01-04-2016 Minutes16-0001
CITY OF SALINA, KANSAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
January 4, 2016
4:00 p.m.
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.
Those present and comprising a quorum: Mayor Jon R. Blanchard (presiding), Commissioners
Kaye Crawford, Trent Davis, Randall Hardy, and Karl Ryan.
Also present: Jason Gage, City Manager; Michael Schrage, Deputy City Manager; Greg Bengtson,
City 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 December 28, 2015.
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the consent
agenda as presented. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried.
I ADMINISTRATION
(7.1) Discussion on future capital improvements and sales tax.
Jason Gage, City Manager, provided the Commission and the public with a power point
presentation containing information on special purpose sales tax future considerations and
explained the information within the report.
Mayor Blanchard asked when the election was held for the current sales tax and what the
turnout was. Mr. Gage stated it was in November 2008 and he would obtain the turnout
information from the County Clerk and report the information back.
Commissioner Crawford asked when the current sales tax would sunset. Mr. Gage stated
early 2019 but staff could provide the Commission with the exact date.
A conversation ensued between the Commissioners and Mr. Gage on the necessity of the
continuation of the current special sales tax.
Commissioner Hardy stated that a portion of the sales tax would come from individuals
outside of the community. Mr. Gage stated that roughly one-third of the sales tax would be
generated from those outside of the community.
Commissioner Davis stated he was curious on the number of uses that would have been
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included in the general budget if the special sales tax was not an option. Mr. Gage stated it
would depend on the priority need.
Commissioner Ryan asked if it was important to keep the revenue options open. Mr. Gage
stated that the City of Salina's mill levy had been one of the lowest in the first class cities in
the State of Kansas.
Commissioner Crawford stated that she could support extending the current sales tax or a
higher percentage if a good portion of it was used for neighborhood streets and wanted the
property tax left alone.
Mayor Blanchard stated he would like to see a particular amount set aside for
neighborhood streets and have the ability to pull money to make streets a complete street
as part of the comprehensive plan.
Mayor Blanchard stated he did not think the current sales tax rate met the current and
future capital improvement needs and thought the continuation of the current special sales
tax was necessary and stated there was a need for a modest increase.
Commissioner Crawford asked if the increase in streets, bridges and trails to $3.6 million
would allow for work to be performed on neighborhood streets. Mr. Gage stated yes, repair
to residential streets could be performed.
Commissioner Davis asked what the life expectancy would be on the street repairs. Mr.
Gage stated the basis of the street and preventative maintenance would increase the life
expectancy of the streets. Daniel Stack, City Engineer, stated if progress was made to keep
the streets from declining the life expectancy of the streets would increase.
Commissioner Crawford asked how many miles of street the City of Salina had. Mr. Stack
stated it was over 600 miles.
A conversation ensued between the Commission, Mr. Gage and Mr. Stack regarding the life
expectancy of streets and the estimated annual cost for streets, bridges and trails.
Commissioner Crawford asked if the park facility rehab/ replacement funds could be used
for the park restrooms. Mr. Gage stated the funds could be used for park improvements
including the park restrooms.
Commissioner Hardy stated he thought the future use considerations list touched a wide
range of needs in the community.
Mayor Blanchard stated he felt the economic development and Smoky Hill River renewal
were linked together and they provided an opportunity for visitors and residents. Mr. Gage
stated we live in a consumption oriented society.
Mayor Blanchard stated he would be in favor of including the Smoky Hill River renewal.
Commissioner Hardy asked if the Smoky Hill River renewal would take a load off of the
drainage system or levee system. Mr. Gage stated staff would know more when the base
flood elevation maps were available and stated there were things that could be done to
clean out the river and enhance the river system.
Mr. Gage stated the most important information staff would need is when the City should
consider asking voters to consider a renewal.
Judy Larson, 2801 Ray Avenue, stated there were two things she had not heard today and
that was pertaining to brick streets and properly working street lights. Mr. Gage stated
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brick streets were in the equation and citizens or staff could notify Westar Energy of a
needed repair to a street light.
Norman Mannel, 7532 W. Pleasant Hill Road, felt the public should be able to vote on the
sales tax increase. Mayor Blanchard stated it was a referendum that would go to a vote to
the people.
Mayor Blanchard asked if staff would like a consideration of a higher increment. Mr. Gage
stated the strongest consensus on the timing was the biggest factor.
Mayor Blanchard asked for specifics on a special election. Mr. Gage stated there was
flexibility in the selection of the date of the special election.
Mayor Blanchard stated his thoughts were to have the largest number of voters.
A conversation ensued between the Commission and Mr. Gage regarding the type of
election and the time of year.
Commissioner Crawford stated she felt the election should be done in the spring with a
mail in ballot. Commissioner Ryan, Commissioner Hardy and Commissioner Davis agreed.
Commissioner Davis asked if there were restrictions pertaining to identification for mail in
ballots. Mr. Gage stated identification was required for voter registration.
Mayor Blanchard stated he felt April or May may be a little early.
Mayor Blanchard asked what approvals would be needed by the City Commission and if
the citizens had the ability to petition the approvals. Greg Bengtson, City Attorney, stated
the approvals would be approved by ordinance and he would have to look into
information on the ability to petition.
Commissioner Hardy asked if the river renewal would be adversely affected if it ended
early. Mr. Gage stated the bonds would need to be adjusted.
Mayor Blanchard asked staff to summarize the consensus information received from the
Commission. Mr. Gage stated there was a consensus to continue the special sales tax, the
current sales tax rate was not enough, the future use considerations were adequate and the
possibility of setting the spring of 2016 by mail in ballot for the election.
Commissioner Davis asked what the outcome of the river project would be. Mr. Gage
stated the physical rehabilitation of the entire length of the river would occur first with a
large combination trail around the entire river, fixing the dam behind the community
theatre and the ability to add additional pieces in the future.
Mr. Gage asked if there was a consensus on a 20 -year tax including the Smoky Hill River
renewal. The Commission responded in a consensus for a twenty year tax.
A conversation ensued between the Commissioners on the increment of the tax. The
Commission reached a consensus that the tax range would be between 0.25 and 0.40
increments or 8.65% and 8.80%.
DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
None.
OTHER BUSINESS
(9.1) Request for executive session (personnel).
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16-0002
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16-0093
Moved by Commissioner Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Hardy, to recess into executive session
for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to non -elected City personnel for
the reason that public discussion of the matter would violate the privacy rights of the non -elected
personnel involved; and reconvene at 6:15 p.m.
The City Commission recessed into executive session at 6:00 p.m. and reconvened at 6:15
p.m. No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, that the regular meeting of the
Board of City Commissioners be adjourned. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting
adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
[SEAL]
ATTEST:
Shanks, CMC, City Clerk
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• `��►id, Mayor
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