By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Since it hadn’t been done before and there have been questions regarding who is responsible for what, Marion City Council wants bylaws put in place for the city’s airport authority board.

The council reviewed bylaws at Monday’s meeting.

City officials are not aware of a resolution that directs the role of the airport board.

“This will give the city an opportunity to make a clean slate,” city attorney Dan Baldwin said.

Mayor Mary Olson had requested the bylaws because the council was concerned about the authority the airport presumably had regarding the use of the municipal property.

Olson asked if the airport board members should see a copy of the proposal. Councilman Steve Smith suggested the council review it for the next meeting in two weeks and discuss at the next meeting.

Ultimately, the city is responsible for the airport, administrator David Mayfield said.

One point of contention was an incident where the airport board authorized work at the airport without approval from the city.

“The city needs to have responsibility of maintaining the facility,” Mayfield said.

The Heart of America Free Flight Association will use the Marion airport for its contest Oct. 2 and 3.

Power surge

A power surge or brownout caused $100 in damages to Councilman Bill Holdeman’s air conditioner at his home on South Roosevelt Street, Holdeman said. He asked if there were others who reported similar damage and said he was aware of four other similar incidents in the city.

Public Works Director Harvey Sanders said he was not aware of any other reports.

Transformers can react to high temperatures, causing a malfunction. There are up to five customers per transformer, Sanders said, which had nothing to do with the problems that occurred.

“Heat can cause them to blow,” Sanders said.

He reiterated that heat causes transformers to malfunction, not because the transformer is inadequate.

Other business

Roger Schwab of Marion asked the status of his complaint about drainage on South Roosevelt Street. Olson said at the time the street was constructed, the city had decided to change the original design, saving the city more than $25,000.

“We’re satisfied with the job,” Olson said, and indicated the topic was closed.

Schwab also asked if the city was paying the attorney to represent the city in a civil dispute between Darryl and Linda Brewer and the city. It was indicated that the insurance company was paying for the attorney. Schwab asked, if there is a judgment in the case, where that money would come from — the city or insurance?

The council met with Baldwin in closed session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel. After 20 minutes, Baldwin exited the council room. There was no action when the council returned to open session.