City approves purchase of police car
Staff reporter
Marion City Commission approved the purchase of a police car that will replace a 1996 patrol car with more than 80,000 miles.
The vehicle is a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria with less than 50,000 miles and will be purchased for $13,500, including the patrol car packaging. The expense is in the 2004 budget.
A 1996 Ford Crown Victoria will be retired from the police department. In 2003, it had more than $400 in repairs and maintenance for five months of use, reported police chief Michel Soyez. The car was not used while officers were in training.
David Mayfield, city administrator, said that the retired patrol car will replace the current city car. At a later date, sealed bids will be taken for the city car.
The new patrol car will be purchased from the Kansas Highway Patrol Fleet Sales and is a retired highway patrol unit.
In other business:
— Commission approved a plumbing license for John Graber dba Graber Plumbing and Heating, and a juke box license for The Big Scoop.
— Mayfield reported he will be attending a grant writing workshop. The first class will be Tuesday through Thursday at Emporia. Other workshops will be in February and March.
— Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, submitted a written report. Workers finished hauling and distributing 100 tons of red shale at the ball field.
Spring clean up will be April 19-23 and fall clean up will be Oct. 25-29.
The tree dump is closed during January and February.
— Bud Hannaford, cemetery board chairman, reported that termites had damaged the stone building at the cemetery. The board replaced the door and made other repairs to the building.
Hannaford also reported that the local American Legion has purchased a plaque to be mounted on the stone cemetery wall. The plaque will provide an explanation for the flags and flag poles. The city agreed to mount the plaque.
Mayfield asked Hannaford about the ropes on the flag poles. The ropes are fraying and will be replaced by the company that sold the poles to the board. The city will assist with the replacement of the 55 flag pole ropes.
Commissioner Larry McLain thanked Hannaford and the board members for their work.
— Linda Holub, city clerk, reminded the commission that the filing deadline for mayor is noon Jan. 27.
— Warrants in the amount of $131,343 and payroll in the amount of $22,012 were approved. Warrant amount was attributed to the purchase of a city truck, bond payment, and Westar Energy payment.
— Two items were tabled due to the absence of city attorney Dan Baldwin — approval for mayor to sign limited guaranty agreement for assisted living revenue bonds, and executive session for attorney/client privilege.
These items will be on next week's agenda when the city meets at 4 p.m. Monday in the city commission room.
