Chief requests additional officer
Marion Chamber of Commerce was a busy organization during the year 2002, Marion City Commissioners learned Monday.
Representing the chamber, Michelle Hett and Margo Yates presented a report regarding the chamber and tourism activities during the year.
Among the activities, Hett said the group had repaired a community sign, promoted the depot (library), cleaned up Luta Creek, and built a new Santa house.
In 2003, activities include making a new backdrop for promotional booth, obtaining new racks for brochures, perhaps starting a Farmer's Market, and investigating the cost of painting murals on buildings, Hett said.
Hett and Yates asked for direction from commissioners regarding whether the chamber should utilize one booth space or two during the Kansas State Fair. It was noted the two spaces cost a total of $1,500. Since one of the spaces was a corner position it cost more than the other.
Last year, the chamber used both spaces for a photo display as well as a Powerpoint (video) presentation promoting the city.
City Administrator Dave Mayfield said when he and his wife, Sondra, worked the booth last year, they discovered that visitors were attracted to Marion's booth because people were manning it. He also noted the video attracted people to the booth.
Commissioners said if the two spaces were not necessary, to go ahead and use only one, although it was noted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the chamber to ever get that second booth space back should it be needed. Commissioners directed Hett and Yates to do what they thought best.
— Mayor Eloise Mueller read and signed a proclamation designating FCCLA week. Marion High School student Crystal Williams presented the proclamation.
— Approved warrants amounting to $34,011.69.
— Mayfield said the lawsuit regarding the city's right to annex land had been dismissed with costs attributed to the plaintiff. The suit regarded land which was to be used for a county landfill.
— Harvey Sanders, public works director, said city workers collected 115.39 tons of trash in January, had continued removing trees from the dike, installed underground utility service to a new duplex, and had swept sand off Main Street.
He also noted the water leak at Freeborn and Main streets had been repaired and the barrels removed from that intersection.
— Commissioners heard from Janet Marler, city librarian, that 20 librarians from various cities would be in Marion Wednesday for a meeting. They were planning on meeting in Marion because of the newly remodeled library.
— Commissioners met in executive session for 15 minutes regarding potential litigation. No action was taken after returning to regular session.
