Managing editor
Four residents of Jex Addition in Marion continued to express discontent Tuesday with Marion City Council regarding the possibility of changing the city’s truck route on Grant Street.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, Leah Schimdt asked the council to deny the request by Darryl and Linda Brewer, owners of a truck parking business on Grant Street, to change the route. Currently the route is on Burbridge Street, southeast of the business, requiring trucks to cross an unmarked railroad crossing that was not designed for truck traffic.
Schmidt contended that the residents in Jex Addition do not appear to have the same rights as the Brewers, reiterating issues that were discussed at the previous meeting. Two waterlines have been broken since trucks were using Grant Street, Schmidt said.
The city’s truck route ordinance was established in 2007 after residents complained about truck traffic on Grant Street.
Schmidt asked if the council could not answer her questions could the board of zoning appeals answer them. Is that area zoned residential, commercial, or industrial? Schmidt asked.
Mayor Mary Olson asked Schmidt if there was any new information to present to the council.
Jex Addition resident Charles Montgomery said he brought up this issue at Marion Senior Center when about 60 people were attendance. After hearing his story, they were willing to sign a petition for a recall election, he said.
When councilman Bill Holdeman tried to respond to the questions, Olson told Holdeman not to address the issues because it was not on the agenda.
Following the fiery comments, the council recessed to wait for city attorney Keith Collett to attend the meeting, following his duty as Hillsboro Municipal Judge.
The council entered closed session for a total of 22 minutes with Collett and administrator Doug Kjellin for attorney-client privilege to discuss possible civil action against the city by the Brewers.
No action was taken when the council returned to open session.
Earlier in the meeting, the council decided not to discuss the truck route.
Zebra mussels
Following two weeks of deliberation, the council approved a contract with EBH Engineering to mitigate zebra mussels at Marion Reservoir but not unanimously. Councilman Jerry Kline opposed the contract. Steve Smith was not in attendance.
There would be a three-step process — an initial pilot study, a feasibility study, and implementation of materials. Phase I cannot exceed $25,000. Additional phases of the construction engineering could cost $200,000 to $300,000 with the city paying 34 percent of the bill and Hillsboro paying the remainder.
Hillsboro City Council will review the contract at its next meeting Tuesday.
Other business
Marion attorney J. Robert Brookens was appointed as assistant city attorney and will attend meetings in the absence of Collett. The city will not pay any additional wage to Collett or Brookens for the service.