Salina City Commission approves legal funding for Monique Hawley, Andrea Murphy after executive session

The Salina City Commission voted Monday night to provide city-funded legal representation for Monique Hawley and Andrea Murphy, two city animal shelter employees facing criminal charges related to their employment at the shelter.

The vote came immediately after the commission returned from executive session.

Following the closed-door session, a motion was made to have the city provide funds for legal representation for Hawley and Murphy “to defend criminal charges related to their employment at the city Animal Shelter.” The motion stated that the commission found the conduct in question was performed during the discharge of their official duties, that they acted reasonably and in good faith, and that providing the defense would serve a public benefit under Kansas Attorney General Opinion 92-130.

The motion also directed the city manager to make the necessary arrangements to carry it out “in an amount not to exceed his budgetary authority.”

The motion received a second and then passed on a 5-0 vote.

The decision means the city will cover legal representation costs for Hawley and Murphy within the city manager’s spending authority.

The vote came as public scrutiny continues over the Salina Animal Shelter and the December incident involving puppies that has drawn widespread public attention, multiple public comments at city meetings, and criminal charges against the two employees.

The meeting adjourned shortly after the vote.