The Liberal City Commission approved replacement heaters for the Mid‑America Air Museum hangar and authorized work to remediate the building’s original fire sprinkler deficiencies.

Museum representatives told the commission that 25 unvented infrared heaters were producing water vapor inside the 80,000‑square‑foot hangar, causing condensation and rain during frost events. The museum’s presentation said an engineering firm recommended discontinuing the unvented heaters and installing nine vented forced‑air heaters that would vent water vapor outside; the museum said eight would replace existing heaters and one would be added to an unheated corner.

Museum staff said they have enough in their building maintenance budget to do limited ceiling/insulation patching, but the heater purchase and installation required outside quotes. The commission approved a motion to purchase replacement heaters from Lins Total Comfort Liberal for an amount not to exceed $32,000, with payment from the museum’s operating budget. Commissioner Parson moved the heater purchase; Commissioner Vasquez seconded. The vote passed 4-0 with one abstention (an abstention was recorded because one of the bidders is a family member of a commissioner).

On the same facility, staff reported the annual sprinkler inspection identified multiple deficiencies, including painted or corroded sprinkler heads and valves the inspector recommended replacing. McDaniels Company of Wichita provided the lowest remediation bid; city staff also sought two additional estimates including one from a local company, CF Service and Supply. Commissioners discussed a policy concern about using the inspection firm to perform remediation work and noted community benefit from awarding work locally.

The commission moved to waive the city’s purchase policy and award the sprinkler remediation work to CF Service and Supply for an amount not to exceed $8,000 (the company’s submitted amount was discussed in the packet). Commissioners recorded support for using a local firm when the price difference was small.

Museum staff said replacing insulation throughout the hangar — a full replacement estimate discussed for context — would have been near half a million dollars, and that the heater changeover and targeted ceiling repairs could resolve the condensation problem without full insulation replacement.

Commissioners asked staff to monitor the outcomes; if the heater replacement does not fully resolve the moisture issue, further repairs including insulation replacement remain an option.