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