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08-14-2023 Minutes CITY OF SALINA, KANSAS REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 14, 2023 4:00 p.m. Mayor Hoppock 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. A roll call was taken followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Those present and comprising a quorum: Mayor Michael L. Hoppock (presiding), Trent W. Davis, M.D., Bill Longbine and Karl Ryan. Greg Lenkiewicz arrived at 4:03 p.m. Also present: Mike Schrage, City Manager; Jacob Wood, Deputy City Manager; Shawn Henessee, Assistant City Manager; Greg Bengtson, City Attorney; and Nikki Goding, Deputy City Clerk. AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS None. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR A CERTAIN TIME None. CONSENT AGENDA (5.1) Approve the minutes of the meeting of August 7, 2023. 23-0227 Moved by Commissioner Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Aye: (4). Nay (0). Motion carried. This motion was carried prior to Commissioner Lenkiewicz's arrival. ADMINISTRATION (6.1) First reading of Ordinance No. 23-11165 levying special assessments against certain lots of property to pay the cost of abatement of nuisances. Debbie Pack, Director of Finance and Administration, explained the request, fiscal impact, and action options. There were no questions or comments from the Commission or the public. 23-0228 Moved by Commissioner Longbine, seconded by Commissioner Lenkiewicz, to approve Ordinance 23-11165 on first reading, levying special assessments to pay the cost of nuisance abatements. Aye: (5). Nay (0). Motion carried. (6.2) Approve Charter Ordinance No. 42, on first reading, exempting the City of Salina from the provisions of K.S.A. 64-101 regarding newspapers in which legal publications may be made and providing substitute and additional provisions on the same subject. Page 1 Shawn Henessee, Assistant City Manager, explained the request, fiscal impact, and action options. A discussion on what happens during the necessary 60 day waiting period and the rights of the public to oppose a charter ordinance was had. There was also some suggestion of using the website in conjunction with the official City paper for a trial z- period to get City staff and the public used to the potential that the City website could be the official channel for legal publications in the future. TT, 23-0229 Moved by Commissioner Longbine, seconded by Commissioner Lenkiewicz, to approve Charter Ordinance No. 42 on first reading. A two-thirds vote was necessary to advance the motion. Aye: (5). Nay(0). Motion carried. (6.3) Authorize the Mayor to sign the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's letter to the Salina Regional Health Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas regarding rate negotiations. Mike Schrage, City Manager, explained the request, fiscal impact, and action options. The Commissioners expressed support for the letter and their hopes that Salina Regional Health Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield will reach an agreement. Mayor Hoppock and Commissioner Davis explained that, as the letter is impartial and unbiased, their personal connections to Salina Regional Health Center do not constitute a conflict of interest. Laura Curry, Salina, KS, asked about whether SRHC is privately or publically owned. 23-0230 Moved by Commissioner Lenkiewicz, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to authorize the Mayor to sign the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's letter to the Salina Regional Health Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas regarding rate negotiations. DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS (7.1) Approve Resolution No. 23-8145 authorizing City staff to prepare and submit a grant application to the Federal Home Loan Bank Topeka ("FHLB Topeka") for the Affordable Housing Program; selecting Equity Bank, Salina, Kansas, as the City's qualifying FHLB Topeka Member for purposes of the grant; and authorizing the City Manager to execute required Memorandums of Understanding. Michelle Martin, Supervisor of Community Relations, explained the request, fiscal impact, and action options. Topics of the following conversation included what kinds of accountability measures would be in place to ensure the money is used responsibly, the requirements for those who wish to apply for the grant money, the process for interested contractors to follow, and the processes City staff followed to identify the target portion of the City. Lauren Driscoll, Director of Community and Development Services, and Amanda Jarvis, Lead for America Fellow, were on hand to offer more in-depth information on the overall research done in order to pursue the grant. Page 2 L23-023 1 Moved by Commissioner Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve Resolution No. 23- 8145. Aye: (5). Nay (0). Motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Hoppock explained that he has had numerous communications regarding the w homeless encampment on 7th Street behind the Old Chicago. The Commissioners and City Manager discussed different ways to continue to address the homelessness issues in Salina. Talk of tightening up parts of the City code relating to things such as loitering and public intoxication was had, but ultimately it was stated that the City cannot fine and legislate its way out of homelessness. Further public outreach and forums may be necessary and desired. CITIZENS FORUM Rose Base, Salina, Kansas, brought forward her concerns about the Salina Animal Shelter as a former employee of the shelter. She wanted to petition for open hours to return to the shelter. She pointed out that licensing and lawn care seemed lacking, irrigation of the dog park was neglected, and that animal control is no longer handled by Salina animal services. Carroll Jungel, Salina, Kansas, said she had left a message with the animal shelter wanting to provide a donation but never received a call back. When she visited the shelter in person the following day, she was frustrated that, of three employees there, no one had called her back. She also stated that the employees suggested she may have called the wrong city all together, though she was certain that was not the case. Linda Reynolds, Salina, Kansas, explained that the inability to openly visit with all the dogs lead to her adopting a sweet dog who was also far too strong for her, meaning she had to rehome that dog because she was never given sufficient time to get to know him. Laurie Hall, Salina, Kansas, talked about how she kept adopting all the dogs she fostered and worked for the City for over 20 years. She was disappointed that the animal shelter was dark and cold. The shelter used to be bright and lively, the animals and volunteers were happy, and the landscaping was beautiful. Mark Trostle, Salina, Kansas, stressed that taxpayer dollars pay for the shelter, so it really should be open to the public. He worried that the shelter is hiding something due to a recently failed inspection. Ben Windholz, Salina, Kansas, wanted to apologize to Salina Tennis Association for blaming them for the unkempt lawn at the tennis courts after receiving a message from the lawncare company who is contracted to mow there. Norman Mannel, Salina, Kansas, shared thoughts on water rights and homelessness. Vicki Kerbs, Salina, Kansas, also expressed concern with the current state of the animal shelter. Page 3 Laura Curry, Salina, Kansas, shared her experiences with adopting a dog and trying to surrender a kitten. She felt the overall experience was odd and also wondered why she hadn't heard back when inquiring on applying as a foster home for the animals. Kathy Schwartz, Salina, Kansas, read that the shelter is not accepting cats. She wondered how citizens could step in to help. Commissioner Longbine interjected to say he has advocated for opening the shelter back up but has gotten nowhere. Carol Reed, Salina, Kansas, inquired about who in the City is responsible for getting the shelter to reopen to the public. She also commented on the 7th Street homeless and the fear of residents to just enjoy being outside in that area. Michelle Timpson, Ottawa County, Kansas, highlighted her efforts to turn in animals she picked up from the border between Saline and Ottawa counties and how she was unable to bring the animals to the Salina Animal Shelter. She touched on the differences between Salina and the shelters in Colorado where she moved from, and noted that the shelter should do better in regards to spaying and neutering the feral and stray cats. EXECUTIVE SESSION I_ 23-0232 Moved by Commissioner Lenkiewicz, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to recess into Executive Session for 25 minutes following a 5 minute break, to discuss with special legal counsel the subject of confidential legal considerations relating to points of negotiation with Salina Destination Development, LLC, regarding the City's multi-family housing project, based upon the need for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney- client relationship pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. The City Commission recessed into executive session at 5:48 p.m. and reconvened at 6:19 p.m. Also present in the executive session were Mike Schrage, City Manager; Jacob Wood, Deputy City Manager; Shawn Henessee, Assistant City Manager; Greg Bengtson, City Attorney; and specialized financial counsel Matt Webster online. 23-0233 Moved by Commissioner Lenkiewicz, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to recess into Executive Session for 10 additional minutes to discuss with special legal counsel the subject of confidential legal considerations relating to points of negotiation with Salina Destination Development, LLC, regarding the City's multi-family housing project, based upon the need for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The City Commission recessed into executive session at 6:20 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Page 4 Also present in the executive session were Mike Schrage, City Manager; Jacob Wood, Deputy City Manager; Shawn Henessee, Assistant City Manager; Greg Bengtson, City Attorney; and specialized financial counsel Matt Webster online. No action was taken. Z ADJOURNMENT 23-034 Moved by Commissioner Longbine, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, that the regular meeting of the Board of City Commissioners be adjourned. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting 79, adjourned at 6:31 p.m. [SEAL] Michael L. Hoppo , Mayor ATT ST: Nikki Goding, Depu y City Cler ! Page 5