City applies for sewer funding

New sewer lines are closer to a reality for residents in Jex, Billings, and Beebe additions in the valley.

Marion City Council approved the necessary paperwork for the city to apply for $180,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and more than $433,000 in a loan from Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

The total project is estimated at about $614,000.

The deadline for the grant application will be Sept. 30 with grant recipients named in January.

The council also approved Evans, Bierly, Hutchison, & Associates, PA, as consulting engineers. Partner and engineer Darin Neufeld of Marion explained there were two phases to the project — construction engineering and construction inspection or observation services. The maximum the city would be billed for each service would be $40,000 and $36,000, respectively. However, Neufeld said there might be some charges listed on the contract for which the city won’t be billed if they are not needed.

Bob Kelly was appointed to serve the unexpired term of the late Leonard Klassen on the board of directors of Marion Housing Authority. Kelly will serve until Nov. 15, 2014.

The speculative building lease-purchase agreement was renewed. The original agreement was to pay off the building after five years with a balloon payment but since there is no contract pending for a buyer, the council approved the contract to finish paying the remaining $67,255 owed on the building.

A liquor license for D&J Liquor was approved.

Council members will review information from Kansas Power Pool before the next council meeting Aug. 8, to make an informed decision regarding changes in the organization.

The next regular council meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the city building.