Managing editor
Marion City Council granted a request Monday that would allow a community survey form to be inserted with the city utility bill in July.
PRIDE chairman Diana Costello made the request, saying the survey is the next step by the PRIDE group to determine concerns and ideas for projects from residents.
The city office will be the location to return completed surveys and Costello, as a city employee, will use the e-mail address provided by the city to promote the survey.
The survey could also be available on the city’s website.
Other business
- A contract with newly appointed city attorney Keith Collett was approved. He will be paid $1,200 per month based on an average of 12 hours per month at $100 per hour. Any hours beyond the initial 12 hours will be compensated at $100 per hour for typical city business and $150 per hour for special civil prosecutions or defense. Former attorney Dan Baldwin was paid the same per month but there was no set rate for special duties.
- The council approved two delinquent utility accounts for extensions.
- Public works director Harvey Sanders reported 120 out of more than 1,000 new electric meters had been installed. Administrator Doug Kjellin clarified that new water meters would not be installed for customers who have 1 and 2-inch meters.
- The council tabled a request to change the name of the airport when no one from the airport board attended the meeting.
- The council, Kjellin, and Collett went into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss trade secrets related to a business. The meeting reconvened with no action.
- Mayor Mary Olson said she has had complaints from people who weren’t able to use bathrooms at Central Park because the water had not yet been turned on. The facilities are not insulated, so the cooler weather could cause lines to break. She also asked the council to consider using the remaining $20,000 donation from the Paul Brooker Trust for the park.
- Chingawassa Days buttons were purchased for the 21 full-time city employees at a group rate of $23 per button.
The next meeting will be 4:30 p.m. May 16 in the city building.