[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6385995,"mediaKeyId","2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f","parentId",2118687,"title","Votes at a glance: Liberal City Commission actions and housekeeping items","audioSeconds",4566,"startMs",216000,"endMs",4782000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f&start=216&end=4782","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f/thumbnail_216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6385995/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Liberal-City-Commission-actions-and-housekeeping-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385995-98a777131095f00609757c9082d78bef/orig.mp4?Expires=1772333484&Signature=jtqeegppTinZRzMcUZNBdyc4fO63NQtf~aUW1M24oGyjyrXd6F426U0qYQ-z8Ah-65DL5-v9haqMdgRo8mMf9f7HQ14WprRvo5idLvi8DE5UQc~cs-KPRtgtGLy0BFog8H5Ipxjm1FvDw~0rEIFk6Nvidna35SBKDwnO2DzNHT7GeBgtVUhp2L4N1GIf6XvO4x5QRQ3ClkV0ji9d2u5Q3JiLT6VjVVW7OMlj9xYaxxlPtvLtuqp51DkRyFPWbCZVAi9MNNK38zhDMBgTm7TJ8qAubewCjqoKZG3JKj8wH6i5AjTbs7XzkfuPJleQ3fu9msLVS6bkGC27bUCzT1Ad1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Liberal, KS","date","2025-01-15T13:46:34Z","article","Here is a concise summary of formal actions the Liberal City Commission took at the meeting.

• Mayor and vice mayor: Commissioners nominated and approved Jose Lar as mayor and Commissioner Landry as vice mayor by voice votes; both motions passed unanimously.

• Agenda and minutes: The commission approved the meeting agenda as printed and approved the Dec. 24, 2024 regular meeting minutes (each by voice vote, 5-0).

• Consent agenda: The consent agenda passed 5-0.

• Air Products purchase-and-sale agreement: Motion to approve updated agreement with infrastructure costs to come from Fund 260; sale contingent upon final FAA approval. Motion passed 5-0 (see separate article for details).

• Ordinance No. 4628 (rezoning 441 South Washington): Motion to rezone from C2 Commercial to R3 Multifamily passed 4-0 with one abstention.

• Ruby slipper slide contract: Motion to authorize contract with vendor to design, construct, ship and provide on-site installation assistance passed 5-0.

• Financial policies and procedural manual: Motion to approve the 2025 fiscal year financial policies and procedures manual passed 5-0.

• Official depository: Motion to designate Sunflower Bank as the official bank of record for primary banking services for the 2025 fiscal year passed 5-0.

• Official newspaper: Motion to designate the High Plains Daily Leader and Times as the newspaper of record for the 2025 fiscal year passed 5-0.

• Vouchers: Motion to approve vouchers in the amount of $2,418,607.76 passed 5-0.

• Executive sessions: The commission voted to go into executive session twice for personnel matters under KSA 75-4319(b)(1); no action was reported on return from executive session.

These items reflect the formal recorded motions and outcomes from the meeting; separate meeting notes and staff reports contain additional detail for several items, including the Air Products agreement, rezoning ordinance, and RHID discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Liberal Regular Commission Meeting 12/24/2024","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the commission approved reorganizational nominations, multiple housekeeping items, contracts and vouchers. Key substantive votes included approval of the Air Products purchase-and-sale agreement (contingent on FAA), rezoning of 441 South Washington (Ordinance 4628), and a contract for a ruby slipper slide.","taxTitle","Liberal City, Seward County, Kansas","taxId",70666,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385999,"Commission gives consensus to rescind and reestablish RHID for Larry and Hickory Street project; funding options discussed",787,2485000,3272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f&start=2485&end=3272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f/thumbnail_2485000.jpg","/articles/6385999/Kansas/Commission-gives-consensus-to-rescind-and-reestablish-RHID-for-Larry-and-Hickory-Street-project-funding-options-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385999-ff458dc990395533d8eb5a3934f318c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1772333484&Signature=gY-IOkf5-8jsyyvvBA6OE1XsvuD5sHQI7O1a8AhyhClntMRAr6FQ9Iq~O7ux7qjsA4nvRbqz-Oke5FRpuQ1YpvunnjAtPZL0jAq9YCNS1eE8tCbesllOrbq8ztx6ZrLW2jHtTTk9i-h~mkdcBzwsSXmLHPICNS0~qNG-qFl3410UFqxF1~KFehqMqHKKLErUTKoSWVd8KJeTuVUaDTRX2W1ekrzNOxVImsnxTh98sG1N4c12ceCY2UVx79IsqRQ--00w1xu~I95yGfFvRGJOOtCbig3HqMr-n5eYoOrN6rL223hQZB~5VGUvcpW5~Dxkz6PPGm3PYxcBnmJbC9vqMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberal City Commission gave consensus to move forward with rescinding a previously approved residential housing improvement district (RHID) ordinance for the Larry and Hickory Street development and to begin the process of establishing a new RHID with the proposed developer.

City staff reviewed an engineering estimate the developer provided for infrastructure work — roughly $1.4 million — and reported the city’s 1% sales tax Fund 260 has a cash balance of about $6.8 million. Staff said Fund 260 typically receives roughly $250,000 per month and that the fund already has several commitments, including roughly $1 million allocated to other housing projects and about $1 million previously discussed for Air Products infrastructure; staff said they prefer to keep $2.5 million available for existing maintenance and projects.

Staff and commissioners discussed the legal steps required. City counsel and staff advised the practical approach would be to rescind the ordinance that established the prior RHID, then pass a new ordinance and resolution to begin the public‑hearing process; that approach will restart the statutory timeline, staff said. The earliest public hearing date staff could schedule is March 11, and staff said they would seek guidance from the state to confirm whether rescission is required or if an administrative adjustment is possible.

Commissioners expressed a desire to expedite the process if the commission chooses to proceed — including the possibility of special meetings — and asked staff to coordinate with the state and prepare the ordinance and resolution for the next meeting. Commissioners acknowledged the project would delay planned bidding for streets by several months if the RHID process is restarted; staff said the developer had indicated the delay would be acceptable.

The commission’s consensus directs staff to draft the rescission ordinance and a new RHID resolution, consult with the state on the correct procedural steps, and return to the commission for action and scheduling of a public hearing.","Commissioners gave consensus to pursue rescinding a prior RHID ordinance and start the process to reestablish a new RHID for the Larry and Hickory Street housing project; staff reported an engineering estimate of about $1.4 million for infrastructure and that Fund 260 has a $6.8 million cash balance to support potential funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6386003,"Commission approves contract for ‘ruby slipper’ slide at tourist center",202,1917000,2119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f&start=1917&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f/thumbnail_1917000.jpg","/articles/6386003/Kansas/Commission-approves-contract-for-ruby-slipper-slide-at-tourist-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386003-29dc7923223a6f2a90ee2536968a9e2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772333484&Signature=SQ1b79xXofz6LVkWL5JH3PxBToYuYZwdQ96Dqbv1GvIKCLUCvnnUxWQ0CTN-fd4fCfjgAuYNRyz6Iaohktss9XLJgjyL2nXabzGUCVqKh5xxvczb1FzFan-k0XCD8f5zVbDct25X1-Hw6d0LZzmDHLwpWTDN6A~2zSgPA2RPhk0PEuXK8NpenOgIacbtjc2UxBvnJNhiI7tFgDXdPAnKgj7myIaqOxIdRrCQxiNgZgUeG75ONMMfaOxM~D6SVCxTGMEw9DkTGWF4EP5XZRYNMhgKCGwJdBJzhVbY5v4HURpcF6uhdlQqPxuM5DDSdT58Z8i~vNcp68dmluvIHZpr9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberal City Commission approved a contract to design, build and ship a custom “ruby slipper” slide to the city’s tourist information center and to provide on-site installation assistance.

Parks/tourism staff presented the contract with a Maryland-based vendor (referred to in meeting materials as Adventure Solutions) and asked the commission to authorize the city to sign. Staff said the vendor will build the slide, ship it to Liberal and send a lead installer to work with city crews. The company estimated three to four months for construction; staff expressed a target to have the slide in place by Memorial Day.

Commissioners discussed adding lighting and community events tied to the installation. Staff said the state had awarded a grant to help pay for the project and state tourism representatives had endorsed the attraction as a draw for visitors. The commission moved and seconded the contract approval and voted 5-0 to authorize signing.

Speakers also discussed claims the attraction could be the world’s largest of its kind; staff said they would look into formal certification (for example, Guinness World Records) later. Staff will return with installation details and any additional contract clarifications required before shipping.","The commission voted 5-0 to authorize a contract with the vendor to design, build and assist installation of a custom ruby slipper slide at the tourist information center; construction expected in 3–4 months with a target for Memorial Day installation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6386008,"Commission rezones 441 South Washington to R3 multifamily; vote 4-0 with one abstention",278,1705000,1983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f&start=1705&end=1983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f/thumbnail_1705000.jpg","/articles/6386008/Kansas/Commission-rezones-441-South-Washington-to-R3-multifamily-vote-4-0-with-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386008-33a2044ccbfc69e61148176eadd5f9a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1772333484&Signature=Dr0IXXRJ6gOjdNepTx4RH-DKqXQZ8w4iIWTKwP5diHbY1y9l4en4j22ssQ6ZMGfU33m6ahZuFLm-seMOquBPhIGJEZ4cPAJ13q1Esw9nC0nSf5AQXvKtzilZtb-cC0HZqXBMgDG2~zRU1S3lVFK7MM2mXMmJl-85V32BcqHKPMcN095j5tFmATL3kGNBJ-FGqtR3grtytWEouU2MvvOZIf8XNtzZx6cIMXIZM5oV6UzBTUR-SZf6GR0kvaLePSPOch1wvC7D8U9gKChU4q5Bdu-sNqBM1ZFwxN7b3Bjj8GC97GaGK4p6CzdGN69UOkXuYavn4uwpx8oZOTLPgF4iiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberal City Commission voted to approve Ordinance No. 4628, rezoning 441 South Washington from C2 Commercial to R3 Multifamily, with a 4-0 vote and one abstention.

City planning staff told commissioners the property is currently vacant and adjoins existing R3 zoning. The Planning and Zoning Board considered the application on Dec. 12 and unanimously recommended the commission approve the rezoning. Staff said building plans have been submitted for two duplexes (four residential units total) and that the developer has already begun some site grading for a pad that does not require a building permit.

Commissioner Parsons moved the ordinance and Commissioner Vasquez seconded. One commissioner, Ron, disclosed a working relationship: the property owner is an employee of French Construction and Ron said he had helped the owner through the process but stated he expected no financial gain. The city attorney advised that if a commissioner had concern about a possible conflict, it is better to abstain; Ron did so. The motion carried 4-0 with one abstention.

Planning staff said the property will be split from four platted lots into two lots for the duplexes; because the lots are already platted the split will require only administrative county action. No further conditions or variances were noted in the meeting record.

The ordinance adoption adds four residential units to the city's housing stock, according to submitted building plans; further permit inspections and approvals will follow standard building-department procedures.","The commission approved Ordinance No. 4628 to rezone 441 South Washington from C2 Commercial to R3 Multifamily after the Planning and Zoning Board's unanimous recommendation; the vote passed 4-0 with one commissioner abstaining because of a potential conflict of interest.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6386015,"Liberal City Commission OKs land sale to Air Products, contingent on FAA approval",1214,506000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f&start=506&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118687-cb5ca5f7e796657bfb98e50dd57ddb3f/thumbnail_506000.jpg","/articles/6386015/Kansas/Liberal-City-Commission-OKs-land-sale-to-Air-Products-contingent-on-FAA-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386015-3b74c85f0ec4825deb35910af2033e3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772333484&Signature=fCeStGZGm~dSPnDmteO8S4yd4EyXeX3vI9sIMT8mvsdiTL7EuZ35~mp1GIcw-g7Ar1DXaU9-aWzxBP98JPIVcY2biAQgIjolV4twnYzcGRjcgnOUlWd4HG7Wq0GnF-TYwAzYonNE14uQmwCqMSJgBuaGI5pyo3qNOfYZ4bYINlREABnF6gBCJ8BHbafvDxwzmo791ZdYPluTq4TvhefdmZN45ErDclnVfvhxYuZoonSjmwnw3CMtOSSSNdzV6jyq0QNsP9oUKy3TwyX97jYgIaL8v3CeTjGNCJjpx6Q5lcyO1glZ3SBgQdBe11BJUgmCl7itvpC0LT30sHAHkGTa6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberal City Commission voted 5-0 to approve an updated purchase-and-sale agreement with Air Products for about 13.23 acres of city-owned land, contingent on final Federal Aviation Administration approval.

City staff told the commission the agreement corrects parcel numbers and confirms acreage at 13.23 acres; the commission motion specified that infrastructure costs for the project will come from the 1% sales tax fund (Fund 260) for streets, drainage and capital improvements. Vice Mayor Landry moved the motion and Commissioner Parsons seconded it.

City staff and Air Products representatives told the commission the sale remains subject to a multi-step FAA review. Staff described the process as requiring a notice to FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., where it will sit for 30 days, then review at the FAA central office in Kansas City and a 30-day posting on the Federal Register before a deed release can issue — a timeline staff estimated at a minimum of about 60 days once the letter is submitted.

Air Products representatives gave a short presentation on the company and its Gardner Cryogenics operations, saying the firm operates an existing helium distribution terminal near Liberal and plans a phased facility that would start with roughly a 30,000-square-foot building and about 15 initial jobs, expanding in later phases. Company presenters said the project will include manufacturing and rehab of cryogenic transport vessels for helium and hydrogen and that scheduling and final site work depend on the FAA approval and the company’s timelines.

City staff noted a few typographical references in the draft agreement that counsel considered non‑substantive, and recommended approval contingent on the FAA process moving forward. If the commission approved the motion, staff said the mayor’s signature would authorize staff to send the required FAA notice immediately.

The commission discussion included confirmation that the FAA has cooperated with prior city property transfers and that staff did not foresee technical hurdles. After public comment opportunities, the commission approved the motion 5-0.

The sale remains contingent on completion of the FAA notice and review process and any resulting conditions required by FAA before a deed transfer can occur.","The Liberal City Commission voted 5-0 to approve an updated purchase-and-sale agreement with Air Products for about 13.23 acres, with infrastructure costs to come from the 1% sales tax fund (Fund 260); the sale is contingent on final Federal Aviation Administration approval and related notices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Liberal City Commission actions and housekeeping items

Commission gives consensus to rescind and reestablish RHID for Larry and Hickory Street project; funding options discussed

Commission approves contract for ‘ruby slipper’ slide at tourist center

Commission rezones 441 South Washington to R3 multifamily; vote 4-0 with one abstention

Liberal City Commission OKs land sale to Air Products, contingent on FAA approval