By SALINA POST
A proposed mental health co-responder program, fixed automatic license plate readers, and the 2021 audit report 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 in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street, and via Zoom until further notice. Meetings also 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 also can 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 hands 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 also can send written comments or questions to city commissioners via email at [email protected].
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 meet in a study session at 2:30 p.m. Monday. During the study session, they are scheduled to receive a wastewater treatment plant cost update. To see the information packet for the study session, click here.
Regular meeting
The regular meeting is set to being at 4 p.m.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a request to recognize Nov. 26, 2022, as Shop Small Saturday in the City of Salina. Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown, Inc., will read the proclamation.
Commissioners also are scheduled to consider approving a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding among the City of Salina, Saline County, and Central Kansas Mental Health Center for a mental health co-responder program.
"Mental health co-responder programs pair healthcare professionals with law enforcement officers in responding to calls that involve people who are having either a mental health crisis, are intoxicated, are experiencing homelessness, or have other health or social service needs," according to information in the commission meeting packet.
Between April 2021 and Oct. 1, 2022, Salina Police Department personnel responded to 1,090 calls for service dealing with persons in crisis, accounting for approximately 934 hours of an officer's time, the request for action information noted.
If approved, the plan is to use $163,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for two years worth of salaries and benefits for two licensed clinicians, who would be employed through the Central Kansas Mental Health Center. Additionally, the Central Kansas Mental Health Center plans to make an in-kind donation of $27,686 "to supplement the salaries and benefits in order to attract better qualified candidates."
Additionally, the City of Salina is constructing an office space and providing office furniture, office equipment, a vehicle, 240 hours of proposed training, uniforms, and other safety equipment. These items will be funded through the Salina Police Department 2023 operating budget.
Commissioners also are scheduled to consider a request to enter into a three-year service agreement with Flock Group, Inc., for the installation and leasing of 22 fixed, automatic license plate readers, at a total cost of $169,950. If approved, the 22 fixed, solar-powered camera systems would be installed at locations throughout the city, including entry and exit points, high traffic areas, and high-crime areas, according to information from the city.
During the meeting, commissioners also are scheduled to review the 2021 audit report from Gordon CPA.
To see the full Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday, click here.