The Abilene City Commission wasn’t ready to decide the fate of the Abilene City Hall and Auditorium at its regular meeting Monday. City Engineer Mark Bachamp with Olsson Associates started a study of a renovation of the municipal court and Abilene Police Department. But he wasn’t sure if he should continue spending all of the $34,000 allocated.... They agreed to place the question on the City’s Roundtable at www.opentownhall.com/portals/299/Issue_7256 to solicit comments from the public. City Manager Austin Gilley said in the Roundtable introduction that the city hall building was designed for a 1925 operation and has outgrown its ability to [...]

The city has received a grant to help complete two sections in the trail system that will someday encircle Lawrence. Once complete, the Lawrence Loop will provide a continuous 22-mile concrete path around Lawrence, with connector trails linking it to neighborhoods. The city recently received a state transportation grant of nearly half a million dollars to help complete two sections of the trail in eastern Lawrence, but it will need to set aside additional funding as part of its upcoming budget process. The $480,000 Kansas Department of Transportation grant is for 2020 and requires a 20 percent match and other funding [...]

The Liberal City Commission began its most recent meeting Tuesday evening rather bittersweet as the commission said good-bye to a longtime employee. Solid Waste Department Director Frank Holman will be retiring from his post at the end of the month and received his retirement plaque from the commission. “Frank Holman will be retiring from the City of Liberal March 1, 2019 after 30 years of successful service,” Vice Mayor Taylor Harden said. “Frank has been a dedicated employee for many years and his hard work and dedication toward the betterment of the community is greatly appreciated. We at the City of Liberal [...]