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In the first of four reports from task forces appointed by Mayor Greg Canuteson, the City Council learned at its Aug. 10 meeting that improvements to the city’s aging infrastructure come with a hefty price tag, an estimated $170 million.

Recognizing that Liberty is old, Canuteson said he expected that a lot of the city’s streets and bridges, storm and sanitary sewer systems, water supply and facilities needed repair or replacement, but he was surprised at the amount of money estimated to carry out the scope of the work identified.

“I didn’t expect it to be $170 million,” he said. “That’s a lot of money, and we don’t have it.”

The infrastructure task force was the first to complete its mission. Reports still to come are those covering science and technology, industrial park expansion and green initiatives.

Canuteson said the report from the industrial park task force was expected this week, and the science and technology report soon after. He said the green task force was still compiling information.

Although the infrastructure committee did not make specific recommendations for funding proposed improvements, the seven-member group acknowledged that the council faced some tough decisions.

“When needs exceed resources, it is inevitable that priority choices will be necessary,” the report said. “…Rather than suggest specific priorities, we hope that these recommendations provide the mayor and council a starting basis for the tough specific decision that will follow over the next months and years.”

Assistant City Administrator Dan Estes said the city budgeted $1.9 million in the 2009 budget for infrastructure needs, which included $380,000 in federal stimulus funds.

“We’re not really scratching the surface,” Estes said. “Part of the challenge is finding a mechanism to close the gap to the extent that we can.”

According to the report, needed are:

• an estimated $64 million for roads, bridges, sidewalks and curbs;

• an estimated $20 million to $30 million to upgrade sanitary sewers;

• an estimated $30 million to improve the storm drainage system;

• an estimated $20 million to upgrade the water distribution system;

• an estimated $26 million to address buildings and facilities. The committee suggested the city explore ways to cooperate with Clay County to meet space requirements for both.

The panel also expressed concern with the precarious financial condition of the enterprise funds, which are supported solely by utility water and sewer fees paid by customers.

Among its recommendations were to “raise rates and hook-up fees judiciously to restore finance soundness to the funds.”

Kansas City treats the city’s sewage, and it is anticipated that it will soon raise Liberty’s rates for that service.

THE DETAILS

In other business, the council:

- sent to a second reading scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24, a proposed tax litigation, class action settlement with AT&T for $360,229. The city would also collect $2,500 for legal expenses incurred. Last year the city settled similar lawsuits with several other telecommunications companies.

- approved a temporary liquor license by a 7-1 vote for Soroptimist International of Liberty for a beer garden during the Liberty Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26. Councilman Fred Foster voted against the request.

- approved a temporary liquor license by a 7-1 vote for the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary for Saturday, Sept. 19. Councilman Nick King voted against the request.

- appointed Jay Lemons, Mary Cravens, LeRoy Coe, Robert Corum and Coni Hadden to the Cemetery Advisory Committee.

- approved by a 7-1 vote to allow nonprofit organizations with a permit to solicit along some city streets. Solicitation will not be allowed along Kansas Street from Interstate 35 up to and including the intersection at Missouri Highway 291. Councilman Lyndell Brenton voted against the ordinance.

- approved application of a $100,000 matching grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for restoration of failing trails within the Westboro Canterbury Greenway.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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