04-16-1979 Minutes OrganizationalCity of Salina, Kansas
Regular Meeting of the Board
of Commissioners
April 16, 1979
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the City
Commission Meeting Room, City -County Building, on Monday, April 16, 1979, at
four o'clock p.m.
The Mayor asked everyone to stand for the opening ceremony.
There were present:
Mayor Jack Weisgerber, Chairman presiding
Commissioner Keith G. Duckers
Commissioner Dan S. Geis
Commissioner Karen M. Graves
Commissioner W. M. Usher
comprising a quorum of the Board, also:
printed.
L. 0. Bengtson, City Attorney
W. E. Harris, Acting City Manager
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk
Absent:
None
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting April 9, 1979 were approved as
STAFF AGENDA
The City Engineer reported on the sufficiency of Petition Number 3753,
filed by Richard Barlow for water and sanitary sewer to serve Lots 6 - 10, Block
1 and Lots 2 - 6, Block 3, Eastridge Addition, that the petitioner owns 90% of
the property in the benefit district and it is therefore a valid petition. A
motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Usher to accept
the City Engineer's report and approve the petition. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers to introduce an ordinance for first reading authorizing the City of
Salina, Kansas to acquire the real property hereinafter described and to acquire,
purchase, construct and equip a 100 -bed nursing home facility located and to be
located thereon to be leased to Salina Nursing Center, Inc., for commercial
purposes; authorizing and directing the issuance of $1,400,000 principal amount
of Industrial Revenue Bonds, Salina Nursing Center, Inc., Series of 1979, of
said City for the purpose of providing funds to pay the cost of acquiring,
purchasing, constructing and equipping said nursing home facility to be leased
to Salina Nursing Center, Inc; prescribing the form and authorizing the execution
of a lease by and between said city and Salina Nursing Center, Inc.; and
prescribing the form and requiring the execution of a separate guaranty agreement
by Salina Nursing Center, Inc., and by Joe l•l. Carmichael, Josaille Carmichael,
Leonard E. Stolz, Elizabeth C. Stolz, Clifford K. Ledoux, Ella L. Ledoux,
William S. Bradley and Betty K. Bradley, as guarantors. Ayes: (5). Plays: (0).
Motion carried.
Ordinance Passed: Number:
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A LETTER was received from the Salina Planning Commission recommending
the approval of Planned Development District Application 79-1, which was filed
by M & K, Development Company for Fox Run and Wheatridge Additions, subject to
several stipulations.
Ron 14illiamson, Bucher and Hillis, representing M & K Development
Company - We would like to address one item. He concur with the Planning
Commission's recommendation except on the point of the flood control system.
The way it is written up is that part of the easement part of it be dedicated to
the city, we feel it would be the best interest of the city and the development
that it all be dedicated and maintained by the public. 1,1e did meet with the
city staff, director of services, city engineer, and planning staff this afternoon
and they concurred with that also, that it really should be maintained and
accepted by the city, that it be dedicated to the city. That was the initial
intent in our discussions to point out to the planning commission that this was
an item to be looked at, but the intent was to have this further discussed with
staff and the developer and come to a conclusion. The Planning Commission did
however go ahead and attach it as a condition, and in our subsequent meeting we
had determined that it would be the best interest that it not be maintained by
the developer. The other improvements, such as other levies, the flood control
and other public improvements of the city have been constructed in many instances
by an improvement district or project such as this then maintenance has been
taken care of by the city. We feel this one should be treated in the same
manner as the other ones have. We felt that by the developer maintaining the
levee, that in this instance would be a change in policy from what you have
operated in the past. We also want to refer back to the five point program that
was developed when this project did go out to bid by different development
agencies and at that point it was pointed out that the sewers, streets, and storm
drainage improvements would be dedicated to the city, and our plan with it
being dedicated concurs with that. There was concern by city staff that if the
area along the park, levees that would be along the park land were dedicated to
the public and the other part of the levee was maintained by Homes Association
that if there was a flooding problem, or if one did occur, it would be very
difficult to assess as to where the problem was, so it would be much better to
have the whole thing maintained in a uniform manner. Those are our comments, I
would be glad to answer any questions that you might have.
Commissioner Geis - Is this the portion that was covered in the
Planning Commission meeting regarding that turning radius in the cul-de-sac
area? Has that been worked out to the satisfaction of planning on ..
Keith Rawlings - .. well the radius, that is actually a subdivision
matter and will have to be worked out before the final plat comes in. Part of
what makes this a little confusing is the fact that this is a planned development
district on the two areas combined and we have the same meeting previous to this
had preliminary plat approval requests on each of the two areas separately, and
the item you refer to is one of the ones that came up on plat review I believe
south of Fox Run Addition, and it has been worked out or will be before the
plat comes to you for final approval.
Commissioner Geis - Was there some confusion also, was it a water line
or a sewer line that may have lay, may be outside on the ..
Keith Rawlings - right, on the north side that is on the 1,1heatridge
Addition, yes and that also will have to be worked out with the plat. This is,
in effect, a rezoning. You will be getting the final plats at a later date.
Commissioner Usher - So I understand we can make the change from the
bench and it doesn't have to go back to planning.
Keith Rawlings - I am of the opinion that if you are basically in
concurrance with the recommendation, but disagree with one or more of the
conditions that you still are basically accepting the recommendation even though
you may reject or modify some of the stipulations on it. I don't feel that it
would have to go back to the planning commission personally.
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Commissioner Geis - There was some concern about the operation of a
cleaners or a dry cleaners, and a tavern and what was the third one? Private
club, but that is something that would have to go before the Board of Zoning
Appeals?
Keith Rawlings - No. The point that was brought up there was that all
the uses that were being proposed on this planned development district conform
with the uses that are permitted outright in our C-2 and Neighborhood Shopping
district classification, with the exception of those three uses which were also
allowed in the C-2 but were only allowed conditionally and if this zone is
approved as it stands right now and with the recommendation of the planning
commission those three would be added as permitted uses on the parcels they have
indicated without having to go to the board of appeals. In effect what this is
is as a planned development district, I might explain very briefly it is generall
used one of two ways. The one you are most used to seeing is the planned
development district used in conjunction with another zone which allows them the
ability to vary the densities perhaps and some set backs and the like. The
second way which is the way this is done and probably the second one of the city
is used in such a way that it actually builds its own zone, but in a manner that
we are able to look at all the uses as they relate to each other and approve
basically a separate zone, zoning district for that area and that is what we
would do for this and would add those three uses as permitted uses in this area
only, and only on the parcels that they have indicated.
Commissioner Geis - and they could not change that at some future
time?
Keith Rawlings - They could change any of the uses they have permission
to use on this parcel. They have a list of uses that are proposed on each of
the parcels and they could vary within those. But they would not be able to go
to uses that are not listed there without a rezoning or an amendment to the
planned development.
A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers to accept this letter of recommendation, provided the change that was
agreed to by the staff be approved regarding the maintenance of dikes, and to
introduce the rezoning ordinance for first reading.
Commissioner Geis - Then we are by this motion going to take over the
maintenance of the dike system?
Keith Rawlings - Well actually you will not take over maintenance
until the plat comes through, because at the time you sign the plats at that
time you will accept, in writing, the dedication of the land that these dikes
are on and from that point forward you would accept maintenance. The only
reason it is on this recommendation was because this was the third of three
items that came up at the planning commission and these were concerns at the
plat stage and in an effort to be consistent and carry it through to this point,
they were carried forward on the planned development district recommendation, by
your action today if you delete that one item on there, #3 on our letter to you,
we will take that to mean, and I think we are all in agreement, that it can do
that, we are agreeable to accepting those as city property and will maintain
them, and will show it that way on the plats that you will get later.
made?
Commissioner Duckers - Your motion implied that deletion was to be
Commissioner Usher - Correct.
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Potion carried.
Ordinance Passed: Number:
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A MOTION was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner Geis
to introduce an ordinance for first reading designating certain streets and
avenues within the City of Salina as main trafficways. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
The City Attorney explained that this ordinance is to facilitate our
financing of the improvements to Crawford Street in those areas where the adjacent
property owners have paid for a residential street, and by designating these as
main trafficways the city could, in the area west from the bridge on west to
Ohio Street, charge 100% of the improvement cost to the city -at -large, then as
you extend on west or on any of these other major trafficways it is the first
step in financing of these projects where the city will bear the entire cost.
A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "A RESOLUTION
granting the Salina Recreation Commission the right to control the concessions
at its sponsored events." A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded
by Commissioner Usher to adopt the Resolution as read and the following vote was
had: Ayes: Geis, Graves, Usher, Duckers, Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). The Mayor
approved the Resolution and it is numbered 3421.
PUBLIC AGENDA
A SURETY ON BAIL BOND license application was filed by Dorothy Ellen
Nedved, agent for Nichols Bail Bond. The City Clerk reported the applicant has
paid the required fee and has been approved by the Police Department. A motion
was made by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner Usher to approve the
license application and authorize the City Clerk to issue the license. Ayes:
(5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
A LETTER was received from the Neighborhood Centers Advisory Board
recommending that the name of Centennial Center be changed to Friendship Center.
Commissioner Geis - How was this name was selected?
Norma Thomas, Memorial Hall Neighborhood Center - People were to send
in suggestions to the Human Resources office, Carmen, and they got about 5
suggestions, and the board met and discussed all the names. Friendship Center
was a name in Spanish and they just changed it in Engilsh and voted on it and
that is what they came up with.
Commissioner Graves - What was it in Spanish?
Norma Thomas - Centro de la amistad.
Commissioner Duckers - I see the confusion, in all frankness I see
the confusion between the Centennial Center and the Bicentennial Center. I
would be less than honest if I said Friendship Center turns me on. It really
doesn't. I think we could come up with something more inaginative, but I guess
we have got enough buildings hanging fire that are just being called the building,
so maybe we better ...
A motion was made by Commissioner Geis, seconded by Commissioner Usher
to adopt the letter from the Neighborhood Center Advisory people. Ayes: Graves,
Usher, Geis, Weisberber (4). Nays: Duckers (1). Motion carried.
A LETTER was received from the Salina Park Advisory Board recommending
that the City Commission accept the two properties being proposed as dedication
for park purposes by the developers of the former Schilling Manor.
Dr. Cole - I think the letter is fairly self explanitory. Are there
any questions I could answer? There was some discussion, if you would like some
feed back on that. . There was some discussion from several land owners concerni
an interest they had in the people getting over across the park into their
fields and we discussed the possibility of a fence which would run some place
between $5,000 and $7,000 that they could climb and get over the fence anyhow,
so we are hoping to keep that in mind as we go on and we are also hoping that
the policing would be a little bit better out there when we have more people
that have permanent residency out there.
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Commissioner Geis - It seems to me, Doctor, that a large portion of
that area is either dike or the river whatever it is, is it really going to be
suitable park ground?
Dr. Cole - I think so. I went out and looked it over, several other
park board members went out and looked at it, if you go by the contour map it
looks kind of rough, but there are some fairly level areas out there that I
think would be real good park area. I don't know that we would need to develop
that whole thing that is written it. I think we need to accept all that, but as
far as the creek, it is kind of a feeder type thing and I don't think there
would be any rolling waters there would be any danger for. It looks like there
would be some real good play area and some level area you could put play ground
equipment.
Commissioner Usher - How many acres?
Dr. Cole - That question came up last time.
Norris Olson - Approximately 35.
Commissioner Graves - Is this the area that is going to take somebody
2 days to mow every time it needs to be mowed?
Dr. Cole - It would be a wild ride on a tractor.
Commissioner Graves - I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth,
because I think it is a good idea, and I like to see developers give land to the
city for park development, but if we accept this does it mean we have to develop
a park right away? Are there any strings attached that we don't ..
Norris Olson - .. We would like to attach some, but are not in a very
good position to do so probably.
Commissioner Graves - That's good.
Commissioner Duckers - Any area that could be developed into ball
diamonds?
Commissioner Geis - There is some south of the housing area that would
be great for ball diamonds.
Norris Olson - I might address this subject, in answer to Karen's
question, take the north and both the south portions there are some relatively
high shelves immediately off the dike, in fact you could go back I don't know
how far, and still see the first house across the dike. Now that is how high a
shelf exists out there and I would imagine that you could probably, certainly
you could put a softball diamond on the north end of that or a short football,
soccer type, this type play field. Yes, and in the idea, certainly, we don't
feel that the creek botton has any material value to the development. I don't
want to lead you into thinking that it would, but having been here as long as I
was, as city manager, I am sure all of you are aware of the problems that we
have had in some of the dry creek ownership and some of the river channel ownershi
that runs through the city and some of the drainage ditches even in the Edgehill,
Melrose area, and we are happy to dedicate it. We have about 8 or 10 homes with
fire places, maybe they can help keep the fallen wood removed and the like, and
I am firmly convinced the city needs the opportunity to get in and clean these
ditches out and since it is of really no material value, as I see it to the
property, we are happy to make this dedication. I think there are two reasons
the dedication to be shown in the form of a gift also, this affords you to go to,
I can't remember the new name, what used to be the Bureau of Reclamation, for
matching funds a little easier if you would be so inclined to do so, and I
suggest that you do, because they are more inclined to match gifts, land gifts
if you use the word gifts and then, of course, our own selfish purposes we
would naturally (unintelligible) phraseology of a gift being (unintelligible).
Commissioner Geis - Who is going to maintain control of that foot
bridge that comes out of your northeast.
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Norris Olson - That is all part of the park land the same as the
overpass is on the bypass down by Hageman and any other crossing and the like.
I Commissioner Geis What plans have you for those little areas around
the housing units that are little parcels that kind of stick out into the units?
Norris Olson - Those are all rear yards, some are quite large. We
have small yards, we have large yards.
Commissioner Geis - But I know, on the northwest housing area there
were some houses that had quite a gap between the house and the dike and those
are just going to be back yards. There are little pockets in there that were
small tracts of open area.
Norris Olson - That is in the northwest area, that is the hJheatridge
area, okay that is not included in our (unintelligible) included as one parcel
in ..
Keith Rawlings - .. some of those are shown as common open spaces for
the planned development out there. They are scattered around, there are not
very many.
Norris Olson - I don't know about hJheatridge, but in the northeast
section, which is Hollybrook, and the south section which is Fox Run, we do have
some common areas for the storage of commercial vehicles, RV's, boats and this
type of thing which will be outside storage, as well as our inside storage for
boats and the like if anyone would want to use inside storage.
Commissioner Geis - Well on the northeast section there, there was a
tract of ground that must have been at least 1/2 acre or more, is that going to
be just backyard area now.
Norris Olson - No, that triangular piece is where the RU's, the
commercial vehicles, the trucks, the boats, and the like will be stored. That
will be common open space to the Homeowners' Association.
Commissioner Geis - I was thinking that would be a nice place for a
little park area over there.
Norris Olson - Well, that is about the only place that we have for the
outdoor storage of vehicles and in order to keep these type vehicles off the
street, we are making that available as a common area for that purpose.
Commissioner Duckers - I think that is a good idea.
Dr. Cole - I might mention one other thing that we did discuss and
that was traffic entrance. This will have to be taken into consideration.
First of all we don't want a lot of cars driving down into the park area, which
they are going to have to have access without walking across people's yards.
There is a possibility of maybe some walk throughs, at least one, going from
what is the Hollybrook Addition on the east to that little creek that runs
between there and the park area. We will have to have a walkway, at least one,
to get across, so that is a .. which will be an expense to the city. I would
assume expense to the city, if they want the kids to get across to the park.
Commissioner Geis - They used to just climb over the fence there.
ere was a break in the fence and they would go through the fence and across
e creek ..
Dr. Cole - That is fine with us. I have a feeling that may not be the
st adequate way to get through.
A motion was made by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner
)uckers to accept the letter from the Park Advisory Board regarding the two
)roperties for park dedication purposes as a gift from N & K Development. Ayes:
;5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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REPORT by the Chairman of the Park Advisory Board, concerning the
issuance of Park Improvement Bonds.
Dr. Cole - The Park Advisory Board is asking for two issues of park
improvement bonds, one in 1979 and one in 1980. One concern is that revenue
sharing funds won't be available after 1980 and with those two bond issues, over
a 3 year period, we should be able to take care of the needs through 1981.
1979
Renovate Sunset Tennis Courts $37,500
Schilling Restrooms and Concession 28,000
Park/Recreation Study 15,000
Ivey Park Interior Completion 50,000
Schilling Diamond Lighting $45,000
Centennial Park Completion 75,000
Lakewood Park Completion 75,000
Sunset Diamond Lighting 30,000
Upper Indian Rock Park Completion 50,000
1981
Remodel and expand Kenwood Pool 70,000
Playground equipment 24,500
$500,000
Commissioner Graves - You know we have had the Park Advisory Board for
about a year now, haven't we, and you have done lots of good things, but to me
this is really the most substantial thing that you have done. You have put our
needs in a priority basis, and I think this is just excellent work.
Dr. Cole - I think your capital improvement thing has really spurred
us on because it has given us a chance to sit down and really set up some goals,
and we are excited about the coming year.
Commissioner Geis - Well, the only thing that in your list of expenditur'
that bothers me a lot is another study at $15,000.
Dr. Cole - You are not the only one. I agree with you, but as we look
back, I am not over excited about studies myself, but as we look back over all
the information that we have, most of that is from the 1960's I believe, it has
been some time now since I have looked at that study but they are quite inadequate
at this point for the progress that we have made.
Commissioner Geis - one of the best ones that you probably would have
access to was done by the League of Women Voters about three years ago and they
did a survey on a random basis of neighborhoods. I don't know if you've seen
that ...
Dr. Cole - Yes, we have seen that.
Commissioner Geis - In conjunction with some of those older studies I
would think that some updating could be done without a $15,000 expenditure.
Commissioner Duckers - I think what they are cranking in here Dan,
though is this recreation question, how it would dovetail in the overall thing.
I agree with you as far as an expensive study is concerned but I think we need
to use the League study as a springboard and some of the input from Don Jolley,
and the Rec Commission and see where those two are going to merge, or if they
are going to merge, or how they would merge if it seemed that they should.
Commissioner Geis - But even though we were budgeting $15,000 we
wouldn't necessarily have to go ahead with it if it proved not necessary.
Commissioner Duckers - It just makes it available if ..
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Dr. Cole - .. This is just a guideline. I assume this would not tie
us down specifically to spending each dollar where we are saying at this point
because we have no idea on some of these what it is going to really cost, but we
are giving you ballpark figures at this point. That is about all a person can
do.
Mayor Weisgerber - You are giving a general idea of those things that
you figure are important in the park system.
Dr. Cole - These are our priority items that we have listed here and
the cost to take care of it over the next 3 year period.
Commissioner Graves - I thought it was interesting that when the
Recreation Commission was asked to prioritize their needs in the capital
improvements program that the number one was the park and recreation study. You
see we have never done a recreation/park study, we have just done the park
study. All those previous studies were just with the facilities, they weren't
with programs. I know, you just think it is another study to put on the shelf
and collect dust.
Commissioner Geis - I was just thinking of that whole box of them, and
how heavy it was and how much dust there was on them.
Dr. Cole - Dan, this is just personal observation, but as I look at
the study of the League of Women Voters it seems to be somewhat biased in where
they got their information, and that bothers me.
A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Geis to accept the Salina Park Advisory Report and authorize the issuance of
$250,000 park improvement bonds. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
COMMISSION AGENDA
Mayor Weisgerber asked Commissioner Usher if he had anything to say
before leaving the Commission.
Commissioner Usher - I am sure all your decisions will be based on
representative government and not concensus government and please remember the
greatest good for the greatest number of people. Let that be your motto.
Mayor Weisgerber - I had a suggestion from one of the ushers in church
yesterday, who said tomorrow is your last day, and I said yes, and he said well,
I think you should do at least one more thing for the citizens of Salina. He said
why don't you make a proclamation tomorrow and agree to refund each citizen tax
payer in the City of Salina an amount of $15.00 or $25.00. Hell I don't know
Bill if you would want to make a motion to that effect... we might have a little
difficulty in getting even a 3-2 vote on that because of the financial chaos it
would create for the incoming commission but it was an intriguing idea. There
are some people I would like to thank as I come to the conclusion of the 8 years
and particularly this year as Mayor and the one that comes to mind first certainly
are the people of the staff. Norris too, as city manager, up until last fall,
and Bill and all the gentlemen that are here and the other staff members clear
on down through the employees. You don't realize the dedication and the ability
of these folks to the job they do until you work with them for a few years.
Salina can be very proud and very happy of those people who work for the city.
I would like to thank the news media too. I think you have done a good job
through this time of trying to bring the real facts to the citizens of Salina,
and I think sometimes are highly intelligent deliberations up here, don't laugh,
I was trying to give you a compliment, now don't laugh at that although granted
that once in a while we may be full of sound and fury and signify not very much
at all. I think you have done a good job to try to truthfully represent what
this commission does, and that is important because that is the communication
link between this commission and most of the citizens. I would to thank too all
those citizens like Dr. Cole who is here today from the park board and others
aho serve on a host of committees and commissions certainly nothing to gain from
it except from the satisfaction that they have done a job that has helped to
make Salina a better place. There are a lot of those people and we certainly
thank them. And then I would like to thank my fellow commissioners, it has
Cbeen a good year and interesting and a good year to be Mayor. A special thanks
to Bill, who came in and did an excellent job as we were trying to go through
the selection process of a new city manager. He certainly was a big help. And
I think now maybe we come down to the time where you have a little temptation
rafter this length of time to wax a little nostalgic and want to go back and
recount things that have happened and I can assure you I am going to resist that
completely, which I know will make you most happy, for over these 8 years I have
talked too much and said far too much. There are a few choice expressions that
were used that I sort of wish I had back, but it has all been interesting and it
has all been challenging and most of it has been fun. There is another temptation
too at a time like this and that is to tell the incoming city commission how to
run the city's business, and I will try to resist that temptation too except for
one little comment that I think they are going to find. During this campaign
and with the commissioners that are coming on new and those that are staying on,
the question was often asked, well, what is the big problem? What is the problem
that you are facing? I believe that Bill Harris summed that up pretty well in
something that he said one time and I think we could express it in just one word,
and it could be a four letter word, they are quite popular in this day and age,
or a five letter word, or a six letter word, or a seven letter word.
The four letter work would be cash
The five letter word would be money
The six letter word would be budget
The seven letter word would be finance
Where the commission is going to have a lot of nice little problems to
handle, the parking on East Iron and the zoning battles, and there are going to
be niceties of good public relations in communication and all this sort of
thing, but when you get down to the real basic thing of what the city government
is all about how well you put this cash and budget together with your desires,
your wishes for the City of Salina, and the desires that the citizens bring to
you how well you combine those two I think is truthfully going to spell how
successful the next commission will be. Let me hasten to add to this that I think
the people that are going to be here are people of sensitivity and I think they
are people of some practical judgement and I think you will do well and I wish
you the very best. And with that Bill I think we will turn this over to the
City Clerk. (standing ovation)
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The Board of Commissioners convened for the purpose of organizing.
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk, presiding.
The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Roy U. Allen, Keith G.
Duckers, Merle Hodges, the newly elected Commissioners, and having the proper
bonds on file, they took their places on the Board of Commissioners.
There were present:
Commissioner Roy W. Allen
Commissioner Keith G. Duckers
Commissioner Dan S. Geis
Commissioner Karen M. Graves
Commissioner Merle Hodges
1comprising a quorum of the Board, also:
L. 0. Bengtson, City Attorney
Bill Harris, Acting City Manager
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk
Absent:
None
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Nominations for Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers,
seconded by Commissioner Geis to nominate Commissioner Graves for Mayor and
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers that the nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner
Graves. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
Nominations for Acting Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner
Allen, seconded by Commissioner Hodges to nominate Commissioner Geis 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
Geis was declared unanimously elected Acting Mayor and Vice -Chairman of the
Board of Commissioners.
The City Clerk turned the gavel over to Mayor Graves.
Mayor Graves asked Mr. and Mrs. Weisgerber to come forward - On
behalf of the citizens of Salina I want to give to you this small token of our
esteem. It is almost inconceivable to me that this man has spent 8 years as a
city commissioners, 3 terms as mayor, only one person in city government has had
the length of service that has equalled that and.I believe he is here too, Bob
Caldwell, and I will make reference to him later on. So I want you to have this
gavel, and you will also have a plaque, you have had a plaque before, but you
will have a new inscription on this plaque. Eight years is really a long time
in city government to take the slings and arrows that we sometimes get, but I
think that Jack would be the first one to tell you that it is also one of the
most rewarding experiences to serve our fellow citizens. Jack was too modest to
recount some of the experiences that he has had in the last eight years, but I
am not going to be so modest, I am going to give you a little rundown of some of
the things and I am sure that Jack would be the last one to try to take credit
for these things, but Jack was here during all the time that all this happened.
During these last eight years Lakewood Park was developed, the construction of
the super block between Iron and Ash Street and Fifth and Seventh Street was
begun. Our own Salina Community Theatre Building was constructed, and that was
a unique concept I think in city government, as a partnership with private
business. The public safety officer program was begun when you were here. Jack
served as President of the Kansas Mayor's Association which is an arm of the
Kansas League of Municipalities and that is quite a distinction to be chosen
from among all the mayors in Kansas to be the chairman of that group. The North
Ninth Street lighting was installed. The Metropolitan Planning Commission was
begun and did it end also? A Human Relations ordinance was passed. A new
sanitary landfill was purchased and developed, and the Bicentennial celebration
was begun and celebrated which culminated in the passage of, the fourth time
around, the bond issue for our new Bicentennial Center, and that was really
quite an achievement. One neighborhood center, Memorial Hall, was renovated and
two more were begun construction and completed. Johnstown Towers, which was the
city's first housing project for the elderly, was begun and I understand they
have a waiting list of 400 people, so obviously that is quite a success. Urban
Renewal was closed out. My husband always says that government bodies, when
they find a way to exist, never go out of business, but we found a way to put
urban renewal out of business, by doing the job and completing it. The park
advisory board was begun and Schilling Manor was converted into peacetime use.
Of course these are some of the big projects, but if you have been on the city
commission very long you know that mostly it is just a series of housekeeping
chores and a daily routine that kind of goes on. One time we figured out,.
according to the salary we make per year, and the number of hours that we spend
on this job and I think it was like 2¢ an hour, so it obviously is out of love
for one's city. Most of all I think that Jack Ueisgerber is going to be remembere
by his fellow commissioners for his patients, and his tolerance, and for the
agonizing that we have all seen him go through when some particular vote came up
that he knew that somebody in the city was going to be inconvenienced or hurt
because of something city government was going to do and that always seems to be
almost inevitable, doesn't it, that some person will get hurt by somethin tha'
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we do and I could always see that Jack really, really agonized over these
decisions, so on behalf of all the citizens of Salina we want to say thank you
very much for 8 years. Becky Hall, in the City Manager's Office, prepared this
little scrapbook for you. I think she did a beautiful job. It has our seal,
and we thank you very much Jack. Good luck and God speed.
Mr. Weisgerber - Thank you very much, you are too kind.
Mayor Graves - Is Bill Usher still here? Bill Usher has served 3
different terms as a city commissioner and once as a Mayor and I want to
reiterate what Jack said. We called upon Bill to come back and serve this
commission, and probably the highest duty that a commissioner will ever perform
and that is the interviewing process and selecting a new city manager. I know
that Bill personally spent the equivalent of about 75 hours which is quite a few
working days and I think that this whole community owes Bill Usher a deep debt
of gratitude. We thank you Bill.
Now there are some people in the audience that are very important to
me, you all are very important to me because you are citizens; but I would like
to at this point in time to recognize two former Mayors. Former Mayor and 3
term mayor and former state representative, Bob Caldwell, who is back in the
back of the room. Bob would you stand so that we could recognize you. I'le are
glad to have you back. We also have former Mayor and one term, one four year
term commissioner and now state representative, Jerry Simpson. !Mould you stand
Jerry. Okay, I am building up. Some dear, dear friends of mine and members of
my bridge club and friends would you please stand. They won't stand, they are
unusually shy. They are kind of my kitchen cabinet. From my very own family my
sister who drove here with her husband all the way from North Platte, Nebraska,
and by the way, I think you might remember Bill Usher from North Platte, Nebraska
when he lived there. Okay, Pauline and Joe Dye, my sister and her husband,
would you please stand. Alright and my own family, my husband Jim, and my
daughter Leslie, is she back there with her friend Ralph Lewis from Kansas City
and Sarah and Amy, would you please stand. I read an article the other day that
said that people who are successful at some endeavor, and it will remain to be
seen if I am successful at this endeavor, but peole who are successful usually
have a mentor in their lives. Most often it is a teacher or a friend or someone
who has unusually influenced that person's life. I wonder how often it is that
someone's spouse is their mentor and their teacher and I would like to say that
my husband has been that person. Over the years he has been my strongest support
and he has encouraged me to expand my abilities and my talents and never feeling
threatened himself during the process. So I would like to say a very special
thanks to my mentor and my best friend my husband, thank you.
And now to my fellow commissioners and new commissioners I want to
thank you for the trust that you have placed in me. I promise you that I will
work very, very hard with you during this next very challenging year for our
city. I feel that this new commission is broadly representative of the community
as a whole and I think that is good. I have a feeling that we are not always
going to agree. I think we will sometimes disagree, and sometimes with great
passion. I don't think the public expects 5-0 votes all the time, in fact I
don't happen to think that 5-0 votes are particularly good. I think 3-2 votes
are fine as long as it is not always the same 3-2, but I am sure that it won't
be. I think the city commission is somewhat like a board of directors of a
large corporation and the public is the stockholders. The stockholders are
expecting more from people in public life now from the directors than they used
to. Historically cities were charged with delivering the services to the citizens
that were considered absolutely essential such as police, fire, utilities,
streets and water. Discussions that city commissions probably 15 and 20 years
ago revolved around subjects like which potholes to fix this week. Well, I
think, ladies and gentlemen, that pothole government has come to an end. He are
no longer just involved in the housekeeping chores of government. In this era,
the public demands more. They want recreation, and entertainment, and culture.
They want environment questions addressed, energy policy formulated. They want
social services and needs to be met and the public not only wants these things,
but they want a say so in how these programs are run. They want citizen
participation, which I know we all believe in, and then in July and August when
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budget time rolls around people come down to city hall and want to know why
their taxes are going up. They expect city government to hold the line on
spending. They want us to cut out the fat and to deliver more services for less
money, but then we sometimes forget, I think, as the housewife knows when she
goes to the super market that the groceries cost more, we know when we go to the
gas pumps that the gasoline costs more. The merchant in town knowns that when
he increases his inventory that he is paying more, and yet for some reason
government is supposed to hold the line. Our paper towels aren't supposed to go
up 7, 8, 9% a year like other things do, so there is really no easy way to
satisfy the growing demands of the public and hold the line on spending; therefore
like Jack referred to, the biggest challenge that elected representatives face
today is money. Where to get and once you get it how to spend it. I think this
is going to be a year of transition for government in Salina. He have a new
manager coming in three weeks. It doesn't seem to be a very good time for me to
list a whole long laundry list of goals, besides as my husband says it takes
three to tango when you are on a member of the commission and unless I have
three people nodding with me it would be hard to say I want to establish some
particular program. I do have several priorities, however, I want to launch a
yearly evaluation process for the commission to evaluate each other's effectiveness
and a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the city manager. I think this
can be a healthy thing. l --le are going to have, at least as far as my term in
office, a first time ever, orientation for new commissioners. It is going to be
Wednesday. We really can't afford in city government, when there are just five
of us voting, for on -the -job -training, so we are going to have the orientation,
starting Wednesday to hopefully make us more effective commissioners. I would
like to start a goal setting process around budget time that we can establish
some long term and short term goals. Hopefully this will lead to some long
range planning. Probably the biggest frustration I have had in city government
is that we spend about 90 percent of our time on the least important housekeeping
kinds of items. We spend about 10 percent of our time on the most far reaching,
long range programs that will effect our city. It should be completely turned
around the other way, and I am going to try to look for ways to do that. I
would like to establish some kind of a system to let commissioners know the
status of projects like a flow chart along the wall or something so that when
someone askes us about the status of the Indian Rock Park Ball Diamonds, for
example, we won't be embarrassed and say we don't know if it is stalled, or
dead, or progressing, or where it is. Some kind of a status report. And of
course some specific things I think a study of our major streets, launching the I
Bicentennial Center, the possible merger of parks and recreation. I know some
of you campaigned on that so I am sure we will be hearing more about that. The
adoption of our new subdivision regulations, and a capital improvements program
which has been begun and is ongoing with staff now. Hopefully this commission
will attempt to shape events and not just always be reacting to events. I will
say this to the press and to the public I think I speak for all of us when I say
we are all committed to the concept of the open meetings law, more commonly
known as the "sunshine law" in Kansas. I think it is rather significant that
this is the first commission where all five members now, I should say that none
of us have served under any other form of meetings. alone of us have served with
closed meetings so we are all fairly comfortable with the open meetings concept.
So I think it is going to make debate more free and the citizens will be able to
tell what the decision making process, what our thinking was in the decision j
making process, and I think this is also a challenge to the media because sometimes
sensitive things are discussed and they have to be very sensitive to know when
to report in detail and when to perhaps not and we have a responsible and sensitive
press. So I might say the city is not without its problems but thankfully none
are overwhelming or unsolveable, or very much different from all problems that
all cities face. I think -the best thing, and Jack touched upon this too, the
best thing that we have going for us is an unusually high caliber of people that
hake the municipal employee family. The foremost person in my mind right now in
that family is Bill Harris. Bill has acted as acting manager for five months
and in those past five months I don't think this city has even skipped a heart
Deat. I don't believe that any of us can even tell one speck of difference in
the delivery or the quality of the services to the citizens of this community.
I think that you have been an extremely competent administrator and patient, and
cooperative person and I want to thank you right now for that. (applause) So
in closing I want to thank all of you for your trust in me and I want you to
know I will work very, very hard with all the abilities and talents that I
possess to be a good commissioner and a good mayor to benefit all the citizens
of this great city, and I thank you. (applause)
A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Geis that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned. Ayes:
(5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:03 P.M.
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D. L. Harrison, City Clerk