The Liberal City Commission met on Tuesday evening and kick-offed the meeting Proclaiming October 4-10, 2026, as Fire Prevention Week. Commendations were also awarded to members of the Liberal Police Department for their efforts at a residential structure fire on Westhaven Drive.
Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 2463, authorized the application submission for the Kansas Tourism Department’s Attraction Development Grant for playground equipment at the Mid America Air Museum. The proposed project includes a large airplane-themed playground set, playground turf, pole-mounted solar lighting, fencing, and benches.
The Commission adopted Ordinance No. 4659 allowing the special use of a religious place of worship on 401 and 441 Industrial Avenue. This is the old Mosaic location.
Commissioners gave approval to Resolution No. 2466, authorizing the City of Liberal to prepare and submit a BLOCK Program grant application to the Kansas Deparment of Commerce on behalf of the Seward County Development Corporation as the grant applicant. The BLOCK Program grant provides a unique opportunity for a one-time, 1:1 grant match of up to $500,000.00 to assist in the transformation of a downtown block. Only one award will be made in the state.
Ryan Martin was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board for a term ending January 2029. The City received a grant that provides up to $140,944.00 in funds for eligible purchases of technology deployed to improve the safety, accessibility, and effective mobility for all transportation users. The City’s project involves smart signal upgrades to three critical intersections in the city:
• 11th Street & Kansas Avenue
• Pine Street & Kansas Avenue
• Pershing Avenue & Pancake Boulevard
The total cost of the project is $226,271.00. Of this amount, $137,896.00 is reimbursable through the KDOT grant, with the remainder of the project to be matched by the City. Commissioners voted to approve the equipment purchase for the Smart Signals Project from Gades Sales Co., Inc. in the amount of $137,896.00 for this project.
In December 2025, the City of Liberal received a Federal Green Energy Tax Credit in the amount of $1,061,189.61 after a successful application stemming from the Solar Energy Project. The check was deposited into Fund 301 for Construction, which resulted in a positive cash balance of $746,610.61 in the project. The City Commission gave approval to transfer the positive cash balance of $746,610.61 from the Solar Energy Project within the Construction Fund to the General Fund, effective September 23, 2026.
