04-18-1977 Minutes Organizational.r
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City of Salina, Kansas
Regular Meeting of the Board
of Commissioners
April 18, 1977
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners met in the Commissione:
Room, City -County Building on Monday, April 18, 1977, 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 Gerald F. Simpson, Chairman presiding
Commissioner Keith G. Duckers
Commissioner Karen M. Graves
Commissioner W. M. Usher
Commissionr Jack Weisgerber
comprising a quorum of the Board, also:
L. O. Bengtson,
Norris D. Olson,
D. L. Harrison,
Absent:
None
City Attorney
City Manager
City Clerk
STAFF AGENDA
THE CITY MANAGER REPORTED on bids received for vehicles and equipment
on April 11, 1977, that all bids, with the exception of the bids received for 10
police vehicles and 2 tractors, do meet the specifications and recommended they
be awarded to the low bidders, and the next low bidder on the 2 tractors, subject
to obtaining the proper affirmative action plans by the firms involved, and
that the City Commission instruct the City Clerk to re -advertise for bids for
police vehicles to be received April 25, 1977.
A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers to set the date of April 25, 1977 as the date to receive bids on Police
Vehicles, and to instruct the City Clerk to advertise for bids. Ayes: (5).
Nays: (0). Motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber, seconded by Commissioner
Duckers to award the contract to Bacon & Clark Dodge, Inc. for one station wagon
for Engineering; Salina Implement Company for 2 John Deere tractors for the
Street Department; Waste Equipment and Systems, Inc. for one truck and packer
for the Sanitation Department; Bacon & Clark Dodge, Inc. for one 3/4 ton pickup
for Water and Sewerage and one 1i ton pickup for Sewerage Department and three �
ton pickups for Water Department; and to Berry Tractor & Equipment Company, Inc.
of Wichita, Kansas for one LeRoi air compressor for Water and Sewerage. Ayes:
(5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
annexing certain land to the City of Salina, Kansas, in conformity with the
provisions of K.S.A. 12-520." (The annexation of Eastridge Addition, as request
by Richard Barlow in Petition Number 3627.) A motion was made by Commissioner
Usher, seconded by Commissioner Graves to adopt the ordinance as read and the
following vote was had: Ayes: Graves, Usher, Weisgerber, Duckers, Simpson (5).
Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the ordinance and it is numbered 8564.
The ordinance was introduced for first reading April 11, 1977.
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AN ORDINANCE was introduced for second reading entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
providing for the vacation of Moon, Sun and Star Drives in Nord Subdivision of
the City of Salina, Saline County, Kansas." (Requested by Ken Nordboe in Petition
Number 3629). A motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Usher to adopt the ordinance as read and the following vote was had: Ayes:
Graves, Usher, Weisgerber, Duckers, Simpson (5). Nays: (0). Carried. The
Mayor approved the ordinance and it is numbered 8565. The ordinance was introduced
for first reading April 11, 1977.
Mr. Olson reported he has visited with Wilson & Company about the bids
received for the Water Sludge Treatment Facilities on April 11, 1977, that the
bids are in order, subject to EPA approval.
A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "A RESOLUTION accepting
the bid of Smoky Hill, Inc., for the construction of certain water treatment
facilities for EPA Project No. C200487-02." A motion was made by Commissioner
Graves, seconded by Commissioner Duckers to adopt the Resolution as read and the
following vote was had: Ayes: Graves, Usher, Weisgerber, Duckers, Simpson (5).
Nays: (0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it is numbered 3316.
A RESOLUTION was introduced and passed entitled: "A RESOLUTION authoriz
the City's authorized representative to execute and file part "B" of the Grant
Agreement for Project C200487-02." A motion was made by Commissioner Weisgerber,
seconded by Commissioner Usher to adopt the resolution as read and the following
vote was had: Ayes: Graves, Usher, Weisgerber, Duckers, Simpson (5). Nays:
(0). Carried. The Mayor approved the Resolution and it is numbered 3317.
PUBLIC AGENDA
PETITION NUMBER 3632 was filed by G & K, Inc. by George C. Etherington,
for curbing, guttering, paving and grading of Ellsworth Avenue from Ohio Street
to Courtney Drive and Louise Lane from Ellsworth Avenue to the south line of Lot 1,
Block 8, Replat of Lot 22, Block 3, and Lot 9, Block 6, Dow Addition. Water
service to Lots 22 through 42, Block 3; Lots 1 through 18, Block 7, and Lot 1,
Block 8, Replat of Lot 22 Block 3, and Lot 9, Block 6, Dow Addition. Sanitary
sewers to serve Lots 1 through 21, Block 3, Dow Addition and Lots 22 through 42,
Block 3; Lots 1 through 36, Block 7, and Lots 1 and 2, Block 8, Replat of Lot 22,
Block 3 and Lot 9, Block 6, Dow Addition to the City of Salina, Kansas. A
motion was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to
refer the petition to the City Engineer to check the sufficiency. Ayes: (5).
Nays: (0). Motion carried.
PETITION NUMBER 3633 was filed by Bud Mullen for the construction of
sidewalk in front of 2412, 2433, 2437, 2441 Belmont Boulevard. A motion was
made by Commissioner Usher, seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to refer the
petition to the City Engineer to check the sufficiency. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0).
Motion carried.
COMMISSION AGENDA
"DISCUSS CONDITIONS OF RAILROAD TRACKS." (Sponsored by Commissioner
Weisgerber)
Commissioner Weisgerber said, "During the campaign for the City
Commission the railroad tracks were much discussed. They were one of the things
that I felt an interest in and would like to see better future solutions than we
have come up with in the pasta Perhaps the ideal solution would be the Goodyear
rubber crossings. These happen to cost $200.00 a lineal foot; which means that
the cost of these on Ninth Street would be about $168,000; on Santa Fe $364,000;
and out on Ohio $156,000. The vehicular traffic count shows Ninth with the most
in a 24 hour period at 7,465; Ohio drops to 6,595; and Santa Fe drops to 5,880.
But a recent article that has come to the attention of the Commissioners about
another type of track crossing which is a high density polyethelyne HDPE, since
everything seems to be done in initials any more. The City of Oklahoma (Cit-) has!
put these in on their Santa Fe railroad track crossing, and according to the
article, they have been quite satisfactory; so to sort of start moving on this
project what seems to me we might like to do would be to ask our Engineering
Department to write Mr. Merrill Medley in Oklahoma City's Community Development
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Department, also the Santa Fe Railroad and the Railroad Friction Products Corpora
of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania who manufacture these particular crossings, and I
understand there are also similiar synthetic or whatever type of crossing availab
I have also noticed that on some of the TV programs that the City of Wichita was
able to secure some help from the Interstate Commerce Commission in working with
their railroads and changing some of their crossings. There is also some federal
funding available under some instances for these. Our system in the past has
been to work continually with the railroads with our attorney and with our
engineer a matter of pressuring them constantly to keep those crossings up and
to work on them and by the time you get all the railroads to get them done, the
ones that you were able to get at the job first their crossings are bad again,
so it has just been a continuing battle and maybe if some other than the wood
j crossings can be found, we may be able to solve this problem over a longer
period of time. Hopefully anyway. I think too, we might possibly as a Commissio
depending on just what the expenses are, be willing to share some of this cost
with the railroad, work this out in some way so that these crossings, particularl
the ones on Ninth, since it carries the most traffic and then secondly would be
the one on Ohio which carried the next most traffic and they are a mile apart;
for the convenience of people coming into town or crossing the tracks. We also
have some East West crossings on those railroad tracks too; but the prime ones
that the objection is to are those which go between North and South Salina. I
wish we could at least start by making contacts with these business, with the
railroads, the agency in Oklahoma City and perhaps with the Federal Government
to see what can be worked out, what we can do toward perhaps not a completely
permanent, we would never find that, but certainly a more permanent solution to
this rough track crossing. I don't know if this requires any kind of formal
motion at this time but just a request to the staff to pursue these avenues and
see what information they can collect."
Commissioner Graves asked about Rock Island tracks that are no longer
in use.
Mr. Olson replied that there are very few, one has been eliminated.
They have some switching tracks which haven't been used for years.
Commissioner Duckers asked what the City's legal position would be if
it blacktopped over unused, unfixed Rock Island tracks?
Mr. Bengtson said if the railroad has officially abandoned the tracks,
the City could, but he would be reluctant to do it without contacting them first.
Commissioner Weisgerber said it is the Rock Island tracks in Wichita
that they were successful getting paved with the help of the Federal agency.
Commissioner Duckers commented that the crossing on East North Street
is in terrible condition because of the hump that makes it very dangerous. He
asked about the responsibility of the City in that area.
Mr. Olson replied it is the responsibility of the City in that area,
and that the specifications are nearly complete so that bids can be received for
that crossing and the streets in the Urban Renewal area.
Commissioner Duckers commented that North Street is being used more
and more as an East-West thoroughfare between Santa Fe and Ohio and we should
get it fixed before there is a serious accident.
Commissioner Weisgerber said the city should not neglect the tracks in
the other parts of town, but these are the ones that are prime, but if we can
work out a cost per foot. Then we should survey where the main East West streets'
should have treatment like this.
A MTION was made by Commissioner Duckers, seconded by Commissioner
Usher to add appointments to the Baseball Facilities Study Committee to the
agenda for consideration. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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THE MAYOR, with the approval of the City Commission, made the following
appointments:
Baseball Facilities Studv Committee
Mr. Harold Fraizer, Chairman
Tom Runyon
Dan Flanagan
Tom Collins
John Heline
Commission liaison representative, Keith Duckers
He encouraged the committee to immediately get in touch with and work with the
professional staff of the Recreation Commission of the City and the School
Board to formulate these baseball plans for short term and long term expansion
and growth, and requested the report be submitted to the City Commission within
30 days.
The Commissioners brought the following item to the floor for discussionl:
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Mayor Simpson reported the City Commissioners received a letter during
this past week from some concerned citizens in the Southwest part of town in the
Sunset Park area regarding dogs running loose. He read Section 8-35 of the
Salina Code, regarding dogs running at large.
Commissioner Graves suggested the City investigate the possibility of
obtaining a tranquilizer gun for the animal shelter use in the pursuit and capt
of large dogs.
Mayor Simpson said, "This is the last meeting before reorganization,
and as a last response I would like to, on behalf of the community, express our
sincere gratitude and a big thank you to Bill Usher for his four years of dedica
service on the City Commission. Probably no one really appreciates the time or
the involvement or the concerns or the frustrations of serving on this body
until you have done so. Bill without flowery speeches I would just like to say
thank you for your service."
Commissioner Usher replied, "Thank you Mr. Mayor, I appreciate that.
The last four years have been a rewarding experience for me interspersed with
some frustrating experiences for me too, but not so many. As you all know I am
a man of very few words and the older I get the fewer my words are, but I would
like to wish the new Commission infinite wisdom and God's speed in your decision
making, keeping in mind that we do have a good Community and hopefully you will
build on that. Thank you."
Mayor Simpson said, "I would also like to thank the Commission and the
community for the real pleasure and honor you have given me to serve as your
Mayor this past year. About a year ago I took the gavel and the next morning
reported to the hospital and was confined for 30 days with a kidney problem and
I don't know if it got any better from there or not, but it was an exciting and
thrilling year in Salina because of the citizen participation and envolvement
and enthusiasm of the bicentennial celebration and I think we, as Bill mentioned,
the record to build on exists for the community. The future looks very bright
and again thank you for giving me this opportunity."
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The Board of Commissioners convened for the purpose of organizing.
D. L. Harrison. City Clerk, presiding.
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Dan S. Geis,
Karen M. Graves, and Jack Weisgerber, the newly elected Commissioners, and
having the proper bonds on file, they took their place on the Board of Commissioners.
There were present:
Commissioner Keith G. Duckers
Commissioner Dan S. Geis
Commissioner Karen M. Graves
Commissioner Gerald F. Simpson
Commissioner Jack Weisgerber
comprising a quorum of the Board, also:
L. 0. Bengtson,
Norris D. Olson,
D. L. Harrison,
Absent:
None
City Attorney
City Manager
City Clerk
Nominations for Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner Simpson,
seconded by Commissioner Weisgerber to nominate Commissioner Duckers for Mayor
and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
There were no other nominations. The Presiding Officer declared the
nominations closed, and a vote was taken. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Commissioner
Duckers was declared unanimously elected Mayor and Chairman of the Board of
Commissioners.
Nominations for Acting Mayor: A motion was made by Commissioner
Graves, seconded by Commissioner Geis to nominate Commissioner Weisgerber for
Acting Mayor and Vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
There were no other nominations. The Presiding Officer declared the
nominations closed, and a vote was taken. Ayes: (5). Nays: (0). Commissioner
Weisgerber was declared unanimously elected Acting Mayor and Vice Chairman of
the Board of Commissioners.
The City Clerk turned the gavel over to Mayor Duckers.
Mayor Duckers said, "Thank you all very much, I only hope Jack, that
you don't take over tomorrow for the next month. I would be less than honest if
I didn't admit that I had some indication that I might be becoming Mayor this
afternoon, and I am certainly not here to make a speech, but I would like to
make two or three comments. First of all, Jerry, I would like to just say on
behalf of all of those of us who have served with you, and I certainly believe
for all of the city employees, we thank you for a job well done, and a superlative
year in Salina. I know of no one, and I mean this sincerely, who could have
done a better job and I realize fully that I have a pair of big shoes to step
into, and lots of pairs of big shoes because of people like you, Jack Weisgerber
and Bill Usher, and others who have gone on before, who have brought Salina to
the position of respect and admiration in our State that it now enjoys. So I
thank you, and I echo also what you said about Bill Usher. I have mixed emotions
about Bill leaving the Commission. I can only say that he will be able to
devote full time to being chairman of the Board of St. John's Military School
now. I share this with him, but Bill, I mean it sincerely, you have been a
wonderful mentor and I have learned a great deal from you and I will certainly
continue to lean on your wisdom and advice as time goes along. Some of the
goals that I have in mind for us as a Commission this year will be to continue
to have feelings that are sensitive to all of the needs of all of the citizens
of Salina, and I hope we can develop the ability to unify the diverse elements
that may arise from time to time that might be pulling in various directions,
and join together in pulling together. Our heritage, of course, has given us
centuries of guidelines for living together with one another, and we surely must
realize that a community must have guidelines to survive. Without agreement on
how to perform necessary functions, Salina would simply collapse; so I hope that
we can look at our rules and regulations and ordinances as guidelines to give us
a good community. I hope and pray that all five of us can pull together toward I
common goals, even though we may differ from time to time, we will all represent
what we believe in our own heart to be the best interest of all Salinans. I
hope we can continue to be sensitive to the grievances of individuals, and of
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individual citizens as we have done today with the dog problem. At the same
time stay in tune with the wants and the needs of the community as a whole,
realizing that people, for example, like to have dogs as pets. These are not
easy decisions to make and I hope that we can be sensitive to them. I feel that
the strength of Salina depends to a large extent on a very active public with
literally dozens of boards and commissions that our citizens serve on and give
generously of their time and their efforts and their talents. I believe very
sincerely that what our citizens think of Salina determines what they are willing
to do for it. So I hope from time to time as our citizens are called upon to
work in behalf of the community on various boards and commissions that they will
accept this challenge and responsibility. I think right off hand of the Citizens
Advisory Committee to which most of us have given a great deal of time, and it
concerns me when we literally don't have enough volunteers to fill all of the
slots and I would again appeal for people to step forward to serve on this
important arm of the City Commission. I suppose if there is one thing I have
learned in 2 years on the commission it is that one must weigh all of the
considerations. Sometimes the best recommendations, Dan, is not the most politica.
one, and we find that this is a very difficult and fine line to tread. The
people on this bench are going to often face the necessity of standing up for
what he or she believes to be correct, even if it appears that the Commissioner j
is bound to lose the decision and possibly the esteem of his piers or the voters j
by doing so. There is much pressure on Commissioners in these situations. Much
rides on the decision. I hope and I honestly feel that this Commission is made
up of five individuals with personal integrity, and if this assumption of mine
is correct, we are people with the self discipline to clearly see the honorable
course and to follow it. We will get all of the facts that we can on any given
issue, carefully consider them so to insure that the resulting actions and
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decisions are fair, at least as we see it. And I hope we can be objective and
impartial, and free of bias, and most important free of desire for personal
gains in making public business decisions. I hope that each of us is strong
enough and confident enough to admit our own mistakes and also to give credit
where it is due. And finally, when asked for an opinion I hope that we can each
evaluate the facts and say what we think and mean what we say. I look forward
to working with the four of you as partners with our, what I consider to be a
very outstanding staff of professionals, in keeping Salina to be truly a city on
the move. Thank you for this honor and I pledge you my best efforts in behalf
of the entire City of Salina during the ensueing year."
A motion was made by Commissioner Simpson, seconded by Commissioner
Geis that the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners be adjourned. Ayes:
(5). Nays: (0). Motion carried.
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D. L. Harrison, City Clerk