Loading...
04-18-1977 Minutes Organizational.r 230 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. ts' rJ u 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 i 4)6,4 ,.,,r).4 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. 1 1 1 n4 i,.r• )f 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: i 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 1 1 1.)6)1 r.;v5 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 I 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. z/)ati-� D. L. Harrison, City Clerk