Liberal City Commission Meets

The Liberal City Commission met Tuesday evening for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30pm in the City Commission Chambers. During the Comments From Citizens portion of the meeting, Paul Boles, Lidia Gray, and Tony Martinez discussed with the Commission the probability of getting a caboose for display purposes to set outside the Rock Island Depot. Tracks would be constructed,and fencing put in place. Also Martinez, who works for Union Pacific, stated that the crane that is currently housed at the Coronado Museum would be brought in, repainted, and added to the display. All of this would be funded by the railroad with no costs incurred by the City of Liberal. Since the parking lot project for te depot was already on the agenda, Commissioners tabled the parking lot vote and instructed staff to meet with Martinez and pursue the posibility of adding the historical donations to the site. Staff will be reporting back to the commission by the next meeting. Among the items on the agenda, the Commissioners approved the renewal of Insurance for the City from Al Shank Insurance through Employers Mutual Company for 2011 at a premium savings of $13,611.00. The savings is largely due to a decrease in Workers Compensation claims. The Commission also approved the paying off of the General Obligation Bonds that were issued to perfect the Arkalon wells. By paying off the bonds 1 1/2 years early, the City saved roughly $14, 700.00. The money generated by the purchase of water from these wells by the Arkalon Ethanol plant resulted in the early payoff. At Tuesday nights meeting the Liberal City Commission also adopted Resolution 2127 whichs Calls for a Special Election on the Community Recreation Center. The Special Election will be held May 10, 2011. Bruce Jones was also appointed to serve on the Liberal Housing Authority Board at Tuesday’s meeting. The Liberal City Commission will next meet as a part of the Council Of Governments meeting on March 31st.