Salina City Commission to discuss Cozy Inn appeal ruling, review Magnolia Road bridge options
Commissioners set to meet in closed session Monday following federal court defeat over mural dispute
Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a story.
Sign up freeThe Salina City Commission is set to meet in closed session Monday to discuss the city's recent federal court defeat in its First Amendment lawsuit against the historic Cozy Inn.
The executive session follows an Oct. 30 ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed that Salina violated the 104-year-old burger joint's free speech rights by blocking a UFO-themed hamburger mural under local signage laws. Commissioners may take action following the legal consultation.
In a separate study session Monday, the commission will weigh options for replacing the 67-year-old East Magnolia Road bridge over the Smoky Hill River.
Engineering consultants will present three construction alternatives, alongside proposed turn lanes for the Markley Road intersection. The alternatives are building a pedestrian-only bridge, rebuilding on the existing alignment, or constructing a full offset bridge to the north to maintain traffic for the route's 6,486 daily vehicles.
During the regular meeting, the commission is slated to consider awarding a nearly $998,000 contract to Florida-based Southern Coatings of Tarpon Springs for the North Ohio Overpass painting project, and authorizing an $85,607 bid for a new vertical reciprocating conveyor at the Salina Fieldhouse.
The agenda also includes a $1.1 million agreement renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to administer the city's self-funded health plan, as well as the approval of 2027 service fees for Salina Business Improvement District No. 1 and updates to local building and plumbing codes.
Separately, the Lower Smoky Hill Water Supply Access District will convene Monday to elect a replacement president.
This article was written using our proprietary AI system, Cronkite. The final decision to publish this article was made by a human. For more info, read our AI policy.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: