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04-17-1978 Minutes Organizational1 1 City of Salina, Kansas Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners April 17, 1978 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room, City -County Building, on Monday, April 17, 1978, at four o'clock p.m. I The Mayor asked everyone to stand for the opening ceremony. There were present: Mayor Keith G. Duckers, Chairman presiding Commissioner Dan S. Geis Commissioner Karen M. Graves Commissioner Gerald F. Simpson Commissioner Jack Weisgerber comprising a qourum of the Board, also: L. 0. Bengtson, City Attorney Norris D. Olson, City Manager D. L. Harrison, City Clerk Absent: None The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 10, 1978 were approved as printed. THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED the Week of April 23 through 29, 1978 - "ENERGY AWARENESS WEEK IN SALINA, KANSAS". The Proclamation was read by Mary Ann Powell, League of Women Voters, Energy Chairperson. THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED the Week of April 23 through 29, 1978 - "NATIONAL YWCA WEEK", AND APRIL 23rd - "INTERNATIONAL DAY AT THE SALINA YWCA". The proclamation was read by Pam Heidrick, YWCA President. THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED April 29, 1978 - "KANSAS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AWARENESS DAY". The proclamation was read by Jim Bigelow, K.T.I. Student. STAFF AGENDA BIDS WERE RECEIVED for the construction of the Carver Neighborhood Center: Bob Albers Construction Base $132,487.00 Alternate 1 add 15,754.00 Alternate 2 add 5,220.00 Alternate 3 deduct 2,500.00 Will require 240 calendar days. Western Construction, Inc. Base $136,500.00 Alternate 1 add 13,000.00 Alternate 2 add 4,600.00 Alternate 3 deduct 3,500.00 Will require 200 calendar days. Nelson & Company Building Contr. Base $141,900.00 Alternate 1 add 12,500.00 Alternate 2 add 5,200.00 Alternate 3 deduct 2,400.00 Will require 210 calendar day Architect's Estimate Base $142,000.00 Alternate 1 add 19,500.00 Alternate 2 add 3,500.00 Alternate 3 deduct 2,000.00 100 , A motion was made by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner Geis to refer the bids to staff for checking and to report back before the end of the meeting with a recommendation. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Simpson, seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to set the date of May 1, 1978 to receive bids for $755,000.00 Internal Improvement Bond Series P-221, and instruct the City Clerk to advertise for bids. (Street and utility improvements in Engineering Projects 75-596, 76-609, and 77-617). Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. THE CITY ENGINEER filed plans and specifications for street and utility improvements in Engineering Project 78-636, for Eastridge, Georgetown and Riverda' Additions. A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissionei Graves to approve the plans and specifications as filed. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Graves to set the date of May 1, 1978 to receive bids for Engineering Project 78-636, and instruct the City Clerk to advertise for bids. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. THE CITY ENGINEER reported on Petition Number 3691, filed by George Mull for parking restrictions on the south side of Wayne Avenue from Roach Street to Lewis Street, and recommended the approval of Petition Number 3691, with the addition that the restriction be extended to Belmont Boulevard to cover the entire frontage of the school property. The signs will read, "NO PARKING ANYTIME". A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Simpson to accept the City Engineer's recommendation. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "A RESOLUTION authorizing the installation and marking of the south side of Wayne Avenue from the east line of Roach Street to the west line of Belmont Boulevard, as a no parking zone." A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Simpson to adopt the Resolution as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Graves, Simpson, Weisgerber, Geis, Duckers (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it is numbered 3363• THE CITY ENGINEER reported on Petition Number 3694, filed by Kenneth Wasserman, for street and utility improvements to serve Block B, Park West Addition, that the signatures on the petition represent 790 of the property within the benefit district and it therefore a valid petition. A motion was made by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner Simpson to accept the City Engineer's report and approve the petition. Ayes: (5)• Nays: (0). Motion carried. PUBLIC AGENDA PETITION NUMBER 3696 was filed by residents in South Salina - "We the people of South Salina, having seen the designers plot of the South Salina Park, strongly support the plan. A South Salina park is definitely needed and we would request the progess be expedited as rapidly as feasible. "We wish to publicly express our appreciation for the quick action of the city government in implementing the park once it was approved and their concern for our tax dollars in not wasting money on expensive studies and needless committees. "It is also requested that the remaining hedge row be removed as soon as possible. The present hedge row is unsightly and will not fit into the overall design of the park. It is requested that one or several of this tree species be planted in the nature area to represent the osage orange, which is common to the area." Mr. Lee Rankin, 2608 Bret, was present and said the residents have noticed the work has slowed down and asked what the City Commission plans? 1 1 11 101 Mr. Olson reported that plans for the street, water and sewer improvemen s are ready to file so that work can proceed. i A motion was made by Commissioner Simpson, seconded by Commissioner Graves to refer the petition to the Salina Park Advisory Board, for consideration as a priority item on its first agenda. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. COMMISSION AGENDA "CONSIDERATION of the City purchasing Schilling Manor Housing from General Services Administration." (Sponsored by Commissioner Simpson) Commissioner Simpson - As a followup of our meeting with General Service Administration, and other interested parties the other day at which time it became very obvious that the City of Salina has no means to acquire this property, and that it is necessary to refer back to G.S.A. to go to private bids and I have heard some comments of concern, and naturally so, about this situation;' but I guess I am basically an optimist and I think that private interests can assume this responsibility and through an orderly disposition of the complex, enhance and encourage the continued economic growth of Salina and perhaps and hopefully can provide a segment of our community an opportunity to upgrade their housing situation, so Mr. Mayor I would move that we authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the General Services Administration advising them the City of Salina has no interest in purchasing Schilling Manor. Commissioner Graves seconded the motion. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. STAFF MEMBERS AND THE ARCHITECT reported on bids received for the Iconstruction of Carver Neighborhood Center, that Bob Albers Construction Company, Inc., is the low bidder with the base bid and alternates 1 and 2, of $153,461.00, and that all documents submitted with the bid are in order. A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to award the contract for the construction of Carver Neighborhood Center to Bob Albers Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of $153,461.00. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. Mayor Duckers - I would like to have the privilege of making a couple of final comments as Mayor of Salina. First of all, I see in the audience a very close personal friend of mine who also happens to be a former mayor of Salina, Bill Usher. I would also like to express to Bill, who is the chairman of the executive committee of St. John's Military School, which I preside over from time to time, when I am not involved in Salina business, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly express thanks to my Board of Trustees. Mr. Simpson is one of my Trustees also, for the time they have permitted me to take away from my responsibilities there to give to the City of Salina, and I sincerely appreciate that Bill and Jerry. A year ago today I expressed some administrative goals that I had that I felt were worthy of our efforts this year, primarily in the area of sensitivity to the problems of all of the citizens of Salina, and I feel that we were a sensitive commission. I think that we dealt with some difficult items where sensitivity was necessary, not the least of which was Lower Indian Rock Park and the problems that this was going to create for some of the neighbors in that area. The flood problem in youth Salina. We met with these people in south Salina and gave them an opportunity to express their views to us and I felt that we met that goal. I also have called for all of us to pull together to reach common goals and I think that we did that. The most significant to me, at least, was the Bicentennial Center and finally being able to, after the burning of mush midnight oil, agree on how it was to be built and where it was to be built, and what it was to look like, and what color the seats were going to be, and all those things we came to grips with and we did pull together on that. I am extremely pleased that the Neighborhood Center Program, which Carmen Chirveno does such a fine job heading up, is off the ground and Memorial Hall is being remodeled and the Centennial Park building is under construction and we have just today awarded Carver Center and I think that is another example of our pulling together. I think we were sensitive to the grievances of the citizens of Salina. We have had our share of phone calls, I know I have, and I know each of you have, and letters and personal calls and I think that when people were upset we gave them a chance to express their views to us and we tried to deal with them. I stated that I thought that the strength Df Salina depended on an active public, and jokingly at least, some have kidded us about all the appointments and the new boards and the commissions and groups i that were created. Not the least vocal of this group was the City Manager, but think in all frankness Norris, and others on the staff, we believe in involving people in Salina in making things happen. The Energy Commission, I think, has I been a real plus that was the creation of this Commission. The bike trail group I) which is meeting, and the park board which will have its initial meeting this week, and certainly the Bicentennial Center Governing Authority which has been �I working very hard in getting that going. These were all newly created boards and involved more people,more of our citizens in municipal government; but at the same time we had the guts to do away with one committee that had served its I' purpose, and served it well, and that was the baseball committee, Jerry, that you appointed when you were mayor, and they came to grips with some real difficult questions and they did their job well, and so when it was completed we disbanded j it. I pointed out that I felt that this Commission was made up of five individual! who had personal integrity and after serving with all of you for a year I can only say that I know the four of you do have and I feel that you have proved it to the citizens of Salina, and I have been very proud to be the chairman of your Commission. It seems to me that we have been objective and impartial and we have been free of bias, and most important I think, we have been free of the desire for any personal gains in making public business decisions and we have made a lot of them that involved a lot of the public's money this year. We have made some mistakes to be sure, but I think we have been willing to admit them when we did and we have dealt with them and been willing to give credit where it was due. I think my final point a year ago was that when I took office I hoped that when asked for an opinion we would evaluate all of the facts and then say what we mean, and certainly I have found that each of the four of you will speak out on how you feel about an issue and we haven't always agreed but we have been able to see each other's point. But there is a lot yet to be done and whoever is sitting here next week, I know, will want to get on with the program. We have made, I think, great strides and improved county - city relations and we are all pleased about this. Together with the Board of Education and the County we soon will be hiring an energy coordinator and I think this is an excellent example of cooperation between the three taxing units. The move to reinstitute the Metropolitan Planning Commission which, for one reason or another, was dissolved several years ago, the fact that the County has indicated to us, the county governing group, the County Commissioners have indicated to us that they are willing to cooperate with our planning and getting this thing back together as one entity is most gratifying. This needs to be coming before the tri - governmental council soon and I hope it can be implemented post haste. There are other things that we haven't gotten done, frankly I feel that we are letting the citizens of Salina down every day that we don't do something about the railroads. A week has passed since they were going to be doing something within a week and they still haven't, and I think we have to stay on those people and make them face up to their responsibilities. But so much for my swan song. It is time to reorganize and elect a new presiding officer to be Mayor of Salina for the next year. I would just simply like to conclude by thanking each of you for your cooperation and for your friendship and for your frank counsel, and certainly to Norris Olson and all the staff, and Larry Bengtson, and all of you for helping me and helping all of us this year. It has been a wonderful year, a wonderful experience and I thank the citizens of Salina for permitting me to serve them. At this time, I want to put on the hat of a City Commissioner and turn the gavel over to the City Clerk, Don Harrison, who becomes the presiding officer and acting mayor of Salina and we will let him take over and organize. ORGANIZATION MEETING The Board of Commissioners convened for the purpose of organizing. D. L. Harrison, City Clerk, presiding. Nominations for Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, secondedll, by Commissioner Graves, to nominate Commissioner Weisgerber for Mayor and Chairman! of the Board of Commissioners. There were no other nominations. The Presiding Officer declared the nominations closed, and a vote was taken. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Commissioner j Weisgerber was declared unanimously elected Mayor and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. i i 103 Nominations for Acting Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner Simpson to nominate Commissioner Graves for Acting Mayor and Vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners. There were no other nominations. The Presiding Officer declared the nominations closed, and a vote was taken. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Commissioner Graves was declared unanimously elected Acting Mayor and Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. The City Clerk turned the gavel over to Mayor Weisgerber. A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Simpson, that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:48 P.M. D. L. Harrison, City Clerk Mayor Weisgerber - Keith, on behalf of all of the citizens of Salina, and certainly on behalf of this City Commission we want to thank you for the fine job that you did as Mayor of Salina during this past year. I think everyone in this room realizes that it was an exceptionally busy year, with a great many major projects. I would like to list these. Unless you really look back over them you may not realize how many there really were. Our Bicentennial Center, we let the contracts and startedthe construction. On the renovation of Memorial Hall to a community center, the architect was hired, the work was done, constructi contract was let and that work is started. On Carver Center, as you know today, the architectural work was finished and the contract was let for the construction of that building. On the Centennial Center, the architect was hired and that work done and is under construction contract now. The ball diamond complex, as Keith mentioned, was a bit of a problem, it was worked out and the architectural plans are now in progress and they soon will be ready for construction on that particular complex. The engineer was hired to make the flood survey in south Salina, an engineer was also hired to do a study of the river to see what could be done about the river situation through Salina. Construction contracts were let in the Water Department to handle the sludge and also to build the lines that are necessary so that the residents in south and southeast Salina can have an ample supply of good clean water. Preliminary work has been done on Schilling Manor. The decision has been made as to which way the city is to go. Also started a winterization and rehabilitation program with the use of CD funds. These are just some of the unusual and major events of this last year in which Keith served as Mayor, and if we look forward to next year I think we would have to feel that a great deal of next year's activities are going to center around continuing progress on the items that have already been started. And the disposit of Schilling Manor will certainly be one of the most important things that the City will be involved in during this next year. It is also to be hoped, certainly that progress can be made on these railroad tracks, which it seems to be a perennial and long standing problem, but I do believe we are getting closer. wish I could say that this next year would also see the improvement in the paving of Crawford Street. That is in the progress and in the works, but it would not appear that funds will become available during this next year, so perhaps Karen, or perhaps Dan, on down the line, may be the Mayor when this change eventually comes about. There will be decisions to be made next year regarding the flood situation in south Salina when the engineer's report is received. The same will also hold true of the river study to decide where we go from there. Energy will be a continuing problem. There no doubt will be an energy coordinator, jointly with the City, County and School Board. As these various buildings, we have named 4 of them, as they become operational then there will be the problems of staffing, of budgeting, of finding the money to operate them properly and seeing that they become useful additional capital investments in the City of Salina. While we are speaking of staffing of those, let me mention one thing which has been mentioned before, but is so easy to overlook the importance of it. When we think about these more outstanding things, the more visible things that people have an interest in, it is so easy to overlook things which we take for granded. A good police department, a good fire department, good garbage pickup, sanitation, sewer system, water. All these things that we have every day. I want to issue a special thanks to Norris Olson and to all the department heads, because this day to day operation is an administrative situation and without good administrators, these things that in Salina we take for granted, we would not have, and certainly that is basic for the Commission to see that this is done. Again, Keith, a thanks from all of us for your year, and hope that the projects that you have started be continued well into the next year, and that all goes well.'' A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Simpson, that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:48 P.M. D. L. Harrison, City Clerk