City commissioners will have a busy day Monday as numerous items are on the agenda, including two public hearings, bond authorizations and sales, zoning issues, a downtown overhead structure discussion, and two scheduled executive sessions.

Commissioners are scheduled to being their work at 2 p.m. Monday with a study session in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 W. Ash. The topic of the study session is downtown STAR Bond issuance. A citizens forum time for public comment on the study session is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.

The regular meeting of the city commission is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Monday in room 107 of the City-County Building. A citizens forum time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.

The two public hearings deal with requests from Lee Development to vacate a portion of a 10-foot wide north-south platted alley located south of Elm Street between North Santa Fe Avenue and North Fifth Street and to vacate a 20-foot wide east-west alley extending between North Santa Fe Avenue and North Fifth Street.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider multiple zoning issues, including the following.

• The second reading Ordinance No. 18-10980 changing the zoning district classification from C-7 (Highway Commercial) to C-5 (Service Commercial) on property addressed as 621 Westport Boulevard.
• The second reading Ordinance No. 18-10981 changing the zoning district classification from R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) to C-4 (Central Business District) on properties addressed as 301 South Fifth Street and 210 East Mulberry Street.
• A request from Jones Gillam Renz Architects on behalf of Blue Beacon International to change the zoning district classification from R-3 (Multiple Family Residential District) to PDD (Planned Development District) on property addressed as 148 North Oakdale Avenue.

Commissioners also are scheduled to have a downtown overhead structure discussion.

For decades, downtown Salina has had decorative overhead structures over the crosswalks on Santa Fe. When they were removed this summer as a part of the Santa Fe streetscape project, a number of Salinans expressed support for not replacing the structures, as called for in the streetscape plan. Rather, those who spoke out against the structures said they much preferred the historic beauty of the downtown buildings and believed the planned new overhead structures would detract from that beauty. Those who favored no overhead structures also noted the money saved from canceling that part of the streetscape project could be used elsewhere for the betterment of Salina.

Numerous times over the past few commission meetings, citizens have spoken out against replacing the structures.

City staff is seeking direction from the commission concerning the overhead structures scheduled for placement on Santa Fe. City staff has identified the following options for the commission’s consideration.

1. Authorize continuation of the fabrication and installation of overhead structures as originally proposed, agreed to, and contracted.
2. Direct staff to conduct a public input process in order to solicit further public input before making a final decision regarding a reduction in the scope of the streetscape project.
3. Direct staff to prepare a Development Agreement amendment and construction contract change order reducing the scope of the streetscape project by removing a specified number of overhead structures and specifying the locations of the structures to be removed.

Information about the issue in the commission meeting packet indicates that “in light of the leveraging of STAR Bond proceeds as well as the public input process that was conducted in advance of executing the Development Agreement and construction contract combined with the timing of this consideration relative to the contractor’s fabrication of the overhead structures, staff recommends Option #1.”

Toward the end of the agenda are two scheduled requests for executive sessions, both personnel related.

Other items on the city commission agenda for Monday include the following.

• Resolution No. 18-7622 authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to Hotel and Motel Transient Guest Tax Agreement with Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.
• The first reading of Ordinance No. 18-10984 authorizing the issuance of Senior Special Obligation Revenue Bonds (downtown project) Series 2018A and Subordinate Special Obligation Revenue Bonds (downtown project) Series 2018B.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7623 authorizing the mayor to execute a second amendment to the Development Agreement with Salina 2020, Inc.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7624 authorizing the mayor to execute a first amendment to the Lighthouse Properties III, Inc. transferee agreement.
• Authorization of the sale of General Obligation Internal Improvement Bonds Series 2018-A, General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2016-B, and Temporary Notes Series 2018-2. Receive report on bids received. The second reading Ordinance No. 18-10976 authorizing the issuance and delivery of General Obligation Internal Improvement Bonds, Series 2018-A.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7617 prescribing the form and details of and authorizing the delivery of General Obligation Internal Improvement Bonds, Series 2018-A.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7618 authorizing and directing the sale and delivery of General Obligation Temporary Notes, Series 2018-2.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7620 extending the compliance deadline as ordered by Resolution No. 18-7577 related to repairs or demolition of a dangerous structure located at 425 Russell.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7619 providing for the advisability and authorizing improvements in Pheasant Ridge Addition No. 3, Phase II.
• Consideration of Resolution No. 18-7621 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with SCS Engineers to provide environmental engineering services to complete design work for landfill cell #20.
• Authorize the award of construction contract for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Commercial Rehabilitation of the Salina Office Station (former Missouri Pacific Train Depot) at 356 N. Santa Fe.

To view the entire city commission packet, click here.