Commission approves $250,000 contract for Adventure Bay Family Water Park demolition

Inoperable vehicles across seven properties face city towing

Nine candidates interviewed to fill city commission vacancy

Downtown redevelopment master plan steering committee appointed

Liberal hires Professional Engineering Consultants as official city engineer

City purchases new brush truck for fire department amid wildfire concerns

1. Commission approves $250,000 contract for Adventure Bay Family Water Park demolition

LIBERAL, Kan. — The city commission unanimously approved a $250,905 contract with Stoppel Dirt, LLC to demolish the Adventure Bay Family Water Park. City staff received four bids for the project, with two coming in near the city's $400,000 estimate. A significantly lower bid of $65,757 from another bidder was rejected for noncompliance, which official bid review documents noted was due to a failure to provide required insurance information and a misunderstanding of the full scope of the demolition project.

2. Inoperable vehicles across seven properties face city towing

LIBERAL, Kan. — The commission approved a vehicle abatement resolution targeting inoperable vehicles parked across seven different properties in the city. Following a 10-day waiting period, a local towing company will begin removing the vehicles on May 11 at no cost to the city. During the discussion, it was also noted that there is a growing trend of residents parking vehicles on unpaved lawns, prompting the city to increase public education efforts regarding ordinances that require vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces like concrete or dustless rock.

3. Nine candidates interviewed to fill city commission vacancy

LIBERAL, Kan. — The city commission is nearing a decision on who will fill the seat left vacant by former Commissioner Matt Landry, who recently resigned after relocating for a new career opportunity. The commission recently conducted interviews with nine candidates for the position. The diversity and quality of the applicant pool were praised during the meeting, with officials noting that making a final selection will be difficult but encouraging those not chosen to continue serving the community on other local boards and committees.

4. Downtown redevelopment master plan steering committee appointed

LIBERAL, Kan. — A 20-member steering committee was unanimously approved to help guide the city's downtown redevelopment master plan. The group, which includes Mayor Jeff Parsons, Vice Mayor Janeth Vazquez and a diverse roster of local professionals and residents, will meet three to four times to review public engagement feedback and identify downtown strengths and opportunities. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting in early June to begin reviewing concepts for downtown revitalization.

5. Liberal hires Professional Engineering Consultants as official city engineer

LIBERAL, Kan. — For the first time in nearly four years, the city will have a permanent, official engineering partner. The commission voted 4-0 to approve a master services agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants. The city will pay a retainer fee of $7,600 per month for the first six months, dropping to $5,000 per month thereafter. The agreement provides the city with an on-site engineer one day per month, routine planning guidance and review of development submittals to assist with Liberal's growing infrastructure needs.

6. City purchases new brush truck for fire department amid wildfire concerns

LIBERAL, Kan. — Following recent rural grass fires that highlighted the limitations of the city's current equipment, the commission authorized the purchase of a 2026 brush truck for the fire department. The $238,780 contract with Hays Fire & Rescue Sales & Service will be split across two budgets, with $72,740 coming from the 2026 special fire equipment fund and the remaining $166,040 paid in 2027. Fire Chief Kelly Kirk said the new F-550 apparatus will drastically reduce the time it takes to extinguish grass fires and better position the city to assist Seward County with mutual aid.

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