11-09-2015 MinutesCITY OF SALINA, KANSAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
November 9, 2015
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4:00 p.m.
The City Commission convened at 2:30 p.m. for Review of Community Art & Design Policy and at
3:45 p.m. for Citizens Forum.
v The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in Room 107,
City -County Building. Roll call was taken followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of
silence.
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lose present and comprising a quorum: Mayor Jon R. Blanchard (presiding), Commissioners
tye Crawford, Trent Davis, Randall Hardy, and Karl Ryan.
so present: Jason Gage, City Manager; Michael Schrage, Deputy City Manager; Greg Bengtson,
ty Attorney; and Shandi Wicks, City Clerk.
AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS
None.
CITIZEN FORUM
None.
(PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR A CERTAIN TIME
None.
(CONSENT AGENDA
(6.1) Approve the minutes of November 2, 2015.
(6.2) Approve a request to allow Salina Downtown, Inc. to reallocate $12,000 in City
funds originally granted to them for the purpose of buying downtown light pole
banner brackets to be used to purchase bicycle racks.
Moved by Commissioner Crawford, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the consent
agenda as presented. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATION
(7.1) Resolution No. 15-7296 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Members Agreement
with the Salina Airport Authority, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and Saline
County to create the Salina Community Economic Development Organization, Inc.
Jason Gage, City Manager, explained the IEDC review, the Economic Development
(EDO) Working Group, articles of incorporation, bylaws, funding and the
agreement.
Commissioner Davis stated he was initially strongly in favor of a separate location
for the EDO so the organization did not appear to be operating under one of the
member organizations and it could have its independent identity. He asked if the
organization would have a separate entrance and signage to the Chamber of
Commerce building. Mr. Gage stated that the organization would have a separate
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entrance to the building on the west side and signage would be created and posted.
Commissioner Davis asked if the location entrance and signage should be
incorporated into the agreement. Greg Bengtson, City Attorney, stated Exhibit D
addressed the location and signage and the exhibit was incorporated as part of the
agreement.
Mayor Blanchard asked if the phone lines for the organization would be separate
from the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gage stated the phone lines for the
organization would be separate but the receptionist of the Chamber could assist
with answering phone calls.
Commissioner Hardy asked if a timeline had been established for hiring staff. Mr.
Gage stated once the board was established, the framework would be created for
staffing, then the next step would be to market for the hiring of staff.
Mayor Blanchard asked for the noticeable differences the public would see in the
organization. Mr. Gage stated there would be an independent collective body entity
that would be responsible for much of the primary tasks associated with economic
development.
Mayor Blanchard asked what the anticipated outcomes would be for the
organization. Mr. Gage stated there would be focus on the community's economic
health and the metrics and standards the IEDC recommended.
Ray Hruska, 235 N. Santa Fe, asked if the Salina Economic Development Incentives
Council (SEDIC) committee would dissolve, the amount of funding of the Chamber
of Commerce would contribute, the amount of money spent on staffing and paper
so far, why the citizens couldn't vote on the creation of the organization. Mr.
Hruska continued to express his thoughts on the creation of the organization. Mr.
Gage stated the funds allocated to the SEDIC would be the same funding for the
new organization and the determination of the SEDIC board had not been
determined. Mr. Bengtson stated the in-kind support and the monetary support of
the Chamber of Commerce were included on Exhibit D of the agreement. Mr. Gage
stated he was not aware of the amount of money spent on staffing and paper and
the item was considered an administrative item that could be voted on by the City
Commission. Mr. Gage provided information on economic development and the
creation of the organization.
Commissioner Davis stated that communities had two choices, to continue to move
forward or to die and continued to provide his thoughts on what could be lost if the
City Commission did not vote for the creation of the organization.
Mayor Blanchard asked if the same services provided by the Chamber of Commerce
members would be extended to non-members. Frank Hampton, Chamber of
Commerce Board Chair, stated the Chamber of Commerce would actively help non-
members but would try to recruit them to become a member.
Commissioner Crawford thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Salina Airport
Authority, and Saline County for working together to create the organization.
Mr. Bengtson asked if the members could determine a recommended date each
member would appoint and qualify the members of the board. Mr. Gage stated the
Salina Airport Authority would meet on November 18, 2015 to approve the
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appointments.
Mr. Gage asked Rita Deister, Saline County Administrator, when the County would
have board appointments completed. Ms. Deister stated that the Saline County
Commission would vote on the item November 17, 2015 and stated the County had
not received expression on interest forms yet.
A conversation ensued between the Commission, Mr. Bengtson and Mr. Gage
regarding the date members should be appointed. The City Commission reached
the consensus to set December 15, 2015 as the date each member would appoint and
qualify its appointees to the board.
Moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Hardy, to adopt Resolution No. 15-
7296 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Members Agreement with the Salina Airport Authority,
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and Saline County to create the Salina Community Economic
Development Organization, Inc. with inclusion of the date of December 15, 2015 in Section 6 of the
agreement.
(Mayor Blanchard provided his thoughts on the creation of the organization, thanked the Salina
Airport Authority, Salina Chamber of Commerce and Saline County for the partnership.
(Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried.
(7.2) Resolution No. 15-7297 making certain findings and determinations giving
authority to the City of Salina, Kansas to partner with Heartland Housing Partners,
LLC and apply for and participate in the Kansas Moderate Income Housing
Program.
Michael Schrage, Deputy City Manager, explained the partnership, the application
process, the request, and modifications to the application and resolution.
Commissioner Davis asked if it would be obligating ourselves either morally or
administratively by joining the application at this point. Mr. Schrage stated staff
made every effort in the grant application along with communications to the
applicant to make it clear that the requests for the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment, Land Use Approvals and the Rural Housing Incentive District
financing would be made and the outcome would be determined.
Commissioner Davis asked if page 8 of the application referencing jobs would need
to be completed prior to submittal. Mr. Schrage stated the questions would be
marked as unknown unless the Chamber of Commerce provided responses.
Commissioner Hardy asked for the definition of moderate income. Mr. Schrage
stated it was a percentage of the area median income.
Mayor Blanchard stated a letter was submitted to the City Commission by a citizen
pertaining to the pre -determination of the land use. Greg Bengtson, City Attorney,
stated pre -determination was a concern either in favor or against the application
and explained the Commission would have to speak generally about the matter and
not specifically to a location.
Ross Vogel, Heartland Housing Partners, LLC, thanked Mr. Schrage and staff for
the help on the project. Mr. Vogel stated past applications had been submitted to the
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State without the zoning completed, explained the definition of moderate income,
and discussed rent for the units.
Commissioner Hardy asked about the location of the complex. Mr. Vogel stated the
location of the complex was based on his past experience.
Mayor Blanchard asked what a gap filler in the application meant. Mr. Vogel stated
the wording was typical wording for the State and it meant the funding wasn't
really there.
Commissioner Crawford asked about the housing study pertaining to three
bedroom units. Gary Hobbie, Director of Development Services, stated lack of
availability for three bedroom units.
Commissioner Davis asked for additional information on the complex. Mr. Vogel
provided information on the green space and apartment designs of the complex.
Moved by Commissioner Crawford, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to adopt Resolution No. 15-
7297 making certain findings and determinations giving authority to the City of Salina, Kansas to
partner with Heartland Housing Partners, LLC and apply for and participate in the Kansas
Moderate Income Housing Program.
Commissioner Davis stated he was concerned about the pressure the approval could put on future
commission members. He felt the Comprehensive Plan never stood for anything because it was
never adhered to. Mr. Bengtson stated the board members would have to be reminded of the
quasi-judicial matters pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Land Use
approvals.
Commissioner Hardy asked if Comprehensive Plans in general tend to be more static or more of an
evolving kind of thing. Mr. Schrage stated the Comprehensive Plan could be amended but there
was a general premise behind the Comprehensive Plan that would be upheld as part of those
amendments.
ye: (3). Nay: (2) Davis, Blanchard. Motion carried.
(7.3) Resolution No. 15-7298 authorizing the Mayor to execute a compliance agreement
with George Meinhardt providing for an extension of time to repair or remove the
designated dangerous structure located at 906 N. 11th Street.
Jim Brown, Building Official, explained the compliance agreement, extension dates
and scope of work.
Michael Schrage, Deputy City Manager, stated the owner of the property was
incarcerated for a probation violation and the property manager was available to
address the Commission.
Commissioner Davis asked for clarification on the costs. Mr. Brown stated the buy-
out amount of $4,000 and the hard costs of $1,087.77 would be the required payment
along with the financial security deposit.
Mayor Blanchard asked if commission action alternative 1 and 3 would be the same
if the property owner would not execute the agreement and submit required
payment by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015. Mr. Schrage stated yes.
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Elwin Ocasio, 731 Joanie Lane, stated his services were retained for management of
George Meinhardt's properties.
Mayor Blanchard asked if Mr. Ocasio was able to provide payment by Friday,
November 13, 2015. Mr. Ocasio stated his plan was to obtain the money from Mr.
Meinhardt and continue to work with the contractor to have the repairs completed
by the completion date.
Mr. Gage asked if there was a contract between Mr. Meinhardt and Mr. Ocasio. Mr.
Ocasio stated there was not a written contract.
Commissioner Davis asked if the payment would be Mr. Meinhardt's money and or
Mr. Ocasio's money. Mr. Ocasio stated the payment would come from Mr.
Meinhardt.
Kevin Christensen, High Class Homes, stated he went through the property with
the property manager and was able to determine the list of repairs needed for the
structure.
Commissioner Hardy asked if the contractor or property manager would have
access to work with Mr. Meinhardt prior to Friday. Mr. Christenson stated the
contractor or property manager could work with the Mr. Meinhardt to establish a
bank account and provide payment.
Mayor Blanchard asked if the agreement and payment were not submitted by the
deadline, when could the property be demolished. Mr. Hobbie stated the structures
would be demolished within the next two (2) weeks.
Mr. Christensen asked if the demolition of the property or rehabilitating the
property would cost the taxpayers more money. Mayor Blanchard stated the
preference would be to repair the home and keep the property taxes current to
make the property a good home in the community.
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to adopt Resolution No. 15-
7298 approving the proposed compliance agreement, to establish a date of November 23, 2015 to
commence work and a date of January 2, 2016 to complete work, provided that the Compliance
Agreement is executed and the required payment of the City's costs as well as financial guarantees
are received no later than 5 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015. Work shall include all repairs and
renovations necessary to complete work necessary to remove the structure from the dangerous
structures listing and authorizing staff to proceed with the demolition if the owners fail to comply.
Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried.
DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
(8.1) Application #Z08 -10A, (filed by Jones Gillam Renz on behalf of S&B Motels, Inc.),
requesting approval of an amendment to an existing PC -5 (Planned Service
Commercial) District and the approval of a final site development plan for a
proposed hotel with a building height of 61 ft.
(8.1a) First reading Ordinance No. 15-10811.
(8.1b) Declare a compelling public interest exists to allow first and second
reading of the ordinance on the same day.
(8.1c) Second reading Ordinance No. 15-10811.
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Dean Andrew, Director of Planning explained the request, Planning Commission
recommendation and action options.
Jeff Gillam, representing S & B Motels, explained the height of the building.
Mayor Blanchard asked if the appearance of the convention center was a higher
quality appearance. Mr. Gillam stated the Hilton Garden Inn was a higher quality
hotel and convention center.
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to pass Ordinance No. 15-
10811 on first reading approving an amendment to an existing PC -5 (Planned Service Commercial)
District and the approval of a final site development plan for a proposed hotel with a building
height of 61 ft. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to declare a compelling public
purpose exists for second reading approval of Ordinance No. 15-10811 on the same day as the first
reading.
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to adopt Ordinance No. 15-
10811 on second reading approving an amendment to an existing PC -5 (Planned Service
Commercial) District and the approval of a final site development plan for a proposed hotel with a
building height of 61 ft. A roll call vote was taken. Aye: (5) Crawford, Davis, Hardy, Ryan,
Blanchard. Nay: (0). Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Hardy stated he attended drug court today, explained the phases of the
court and his experience attending.
Mayor Blanchard thanked staff for their work on the economic development organization.
Commissioner Crawford noticed the recent damage to the VFW building and encouraged
local contractors to contact the VFW to help repair the building.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Hardy, that the regular meeting of the
Board of City Commissioners be adjourned. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting
adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
[SEAL]
ATTEST:
Shands Wicks, CMC, City Clerk
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