06-14-1976 MinutesC
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City of Salina, Kansas
Regular Meeting of the Board
of Commissioners
June 14, 1976
The Regular Meeting of the Board
Room, City -County Building, on Monday, June
The Mayor asked everyone to stand
the Flag and a moment of silent prayer.
There were present:
of Commissioners met in the Commissioners
14, 1976 at four o'clock p.m.
for the pledge of allegiance to
Mayor Gerald F. Simpson, Chairman presiding
Commissioner Robert C. Caldwell
Commissioner Keith Duckers
Commissioner W. M. Usher
Commissioner Jack Weisgerber
comprising a quorum 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 June 7, 1976 were approved as
printed.
Mayor Simpson said, "I would like to sponsor a Resolution, on behalf
of the Community, to express our deep and sincere appreciation and thanks to
all those involved in the Street Fair celebration this past weekend and certainly
to Gene and Marie Chapman who were co -chairpersons of the Street Fair Committee,
to all the committee members and to Chief John Woody and the Salina Police
Department, all the law enforcement officers involved, and a special thanks to
all the citizens of this and surrounding communities who participated in the
Street Fair, I think certainly made it one of the most inspiring, enjoyable
and significant events in the proud history of this community, and I just hope
we don't have to wait another 200 years to do it again."
A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers that a Resolution be prepared and forwarded to the Salina American
Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Ayes: Caldwell, Duckers, Usher, Weisgerber,
Simpson (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it
is numbered 3279.
STAFF AGENDA
The Commissioners considered an ordinance annexing certain land to
the City of Salina, Kansas, in conformity with the provisions of K.S.A. 12-
520. (Remainder of Country Club Heights Addition Number 4, requested in
Petition Number 3562 filed by Norman R. Harris and J. Donald Williams.)
Mr. Olson explained there is a discrepancy in the legal description
on the original petition. He said the petitioner has filed an amendment to
the legal description and recommended the amended request for annexation be
referred to the City Planning Commission for its review and recommendation.
A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Weisgerber to accept the recommendation of the City Manager and refer the
amended etition to the City Planning Commission for its review and recommendation
Ayes: (5 . Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "WHEREAS, the City
of Salina, Kansas, has been notified by the U. S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development that its 2nd year application (Number B -76 -HN -20-0015) for
Federal Assistance under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) has been approved." A motion was made by Commissioner
Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Caldwell to adopt the Resolution as read
and the following.vote was had: Ayes: Caldwell, Duckers, Usher, Weisgerber,
Simpson (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it
is numbered 3280. (A resolution authorizing the City Manager as chief executive
officer to sign and otherwise execute a funding agreement between the City and
HUD.)
THE CITY ENGINEER filed a feasibility report for street improvements
in Sullivan Addition, as requested in Petition Number 3536 which was filed by
James E. Sullivan. A motion was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by
Commissioner Usher to accept the feasibility report as filed. Ayes: (5).
Nays: (0). Motion carried.
THE CITY COMMISSIONERS considered requests for Revenue Sharing
funds:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Child Care Center Association, requesting
Revenue Sharing funds for a mini -bus or van.
Central Kansas Alcoholic Foundation, Inc., requesting $7,400.00 in
Revenue Sharing funds for the court referral program.
Passport for Adventure, requesting $5,000 in Revenue Sharing funds to
help underwrite the 1976 operating budget and provide scholarships for needing
Salina families to participate in the Passport program.
North Salina Redevelopment Association, requesting $30,000.00 in
Revenue Sharing funds to be designated for a pilot "Energey Conservation
Assistance Program" to assist the elderly and near poor who are identified as
disadvantaged due to economic, health, age and/or other reasons beyond their
control with problems created and intensified as a result of the nation's
energy crisis. These problems directly affect their ability to maintain minimum
living conditions and endanger their health and well being.
Live Vers, Juverna Shirley, Secretary, requesting Revenue Sharing
funds for a housing project for elderly citizens of the community.
Mrs. Lillian Pike, requesting Revenue Sharing funds for "Youth
Havens" throughout the city.
Salina Recreation Commission, requesting Revenue Sharing funds for
softball diamonds for the adult program.
The Commissioners set Monday, June 21, 1976 at 11:00 a.m. as the
date and time to consider the requests for Revenue Sharing funds.
PUBLIC AGENDA
A REQUEST was received from Joe Mendicina for the use of a 42 x 73
foot strip of public right-of-way adjacent to Delaware Avenue for parking
facilities for Park East, on East Iron Avenue. A motion was made by Commissioner
Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner Duckers to refer the request to the City
Engineer for a recommendation. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
PETITION NUMBER 3571 was filed by Salina Development Company, by
Doyle D. Yockers, President, for curb, gutter, paving, sewer, water and storm
drainage to serve Lots 1 through 6, Block 32; Lots 5 and 6, Block 34, Lots 1
through 16, Block 31; Lots 1 through 5, Block 30; Lots 4 through 6, Block 33,
Key Acres 2nd Addition. A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by
Commissioner Weisgerber to refer the petition to the City Engineer for a
report. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
THE BASEBALL STUDY COMMITTEE reported on its study of baseball
facilities and made the following recommendations:
1. Construct a new facility adjacent to the existing facility
in Kenwood Park.
2. The facility be placed under the control of an independent
committee.
3. The facility to be maintained by the Park Department.
Mr. John Heline was present to answer the City Commissioners questions.
Mayor Simpson asked if the Committee made any dollar estimates of
the facility?
Mr. Heline replied that no dollar estimates were considered because
they felt if the City Commission was interested in pursuing this project they
would meet with the Engineering Staff and prepare some cost estimates.
The Commissioners, Mr. Heline, Mr. Max Smith, Mr. Jolley, and Mr.
Olson discussed the present maintenance, the required seating for the proposed
new facility, the projected use of the proposed facility, the probabality of
a "user fee", the criteria for use of the proposed facility, and the feasibility
of multiple use.
Mr. Jolley explained to the City Commissioners that the Recreation
Commission needs 2 new softball diamonds for the adult program. He estimated
the cost of each diamond to be $30,000, and explained this is the basis of
their request for Revenue Sharing Funds.
Mr. Heline explained that 2 entirely different types of programs are
being discussed and he feels the two programs do not mesh because of the
different requirements for each, such as length of base lines, pitchers mound,
lighting, etc.
Commissioner Usher said he would like to know the cost of the proposed
facilities and if the city could build the diamonds?
Mr. Olson said the City could do the earth moving, staking, grading,
elevation, fence erection, etc, which would leave the purchase of new lighting,
fencing, and bleachers.
A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Caldwell to direct the Baseball Study Committee to meet with the city staff
sometime in the next two weeks and come up with a "ball park" figure on cost.
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
Mayor Simpson thanked Mr. Heline and his committee for the work they
have done up to date and for the recommendation they have made.
COMMISSION AGENDA
The City Commissioners brought the following item to the floor for
discussion:
Commissioner Usher said, "Historically, cities were evolved because
of several very important things, and that is provide safety and health and
welfare for their citizens and also a sound economic base. I think in Salina
today that we have got good fire and police protection, we have good health,
welfare seem to be well taken care of and the economic base appears to me to
be sound and very stable; however, I don't think we have exactly everything
this community really needs and lacks very much is a center, a facility that
can serve the community and northwest Kansas, our trade territory. I have
thought about this for a long time, and I think it has been demonstrated
recently by several events that we have had or didn't have. Memorial Hall
just will not do job that this community needs to have done. I wonder if some
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of my fellow commissioners might not agree with me that the Mayor considers
appointing a special investigative committee to study the feasibility of a
Bicentennial convention, sports, entertainment facility. I think it is the
responsibility of this city to investigate whether this idea is really sound
or not. I think we need to take a look at it and I think it is only logical
that the City, the local city government do that. I visualize that the committee
be charged with the responsibility to determine location, what projected costs
might be, the design, what is needed in the way of size, and how it can be
financed. I think this committee, if it does its job correctly, will have to
spend some money. I think that money is available through the Commission
budget and if not there at least through the Economic Development fund that we
have. I think, Mr. Mayor, that the chairman or chairwoman, be one who is an
organizer, a person who has the drive to see that the job is accomplished in a
reasonable length of time, and above all he must have the respect of the
entire community. In addition, I think the committee should not be a large
committee, but a small one and that it include minorities as well as senior
citizens and also women. I make that suggestion, throw it out to see whether
I am alone or whether I might have some interested parties."
Commissioner Caldwell asked, "Is that a Bicentennial Convention
Center?"
Commissioner Usher said, "I don't propose that particular name, but
I think in this year of the bicentennial it lends itself well, but it would be
an all inclusive facility for conventions, for sports and for entertainment."
Commissioner Duckers commented, "Bill, as you know there have been
two or three unsuccessful attempts to get this type of facility, narrowly
defeated in recent years, and I think following the Street Fair last weekend
and the magnificent success that it was, and the very evident pulling together
of the community of Salina, that your timing is brilliant on this and I think
it would be a wonderful climax to a very historical year to get something
going in the way of a Bicentennial Convention Center certainly not for sports
alone but for the needs of all of the people of this community, but I would
certainly endorse what you have said and urge the Mayor to make the appointment
of such a committee."
A motion was made by Commissioner Usher that the Mayor appoint a
special investigative committee.
Commissioner Weisgerber said, "In times past I think that this has
been promoted pretty much by the Chamber of Commerce, if this committee is
appointed by the Mayor with the City Commissioners it might have a little bit
wider base. I am not just sure how their committee was chosen in the past,
but you might get a broader committee on this basis that would represent more
segments of the community than has been done in the past. That might be
helpful."
Mayor Simpson said, "I think that is important and I think the
bicentennial events, and particularly the Street Fair most recently has pointed
out the availability of a lot of talent and a lot of hard workers in our
community, people that maybe have not been involved in other activities
before and so I would certainly concur with your thoughts as far as making a
broad base although necessarily a small committee so that it is workable. I
would just be thrilled if we could get that accomplished at this point in our
history."
Commissioner Duckers said, "I think that everyone, who was on the
streets of Salina during Friday and Saturday, felt just almost a magic spell
about the attitudes of the people and I think that this might be the year that
all of the citizens really get together and not fuss and fude over where it is
going to be or what it is going to look like, but agree on the common need of
the community for such a facility and let such a committee as you might appoint
really make those hard decisions in the best interest of everyone. I feel the
timing is very good."
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Commissioner Caldwell said, "You are suggesting a small committee,
but you are involving a lot of groups."
Mayor Simpson replied, "I think we have to do that. I think it is
imperitive that we do involve as many areas of influence and interest as
possible with a small committee and certainly these people."
Commissioner Usher said, "I visualize the committee be charged with
these responsibilities and would be listening to other groups, pro and con;
also it is going to take some study to determine what is needed and if we did
have it what would it accomplish, what kind of conventions would be available
to us, what kind of an income would that generate, how do we pay for it? How
does it affect the tax payer? This committee is going to be doing a whole lot
of work, particularly, as I see it but they would be asking for input. Holding
hearings and so forth; then come back with a recommendation to the Commission."
Commissioner Weisgerber said, "If the community is well represented
they can always break up into subcommittees if they need specific things done
within the committee itself."
Commissioner Duckers said, "Taking nothing away from the Chamber of
Commerce, because I think they worked very hard on this in times past, but I
think perhaps it wasn't broad enough based and I think if we get input from
other groups, what their wants and needs are important."
Commissioner Caldwell said, "How many times in the past we have made
suggestions and concurred with the amount of work the Citizen's Advisory
Committee was doing and we might turn certain things over to them. Would this
be a possibility that they might, or would this be a separate group all together?'
Commissioner Usher said, "I am sure they would have some input."
Commissioner Weisgerber said, "I think we ought to have a special
committee on this one. This is a tremendously big project and the two work
together, but have a separate committee."
Mayor Simpson said, "I don't know what Bill had in mind, but I would
envision a special committee whatever it be called, but working in concert
with the CAC."
Commissioner Duckers seconded the motion. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner
Usher that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned.
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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D. L.'Harrison, City Clerk