Managing editor
Marion City Council approved the sale of part of a parking lot west of the Historic Elgin Hotel and Bed and Breakfast on Monday.
Elgin owner Jim Cloutier had asked the city several months ago to consider selling him about one-fourth of the city parking lot. He wanted the space to build a garage for his personal vehicles and to have parking stalls for his customers. At Monday’s meeting, city economic development director Doug Kjellin said Cloutier was offering $1,500 for the south half of Lot 59, Miller’s First Addition.
Kjellin said he had contacted two paving companies for cost estimates for resurfacing the remainder of the parking lot — $4,500 was the estimate. The value of the property is approximately $4,000 per lot, Kjellin said.
The council approved the sale with Bill Holdeman against because he believed the matter should be reviewed by the city planning commission. At a previous meeting, city officials assured Holdeman the sale and proposed use of the lot did not require action by the planning commission.
Executive session concerns
Councilman Steve Smith said he wanted more information before meetings regarding executive sessions.
“We seem to have a lot of executive sessions. It’s a surprise to the council as far as what the sessions are about,” he said. “Maybe the city administrator (David Mayfield) can advise us before the meetings.”
“We’ve never done that before,” Holdeman said.
Smith said during executive sessions the council tends to rehash topics.
There are times when Mayfield doesn’t know anything about the executive sessions, Mayor Mary Olson said. Smith reiterated he wanted to know the subject matter of executive sessions before meetings.
While Smith was talking, Holdeman began to talk. When Chris Meierhoff tried to explain to Holdeman what Smith was asking, Olson banged her gavel and told Meierhoff to be quiet.
With that, the council entered three executive sessions. The first was for 15 minutes for attorney-client privilege to discuss the Darryl Brewer lawsuit against the city regarding the truck parking issue on Grant Street. When the council returned to open session, no decisions were made.
The second session was for 15 minutes to discuss personnel. City street superintendent Marty Fredrickson and Mayfield were included in the executive session. When the council voted to enter the closed session, Holdeman voted against because he did not want Mayfield included. There were no decisions upon return to open session.
In the third session, which was 10 minutes, the council discussed personnel with police chief Josh Whitwell, Mayfield, and city attorney Dan Baldwin. When they returned to open session, the council accepted the resignation of police officer Josh Bryant, which was effective immediately.
Cleanup efforts
At the last council meeting, councilman Jerry Kline requested an accounting of progress toward cleanup of specific properties in the city but Baldwin, who was to send letters to non-compliant properties, did not attend that meeting. At Monday’s meeting, Baldwin reported the owners of the first round of non-complying properties receiving notices were to appear in court this week. He said one property owner had completed a great deal of work but Baldwin wasn’t sure how to know when enough was completed.
“There’s no bright line here,” Baldwin said. “It’s all gray. Personally, I’d leave it be but I don’t know the wishes of the council.”
Baldwin explained the first round will be those property owners who have not made any effort to appear before the municipal judge. The next step would be to set up a trial.
Other business
Mayfield met with Wilson and Company engineers regarding recertification of the city’s dike. At a recent Kansas League of Municipalities meeting, officials expressed concerns to legislators regarding the demands made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Legislators assured city government officials that more time would be granted but there was no talk of grants to pay for inspections and work.
Engineers were confident that the city’s dike was in good shape. Mayfield said city workers could make the necessary improvements.
Holdeman said his heating gas bill was high at his business and if the city could do anything about it. It was explained to him that the city has a franchise with Atmos Energy but does not have any control over the rates it charges.
Holdeman asked Kjellin the number of businesses he has brought to Marion. Kjellin said he assisted Spur Ridge Vet Clinic, Auto House, and Marion County Special Education Cooperative in relocating to Marion.
Despite opposition from Meierhoff, the council approved the appointment of Jim Cloutier and Jim Davis to the city’s airport board authority. Davis has a pilot’s license and Cloutier is seeking one. Meierhoff wanted to wait a couple of weeks to see if there was any more interest from the public to serve on the board. The remainder of the board did not want to wait.
Patching will continue on the 100 block of South Roosevelt Street with permanent concrete patching to follow when the St. Luke Hospital renovation is completed.
The next council meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the city building.