City billboard will promote housing incentive program
Staff reporter
A new billboard promoting Marion's new housing incentive program soon will be displayed on U.S.-50 near Walton.
Donna Bernhardt presented information Monday to Marion City Commission that the billboard will inform motorists of the "Bucks for Building" program offered by the city for those who build a new house in Marion. The cost for the billboard is $345 per month which the city will pay.
Bernhardt also reported advertisements have appeared in the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. The group also is designing brochures.
In other business:
— The commission approved the preparation of an ordinance to be presented at the next meeting to allow a tax abatement for Mid-America Marble of Marion.
A public hearing was held prior to Monday's regular commission meeting to give constituents an opportunity to ask questions and provide input regarding the abatement. There were no public comments.
— The city will participate with Kansas Municipal Utilities and other member cities to pay attorney and rate consultants fees regarding proposed transmission fee increases by Westar Energy.
The commission approved a $976 voluntary assessment to participate in an attempt to intervene and protest the proposed increases.
This voluntary dues assessment previously was estimated at $2,000.
— A National Incident Management System was approved by the city and will be used for planning, response, recovery, and mitigating of natural and manmade disasters within the city.
Marion County recently adopted the same system. Federal Emergency Management Agency now requires entities to adopt the universal emergency response system in order to receive funding in case of disasters.
A second resolution was adopted by the city also related to disasters that requires the city to provide assistance to other entities during disasters. This will not supersede other mutual aid agreements already in place.
— City administrator David Mayfield reported the city had received a letter from Mark Anderson of Westar Energy that denied claims made by the city and residents when Westar Energy equipment failed.
The letters stated the claims were denied because voltage irregularities were not caused by Westar Energy employees but the equipment.
— Marty Fredrickson, street superintendent, reported a transformer was replaced behind Marion Auto Supply, work is continuing on the 12.5 electrical power line, and Lawrence Street is open to through traffic.
— Fredrickson reported as building inspector that improvements are being made to property at 201 N. Freeborn. He said it appeared that plumbing had been completed. Improvements to the house's heating system still needed to be completed within two weeks which is the deadline given by the commission.
— A public hearing will be held Oct. 17 regarding dilapidated property at 501 N. Roosevelt Street.
— Fredrickson also reported a petition had been received by the city regarding property at 110 S. Lincoln Street. He said the lot is not large enough for a new home if the existing home is removed.
— An engineering report indicated the city's water is compatible with ozone disinfection. Future improvements to the city's water treatment plant include ozone treatment.
— Police chief Michel Soyez reported all went well with Saturday's Old Settlers' Day parade lineup on Walnut Street instead of on streets located in Jex Addition.
No complaints were received by the department regarding the change and residents on the line-up route were cooperative in parking off the affected streets.
— Warrants for $80,032 were approved.
The next commission meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
