On Tuesday, January 9th the Liberal City Commission addressed the following items during their regularly scheduled meeting:
Annual reorganization of the City Commission took place, with commissioners Jose Lara, Ron Warren, and Matthew Landry sworn into office following the November 2023 election. The Commission voted to elect Jose Lara as Liberal’s Mayor and Jeff Parsons as Vice-Mayor.
Consent Agenda items (cereal malt beverage licenses, code enforcement statistics, and an update from the Seward County Development Corporation) were approved by the Commission.
Commissioners voted to approve Resolution No. 2407 and set a public hearing for the development of a rural housing incentive district for the Ortuno Addition in south Liberal. The public hearing will take during the City Commission meeting on February 13th. The housing district development plans show proposed construction of 8 multi-family homes and 37 single-family homes.
The commission next approved the purchase of CivicGov permitting software, which would allow citizens to apply for permits and licensing using an online portal.
Commissioners reviewed the Planning & Zoning Board appointment of Ernesto Goitia Jr. In accordance with the Liberal Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals bylaws for attendance and the board’s recommendation, Commissioners voted to vacate this seat and seek a replacement to appoint to the board.
An update on 2023 grant activity and awards was presented. The City of Liberal received grant funding for 21 projects in the amount of $2,399,286 last year.
Commissioners voted to approve Resolution No. 2408, which waives the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a (a) regarding Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for financial statements and reporting for the year ending 2023. Financial statements and financial reports for the City of Liberal will be prepared on the basis of cash receipts and disbursements to show compliance with the State of Kansas cash basis and budget laws.
The Commission voted to approve the designation of Sunflower Bank as the City’s official depository of funds. Commissioners also voted to approve the High Plains Leader & Times to be the newspaper of record for official publications.
The next regularly scheduled Liberal City Commission meeting will take place January 23rd at 5:30 p.m.