Fire chief details wildfire response; commission discusses communication lapses

City moves to standardize July 4 fireworks dates

Commission advances railroad overpass project with $410,000 contract

City partners with developer for industrial speculation buildings

Commission approves land deal for helium plant expansion

Drainage issues prompt change order for housing addition

Sewer assessment period shortened due to warm weather

Consultant hired to address EPA noncompliance in water department

Fire chief details wildfire response; commission discusses communication lapses

LIBERAL, Kan. — Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk presented a detailed timeline of the department's response to the massive wildfires that threatened the region last Tuesday, noting that smoke density in Liberal was unprecedented. Kirk highlighted the strain on local resources, explaining that the department had to prioritize threats to life and property while balancing mutual aid requests from neighboring counties. Following the report, a commissioner raised concerns regarding a lack of unified public communication during the emergency, noting that many Spanish-speaking residents were panicking without clear direction. The commission discussed reinstating a dormant public information officer group to better coordinate emergency messaging in the future.

City moves to standardize July 4 fireworks dates

LIBERAL, Kan. — Commissioners reached a consensus to amend city ordinances to set fixed dates for the sale and discharge of fireworks, aiming to eliminate annual confusion. The proposed changes would allow the discharge of fireworks on July 2, 3 and 4 every year, regardless of the day of the week, with sales permitted from July 1 through July 4. The commission also agreed to limit sales on July 4 to end at 10 p.m. rather than midnight. City staff was directed to redraft the ordinance with these specific dates for a formal vote at the next meeting.

Commission advances railroad overpass project with $410,000 contract

LIBERAL, Kan. — The city commission moved forward with the railroad overpass project, voting 4-0 to authorize a contract with Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC). The contract, not to exceed $410,000, covers technical assessments, public engagement and project planning services required for Federal Railroad Administration grants. City staff noted that PEC's bid was significantly lower than a competing bid from JEO Consulting Group of over $470,000. The project aims to eliminate dangerous railroad crossings, with the planning costs funded by the 1-cent sales tax and reimbursed by federal and state grants.

City partners with developer for industrial speculation buildings

LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission voted 4-0 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Ruddell Group, a Birmingham, Alabama-based real estate investment firm. Under the agreement, the city will convey land at zero cost to the developer, who will then construct industrial "spec" buildings to attract new businesses. City officials noted that while specific land parcels are still being identified, likely around the East Industrial Area, the partnership aims to create jobs and increase property valuation without requiring city capital for construction.

Commission approves land deal for helium plant expansion

LIBERAL, Kan. — After previous regulatory hurdles, the city has identified a viable parcel of land for Air Products, a helium company looking to expand its footprint in Liberal. The commission approved a letter of intent to lease or sell Block 2, Lot 6 in the airport industrial park to the company. Previous attempts to convey land near the Mid-America Air Museum were blocked by the Federal Aviation Administration due to proximity to a taxiway. The new agreement is still subject to final FAA approval, with the agency expressing a preference for long-term leasing over land sales.

Drainage issues prompt change order for housing addition

LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission approved a nearly $38,000 change order for the Doll housing addition after surveyors discovered a section of Lurie Street drained in the opposite direction than originally planned. The error necessitates the installation of an additional detention pond and curb inlets to manage stormwater. The vote passed 3-0, with Commissioner Ron Warren abstaining due to a conflict of interest as the contractor for the project.

Sewer assessment period shortened due to warm weather

LIBERAL, Kan. — In a move to protect ratepayers from higher bills, the commission voted 4-0 to calculate sewer assessments based on a two-month average of water usage rather than the standard three. Typically, sewer rates are determined by averaging water consumption from December through March; however, unseasonably warm weather has prompted residents to begin watering lawns earlier than usual. To prevent irrigation usage from artificially inflating sewer charges, the assessment will only utilize meter reads from December and January.

Consultant hired to address EPA noncompliance in water department

LIBERAL, Kan. — Following a recent audit by the Environmental Protection Agency, the city's water department was found to be noncompliant regarding its risk and resiliency assessments and emergency response plan. The commission voted to hire Municipal H2O for $15,500 to update the plans—which had not been substantially revised since 2004—and bring the city back into federal compliance. The contract includes a three-payment structure based on the completion of the required documents.

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