06/10/2026
Highlights from Monday night's City Council Regular Session meeting included:
- Approval of several appointments for Board and Commission members. Thank you to the following citizens for serving as volunteers to the Boards, Commissions and Committees that help shape the City of Liberty.
-- Historic District Review Commission: Appoint Amie Francois to a term expiring 7/1/2029 and reappoint Vern Drottz and Aimee Gray to terms expiring 7/1/2031.
-- Liberty Arts Commission: Reappoint Katie McDonald to a term expiring 5/15/2029.
-- Parks and Recreation Foundation: Appoint James Cooper to a term expiring 1/1/2030.
- PUBLIC HEARING - Approval of the adoption of new Downtown Design Guidelines, with a minor amendment that was noted in the motion to approve. In April 2023, Mayor Canuteson established a Downtown Task Force to explore opportunities for infill development within and around the historic downtown area. The guidelines are intended to support thoughtful development in the downtown area, specifically looking at infill opportunities around the business district and providing clear direction for new construction so that it grows in harmony with the character, scale, and architectural qualities that define our historic downtown. Once the approved amendment is added to the guidelines, a final document will be posted online.
- Approval of an ordinance accepting a permanent public easement for sidewalk facilities at 316 E. Franklin Street. The residential redevelopment requires the removal and replacement of a sidewalk located right next to a tree estimated to be over 250 years old. After discussions with the property owner, it was determined that adjusting the sidewalk alignment to avoid disturbing the tree's root system was the best course of action. This adjustment necessitated relocating the sidewalk outside of the public Right of Way and onto private property. To ensure continued public access to the new sidewalk, a permanent public sidewalk facility easement was obtained from the property owner at no cost to the City. This action officially accepts the public easement from Capstone Homes LLC.
- Approval of an ordinance accepting an agreement with Environmental Works, Inc. for environmental services for the Liberty Police Expansion Project in an amount not to exceed $62,470. During excavation, McCownGordon Construction discovered contaminants in the soil. Environmental Works, Inc. (EWI) tested soil samples and found trace amounts of petroleum products below Missouri's regulatory levels, necessitating disposal as non-hazardous waste. EWI will oversee the disposal of the impacted soil and rainwater. The City declared the situation an emergency, allowing the City Administrator, with the Mayor's consent, to expedite the disposal contract on May 28, 2026, to ensure project compliance and progress.
- Approval of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 11957 approving a CRP Funding Agreement between the City of Liberty and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to provide funding assistance for the construction of the Liberty Drive sidewalk missing link connection project by increasing the reimbursable amount by $82,000 from an amount of $250,000 to $332,000. This project aims to fill a gap in the sidewalk network along the south side of Liberty Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and Red Oak Lane, enhancing connectivity and compliance with ADA standards. The project is fully designed and pending MoDOT authorization to bid.
- Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Liberty Public Schools for the temporary installation of C'est La Vie, a city-owned sculpture at Franklin Elementary School for up to one year.
- Approval of the artwork purchase and exhibition agreement for the acquisition of a sculpture titled "Spider" by Nathan Pierce to be used for public exhibition. The sculpture, currently part of the 2025-26 Rotating Sculpture Program is on display at the SE corner of Main and Kansas. This is the 18th sculpture purchase for the City's permanent art collection and is funded by the Transient Guest Tax. This fall, when the current exhibit of the Rotating Sculpture Program ends, Spider will be moved to a permanent home at the Capitol Federal Sports Complex.
Want to see what's coming up on the City Council agenda?
-- Agendas for the City Council meetings are typically posted on Thursdays ahead of the Monday meeting » https://bit.ly/3UMvzN7
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The next City Council meeting is a Regular Session on Monday, June 22.
