By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Two executive sessions over the legal counsel of the Salina Animal Shelter manager's Animal Cruelty requested charges, convened on Monday's public meeting.
No action was made at the end of the meeting, but Salina Commissioners expressed their comments about their perspectives on the animal shelter beforehand.
During the "other business" portion of the meeting, (which is period where Commissioners make personal comments about a certain topic) Dr. Trent Davis expressed his thoughts about the shelter.
He started off by quoting Aristotle.
"Anybody can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."
Dr. Davis then continued, "their are a few of you who are angry with the city commission, who has not jumped and acted impulsively to do something or anything. What may seem like inactivity or lack of responsiveness is far from that, we are listening and we are very concerned. Before we apply a fix, we need to identify the target. Open discussion such as facilitated dialogue, akin to our strategic planning sessions is strongly urged before we try to fix some things that might not be as broken, as whisperers may claim."
Commissioner Doug Rempp responded to Dr. Davis' comment, by wanting to look at other options for the shelter. He stated the shelter is having a "hard time keeping the lights on and keeping the doors open."
"I would like to see a sense of urgency from the City and thus far, I think we have had very little besides looking at a consultant to come in."
Mayor Michael Hoppock responded to Rempp as so:
"Your urgency is not maybe my urgency. I am looking for a long term solution, I am not looking for knee-jerk reaction."
He further stated about his frustration that the public is "pushing" the Commission to do something, "instead of taking time to do the right thing."
When it was time for the "citizens forum" (public comment period) to occur, Hoppock addressed those in attendance about last meeting's 5-minute recess.
Afterwards, he ordered a member of the public to be escorted out by a Salina Police Department officer, due to comments that were made in response to Hoppock.
Watch below, to see the full citizens forum period:
Salina Post questioned Hoppock after the meeting, if the Commissioners have the best interest of the public. His was response was, "of course, that is why we are willing to spend money to bring in a third party."
According to City Manager Jacob Wood, City staff will have a meeting with the consultant they are interested with on April 28.
Due to Animal Shelter managers, Andrea Murphy and Monique Hawley facing three requested charges of Animal Cruelty, Wood said they will have a discussion with the consultant of interest on the steps moving forward.
According to Kansas Court Records, Hawley and Murphy appeared in the Saline County District courtroom on Monday.
Both are due back in court for an arraignment on June 1, 2026.