Airport board ‘totally against’ the competition

By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Marion Municipal Airport board members are not happy that the city wants to close the airport Father’s Day weekend for a remote control airplane competition.

Board member Dick McLinden read a letter from board president Ty Zeiner to Marion City Council Monday saying the board was “totally against” the event.

In the letter, Zeiner said he was the only one allowed by Federal Aviation Administration rules to close the city’s airport and the city would be required to obtain approval because the city has had federal grants in the past.

When the model airplane enthusiasts used the airport last year, damage occurred when competitors drove vehicles within the fenced area. There were also safety concerns about people on runways.

Flying from another airport is not an option for McLinden, whose business requires him to respond at a moment’s notice, typically on weekends.

McLinden asked if the high school football field could be used. City Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin said there would be wind issues at that site. Kjellin said he also checked an open area owned by the cemetery board but it wasn’t large enough.

“I wasn’t there last year but they were riding motorcycles there (at the airport) and went outside the property boundary,” board member Skip Sieger said. “When someone doesn’t respect your property, they shouldn’t be allowed to come back. The airport is not a good place to have a large quantity of vehicles.”

Kjellin said the visitors primarily used the airport parking lot and only went onto the airport grounds to retrieve model airplanes.

“We want this to be a good event for both parties,” Kjellin said. “Based on your (council’s) decision, either we’ll welcome them in or we’ll find another place.”

“I would like to see it in town,” Councilman Stacey Collett said. “I think there would be a bigger crowd.”

A quarter section of land (160 acres) would be needed to accommodate the event with additional land for retrieval, Kjellin said.

Wanting some action, Councilman Bill Holdeman made a motion to close the airport June 19 and 20 but the motion died for a lack of a second.

Housing authority report

Marion Housing Authority President Charles Heerey presented an annual report of the board’s activities.

During 2009, there were six vacancies at Hilltop Manor, which were filled by the end of the fiscal year. There now are four on a waiting list.

There are no changes in calculating rent, which is based on the tenants’ income.

New kitchens have been completed in all 28 units, which include cabinets and appliances.

Future projects include addressing a drainage problem caused by water from Sunrise Townhomes, widening and replacing some sidewalks, and beginning the installation of new vanities and sinks in all bathrooms.

The board adopted a no smoking policy, Carla Carlson now is executive director, and former executive director Shirley Carlson is deputy director.

Tourism, recreation reports

Promotional bags will be reprinted, as will a brochure with locations of antique and gift shops and restaurants, Margo Yates reported.

Instead of redoing a color brochure, a video may be produced, making it more user friendly through the Internet and on Web sites.

“Spruce up Marion” signs have been made and will be displayed when volunteers are working. There was a trash pickup day when three or four pickup truck loads were collected.

Chingawassa Days is moving forward as planned with major sponsorships from Central National Bank and Marion National Bank.

There will be a barbecue June 4 followed by bluegrass music and a performance by a hypnotist.

38 Special will perform June 5 with two warm-up bands, Rain and Vegetable.

Marion Recreation Commission had another successful basketball season with some teams indicating they will return next year. Baseball, softball, and blastball sign-ups are now taking place. The concessions building is being cleaned and will be repainted.

Swim team sign-up also is on the horizon with 100 participants again anticipated. Swim Team Booster Club has used concession proceeds to purchase the rest of a timing system for about $4,000 and will start saving for a scoreboard to be used at swim meets. The club purchased lane lines a few years ago.

Other city business

• The city’s insurance premium that includes property, liability, automobiles, and workers’ compensation is $2,000 more than last year at $101,602.
• Tony Schafers of Marion asked where the city was regarding a fence in an alley near Cedar and Hudson streets. Schafers asked the council to have the fence removed or altered so traffic coming from the alley could see oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Family members of the owners of the property agreed to have the property surveyed to determine if the fence is on private or city property. If the survey is not completed by the next council meeting, the city will have it surveyed and enforce the findings.
• Councilman Gene Winkler asked if the bids for new sidewalks in Central Park allowed a pump truck to bring in the concrete so trucks won’t have to drive across the park’s grass. City Administrator David Mayfield said the contractor who won the bid was told he would have to supply a pump truck but he didn’t provide a bid for that. If the contractor’s bid doesn’t suit the city, then the council would have to consider other bids. Winkler said it was unfair to award the bid to a contractor that didn’t bid on the second option. If additional bids are needed, it wasn’t fair to the other contractors who now know the other bids.
• An amended agreement with Kansas Power Pool was approved by the council.
• Pauline Holub and Bruce Winkler were appointed to a four-year term on the Marion Library Board and Terry Svoboda was reappointed to a two-year term.
• A change order was approved for the Safe Routes to School project because Kansas Department of Transportation miscalculated excavation and concrete estimates. Any overages caused by the error will be paid by KDOT.
• The city will not donate to Relay for Life of Marion County because Mayor Mary Olson said she did not support using taxpayer’s money for charitable events.

The next council meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. April 5 in the city building.