The Salina City Commission meeting will take place in–person at the City/County Building in Room 107 and via Zoom.&nbsp; Meetings can be viewed at the City of Salina YouTube channel,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.&nbsp;

To participate via Zoom, citizens will need to use the following link:&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587</a>.&nbsp;

The meeting can also be accessed by phone at 1-346-248-7799. Enter Meeting ID: 892 7598 4587 when prompted.&nbsp;

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 hand 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.&nbsp;

Citizens can also send written comments or questions to City Commissioners by visiting the City of Salina’s website at<a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/" target="_blank">&nbsp;www.salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and using the “Email City Commission” icon on the home page.&nbsp;

To see the full meeting packet for today,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=524351&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina&amp;cr=1">click here.</a>&nbsp;

The City Commission will hold a study on Dec. 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annex Building,&nbsp;218 N. Seventh Street, Salina.

Approve the minutes of the meeting of November 20, 2023.

Approve Resolution No. 23-8170 adopting the Financial Policies for the City of Salina (5.3)  Approve the minutes of the special meeting of November 30, 2023

Consider the request by RAM Contracting and Dirt Works of Salina, Kansas to withdraw its bid and award the bid for project number 23011, 2023 Sidewalk Ramps, to Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc. of La Crosse, Kansas in the amount of $108,616.30 with a $5,430.82 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $114,047.12 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc. of La Crosse, Kansas upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.

Approve Resolution No. 23-8175 along with awarding the bid for project number 23037, 2023 New Sidewalk Construction, to RAM Contracting and Dirt Works of Salina, Kansas in the amount of $124,479 with a $6,223.95 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $130,702.95 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with RAM upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.

Authorize Publication of the Notice of Budget Hearing for the 2023 Amended Budget which sets December 18, 2023 as the date for public hearing on the 2023 Amended Budget and establishes the maximum limits of the 2023 Amended Budget.

Consider the Salina Airport Authority's request and Salina Community Economic Development Organization Board of Directors' recommendation regarding the City of Salina's participation in the funding of a proposed agreement with SkyWest Airlines for resumption of overnight flight scheduling of Denver flights.

Approve Ordinance No. 23-11187 on first reading relating to prohibitions against any person obstructing in public places pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic or marked vehicular parking.

(6.6)  City Commission Meeting Schedule and Ordinance Passage Amendments

(6.6a) Approve Resolution No. 23-8174 amending the Rules of Procedure and Order of Business for conducting meetings of the Board of Commissioners regarding when regular meetings are held and the manner in which ordinances are adopted.

(6.6b) Approve Ordinance No. 23-11186 on first reading amending Section 1-5.l of the Salina Code regarding consideration of ordinances.

Approve Ordinance No. 23-11185 on first reading authorizing the City of Salina, Kansas to issue taxable Multi-Family Bonds, Series 2023 (Cedarhurst Project) in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000 for the purpose of the acquisition, construction and equipping of a commercial facility and authorizing certain other related documents and actions.

Approve Ordinance No. 23-11184 on first reading authorizing the City of Salina, Kansas to issue taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2023 (Dominion Project) in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,729,417.31 for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and equipping of an additional manufacturing facility addition in the City of Salina and authorizing certain other related documents and actions and for the exemption of sales tax for material used in the construction of the project and a 10 year property tax exemption.

Approve Ordinance No. 23-11183 on first reading updating and modifying where alcoholic beverages may be consumed on public property in the City of Salina and restricting open containers at the same locations that are public property

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701016826196.jpeg" alt="Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Salina City Commission meeting will take place in–person at the City/County Building in Room 107 and via Zoom.&nbsp; Meetings can be viewed at the City of Salina YouTube channel,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.&nbsp;To participate via Zoom, citizens will need to use the following link:&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587</a>.&nbsp;The meeting can also be accessed by phone at 1-346-248-7799. Enter Meeting ID: 892 7598 4587 when prompted.&nbsp;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 hand 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.&nbsp;Citizens can also send written comments or questions to City Commissioners by visiting the City of Salina’s website at<a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/" target="_blank">&nbsp;www.salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and using the “Email City Commission” icon on the home page.&nbsp;To see the full meeting packet for today,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=524351&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina&amp;cr=1">click here.</a>&nbsp;<h2>Study Session</h2>The City Commission will hold a study on Dec. 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annex Building,&nbsp;218 N. Seventh Street, Salina.<h2>CONSENT AGENDA</h2>Approve the minutes of the meeting of November 20, 2023.Approve Resolution No. 23-8170 adopting the Financial Policies for the City of Salina (5.3) Approve the minutes of the special meeting of November 30, 2023<h2>Administration</h2>Consider the request by RAM Contracting and Dirt Works of Salina, Kansas to withdraw its bid and award the bid for project number 23011, 2023 Sidewalk Ramps, to Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc. of La Crosse, Kansas in the amount of $108,616.30 with a $5,430.82 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $114,047.12 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc. of La Crosse, Kansas upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.Approve Resolution No. 23-8175 along with awarding the bid for project number 23037, 2023 New Sidewalk Construction, to RAM Contracting and Dirt Works of Salina, Kansas in the amount of $124,479 with a $6,223.95 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $130,702.95 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with RAM upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.Authorize Publication of the Notice of Budget Hearing for the 2023 Amended Budget which sets December 18, 2023 as the date for public hearing on the 2023 Amended Budget and establishes the maximum limits of the 2023 Amended Budget.Consider the Salina Airport Authority's request and Salina Community Economic Development Organization Board of Directors' recommendation regarding the City of Salina's participation in the funding of a proposed agreement with SkyWest Airlines for resumption of overnight flight scheduling of Denver flights.Approve Ordinance No. 23-11187 on first reading relating to prohibitions against any person obstructing in public places pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic or marked vehicular parking.(6.6) City Commission Meeting Schedule and Ordinance Passage Amendments(6.6a) Approve Resolution No. 23-8174 amending the Rules of Procedure and Order of Business for conducting meetings of the Board of Commissioners regarding when regular meetings are held and the manner in which ordinances are adopted.(6.6b) Approve Ordinance No. 23-11186 on first reading amending Section 1-5.l of the Salina Code regarding consideration of ordinances.Approve Ordinance No. 23-11185 on first reading authorizing the City of Salina, Kansas to issue taxable Multi-Family Bonds, Series 2023 (Cedarhurst Project) in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000 for the purpose of the acquisition, construction and equipping of a commercial facility and authorizing certain other related documents and actions.Approve Ordinance No. 23-11184 on first reading authorizing the City of Salina, Kansas to issue taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2023 (Dominion Project) in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,729,417.31 for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and equipping of an additional manufacturing facility addition in the City of Salina and authorizing certain other related documents and actions and for the exemption of sales tax for material used in the construction of the project and a 10 year property tax exemption.Approve Ordinance No. 23-11183 on first reading updating and modifying where alcoholic beverages may be consumed on public property in the City of Salina and restricting open containers at the same locations that are public property

SkyWest proposal, IRBs, alcoholic beverage consumption on public property on Salina City Comm. agenda

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER and NATE KING Salina Post

Steve Heiser spreads a positive message by actively participating in the betterment of his local community. This resilient hero works diligently behind the scenes, shoulder to shoulder with neighbors and friends.

People in north central Kansas benefit greatly from the countless hours that community champions spend on tasks like picking up the garbage, farming the land, volunteering, nursing the sick, and maintaining our roads and electrical grid.&nbsp;

As we embark on this mission to thank the seldomly thanked, Salina Post invites you to open your hearts to the incredible stories of these unsung heroes — these Community Champions.

Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for the Saline County Road and Bridge Department, arrives early on snow days to work, prepared to tackle slushy, snow-packed roads.&nbsp;

On a weather event day, he usually beats his coworkers to the shop and prepares snowplow 19-10, filling its tanks with hundreds of tons of salt and, sometimes, thousands of gallons of magnesium chloride for bitter-cold days.

"I'm usually one of the first ones here," Heiser said. "I'm just itching to get out there and start."

Heiser began snowplowing for Saline County a decade ago, but his experience stretches another decade before that.&nbsp;

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a6d2ec15-94c2-437b-acf0-936983dcfcad">Salina Post's Community Champions Vol. 1 — David Svaty</a>

He first started snowplowing in Tulsa, OK, and after five years there, he moved to Kansas and snowplowed for the Kansas Department of Transportation across the state for another five years.

Heiser started at Saline County Road and Bridge in 2013.

"I love it," Heiser said. "I look forward to the accomplishment of doing my job, how well I can do it, and help the public be safe."

Long before he began scraping snow and ice off roads, Heiser was born and raised in Lincoln, KS, and joined the United States Army after high school for 24 years. Heiser said he served in Iraq and Saudi Arabia while in the Army.

After leaving military service, he moved to Oklahoma, where he lived for 20 years before returning to Kansas.

The Saline County community named all of Road and Bridge’s snowplows last winter, and Snowplow 19-10, Heiser’s snowplow, is called “Subzero Swiffer.”

The fleet of snowplows also includes 17-2 or “Dwight D. Icenplower,” 232 or “The Big LaPlowski,” 230 or “Scoop Dog,” 238 or “Betty White Out,” 19-1 or “Snow Daddy,” 263 or “Darth Blader,” and 22-4 or “Snowy McSnowface.” 

On snowy days, the Road and Bridge website provides a <a href="https://portal.snowpaths.com/public/983282/983283">live map tracking each snowplow’s location</a>.

Before the fleet leaves the shop during snow events, Saline County Road Superintendent Ted Sears makes decisions based on the weather.

“Once I make the decision and get everybody called in, the trucks have assigned routes,” Sears said. “Everybody knows where they’re going, so they just get loaded up and get going. We’ve got predetermined amounts of salt to put down based on the storm.”

Heiser covers the sixth route, which stretches from Assaria to Falun and to the county line. On Saturday, Nov. 25, Heiser helped with another course due to one of the other snowplows breaking down.

“I did mostly all the north, northwest and south, southwest,” Heiser said. “Saturday, I put in 220 miles and on Sunday, 180.”

For each mile, snowplows will usually spread around 250 to 300 pounds of salt per mile on a single-lane road and about 400 to 500 pounds on double-lane highways. When the weather is more severe, Sears said they will use around 800 pounds of salt per mile and use magnesium chloride alongside.

On Saturday and Sunday, Sears said they used 300 pounds of salt per mile, meaning Heiser likely spread about 60 tons across West Saline County and cleared 400 miles of blacktop throughout the weekend.

One aspect Heiser said he enjoys is his coworkers and leadership, citing the team's camaraderie. According to Sears, Heiser has a positive impact on the entire fleet.

“It’s easier for me to have people that want to come to work,” Sears said. “Amazingly enough, most of the guys want to come to work no matter how much they bellyache about it.”&nbsp;

“It gets infectious when people want to come in early, they see somebody coming in and they’ll want to come in, and it’s just a trickle-up effect.”

The Saline County Road and Bridge Department is currently hiring, looking for more snowplow drivers like Heiser to join the fleet. <a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/roadbridge">Visit the Saline County Road and Bridge website</a> to learn more about available positions.&nbsp;

If one of these Community Champions in your life deserves a shout-out, Salina Post encourages you to nominate an everyday champion who has positively impacted you, your family, or your local community.

Nominations can be made by messaging Salina Post's Facebook page, or by emailing <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>

Please include the name of the person you wish to nominate and a brief statement explaining why they are a champion in their community.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700701087801.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER and NATE KING Salina PostSteve Heiser spreads a positive message by actively participating in the betterment of his local community. This resilient hero works diligently behind the scenes, shoulder to shoulder with neighbors and friends.People in north central Kansas benefit greatly from the countless hours that community champions spend on tasks like picking up the garbage, farming the land, volunteering, nursing the sick, and maintaining our roads and electrical grid.&nbsp;As we embark on this mission to thank the seldomly thanked, Salina Post invites you to open your hearts to the incredible stories of these unsung heroes — these Community Champions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701367205519.jpeg" alt="Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for the Saline County Road and Bridge Department, stands in front of truck 17-2, or "Dwight D. Icenplower," before taking it apart at the shop on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for the Saline County Road and Bridge Department, stands in front of truck 17-2, or "Dwight D. Icenplower," before taking it apart at the shop on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Steve Heiser</h2>Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for the Saline County Road and Bridge Department, arrives early on snow days to work, prepared to tackle slushy, snow-packed roads.&nbsp;On a weather event day, he usually beats his coworkers to the shop and prepares snowplow 19-10, filling its tanks with hundreds of tons of salt and, sometimes, thousands of gallons of magnesium chloride for bitter-cold days."I'm usually one of the first ones here," Heiser said. "I'm just itching to get out there and start."Heiser began snowplowing for Saline County a decade ago, but his experience stretches another decade before that.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701367316453.jpeg" alt="Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for Saline County Road and Bridge, describes the various switches and tools he uses during a winter weather event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for Saline County Road and Bridge, describes the various switches and tools he uses during a winter weather event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a6d2ec15-94c2-437b-acf0-936983dcfcad">Salina Post's Community Champions Vol. 1 — David Svaty</a>He first started snowplowing in Tulsa, OK, and after five years there, he moved to Kansas and snowplowed for the Kansas Department of Transportation across the state for another five years.Heiser started at Saline County Road and Bridge in 2013."I love it," Heiser said. "I look forward to the accomplishment of doing my job, how well I can do it, and help the public be safe."Long before he began scraping snow and ice off roads, Heiser was born and raised in Lincoln, KS, and joined the United States Army after high school for 24 years. Heiser said he served in Iraq and Saudi Arabia while in the Army.After leaving military service, he moved to Oklahoma, where he lived for 20 years before returning to Kansas.<h2>More than just clearing roads</h2>The Saline County community named all of Road and Bridge’s snowplows last winter, and Snowplow 19-10, Heiser’s snowplow, is called “Subzero Swiffer.”The fleet of snowplows also includes 17-2 or “Dwight D. Icenplower,” 232 or “The Big LaPlowski,” 230 or “Scoop Dog,” 238 or “Betty White Out,” 19-1 or “Snow Daddy,” 263 or “Darth Blader,” and 22-4 or “Snowy McSnowface.” On snowy days, the Road and Bridge website provides a <a href="https://portal.snowpaths.com/public/983282/983283">live map tracking each snowplow’s location</a>.Before the fleet leaves the shop during snow events, Saline County Road Superintendent Ted Sears makes decisions based on the weather.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701367364705.jpeg" alt="Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for Saline County Road and Bridge, points at the various switches that help him clear roads during a winter weather event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Steve Heiser, a snowplow driver for Saline County Road and Bridge, points at the various switches that help him clear roads during a winter weather event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>“Once I make the decision and get everybody called in, the trucks have assigned routes,” Sears said. “Everybody knows where they’re going, so they just get loaded up and get going. We’ve got predetermined amounts of salt to put down based on the storm.”Heiser covers the sixth route, which stretches from Assaria to Falun and to the county line. On Saturday, Nov. 25, Heiser helped with another course due to one of the other snowplows breaking down.“I did mostly all the north, northwest and south, southwest,” Heiser said. “Saturday, I put in 220 miles and on Sunday, 180.”For each mile, snowplows will usually spread around 250 to 300 pounds of salt per mile on a single-lane road and about 400 to 500 pounds on double-lane highways. When the weather is more severe, Sears said they will use around 800 pounds of salt per mile and use magnesium chloride alongside.On Saturday and Sunday, Sears said they used 300 pounds of salt per mile, meaning Heiser likely spread about 60 tons across West Saline County and cleared 400 miles of blacktop throughout the weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701367686289.jpeg" alt="Saline County Road and Bridge Snowplow Driver Steve Heiser opens the cab to truck 17-2 or "Dwight D. Icenplower" to climb inside on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Saline County Road and Bridge Snowplow Driver Steve Heiser opens the cab to truck 17-2 or "Dwight D. Icenplower" to climb inside on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Saline County Road and Bridge office in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>One aspect Heiser said he enjoys is his coworkers and leadership, citing the team's camaraderie. According to Sears, Heiser has a positive impact on the entire fleet.“It’s easier for me to have people that want to come to work,” Sears said. “Amazingly enough, most of the guys want to come to work no matter how much they bellyache about it.”&nbsp;“It gets infectious when people want to come in early, they see somebody coming in and they’ll want to come in, and it’s just a trickle-up effect.”The Saline County Road and Bridge Department is currently hiring, looking for more snowplow drivers like Heiser to join the fleet. <a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/roadbridge">Visit the Saline County Road and Bridge website</a> to learn more about available positions.&nbsp;If one of these Community Champions in your life deserves a shout-out, Salina Post encourages you to nominate an everyday champion who has positively impacted you, your family, or your local community.Nominations can be made by messaging Salina Post's Facebook page, or by emailing <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>Please include the name of the person you wish to nominate and a brief statement explaining why they are a champion in their community.&nbsp;

Salina Post's Community Champions Vol. 2 — Steve Heiser

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

After years of discussions on a multimillion-dollar housing project just south of Magnolia Road, the Saline County Commission granted consent to the City of Salina to begin Phase One since the first phase outlined by the housing developer sits on unincorporated county property.

The City of Salina entered a development agreement with Overland Park-based housing developer Salina Destination Development LLC, or SDD, on Nov. 6. It was finalized on Nov. 17 this year, leaving just 45 days for the city to annex the county land.

A $25 million housing grant from the state will fund most of the planned one and two-bedroom apartments, with an additional $10 million rounding out the entire $35 million industrial revenue bond, or IRB.

An IRB exempts the developer from paying property taxes for a predetermined amount of time. For Salina, it will be 10 years. The IRB for SDD also provides another incentive, a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the project.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7d23c670-38c5-4f77-a9ab-9b9d068822b7">Salina City Commission approves multimillion-dollar housing incentive package</a>

County Commissioners saw the issue during its Tuesday, Nov. 28 meeting and voted unanimously to allow the city to issue the IRB for the project.

According to County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, the property for Phase One lies in what the county and city named "The Doughnut Hole," a piece of unincorporated county land surrounded by city property.

"The city has started the process of annexing the land, but they don't feel that the annexation will be complete by the time they have to issue the bonds," Smith-Hanes said. "We did this with the Kubota property down on South Ninth Street — it was the same situation where it was a timing issue."

Smith-Hanes encouraged the commission to direct questions to Salina Assistant City Manager Shawn Hennessee, to which Commissioner James Weese spoke first.

Weese asked Hennessee why the city did not annex the land sooner if the project had been a possibility for years.

"When we initiated the RFP [Request for Proposals] process, we received literally a smorgasbord of different proposals," Hennesse said. "In this case, what we did was we opened it up and said, 'Give us your ideas on where you would like to put this multifamily housing,' so we went through that process."

The city proposed multiple sites across town, providing developers with options for where to place the multimillion-dollar project. 

Once SDD entered a DA with the town, it committed the company and the city to the large-scale project.

"It wasn't until relatively recently that we knew that this is where they wanted to put in the development for this property," Hennessee said. "Both the developer and the city wants that [the DA] because then that has those mutual commitments once the DA is signed."

Saline County Commission Chairman Robert Vidrickson asked why the city had not annexed locations like "The Doughnut Hole" and other unincorporated property surrounded by city jurisdiction. 

According to Smith-Hanes, after some cities began rapidly annexing land in the 1980s to try and compete with other close cities, the state imposed more restrictions for city annexation of county property.

"Annexation in Kansas used to be fairly open, but as with many things, Johnson County spoiled it for the rest of us," Smith-Hanes said. "Lenexa, Overland Park and Olathe got into annexation wars back in the 80s trying to grab land that they felt would be useful for future development."

"As a consequence of that, the legislature came back and really restricted the ability of cities to annex unless there's a specific purpose or consent."

Hennessee agreed with Smith-Hanes on why the city waited to have the DA in place before annexing the unincorporated property.

County Commissioner Joe Hay commented on the public's interest in the project.

"I hear from people all the time, 'We want to see Saline County grow, we want to see Salina grow,' but we can't do that without housing," Hay said. "We got to have the housing."

Consent Agenda: ● Approval of community comment letter regarding Essential Air Service Proposals ● FY24 Justice Assistance Grant Assurances

Action Items: ● Bid award for 2023 Aggregate Shouldering

Informational Items: ● Road and Bridge Departmental Update ● County Administrator Update

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701016826196.jpeg" alt="Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostAfter years of discussions on a multimillion-dollar housing project just south of Magnolia Road, the Saline County Commission granted consent to the City of Salina to begin Phase One since the first phase outlined by the housing developer sits on unincorporated county property.The City of Salina entered a development agreement with Overland Park-based housing developer Salina Destination Development LLC, or SDD, on Nov. 6. It was finalized on Nov. 17 this year, leaving just 45 days for the city to annex the county land.A $25 million housing grant from the state will fund most of the planned one and two-bedroom apartments, with an additional $10 million rounding out the entire $35 million industrial revenue bond, or IRB.An IRB exempts the developer from paying property taxes for a predetermined amount of time. For Salina, it will be 10 years. The IRB for SDD also provides another incentive, a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the project.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7d23c670-38c5-4f77-a9ab-9b9d068822b7">Salina City Commission approves multimillion-dollar housing incentive package</a>County Commissioners saw the issue during its Tuesday, Nov. 28 meeting and voted unanimously to allow the city to issue the IRB for the project.According to County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, the property for Phase One lies in what the county and city named "The Doughnut Hole," a piece of unincorporated county land surrounded by city property."The city has started the process of annexing the land, but they don't feel that the annexation will be complete by the time they have to issue the bonds," Smith-Hanes said. "We did this with the Kubota property down on South Ninth Street — it was the same situation where it was a timing issue."Smith-Hanes encouraged the commission to direct questions to Salina Assistant City Manager Shawn Hennessee, to which Commissioner James Weese spoke first.Weese asked Hennessee why the city did not annex the land sooner if the project had been a possibility for years."When we initiated the RFP [Request for Proposals] process, we received literally a smorgasbord of different proposals," Hennesse said. "In this case, what we did was we opened it up and said, 'Give us your ideas on where you would like to put this multifamily housing,' so we went through that process."The city proposed multiple sites across town, providing developers with options for where to place the multimillion-dollar project. Once SDD entered a DA with the town, it committed the company and the city to the large-scale project."It wasn't until relatively recently that we knew that this is where they wanted to put in the development for this property," Hennessee said. "Both the developer and the city wants that [the DA] because then that has those mutual commitments once the DA is signed."Saline County Commission Chairman Robert Vidrickson asked why the city had not annexed locations like "The Doughnut Hole" and other unincorporated property surrounded by city jurisdiction. According to Smith-Hanes, after some cities began rapidly annexing land in the 1980s to try and compete with other close cities, the state imposed more restrictions for city annexation of county property."Annexation in Kansas used to be fairly open, but as with many things, Johnson County spoiled it for the rest of us," Smith-Hanes said. "Lenexa, Overland Park and Olathe got into annexation wars back in the 80s trying to grab land that they felt would be useful for future development.""As a consequence of that, the legislature came back and really restricted the ability of cities to annex unless there's a specific purpose or consent."Hennessee agreed with Smith-Hanes on why the city waited to have the DA in place before annexing the unincorporated property.County Commissioner Joe Hay commented on the public's interest in the project."I hear from people all the time, 'We want to see Saline County grow, we want to see Salina grow,' but we can't do that without housing," Hay said. "We got to have the housing."<h2>Other agenda items on Tuesday, Nov. 28</h2>Consent Agenda: ● Approval of community comment letter regarding Essential Air Service Proposals ● FY24 Justice Assistance Grant AssurancesAction Items: ● Bid award for 2023 Aggregate ShoulderingInformational Items: ● Road and Bridge Departmental Update ● County Administrator Update

Saline County provides consent for multimillion dollar housing project

&nbsp;Brookville will celebrate the holidays this weekend, inviting community members from across north central Kansas to participate in the town's second Parade of Lights.

Festivities alongside the parade begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, with chili and chicken and noodle soup at the Brookville United Methodist Church. 

Church members will perform a nativity scene at 5:30 p.m., and photographer Tarrah Casteel will provide free professional photos with Santa, Mrs. Clause and The Grinch.

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brookvillecommunityfoundationfund/?paipv=0&amp;eav=AfbjfOvqvUcdNoAtG9dzSAgvAY7KU2w4wwLW1NV90_G3RWCWJ-H31QxXychKlVwLMvQ&amp;_rdr">Brookville Community Foundation</a> began the celebration last year.

Jenni Jones, the vice president of the Brookville Community Foundation, said last year the parade had 20 participants, but she hopes to see it grow to 40 exhibitors.

The parade is free for any interested participant; the only requirement is to line up by Ell-Saline High School around 5:45 p.m.

"I love seeing all the families — it's such a happy time of year," Jones said. "We cap off the night over at Sandstone Saloon with an ugly sweater party, so just seeing people's creativity with that was a lot of fun."

Jones said community members will bake cookies and hand out hot chocolate and snacks for guests. The foundation asks that guests donate $10 for the Brookville Community Foundation Park Project, but it is not required.

"Anyone can come — it doesn't matter if you live or work in Brookville," Jones said. "Even Salina businesses, Lindsborg, Ellsworth and other surrounding communities. We'd love to have everyone."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701450181044.jpeg" alt="Brookville residents ride along during the first Brookville Community Foundation Parade of Lights. Courtesy Brookville Community Foundation" />
 <figcaption>Brookville residents ride along during the first Brookville Community Foundation Parade of Lights. Courtesy Brookville Community Foundation</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post&nbsp;Brookville will celebrate the holidays this weekend, inviting community members from across north central Kansas to participate in the town's second Parade of Lights.Festivities alongside the parade begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, with chili and chicken and noodle soup at the Brookville United Methodist Church. Church members will perform a nativity scene at 5:30 p.m., and photographer Tarrah Casteel will provide free professional photos with Santa, Mrs. Clause and The Grinch.The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brookvillecommunityfoundationfund/?paipv=0&amp;eav=AfbjfOvqvUcdNoAtG9dzSAgvAY7KU2w4wwLW1NV90_G3RWCWJ-H31QxXychKlVwLMvQ&amp;_rdr">Brookville Community Foundation</a> began the celebration last year.Jenni Jones, the vice president of the Brookville Community Foundation, said last year the parade had 20 participants, but she hopes to see it grow to 40 exhibitors.The parade is free for any interested participant; the only requirement is to line up by Ell-Saline High School around 5:45 p.m."I love seeing all the families — it's such a happy time of year," Jones said. "We cap off the night over at Sandstone Saloon with an ugly sweater party, so just seeing people's creativity with that was a lot of fun."Jones said community members will bake cookies and hand out hot chocolate and snacks for guests. The foundation asks that guests donate $10 for the Brookville Community Foundation Park Project, but it is not required."Anyone can come — it doesn't matter if you live or work in Brookville," Jones said. "Even Salina businesses, Lindsborg, Ellsworth and other surrounding communities. We'd love to have everyone."

Brookville Community Foundation celebrates holidays with second Parade of Lights

A 36-year-old Salina woman called the Salina Police Department four times while her significant other continuously battered her in a vehicle.

At 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, SPD received a phone call where a woman told dispatchers her 36-year-old significant other struck her in the head and pulled her hair in the car after an argument began.

According to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, the suspect continued to harm the victim while driving around Salina and trapping her in the truck. The victim gave updates on her location to dispatchers through four 911 calls.

"They were on Interstate 135 and State Street, where she was finally let out of the vehicle," Tonniges said. "That's where we made contact with her."

Tonniges said the victim provided information on the suspect, but officers are investigating the incident and provided no further details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574355645622.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostA 36-year-old Salina woman called the Salina Police Department four times while her significant other continuously battered her in a vehicle.At 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, SPD received a phone call where a woman told dispatchers her 36-year-old significant other struck her in the head and pulled her hair in the car after an argument began.According to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, the suspect continued to harm the victim while driving around Salina and trapping her in the truck. The victim gave updates on her location to dispatchers through four 911 calls."They were on Interstate 135 and State Street, where she was finally let out of the vehicle," Tonniges said. "That's where we made contact with her."Tonniges said the victim provided information on the suspect, but officers are investigating the incident and provided no further details.

Salina woman calls 911 four times while significant other batters her in truck

BY NATE KING Salina Post

During its Monday meeting, Salina City Commissioners agreed to issue a multi-million dollar incentive package to Overland Park-based housing developer Salina Destination Development LLC.

The package consists of industrial revenue bonds, or IRBs, which exempt Salina Destination Development (SDD) from paying Saline County property taxes on the land used for Phase One of the multi-family apartment project.

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/c06cc281-4da5-4068-b779-4466b4678be2">Salina City Commission to hold special meeting Thursday afternoon</a>

The property tax exemption would be in effect for a decade. According to an IRB fiscal impact model provided by Wichita State's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, SDD will be free from paying the following city, county, and state taxes:&nbsp;

Assistant City Manager Shawn Henessee said during the meeting that the incentive package would also exempt SDD from paying sales tax for construction materials during Phase One.&nbsp;

"The goal of the IRBs is to further incentivize and make sure we get this housing that is needed,"&nbsp;Henessee said.

Phase One, which will soon add 250 one and two-bedroom apartments near Dry Creek, just west of Menards, is expected to cost approximately $35 million to build.&nbsp;

As an additional incentive to the project, the State of Kansas awarded the City of Salina a $25 million grant that was issued to provide housing to support other jobs in the community.

"We're not saying this is a panacea all of a sudden, and we have snapped our fingers, and all of Salina's housing problems are gone," Henesse said. "This really is an enormous step that is nearly impossible to quantify — to be in a position to deliver this many units to support expanding businesses."

According to SDD, Phase One of the project will create seven permanent jobs at the apartment complex. These jobs will be general grounds laborers, property managers, and leasing agents.&nbsp;

During time for public comment, Salina resident Rosemary Mai told commissioners she and others in the community did not support the sizeable incentive package.&nbsp;

"Everybody's property taxes are going up this year, but yet we're giving them free property tax?" Mai said. "I listened to the radio this morning and a lot of people are complaining about their property tax going up."&nbsp;

Mayor Hoppock responded to Mai's comment and said he understands the community's concerns.

"We do have a housing shortage, and we don't really have the local expertise to build a 250-unit apartment complex," Hoppock said. "We looked at the IRBs, we also looked at the property tax abatement for 10 years, because we said, 'We need rents that people can afford, and so by using these tools, that's how we were able to get the rents to market rate. It's a catch-22."

Project developers are eager to begin work on the project, but the land is not inside Salina City limits. The land is categorized as "unincorporated county land." The land is also zoned for agricultural use.

Henessee said the City of Salina does plan to annex and rezone part of the land for the project, but he does not expect that process to be concluded before mid to late December.

State statute (K.S.A. 12-1741a) requires consent of the Board of County Commissioners before IRB's can be issued because the property is currently outside city limits.

The City of Salina's Development Agreement with Salina Destination Development LLC requires approval of the IRBs within 45 days of closing on the property. 

Due to uncertainties in the timeline of the annexation process and to ensure compliance with the agreement, the County Commission needs to consent to the IRBs.

City Commissioners passed the IRBs by a 5-0 vote.

Other city affairs discussed at the meeting:

Mayor Hoopock signed a letter to the Department of Transportation recommending SkyWest to continue to serve as Salina's preferred airline.

Approve Resolution No. 23-8169 declaring the necessity to acquire firefighting equipment, providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the City of Salina to pay for such equipment, and authorizing the publication of the Notice of Intent.

Approve Resolution No. 23-8168 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Jennifer Dahlstrom to provide indigent counsel services for the Salina Municipal Court.

Authorize City staff preparation of a special assessment engineering feasibility report for phase II of Lakeview Estates Additions No. 2 and 3.

Authorize City staff preparation of a special assessment engineering feasibility report for Phase I of Magnolia Hills Estates Addition No. 3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697467290838.jpeg" alt="The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>BY NATE KING Salina PostDuring its Monday meeting, Salina City Commissioners agreed to issue a multi-million dollar incentive package to Overland Park-based housing developer Salina Destination Development LLC.The package consists of industrial revenue bonds, or IRBs, which exempt Salina Destination Development (SDD) from paying Saline County property taxes on the land used for Phase One of the multi-family apartment project.READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/c06cc281-4da5-4068-b779-4466b4678be2">Salina City Commission to hold special meeting Thursday afternoon</a>The property tax exemption would be in effect for a decade. According to an IRB fiscal impact model provided by Wichita State's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, SDD will be free from paying the following city, county, and state taxes:&nbsp; $3,479,439 Saline County property taxes$2,967,175 City of Salina sales tax$1,924,485 School District 305$1,827,500 State of Kansas tax abatementAssistant City Manager Shawn Henessee said during the meeting that the incentive package would also exempt SDD from paying sales tax for construction materials during Phase One.&nbsp;"The goal of the IRBs is to further incentivize and make sure we get this housing that is needed,"&nbsp;Henessee said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701382621824.png" alt="The 11.197 acres portion of the Magnolia site. Graphic courtesy Salina City Commission" />
 <figcaption>The 11.197 acres portion of the Magnolia site. Graphic courtesy Salina City Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>Phase One, which will soon add 250 one and two-bedroom apartments near Dry Creek, just west of Menards, is expected to cost approximately $35 million to build.&nbsp;As an additional incentive to the project, the State of Kansas awarded the City of Salina a $25 million grant that was issued to provide housing to support other jobs in the community."We're not saying this is a panacea all of a sudden, and we have snapped our fingers, and all of Salina's housing problems are gone," Henesse said. "This really is an enormous step that is nearly impossible to quantify — to be in a position to deliver this many units to support expanding businesses."According to SDD, Phase One of the project will create seven permanent jobs at the apartment complex. These jobs will be general grounds laborers, property managers, and leasing agents.&nbsp;During time for public comment, Salina resident Rosemary Mai told commissioners she and others in the community did not support the sizeable incentive package.&nbsp;"Everybody's property taxes are going up this year, but yet we're giving them free property tax?" Mai said. "I listened to the radio this morning and a lot of people are complaining about their property tax going up."&nbsp;Mayor Hoppock responded to Mai's comment and said he understands the community's concerns."We do have a housing shortage, and we don't really have the local expertise to build a 250-unit apartment complex," Hoppock said. "We looked at the IRBs, we also looked at the property tax abatement for 10 years, because we said, 'We need rents that people can afford, and so by using these tools, that's how we were able to get the rents to market rate. It's a catch-22."<h2>Need to annex and rezone</h2>Project developers are eager to begin work on the project, but the land is not inside Salina City limits. The land is categorized as "unincorporated county land." The land is also zoned for agricultural use.Henessee said the City of Salina does plan to annex and rezone part of the land for the project, but he does not expect that process to be concluded before mid to late December.State statute (K.S.A. 12-1741a) requires consent of the Board of County Commissioners before IRB's can be issued because the property is currently outside city limits.The City of Salina's Development Agreement with Salina Destination Development LLC requires approval of the IRBs within 45 days of closing on the property. Due to uncertainties in the timeline of the annexation process and to ensure compliance with the agreement, the County Commission needs to consent to the IRBs.City Commissioners passed the IRBs by a 5-0 vote.<h2>Other city affairs discussed at the meeting:</h2>Mayor Hoopock signed a letter to the Department of Transportation recommending SkyWest to continue to serve as Salina's preferred airline.Approve Resolution No. 23-8169 declaring the necessity to acquire firefighting equipment, providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the City of Salina to pay for such equipment, and authorizing the publication of the Notice of Intent.Approve Resolution No. 23-8168 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Jennifer Dahlstrom to provide indigent counsel services for the Salina Municipal Court.Authorize City staff preparation of a special assessment engineering feasibility report for phase II of Lakeview Estates Additions No. 2 and 3.Authorize City staff preparation of a special assessment engineering feasibility report for Phase I of Magnolia Hills Estates Addition No. 3.

Salina City Commission approves multi million dollar housing incentive package

The Salina City Commissioners will hold a special meeting today, Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. in the City-County Building, Room 107 to consider Resolution No. 23-8176 authorizing the City of Salina to opt out of the settlement class in both the Dupont and 3M Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation cases and authorizing the Vice-Mayor, City staff, and legal counsel to sign and deliver any documentation necessary to complete the prescribed opt out process.

Salina City Attorney Greg Bengston and Salina lawyer Aaron Martin will present to commissioners.

City Manager Mike Schrage and Assistant City Manager Henessee are currently out of town for a conference.&nbsp;

The City of Salina has been included in the settlement class in the following two cases in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, involving Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn-02873:

City of Camden, et al., V. E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, et al., No. 2:23-cv-03230-RMG

City of Camden, et al., v. 3M Company, No. 2:23-cv-03147-RMG

The settlement classes include all water systems in the United States that as of June 30, 2023, are subject to the monitoring rules set forth in the U.S. EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule ("UCMR 5") which are those "large" systems serving more than 10,000 people and "small" systems serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people.

The settlement amount to be paid by the Dupont defendants under the proposed Dupont Settlement Agreement is $1, 185,000,000. The settlement amount to be paid by 3M under the 3M Settlement Agreement is 12,500,000,000. The City of Salina is listed as a Phase One Settlement Class Member. In order to assert a claim against the settlement amount, Phase 1 Class Members must file a claim along with substantiating test results within 60 days of the effective date of the Settlement Agreement (5 days after the date of final judgment). Members of class are subject to the terms of the Settlement Agreement regardless of whether they submit a claim or not.

Members of the settlement class have the option of opting out the settlement class by serving a written and signed statement entitled "Request for Exclusion" on the Notice Administrator, the Special Master, the Claims Administrator and related parties. The written request must be sent by certified mail and received by the Claims Administrator in the Dupont case by December 4, 2023. The deadline in the 3M case is December 11, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701016826196.jpeg" alt="Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Snow blankets the Salina City and Saline County building during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Salina City Commissioners will hold a special meeting today, Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. in the City-County Building, Room 107 to consider Resolution No. 23-8176 authorizing the City of Salina to opt out of the settlement class in both the Dupont and 3M Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation cases and authorizing the Vice-Mayor, City staff, and legal counsel to sign and deliver any documentation necessary to complete the prescribed opt out process.Salina City Attorney Greg Bengston and Salina lawyer Aaron Martin will present to commissioners.City Manager Mike Schrage and Assistant City Manager Henessee are currently out of town for a conference.&nbsp;The City of Salina has been included in the settlement class in the following two cases in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, involving Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn-02873:City of Camden, et al., V. E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, et al., No. 2:23-cv-03230-RMGCity of Camden, et al., v. 3M Company, No. 2:23-cv-03147-RMGThe settlement classes include all water systems in the United States that as of June 30, 2023, are subject to the monitoring rules set forth in the U.S. EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule ("UCMR 5") which are those "large" systems serving more than 10,000 people and "small" systems serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people.The settlement amount to be paid by the Dupont defendants under the proposed Dupont Settlement Agreement is $1, 185,000,000. The settlement amount to be paid by 3M under the 3M Settlement Agreement is 12,500,000,000. The City of Salina is listed as a Phase One Settlement Class Member. In order to assert a claim against the settlement amount, Phase 1 Class Members must file a claim along with substantiating test results within 60 days of the effective date of the Settlement Agreement (5 days after the date of final judgment). Members of class are subject to the terms of the Settlement Agreement regardless of whether they submit a claim or not.Members of the settlement class have the option of opting out the settlement class by serving a written and signed statement entitled "Request for Exclusion" on the Notice Administrator, the Special Master, the Claims Administrator and related parties. The written request must be sent by certified mail and received by the Claims Administrator in the Dupont case by December 4, 2023. The deadline in the 3M case is December 11, 2023.

UPDATED: Salina City Commission to hold special meeting Thursday afternoon

A suspect stole an estimated $1,000 from two machines at Casey's at 215 W. Crawford St. According to the Salina Police Department, the burglary occurred between 3:30 and 6 p.m. on Monday. Nov. 27.

The machines took cash in return for car wash tokens, and according to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, the suspect stole money from one device on the west side of the car wash building before moving to another.

"The subject then crawled through the approximately 3 feet by 2 feet hold in the building and removed the locks on the other machine and removed the money from that machine," Tonniges said.

Tonniges said there were no suspects, but officers will continue investigating the incident.

Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostA suspect stole an estimated $1,000 from two machines at Casey's at 215 W. Crawford St. According to the Salina Police Department, the burglary occurred between 3:30 and 6 p.m. on Monday. Nov. 27.The machines took cash in return for car wash tokens, and according to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, the suspect stole money from one device on the west side of the car wash building before moving to another."The subject then crawled through the approximately 3 feet by 2 feet hold in the building and removed the locks on the other machine and removed the money from that machine," Tonniges said.Tonniges said there were no suspects, but officers will continue investigating the incident.Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

Suspect steals $1,000 from Casey's in Salina

On Sunday afternoon, Salina Downtown Inc. shared a Facebook post informing the community that a suspect vandalized one of the downtown Christmas trees.

Salina Downtown Inc. places small, plastic Christmas trees in planter pots along Santa Fe Avenue for the holidays, bringing holiday spirit to downtown businesses and visitors.

Around 1 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, a suspect tore one of the plastic trees from its pot in front of Big Nose Kate's, a downtown bar, and took it to his car.

"We've gotten several stolen," said Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director Leslie Bishop. "We don't have any on the 200 North block anymore because most of them were stolen the first year we put them out."

Salina Downtown began placing the Christmas trees along Santa Fe three years ago, and according to Bishop, downtown visitors have vandalized the trees each year.

SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges said Salina Downtown reported the incident to the department on Monday, Nov. 27, with video evidence from a downtown business near Big Nose Kate's. 

"They had got some information on a possible suspect, so it looks like we're following up with that," Tonniges said.

SPD has not made any arrests at this time.

Salina Post will update this story as more information becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701016432379.jpeg" alt="Downtown Salina on Santa Fe Avenue blanketed in snow on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Salina on Santa Fe Avenue blanketed in snow on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostOn Sunday afternoon, Salina Downtown Inc. shared a Facebook post informing the community that a suspect vandalized one of the downtown Christmas trees.Salina Downtown Inc. places small, plastic Christmas trees in planter pots along Santa Fe Avenue for the holidays, bringing holiday spirit to downtown businesses and visitors.Around 1 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, a suspect tore one of the plastic trees from its pot in front of Big Nose Kate's, a downtown bar, and took it to his car.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701292943751.jpeg" alt="A suspect vandalizes one of the Santa Fe Avenue tree planters. Photos courtesy Salina Downtown Inc. " />
 <figcaption>A suspect vandalizes one of the Santa Fe Avenue tree planters. Photos courtesy Salina Downtown Inc. </figcaption>
 </figure>"We've gotten several stolen," said Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director Leslie Bishop. "We don't have any on the 200 North block anymore because most of them were stolen the first year we put them out."Salina Downtown began placing the Christmas trees along Santa Fe three years ago, and according to Bishop, downtown visitors have vandalized the trees each year.SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges said Salina Downtown reported the incident to the department on Monday, Nov. 27, with video evidence from a downtown business near Big Nose Kate's. "They had got some information on a possible suspect, so it looks like we're following up with that," Tonniges said.SPD has not made any arrests at this time.Salina Post will update this story as more information becomes available.

Downtown visitor vandalizes Christmas tree on Santa Fe Avenue

Right as Thanksgiving began last week on Thursday, Nov. 23, around midnight, the Salina Police Department reported to an apartment complex at 737 Fairdale Road for a reported fight and gunshot near the building.

Once officers arrived on the scene, all potential suspects left the area, but according to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, a witness reported information on the event.

"We did get information that the suspect had run into an apartment and then left the apartment and fled the area," Tonniges said. "So our officers applied for a search warrant for that apartment, and as they were doing that, the suspect arrived back on scene."

When one suspect arrived back at the apartment complex, officers found him to be 17-year-old Salina resident Christian Klein and arrested him for the illegal gunshot in town.

Officers also found him to be under the influence of alcohol.

Tonniges said officers received the search warrant and proceeded to search Klein's apartment, where they found an estimated six pounds of marijuana and about $10,000 in cash.

"The officer searched the apartment and located a large amount of marijuana and edibles and a significant amount of cash, which is believed to be drug proceeds," Tonniges said. "They also found two firearms."

SPD requested the following charges for Klein:

● Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance ● Felony possession of marijuana ● Unlawful acquiring of drug proceeds ● No drug tax stamp ● Possession of Marijuana ● Possession of drug paraphernalia ● Possession of a firearm while under the influence ● Criminal use of a weapon

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573750784898.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostRight as Thanksgiving began last week on Thursday, Nov. 23, around midnight, the Salina Police Department reported to an apartment complex at 737 Fairdale Road for a reported fight and gunshot near the building.Once officers arrived on the scene, all potential suspects left the area, but according to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, a witness reported information on the event."We did get information that the suspect had run into an apartment and then left the apartment and fled the area," Tonniges said. "So our officers applied for a search warrant for that apartment, and as they were doing that, the suspect arrived back on scene."When one suspect arrived back at the apartment complex, officers found him to be 17-year-old Salina resident Christian Klein and arrested him for the illegal gunshot in town.Officers also found him to be under the influence of alcohol.Tonniges said officers received the search warrant and proceeded to search Klein's apartment, where they found an estimated six pounds of marijuana and about $10,000 in cash."The officer searched the apartment and located a large amount of marijuana and edibles and a significant amount of cash, which is believed to be drug proceeds," Tonniges said. "They also found two firearms."SPD requested the following charges for Klein:● Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance ● Felony possession of marijuana ● Unlawful acquiring of drug proceeds ● No drug tax stamp ● Possession of Marijuana ● Possession of drug paraphernalia ● Possession of a firearm while under the influence ● Criminal use of a weapon

SPD arrests teenager for possession of multiple pounds of marijuana

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

A Salina resident allegedly shot himself in the leg on Wednesday, Nov. 22. 

Salina Police Department officers reported to the Salina Regional Health Center at 4:40 p.m. after 19-year-old Isaiah Grajales told SRHC staff that a drive-by shooting inflicted his wound.

Grajales told officers the incident happened at an apartment complex at 730 Fairdale Rd. in Salina.

"He was outside the apartment when there was a drive-by shooting, and he was shot in the leg," SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges said. "That was his initial report. However, after further questioning, he admitted that he had shot himself in the leg."

After SRHC staff treated Grajales' wound to his right thigh, Tonniges said officers arrested him and requested charges for felony interference with law enforcement and falsely reporting a felony crime.

"He was also found to be under the influence of alcohol, and he had a marijuana joint in his possession," Tonniges said.

Requested charges for Grajales include:

● Felony interference with law enforcement ● Falsely reporting a felony crime ● Possession of marijuana ● Possession of drug paraphernalia ● Possession of a firearm while under the influence ● Minor in consumption of alcohol

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574355645622.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostA Salina resident allegedly shot himself in the leg on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Salina Police Department officers reported to the Salina Regional Health Center at 4:40 p.m. after 19-year-old Isaiah Grajales told SRHC staff that a drive-by shooting inflicted his wound.Grajales told officers the incident happened at an apartment complex at 730 Fairdale Rd. in Salina."He was outside the apartment when there was a drive-by shooting, and he was shot in the leg," SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges said. "That was his initial report. However, after further questioning, he admitted that he had shot himself in the leg."After SRHC staff treated Grajales' wound to his right thigh, Tonniges said officers arrested him and requested charges for felony interference with law enforcement and falsely reporting a felony crime."He was also found to be under the influence of alcohol, and he had a marijuana joint in his possession," Tonniges said.Requested charges for Grajales include:● Felony interference with law enforcement ● Falsely reporting a felony crime ● Possession of marijuana ● Possession of drug paraphernalia ● Possession of a firearm while under the influence ● Minor in consumption of alcohol

Teen falsely reports drive-by shooting to SPD about self-inflicted wound

The Salina Police Department reported to Dillon's at 2350 Planet Ave. at 7:31 a.m. on Monday after receiving information that a man was swinging a pit bull-type dog around by the leg.

According to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, a witness reported that a man told them the dog had a broken leg and proceeded to treat the dog with cruelty in front of the witness.

"When he then proceeded to swing it around by the leg and threw it on his shoulder 'like a backpack,'" Tonniges said.

The witness continued that the suspect, 29-year-old Brandon Lunde, threw a loaf of bread while in the store and broke a glass jar of food on the floor.

When officers arrived at Dillon's, they were unable to locate Lunde.

Later, at 8:47 a.m., an officer found the suspect walking the limping dog near Long McArthur Ford, a dealership at 3450 S. 9th St. Tonniges said he resisted once officers attempted to arrest Lunde.

Salina Animal Control arrived at the scene with officers and safely took the dog into their care. According to Tonniges, the dog did not seem to have any life-threatening injuries.

Salina Post contacted Salina Animal Services and received no information on the dog's condition.

SPD arrested Lunde on Monday and requested charges for:

● Cruelty to animals ● Criminal damage to property ● Assault ● Interference with a law enforcement officer

Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701184344798.jpeg" alt="Brandon Lunde" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Lunde</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostThe Salina Police Department reported to Dillon's at 2350 Planet Ave. at 7:31 a.m. on Monday after receiving information that a man was swinging a pit bull-type dog around by the leg.According to SPD Sergeant Kyle Tonniges, a witness reported that a man told them the dog had a broken leg and proceeded to treat the dog with cruelty in front of the witness."When he then proceeded to swing it around by the leg and threw it on his shoulder 'like a backpack,'" Tonniges said.The witness continued that the suspect, 29-year-old Brandon Lunde, threw a loaf of bread while in the store and broke a glass jar of food on the floor.When officers arrived at Dillon's, they were unable to locate Lunde.Later, at 8:47 a.m., an officer found the suspect walking the limping dog near Long McArthur Ford, a dealership at 3450 S. 9th St. Tonniges said he resisted once officers attempted to arrest Lunde.Salina Animal Control arrived at the scene with officers and safely took the dog into their care. According to Tonniges, the dog did not seem to have any life-threatening injuries.Salina Post contacted Salina Animal Services and received no information on the dog's condition.SPD arrested Lunde on Monday and requested charges for:● Cruelty to animals ● Criminal damage to property ● Assault ● Interference with a law enforcement officerSalina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

UPDATED: SPD arrests man swinging a dog by its broken leg on Monday

By NATE KING and OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

David Svaty spreads a positive message by actively participating in the betterment of his local community. This resilient hero works diligently behind the scenes, shoulder to shoulder with family members, neighbors and friends.

People benefit greatly from the countless hours that community champions spend on tasks like picking up the garbage, farming the land, volunteering, nursing the sick, and maintaining our electrical grid.&nbsp;

As we embark on this mission to thank the seldomly thanked, Salina Post invites you to open your hearts to the incredible stories of these unsung heroes — these Community Champions.&nbsp;

David Svaty, a farmer from Ellsworth County, produces vegetables, fruits and animal products for the family-owned and operated Svaty’s Produce.

"This whole family is melon lovers," Svaty said. "So we grow lots of watermelons."

Svaty said customers would line up near the Svaty Produce stand, waiting for his farm's famous Japanese cucumbers in the summertime while filling baskets with the plentiful watermelon from the farm.

The Svaty's Produce stand regularly attends the Harvest Farmers Market held every Tuesday on Cloud Street in Salina.&nbsp;

“We enjoy growing things whether it be plants or animals direct selling allows us to set the price,” Svaty said. “By selling direct to the consumer they have a face to put with the produce that is on their table. If they want to know how our product has been grown, we can tell them freshness is important.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700699931422.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING and OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina PostDavid Svaty spreads a positive message by actively participating in the betterment of his local community. This resilient hero works diligently behind the scenes, shoulder to shoulder with family members, neighbors and friends.People benefit greatly from the countless hours that community champions spend on tasks like picking up the garbage, farming the land, volunteering, nursing the sick, and maintaining our electrical grid.&nbsp;As we embark on this mission to thank the seldomly thanked, Salina Post invites you to open your hearts to the incredible stories of these unsung heroes — these Community Champions.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700699583333.jpeg" alt="Svaty helps a customer select produce at the Svaty Produce stand. Image Courtesy Connie Svaty" />
 <figcaption>Svaty helps a customer select produce at the Svaty Produce stand. Image Courtesy Connie Svaty</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>David Svaty</h2>David Svaty, a farmer from Ellsworth County, produces vegetables, fruits and animal products for the family-owned and operated Svaty’s Produce."This whole family is melon lovers," Svaty said. "So we grow lots of watermelons."Svaty said customers would line up near the Svaty Produce stand, waiting for his farm's famous Japanese cucumbers in the summertime while filling baskets with the plentiful watermelon from the farm.The Svaty's Produce stand regularly attends the Harvest Farmers Market held every Tuesday on Cloud Street in Salina.&nbsp;“We enjoy growing things whether it be plants or animals direct selling allows us to set the price,” Svaty said. “By selling direct to the consumer they have a face to put with the produce that is on their table. If they want to know how our product has been grown, we can tell them freshness is important.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700698304736.jpeg" alt="Svaty's Produce Stand at the local farmers market in Ellsworth, Kansas. Photo courtesy Connie Svaty" />
 <figcaption>Svaty's Produce Stand at the local farmers market in Ellsworth, Kansas. Photo courtesy Connie Svaty</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Svaty Family</h2>Svaty's family immigrated to Ellsworth County, Kansas, in 1876 from the region of Czechoslovakia, now the modern-day countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Svaty’s grandfather arrived on the Kansas prairie at 16 years old.Three generations of Svatys have farmed in Ellsworth County since then, continuing to produce locally grown food for their community.“We call it a sickness, like right now I'm looking at seed catalogs for next year already and trying to figure out what we're going to grow, and it's not really a sickness, but we tease ourselves,” Svaty said. ”The variables are extreme, but the rewards can be pretty good.”Significant age gaps caused the long generations for the family, with Svaty's grandfather at 46 when Svaty's father was born and Svaty's father at age 53 when he was born.This age discrepancy crept in between Svaty's brother, Ron, and him, with 17 years between the siblings, but provided an opportunity for mentorship."My brother Ron came back from Alaska, and he was an attorney at the time, and he wanted to grow his own food, so he had a big garden at the farm," Svaty said. "I would spend a lot of time with him, helping him and then just learning that I like to grow things."Svaty said he fell in love with farming from then on, aiming to continue farming the family's land and continuing the stewardship tradition."I've always enjoyed growing things," Svaty said. "Whether it be plants or animals, I like to see what would happen."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700698447872.jpeg" alt="Dave Svaty at a local farmers market selling radishes, green onions and more. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce" />
 <figcaption>Dave Svaty at a local farmers market selling radishes, green onions and more. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce</figcaption>
 </figure>Today, Svaty grows staples like onions, potatoes and garlic, but he also grows seasonal fruits and vegetables, including watermelon and tomatoes. Much of the work Svaty attributes to his family, with his brother Ron Svaty often helping him with everything from caring for cattle to harvest season.Another family member, Svaty’s nephew Seth Svaty, worked hard for his operation while supporting Svaty’s farm, often helping with harvest, wrangling animals or general maintenance.“My nephew was very, very important to me, very close,” Svaty said. “He worked hard out here, and all three of his kids, my grand niece and nephews, came out here, and they helped greatly.”Svaty said even though Seth Svaty worked hard for his operation, he would help whenever possible and loved to help his uncle. Seth Svaty recently lost his battle with colon cancer.READ: <a href="https://www.indyrepnews.com/article/obituaries/seth-ray-svaty-1977-2023">Ellsworth Independent Reporter&nbsp;obituary, Seth Ray Svaty (1977-2023)</a>“To watch cancer take somebody at 46 is pretty tough,” Svaty said.Through the hardships, Svaty continues producing with support from his faith in God and family ties.“You got to get up and put one foot in front of the other,” Svaty said. “Nobody is telling you what you need to do. You're going to have to do it.”<h2>Prairie partners</h2><a href="https://www.prairielandmarket.org/about-1">Prairieland Market</a>, a Salina-based non-profit with the mission of encouraging the public to consider healthy, locally grown and organic foods is a natural partner for Svaty Produce. Since at least 2017, Svaty has provided produce to the market, ensuring it always has seasonal produce on its shelves.&nbsp;Prairieland Market store manager Kirsty Hartley works closely with Svaty. Together they predict what produce the store needs and when it needs it.“There's always been a great working relationship with him back and forth every year, he makes sure that he grows enough not just for us, but for the farmers market too,” Hartley said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700698579738.jpeg" alt="Fresh red and white onions from Svaty's Produce. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce" />
 <figcaption>Fresh red and white onions from Svaty's Produce. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce</figcaption>
 </figure>Svaty stepped up in a big way this year after one of Prairieland Market’s biggest producers changed ownership, resulting in a less than average quantity of produce.Hartley said as ownership changed hands, they relied on Svaty’s Produce to stock a majority of the shelves.“ A big produce provider in Saline County had a new beautiful, lovely young family takeover, but it was kind of a lot for them this year,” Hartley said. “We were able to really rely on Dave to get a majority of our produce for the market.”Svaty said he was glad to be able to help the market out."It was an exceptional year — they leaned on us, and we were able to supply it — we felt good about it," Svaty said. "So we're excited that they have a new location."Svaty is also a major contributor to the market’s community sourced <a href="https://www.prairielandmarket.org/csa-info">agriculture box subscription service</a>.“If you get a CSA box between March and the end of October, there's a 100% chance that more than one item is probably coming from Dave,” Hartley said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700698611221.jpeg" alt="Some of the meats sold by Svaty's Produce. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce" />
 <figcaption>Some of the meats sold by Svaty's Produce. Photo courtesy Svaty Produce</figcaption>
 </figure>While sharing how Svaty has helped Prairieland Market fulfill its mission, Hartley shared a memory from this year involving Svaty.&nbsp;“Dave is your traditional farmer. He's quiet. He has a one track mind,” Hartley said. “This year, he had a wheelbarrow that he was bringing in produce with and it has a squeaky wheel that was so loud that every single week we will hear him. You can hear the squeak, squeak, squeak and it was funny and everyone's like, ‘Who is that?' 'Oh, it's Dave. Don't mind him.' He's just brilliant.”&nbsp;Last month, the local grocery store announced its new location in downtown Salina, expanding its commercial space to include a commercial kitchen and storage areas.READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/b5fb0b2e-f2cc-4f8e-81c2-364cf70fb501">Prairieland Market in Salina announces new branding, new store to open in spring 2024</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700699695139.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Svaty Produce" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Svaty Produce</figcaption>
 </figure>After Svaty’s grandfather planted his first season of crops in Ellsworth County 147 years ago, the Svaty’s continue his stewardship legacy, producing fresh food for Kansans.“I will tell people we have five grown children and several other families working for us,” Svaty said. “Their safety in producing the crop and eating the final product are the same for them as they are for our customers.”If one of these Community Champions in your life deserves a shout-out, Salina Post encourages you to nominate an everyday champion who has positively impacted you, your family, or your local community.Nominations can be made by messaging Salina Post's Facebook page, or by emailing admin@salinapost.comPlease include the name of the person you wish to nominate and a brief statement explaining why they are a champion in their community.&nbsp;