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11-19-1973 Minutes1 1 15 City of Salina, Kansas Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners November 19, 1973 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room, City -County Building, on Monday, November 19, 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 The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 12, 1973 were approved as mailed. THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED the week of November 25 through December 1, 1973 as "KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL WEEK". The proclamation was read by Mr. Bill Shea, Representative of Sacred Heart Key Club. Mayor Weisgerber welcomed a group of students from the Constitution Class at Salina High School Central. STAFF AGENDA BIDS WERE RECEIVED for the City owned building at 216 West Crawford: Henry H. Grandstaff Walter Scheidt Carol A. Vogan $2,125.00 1,530.00 504.00 A motion was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner Usher to reject all bids, because they were all below the lowest appraisal figure received in January, 1973. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. THE CITY ENGINEER reported on a request by Paul Warden for the use of 6 inches of public property sidewalk for aesthetic purposes on Lot 105 on Santa Fe Avenue, Original Townsite, that the request is to allow them to place a three inch pattern brick facing onto the present front wall of the "Old Salina Mercantile Company" building at 104 - 106 North Santa Fe Avenue. This is not a projection from the present wall, but a new facing extending the full height of the present building. This department recommends the approval of this request. A motion was made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner Losik to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and approve the request. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. Commissioner Cooper asked the City Engineer how the East Crawford Street project is progressing. During a short discussion, the City Attorney said he had given the City Commissioners a report on the options open to them for the improvement of this street. 16 COMMISSION AGENDA "DISCUSSION of the re -activation of the old municipal airport east of town." (Sponsored by Commissioner Usher) Commissioner Usher commented, 11I often wondered why that runway has, remained closed for so long. I think we have a very unique situation in Salina i the fact that we are fortunate enough to have that kind of a runway, 6,000 x 100 feet in concrete. It lies just East of one of the finest golf courses in the State of Kansas and probably in the mid -west or probably it will be. Professionally designed. Few cities of any size in the United States really have something as unique. There are a lot of people who fly, a lot of people who play golf and like to go to different golf courses. It could generate additional usage of our golf course. Eventually I could visualize some of the rooms out there being renovated to provide for meetings. It has a restaurant. Fly in golf tournaments of one kind or another can be scheduled, and I don't think the cost would be too great to re -activate the runway. I visualize just removing the x's, putting up a wind tee or a wind sock and providing some tie - downs and the necessary fencing that would keep the aircraft from driving into automobiles and visa -versa. Now, in order to re -activate an airport, you must first contact the FAA and complete the necessary forms and state that this situation constitutes the re -activation of a closed airport, which requires the City Commissioners to file the FAA forms. In addition, I think if we do re -activate the runway or were to get to this point, we have a lot of development going on out there. People who are thinking about expanding in that direction in the way of residential area or other types of developments. They need to be awar of the fact that the city does own air rights at both ends of the runway and whic limits them to what they can develop within that area." Dean Wilson, student, commented, "If there isn't going to be that kind of traffic, why do it?" Rev. Glen Halbe, Pastor of the Rolling Hills Congregational Church, commented, "This is at a time when we are aksed to curb recreational travel, but this would cause more consumption of fuel. The real question is if this can be re -activated what would happen to the cross country course that borders that runway, and what would happen to the young people who do a little bit of dragging out there, rather than on the streets?" Commissioner Usher replied, "If people are allotted fuel, they are goin to burn it some way, and we should just as well take advantage of having them com in to see us. As far as the cross country track goes, they surely don't run on the runway and I don't foresee how re -activating the runway would close down that at all. I think it can be compatible." Robert Entriken replied, "There are something line 3,000 people here to see the events at the cross country track, and those spectators use a portion of the runways and trafficways to park and watch. This facility is also used by model airplane clubs, soap box derby races, bicycle races and my own interest. It is used quite a bit for car testing. We are attempting to bring to Salina next year, the National Solo 2 Championship. It would be about 200 cars and that would bring upwards to 600 people to Salina for this event. If it was agreed to re -open this to aviation traffic, events like this could not take place. Kim Apt, student, commented that the old airport is used in a variety of ways, such as sky diving. Dick Godby, student, asked if the noise wouldn't bother the golfers with all the planes coming in. He said the noise of the cars bothers him. Commissioner Usher replied it You might to is not a continual noise with an airplane want wait just a few minutes to drive a ball or line up for a putt while he takes off or is approaching for a landing; but I don't think there is going to be that much traffic out there to cause that kind of a problem." Dean Wilson, student, commented, "If there isn't going to be that kind of traffic, why do it?" Rev. Glen Halbe, Pastor of the Rolling Hills Congregational Church, commented, "This is at a time when we are aksed to curb recreational travel, but this would cause more consumption of fuel. The real question is if this can be re -activated what would happen to the cross country course that borders that runway, and what would happen to the young people who do a little bit of dragging out there, rather than on the streets?" Commissioner Usher replied, "If people are allotted fuel, they are goin to burn it some way, and we should just as well take advantage of having them com in to see us. As far as the cross country track goes, they surely don't run on the runway and I don't foresee how re -activating the runway would close down that at all. I think it can be compatible." Robert Entriken replied, "There are something line 3,000 people here to see the events at the cross country track, and those spectators use a portion of the runways and trafficways to park and watch. This facility is also used by model airplane clubs, soap box derby races, bicycle races and my own interest. It is used quite a bit for car testing. We are attempting to bring to Salina next year, the National Solo 2 Championship. It would be about 200 cars and that would bring upwards to 600 people to Salina for this event. If it was agreed to re -open this to aviation traffic, events like this could not take place. Kim Apt, student, commented that the old airport is used in a variety of ways, such as sky diving. 17 Commissioner Cooper commented, "The current practice does permit temporary use of the runways for aircraft by making prior arrangements, and this is fine, but I do believe that individuals and groups with interest other than flying and golfing have been, and should be encouraged to use these facilities. I think we should see how many people and groups we can accomodate out there, not how few." Commissioner Usher said we would need to explore with FAA to find out what restrictions they would place on it. 'The whole thing could be academic. The important thing is #1 that we have a unique asset out there, and do we want to make better use of it; and#2 the city owns air rights and we have people who are considering expanding and builders are making plans and they need to know whether we are going to continue with the air rights or continue with the runway." Commissioner Losik commented that, "The inactive airstrip out there is being utilized now in a variety of ways. It is bringing people in, and taking the youngsters off the street. If it is re -activated it would only benefit a special interest group and a few privileged individuals. This topic isn't new, this has been brought up before and as far as I am concerned, I just can't see why we shouldn't start doing things for the benefit of the city at large. I move that no action be taken to re -activate the old runway and further to dire the City Manager to repaint the x's to leave no doubt that it is inactive. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cooper. After a short discussion Mayor Weisgerber called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Cooper, Losik (2). Nays: Usher, Weisgerber (2). Commissioner Caldwell abstained. Commissioner Usher commented, "I understand that I am to explore this as a committee of one with the FAA and bring another report to the Commission and let you make up your mind." "PROPOSING the abatement of certain movie film at outside Theatres." (Sponsored by Commissioner Cooper) Commissioner Cooper said, "This pertains specifically to film with restrictive or lesser rating. Until recently, municipalities had little jurisdiction in these areas, court decisions however, now give local units of government a right to exercise some control; so I am proposing that this matter receive some attention and action from the City Commission. Also, as the subject concerns many people in the community, I suggest before we make a decision on this that we forward the item to the Citizens' Advisory Committee for review and recommendations. Following their report we can proceed from there. Everybody received a copy of a report given at the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers by Mr. Ralph Mann, who is City Attorney in Denton, Texas, citing legal opinions and also a copy of their own city ordinance with regard to this particular item." The motion was seconded by Commissioner Losik. During a short discussion Mayor Weisgerber commented that, "If we are going to refer this item to the Citizens' Advisory Committee, and they are going to go into this particular area, is it wise to restrict them to checking strictly what kind of films should be shown at outside theatres, or give them a broader scope and let them go further if they desire?" Commissioner Cooper replied, "They can make their own choice on this. I am not limiting them or suggesting what they do. If the Citizens' Advisory Committee wants to pursue other things and come back with suggestions and recommendations, that is fine. I am not saying they have to or that they cannot do it. It is up to them." Mayor Weisgerber called for a vote on the motion that the abatement of certain movie films at outside theatres, with restrictive or less rating, and the reference material from the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers be referred to the Citizens'Advisory Committee for their review and recommendations. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. RCM • PUBLIC AGENDA PETITION NUMBER 3376 was filed by M. Ethel Reeder against the installation of water and sewerage disposal on East Woodland Street. A motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Usher to refer the petition to the City Engineer. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. PETITION NUMBER 3377 was filed by Bill Chaffee, Realtor, for the rezoning of a tract of land at the northwest corner of Euclid and North Ninth Street from District "A" (Second Dwelling House District) to District "D" (Local Business District). A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Usher to refer the petition to the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA Mayor Weisgerber commented that next Monday, November 26, 1973, is the regularly scheduled night meeting. At 6:30 there is an Awards Dinner requested by the U. S. Weather Service and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in order to make some recognitions and commendations on the way things were handled on the night of the tornado; so we have a conflict and in order to change this meeting, it necessitates calling a special meeting at 4:00 o'clock instead of 7:00 o'clock in the evening in order for us to be able to do both. A motion was made by Commissioner Caldwell, seconded by Commissioner Usher to hold a special meeting on November 26, 1973 at four o'clock to consider the items that would appear on the agenda of the regular meeting. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Usher that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. D. L. Harrison, City Clerk 1 19 WAIVER AND CONSENT TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 11 Commissioners of the City of Salina, Kansas, do hereby waive notice and consent to the holding of a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on the 26th day of November 1973, at 4:00 o'clock P.M., for the purpose of considering business regularly scheduled to come before said Board of Commissioners on the 26th day of November, 1973, at 7:00 o'clock P.M., the regularly scheduled meeting date and time. Dated this 26th day of November, 1973. t q / Commissioners We, the undersigned, being the duly elected, qualified and acting Commissioners of the City of Salina, Kansas, and constituting all the Board of 11 Commissioners of the City of Salina, Kansas, do hereby waive notice and consent to the holding of a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on the 26th day of November 1973, at 4:00 o'clock P.M., for the purpose of considering business regularly scheduled to come before said Board of Commissioners on the 26th day of November, 1973, at 7:00 o'clock P.M., the regularly scheduled meeting date and time. Dated this 26th day of November, 1973. t q / Commissioners