Changes to Proclamation Procedures Spark Debate in Salina

Salina's new process for handling proclamations at city council meetings has raised concerns among a handful of citizens. Since earlier this year, the city council has shifted from weekly meetings to two meetings per month, aiming to streamline operations and reduce the length of meetings. This change prompted city staff and commissioners to brainstorm ways to manage the high volume of proclamation requests, which were consuming a significant portion of meeting time.

One of the proposed solutions was to limit the number of proclamations to two per month, an idea suggested by Mayor Bill Longbine. He cited the example of Topeka, where a similar limitation is in place. However, city staff rejected this proposal, opting instead for a new video procedure.

Under the new process, proclamations are recorded on video and shown to the public via virtual platforms, similar to the way meetings are broadcast. This change means proclamations are no longer read aloud during city commission meetings. Additionally, ordinances are now read only once at a meeting, instead of twice, further shortening meeting times.

The decision to hold two meetings a month stemmed from the realization that staff were spending excessive time preparing for meetings rather than focusing on other tasks. After a four-month trial period, the commissioners and city staff concluded that the new schedule was effective and chose to continue with it.

The proclamation change has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the timing of the Pride Month proclamation. The LGBTQ+ community requested the Pride Month proclamation be presented on May 13, even though Pride Month is in June. This early promotion led to claims that the procedural change was due to the mayor's reluctance to endorse Pride Month. However, city officials maintain that the change had been in the works for months and was not related to any specific proclamation.

Mayor Longbine and the city manager both emphasized the need to focus on essential city business. A vast majority of commissioners agreed. The vote by commissioners to change the procedure was decided in a 4-1 vote. The mayor noted that the governing body is not obligated to accommodate all proclamation requests, stating, "As a governing body, we don’t have to do anything that isn't a part of the rules." He also remarked on the nature of free speech, saying, "It's all about free speech until you say something that isn't liked."

The new video procedure and other meeting changes are likely to continue as the city strives to balance efficient governance with public engagement.