02-09-2009 Minutes
KENWOOD PARK COUNTY/CITY MEETING
Saline County-City of Salina, Kansas
February 9, 2009
City-County Building, Room 107
1). INTRODUCTION:
County Commission Chairman Randy Duncan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2). ATTENDANCE:
Saline County Commissioners attending this meeting were Randy Duncan, Jerry Fowler, and John
Reynolds. City Commissioners attending were Mayor John Vanier, Aaron Peck, Luci Larson, Abner
Perney, and Alan Jilka. Saline County staff in attendance were Rita Deister, County Administrator; Don
Merriman, County Clerk; Mike Montoya, County Counselor; Phil Penn, Livestock and Expo Center
Director; Dave Nowak, Road and Bridge Director; and Brad Bowers, Saline County IT Director. City of
Salina staff attendees were Jason Gage, City of Salina Manager; Mike Schrage, Deputy City Manager;
Greg Bengtson, City Attorney; Steve Snyder, Parks and Recreation Director; and Martha Tasker, Utilities
Director. Others present were Dennis Lauver, CEO and President of the Salina Chamber of Commerce,
and Gary Swartzendruber.
3). COMMISSIONER RANDY DUNCAN: Randy expressed the County's dilemma and desire to
improve the existing facilities at the Expo Center in Kenwood Park. The County needs an additional lease
to allow time to accomplish repairs and replacements on the Expo buildings. The County does not have an
alternative place to go, and that fact is why this meeting is being held.
4). MIKE MONTOYA, COUNTY COUNSELOR, UPDATE:
Mike related the negotiations with the City of Salina for an additional lease. The Kenwood Park lease
terminates March 19,2009.
5). MAYOR JOHN VANIER COMMENTS:
The park is an underutilized asset; upgrades of the River Channel (Friends of the River) and developing a
new aquatic center are in the planning stages.
6). COMMISSIONER ABNER PERNEY:
The Bicenter and Expo Center are heavily subsidized facilities. The community needs to develop a master
plan for both parks (Oakdale and Kenwood).
7). MAYOR JOHN VANIER:
Discussed the possibility of a hotel connected to the Bicenter and the availability of infrastructure for the
relocation of the Expo Center. Also, asked how important is the County Fair?
8). COMMISSIONER JERRY FOWLER:
Asked about the development possibility by the City and how long the County may be able to stay at the
location in Kenwood Park.
9). GREG BENGTSON, CITY ATTORNEY:
Suggested that the lease term be changed to September 1 through August 31, to accommodate the
maximum number of fairs.
10). COMMISSIONER JOHN REYNOLDS:
Relayed that the County just needs to ask for an extended lease in order to plan the future of the Expo
Center.
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KENWOOD PARK COUNTY/CITY MEETING CONTINUED
11). COMMISSIONER LUCI LARSON:
Asked what type of events that the Expo Center was not able to accommodate in Phil Penn's
report?(mostly agriculture related events.)
12). JASON GAGE, CITY MANAGER:
"What does the Public want?" Maybe should conduct a survey.
13). COMMISSIONER ALAN JILKA:
Feels that there is minimal support at best for moving the Expo Center, but continue to conduct
maintenance on the existing facility.
14). DENNIS LAUVER, SALINA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
Wanted to focus on the process and suggested a park survey. Mr. Lauver reported that there is a
consultant team available to study the issue. Mr. Lauver offered an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 for
the cost of a facilitator.
15). ADJOURNMENT: Commission Chairman Randy Duncan adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
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