Cities consider options regarding zebra mussels in water source
Managing editor
City of Marion officials recently met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the plight of Marion Reservoir with the presence of zebra mussels.
According to David Mayfield, city administrator, the corps does not have a specific plan.
“It should be about five years before there is a significant impact,” Mayfield said.
Whatever the city decides to do, a plan has to be submitted to the corps for approval.
Mayfield and Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine plan to meet with officials at El Dorado Lake regarding their experience with the nuisance.
“I don’t know what we can do that isn’t going to be costly,” Mayfield said.
Engineers probably will have to be hired to see what can be done with an approximate cost.
“It may be cost prohibitive. I don’t know,” Mayfield said.
Zebra mussels were discovered last summer at Marion Reservoir. The species multiplies and can cause havoc on fish populations, vegetation, and can affix to structures such as water intake pipes.
Marion draws water from the reservoir, as does Hillsboro. The main concern of the cities is the mussels disrupting the ability for the cities to obtain drinking water.
More information will be presented as it becomes available, Mayfield said.
More street improvements planned
Residents on South Roosevelt Street recently petitioned for curb, gutter, and asphalt on two blocks. Currently that portion of street, which fronts a housing development, is gravel. Based on the cost of current construction, the two blocks could cost $200,000.
The city would pay for the project up-front and property owners in the benefit area would pay for the improvements through a special assessment, collecting through property taxes. Typically, the assessment is for a 10-year period.
Mayfield said he would talk with financial advisers for a bond issue.
Additional engineering of Kellison Street improvements will cost the city $25,000. The council approved the expense.
Mayfield also reported the KLINK project through Kansas Department of Transportation might be ahead of schedule because of possible stimulus funds. Instead of improvements on Main Street, which is considered to be a state highway, in 2011, money for those improvements may be available in the near future which could be completed with the Cedar/Eisenhower streets project.
The city would be responsible for 20 percent of the costs associated with KLINK.
In other business:
- A new home built at 528 N. Cedar and owned by Earlene Maloney qualifies for the city’s Bucks for Building program.
- The council will review numerous zoning changes after the city’s planning commission made the revisions. A public hearing is planned.
- Eight pieces of city equipment no longer used were sold through an online auction service for a total of $15,300.
The next council meeting is at 4:30 p.m. April 20 in the city building.