The Salina City Commission entered an extended executive session Monday evening to discuss legal matters related to the ongoing Cozy Inn vs. City of Salina case, citing the need for confidential consultation with special legal counsel under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2).
The session followed the Citizens Forum and was extended three times, totaling 2 hours and 15 minutes before the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. with no action taken.
Background: Federal Court Ruling on Mural Case
The executive session comes on the heels of a federal court decision in November 2025 where U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse found that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment by distinguishing between murals and signs in its sign code. The ruling held that the city cannot determine whether a display is a mural or a sign without risking constitutional violations, even as the court also found the ordinance was not unconstitutionally vague.
The restaurant involved, The Cozy Inn, was barred from completing a UFO-themed mural that city officials had classified as a “sign.” The lawsuit and ruling raise broader implications for how Salina regulates public art, signage, and First Amendment issues.
Next Steps
The city has indicated it is “working with its attorneys to evaluate the broader implications” of the ruling. The Commission reviewed the matter during its closed session; any potential action will be reported in a future meeting. The city could decide to appeal the ruling.
Salina311 will continue to monitor developments in the case and any further decisions by the City Commission.
