03-08-2021 Minutes CITY OF SALINA,KANSAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
March 8,2021
4:00 p.m.
The City Commission convened at 2:30 p.m. for Live Salina-Housing Plan Update at City-County
Building,Room 107.
Mayor Hodges asked the Clerk for verification that notice had been sent for today's City
Commission meeting. The Clerk replied yes.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in Room 107,
City/County Building. Roll call was taken followed by a moment of silence.
Those present and comprising a quorum: Mayor Melissa Rose Hodges (presiding), Commissioners
Trent W. Davis, M.D., Rod Franz, Michael L. Hoppock, and Karl Ryan.
Also present: Michael Schrage, City Manager; Jacob Wood, Deputy City Manager; Greg Bengtson,
City Attorney; and Cheryl Mermis, Deputy City Clerk.
Michael Schrage, City Manager provided an update to COVID-19 cases in Saline County and
stated that Jason Tiller, Saline County Public Health Director was scheduled to attend the March
15, 2021 commission meeting.
Mayor Hodges encouraged citizens to submit their COVID-19 related questions, in written form,
prior to next week's meeting, via email to citycommission@salina.org.
Mayor Hodges stated her appreciation for citizens, that wear face masks and observe social
distancing guidelines and further encouraged everyone to sign-up, through the Saline County
Health Department, to receive the COVID vaccine.
Jacob Wood, Deputy City Manager provided instructions for public members' participation in the
meeting,via Zoom,who were not physically present in the meeting room.
AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS
None.
CITIZENS FORUM
Steven K. Howe, 2202 Melrose Lane, Salina, introduced himself as a State Representative
for Kansas House District 71, stated he was sworn in to service on January 11, 2021 and
provided an overview of current activities at the State House. Representative Howe further
stated his willingness to work with the local school districts, City/County officials and
staff. Mayor Hodges thanked Representative Howe for his attendance and his service.
Dalton McDowell, Salina, asked when the mask mandate will be lifted. Mayor Hodges
stated that Commissioners would be addressing the mask mandate following consultation
with Saline County Health Director.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR A CERTAIN TIME
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
(6.1) Approve the minutes of March 1, 2021.
Page 1
(6.2) Consider awarding a contract for Microsurfacing.
21-0056 Moved by Commissioner Hoppock, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to approve the consent
agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Aye: (5) Davis, Franz, Hoppock, Ryan, Hodges.
Nay: (0). Motion carried.
Z
w ADMINISTRATION
R
co (7.1) Report on bids received for Vehicle and Equipment purchases for 2021.
TD Debbie Pack, Director of Finance and Administration, explained the request, fiscal impact
and action options.
Commissioner Hoppock asked if there were any deferred purchases included in the report
that were not purchased last year. Ms. Pack stated that staff was asked to resubmit any
items not purchased last year; some of those items were reflected in the report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Hodges asked Ms. Pack if a motion would need to include Downing Sales as the
recommended bidder. Ms. Pack agreed that it would make it clear if the vender was
specifically mentioned.
21-0057 Moved by Commissioner Hoppock, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve purchase of
2021 Vehicles and Equipment as recommended, authorize staff to proceed with purchases and
rebids, and authorize the City Manager to sign contracts with selected vendors, correcting the staff
Oa report and noted the two convenience area roll-off boxes were being purchased from Downing
Sales. A roll call vote was taken. Aye: (5) Davis, Franz, Hoppock, Ryan, Hodges. Nay: (0).
+•••+ Motion carried.
(7.2) Request for permission to submit application for SAFER grant.
Chief Kevin Royse explained the request,fiscal impact and action options.
Commissioner Davis asked if the grant would provide the time, for staff to plan the
department's budget,to absorb the cost of added positions. Chief Royse stated yes.
A discussion ensued between Commissioners Davis and Franz, Mr. Schrage and Chief
Royce regarding ongoing conversations on whether full-time staffing at the regular rate
would save enough overtime to offset additional staffing. Mr. Schrage stated that strategic
decisions on staffing could be implemented at the conclusion the of the grant cycle.
Commissioner Franz inquired whether the change would reduce overtime for EMS
personnel and firefighters. Chief Royce stated the grant was to assist fire departments with
staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to fire related emergencies, the grant was
not intended for staffing of EMS personnel.
Commissioner Franz questioned the type of response that FEMA expected to receive. Chief
Royce stated the intent of the program was for mid-sized departments to benefit from four
additional staff personnel,funded at 100%,the application totaled 27-pages and that he was
submitting three years'worth of detailed data.
Commissioner Franz questioned whether other grant recipients, from other cities reached
their objectives to reduce overtime and asked about their experience with the program.
Chief Royce stated that in the case of Andover, that community was growing and they
could not keep up with the residential growth.
Page 2
Commissioner Franz asked about the targeted overtime. Chief Royce stated the numbers
presented in the staff report depicted personnel assigned on a daily basis; currently two
shifts have 28 personnel and one shift has 27 personnel, if awarded the grant, the intention
would be to have 29 personnel on all three shifts.
Commissioner Hoppock if the proposed grant amount would fund the full amount that
includes benefits. Chief Royce stated yes.
A discussion ensued between Mayor Hodges, Commissioners Hoppock, Franz, Chief
Royce on tracking raw numbers of overtime hours; to differentiate between basic operation
overtime, to overtime that results from personnel out on sick leave, injury, training, or
vacation.
There were no public comments.
21-0058 Moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to approve the submission of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency application for a FY 2020 Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response grant, conditioned upon a discussion, to occur within 60-days, prior to a
grant acceptance; staff to establish benchmarks that are expected to be achieved from the grant. A
roll call vote was taken. Aye: (5) Davis, Franz, Hoppock, Ryan, Hodges. Nay: (0). Motion carried.
DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
None.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Hodges congratulated Jim Teutsch, appointed as the new Public Works
Director.
Commissioner Franz asked fellow Commissioners to consider a future discussion, to
propose a change to the transient guest tax. Mayor Hodges stated she would coordinate
with Mr. Schrage on when that discussion could be scheduled.
Commissioner Davis and Mayor Hodges, both participated in the hybrid meeting model
via Zoom, complemented both Salina Media Connection and Jacob Wood, Deputy City
Manager,for the technology upgrades, to simplify remote meeting participation.
ADJOURNMENT
21-0059 Moved by Commissioner Hoppock, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, that the regular meeting of
the Board of City Commissioners be adjourned. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting
adjourned at 4:56p.m.
MMA-
[SEAL] Melissa Rose Hodges, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cheryl Mg 's, Deputy City Clerk
Page 3