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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 !
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