After a two week delay, Salina City Commissioners voted 5-0 Monday afternoon to authorize city staff to commence negotiations with Global Spectrum of Philadelphia for private management and operation of the Bi-Centennial Center.

By a 2-3 vote the commission failed to approve a motion by Commissioner Barb Shirley to go into negotiations with Venue Works of Ames Iowa.

If the city reaches an agreement with Global Spectrum, management and operation of the Bi-Centennial Center could begin in early 2012.

In other action the Salina City Commission by a 4-1 vote approved a Merchant Police license application for Shaela Tullis pending review by the state of Kansas.

The Salina Police Department and City Managers office denied approval for failing to a disclose in her criminal history a battery conviction in 2008.

Commissioners also on first reading approved a 3.5 increase of service fees for the Salina Business Improvement District #1 in 2012.