05-22-1972 MinutesCON SOLIDAT D-SALINA
WAIVER AND CONSENT TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
We, the undersigned, being the duly elected,
qualified and acting Commissioners of the City of
Salina, Kansas, and constituting all the Board of
Commissioners of said City of Salina, Kansas, do
hereby waive notice and consent to the holding of a
special meeting of said Board of Commissioners on the
22nd day of May, 1972, at 4:00 o'clock P.M., for the
purpose of considering the business regularly scheduled
to come before said Board of Commissioners on May 22, 1972,
at 7:00 o'clock P.M., the regularly scheduled meeting
time.
1
Ll
Dated this
1v
Commissioners
1
City of Salina, Kansas
Commissioners' Meeting
May 22, 1972
The Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room,
City -County Building, on Monday, at four o'clock p.m., for the purpose of considering the
items to be considered at the regularly scheduled meeting for Monday, May 22, 1972, at
seven o'clock.
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 Leon L. Ashton
Commissioner Robert C. Caldwell
Commissioner Norma G. Cooper
Commissioner Mike Losik, Jr.
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 May 15, 1972, were approved as mailed
THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED May 30, 1972 through June 8, 1972 - "CIRCLE OF SAFETY DAYS".
The proclamation was read by Captain Eddie Harlowe, President of the Police Cadets, Explorer
Post # 219. Jane McMickell of the Police Cadets, and Ron Lundgrin, Public Safety Officer
were also present.
THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED the Month of May - "SENIOR CITIZEN MONTH". The proclamation
was read by Carlos Hernandez, Delegate -at -large to the White House Conference on Aging.
STAFF AGENDA
THE CITY ENGINEER filed a feasibility report for the improvements requested in
Petition Number 3239, which was filed by Verner C. Smith for the concrete paving, curb,
sewer and water for Linda Lane to the south edge of Bonnie Ridge from Neal Avenue, and
for Scott Avenue from Linda Lane to Pattie Drive.
The City Engineer presented the Commissioners and the City Clerk with a copy of
the feasibility report.
A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Ashton to
accept the City Engineer's recommendation and have him review the preliminary engineering
estimates with the petitioner. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
THE CITY ENGINEER reported on the study made on the one-way traffic flow of
Fourth Street, which was requested in Petition Number 3246 filed by Donald E. McConnell
on May 1, 1972.
The City Engineer spoke with the Commissioners and showed them four alternatives
concerning the traffic flow.
Commissioner
Losik moved that they table this and have the City Engineer get with
Mr. McConnell and go over
the alternates and get some direction and feeling of
the property
owners and then bring
it back. In the mean time he said the Commissioners will
have a
chance to drive through
this area and observe first hand, so we will have first
hand
information, then Mr.
Boyer can report on this later. The motion was seconded
by
Commissioner Caldwell.
Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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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." (Requested in Petition Number 3240, which was filed
by the Hanson Development Company for the rezoning of the Mid -State Mall property from
District "A" (Second Dwelling House District) to District "D" (Local Business District).
A motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Ashton to adopt the
ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Ashton, Caldwell, Cooper, Losik,
Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance and it is numbered
8207. The ordinance was introduced for first reading May 15, 1972.
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE prohibiting
the operation of motor vehicles, motorcycles, or motor -driven cycles upon any portion of
public property, other than the improved portion of streets, and providing certain
exceptions thereto." A motion was made by Commissioner Ashton, seconded by Commissioner
Losik to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes: Ashton, Caldwell,
Cooper, Losik, Weisgerber (5). Nays: (0). Carried, The Mayor approved the ordinance and
it is numbered 8208. The ordinance was introduced for first reading May 15, 1972.
A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
City Clerk to issue permits for the operation of mini -bikes, go-carts or other motor -
driven cycles on certain designated city property and providing the restrictions, conditions
applicable thereto." A motion was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner
Caldwell to adopt the Resolution as read, which designates the activity area as Park # 7,
and the following vote was had: Ayes: Ashton, Caldwell, Cooper, Losik, Weisgerber (5).
Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it is numbered 3121.
MAYOR WEISGERBER announced that the Commissioners will get together at 1:30 P.M.
Thursday afternoon to review the Community Renewal Program.
The Mayor said it is a rather involved program and they wanted to be informed
on the subject prior to Mr. Darnell's leaving the City Staff.
The Mayor said thenews media is invited to attend and the citizens are welcome,
but it will be a period for questions and answers by the Commissioners of the Staff. The
public will be able to ask their questions of the City Commissioners and Staff when it is
presented formally on the agenda.
COMMISSION AGENDA
"DISCUSS AND RECONSIDER THE CITY OF SALINA'S POSITION ON SENATE BILL 333, PUBLIC
EMPLOYER -PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RELATION LAW, AS REQUESTED IN LETTER DATED MARCH 7, 1972, FROM
LOCAL # 782, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS." (sponsored by Commissioner Losik)
Commissioner Losik said the Commission needs to know what the decision is as to
the status of the Fire Lieutenant and the Fire Inspector, from the standpoint of supervisory
or non -supervisory personnel. He said he believed Mr. Olson was to have that for them when
this matter was discussed.
Mr. Olson said the only thing he could report on would be that identified by
State Law, and he said he didn't believe the statute was amended at the last session of the
State Legislature, and he added that his interpretation was that officers were permitted and
eligible to establish their own units.
Mr. Bengtson said he discussed this matter with the Fire Chief. The Fire
Lieutenant is classified as supervisory personnel because he does have other firemen under
him, and as such, he does fall into this category. As far as the Fire Inspector, he
normally works on his own; however, when he is at a fire, he could command other firemen
and direct their activities. Essentially they both fall into the category of supervisory
personnel.
Commissioner Losik said we have this letter dated March 7, 1972, which was sent
by the chain of command, and signed by the President of Local 782 of the International
Association of Fire Fighters, requesting that the Commission review and recognize them
under the provisions of Senate Bill 333• Commissioner Losik said he would like to have
this letter and the allied papers become a matter of record.
Commissioner Losik said we have amended our personnel manual; but our personnel
manual provisions are designed to handle items on the individual basis rather than the
collective basis. He added that Senate Bill 333 provides that we can confer in good faith
between representatives of a public agency and representatives of a recognized, certified
employee organization.
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1
Larry Bruzda introduced himself by
this Local 782 we are talking about. Now
to state by piece? I would like to have it
Mayor Weisgerber answered, "Yes".
saying, "Mayor Weis>gerber, I am president of
am not sure I understand this, am I being asked
clarified?"
Mr. Bruzda said, "Well Mayor, this, as you know, started some time ago, and my
letter that you have before you is dated March 7th, now today, being May 22nd, is some time
since past. I think I would like to point out to start with that the firefighters in Local
782 intend on cooperating with the City Commission, and are thankful for the time to discuss
this, and this is what it is all about, this Senate Bill 333• You have a chance to say
something in an organized and collective manner, rather than on an individual basis. You,
as Commissioners are busy enough. I am quite certain it is impossible to arrange to hear
firemen on an individual basis, unless you do it through an investigation process like we
had in the past; so there are benefits along that line to Senate Bill 333• Some of you
Commissioners were not present at the time we had great turmoil at the Fire Department.
For those of you who were not present, I would like to reiterate, just momentarily, if I
may. Let's go back to the Keith Armstrong deal. The suspension and the firing. Had we
had a plan like Senate Bill 333, 1 am quite certain we would have never entered into the
problem that we are in today. There would have been channels to go through. Right now,
if I have a problem that I want to call to my Department Head or to the City Manager, it
is a very, very ticklish problem. I've got six years on the Salina Fire Department and
I am proud of all six of them, but I don't know how secure my job would be if I tried to
discuss a problem that pertained to me or a group of men who felt the same as I do.
"Senate Bill 333, which the legislature was wise enough and honest to come forth
with, has established guidelines. If you adopt it today, you haven't given the city
employees a gift, you gave them some security for their jobs. You haven't given them
a gift.
"One of the other things that came about was the Commission investigation. I
have no idea what the price tag on the investigation was. I know there was a lot of time,
and I know there was a lot of money. If we had had Senate Bill 333, the Commissioners
would never have had to time up their time, I'm positive of that. At the conclusion of
that investigation we got into more trouble, the Fire Department and the City Manager.
Unnecessary as far as Senate Bill 333 is concerned.
"Then we get down to the item of law suits. Some of you Commissioners were right
in the middle of this problem. Right now, so far, we have spent over 14 thousand dollars
of the tax payers money. Before it is done and over with, we might be up to around 30 or
35 or 40 thousand for lawyers fees to handle the problems that you have within your
departments within the City. Under Senate Bill 333 there are guidelines that would most
definitely eliminate lawsuits. You have fact finding boards. You have arbitrations.
All this is spelled out. It protects the tax payer and the City Government the same as
it protects the city employee, the ultimate benefit. You don't have to spend thousands
and thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to find out what the problem is. You would
have a way of doing it; but right now, you can't say we do. Sure we have a grievance
plan, but I'm not so certain a guy wouldn't lose his job after he used it anyway. Now,
I've been told to have faith. I'm a city employee that has looked back on turmoil from
the day I joined this department. But I took the outlook on it that I can't be completely
right, I have to be wrong too, to a certain extent, but that is a two way street there too.
"This Fire Department, when I came to work, had seven Captains. Today we have
three, and tomorrow we might have none. You tell us to keep the faith. The rank and all
the privileges and benefits of that Salina Fire Department are leaving day by day. This
Senate Bill 333 would give us a chance to talk this over. It would provide ways of bringing
these problems out and work them out on the sensible solution without going to all the
problems and all the bad publicity of the people. Neither of us want it.
"I would like to also remind you that as far as this Senate Bill 333 is concerned,
there is a no strike provision in it. There is a no strike clause. If our city came under
Senate Bill 333, there would be no concern over strikes. You know and I know that at one
time there were plans made to cover the Salina Fire Department in the event they went on
strike.
"One other thing, as Mr. Losik has brought up, this is a great problem. Word is
out, let me tell you. The last Saturday, the Fire Chief, several firemen and myself went
to Wichita. We had a fire demonstration down there that we went to attend, and get a
little experience from. When we were in the hotel, the Holiday Inn across from Century II,
the Fire Chief from Reno County, being one individual, said 'Boy, you firemen in Salina,
you've got the best position of any firefighters in the State, because you've got no where
to go but up'. Now you know it's a bad problem if it comes out like that. It is embarrasing
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to me. It is embarrasing to the Fire Chief. It should be embarrasing to every taxpayer
in Salina. I want to work that problem out. I want people in this State to say Salina
has a good Fire Department. I'd like to say I could talk to the Chief, the City Manager,
or the Commissioners on behalf of many men behind me, I would like to also point out,
Mayor Weisgerber, that we are not just talking money here in Local 782. Many non-union
members of Local 782 feel they would be grateful if the City would come under Senate Bill
333• Now there are requirements under this, guidelines outlined in Senate Bill 333, which
requires you to have a majority of a certain group to be in your unit, right now, we have
the majority. It is just whether or not you decide to give the protection to yourselves
and us as to whether or not we go into the rest of that part of it.
"There are still severe problems in our Fire Department. There are problems
in other areas of our City body, but you won't hear from them until such a time as the
problem becomes more than just a problem. Till it borders on a tragedy, then someone
will come fort, and you will know about it. The Fire Department has carried the buck
of all the bad publicity and the ill feelings, but none of the other city employees have
come forth. But rest assured, sir, there are problems in other areas of the City. By
your actions here today, after this is all discussed, and it is all talked over. Your
actions today will determine how the problems come to you from the Fire Department. I can
only say, sir, that, if you have read through Senate Bill 333, you know the protection it
offers the taxpayer, the same as it protects the city employees.
"In conclusion I would like to introduce these gentlemen I brought with me today,
that I have asked to appear. On my left here, President William McCarter from Topeka who
is the president of the Kansas State Council of Firefighters, and on my right is Stanton
Gladden, International Association of Fire Fighters, Staff representative, of St. Louis,
Missouri. Now these gentlemen are from different parts of the State and out of State,
They travel around and they know what the firefighters position is elsewhere. They know
right in the State of Kansas what the firefighters position is. There is a lot of facts
that they have, that is why I requested that they be here today.
"I can't honestly say I agree with the City Manager or the City Attorney in the
definition of a supervisor. After reading the rulings of what a supervisor is from across
the country, it's been found to be what we have in the Salina Fire Department, we have a
working supervisor, a working foreman. We don't have a clear cut supervisor that has to
be removed from the working body. When we go to a fire in the Salina Fire Department,
that Lieutenant and that Captain get on the line just like anybody else when the time comes.
Sure, at the station they handle paper work and they assign work duties to the firemen,
but that is the job. That is purely incidental to their job. They are firefighters just
like anyone else on that crew. When it comes time to rescue someone, the Captain doesn't
stand on the side and say do it this way or do it that way, he is right in there with his
men. At a house fire he doesn't stand on the sidewalk and say you do it this way. He is
right in there with his men doing it. Now, I thank you very much, Commissioners and
Mayor Weisgerber, for a chance to explain our part of it. Thank you."
Mr. Gladden, introduced himself, and said in deference to his friend here, he
is from Kansas City, Missouri, which is a lot more akin to the State of Kansas than St. Louis.
He gave his background and said the grievance and job security system in Salina
is an archaic system, and urged the Commissioners to adopt the provisions of the Senate Bill.
He said Salina employees are worse off than the slaves were before they were freed.
Mr. McCarter said the Kansas State League of Municipalities encourages cities to
come under this bill.
Commissioner Ashton said, to his knowledge, there is only one city in the State
which is going under the provisions of this bill. The Fire Department is the only
department of the City, which is only 14-15% of the City employees, which has been heard
from. He said he doesn't feel anything has changed since they.originally voted on this.
He said no new efforts have been presented. He said he feels it is useless to bring this
up at this time because they all made a decision. There was a long study prior to it being
brought to a vote; nothing new has been added and he feels it should be dropped.
Mr. Gladden said he would like to respons to Mr. Ashton's point that firefighters
are the only ones who have petitioned the City. It is in the law, this Senate Bill 333,
they will have to do it individually because it separates the organizations. He said two
organizations cannot go together and hold hands and attempt to arbitrate the City at one
time. it separates the firefighters as one, it separates the Police as one, it separates
any other group of city employees within the City as one. When we bring out the point that
no other city employees are responding to this, it is possibly that there is no other
organization within the City.
Mayor Weisgerber asked if there are any other comments?
Commissioner Losik said he doesn't have any comments. He said he thinks all have
spoken, and at this time he moved that the City Commission adopt and go under Senate Bill
333, The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cooper,
Mayor Weisgerber said it has been moved and seconded that the Salina City
Commission go on record and adopt or accept the option to go under the provisions of the
public employee public employer relation law known as Senate Bill 333•
Commissioner Caldwell said he cannot, in good conscience, go along with Senate
Bill 333 at this time. He said he has a summons here with the names of James Martin,
Keith Armstrong, and other members of the Fire Department, against Norris Olson, James Lacy,
Leon Ashton, Carl Rundquist, R. H. Zimmerman, William Yost, Robert Caldwell, Don Millikan,
John Woody and Hobart McCabe to the tune of $1,235,000.00, and before something of this
nature is cleared up, he said he couldn't go along with it. He said he does not know who
is to blame, but he does know the City did not file this. This was filed by the members
of the Fire Department, and at this particular time, with the summons coming up, he could
not, in clear conscience, go along with this.
Commissioner Losik said Mr. Caldwell brought out a point of a legal aspect of it.
He said they have another consideration. He said he can respect his feelings on it and he
also feels this certainly shouldn't jeopardize what is already in the mill. He said the
point that he is bringing out is this would perhaps prevent reoccurrance, or at least we
would have the ability to negotiate with them because there is nothing that we have
right now that would prevent a reoccurrance. Now, by favoring this particular motion,
he said he doesn't know how it would affect the legal aspect. He said he doesn't know
that anybody can. He agreed with Mr. Caldwell that all they can do at this stage of the
game is to let the consciences be their guides.
Commissioner Caldwell said there is another legal aspect. Only 47 or 46 men
in the City have asked for it, He said he never heard of another group in our City saying
they would like to organize, and until he hears that, he said he does not feel he can go
along with it, When 40 some firemen, who belong to the union, out of 320 employees, he
said that is just 1/8th, and he said that is not representative.
Commissioner Cooper said she doesn't really think there is anything anyone can
say that will change it, but she said she thinks it is unfortunate that this Commission
has been unable to reconcile their differences on this particular issue. She said she
can't recall the School Board encountering this kind of a struggle; or difficulties or
differences that the Planning Commission may have had in regard to the planning authority.
She said Senate Bill 333 wasn't passed for the exclusive benefit of the Salina Fire
Department. It was passed for the benefit of all Municipal employees. She said she
believes it would be a beginning. It is a piece of legislature called meet and confer, and
it lays down the legal guidelines to meet and confer, She said she can't help but feel
that is would be an improvement over the present system,
Commissioner Caldwell said there is a local employer option to come under this
act. That includes all employees, We are talking about one specific group and until all
local employees feel like they want to come under it, he cannot go along with it. He added
that he is not against anything, but the point is, until we have enough feed back from all
our local employees we are just wasting time,
Commissioner Losik explained that the basic thing that was brought out here is
that the law specifies how these units are to be certified; therefore, if each and every
one of these units would have to come in a body or en masse, they would be going against
what Senate Bill 333 is trying to do. He said the point is, there are many organizations,
different categories of employment, professional people, and that everybody doesn't belong
to a union, it you want to call it a union, or another bargaining or recognized employee
unit. They call it what they want, but it basically boils down to, if a group of people
in a certain category feel the need of representation, they form whatever they want to form.
This is what the law provides. It doesn't mean the rest of us have to be brought in line.
This is the opportunity for them to use it if they want to, and if they don't want to use it
it also states in there specifically that under no circumstances shall an employee be
encouraged, discouraged or denied from joining a unit. The guidelines are the safeguards
themselves. He added that he doesn't know what it is we fear. Ever since he has been in
Salina, and ever since he has been on the Commission, he said he can't understand why we
are so reluctant to allow our employees to become first class citizens. He said he had
nothing more to say, and asked for the vote.
Commissioner Caldwell said he is happy with the bill, but at this particular
time, he cannot see going along with it,
The Mayor called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Cooper, Losik (2). Nays:
Ashton, Caldwell (2), The Mayor voted Nay. The vote was 2 to 3. The motion was defeated.
"DISCUSS THE CITY PROVIDING OFFICE SPACE FOR CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION PRIOR TO
THE LETTING OF BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SALINA COMMUNITY THEATRE BUILDING."
(Sponsored by Commissioner Losik)
Commissioner Losik said first of all, he asked the City Manager for some figures
concerning the general operating budget, because he felt they should know this.
Mr, Olson said he got that request at 2:30 or 2:45, and that he really hadn't
been able to come up with that.figure, He said they were all aware, but he wanted to
reiterate that the $8,000 for the lots agreed to in January, February or March, did
come out of contingencies, as did the architect fees. He said he believes that subsequent
to that meeting it was explained to you, by the City Attorney, that you have two
alternatives when the bids come in, when you have a decision to make, that you can, at
that time, issue up to the allotted amount of $100,000 for this type of property or park
oriented improvements, or you can obligate the general operating fund, which is what you
are asking about right now, if that money would be available in this fund. He said that
our cash carry over in previous years has ranged from 30 to 70 thousand dollars, and that
is out of a 2 million plus general operating budget. The major portion of this is made
up of salaries where we have a turn over in personnel, and do not refill that position,
for example, we have seasonal type of work and the like in the Street Department, and
we may not choose to fill those positions until we get into construction type work, as
the winter breaks. This is where the major portion of the cash carry over money comes
from. He said, without being held to it, that we could possibly come through this year
with a 40 or 50 thousand dollar cash carry over.
Commissioner Losik said that is close enough. That will give us an idea of
whether we should fund it one way or another. Mr. Bengtson pointed out if we approve
this, we better have the money to do it ...
Mr. Olson said, "Or know where you are going to get it."
Commissioner Losik answered that is right.
Commissioner Losik reviewed, in detail, the expenditures and committments the
City Commission has made concerning the Salina Community Theatre and the Cultural Arts
to this time,
The City Attorney reviewed the actions of the Commissioners. He said the
Commissioners have said that they authorized the plan to accept bids and alternate bids,
and reserve the right, either to accept the alternate or to turn it down after the bids
are received. He continued that the Salina Community Theatre is taking bids tomorrow.
He said he visited with the architect today, and he indicated these will be firm bids
for 30 days, and the Community Theatre has 30 days after tomorrow to accept or reject
them. He said he is sure they are not going to accept them tomorrow because they
themselves will want to look at these bids to determine if they can build it; however,
"I think as Mr. Ashton said, if you want to proceed to build a Cultural Arts Office
if the bid is less than the engineer's estimate, or you vote to not proceed with the
thing, either way, I think you can go either way. I think you can make a decision on it
today that you will or you won't, depending upon the bid, or you can wait until you get
a firm bid, and at that time make a decision on it.
Commissioner Ashton said he doesn't know if they are in doubt of our decision
on it, but if we need a motion, I would move that we use the limits of $25,600 as the
estimate and authorize that bids be on that basis, and anything below that bid, whatever
comes for the Cultural Arts, the City Commission will be back of it. We are trying to
proceed to help them, but I thought this was a firm committment before, and if there is
any doubt, I think they should be made aware of how we feel toward this portion of it.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Caldwell.
i
Commissioner Cooper reiterated that the Commission is confirming that it will
approve to spendnot to exceed $25,600 for Cultural Arts. She added that what this decision
means then is that we authorized the expenditure of $1,600 for a study to come up with
these cost estimates, and now the decision that we are reaching here this afternoon is,
should the Cultural Arts Commission move from Memorial Hall to new facilities to be built?
She said she agrees that it would certainly be a nice thing to have a new facility. She
also said he feels that there is a similarity between city financing and family financing.
It is nice, and we would enjoy having a new home with more space, we must also realize
that shelter isn't the only thing that we have to provide, and I think this is the situation
that the Commission faces with the Cultural Arts, Well, let's vote on it.
Mayor Weisgerber called for a vote on the motion, and the following vote was had:
Ayes: Ashton, Caldwell (2). Nays: Cooper, Losik (2). The Mayor voted aye. The vote was
3 to 2. Motion carried.
RECONSIDERATION of a letter from Eloise French, d/b/a Radio Cab Company - Yellow
Taxi, requesting the approval of a taxicab rate increase.
Commissioner Ashton said he is very aware of costs of running a business is
continually increasing, and moved that the rate increase be approved as requested.
Commissioner Losik said there is only one portion of the rate he questions.
He said in addition to the proposed current taxicab rate increase, the cab company wants
the prerogative to charge 15� per call during the day time, next Fall. He said he takes
exception to this portion of the proposal. He said to his way of thinking, by allowing
this preogative, without any specific dates involved, it would just mean when business is
good you hit them hard with the extra fee, when it is bad you drop it off. He added he
doesn't think this is what they would like to see happen. He said this part of it he
would be very reluctant to approve.
Commissioner Ashton amended his motion to allow the rate increase at this time,
except for the 15C additional per call in the Fall, and instructed that in the Fall, they
could clarify their request and resubmit it, and to introduce an ordinance for first reading.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Caldwell. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
Ordinance Passed: J,�,"_ 19 197x- Number: 2229
PUBLIC AGENDA
PETITION NUMBER 3253 was filed by T, A, Lothman, for the installation of a
street light in the 1100 block of Highland Circle, between Beloit and Sunset Drive on each
side of the street. There is not enough light from the island lights. A motion was made by
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Losik to refer the petition to the City
Engineer for a report, Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
PETITION NUMBER 3254 was filed by Gene R. Corn for the removal of the "No Parking
at Any Time" sing in front of the Dillon's Store on South Ninth Street, as a customer
service to One Hour Martinizing, 1501 South Ninth Street. A motion was made by Commissioner
Ashton, seconded by Commissioner Losik to refer the petition to the City Engineer for a
report. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
LETTER FROM BROADWAY/NORTH NINTH LIGHTING COMMITTEE, Keith Duckers Chairman,
requesting the City take action on the installation of the new street lights along North
Ninth Street and Broadway to Ash Street.
Col, Duckers, Chairman, introduced himself and then introduced George Cardinal
of the North Businessmen's Association.
Mr. Cardinal said quite some time ago, approximately a year and a half ago,
his organization, the North Businessmen's Association, contacted the City Commission
relative to lights from 1-70 to Pacific and then down Broadway to Ash Street. He said
they presented a petition and they presented letters to the Commission. The program was
studied by Kansas Power and Light Company, as well as the Street Department, and a program
was presented and accepted by the Commissioners, and was included in the budget as a
special project.
He said they have contacted the City Manager's Office on a number of occasions,
relative to this program, We are here as a group representing the North Businessmen's
Association, requesting information as to what is going to happen on the light program.
In any event, we are asking that you let us know what is going to happen with this light
program,
The North Businessmen's Association formed for the sole purpose of trying to
make that part of the community a better place to live, to be a better part of the
community as a whole, He said, uniquely the lighting they are speaking of will not be
an asset essentially to the businesses in that part of the community, because most of the
organizations are closed during that period of time when the lights would be operating.
He added they are concerned about the community as a whole, He said what happens to the
community as a whole, happens to us.
Mr. Cardinal said you can go up and down 1-70. You hit Abilene, Colby and Oakley
and have a well lighted entrance way to the community, then you come to Salina, Kansas, and
then of course you have some problems. We know you recognize these problems because you
accepted this program into the budget, that Kansas Power and Light did work very diligently
with the City Government to come up with a good program. Kansas Power and Light submitted
the program to General Electric to have it analyzed, and they came back with recommendations
on the lowest dollar for the most lights. We now ask what you are going to do, and when
is it going to be done? We realize the end of the year is coming soon and you are going to
be budgeting, and we want to know if this program is going to be taken care of before that
time, is it going to be taken care of this summer, or how soom will it be taken care of?
Mr. Cardinal said this is their sole purpose of being here. He added that he has talked
with the City Manager on many occasions, and now they want to know the decision of the
City Commission relative to the lights.
Mayor Weisgerber recalled that it was made a part of the budget about a year ago.
Mr. Cardinal said the program was worked out in detail with both the City and
Kansas Power and Light, He said their petition proposed to take care of the lighting
between 1-70 and Pacific, this is the one we are concerned about, The lighting on Broadway
from Pacific to Ash was going to be on a maintenance type program with Kansas Power and
Light.
Mr. Olson recalled for the Commissioners that the program is a budgetary item
which the staff was asked to hold up on. There were four or five such items you included
in the budget, but instructed us not to go ahead with until you reviewed them.
Commissioner Cooper said she recalls, but the only thing she didn't know about
was the size of the illumination they were talking about.
Mr. Cardinal said he is a little bit amazed, surpised and possible confused,
because when the petition was placed before the Commission, and when the study was placed
before the Commission for approval of a dollar and cent value, based on the quantity and
quality of lights. It was then accepted. He added that this dollar and cent amount was
what you were budgeting on.
Mr. Bob White, of Kansas Power and Light, gave the Commissioners some figures
on the proposed lighting. He said there will be a monthly increase of $235.00 if you
install 400 watt lucalux on wood poles, from Euclid to 1-70; and if you want to install
steel poles, the increase is $294.00. This would be for 30 fixtures, 125 feet apart.
The monthly charge for 250 watt lucalux light is $7.30 each. They are proposing to remove
28 - 250 watt mercury vapor lights from Euclid to Pacific and replace them with 26 - 250 watt
lucalux fixtures. This would be a $4.05 increase over what you are now paying for each
light, but you will more than double your light.
Mr. White said if you went to wood poles, you are talking about a $6,000 increase
in your street lighting budget to light it all the way from 1-70 to Ash Street; and if you
went to steel poles you would be talking about a $7,000 increase.
After a little discussion concerning the size of lights, Commissioner Losik moved
to approve the installation of 400 watt lucalux on steel poles from 1-70 to Euclid and for
the Staff to review the lighting from Euclid to Pacific to decide whether to use lucalux or
mercury vapor lights. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ashton. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Losik, seconded by Commissioner Ashton that the
Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourn. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
&�2 �
D. L. Harrison, City Clerk