By SALINA POST
A waste reduction study update, a proclamation, and vehicle and equipment purchases are among the items on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday.
About the meeting
Study Sessions and City Commission meetings will take place in–person at the City/County Building in Room 107 and via Zoom until further notice. Meetings can be viewed at the City of Salina YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas.
To participate via Zoom, citizens will need to use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587.
The meeting can also be accessed by phone at 1-346-248-7799. Enter Meeting ID: 892 7598 4587 when prompted.
If citizens wish to speak, either during the public forum or when the mayor requests public comment on an item, citizens attending via Zoom must raise their hand so that the meeting host can allow them to speak. Those who attend the in-person meeting will have the opportunity to speak at the podium.
Citizens can also send written comments or questions to City Commissioners by visiting the City of Salina’s website at www.salina-ks.gov and using the “Email City Commission” icon on the home page.
In order for the commissioners to have an opportunity to review comments in advance of the meeting, please email your comments or questions by 5 p.m. the Sunday prior to the Monday meetings
Study session
Commissioners are scheduled to hear a Waste Reduction Study update during a study session scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
According to information in the commission meeting packet, nearly 600 responses were received during the four weeks the survey was active.
More than 80 percent of those who completed the survey indicated that reuse, recycling, and composting were important or very important to them.
Additionally, more than 80 percent responded that waste reduction and recycling efforts that divert materials from landfill disposal were either important or very important.
Of the items taken to the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center, "Cardboard" was the top response, with "Plastic food, beverage, & soap containers" a close second.
An overwhelming number of respondents - more than 95 percent of those who answered - indicated that they did not participate in the curbside recycling program using Recyclops.
As a follow-up, more than 30 percent of those who answered indicated that they did not participate in the Recyclops program because they didn't know it existed.
Additionally, more than 30 percent of those who answered indicated that they had never dropped off chemicals or other hazardous waste at the Salina Household Hazardous Waste facility.
As a follow-up more than 40 percent of those who answered indicated that they had never used the Salina Household Hazardous Waste facility because they did not generate household hazardous waste at their homes or businesses.
To see additional survey responses and the full study session information packet, click here.
Regular meeting
The regular commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a proclamation request recognizing April 17-21, 2023, as National Work Zone Awareness Week in the City of Salina. Elizabeth Amos, public works administrative assistant, is scheduled to read the proclamation.
Commissioners also are scheduled to consider authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement for excess workers compensation coverage. The city has managed a self-insured workers compensation program for its employees since 1991, according to commission meeting packet information.
"By self-insuring we have estimated savings as a projected average of over $100,000 per year, resulting in a total savings of over $3,200,000 since 1991," staff noted in the request for action document.
The document continues, "The City of Salina's approach to self-insurance has included contracting with a third-party administrator for claims management, wage payments, and medical care coordination. The City of Salina has also purchased excess workers compensation coverage as required to self-insure in Kansas. Excess workers compensation covers claims that exceed the Self-Insured Retention (SIR) level, which is the dollar threshold at which insurance will cover the liability after the expenses associated with an injury or accident reach that level."
The current excess workers compensation coverage expires at the end of April.
Other items on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday include the following.
●Consider approving a sound provider agreement for the 2023 Smoky Hill River Festival.
●Consider approving a proposed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute agreements for the purchase of vehicles and equipment approved under the 2023 Sub-CIP.
●Consider a letter to the State of Kansas in support of the application by the Salina Grace Foundation for tax credits.
●Consider engaging special legal counsel to assist with Housing RFP Development Agreement preparation.
To see the full Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday, click here.