reports.
[1:29:22] We we hear from people and and uh you
[1:29:25] know, I'll say it for myself. I they
[1:29:26] have my 100% support uh in what they do.
[1:29:31] It's tough job. Terrible job. Honestly,
[1:29:34] I wouldn't want that. Uh but they have
[1:29:37] at least my support. I think I could
[1:29:39] speak pretty much everybody else.
[1:29:41] >> Absolutely.
[1:29:42] >> Thank you.
[1:29:43] >> Yeah. Appreciate that. Thank you.
[1:29:44] >> Thank you.
[1:29:44] Keith. Anybody
[1:29:48] else?
[1:29:50] >> All right. Item number 14, city manager
[1:29:53] report.
[1:29:54] >> Mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, this
[1:29:56] was a great meeting tonight. I mean, we
[1:29:58] got it in in an hour. We covered a lot
[1:30:00] of different subject matters and asked a
[1:30:02] lot of questions. So, thank you for your
[1:30:04] attentiveness to that. First up, I need
[1:30:06] to report the bus ridership numbers for
[1:30:08] August. Uh, they were at 2250. So, we
[1:30:11] continue to hold steady above 2,000. and
[1:30:13] I like to continue to give those to you
[1:30:15] so you can see the work that they're
[1:30:17] doing and that nothing's really dipping
[1:30:19] over time and this new facility is going
[1:30:22] to be very supportive of their endeavors
[1:30:23] and create a great space for them. So,
[1:30:25] we look forward to that ribbon cutting
[1:30:27] that's coming up. Thank you so much to
[1:30:29] Kelly and the fire department for the
[1:30:31] commendations to the police department
[1:30:32] over the West Haven fire. Um, I have
[1:30:35] requested repeatedly over the last two
[1:30:37] years that I wanted fire and PD to work
[1:30:39] together and create a lot of camaraderie
[1:30:41] and I'm starting to see that and it
[1:30:43] makes me very happy. So, uh, this was an
[1:30:45] outward display of that. So, thank you
[1:30:47] to Chad and Chris and Kelly and Cody and
[1:30:50] everybody who contributes uh, to those
[1:30:52] first responder groups. Also, on the
[1:30:55] subject of fire, I did not say this last
[1:30:56] week because I wanted to hold it for
[1:30:58] tonight, but thank you to Aaron Lumen
[1:30:59] especially and everyone in that
[1:31:01] department. They partake in a muscular
[1:31:03] distrophe initiative every year. It's
[1:31:05] called fill the boot. You're probably
[1:31:07] used to seeing that around, but they
[1:31:09] raised over $6,500
[1:31:11] this year. And those funds stay within
[1:31:13] Sewer County, if I'm correct, and
[1:31:15] there's local families that benefit from
[1:31:17] that. And so, we thank them for being
[1:31:20] out there and visible within the
[1:31:22] community and doing these types of
[1:31:24] things. I mean, this is why Aaron won, I
[1:31:26] think, the service award last year. He's
[1:31:28] excellent at that. He does not do that
[1:31:30] by himself. And so thank you to them
[1:31:32] because I do ask departments to be out
[1:31:34] there visible and supporting liberal um
[1:31:37] because we have to do a lot of hard
[1:31:38] work. I mean Keith just talked about
[1:31:39] that. So then we like to do things on
[1:31:41] the other side that display a bit of a
[1:31:43] softer side because we have to be amped
[1:31:45] up quite a bit it feels. So thank you to
[1:31:48] them. Um excited about the Fly Kansas
[1:31:50] tour coming up. I want to thank Chance
[1:31:52] for coming tonight to present. I asked
[1:31:53] him to be here. He does a great job. And
[1:31:55] then Bob and Sally for their efforts in
[1:31:57] putting that together along with Keley
[1:31:58] and several other people. I know that
[1:32:00] our little dancers from down the hall
[1:32:02] here at the wreck are going to invite
[1:32:04] them in in their little outfits and so
[1:32:07] they won't pass up an opportunity to do
[1:32:09] that and we want Liberal to look the
[1:32:10] best out of all the cities that they're
[1:32:12] visiting. So we're going to go all out
[1:32:14] for that and I look forward to showing
[1:32:16] off the air museum and everything we
[1:32:17] have to offer here in Liberal. And then
[1:32:20] finally, we continue to be hopeful about
[1:32:21] this block grant. I have these weird
[1:32:24] premonitions and and we've been working
[1:32:26] towards this without knowing it existed
[1:32:27] for a while and and I think maybe this
[1:32:29] has our name written all over it and we
[1:32:31] have Keley helping with that
[1:32:32] application. So, we're so very lucky for
[1:32:34] that. We've been building these
[1:32:36] relationships. Um, Eli, Keely, all of us
[1:32:38] and hopefully that will put us in a
[1:32:40] great position and and Liberal will will
[1:32:43] be a very new and exciting place if we
[1:32:45] can get this approved. So, can't wait
[1:32:48] for that and I hope that we're the name
[1:32:50] that's called. Um, I know that meeting
[1:32:52] on Friday was hectic. When we left, Eli
[1:32:54] said, "Oh my gosh, was that disorganized
[1:32:55] and crazy?" I'm like, "No, I expected
[1:32:57] that." But, um, I always said when I was
[1:32:59] coaching is that the craziest practices
[1:33:01] resulted in the best performances. And
[1:33:03] so, I hope that we have a great outcome
[1:33:05] after all of that. We have great people
[1:33:06] surrounding us and those relationships
[1:33:08] that we have built. And I think it's
[1:33:10] going to push us over the edge um, with
[1:33:12] that application. We should be in the
[1:33:14] top tier, I think. So, hopefully it'll
[1:33:16] be good news. And that's all I have.
[1:33:19] >> Okay. Thank you, Scarlet. Uh, number 15,
[1:33:24] items from commissioners. Who wants to
[1:33:26] start?
[1:33:28] I
[1:33:28] >> think I'll start this time.
[1:33:31] >> We always
[1:33:32] >> let you guys go.
[1:33:34] >> Um,
[1:33:35] >> we've been doing it lately, so we'll let
[1:33:36] you do it.
[1:33:37] >> Yeah. Yeah. Now, as always, thank you to
[1:33:39] all the staff. I think I mentioned this
[1:33:41] in the last meeting. Um, thank you to
[1:33:43] the PD uh for your officers and your
[1:33:46] their quick response time. Um, I I can't
[1:33:50] stress enough seeing that fire.
[1:33:53] Um, if the call went out at 3:59,
[1:33:57] at 4:04 when I walked out there, the
[1:34:00] entire porch had caught. And can't
[1:34:04] stress enough, we had just got an inch
[1:34:06] and a half of rain and it was still
[1:34:08] misting when that fire started. So, it
[1:34:12] didn't matter how moist that was, that
[1:34:14] porch caught. And by the time I got my
[1:34:16] kids dressed and out of the house within
[1:34:18] six minutes,
[1:34:21] um, that fire was in the roof and was
[1:34:23] trying to trying to spread. And I was
[1:34:26] also worried for the house to the north
[1:34:27] because they had spread into the garage.
[1:34:29] And all they have is about 10 ft and a
[1:34:32] fence that had a vine covering it. And I
[1:34:35] think that vine is what saved the
[1:34:37] neighbor's house because it was fried.
[1:34:40] But um again, working in insurance, I've
[1:34:44] seen it that distance. And again, I
[1:34:46] could feel the fire 50 ft away from my
[1:34:48] front yard. Um it was pretty warm on a
[1:34:52] cold night.
[1:34:54] Um that house would have caught in any
[1:34:57] other conditions. But our officers were
[1:34:59] there, the firefighters were there. They
[1:35:02] addressed that as quickly as they could.
[1:35:04] They tried to get the cars. I watched it
[1:35:06] and it was amazing watching them get
[1:35:08] that done. So huge thank you. Um seeing
[1:35:12] it in person always uh is amazing and uh
[1:35:16] extremely impressive. So thank you to
[1:35:18] both your departments.
[1:35:20] Um for code enforcement, I have not seen
[1:35:23] what's going on in the last two months.
[1:35:25] I'm not sure what's going on there,
[1:35:27] >> but I will say that your staff has been
[1:35:29] some of the best to work with. Um, I
[1:35:32] usually hear good comments along with
[1:35:34] the bad in the past that your staff
[1:35:37] doesn't show up and just say you have to
[1:35:39] do this. A lot of the times they also
[1:35:41] bring information on how to get it done
[1:35:43] and that was always the goal that we've
[1:35:45] tried to do with city staff and code
[1:35:47] enforcement over the last couple years.
[1:35:49] So, thank you for your staff and
[1:35:50] everything you guys have worked toward.
[1:35:52] Um, also just in case again, I do not
[1:35:55] know what's going on, but if there's
[1:35:57] ever an issue, and let's use the u the
[1:36:00] pink building where we have an old code
[1:36:05] that we are enforcing because you had to
[1:36:07] do it as code said, I mean, don't
[1:36:10] hesitate to bring it to the commission
[1:36:12] so that we can address maybe codes that
[1:36:14] no longer uh fit the community or the
[1:36:18] need. But I just want to put that out
[1:36:21] there that we're always open to hear
[1:36:23] some of the changes if you believe
[1:36:24] there's changes that are that are
[1:36:26] needed. But uh we definitely support you
[1:36:28] and your staff and we support all the
[1:36:30] staff of the city. Um city I still think
[1:36:34] remains one of the top entities right
[1:36:36] now that does not have any problems or
[1:36:38] huge problems. Um when once again
[1:36:42] potholes in your alley uh because it
[1:36:45] rained is the biggest issues. I think
[1:36:48] we're in good shape.
[1:36:50] >> That's all I got for now.
[1:36:51] >> Thank you, Jose.
[1:36:52] >> All right. Uh, just a few things. When
[1:36:54] is the ribbon cutting for the
[1:36:57] >> bus?
[1:36:58] >> Well, we need windows.
[1:37:00] >> Okay.
[1:37:01] >> So, it's not set.
[1:37:02] >> The biggest thing we're waiting for.
[1:37:03] >> I mean, it's not set yet, I guess, would
[1:37:05] be the answer.
[1:37:05] >> No, it'll be in October. And we also
[1:37:07] want the furniture to be delivered. So,
[1:37:09] if people want to take a tour, they're
[1:37:10] not looking at empty office spaces.
[1:37:12] >> Yeah, that's fine. I just didn't know if
[1:37:13] it
[1:37:14] >> later in October. We're a little bit
[1:37:15] behind on that. Um, I don't know what
[1:37:17] the reasoning is for the glass, the
[1:37:20] windows, but
[1:37:21] >> the windows got
[1:37:22] >> Okay, great.
[1:37:28] » They went to Southwest last week.
[1:37:31] >> Okay.
[1:37:35] » Most of the D has been installed. All
[1:37:36] the
[1:37:39] fence has been put up.
[1:37:42] I'm thinking we're going to get to
[1:37:45] >> cool.
[1:37:45] >> So, we just need furniture then. I'm
[1:37:47] glad to hear about the local business
[1:37:49] that helped with the window.
[1:37:52] >> Okay.
[1:37:53] >> Yeah. I just thought the date may have
[1:37:54] been set and I missed.
[1:37:55] >> Not yet. Okay.
[1:37:55] >> And I'm glad we didn't because we had a
[1:37:57] few little touch-ups to do, but
[1:37:59] >> it's a fantastic facility.
[1:38:01] >> All right. Awesome. Um, also again, um,
[1:38:03] to echo
[1:38:05] Scarlet's comments, it is very, very, I
[1:38:09] always say, heartwarming to see the
[1:38:10] cooperation between, you know,
[1:38:12] departments here in Liberal, especially,
[1:38:14] you know, fire and police, which at
[1:38:16] times
[1:38:18] could get territorial for different
[1:38:20] reasons. So, I'm glad we don't have that
[1:38:22] issue here. Um, so congratulations to
[1:38:25] both of you gentlemen on being able to
[1:38:27] work like that. uh to the four officers,
[1:38:29] I think I got their names, Martinez,
[1:38:31] Bryant, Lopez, and Ramos, and then
[1:38:34] Corporal Brennan on their um awards and
[1:38:39] efforts to fight that fire. Um that is
[1:38:42] just again one of those very nice things
[1:38:44] to see and like you said, mayor, once we
[1:38:46] do that, the rest of the meeting's kind
[1:38:48] of downhill.
[1:38:48] >> Yeah.
[1:38:49] >> From there. So, I I do appreciate that's
[1:38:51] very nice to see. Um also, on the code
[1:38:54] enforcement front, Facebook, I mean,
[1:38:55] I've kind of been following that. Um, I
[1:38:58] just follow that stuff. So, I'm aware of
[1:39:00] those comments. I mean, I'm not
[1:39:01] concerned about it. Um, it does seem to
[1:39:04] be a keyboard warrior. To the extent
[1:39:06] that I read the comments underneath it,
[1:39:07] the community does not seem to have his
[1:39:09] back or be behind him on that. So, I
[1:39:13] think in large part he's kind of on an
[1:39:14] island. So, uh, just stay the course,
[1:39:17] keep doing what you're doing and and
[1:39:19] we'll have your back. So, um, I do
[1:39:21] appreciate you being here though,
[1:39:22] recognizing that that's what's going on
[1:39:24] and addressing the commission. And also
[1:39:26] along those lines, and I know it's been
[1:39:27] pointed out before, just generally for
[1:39:29] anybody who I mean, we don't have a lot
[1:39:31] of people personally here, but who is
[1:39:33] watching now or watches later, I mean,
[1:39:36] you can complain on Facebook and we'll
[1:39:38] probably see it. You're a lot more
[1:39:40] likely to get a positive and quick
[1:39:42] response if you actually contact
[1:39:44] somebody at city hall and let them know
[1:39:47] about your complaint. So, you're of
[1:39:48] course free to voice it on Facebook. I'm
[1:39:51] not telling you not to do that. But if
[1:39:53] you're actually looking to probably be
[1:39:54] productive and get a solution to your
[1:39:57] problem quicker rather than later, if at
[1:39:59] all, uh, inerson contacts to the right
[1:40:02] departments at city hall um is the way
[1:40:04] to approach that situation. Um, and then
[1:40:08] finally for the special meeting, do we
[1:40:11] have topics for that or are we
[1:40:13] >> right now will just be the pool project?
[1:40:17] >> and then I believe you wanted to talk
[1:40:18] about salaries and that 3%
[1:40:20] >> we had talked about using that using
[1:40:24] session okay
[1:40:25] >> for that
[1:40:26] >> true so this will be just for the
[1:40:28] special meeting and it's just water park
[1:40:29] >> okay I think that'll be meaty enough
[1:40:32] >> that we can have
[1:40:33] >> and we will give you financial options
[1:40:36] we had a call with ransom financial
[1:40:37] today they'll have a lot of good data
[1:40:39] for us to supply to you to help you make
[1:40:41] >> yeah we we did talk about the solar one
[1:40:42] and that's important but I was hoping
[1:40:44] >> sorry I mix them up so
[1:40:45] >> yeah put that one on another one. Um
[1:40:46] because I think that deserves
[1:40:48] >> it
[1:40:51] for our regular meeting
[1:40:53] >> 4:00 or 3:30.
[1:40:54] >> Well, the work session this is special
[1:40:56] meeting
[1:40:57] >> the special meeting
[1:40:58] >> if we need to move
[1:41:00] >> pool project. Okay.
[1:41:02] >> Work session is four on our first
[1:41:04] meeting.
[1:41:04] >> Four on first meeting. Okay. Got it. All
[1:41:08] right. Thanks for clearing that up. Well
[1:41:09] done.
[1:41:10] >> Okay. I'll take my turn now. Uh thank
[1:41:13] you to staff. appreciate all you do. Uh
[1:41:17] um on to the citations tonight. When I
[1:41:21] saw those, I thought, well, Kelly's
[1:41:23] giving his his guys
[1:41:26] >> uh you know, commendations. And then uh
[1:41:28] I guess I just kind of breezed right
[1:41:30] past that in the uh in in the packet. Uh
[1:41:35] but when you when you came up and gave
[1:41:37] uh awards to those police officers and I
[1:41:40] couldn't be happier about the fact that you did that you recognized those
[1:41:45] guys um and and uh not guy
[1:41:50] uh for that. Um I just think that's
[1:41:53] great. Shows the fact that that are you
[1:41:55] know that that uh we're working together
[1:41:57] as a team. Uh, you know, I know that you know, Nathan mentioned, you
[1:42:02] know, there there's going to be a little
[1:42:03] bit of territorial uh a little bit of
[1:42:06] tribalism. Uh, but the fact that you
[1:42:09] guys can work together like that, I I
[1:42:11] think that's I think that's phenomenal.
[1:42:13] So, congratulations
[1:42:15] uh to both uh both organizations uh in
[1:42:19] working together because after all, it's
[1:42:22] about taking care of our citizens and that that shows that that works
[1:42:27] across the board. uh not just amongst
[1:42:30] the police and fire department, but it
[1:42:31] goes across the board uh in what staff
[1:42:34] always does. They take care of they take
[1:42:36] care of us and and appreciate that. Very
[1:42:38] excited about the block grant. Um you
[1:42:41] know, just the way it came about and and
[1:42:44] the way it fits handin glove with what
[1:42:47] we've been working on. I agree with you.
[1:42:49] It's like we've been working on this
[1:42:50] project even before we're working on the
[1:42:52] project. It's just uh it seems it seems
[1:42:55] like a great fit. I think we've got a
[1:42:58] good shot at that. And to keep this uh
[1:43:02] all going together, you know, I mean, I made a note here that uh development
[1:43:06] corp um and just a general
[1:43:11] uh number of things that we're working
[1:43:13] on across the city, across the board. Um
[1:43:16] I just made a comment here, general
[1:43:18] goodness of what of what seems to be
[1:43:20] going on. uh a lot of projects and and
[1:43:23] then I wrote down team liberal because
[1:43:26] it's not just city staff and development
[1:43:28] corp staff, but in this in the case of
[1:43:30] the block grant, we got contractors in
[1:43:34] uh everybody seems to be you and we just
[1:43:36] all seem to be pushing in the same
[1:43:37] direction and I think uh I think we've
[1:43:40] got a lot of good things going on. I'm
[1:43:42] very very excited about that. So anyway,
[1:43:44] that's all I got.
[1:43:49] » You go first. Okay. Well, there's
[1:43:52] already nothing left to talk about.
[1:43:53] They've already covered everything.
[1:43:55] That's why we've been going first, I
[1:43:57] guess. But
[1:43:57] >> yeah,
[1:43:58] >> but and we can't say it enough. The
[1:44:00] police department, fire department, code
[1:44:02] enforcement, all you people that are out
[1:44:04] there on the line. Uh, and it's it
[1:44:08] really is exciting for us to see
[1:44:12] and it's probably more exciting for you
[1:44:14] because you were actually I mean you
[1:44:16] actually see it happen that that your
[1:44:18] hard work trying to get your people
[1:44:20] prepared to for for when they have to go
[1:44:23] into action and to see it work is and we're excited how easy it makes our
[1:44:29] job when you guys do such a wonderful
[1:44:32] job. And same for the code enforcement.
[1:44:34] Uh, I was going to say that I I never
[1:44:38] hear anything. I I don't pay that much
[1:44:39] attention to
[1:44:41] social media, so I guess that's a good
[1:44:43] thing maybe, but I actually did get a
[1:44:46] call about something with code
[1:44:48] enforcement. I talked to Brad a little
[1:44:49] bit about today and and they weren't
[1:44:51] really complaining. They were asking
[1:44:53] questions is all. So, so we kind of
[1:44:55] handled it talked about it today, but I don't really hear a lot of
[1:44:59] complaints, which is good. So, either
[1:45:02] I'm out of out of reach or out of touch
[1:45:05] or or something. But, but and and maybe
[1:45:08] I'll keep up my my social media uh
[1:45:12] habits that I have because I don't I may be oblivious to what's going
[1:45:17] on. I guess maybe. But, but sometimes
[1:45:19] maybe that's good. But but uh I know
[1:45:22] that we have good people and I know that
[1:45:24] they care about what happens in liberal
[1:45:26] and they care about the people in
[1:45:28] liberal and they're trying to do their
[1:45:29] best job and and so I I just want to
[1:45:32] commend everybody in those departments
[1:45:33] that are out there on the line and then
[1:45:36] I want to get to the rest of the people.
[1:45:38] Look at all the grants that we we just
[1:45:41] keep talking about grants and talking
[1:45:42] about grants and and and all the all the
[1:45:46] departments in Liberal are are wanting
[1:45:48] to make Liberal better and and
[1:45:51] uh I want to thank you guys for all the
[1:45:54] hard work you guys do and all the time
[1:45:55] you put into it. All the city staff
[1:45:58] because uh it just makes our job easy.
[1:46:02] So uh thank you guys. That's all I have.
[1:46:06] >> I'm just kidding. I know you can find
[1:46:08] something else this.
[1:46:10] >> Yeah. Well, I want to thank the officers
[1:46:13] and the firefighters for all of their
[1:46:14] hard work. You guys are truly greatly
[1:46:17] appreciated. I think it looks easier or
[1:46:19] sounds easier when we hear about it, but
[1:46:21] actually doing like the physical hard
[1:46:23] labor being there can be pretty intense.
[1:46:26] Um, so thank you guys for all of your
[1:46:28] hard work. Um, I'm always excited about
[1:46:30] our meetings. I always feel like we
[1:46:31] accomplish a lot of great things along
[1:46:33] with what you guys said. I'm very
[1:46:35] excited that we always hear about the
[1:46:36] grants. I think that saves the city a
[1:46:39] lot of money. Uh but we're also able to
[1:46:42] accomplish a lot of great projects
[1:46:43] within that. Very excited for the block
[1:46:46] downtown grant. I'm very hopeful and I
[1:46:49] feel like we're going to get it. But
[1:46:50] that's just my opinion. And then for
[1:46:52] this for the Fly Kansas, I think we're
[1:46:54] setting the bar really high, especially
[1:46:56] with the cute little dancers. I think
[1:46:58] they're going to do an outstanding job.
[1:47:01] And then on another note, I do want to
[1:47:03] address something that is happening
[1:47:05] within our community. And I wrote a
[1:47:08] statement that I would like to read. So
[1:47:10] today is a difficult and heartbreaking
[1:47:12] day for many families in our community.
[1:47:15] We are aware of reports of federal
[1:47:17] immigration enforcements enforcement
[1:47:19] activity in Liberal, including agents
[1:47:22] taking individuals into custody from
[1:47:24] local businesses, gas stations, and from
[1:47:27] even their homes. A large portion of our
[1:47:30] community are scared and concerned,
[1:47:32] particularly those families that have
[1:47:34] been directly affected. As vice mayor, I
[1:47:37] want to reaffirm that our responsibility
[1:47:40] is to serve and protect everybody in our
[1:47:43] community. Liberal is home to families
[1:47:45] from many different backgrounds,
[1:47:47] including families with mixed
[1:47:48] immigration statuses. That is the
[1:47:51] reality of our community, whether people
[1:47:53] want to accept it or not. And every
[1:47:56] family, regardless of their status,
[1:47:58] deserves to be treated with dignity and
[1:48:00] with respect. No child should have to
[1:48:03] come home
[1:48:05] and suddenly discover that their parents
[1:48:08] are gone.
[1:48:10] No family should have to live in fear of
[1:48:12] being separated from their loved ones. I
[1:48:16] personally can tell you that I saw the
[1:48:18] detention of two large vans today. Each
[1:48:22] van had approximately 20 to 30 people.
[1:48:25] So I want to say approximately 40 to 60
[1:48:28] people have been detained from just here
[1:48:30] in liberal. And we also have reason and
[1:48:33] strong evidence to believe that ICE is
[1:48:36] going to continue and stay in our area
[1:48:38] for the next few days. So residents
[1:48:41] should rely on verified information and
[1:48:43] avoid spreading unconfirmed reports and
[1:48:46] rumors. So to our community, I want to
[1:48:49] let you know that you matter. Your
[1:48:51] families matter and like I said,
[1:48:52] everybody deserves to be treated with
[1:48:54] respect and dignity. We will continue
[1:48:56] working to make sure our community
[1:48:58] remains a place where people can seek
[1:49:00] help, raise families, and number one,
[1:49:02] feel safe. Let's look out for one
[1:49:04] another, check on our neighbors, and
[1:49:06] especially right now, show compassion
[1:49:08] for one another. Liberals are community.
[1:49:11] We serve all of it, and we serve
[1:49:13] everybody in it.
[1:49:19] Just want to add that we've spent the
[1:49:21] entire day um with different volunteers
[1:49:26] um and those volunteers have been
[1:49:29] focused on
[1:49:31] um
[1:49:34] the uh the different families that uh
[1:49:44] I probably won't be able to finish But
[1:49:47] just the different families and their uh
[1:49:50] the fear that they show
[1:49:53] and it's really uh
[1:49:57] not acceptable
[1:49:59] that we
[1:50:01] that this happens in our community to
[1:50:03] the uh hardworking members. So that's
[1:50:07] all I got to say.
[1:50:11] » Okay. Item number 16, the vouchers.
[1:50:14] I'll make a motion that we approve the
[1:50:16] vouchers in the amount of $1,26,9359.
[1:50:23] » Second.
[1:50:24] >> Okay, we have a motion and a second.
[1:50:28] Any discussion? Questions for staff? All
[1:50:31] right, all those in favor?
[1:50:34] Motion passes five to zero. We're
[1:50:37] journed.