Staff writer
Several residents attended Monday’s Marion City Council meeting, including Steve Unruh, who declared his intention to run for mayor in the spring election.
“My goal is to see more candidates run for the open council spots and to see more people vote,” he said. “Historically people here don’t come out to vote. We need to wake people up and get them involved before we don’t have a town for them to be involved in.”
The council approved several ordinances having to do with implementing recommendations from planning and zoning committees.
Many of the recommendations were changes in wording for existing policy.
Two appointments were made. Angela Lange was appointed as freedom of information officer by Mayor Mary Olson to replace Doug Kjellin.
Christian Pedersen was appointed assistant building, health and safety officer. He will act as a second building inspector to assist current inspector Marty Fredrickson.
The council charged interim city administrator Roger Holter to look at several city improvement projects and come back to the council with recommendations.
Improvements included replacing worn and unreadable street signs around town, repair of several concrete curbs, which city crews will begin repairing next week, and drainage solutions for grass ditches around town.
Matt Meyerhoff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service reported on the cover crop plot located north of Spur Ridge Veterinary Hospital.
“We had moderate success with the summer cover crop showings,” he said. “With the short summer, most of the plants were short, but we had several producers visit the plot.”
Meyerhoff said sunflowers were planted as a summer cover crop, but they were mysteriously eaten shortly after sprouting.
“We suspect we had a rabbit problem,” he said.
NRCS planted several winter cover crops last week including radishes, oats, barley, clover, and alfalfa.
In other news:
- Clean up dates are Oct. 21 through 25.
- An inventory auction will be held Saturday at the former Seacat Hardware building.
- A special council meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday to discuss Holter’s plans for the city and council’s goals.
- Council approved a payment to Kansas Department of Transportation for the Main St. project for $130,560.