A proclamation, the census, sculpture, a response from the attorney general, and two executive sessions are on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday.
Commissioners are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Monday in room 107B of the City-County Building with a study session. The topic of the study session is the Lower Smoky Hill Water Supply Access District board meeting and 2019 year end financial update. A time for public comment is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.
The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in room 107 of the City-County Building. A time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.
Commissioners are scheduled to hear a request to proclaim February 2020 as Black History Month in the City of Salina. According to the meeting agenda, Ras-Janelle Edwards will read the proclamation.
Additionally, commissioners are scheduled to review a letter from Lisa Mendoza, state assistant attorney general, about the commission's self-reporting of a Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) violation in connection to a Sept. 16, 2019, joint meeting with Saline County concerning the proposed expo center lease. At the time the meeting was set up, it was determined that city officials would be in attendance to hear what county officials had to say about the proposed lease, therefore, the county would be responsible for preparing the agenda. It was determined later that regardless of who prepared the agenda, the city still had an obligation to notify persons who had previously asked to be notified of meetings involving city commissioners.
In response to the recognition of the KOMA violation, the city set up with the state attorney general's office a KOMA training that was attended by commissioners and city employees.
In her letter to Greg Bengtson, city counsel, Mendoza wrote, "The failure to provide notice on this occasion does not appear to be the result of any concerted effort by staff or commissioners to avoid or evade the requirements of the KOMA, but rather as a result of human error. Although the remedial actions show good faith efforts to comply with both the spirit and intention of the KOMA, ultimately they cannot erase the commission's failure to provide notice for the September 16, 2019, joint meeting...Because the commission has readily admitted its failure to provide notice and has taken remedial measures designed to ensure this situation will not reoccur in the futures, we decline to pursue any futher enforcement action to resolve this KOMA violation. This decision is based, in large measure, on the commission's self-report and prompt remedial action, as well as the remedy sought by the individual who also reported the commission's violation to this office."
To read the entire letter, a letter written by Mendoza to Joan Ratzlaff, who filed a KOMA complaint against the city commission, and other informational material connected to the issue, click here.
Other items on the city commission agenda for Monday include the following.
Consider a resolution accepting the Census Complete Count Committee action plan.
Consider bids for Dean Evans Stadium drainage improvements, Project No. 90005.
Hear Resolution No. 20-7796 authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement for cost-sharing of pictometry imagery and software with Saline County.
Consider approving Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with HDR, Inc. for additional engineering design services related to the Smoky Hill River Renewal Greenway Trail, Project No. 90037.
Consider Resolution No. 20-7800 authorizing the acceptance of the 2019 people’s choice sculpture for placement on public property.
The two executive sessions include the following.
To discuss the subject of the city’s claim arising from the detection, isolation, and cleanup of asbestos materials in the basement and basement stairwell of Fire Station No. 2 with special legal counsel, Ilene Munk, via telephone.
To discuss the subject of negotiations with Saline County relating to the expo center lease agreement with legal counsel.
To view the Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday (193 pages, click here.