Marion ponders replacing vehicles
Staff writer
Marion City Council members reviewed city vehicles and equipment Monday to consider developing a plan for scheduled replacements.
Administrator Brian Wells passed out a list of trucks and other equipment used for street and alley, parks, cemetery, recreation, flood control, water, sewer, and refuse work.
Each was color coded as “high priority,” “low priority,” “need to discuss a replacement plan,” and “new or good condition.”
Only one was listed that way: a push mower used by for parks.
Thirteen, including a trash truck, were listed as high priority. Others listed as high priority include a street sweeper, two pickups, a case loader, and a mower for street and alley work; a pickup used for park work; a mower used for cemetery work; a mower used for recreation work; a mower and flatbed truck used for flood control; an air compressor and box truck used by the water department; and a pickup used for sewer work.
No explanation was given why a mower, gator, and tractor were still listed as recreation property after the city’s recreation department was turned over to the school district.
Eight others were listed as low priority and 19 as “need to discuss replacement plan.”
A schedule was developed for replacement of police cars Sept. 15.
Council members also heard from economic development director Megan Jones, who is developing a survey in an attempt to find out residents’ priorities for economic development. She passed out copies for council members.
Jones also proposed a business plan for operating a performing arts and movie venue in the community center auditorium.
Mayor Mike Powers said that one of the intentions when the community center ballroom was created out of a former theater-style auditorium was that movies would be shown there.
Under Jones’ plan, second-run movies would be shown at 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Concessions would be available, and ticket could be purchased in advance.
Jones said she had another project on her agenda.
“I would really like to make Main Street more walkable,” she said.
She said grants were available for the work.