11-12-1973 MinutesCity of Salina, Kansas
Regular Meeting of the Board
of Commissioners
November 12, 1973
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners
Room, City -County Building, on Monday, November 12, 1973, at four o'clock P.M.
The Mayor asked everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance to the
Flag and a moment of silent prayer.
There were present:
Mayor Jack Weisgerber, Chairman presiding
Commissioner Robert C. Caldwell
Commissioner Norma G. Cooper
Commissioner Mike Losik, Jr.
Commissioner•W. M. Usher
comprising a quorum of the Board, also:
L. 0. Bengtson, City Attorney
Norris D. Olson, City Manager
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk
Absent:
None
Mayor Weisgerber called for approval of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of November 5, 1973.
Commissioner Losik asked that the minutes reflect that the motion
regarding issuance of the Industrial Revenue Bonds indicate that he asked the
City Attorney directly, and the City Attorney answered,"that in our agreement
with the individuals that there was definitely in lieu of taxes payment," and
that was omitted. (Page 2, last paragraph)
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 5, 1973 were approved
as amended.
THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED November 15, 1973 - "RUN FOR FREEDOM" day in the
City of Salina, Kansas. The proclamation was read by Mrs. Camie Pugh, Co-
ordinator of the National League of Families of Prisoners of War Missing in
Action.
STAFF AGENDA
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
creating a Human Relations Commission and defining its duties and powers;
prohibiting discrimination because of race, sex, color, religion, national origin
or ancestory in employment, housing and public accomodations and providing
remedies and penalties for violation thereof; amending Article VIII of Chapter 2
and Chapter 11 1/2 of the Salina Code and repealing said existing Article and
Chapter."
Commissioner Losik asked about the change in the definition of
"employer".
The City Attorney replied the paragraph can be amended by striking
"in full time capacity",and by doing so, it would be consistent with State Law.
Mayor Weisgerber asked Rev. Jones if this change is satisfactory with
his committee.
Rev. Jones replied that it is.
A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner
Usher to amend Section 16 A - 2 (b), the definition of employer by striking "in
full time capacity". Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
Mr. James Briscoe told about a meeting on November 10th, which was
attended by 25 members of several interested organizations. He presented 10
affidavits to Mayor Weisgerber of people who are in agreement that the Section
16 A - 3 be amended to specifically insure that members of the minorities will
be appointed to serve on the committee.
Commissioner Caldwell asked if the ad hoc committee had this working
draft at the time they were drawing up the ordinance?
Mr. Briscoe replied they had the entire working draft.
Commissioner Losik asked Rev. Jones, "What is your committee's feeling
on this?"
Rev. Jones replied, "As far as I know, the committee hasn't changed.
If they did, they didn't notify me. We are not protesting anything the Commissi
would like to do, we are saying this is the way we felt the bill should be
presented, and we presented it. We have no power to advise you whether to chang
it or not. The committee consulted bills from several cities, and we also read
the guidelines sent down from the State of Maryland in creating a Human Relation
Commission. The ordinance has in it portions of what they recommended. It is i
your hands, and you can act on it according to your best judgement."
Mr. Les Grady, a member of the ad hoc committee, said, "We felt by
putting this in the ordinance would be telling the Governing Body how it should
be done."
Commissioner Usher asked Rev. Jones if the Kansas Civil Rights Commiss
has looked at this ordinance.
Rev. Jones replied, "I am quite sure they did. Mr. Lopez was mailed a
copy of the ordinance."
Mr. J. Q. Rodriguez, a member of the ad hoc committee, said, "I
personally feel there was no intent of the committee as an oversight. I think
it was the intent of the committee to have it where it was a feeling that this
type of thing would transpire, and the reason I signed one of these affidavits
is because the Community Relations Commission ordinance states membership of
that committee shall consist of 5 members drawn from diverse segments of the
Citizens, which means simply, black, or brown, or whatever; and I feel Mr. Bris
request is not too far out of line, and it would be something good for the City
of Salina, and it would totally solidify that ordinance."
Mr. Ron Kizer, President of the Black American Citizens Organization
Of Salina, said, "We are one of those groups who have met, and we have worked foz
a considerable time to get such an ordinance adopted. We are very gratified that
we have reached this point; however we are concerned about the selection process.
We recognize the fact that some people feel we are trying to tell government what
to do; that is not our intention. Perhaps it doesn't read as well as it might.
We have a vested interest in seeing minority persons serving on the board, that
is fairly obvious, also we recognize the need for a vast cross section from
Salina. We are seeking to have some input to be able to provide to the Commissic
some suggestions of persons who are not only interested, but are more than willir
to serve on the board. We felt that it would serve the ordinance well if there
was a more formal situation in which outside groups could have some input into
the selection of the Commission. We are hoping you will consider our good
intentions, because we mean no offense to the Commission or your judgement, but
we are speaking to add our support through that amendment in some way."
Commissioner Losik commented, "The only thing I take issue with is that
we are being told who to appoint and how many. We, as a Governing Body, have no
say as to even a representative we may want to appoint. Perhaps the word 'shall'
should be replaced with the word 'may'. This would do the same thing and still
give everybody the leeway. In the first paragraph: "three of the members shall
be appointed from names submitted to the Mayor by significant ethnic or racial
minority organizations." What happens if you submit just three names. We have
no choice, we have to appoint who you told us to appoint. This is the
controversy."
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Mr. Kizer said, "This could be referred to the City Attorney as to the
legalities. We are seeking consideration of some sort of format so we can have
that input."
Mayor Weisgerber commented, "The way this is drawn is probably illegal.
According to our State Laws this Commission has to have the freedom of appointment
It may be possible to say that 3 or 4 of the minority races will be represented o�
it; but aside from naming this as a categorical situation, we have to have
the freedom to act on a suggestion."
The City Attorney said, "This is correct. You cannot delegate this
power to have someone tell you who you should appoint. In the ordinance you
could provide that the commission consist of seven members, at least three of
which shall be members of the minority or various ethnic groups. This could be
done because we are safeguarding what they want. They want representation of at
least three members on this commission, and this could be done."
Mr. Briscoe said, "I think what we are each saying is that we want it
spelled out in black and white."
There was considerable discussion about the appointments to the ad hoc
committee.
A motion was made by Commissioner Caldwell to amend Section 16 A - 3
to read: "There is hereby created a commission to be known as a Human Relations
Commission. Such commission shall consist of seven members at least three of
whom shall be members of significant ethnic or minority groups within the
Community."
Commissioner Cooper seconded the motion.
Rev. Jones commented, "We are interested in getting the bill passed.
The guidelines for the creation of a Human Relations Commission says the members
of the commission shall include a cross-section of people. While the membership
be representative of many races, religions, civic and private groups, they should
be entirely independent of these groups and selected after consultation with the
community. Extreme care should be given to the selection of the minority members,
choosing the minority members on the basis of their acceptability to the majority
will not work. Minority members should be widely respected by and have a followir
among various segments of the minority community. It is becoming increasingly
necessary that the minority leadership be representative of the most deprived, the
least articulated citizens, and know intimately their problems, and it goes on to
tell about the numbers. Now the reason we didn't insert it in the bill, we
consulted others and after looking at this, we felt the Mayor and the Governing
Body should appoint them. I think that was the intent of the entire committee at
that time."
Commissioner Caldwell asked Rev. Jones if he approved the wording to
amend the section.
Rev. Jones replied he did.
Commissioner Caldwell asked Mr. Briscoe if he approved the wording to
amend the section.
Mr. Rodriguez said, "There was no intent of the committee to avoid this
situation, but due to the guidelines that are stipulated by executive mandate
concerning use of the Federal Government Revenue Sharing that this cross section
be represented. I think this would be a blessing in disguise to avoid any conflic
at any future date."
Mrs. Etta Langshaw, a member of the ad hoc committee, was present and
spoke about the work of the ad hoc committee.
Commissioner Usher asked Mr. Briscoe if this amendment is all right
with him; and then asked if there is anybody who doesn't agree with this amendment
There was no response.
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Commissioner Losik brought up another question, "along these terms on
these appointments, 'the term of office of each member of the commission shall
be for 3 years, and until his successor is qualified'. Who will determine that
he is qualified and what are the qualifications for the successor?"
The City Attorney explained that, "Normally the qualification•is the
acceptance by the member that is appointed. If he says, 'no', then he doesn't
qualify."
Commissioner Losik commented, "Just so that is clarified."
Mayor Weisgerber called for a vote on the motion to adopt the ordinance
as amended, and the following vote was had: Ayes: Caldwell, Cooper, Losik, Usher;
Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance and it is
numbered 8317. The ordinance was introduced for first reading November 5, 1973.
Mr. Briscoe said, "I think Salina is lucky because it has a lot of
people who support this. There are a lot of people interested in this ordinance,
and there has been a lot of work done to organize the people."
Mayor Weisgerber commented, "We will want to appoint this committee as
quickly as possible and individuals or organizations who have suggestions of
names of people they would like to see on this committee, should submit them as
quickly as possible, either to the City Clerk's Office of the City Manager's
Office."
Mayor Weisgerber also thanked the ad hoc committee for their very fine
job.
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
authorizing and directing the City of Salina, Kansas, to acquire a tract of land
in Saline County, Kansas, together with the existing improvements thereon, for
industrial development purposes; authorizing the payment of the cost of improving,
enlarging, constructing and equipping industrial facilities thereon; authorizing
and directing the issuance of $265,000.00 principal amount of industrial developm(
revenue bonds of said City for the purpose of paying the cost of purchasing,
improving, enlarging, constructing and equipping such industrial facilities;
prescribing the form and details of said industrial development revenue bonds;
providing for the collection, segregation and application of the revenues of such
facility for the purpose authorized by law; pledging said facility and the revenue
from said facility to secure such bonds; providing for a trustee and prescribing
the powers and duties of such trustee; and prescribing the form and authorizing
the execution of a lease and agreement by, between and among said City as landlorc
The Hill Company, as tenant, and Connally Implement Supply Company, Inc., as
guarantor." A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner
Losik to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes:
Caldwell, Cooper, Losik, Usher, Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor
approved the ordinance and it is numbered 8318. The ordinance was introduced for
first reading November 5, 1973.
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
providing for the vacation of a portion of Mercury Avenue within the City of
Salina, Kansas." (Requested in Petition Number 3370 which was filed by
Wallerius, Inc.) A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commission(
Losik to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes:
Caldwell, Cooper, Losik, Usher, Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor
approved the ordinance and it is numbered 8319. The ordinance was introduced for
first reading November 5, 1973.
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
providing for the amendment of Zoning Ordinance Number 6613 and the Zoning
District Map therein and thereby adopted and providing for the rezoning of
certain property within the City and prescribing the proper uses thereof."
(Rezoning of Lots 181, 183, 185, 187 on Fifth Street, Original Townsite) A motioi
was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Caldwell to adopt the
ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Caldwell, Cooper, Losik,
Usher, Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance
and it is numbered 8320. The ordinance was introduced for first reading
October 29, 1973.
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THE CITY COMMISSIONERS reconsidered a letter from the Metropolitan
Planning Commission concerning Petition Numbers 3320 and 3321 which were filed
by Mr. Gerald Knowles :For annexation and rezoning of a tract of land in the SW14
of Section 19-14-2. (Tabled at the October 15, 1973 meeting)
Mayor Weisgerber commented this ground has been pretty well plowed in
the past, and asked if there are any further comments on it.
Mr. Jim Torrey was present and re -stated his position that the petiti
should be denied.
Mr. Gerald Knowles said, "I really don't have any comments, as you said
we have plowed it pretty well in the past. I am really going to leave all my
comments to Rosetta Ogborn. I do feel and I think this should be brought out at
this time, I have been accused of being a developer and I need to sell the land.
I do want to point out one thing, we have already agreed that Dr. Mathis is going
to buy the land anyway, so the thing that I want to point out is I am still here
because I feel, for the good of the community and to keep the city on the move,
that this should be approved. The rezoning amendment should be approved."
Mrs. Rosetta Ogborn said, "It would seem to me that there should be
nothing left to say. It has been talked over at much length, but ladies and
gentlemen, the land plan as such is out now, and -much of it is as it was before,
and I think you will agree that the plan has not been accepted by the public and
may not be in the form that it will be in; but I feel there must be a decision
made on this property today. We are asking you to consider that the Metropolitan
Planning Commission has passed this twice, both times with only one vote against
it. As I understand their guidelines, this says that it is compatible with the
land use in the area. I understand that other factors need to be considered, and
I feel sufficient time has been allowed for that by now. These guidelines are
set up for the use of land and it is my understanding that a medical clinic fits
with the land use in this area, and also the Commission has no other choice but
to accept it now. I have been privileged to live in Salina a goodly number of
years. My husband, Don, and his father, Elmer, have been in the construction
business in Salina for more than 30 years. We have supported Salina in good
times and bad. There have been times when Salina gets broad-minded and improves,
and there have been times when it slips into a rut of little mindedness and then
we don't go anywhere. Do we really have a city on the move? We have given the
protestors an open invitation to come and see what was planned in this area and
to ask questions about what was to be there, and so far we have not had one take
us up on this. To me that seems that they are saying that they don't want it,
whatever it is. Unless they have something more concrete to offer, I suggest
a decision cannot be made upon that. It is my understanding that the Commission
needs to consider the good of the City as a whole, and I think if Mr. Marshall
didn't make a clear statement about the tax base a week or so ago, then we need
some training in business management. We work like mad to get industry to come
from out of town, but we can't get people who live here to support Salina. Ladie.
and gentlemen, according to the rules of the game, this proposed use fits in this
area and I humbly ask for a decision today, to that effect."
Mr. Virg Lundberg commented, "I am one of the major property owners
affected by this, and there are two things that the opposition have consistently
preached and one I would like to bring up right now is that somebody said there
are enough doctors in Salina. I was interested enough to check. Forty percent
of the medical treatment comes from outside Saline County. We are a medic center
and therefore I think this is quite an ambiguous figure. Secondly I hate to brim.
in the future land use plan into this, there is a large area indicated in this
general area, and I am not speaking for any other thing except that it is
indicated as residential. I did check with one of the people who has been very
influential in putting this future land use plan together, a medical clinic fits
with the land use in this area. If any of the opposition talk about housing
tonight in this area, they must consider first, if they have an FHA loan, they ar
asking for something across the street that is impossible at this time."
Mr. Jim Torrey was present and re -stated his position that the petiti
should be denied.
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Dr. Jerry Mathis commented, "First, if I had known Salina is as backwar
as it is, I would never have come here. Second, this land right now, and I think
Mr. Torrey needs to get that straight, is not residential, it is agricultural,
and I have already bought it and I might decide to put a pig farm over there. I
also feel, unless I request rezoning for residential, it will never be zoned
residential, so I don't know how you feel that the City is going to make us make
it residential. Now I feel I have asked for a good thing for the City of Salina,
and that is number one. As a physician I think I should be well aware of what
kind of shortages there are in Salina. I think that any person here today that
would like to call an Ophthalmologist's office in this city will not get an
appointment for about one year. I think that any of you who have small children
will not find a pediatrician who will take care of your children, period; because
they are not taking new patients. The general practitioners are over burdoned
right at the present time. I think it is absolutely foolish to say that there is
not a shortage of doctors in Salina right at the present time. Second of all
there is no office space available in this city right now other than the United
Building and that is where I happen to be. I think there are a lot of problems
there. The rent is too high and the building is poorly maintained. Parking is
horrible and I think if we are going to draw new professional people to this town
office space must be available and at the present time there is none, and I have
taken this upon myself to help, to do what I could to help the City of Salina,
not myself, by being able to find a place that there would be enough land
available that if professional people really want to come to Salina, there could
be a building built for them. I think it is also true, to expect the ones that
are here to stay for the next 25 years because some of them are 60 years of age.
I think if you will also look at the State of Kansas, you will find statistically
that the average age of a physician in the State of Kansas is 57. I think you
will also find if ,you go to the KU Med Center, that you will find over 60% of the
fellows that are trained, regardless of what he is trained in, are not staying in
the State of Kansas. Now that speaks well for the State of Kansas, is all I can
say. When 60% of the physicians are trained here go to some other state, then
there must be something wrong with this State. I call it conservatism. I call
it feeling that people can't take anything that is new. They can't take anything
that is different. If I thought for one moment that what I was doing out on
South Ohio would devalue somebody's property, demoralize this city, I wouldn't
be out there asking for rezoning. Now if I thought something was demoralizing,
that what I first said, I would put a pig farm over there and right now I could
do that and the City Commission couldn't prevent me from doing it, because the
land right now is in the County. It is not in the City of Salina. So I am saying
that to me is demoralizing and I am not intending to do that. I am trying to add
an addition to this city that I feel would be a valuable asset. I think if anyone
would check, they would find that education and health care are the number 1 and
number 2 industry in this city, as far as salary and jobs. We employ the most
number of people right now, is either education or health. Now if you want to
help destroy it, one of the best industries you have, then you vote 'No'."
Commissioner Usher moved to accept the recommendation of the Metropolit
Planning Commission and approve the annexation and rezoning of the tract of land
in the Southwest 4 of Section 19-14-2. The motion died for the lack of a second.
Commissioner Losik moved to reject the recommendation of the Metropolit
Planning Commission and deny the annexation and rezoning of a tract of land in
the Southwest 4 of Section 19-14-2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Cooper. Ayes: Caldwell, Cooper, Losik (3). Nays: Usher, Weisgerber (2). Motion
carried.
A LETTER was received from the Metropolitan Planning Commission
recommending the approval of the final plat of Interstate District Southwest of
I-70, as requested in Petition Number 3290, which was filed by Mr. C. L. Clark.
A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner Losik to accept
the recommendation of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and approve the final
plat of Interstate District Southwest of I-70. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion
carried.
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THE CITY ENGINEER reported on Petition Number 3372, which was filed by
the Kennedy School PTA, for stop signs at the Otto and Hageman intersection, that
"both Otto Avenue and Hageman Avenue are considered collector streets. Some time
in the future, when the area is more developed, there will probably be a warrant
for stop signs on one or both streets. At this time, however, stop signs at this
intersection would be premature. These signs would cause unnecessary starting anc
stopping and could lead to disrespect for all traffic control; and this department
recommends denial of Petition Number 3372 for stop signs". A motion was made by
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Losik to accept the recommendation
of the City Engineer and deny the stop signs. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion
carried.
A LETTER was received from the Metropolitan Planning Commission
recommending the approval of the rezoning of 11.11 acres in the Southeast 4 of
Section 26-14-3 from District "A" (Second Dwelling House District) to District "D"
(Local Business District). (Rezoning of a 25 acre tract was requested in Petition
Number 3354 which was filed by George Wallerius)
Mr. Wallerius was present and stated he had asked for 25 acres, but
the 11.11 acres would be all right at the present time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Usher
to accept the recommendation of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and approve
the rezoning of 11.11 acres in the SE -4 of Section 26-14-3 and introduce the
rezoning ordinance for first reading. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
Ordinance Passed:
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THE CITY ENGINEER reported on the removal of portions of the median in
the north half of the 400 Block of South Santa Fe Avenue to allow left -turn
movements. (Request from Weeks, Inc., for removal of the median to allow south
bound traffic access to their north parking lot; and a request from the Saline
County Ambulance Service for removal of the median to allow left -turn movements
at the emergency entrance at Asbury Hospital). The City Engineer recommended the
removal of sufficient median to allow left -turn movements at both of the locations
and after the removal, the center line of the 400 Block of South Santa Fe should
be painted with a double yellow line. This would allow the left turn movements,
but would prohibit passing movements in these locations. A motion was made by
Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner Cooper to accept the recommendation
of the City Engineer and approve the removal of the median. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0)
Motion carried.
COMMISSION AGENDA
"REFERENCE TO PRESIDENT NIXON'S ADDRESS AS PERTAINS TO THE FUEL AND
ENERGY CRISIS: 1. Discuss and decide whether the City should take the initiative
and voluntarily implement the controls outlined by the President." (sponsored by
Commissioner Losik)
Commissioner Losik said, "I think we all heard the President. We know
what the problem is. We also have copies of telegrams that were sent all the way
down through, including one to you, and in part the President has asked for
regarding the speed limit, but then I think there are other areas too that in
addition to this, and until such time as they get the legislation cranked in, but
since his speech, we felt and heard the seriousness of what we had worked on here
just a couple of weeks prior to that was the fuel shortage. Now when I mention
fuel, of course we are talking about the fuel needed to operate our equipment and
our vehicles and operate our city, now the heating factor. I want to separate
those two because when we talk about energy that includes a multitude of sins.
Now we already had encountered a problem here in the city on the gasoline shortage
and I think we turned around and immediately recognized that we also recognized at
that time, and frankly I don't think any of us really felt or realized the
seriousness of it and we made arrangements to give the City Manager some additiona
authority to help us acquire fuel. Now even fuel, as such, was not in short
demand to the city from the sources available to us, the sources we had contracted
for couldn't deliver, so in keeping with this we permitted him to buy fuel where
ever he could and to keep us posted on this. So now we are being told, and the
last news report I heard it is very strong, that the first report said that it is
Possible we will have gas rationing after the first of the year. Now the last one
that I heard was it is possible we might even have it by the end of this year, now
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if this is true we are talking about 45 days from now. In the meantime, I know
the news media has surveyed the various levels of government to get their ideas
on this thing and they all have different concerns and of course I think everybod
in general was concerned, it was just a matter of what we can do. Now I think th
City Manager brought out, true, there are certain things in this community that w
must provide; now we are going to have to keep our health, our safety, the health
portion of it being the trash pick-up, the safety of course the police, we need t
have street lights because if we eliminate street lights we are encouraging crime
and this puts another burden on the police. So there are some basic items that w
are really locked in on, that we can't do much with; but along those same lines
there are other items, chances are the staff has already started to work on and I
would just like to bring them up to see if they are. I believe they are, but
these are ideas that we should honestly do some good in. Now vehicle utilization
is one of the items I had on the agenda 2 weeks ago, we didn't get to it, we
didn't expect to, cause we wanted to resolve the fuel source first; but I think
we should take a hard look as to whether the number of vehicles we have within
our departments are excess to our needs. Now I know when I say this everybody is
going to jump up and say, 'heck no we are short'; well when you are going into
an austerity program which if this rationing comes up we are going to have to loo]
at this there may be some of us have to take to bikes and walking, I don't know.
Can we use smaller or more economical, compact type of vehicles to replace the
ones we presently have in use when the replacement time arrives? This is somethii
we might look at too, and are we assigning our vehicles on a 24 hour dispatch to
individuals whose normal duty hours are 8 to 5; true, occasionally these people
do get called out, but would this be a savings? I think, too, from the standpoint
of public awareness now, which we are going to have to have all the support from
everybody, because when I, as an individual, can't go out and can't get gas or
something is taken away from me, that I am paying taxes for, I am going to look
and see what our government is doing. I might not be able to do anything about
it, but I can sure recognize some of the things. I would wonder, with the
exception of the vehicles in the Police Department which are required to be
unmarked, if the rest of our vehicles shouldn't be marked as city owned vehicles.
Now you say this won't save us any gas, perhaps it won't, but at least the people
will know where our city owned vehicles are and they will know they are there for
a reason. Now sometimes I think we go ahead and get ourselves caught by hoping
we can keep the vehicle in the inventory for two or three or four years and get
an X number of miles out of it. This is good logic, but in many cases everybody
knows that a piece of equipment, on occasion, is bad when you get it and it will
dollar you to death so from that standpoint it might be an idea to look at it
from the maintenance cost and the operating cost of that vehicle. It might be
better for us to get rid of it earlier than what we normally would by hanging on
to it for two or three years. Now I think if all of these things are being looked
at, I think if you can get the jump on it, should this shortage come up to the
degree that it is anticipated, we are way ahead of the game so that when we do
have to ask our citizens and our taxpayers to be deprived or cut down on some of
the services that we may have to give them, I think they can honestly feel a
little inconvenience, but they know that it is a legitimate thing we are asking
them for. So along these lines, again, I hope nobody construes this to think
there is misuse, or anything. These are just ideas that all of us look at, that
when it is belt tightening time there are three notches and we are trying to get
down to the last notch. So in keeping with that I know if we ask each other
these things I would hope that from the rest of the Commissioners, from the staff,
that we all ask each other these things openly knowing that we might be inconveni
but it is in the good interest of the community. The collective input will help
us get over this stuff and it will come to us, and this is the reason I brought i
up, not to jump on the President's band wagon or, that gee this is a popular thin
I guess I don't know if it is fortunate or unfortunate but we recognized it two
weeks before it became a National issue to us, and told to us Nationally; so I
would hope we would continue jumping the gun on these things and taking whatever
action we can so when we do have to cut back, everybody knows we have done it
reluctantly, and only after we were backed into the corner and had to. This is
the general jest of it Jack, and again I repeat I am not and I don't want anyone
to get the opinion that we are not operating economically, under normal operating
conditions, this is, but we are going into a what is not a normal situation."
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Mr. Waite commented, "We are talking about 2 areas of concern. The
first to the majority of the people is the natural gas. This seems to be where
the people have the biggest question. The majority of the businesses and homes
are heated with gas, and our attitude is, we feel we have adequate supplies of
natural gas for our firm customers, and the concern has come up both as a National
issue and a local issue because we have limited some quantities we have made
available to new industrial customers that have wanted to come to the City. This
we have done as a protective device to our firm customers; we are refering to
residential and commercial type customers. We think this Winter we have adequate
supplies, and projected for several years, we feel adequate supplies. Our large
industrial interruptable customers will probably experience about the same Winter
as far as the minimum days interrupted this year as they did last year, based on
the severity of the Winter. If we have a real severe Winter in lieu of Spring,
possibly more days will be affected; but our firm customers should not really be
concerned at this point because as a utility we are charged with the responsibili y
of furnishing these utilities to these people, and we anticipate further ahead
than just this Winter. So that kind of covers our stand on natural gas, and I'll
move on to electricity unless there are questions. Our electricity comes from
four basic points, Lawrence, our Tecumseh station outside Topeka, Abilene and
Hutchinson. Our eastern stations, and in Lawrence particularly, we burn some
natural gas and some fuel oil, but a majority of the production is in coal. We
have supplies on hand at those plants that would take us well into next year. We
have contracts, of course, for coal to come in there, but at that particular
station we are at the federal standards on our pollution control system. As far
as plant capacity, which is one side of the coin, our Summer peak, which we are
well capable of serving as far as plant capacity is better than twice what our
Winter peak is, so basically we could run on a portion of our plant, one half
of our plant capacity of peak Winter times. As far as the plant, we are in good
shape, excellent shape, this Winter. The other side of the coin is that the fuel
which we are concerned with here - like I say a majority of it we will burn is
coal, we will have some natural gas except in the extreme portions of the Winter
that can be burned at our western stations, Abilene and Hutchinson. We also
have several million gallons of fuel oil in storage and contracts for additional
fuel oil too, if we need it this Winter; so we feel we are in good shape, as good
shape as in the past. We don't know what the fuel allocation would be would we
need more fuel oil through something coming up. But it is our understanding that
electric generation would be one of the priority items to receive fuel oil should
we need it. Our coal supplies are here in Kansas and we have got coal coming in
all the time and we do have a large stockpile, so we don't feel there is any
problem as far as having a normal Winter on our electricity, or gas, for that
matter."
Mayor Weisgerber said, "We have received a telegram and a mailgram,
both from Nixon about this, and as Mike stated in his statement, he said 'Nixon's
address pertaining to the fuel and energy crisis.' I have had several calls and
several people have talked to me that are concerned not only about this gasoline
or diesel or propane fuel, which is going to be the most critical, they have also
had questions if the city hall is going to turn down their thermostat to 60 or 65
degrees but are you going to pass an ordinance to prevent the use of electricity
in the advertising signs downtown and other questions which extend into the natur
gas consumption for heating, and also the use of electrical energy. We should tr
to communicate to the people where we are in these 2 fields. The telegrams and
the communications we got from the President stresses the 50 miles per hour speed
and for various reasons we are not going to change the speed limits within the
City of Salina to 50 MPH, but as a city we are not outside the city limits too
much and this would apply more to county and state agencies on that speed limit,
but it would apply to us when we do have occasion to get out of the city limits
and it would certainly apply to all the citizens of Salina to try to cooperate
with this, but I wonder, and I don't mean to put the power and light company on
the spot but conditions do vary from one part of the country to the other, and
where fuel is and where electric power and how electric power is made. I thought
I understood, up until today, that Kansas Power and Light made all of their
electric power with coal. I find that they make a great percentage of it with
coal, but not all of it. Mr. Steven Waite, the local manager of the Kansas Power
and Light is here. Do you have any comments?"
Mr. Waite commented, "We are talking about 2 areas of concern. The
first to the majority of the people is the natural gas. This seems to be where
the people have the biggest question. The majority of the businesses and homes
are heated with gas, and our attitude is, we feel we have adequate supplies of
natural gas for our firm customers, and the concern has come up both as a National
issue and a local issue because we have limited some quantities we have made
available to new industrial customers that have wanted to come to the City. This
we have done as a protective device to our firm customers; we are refering to
residential and commercial type customers. We think this Winter we have adequate
supplies, and projected for several years, we feel adequate supplies. Our large
industrial interruptable customers will probably experience about the same Winter
as far as the minimum days interrupted this year as they did last year, based on
the severity of the Winter. If we have a real severe Winter in lieu of Spring,
possibly more days will be affected; but our firm customers should not really be
concerned at this point because as a utility we are charged with the responsibili y
of furnishing these utilities to these people, and we anticipate further ahead
than just this Winter. So that kind of covers our stand on natural gas, and I'll
move on to electricity unless there are questions. Our electricity comes from
four basic points, Lawrence, our Tecumseh station outside Topeka, Abilene and
Hutchinson. Our eastern stations, and in Lawrence particularly, we burn some
natural gas and some fuel oil, but a majority of the production is in coal. We
have supplies on hand at those plants that would take us well into next year. We
have contracts, of course, for coal to come in there, but at that particular
station we are at the federal standards on our pollution control system. As far
as plant capacity, which is one side of the coin, our Summer peak, which we are
well capable of serving as far as plant capacity is better than twice what our
Winter peak is, so basically we could run on a portion of our plant, one half
of our plant capacity of peak Winter times. As far as the plant, we are in good
shape, excellent shape, this Winter. The other side of the coin is that the fuel
which we are concerned with here - like I say a majority of it we will burn is
coal, we will have some natural gas except in the extreme portions of the Winter
that can be burned at our western stations, Abilene and Hutchinson. We also
have several million gallons of fuel oil in storage and contracts for additional
fuel oil too, if we need it this Winter; so we feel we are in good shape, as good
shape as in the past. We don't know what the fuel allocation would be would we
need more fuel oil through something coming up. But it is our understanding that
electric generation would be one of the priority items to receive fuel oil should
we need it. Our coal supplies are here in Kansas and we have got coal coming in
all the time and we do have a large stockpile, so we don't feel there is any
problem as far as having a normal Winter on our electricity, or gas, for that
matter."
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Commissioner Usher asked, "We hear a lot about turning the thermostat
down, are you advocating this?"
Mr. Waite said, "We don't feel like it is our position to advocate or
not, we know by experience that basically if you turn it down 30 you could
probably save 5% on the utility bill, and each 3° you go down, you save
approximately 5%. People in general get used to this kind of thing. We certainl
are not opposed to it, but as taking a position on it, we have not. Our main
thing and the thing we want to do is be sure people have adequate supplies to
take care of their needs. Now as far as economizing, I think this is something
that should be."
Commissioner Usher said, "There is one comment made down at Topeka and
regarding the fuel shortages, natural gas for one, part of the problem was
transportation. Some areas have a lot of gas and fuel oil and other areas didn't
have it; so it would be a question of moving it from one part to another part of
the Country. Now you say you have adequate supplies of natural gas and you
foresee no shortage. What if Uncle Sam wakes up January 1st and says Kansas
you've got too much gas, you are going to have to let Minneapolis, Minnesota
have it, or have a part of it. Is this a possibility?"
Mr. Waite replied, "I suppose it is. I am not really qualified to say
on that."
Commissioner Usher said, "Well this is the point I think needs to be
made, and needs to be gotten across to our community, and any community, is the
fact that we definitely have got problems someplace. Maybe not in Salina, Kansas
and if they continue, even though we are sitting here fat, dumb, and happy, we
may wake up on the 15th of January with a cold house, because they have decided
to take this somewhere else, so as a community I think we have to get behind this
and as a city I think we should start conserving in some ways and this goes to
saving on lights and fuel."
Mayor Weisgerber commented, "I think what Mr. Waite is saying,
in a way is, that if we choose to use this gas this Winter and keep our houses
hotter and all. We could do it probably without problems. I think though you
might also be leaving the door open a little at that, because if we look at this
long range, I believe in my conversation with you, you said the pressure at the
well heads is gradually decreasing as the years go by so if we want to conserve
some of this for the future, however many years we may be looking down the road
then if we begin to be a little more conscious of the heat we are burning now,
we are going to have a little more to use in the future somewhere. Certainly
it will conserve a very valuable product for future use."
Mr. Waite replied, "We have never advocated wastefulness as a utility.
If you go back to our ads and promotions and advertising in the past, we have
always promoted insullation of houses, proper insullation of houses, and proper
weather stripping and things like this and these are the points where you really
make a great saving, where you really economize. The question you throw in Bill,
what happens if the Federal Government intervenes, that is someting we would
just have to deal with. Our interruptions we have to our industrial customers
basically are based on the capacity of the transmission system at the peak hour,
so certainly transportation would enter into that thing, and we could, through ou:
system,on a peak day,supply gas to somebody else if they more or less take over
the system and say you will operate it this way. That certainly could change
the situation. The Federal Power Commission has not taken that kind of attitude
in the past. We have been more ruled by the Kansas Corporation Commission with
input into the Federal Power Commission on this type of thing."
Commissioner Losik commented, "What you brought up there was one of
your company officials made this statement that KP&L could maintain the service
to their customers they had, providing there is no change in their source or
ability to get the fuel, this was the statement I heard on the radio, and this
ties in with what you are saying Bill, this is right and what you told us, if
you will give us all of this, but if Uncle Sam or somebody else intervenes and
they can if things get rough someplace else, then we have to be aware of this."
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Mr. Waite said, "The intervention we are seeing at this point is
relaxing the standards to allow people to burn coal, which is in ready supply and
which we are doing, and a lot of places have switched, not in our company, but
speaking of other companies that I am aware of have switched from burning coal to
burning oil, that has brought about part of this. They are asking in his message
the President's message, that those who haven't removed their coal burning stoves
go back onto coal, even though that won't meet the Federal pollution control
standards to alleviate the fuel oil situation, so there is a relaxing to that
standard. It would certainly help as far as that is concerned."
Commissioner Caldwell said, "Last week, or a couple of weeks ago there
was a statement came out that we would possibly lose a firm coming to Salina
because of the gas shortage. Why is it we would have a gas shortage in Kansas
and they wouldn't have one in Nebraska? What is the difference?"
Mr. Waite said, "I really can't answer your question Bob, satisfactoril
Most places in Nebraska are in essentially the same situation we are here in
Kansas. Now we did limit the amount of natural gas we would furnish to that
particular company and we have been limiting to 100 MCF a day on the interruptibl
basis, what we will give the large interruptible customers, mainly as a
protective device. We want to keep a reserve for the firm classification of
customers so ten years down the line we will not have to say well we are sorry
but we just can't serve the houses that we have been serving. So part of this
was due to other commodities being in short supply. These people couldn't find
alternate sources of fuel oil and propane and these types of things to make up
the difference, so the other fuels also entered into our loosing these industries
By the same token we have given additional quantities to industries. Certainly
Nelson Tire Town which is under construction, Roberts Manufacturing and Rickels
and Wyatts, all are having expansion programs that we have been able to supply
quantities of gas to and electricity for that matter, so I can't answer the
specific questions why Lexington, Nebraska had gas that we couldn't furnish.
I really couldn't answer that question. I don't know what quantity of gas they
have in Lexington, or what the basis their interruptions are going to be on.
They may be interrupted November 1st through March lst. I don't know those facts
maybe somebody does."
Commissioner Losik said, "I don't have anything else Jack, just what
we have done here today is the intent of bringing this thing up. The discussion,
the exchange of ideas. Have individuals in these positions such as yourself
come in and give us some input into this and this is basically what the intent
was to bring this up, to do it collectively rather than each of us knowing that
these things exist. This I think helps to have a better understanding of our
problem, so I would ask for no action other than some of those suggestions that
probably staff is already looking at, but I am talking about the general input
that maybe somebody can give us, some ideas."
Commissioner Caldwell commented, "You mentioned, Mike, that cars should
be marked, official city cars. How would that help the gas situation?"
Commissioner Losik replied, "I think more awareness, Bob, of seeing
cars and people realizing that we do have this many vehicles in the City in our
inventory that sometimes they will see a car that maybe they don't know that
this is one of our city cars, and it is doing a job for us; this is part of it
see, and again I think we are going to need the public understanding, all the
awareness we can, and again it's - I think we have a nice shield on a lot of
these things. It adds a little pride and prestige to it too, it goes with the
job. There is no question about that, but I think the people will realize that
we have a lot of equipment in our inventory and sometimes they don't recognize
it as ours, and true - this in itself, and I state again wouldn't be such a gas
savings, but it ties in with knowing that we must maintain this number of vehicl
running to do the job that we are doing."
Mayor Weisgerber said, "The news media has copies of this mailgram
from the President, it would just take a minute here to run down orally perhaps:
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"Thermostats in office buildings can be reduced to a level between
65 and 68 degrees, the same standard we are setting for Federal offices. Working
hours for the municipal employees can be staggered. Unnecessary lighting can be
curbed in homes and offices. Greater use can be made of mass transit and car
pooling. School schedules can be altered holding more classes during the Spring
and Summer months. Government vehicles under your jurisdiction can be restricted
to speeds not to exceed 50 MPH and that covers, I think, the main point. I think
we can see there that some of them perhaps apply to us and some may not so much.
The working hours for municipal employees staggared. I don't quite see. I don't
see what he is getting at on that one and of course we don't have mass transit
in Salina. We certainly can benefit from car pooling, possibly city employees
or industrial work or those who may go back and forth to the base, if you go out
to the base when the shifts are changing, you pass car after car after car with
one person. I think we have taken steps on the thermostat in this building"
Commissioner Usher suggested, "Why don't we explore lighting?"
You know we could probably save some of our electrical power by making sure all
of the lights are out that are not necessary, even during the day, and maybe
even give up our night meetings."
Commissioner Cooper replied, "We'll give up the night meetings, Bill,
if you will give up your trip to San Juan."
Mayor Weisgerber said, "Everything that could be done within common
sense should be done to conserve all of this fuel and all of this energy will
be helpful."
Commissioner Usher commented, "I think if the community does really
come to grips and try and do something, everybody, I don't just say city employee
or businesses, or schools, I think it takes every individual in the community tha
maybe we won't have to have some drastic things done, like removing all on -street
parking for example, and force people into car pools. And gas rationing, I don't
think there is any choice in this matter, we are going to have that and maybe
this will solve our problem eventually."
The City Manager said, "I would like to make a comment now, that I thin
is appropriate. I don't want anyone to get the idea that staff has not given
these areas a certain amount of attention and consideration. I think if you will
check your budget message we related to this possible problem in our pricing for
gas the last quarter of this calendar year and also for 1974. We were not
considering the supply of automotive gas critical until the war situation oversee
and the cutback of Arabian oil, or foreign crude, cast a totally different pictur
on the situation through the 50 states. We have had meetings with all of our
department heads present. Bill has had meetings with some of them independently.
I have off and on, even at the time and subsequent to the preparation of the
budget. The latest I think was 4 hours last Thursday morning and each of these
department heads submitted to me some ideas and some of them were initiated
immediately such as: the thermostat; such as the turning off the lights in the
rooms that are not being used; cutting down on some of the lighting in the Water
and Sewerage plant. I don't know if some of the flood lights have been turned of:
but certainly these situations could be taken into consideration. At least we
can reduce some of our lighting, but not to a level that circumstances would
dictate would be too low. We want to eliminate ideling of vehicles. We're
considering the use of more river water at the water plant. It requires less
energy and less chemicals to treat river water. We used 77% river water last
year, and we are planning to use river water right up to the very sub -freezing
weather as much as possible this year. We considered the area of not making
public service calls unless these are emergency types, with the Fire Department
apparatus. We haven't initiated this as yet and it may be necessary to initiate
some alternate running plans for the Fire Department apparatus. We have discussec
this idea of a motor pool. I don't know whether we can initiate any savings ther(
or not. There are many factors that support the present operation, such as we
would have to put on attendants at the pool. We are talking about accountability
for vehicles; the possibility of vandalism, cutting back on some of the service
that is provided where these people who have a car on a 24 hour basis are on 24
hour call. We discussed certain things as street sweeping and leaf pick up, snow
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removal scheduling and routing. Some of this is a matter of public judgement
as to whether there is any fuel waste here or not. We might say just for an
illustration, leaf pick up. We can eliminate picking up these leaves and compou
the situation. Is it going to use more gasoline to clean the sewers out for
example than the gas that would be used during the leaf pick up program? As all
of you are aware, I am sure, we started quite an extensive program of snow
removal nine years ago , about 1964. We have expanded it a couple of times;
the last time about three or four years ago. We have a rather elaborate map
showing the system we follow. We not only remove or the arterial streets, we
do that first; then those that are classified as collectors and under certain
conditions we get on a few residentials. We try to get every household within
four or five blocks of a street that has been busted open with the maintainer.
Neither do we have the most sophisticated type of snow removal equipment.
"I just mentioned a few of these things to make the point that we have
been talking about these things. When it comes to snow removal you are at the
mercy of the elements and you have got to guess as to whether to hit them or not.
Sometimes when we get an accumulation of three inches, we will go through, and
sometimes we will wait until we get more, depending upon wind, drifting, and
this type of thing. We have to use judgement and depend on these guys who have
worked with snow before. I merely say at the conclusion here that as far as
governmental function and where they are on a list of priorities as it relates
to the butanes and the natural gases, the distillates, they rate pretty high.
So I think if Federal guidelines do come out or Federal rationing, they are going
to have at the top of the list, agricultural, we all need to eat; second
probably health, we all need those services; third is going to be safety,
welfare and this type of thing; down at the bottom of that list is going to be
convienence. The trip to grandma's.
"We are primarily here for the health, safety and welfare of the
community, and if the people of the community feel that some of these services
need to be discontinued, talk to us or give us an opportunity to visit with you.
We will be happy to hear from them."
Mayor Weisgerber said, "As far as the general public is concerned there
aren't any laws we as a Body can actually make at this time. It will be
initiated perhaps by the Federal Government, but we certainly can be aware of
all these things and all of us try to recognize and cooperate in every way that
we can to conserve on these fuels and conserve on our energy."
Commissioner Losik said, "I think all we wanted is just what we have
done. I think this was a tremendous accomplishment, just what we have done
tonight here. Everybody realizes who is doing what, and any ideas, we welcome
them."
PUBLIC AGENDA
PETITION NUMBER 3373 was filed by Carl E. Imler, 207 North Thirteenth,
for the rezoning of Lot 1, Block 3, Mayfair Addition from District "A" (Second
Dwelling House District) to District "D" (Local Business District). A motion
was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner Losik to refer
the petition to the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
PETITION NUMBER 3374 was filed by Malcolm G. White, 521 Beechwood Road,
for the rezoning of Lot 75 on Second Street, Original Townsite of the City of
Salina, Kansas, from District "B" (Two -Family Dwelling House District) to
District "D" (Local Business District). A motion was made by Commissioner Usher,
seconded by Commissioner Caldwell to refer the petition to the Metropolitan
Planning Commission. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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A LETTER was received from Cayton-Jones, Engelhardt, Gillam, Architects
representing Paul Warden, owner of all of Lot 105 on Santa Fe Avenue, Original
Townsite, requesting the use of 6 inches of public property sidewalks for
aesthetic purposes. A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by
Commissioner Usher to refer the request to the City Engineer for a recommendation
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
PETITION NUMBER 3375 was filed by Keith W. Smedley, 887 Custer, for
the rezoning of Lots 18 and 20, Block 44, Military Addition from District "B"
(Two -Family Dwelling House District) to District "D" (Local Business District).
A motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Caldwell to
refer the petition to the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Ayes: (5). Nays:
(0). Motion carried.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner
Losik that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned.
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk
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