Salina City Commissioners on Monday approved an agreement with Salina Athletic Partners relating to the remodeling Dean Evans Stadium.
The agreement would provide for the following improvements to Dean Evans Stadium.
Playing field improvements, including artificial turf, $1,213,500
Bullpen modifications/upgrades, $17,000
Dugout improvements, $30,000
Press box renovations, $13,500
Miscellaneous site and stadium repairs and improvements, $34,000
New women's toilet and miscellaneous toilet improvements, $100,000
Covered batting cages, $30,000
Concessionaires accommodations, $17,500
The project, the total of which is estimated to be approximately $1.8 million, would be funded by the Salina Athletic Partners -- Salina Baseball Enterprises (SBE), Salina USD 305, and Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU). USD 305 has agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the project, and KWU Athletic Director Steve Wilson informed the commission during last night's meeting that the university had earmarked $125,000 for the project. The remaining funds would be raised by SBE, whose representatives informed the commission Monday night that the funds are in place. In return, SBE will have naming rights for the East Crawford Recreation Area, however such a naming would need to follow city guidelines and procedures.
Commissioners also declared that the East Crawford Recreation Area to be considered a qualified facility under the City of Salina Municipal Facilities Naming Guidelines with proceeds from the naming being dedicated to the refurbishment of Dean Evans Stadium.
During the more than six hour meeting, commissioners also approved a lease agreement with Saline County for the expo center in Kenwood Park. The lease agreement would be from Jan. 2021, to Dec. 31, 2050, and is limited to the expo center site south of Tony's Pizza Events Center. According to the meeting packet information, Saline County has elected to discontinue leasing and maintenance of the Rodeo grounds.
Commissioners also heard the first readings of two ordinances pertaining to a proposal to turn the former Lowell Elementary School/Salina Christian Academy into a multi-family dwelling. At issue are recommendations from the Salina Planning Commission to amend the Future Land Use Map designation of the former Lowell Elementary School/Salina Christian Academy site to Urban Residential and to rezone the site from R-1 to PDD(R-2) (Planned Development District/Multi-family residential), according to information in the commission meeting packet.
Multiple persons from the neighborhood have expressed concerns about the project, and several spoke to commissioners on Monday.
Commissioners also:
•Approved a request for a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of John R. Lewis. Sandy Beverly read the proclamation.
•Approved Ordinance No. 20-11024 amending Chapter 35 of the City Code by adding a new Article XIV to Chapter 35, establishing standards for the construction, maintenance and modification of small cell wireless facilities in the public right-of-way and repealing Section 42-70 of the Salina Code.
•Authorized publication of the Notice of Budget Hearing for the 2021 budget which sets Aug. 10 as the date of public hearing on the 2021 budget, and establishes the maximum limits of the 2021 budget.
•Approved application No. Z20-2, (filed by Joe Hill on behalf of the Joe Hill Trust), requesting a change in zoning district classification from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential) to I-2 (Light Industrial) on a vacant lot facing Reynolds Street addressed as 535 Reynolds Street and heard the first reading Ordinance No. 20-11025.
•Approved Application No. Z20-3, (filed by St. Francis Ministries), requesting a change in zoning district classification from R (Single-Family Residential) to U (University) district for eight (8) lots located on the north side of Euclid Avenue east of North Ninth Street and heard first reading Ordinance No. 20-11026.