Some change their minds again

By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Marion City Council approved a list of goals Monday, prioritized at a retreat Feb. 14.

At the top of the immediate issues to be addressed within the next six months was economic development and tourism prior to the decision. However, five minutes prior to the decision, three of the five council members were not ready to commit to actually filling the vacant economic development position.

Councilman Jerry Kline, who was absent from the previous council meeting Feb. 7 when the council discussed the issue at length and was only able to attend part of the retreat Feb. 14, said he has been hearing “negative reports from the street” about the position.

“I know you have to have somebody out there. I feel we’ve been burned twice (regarding the city clerk position) and I’m a little goosey,” he said.

Kline suggested the council consider it a three-quarter time position.

Councilman Steve Smith said he wanted to see what kind of applicants the job description would attract and agreed he didn’t think the position was a full-time job.

“I don’t think there’s a big hurry on this,” Councilman Bill Holdeman said. “I think we need to wait and see.”

“In our competitive marketing environment, we need somebody there,” Administrator and former developer Doug Kjellin said.

Mayor Mary Olson said she should like to have a partnership similar to Hillsboro city’s cooperation with a development corporation.

“We (the city) have to provide infrastructure to our businesses which takes a lot of money,” she said.

Holdeman said those wanting to start businesses are doing it on their own and those who need assistance can find it “on the street.”

“If they need help, they can come to the city,” he said.

“Who are they going to talk to at the city, Bill?” Councilman Chris Meierhoff asked.

City attorney Dan Baldwin said part of the problem is there is no unity on the council regarding the position.

He suggested a professional provide insight to the council regarding their options to make an informed decision.

“Can we look around at communities our size and see what they have?” Smith asked.

He said he would like to see cost comparisons with other cities the size of Marion and success rates.

“We’re going to need proof to go forward with this,” Smith said.

Priorities

The council and the city administrator set and approved priorities. The number system was based on a maximum of 20 points.

Immediate — within the next six months:

• Levee project — already started
• Economic development and tourism (16 points out of a maximum of 20)
• Street repair including patching from winter weather damage (15)
• ADT notification system (10)
• No mill levy increase (9)

Short term — within the next one to two years:

• Water, sewer, and electric utility strategy operations plans (16)
• Electronic mapping (12)
• Radio-read water and electric meters (9)
• Enforce property compliance (5)
• Train employees (4)
• Review deployment of employees (2)
• Streets operations plan (2) — consensus was to consolidate this within the utility operations plan

Long term — with the next five years:

• Determine future revenue streams (17)
• Retirement center (15)
• Water supply for the future (10)
• More residential development (7)
• Upgrade airport (1).

A work session is planned for 4:30 p.m. Monday in the city council chambers to discuss the position.