[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078468,"mediaKeyId","2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd","parentId",2959547,"title","Residents raise concerns about Cozy Inn lawsuit costs, animal shelter leadership and environmental issues during citizens forum","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2501000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd&start=2501&end=2501","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd/thumbnail_2501000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078468/Kansas/Residents-raise-concerns-about-Cozy-Inn-lawsuit-costs-animal-shelter-leadership-and-environmental-issues-during-citizens-forum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078468-50b6eafe65502cedf3f61304d48f8133/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445379&Signature=EujZDed-IxK-fxtlqBx1ckEECOIMIQpVwT3e8L31Iq3r~qi7hZFLtRTB3YGJzjByAepC7azBdjrT4KIIAYiF~GtY5cTr3xE~cT9LK34o4TgiIjAcTKoCDIp-g0zVx6QqaM~25rzQNuw6VJ5IDWpF5XCEb4kP4Z-l-3S0sZMlUXAUGwZaw6Ox6vbo3blkUOFoW0nNoOQB2F4uwJKTBQQvb2AmY9~YYOwfNA-X~jmrB0jleMHOMhtAcjpqCwPZAyI71a4tFSwYZgaOPyMu7QhEyMgb~lzqCVqiX7p-AEzpTwY4FB3uMtkyLKwd02UHWtVoB9dfd~aG8zrghvjqr7zLog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Salina, KS","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","Several members of the public used Citizens Forum at the March 10 Salina City Commission meeting to raise concerns about ongoing litigation, city project costs, and city services.

Benwin Holt called attention to the cost the city has spent on the Cozy Inn lawsuit, citing $538,000 and urging commissioners to consider the broader fiscal implications and reputational risk. Katie Shorling Veal said she believed the city had already lost public trust over how the matter was handled and noted the same money could have been used on local parks or riverwalk improvements.

Other commenters raised unrelated concerns: one speaker urged the city to examine landfill recycling choices (aluminum versus plastic), a commenter warned about bird flu risks and local water sources, and Linda Reynolds urged commissioners to consider whether the director of the animal shelter should be replaced, citing issues raised at recent animal advisory board meetings.

John Blanchard praised downtown murals broadly but said the Cozy Inn dispute demonstrated a need for greater transparency and public communication from city staff and commissioners. Several speakers urged more open dialogue and clearer information about project costs and decision-making.

The mayor reminded the public that the Cozy Inn case is pending federal litigation and that commission members and staff cannot comment on that ongoing matter while it is before the court.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salina City Commission Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During Citizens Forum, residents voiced concern about city litigation costs related to the Cozy Inn mural, animal shelter management, landfill recycling, bird flu and local projects’ transparency.","taxTitle","Salina, Saline County, Kansas","taxId",55343,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078473,"Commission schedules special meeting March 12 to interview city manager search firms; firms to appear virtually",616,1887000,2503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd&start=1887&end=2503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd/thumbnail_1887000.jpg","/articles/6078473/Kansas/Commission-schedules-special-meeting-March-12-to-interview-city-manager-search-firms-firms-to-appear-virtually","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078473-9ab4f7cbc65296472116ea23ced04c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445379&Signature=UnRiWcIpVqslsOrc6Ra5jegZrVliou2lNdg9RXS15~NsSzU~0f5WX7~Dtew4JlflnyHdf-GyEhxPw7oXyRJRkBP27liCgnG5d7LH441obuGtepl5LnRu5QEC1bfW7pBq67jfRpsCvtX4MXzT8IhfsWooNTzp3q40bF~73C~3d76YLLXHx2GYshyHyzpSbs5kM2IaZam8oMo8vQlYni6XpfOZTFSEKtmqDwwJBAjLF9PAzMJqcz6SHXdFgNAU2MFRoEcc72OfMftNZyHwIN23DPbiyOcQfHBaaGwT9cuAcWutN0aQNkjh-5NCsspknsTvcmps-wY362eRn40erzh8iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salina City Commission voted unanimously on March 10 to call a special meeting for Wednesday, March 12, at 2:30 p.m. Central to interview the four finalist firms for the city manager search. The motion passed 5-0.

Natalie Fisher, head of Human Resources, summarized the proposed format: 30-minute slots with a brief firm overview not to exceed 10 minutes followed by commissioners’ questions. Fisher said the firms will appear virtually via Zoom and that she requested the individual who would conduct the search for Salina attend the interview; firms may include one additional staff member.

Commissioners agreed that a set of uniform questions would be useful so each firm receives the same initial queries; several commissioners said they wanted Fisher to compile core questions but that commissioners might add follow-ups during interviews. Fisher confirmed she would coordinate logistics and public notice for the special meeting, which will be held in open session and is the only item on that special meeting’s agenda.

Firms named by staff as finalists were Baker Tilly, Government Pros (GPS), Raftelis, and Strategic Government Resources (SGR). After the interviews conclude, the commission expects to deliberate in the open meeting and select a firm to advance to contract negotiations.

The commission’s action formalizes the interview schedule and directs staff to notify the finalists and manage interview logistics.","The commission set a special meeting for March 12 at 2:30 p.m. Central to interview four finalist firms for the city manager search. The interviews will be virtual; commissioners requested uniform questions and asked that the representative appearing be the person who would conduct the search if selected.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078476,"Commission accepts 2024 People’s Choice sculpture \"Going Home\" for Sunset Park",416,1533000,1949000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd&start=1533&end=1949","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6078476/Kansas/Commission-accepts-2024-Peoples-Choice-sculpture-Going-Home-for-Sunset-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078476-77808cf1cde795f495cb16058f13d290/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445379&Signature=gnByxl4cWfCwPE0ss4URVYpGK6lmDEQuOnah0rLyoQuEmTgxYau9Nk2IcrF0PN43MAeJWTFGzihhaWIlyKGzqeH5gwA0-jHBai2sUnS2NX5~32Zdk3dw8pjD8BxWupCWodrSbYwLOgX64iqJQGzZ8BcO8JLPOxESNkG8EVfWVT2arJCgzfqXuD7QZNx0FycvexTrWTyrOlssNLwjURlIyBZkih2Fqy0aMDrDgPiJCvBvSgFrF7nAeQ6ZM21kcxtVUVKYqbs71yID7WI9XrdoiOai-55sdV93Ae8PjB44OBfbiNgputn-u3zcP5mlC2uZ0d~OyNvaMizcTf15nXfSgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salina City Commission voted unanimously on March 10 to accept the 2024 People’s Choice sculpture, \"Going Home\" by Sandra L. Johnson, into the city’s public collection for placement at Sunset Park near the War Memorial.

Crystal Hammerschmidt, Art Services Coordinator for Arts and Humanities, told commissioners the piece — a depiction of a soldier with an angel — will be placed \"straight west of where the Purple Heart Memorial is.\" She said staff is still finalizing the base and installation details and is coordinating with the Saline County War Memorial Committee to match the aesthetic of the memorial, including possible concrete work and signage to identify the artist and location.

Stan Britt, chairperson of the Salina-Saline County War Memorial Expansion Committee, addressed the commission and said the proposed placement fit the memorial well and that the sculpture’s theme complements existing monuments.

Commissioners approved acceptance and placement by voice vote, 5-0. Staff will return details on pedestal design, signage, and installation schedule.","The commission unanimously accepted Sandra L. Johnson’s \"Going Home,\" the 2024 People’s Choice sculpture, for placement at Sunset Park and discussed base installation and signage to match the War Memorial aesthetic.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078481,"Salina commission approves consent agenda including stump grinder and nearly $944,000 asphalt contract",207,150000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd&start=150&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd/thumbnail_150000.jpg","/articles/6078481/Kansas/Salina-commission-approves-consent-agenda-including-stump-grinder-and-nearly-944000-asphalt-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078481-34ffe2bc1c130bb21daea1fd4883c793/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445379&Signature=IxUQwgVR9bp66i2DVTm~BofsYJkYhguxi1a3fdf0r2qYMKIubgttIVwKN9tOzGZLdflcZ-bOW4zBL~4hMAqu2-zC8nmxQiIwaDZbWk0CjWTYYLe0fFl1P-NdlvnyGYD6xts3hOHW-aXCGnOzEH7D45~iOCQ~sqihEf~gV0~OcGTZwVeoGGVI4zRwHVD7QsbJMCH8jeHB4irml0YdCppfqK~E1OjFSiVYva2Zkf7Mb8gm7F7LJC9TQC~msRq282eF18BOx0pmpDXnVK~34LRktmh-KlIIs~hTzL3A4mXyujjyK9tbdMCBXWcKnUAs3w6rlfisTvoKj2VC-dgclp9~gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salina City Commission approved its consent agenda on March 10, including three items: minutes from Feb. 24, 2025; the award of the 2025 vehicle and equipment rebid for a stump grinder to Vermeer Great Plains not to exceed $68,750; and award of Project No. 250032025, ultra-thin bonded asphalt surface, to APAC Kansas Shears division of Salina in an amount not to exceed $943,527.48. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Before the vote, a public commenter asked whether the stump grinder purchase would include equipment capable of pruning or removing whole trees in rights-of-way and whether additional tree-trimming equipment could be procured for the upcoming storm season. Commissioners and staff replied the stump grinder bid did not necessarily include such additional equipment and that alternatives and additional purchases could be considered later.

The staff recommendation and commission approval move the purchases forward under the amounts specified; specific delivery dates and additional equipment purchases were not detailed during the consent discussion.","The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda that included minutes approval, a stump grinder purchase not to exceed $68,750, and a $943,527.48 contract for ultra-thin bonded asphalt service to APAC Kansas Shears division of Salina.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078487,"Salina commission gives preliminary approval to sell former Glenifer Hill Park to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000",1383,290000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd&start=290&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959547-f7975395a587108b3de703e4015b34bd/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6078487/Kansas/Salina-commission-gives-preliminary-approval-to-sell-former-Glenifer-Hill-Park-to-Grand-Prairie-Villas-LLC-for-75000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078487-2575a6cceddc4a1c85ae59ae61b2b8ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445379&Signature=DWw9Xy7kpu~G03KJhMTdva6uCumGYHfj9skO8pdsCHA6fw23Fm413SmSV-hP-yrvBS52SuHSSMeeUGll63gGhELPwHbcYj41VvcYAHZnknPKJqFBrBbq6UgzuKmF9CcgBnJSWQ2E9Siu4aHZkJVTNHVgG904~hWeTzJJRPWM92x~w9Fk9ajw-mi8~JgVYYE~oBH-6rooxEnl35~PvhEUiEvCgrPMNHLs--vIwu-Y3N6HUbPctCy~UWvepPh~a8721uF~-fT1zs9S-FRP~p3rnCAdohow5wBY1~fdIFlPLmmUzX96cEp2vAsJguH5ZhKm1a-CRjXWIN-OWzHRtWa0VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salina City Commission gave preliminary approval to sell the city-owned parcel at 1451 East Gypsum Avenue — formerly Glenifer Hill Park — to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000, subject to final contract approval, following a 4-1 vote on March 10.

Assistant City Manager Sean Hennessy told the commission the parcel was transferred to the city from the Board of Education in 2012 and had been used as a park for roughly a decade before low usage prompted the city to declare it surplus and solicit offers. He said the city received two compliant bids: Kansas Property Investors for $15,165 and Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000.

Commissioners discussed how the property’s current Planned Development District (PDD) designation would affect future uses. \"It is currently a PDD,\" Hennessy said, adding that any change in use would likely require rezoning. City Attorney Wood (title as stated in the meeting) told the commission deed covenants or reversionary language could be used to ensure a buyer develops the property as represented.

Commissioners pressed staff on timeline safeguards and whether deed restrictions should be included. One commissioner said a shorter timeline than five years would be appropriate to ensure development begins promptly; another said a reversion clause that runs with the land could be used if the buyer fails to meet benchmarks. Hennessy confirmed staff could include such conditions in the sale contract and return the contract to the commission for final approval.

Public commenters urged the commission to prioritize infill development and suggested alternatives such as transferring the parcel to a land bank or placing development benchmarks in the contract. Norman Manoslana criticized the sale process during public comment.

Hennessy said the city had not obtained a formal appraisal specifically for this parcel; he noted that the county’s appraisal was \"slightly under $100,000,\" which staff cited as about $98,000, and that no separate, commercial appraisal had been paid for. He also said proceeds from the sale would supplement funds set aside for playground equipment.

The commission’s motion approved a preliminary award to Grand Prairie Villas LLC and directed staff to negotiate the sale contract with conditions the commission requires; the final contract will return to the commission for formal approval.

Votes at a glance: preliminary award to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000 — passed 4-1; motion specified the sale was \"subject to approval of the contract.\"","The Salina City Commission voted 4-1 to give preliminary approval to sell the former Glenifer Hill Park at 1451 East Gypsum Avenue to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000, subject to negotiation and contract approval. The parcel drew questions about rezoning, development timelines and its appraised value.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise concerns about Cozy Inn lawsuit costs, animal shelter leadership and environmental issues during citizens forum

Commission schedules special meeting March 12 to interview city manager search firms; firms to appear virtually

Commission accepts 2024 People’s Choice sculpture "Going Home" for Sunset Park

Salina commission approves consent agenda including stump grinder and nearly $944,000 asphalt contract

Salina commission gives preliminary approval to sell former Glenifer Hill Park to Grand Prairie Villas LLC for $75,000