Staff writer
Marion City Council approved a lease Monday with Auto House of Galva for the business to use the city’s speculative building at the industrial park.
City economic development director Doug Kjellin explained that the lease would require the business to pay the city $200 per month and $30 per day per vehicle for storage of inoperable vehicles.
Auto House is a towing and recovery business that will use the city-owned building for storing two wreckers used in this area and vehicles as needed. The business recently purchased lots at the business park, located on the north side of U.S.-56, but is waiting on the planning commission and city to adjust its zoning regulations sufficiently to allow the application of a conditional use permit for this type of business at the business park.
It was not known when Auto House would begin operations from the industrial park.
In other business:
- Following a 10-minute executive session for personnel with police chief Josh Whitwell, city attorney Dan Baldwin, and city administrator David Mayfield, the council approved a pay increase of $15.51 per hour to $16.51 per hour for assistant police chief Chad Johanning.
- The council approved the resignation of planning commission chairman Roger Schwab 4-1 with Bill Holdeman voting against, and the resignation of planning commission member Tudy Brunner who is moving out of the Marion area. The resignation was approved 5-0.
- In the resignation letter from Schwab to the city council, Schwab said he understood he was to report to the city council but was told to report to the city administrator. He claimed to have received harassing and threatening letters from Mayfield, “sat by helplessly as your administrator hindered the process of government by refusing dialogue between myself and the commission secretary, and witnessed your refusal as a council to address irregularities in the zoning amendment process you practice.”
- Kurt Spachek of Marion was appointed as a member of the planning commission to complete Schwab’s unexpired term which end December 2010.
- Mayfield reported that the planning commission had asked Baldwin to draft an amendment to the zoning regulations to allow a towing business.
- The property at 201 N. Freeborn, Marion, will be razed because it is in disrepair and the owners have not brought it to code. However, the council was not ready to make a commitment to how the structures should be removed. The item will be on the agenda at the next commission in two weeks with Baldwin instructed to proceed with due process to condemn and demolish.
- City building inspector Marty Fredickson said some had asked if the structures could be demolished as a training drill for the local fire department. Mayor Mary Olson asked if fire departments were allowed to do that. Councilman Stacey Collett said it may require a permit from Kansas Department of Health and Environment which may be more trouble than it’s worth.
- City offices will be closed to the public Nov. 13 and 14 because city clerk Angela Lange and assistant city clerk Becky Makovec will be in training. Mayfield and Kjellin will be in their offices on those days but the main office will be closed.
- There was a five-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege with Baldwin and Mayfield in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next regular council meeting is at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the city building.