Marion hopes for park upgrade
Staff writer
A new grant proposal would restore Central Park’s walking trail and playground equipment in Marion.
City council members approved the application Monday.
Economic development director Megan Jones’ proposal would seek to pay to repair the park’s 1926 merry-go-round, which collapsed in the summer after its center post rusted out.
A walking trail along the Luta Creek side of the park would be restored but not relighted. Pieces of playground equipment also would be repaired and replaced, and trail cameras would be installed.
State economic development grants like the one being sought are available in varying amounts. Jones’ request seeks $25,000 with a $2,500 match to be paid from economic development and transient guest taxes.
In other business Monday, council members approved a “skim coat” of paving for Denver St. from Eisenhower to Cedar Sts. at a cost of $52,357.39.
“This is a nice dollar bid to buy you more time,” EBH engineer Darin Neufeld told council members. “This is just a patch, but it’s a patch.”
Councilman Zach Collett asked about an area used for drop-off and parking at Marion Elementary School.
Neufeld said he would ensure the school was notified at least 24 hours in advance when work will be done there.
A derelict house at 120 W. Santa Fe St. will become city property and be demolished. Council members voted to approve owner Scott Fisher’s Oct. 6 offer to give it to the city.
Fisher, who lives in Hillsboro, said after neighborhood services director James Masters began efforts to get Fisher to repair and clean up the property that he had “given up on” the property.
It stands with windows and a door open. Its foundation is in need of repair or replacement. The city had the property mowed, but Fisher told council members he would not pay the $100 mowing bill.
The house sits on a too-small 25-by-164-foot lot. Zoning regulations will not allow it to be replaced if it is razed.
Masters estimated the cost of demolishing the house at $5,000 to $10,000.
Council members also agreed to purchase a power rake for $11.500 with money to be taken from the city’s special highway fund.
A similar rake was rented earlier this year to work on city alleys.
Council members asked two weeks ago how often a rake would be used. Public works department head Tim Makovec told them Monday that he foresaw it being used annually, hitting quadrants each quarter.
The rake process reclaims rock in the alleys, which would save the cost of buying additional gravel, city administrator Brian Wells said.
Council members also approved Police Chief Aaron Slater’s September to replace squad cars on a regular schedule.
The plan, drafted by Slater and Wells, calls for the department’s five squad cars to be replaced with new cars every nine years or when they reach 120,000 miles.
Four of the city’s current five cars were purchased as salvaged vehicles.
The department’s five existing vehicles are:
- A 2012 Chevy Impala bought used in 2016. It has 100,000 miles on it.
- A 2018 Ford Explorer bought on a salvage title in 2019. It has 73,000 miles on it.
- A 2019 Ford Explores bought on a salvage title in 2021. It has 81,000 miles on it.
- A 2020 Ford Explorer bought on a salvage title in 2021. It has 29,000 miles on it.
- A 2023 Ford Explorer bought on a salvage title in 2025. It has 8,500 miles on it.
The department puts an average of 12,000 miles a year on its cars, Slater said.
Under his proposal, the 2018 Explorer would be replaced in 2028, the 2019 Explorer would in 2029, the 2020 Explorer in 2033, a fifth vehicle in 2035, and another in 2037.
Slater also presented a proposal from JW Auto Sales in Diamond, Missouri, for a rebuilt 2024 Ford police interceptor with 2,200 miles on it for $32,500. A new 2025 Ford Explorer would cost $57,994.24. Both would need additional spending for lights and other law enforcement modifications.
Council members approved the purchase schedule, but took no action on the salvage car.