By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The City of Salina Commissioners all voted to move forward with providing funds for legal representation to Animal Shelter Managers, Monique Hawley and Andrea Murphy to each defend the three requested charges of Animal Cruelty, made by Saline County John Reynolds.
Read more: Saline County Attorney files charges on animal shelter managers
On Monday's City Commission meeting, that decision was made after a 20 minute executive session, following the April 9th prosecution.
The statement made by the Commissioner's approval was as stated:
“I move the City provide funds for legal representation to Monique Hawley and Andrea Murphy to defend criminal charges related to their employment at the City Animal Shelter, based on a finding that the conduct was made during discharge of their official duties, that they acted reasonably and in good faith, and the defense will serve a public benefit. In accordance with the Kansas Attorney General opinion 92-130 and I direct the City Manager to make the necessary arrangements to carry out this motion, in an amount not to exceed his budgetary authority.”
Before the executive session, Commissioner Doug Rempp suggested to pause the operational assessment, due to the prosecution.
According to City Manager Jacob Wood, there were already a few request for proposals (RFP) for the assessment that were received. He said they will review the RFPs and have a conversation with the respondents on whether to move forward.
During the public comment period, many members in attendance expressed their emotions about the animal shelter towards the commissioners. As a result, Mayor Mike Hoppock ordered for a 5 minute break to occur.
After the break, Hoppock made this statement towards the public in attendance:
“This is a commission that cares deeply about this community… What really frustrates me about this, I have been in this community for 45 years doing nothing but trying to make this a better community, and not once did any of you contact me and say, can we sit down and have a civil conversation about where we are at. The demeanor, allegations and some of the things said, you should be ashamed of. We are willing to make the animal shelter better.”
Former Commissioner explains how the Animal Shelter was placed under the Parks and Recreation Department
Jon Blanchard, former Mayor and City Commissioner from the years of 2013 - 2018, was in attendance.
He explained to the Salina Post, about how the animal shelter was placed under the Parks and Recreation Department.
The animal shelter, was formerly operated as the “Salina/Saline County Animal Shelter.” The shelter then transitioned from being operated by the Saline County Health Department to then now run directly by the City of Salina (Parks and Recreation Department).
The Health Department at the time, consisted of board members that included doctors, nurses and veterinarians, which the chairman of the board was current Commissioner Dr. Trent Davis.
When the Health Department stopped overseeing the shelter, Blanchard said the former City Manager of Salina, Jason Gage told former Commissioners about placing the animal shelter under the Parks and Recreation Department.
Blanchard said the Parks and Recreation Department were under the planning stages of projects such as the Salina Fieldhouse and the River Renewal Project to name a few.
He then thought, “are we putting too much on the Parks and Rec Department?”
But after further conversation, the approval was made to transition the oversight.
He added that the shelter was great, as he enjoyed visiting there in the past.
“It was always great and I enjoyed going to the shelter, because it really was. Volunteers were there all the time and it was a festive atmosphere," said Blanchard.
Blanchard also said the Parks and Recreation Department managing the shelter is “too much on their plate.”
“I don’t want my parks and rec director at the animal shelter. I want him at the parks!” exclaimed Blanchard.
Throughout this legal proceeding, Salina Staff and Commissioners will not comment on active court cases, according to City Attorney Patrick Hoffman.