On Tuesday, May 14th the Liberal City Commission addressed the following items during their regularly scheduled meeting:
The meeting opened with an award recognition for Alicia Hidalgo, City Clerk. Hidalgo recently completed her Master Municipal Clerk advanced training program, which is the highest accreditation level granted through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Consent Agenda items (airport leases, cereal malt beverage license) were approved by the Commission.
The Commission voted to approve Resolution No. 2415 authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance a portion of the solar energy generation improvement project to reduce energy operating costs at City Hall, Liberal Police Department, Liberal Recreation Center, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Operating cost projections show an estimated return on investment of 15 years, with $16M in cash flow savings over the 40-year lifespan of the solar panels.
City Commissioners next voted to approve the purchase of body armor for 11 Liberal Police Department officers, as well as a greens mower and sand bunker rake for the Willow Tree Golf Course.
Staff presented the Commission with an updated financial policy and procedures manual which outlines staff responsibilities pertaining to purchasing and financial expenditures and identifies budgetary calendar deadlines. The Commission voted to approve the manual as presented.
City Commissioners moved to approve a Language Access Plan to support the current Title VI policy and Limited English Proficiency Plan. The language access plan defines structured physical and staff resources to assist individuals with limited English proficiency obtain access to suitable translation services. The plan includes ongoing assessment of the accessibility and quality of language access services being provided to meet clients’ needs.
Commissioners voted to approve adoption of a new official slogan, as well as a modified City of Liberal logo. The “crossroads of commerce” slogan will become “from generosity to prosperity.” The slogan was identified as a preference through community engagement efforts conducted in 2023. The slogan change requires a modified logo, which will be phased into branding over time to avoid expenses related to an immediate overhaul of branded resources.
City Commissioners reviewed and approved a recommendation to appoint Debra Huddleston to the Liberal Memorial Library board for a four-year term.
The Commission also reviewed and approved a land transfer agreement to trade four City-owned lots of land suitable for housing development with two lots of undersized land owned by G&G Developments. The undersized lots will be used by the City of Liberal to provide utility easements needed for infrastructure installation. The lots traded to G&G Developments are located along Griffith and Larry Street in Southeast Liberal and must be used to build residential housing.
At the request of Commissioner Vazquez, the Commission opened discussion about Ordinance No. 4617. The ordinance, adopted by the Commission on April 23, institutes an annual registration requirement for all cats and dogs over the age of six months of age within Liberal’s city limits to begin in January 2025. The Commission listened to citizen feedback and answered questions; however, no action was taken on the item.
The next regularly scheduled Liberal City Commission meeting will take place May 28th at 5:30 p.m.