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01-10-1972 Minutes1 1 1 City of Salina, Kansas Commissioners' Meeting January 10, 1972 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room, City -County Building, on Monday, January 10, 1972, 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 Robert C. Caldwell, Chairman presiding Commissioner Leon L. Ashton Commissioner Norma G. Cooper Commissioner Mike Losik, Jr. Commissioner Jack Weisgerber I comprising a quorum of the Board, also: L. 0. Bengtson, City Attorney Norris D. Olson, City Manager D. L. Harrison, City Clerk f Absent: None The Minutes of the Special Meeting of December 31, 1971, and the Regular Meeting of January 3, 1972, were approved as mailed. i THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED January 15, 1972 - ''MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY''. The proclamation' was read by Rev. J. E. Jones. SEVENTEEN students from Bethany College, with their instructors, were present. They are taking an inter -term course of City Government. STAFF AGENDA A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: ''A RESOLUTION authorizing and ordering certain street, water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements, ordering preparation of plans and specifications, and the estimate of costs.'' (Project 71-542) A motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Ashton to adopt the Resolution as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Ashton, Cooper, Losik, Weisgerber, Caldwell (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it is numbered i 3117. 1972 TRIMMING AND TREATING OF TREES AND SHRUBS License Applications were filed by the following: Paul and Fred Handlin, d/b/a Handlin & Son Tree Service (Trim) Marvin Reinert, d/b/a Reinert Tree Service (Trim) A motion was made by Commissioner Ashton, seconded by Commissioner Losik to approve the 1972 License Applications and authorize the City Clerk to issue the licenses. Ayes: (5). s Nays: (0). Motion carried. 1972 CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE LICENSE APPLICATIONS were filed by the following: John W. Lamer, d/b/a Lamer's Market, 145 North Phillips (Renewal) Darrell D. Lesovsky and Art Brake, d/b/a Reubens, 110-112 E. Iron(New) Ben Vidricksen, d/b/a The Village Gate, 1329 East Iron (New) A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Cooper to approve the 1972 License Applications and authorize the City Clerk to issue the licenses. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried, 6 AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE was introduced and passed entitled: ''AN ORDINANCE making an appropriation for the payment of certain claims." (Bills - $209,422.68) A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Ashton, to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes.: Ashton, Cooper, Losik, Weisgerber, Caldwell (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance and it is numbered A-1612. AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE was introduced and passed entitled: ''AN ORDINANCE making an appropriation for the payment of certain claims.'' (Bills - $84,659.50) A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Ashton to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Ashton, Cooper, Losik, Weisgerber, Caldwell (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance and it is numbered A-1613. COMMISSION AGENDA ''MERCHANT POLICE - FINALIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSE.'' (Sponsored by Commissioner Losik.) Commissioner Losik mentioned the City Attorney had been instructed, at a previous meeting, to get together with the Police Department, Director of Safety, and come up with some ideas for merchant police licensing. The City Attorney stated to the Commissioners that he had written to several Kansas cities, including Hutchinson, Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City, and obtained their Merchant Police Ordinances. Basically their requirements are similar to ours. following: The City Attorney, Director of Safety and Police Department recommends the 1. The vehicles be marked as Merchant Police Vehicles with some type of insignia. 2. The Merchant Policeman wear a uniform different from the police uniform. 3. Two-way radios be installed in their cars, so they can communicate with the Salina Police Department. 4. Identification cards be carried with them at all times. 5. Each applicant be required to pass some type of a test, as prepared by the Police Department. Commissioner Ashton asked the City Attorney what action the Commission should take at this time. The City Attorney stated if the ideas that he had just presented were all right, he should be instructed to put them in ordinance form for their approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Cooper to instruct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance with the necessary changes to include the 5 recommendations. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. The City Attorney was asked how long it would take for him to do this. He stated he would like to have two weeks, if possible. The City Manager, referring to the test to be given the Merchant Policemen, mentioned one of the items would be the 10 signals required in using the radio and probably some questions concerning local ordinances and State Laws. Commissioner Losik mentioned that the City would incur no liability in the licensing of Merchant Policemen. The City Attorney agreed with Mr. Losik's statement. ''CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE - APPOINT ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO BRING IT UP TO 80." (Sponsored by Commissioner Losik.) Commissioner Losik mentioned that the Citizens' Advisory Committee was off to a good start. They would like to have the 80 members on their Committee. 1 1 Commissioner Losik moved that: I. The public be made aware and names of interested people be submitted to serve on this committee. 2. The Citizens' Advisory members submit names. 3. A letter be sent to the principals of the three high schools to see if there are any 18 and 19 year olds who want to serve on this committee. 4. The 22 additional members be appointed at the February 14, 1972 meeting. Commissioner Cooper seconded the motion. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. Commissioner Weisgerber feels the high school students would have to be seniors and probably would be leaving in the Summer. He feels they need more merchants, women, and teachers. Commissioner Losik said he knew the students would be leaving, but thought the short time they were on the committee, they would obtain knowledge of city affairs, and maybe someday return to the City and be good prospects for members. Commissioner Weisgerber suggested that maybe Salina students attending Marymount College and Kansas Wesleyan University would be interested. ''RIVER PROJECT - CITY TAKE THE LEAD AND TAKE POSITIVE, PROMPT ACTION TO CLEAN UP THE CITIES PART, LIME RELEASE, ETC = ASK CORPS OF ENGINEERS WHEN WE CAN EXPECT AN ANSWER REFERENCE OUR REQUEST FOR STUDY = SEE IF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY ARE WILLING TO PAY A PRICE FOR THIS CLEAN UP.'' (Sponsored by Commissioner Losik.) Commissioner Losik gave some of the background on the river cleanup project, referring to the meetings they had with the Corps of Engineers. He stated this is a new year, and the river is getting no better, and he wants the City to take the lead to get started on it. Commissioner Losik wants to: 1. Submit a letter to the Corps of Engineers asking what date the study will be made. 2. Review the study on the Water Department dumping lime and sludge into the river. 3. Have an estimate of the cost of the Water Department's portion and submit this with the river cleanup project to the Citizens' Advisory Committee, so they can do a survey to see if the people want a river cleanup project. Commissioner Losik doesn't feel this would be in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers' Study. Mayor Caldwell mentioned that the cost to the Water Department would be around $700,000.00. Commissioner Weisgerber asked Mr. Grant, representing the Real Estate Board, if it wasn't a tentative date in 1973, when the study would be done? Mr. Grant feels that we should wait until we get that study before we do too much on our own. He didn't think there would be any funds available until July, 1972, for a survey. He mentioned that there would be no cost to the City, that the Federal Government would pay for the survey. There was a change made by the legislature, which provides if a flood control project had caused pollution, then the Federal Government would pay all the expenses to clear these situations up. It is hopeful that this may be the case in Salina. Commissioner Weisgerber mentioned the Water Rate Study was turned over to the Citizens' Advisory Committee some time ago. If we are going to have to spend $700,000.00, we will need a bond issue and I don't feel this was figured in on the Water Rate Study. The City Attorney stated you are talking about two different things. The cost of another means of disposal of water treatment waste would come from Revenue Bonds. The City -at -large would have to issue General Obligation Bonds in order to finance its share of a river cleanup project, if it is not totally federally funded. Commissioner Weisgerber asked, "Shouldn't the redoing of the water plant and the Water Rate Study, now in the Citizens' Advisory Committee, be done together?" The City Attorney said he cannot see the Citizens' Advisory Committee coming up with a rate increase, when it is such a technical problem. Commissioner Weisgerber stated, "We made a mistake when we turned the Water Rate Study over to the Citizens' Advisory Committee". He feels the Water Rate Study and the lime problem should be turned over to a consulting engineer. Commissioner Losik said the Citizens' Advisory Committee doesn't have the technical knowledge, but what he wanted was to get an opinion from the people, a feeling of the cross section of the town, to see what their feeling is on the rate increase. Commissioner Weisgerber feels we have to increase the water rates to do something about the river pollution. Commissioner Cooper said the Citizens' Advisory Committee is just a thermometer for feedback to the City Commissioners. Commissioner Weisgerber said time is getting to be of an essence. The Water Rate Study and the River Study need to get going. Commissioner Ashton asked the City Attorney if the price freeze would have any effect on the rate increase. The City Attorney stated he didn't think so, that it could probably be justified. The City Attorney reminded the City Commission they are the only ones who can hire a consulting firm. He suggested a feasibility study might include various alternatives and related costs. At that time the Citizens' Advisory Committee could consider these and make recommendations to the City Commission. The City Manager mentioned that he attended a meeting of the Sub -committee for Capital Improvements of the Citizens' Advisory Committee. This committees' concern was that they would need to meet with various technical people such as consulting engineers, bond people, etc., for information, data, research, etc. and look to them for certain recommendations and that before an ultimate decision was made the City Commission would undoubtedly have to duplicate these meetings. The City Manager said the lime and sludge would, by present standards, have to be removed from the river by 1975 and this size of project would have to be financed through a bond issue. The Commissioners all agreed that something should be started right away, however it should be handled. The City Attorney told them that the first thing for them to do was to employ a consulting engineer to get started. The City Manager stated that Wilson and Company had been employed to do a long range water study which had been completed, but it needed to be updated and reviewed by the City Commission. Commissioner Losik moved (Part 1) that a letter be written to the Corps of Engineers asking when we could expect the survey from them. The City Manager mentioned that they had called the Corps of Engineers just this morning, but they did not know when it would be ready, because they did not know when there would be funds for this report. They might know within 30 to 60 days. The City Manager stated Wilson and Company would need to review and explain the document, prepared by them, to the City Commissioners. 1 Commissioner Losik included in Part I of his motion that this Long Range Water Study, prepared by Wilson and Company, be reviewed by the City Commissioners and to include the sub -committee who, at the present time, is reviewing the Water Rate Study. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. ''STREET CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS = DEVISE A DIFFERENT METHOD OF FINANCING NEW CONSTRUCTION = IDENTIFY MAIN TRAFFIC WAYS, NORTH, SOUTH, EAST & WEST, REVIEW PROGRAMS OF USING SLURRY SEAL AS OPPOSED TO OVERLAY.'' (Sponsored by Commissioner Losik) Commissioner Losik gave background on the problems of the flow of traffic through the City. He feels the City is becoming isolated because of poor traffic flow, mentioning that the bus and air services are limited, and that we depend on the automobile. We need to realize that we need North, South, East and West trafficways. We need a different way of improving these streets, such as the East Crawford problem, and come up with some ideas where we can get the North, South, East, West trafficways established to make it easy for people to get in and out of our City. He would like to have someone take a map and draw some North, South, East, West trafficways for them to consider. He mentioned the State Highway Commission has been using slurry seal for years, but does not know if the City of Salina has used it or not, but if it would cut costs, this is what we need to do, and figure out the cheapest and best way to maintain our streets. Commissioner Cooper asked the City Attorney about East Crawford, when the protest overrode the improvements. Can the City improve a main artery street? i The City Attorney stated it was designated as a major traffic street and the City can pay 100%, or there is a law which allows the City to improve a street which connects with a permanent street outside the City Limits, but this is limited to 1/2 a mile. He feels East Crawford is over 1/2 a mile between the bridge and Marymount Road. Another possibility is the reconstruction or repair of a street with the same type material, which can be assessed to the property, and there is no protest. The City Manager mentioned the City Commission, in 1965, approved the 701 Plan, which included the Transportation Study. In this report there was a street classification. He showed the City Commissioners an updated map of the different classifications of streets.! This is very similar to the one in the Transportation Study. He mentioned this is the same map used for snow removal. A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Cooper to come up with some ideas for East, West, North, South Trafficways through the Engineering and Planning Departments, and ask the City Attorney to research State Laws for alternate method of financing improvements. Also to have the Engineering Department give some recommendations on the use of slurry seal, if and where applicable, as well as other type surfacing materials. Ayes: Ashton, Cooper, Losik, Caldwell (4). Nays: (0). Commissioner Weisgerber abstained. Motion carried. PUBLIC AGENDA A LETTER was received from Paul Mott, Chairman of the Official Board of the Bethel Baptist Church -Salina, requesting the City to forgive 50% of the delinquent taxes and interest or the interest on these delinquent taxes, on Lots 1 through 10, Block 8, and Lots 1 through 8, Block 9, Belmont Addition. A Motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by.Commissioner Ashton to disapprove the request. Ayes: Ashton, Cooper, Losik, Caldwell (4). Nays: (0). Commissioner Weisgerber abstained. Motion carried. PETITION NUMBER 3217 was filed by Mrs. Ron Drummond, President of the John F. Kennedy P.T.A., and Mrs. Ken Roach, Safety Chairman, for the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Otto and Hageman, replacing the yield signs. A motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Ashton to refer the petition to the Engineering Department. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. PETITION NUMBER 3218 was filed by Mrs. Ron Drummond, President of the John F. Kennedy P.T.A., and Mrs. Ken Roach, Safety Chairman, for changing Jupiter to a one-way street from Hageman west to Neptune and changing Neptune to a one-way street from Jupiter north to Venus. A motion was made by Commissioner Ashton, seconded by Commissioner Losik to refer the petition to the Engineering Department. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. to PETITION NUMBER 3219 was filed by Dan Bolen for the rezoning of the East 50 feet of Lot 4, Surveyor's Plat 8, from District "D" (Local Business District) to District "EE" (Local Service District). A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Losik to refer the petition to the Salina City Planning Commission. Ayes: (5)• Nays: (0). Motion carried. REQUEST FROM DR. WENDELL NICKELL - "Proposal concerning financing of an office facility for the Cultural Arts Commission" Dr. Nickell was present stating he had been present two months ago, asking for money for architect fees so alternate specifications and plans for a Cultural Arts Commission office space could be considered in conjunction with the Salina Community Theatre Building. He is asking for $1,600.00 to allow the architect to prepare such plans. Mr. Butschle stated he has been attending 90% of the meetings for the last four years. He can't see helping the Cultural Arts because they made no effort to finance their own portion of the building. He said, "If we need anything, it is a bus depot.'' "We need a lot of other things besides a Cultural Arts addition." "Why should the City do this?'' Commissioner Weisgerber explained the difference between the Cultural Arts Commission and the Salina Community Theatre. The theatre group is a private organization, and the Cultural Arts Commission is an arm of the City Government, and is tax supported. Commissioner Ashton stated this is a one time deal, and it would help the entire City. He feels this is the best time to have the Cultural Arts Office built in conjunction with the theatre. Mr. Butschle again stated they haven't tried to get donations to build this office space. ' Commissioner Weisgerber asked the City Attorney if they could use the Contingenciel fund to pay this, and how would it be possible to finance approximately $20,000.00? The City Attorney said you have the authority to use $1,600.00 from Contingencies for an alternate bid, and if you didn't have the funds available to build the addition, you could issue up to $100,000.00 in General Obligation Bonds within a year without an election. You would have to have the funds before contracts could be let. Mr. Butschle asked if Commissioner Ashton would be this liberal with money for a municipally owned bus depot? Commissioner Ashton said yes, if the bus companies could get together, the City could lease them such a facility. A motion was made by Commissioner Ashton, seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to allow a $1,600.00 fund for architect fees to prepare plans and specifications for office space for the Cultural Arts in conjunction with the Salina Community Theatre Building. Ayes: Ashton, Weisgerber, Caldwell (3). Nays: Cooper, Losik (2). Motion carried. REQUEST FROM MARTHA E. THOMAS - "Subject - Crossing Watchmen for school zones." Mrs. Thomas stated she would like to ask Manager Olson about the school crossing guards. When and why were they taken from the schools and put at the Police Department? The City Manager stated if such was done, it was prior to his coming to Salina, and he was unaware of it. Mrs. Thomas said she heard it was because of Social Security. She asked, "Are you going to do something this year about our children who need more protection?" She asked the City Manager who took off the 22 crossing guards? The City Manager said the action became official when the City Commission approved the budget. She also asked Mr. Olson if $80.00 is too much for our children's protection? Mrs. Thomas asked Commissioner Ashton if it is so that he works out of town in Wichita for Morrison Grain Company? "Do you feel you are giving enough time to the City? Commissioner Ashton stated he is here Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. He is given the agenda and all supporting documents on Friday, which gives him a good chance to review any problems for the upcoming meeting. Mayor Caldwell asked Mrs. Thomas if she had anything else? She said , "No". 1 1 THE MAYOR, with the approval of the City Commission, made the following appointments: Building Code Advisory Board i Paul Wearing - appointed for a three year term to June 1, 1974 i to succeed Frank Bruha. I I Salina City Planning Commission E. A. Dawdy, reappointed for a three year term to November 22, 1974. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner Losik, that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourn. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried. City Clerk D. L. Harrison, 1 1