Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s open government enforcement unit has determined that the Junction City Commission violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act. The commission had attempted to conceal the details of a proposal that involved the construction of an industrial beef slaughter facility on the city’s west side. This facility would have been located within close proximity to residential homes. The findings of this investigation were reported by Tim Carpenter of the Kansas Reflector.
An inquiry conducted by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has discovered that the Junction City Commission unlawfully held a closed-door meeting to deliberate on an economic development project involving a livestock slaughter facility on the outskirts of the city. This action violates the Kansas Open Meetings Act.
Public opposition has effectively derailed the meatpacking project that was originally intended to be constructed by Foote Cattle Co. This opposition, which was once confidential, arose due to concerns about the potential sale of farmland for the construction of roads and a traffic exit from Interstate 70.
In July 2023, during the debate on the proposal, landowner Michelle Munson filed a two-part complaint with the attorney general. The complaint contained allegations against the city commission.
During a public meeting almost three years ago, Munson from the Munson Angus Farms family expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s lack of action in approving the expenditure of $5,000. This amount was utilized to secure a right of first refusal for the option to purchase 150 acres of real estate for the project. Although Foote Cattle ended up acquiring the land on the west side of Junction City, the city had expressed interest in the adjacent land owned by the Munsons.
Furthermore, Munson claimed that two years ago, the commission violated the open meetings law when it failed to provide an accurate description of the topic to be discussed during an executive session. It is worth noting that this closed session also revolved around the meatpacking facility project.
Amber Smith, the first assistant attorney general in Kobach’s office, recently sent a letter to Munson’s attorney. In the letter, Smith stated that based on the available evidence, it appears that the commission did not violate KOMA (Kansas Open Meetings Act) while discussing the $5,000 option.
The attorney general’s office discovered that in the subsequent meeting, the commission violated the law by attempting to restrict public awareness of the project.
“We have found that the commission did not meet the statutory requirements for recessing into executive session as their motion did not sufficiently describe the topic to be discussed,” Smith explained.
The investigation’s outcome will be reported to the city attorney, who will be informed of the findings. Additionally, the commission will be strongly encouraged to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with KOMA.
Munson, a member of a long line of farmers in Geary County, expressed the challenges and time-consuming nature of opposing the city’s proposal to transform agricultural land into a manufacturing center, which involved the establishment of an animal slaughter facility.
Munson expressed his satisfaction with the attorney general’s decision to support the Kansas law, emphasizing the importance of transparency and openness on the matter.
Allen Dinkel, the city manager of Junction City, did not respond to a call for comment on Tuesday regarding the attorney general’s response to Munson’s complaints. In previous interviews, Dinkel stated that the commission’s goal was to expand the city’s tax base by promoting the development of manufacturing and trade jobs on the land west of the city.
