City commission meets Marion's new police officer
Staff writer
New Marion Police Officer Chad Johanning was introduced to city commissioners during Monday's meeting.
Police Chief Mike Soyez noted Johanning would be the department's new "fifth" officer and said Johanning would be undergoing training for approximately one week.
Soyez also noted that Johanning had three years of experience and he would be a welcome addition to the department.
City commissioners welcomed their new employee. "We're glad to have you with us," said Commissioner Larry McLain.
IRB's approved
After several weeks of discussion, the commission voted unanimously to approve ordinance No. 1240 authorizing issuance of industrial revenue bonds to finance a new assisted living facility. There was no discussion before Monday's vote.
With the signing of the ordinance, it authorized the city clerk and mayor to sign the following documents associated with the assisted living facility:
An issuers closing certificate, notice of lease, certificate of issuance of taxable assisted living residence revenue bonds, bond purchase agreement, and assignment of lease.
In an unrelated matter, commissioners heard a proposal from Braden Suffield to create the city's website.
Suffield said the website would provide eye catching graphics and design, be informative to visitors, and kept up to date. He said city staff could contact him around the clock via phone, e-mail, or fax.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot questioned whether Suffield could train city staff to update the website. Suffield said that would not be a problem, but the city would need to purchase a specific type of software.
Suffield said he previously had created websites for Marion Manufacturing, Marion County Farm Bureau, and Kansas APCO. Crofoot said commissioners would examine the web pages.
City Attorney Dan Baldwin asked Suffield to come up with a cost to train city employees on how to update the web site. No decision was made.
In recent weeks, the city has heard from several individuals or groups presenting website proposals.
City Manager Dave Mayfield said he also had been contacted by Infinitec, a company that wished to present a proposal. Mayfield said that proposal would be scheduled during the next city meeting.
During his report, Mayfield said the city was running under budget for the fiscal year. He reported the city had used only 48.2 percent of its budget authority. At this point in October, the city would typically be at 75 percent, he said.
No to CDBG
Mayfield noted the city's application had been denied for a Community Development Block Grant to fund a mandated water plant upgrade. Mayfield said he, along with Mayor Eloise Mueller, Commissioner Crofoot, former city economic development director Susan Cooper, and John Maxfield learned the result during a Kansas Inter-Agency Council (KIAC) meeting Oct. 14 in Topeka.
Mayfield further noted that a representative from Rural Development, who also is a member of the KIAC board, encouraged the city to submit a grant/loan application with RDA.
"He advised that in his opinion we would qualify for this avenue and would probably be eligible for a 45 percent match," Mayfield reported. "I'm very skeptical. But he was very encouraging."
In other matters:
— approved lodging and schooling expense for Linda Holub, city clerk, to attend the city clerk's conference. Mayfield said this would be Holub's second year in a four year program. During the fourth and final year the conference includes a master clerk's academy. Attendance is necessary for Holub to obtain city clerk certification. The conference will be held five days in November in Wichita.
— approved the city's quarterly and September financial statements as well as the September investment and collateral report, as presented by Mayfield.
— approved warrants amounting to $17,631.18 and payroll amounting to $23,794.50.
