City Commission Accepts Grants for Park Improvements

The Liberal City Commission met on Monday evening at 5:30 and after Proclamations were read, Commissioners discussed the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City’s Comprehensive Plan needed updated since the last updates were completed in the early 2000’s so the City solicited bids from Kansas University, Wichita State University, and Crit Workshop, LLC. The City determined that the WSU proposal provides the city with the best product as well as the best value. Cost to the City will be $85,000.00.

Commissioners accepted the Hackberry Street Dedication to create street continuity and for the continued development of Liberal, and accepted Grants from the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks for park improvements in Mahuron Park and Blue Bonnet Park. These grants allow for:

a. Mahuron Park Playground in the amount of $47,941.50, with $47,941.50 in matching funds from the
City.
b. Blue Bonnet Park Playground in the amount of $16,419.59, with $16,419.59 in matching funds from
the City.
Both grants include site work, equipment and installation of playgrounds.

The Commission also approved a 2023 Housing Preservation Grant in the amount of $60,000. The City will contribute $25,000 in matching funds.

The Commission reappointed Chuck Lamberson to a four-year term to the Tourism Advisory Board with the term expiring in September 2027.

Approved at Monday’s meeting was a Placer AI Subscription. Placer AI is a tool used to learn how residents, employees, and tourists move throughout their areas. It is used in the collection of data that helps aid decision making related to demographic changes, economic patterns, trade patterns, and customer insights. The cost is typically $100,000 however the company is offering the city a two-year contract for $34,000 ($17,000 per year).

The Commissioners also reviewed additions or deletions that resulted from the September 8, 2023 budget work session.