Cemetery information to be available on Internet
Web surfers soon will be able to find information about the Marion Cemetery on the Internet.
Bud Hannaford, chairman of the cemetery board, told Marion City Commissioners Monday that Amy Rasmussen was gathering information about the cemetery to place on a web site.
The program will cross reference information regarding who is buried in a particular plot with information regarding who owns the plots, he said.
Hannaford reported that in 2002, 55 graves were opened and three of those were cremations.
The cemetery had two major expenses in 2002. They included $6,119 for a chain link fence erected on the north and east sides along Eisenhower Drive.
The next major project at the cemetery will be the installation of permanent flag poles to be used on holidays.
In other matters:
— Commissioners approved the January utility billing report presented by Becky Makovec.
She reported that Marion utility customers are getting accustomed to the new city policy which requires that bills be paid in full and on time.
During the month of January, 54 notices warning people they would be disconnected were placed on doors of homes. In February, only 11 notices were issued.
— Economic Development Director Susan Cooper reported Marion's most recent census figures would have to be used when applying for a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade the city water plant as required by KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment). The city applied for the grant last year, but was turned down because awards were only given to cities where the water plants do not currently comply with KDHE standards.
When the city applied for the grant last year, a survey was taken to document the number of low and moderate income households in Marion. New grant stipulations require that information come from the 2000 census, rather than survey information.
Cooper reported that should not be a problem because census figures traditionally show Marion has below 51 percent low and moderate income people.
— Commissioners approved a public hearing to be held at 4 p.m. April 7 for the city to apply for a KDHE water revolving loan. The loan will help finance upgrades needed at the city water plant.
— Commissioners approved the transfer of $89,145 from the utility department to bonds and interest for the purpose of making the March payment on the electric bond.
— Warrants amounting to $65,289.02 were approved.
— Cooper reported she had attended a work session with Marion County Commissioners Friday regarding the county's comprehensive plan. She noted commissioners heard the comments that were made by those attending, and said she was very encouraged. The main issue, she noted, involved reducing the minimum acreage for a farmstead from 40 to 5 acres.
Cooper said she told commissioenrs the city would like to be aware of and have a voice in decisions regarding area within the city's area of influence. Also, discussion included having similar building codes for structures built near the city.
— Commissioners heard from Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, that city crews have been busy removing snow from streets and making repairs.
— Janet Marler, librarian, showed commissioners a copy of the Marion City Library newsletter.
— Heard from City Administrator David Mayfield he has been working on the 2004 budget and preparing information for auditors.
