Salina Shelter Future Draws Direct Comments From Three Commissioners, Silence From Two

As public concern continues over the future of the Salina Animal Shelter, Salina311 asked city commissioners and city leadership whether the city plans to move the issue forward through a more structured, public, and measurable process.

The questions were sent April 17 to Mayor Mike Hoppock, Commissioners Doug Rempp, Greg Lenkiewicz, Jerry Ivey and Trent Davis, along with City Manager Jacob Wood.

Salina311 asked whether the City Commission would support more frequent public discussions, additional study sessions, or weekly study sessions focused on the shelter until a clear path forward is established. The questions also asked whether the city has a current process, timeline, benchmarks, or measurable goals for restoring public confidence in shelter operations.

The request was based on growing public concern that residents are looking for more than general assurances. The central question was whether city leadership has a defined process for resolving the shelter’s problems, how quickly improvement is expected, and whether the matter is being treated as an urgent operational issue.

Davis Urges Caution, Later Raises Legal Question Publicly

Commissioner Trent Davis responded April 18, saying the questions reflected areas of consideration for the Commission. However, Davis expressed concern about conducting commission business through the media rather than during a formal public meeting.

“Unlike during an election cycle, I have some concerns about conducting Commission business in the media rather than in Room 107,” Davis wrote.

Davis said he had been reviewing available information and researching areas that remained unknown to him. He said he preferred to consider as many reasonable options as possible before giving specific answers.

“The Commission’s operating procedures allow for variation in our meeting frequency and style,” Davis wrote. “I have no doubt that this issue, like other seemingly ‘big’ concerns in the past, will be given the attention that it needs.”

Davis also raised concern about whether all five commissioners responding to the same media inquiry could create potential issues under the Kansas Open Meetings Act. He noted in his email that he had not yet consulted the City Attorney on that question.

During the April 27 Salina City Commission meeting, Davis brought up the questions Salina311 had sent and asked about the legal concern with commissioners responding. The City Attorney said responding to questions should not be an issue if answers are sent directly back to the sender and are not copied to all commissioners, which would avoid creating a forum among commission members.

Davis also said in his email that he did not want commissioners to feel boxed into a position too early.

“Working through this is a fluid process,” Davis wrote.

Davis did not identify a specific shelter timeline, benchmark system, written roadmap, or commitment to weekly study sessions in his written response. His comments focused on caution, legal process, and the need for discussion in a formal commission setting.

Rempp Previously Pushed for Faster Action

A separate April 16 email from Commissioner Doug Rempp to Mayor Mike Hoppock and City Manager Jacob Wood shows Rempp had already urged a faster city response before Salina311 sent its formal questions.

In that email, Rempp expressed frustration with the speed of government and what he described as a failure to listen to the community.

“I’m ticked at the speed of Govt and It’s refusal thus far to listen to the Community,” Rempp wrote.

Rempp said he believed the shelter situation and public backlash could be addressed quickly through several immediate steps. He suggested calling a special meeting focused on the shelter, committing to an immediate RFP process aimed at real change, and ensuring Andrea Murphy and Monique Hawley did not return to the shelter.

“Community trust is gone,” Rempp wrote.

He warned that if the city continued its current course, public pressure would continue.

“Continue the current course of in-action and the madness continues,” Rempp wrote.

Rempp’s email shows at least one commissioner privately believed the shelter controversy required faster and more direct action than what had taken place at that point. His comments also show concern that the city’s existing approach was not restoring public confidence.

Lenkiewicz Says All Options Should Remain on the Table

Commissioner Greg Lenkiewicz said in a phone conversation with Salina311 that he is continuing to look at all available options as the city works through the animal shelter issue.

Lenkiewicz said he is approaching the matter with an open mind and wants to evaluate recommendations as they come forward, rather than ruling out possible solutions too early in the process. That includes the possibility of outside or private management of the shelter if that is what a consultant, formal review, or future recommendation determines would best serve the city, the animals and the public.

Lenkiewicz said he is not opposed to considering private operation of the shelter if that path is supported by the facts and presented as the best long-term option. His position, as described in the conversation, was that the city should be willing to examine every realistic solution before deciding how to move forward.

While Lenkiewicz did not provide a specific timeline or benchmark system, he indicated that the city should allow the review process to identify the best path instead of narrowing the options before recommendations are received.

Hoppock and Ivey Did Not Respond

Mayor Mike Hoppock and Commissioner Jerry Ivey were sent the same questions and given the same opportunity to provide comment for this story. As of publication, Salina311 had not received a response from either Hoppock or Ivey.

Their lack of response leaves three clear positions on the record from the commission: Davis urging caution and formal discussion, Rempp pushing for faster action, and Lenkiewicz saying all options should remain available, including private management if recommended through the review process.

Questions Remain Over Formal Timeline

The responses and records reviewed so far show differing approaches among city officials.

Davis emphasized caution, legal considerations and the importance of discussing the matter in a formal public meeting. Rempp pushed for immediate action, including a special meeting, an RFP process and leadership changes connected to the shelter. Lenkiewicz said he is reviewing options as they come forward and is not opposed to considering private management if that is what a consultant or formal review recommends.

What remains unclear is whether the city will present a formal written roadmap, timeline or measurable benchmarks for the shelter.

For residents following the issue, the unresolved concern is not only what changes may be made, but when those changes will happen, how those decisions will be measured and how the public will be able to judge whether the shelter is improving.