Managing editor
Marion City Council discussed Monday whether or not the city should inconvenience a handful of pilots for two days to allow an event that could draw more than 50 people to the city.
Marion City Council did not want to alienate tenants of the city’s airport and those pilots who use the facility by closing the municipal airport June 19 and 20.
City Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin made the request Monday on behalf of the Heart of America Free Flight group.
The organization had more than 30 contestants last year at the Marion airport with people staying and spending money locally.
Some concerns occurred last year with people and vehicles in areas at the airport where they are not allowed. To eliminate those issues, it was recommended that the airport be closed to normal business those two days during the event.
“People who use the airport are not pleased with that, but my responsibility as economic development director is to bring money into the community,” Kjellin said.
Two alternate sites were considered for the model airplane event but they were not large enough.
“We run into this all the time at Marion Country Club with people wanting to golf when we have a tournament,” Councilman Gene Winkler said. “It should be an agreement both ways but we want to encourage those who own planes and use the airport to cooperate.”
Councilman Stacey Collett agreed, saying the airport is supported by all taxpayers in Marion, not just those with airplanes.
Councilman Steven Smith suggested Kjellin contact airplane owners and others who use the airport for input. Kjellin agreed to do it but said he hated to wait another two weeks for a decision because the group wanting to use the airport needed to make a decision.
Police secretary considered
Instead of hiring a fifth police officer, the council approved the hiring of a part-time secretary.
Police Chief Josh Whitwell made the recommendation to the council because he and Assistant Chief Tyler Mermis spend a great deal of time completing administrative tasks that could be completed by a clerical person.
Having someone in the office would allow officers to spend more time in the field. It also would eliminate the cost of a fifth vehicle and uniforms. The secretary also could be municipal court clerk. Currently City Clerk Angela Lange is municipal clerk.
Other business
- BG Builders and Hett Carpentry were the successful bidders for sidewalks in Brooker/Central Park with a bid of $15,850. Other bidders were No Limit Construction, Mike Loomis, and Hett Construction.
- A contract for $12,430 with Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff Engineers was approved for engineering of a water line replacement project on South Roosevelt, South Freeborn, and Highland streets.
- Todd Heitschmidt of Marion asked Mayor Mary Olson about properties that were being cleaned up, but activity was halted when the mayor instructed it to do so. Olson responded that she was one of five people on the council and did not have the authority to do so.
The next council meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. March 22 in the city building.