City considers new dugouts at baseball complex
Staff reporter
Marion Baseball-Softball Commission requested assistance Monday from Marion City Commission to replace two dugouts on "A" field at Marion Baseball Complex.
Alex Case represented the baseball-softball group and said a cost estimate for concrete from Hett Construction included concrete for two dugouts, a handicap accessible parking stall near the concession stand at the complex, and a bunker for materials used on the fields was $5,742. He also had a proposal from Midland Fence Company for $2,600 for new poles and fence around the dugouts.
Approximately $2,000 has been raised for the project. Total cost projections for the entire project, Case said, was $8,000 to $10,000. He plans to ask USD 408 for $2,500 of assistance since the school district also uses the facility.
The current dugouts are 20 feet long and six feet deep which is not sufficient space for a team and coaches, said Case. New dugouts would be 30 feet long and 10 feet deep.
Roofing materials have been purchased.
Harvey Sanders, city public utilities superintendent, asked if the new dugout dimensions met Babe Ruth league specifications. Case said he didn't know but would check.
David Mayfield, city administrator, suggested Case return to the commission after he talks with the school board. He informed the commission there were sufficient funds in capital improvement. Case asked the commission to consider the improvements yet this fall to be in place by next spring.
In other business:
— The commission approved tax exemptions for Mid-America Marble Products, Inc., 1105 N. Industrial Road, Marion. Ad valorem tax exemptions will be allowed beginning Jan. 1 for a period of 10 years for the manufacturer's building and personal property located within the building. The owners, David and Laura Yates, agreed to add a minimum of three new employees during that time.
The business will be required to apply annually, by Feb. 1 of each year, for the exemption to continue.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot asked if tax exemptions would include items purchased after Jan. 1. Mayfield said they would not.
— Rodney Richmond and Margo Yates, representatives of Marion Recreation Commission, reported activities from this past summer and fall.
Richmond said there was a 20 percent increase in baseball participation and a six percent increase for softball. Blast ball, a new activity for preschoolers, had 20 participants.
Soccer also had more participants. Junior warrior wrestling started this week and the same number of participants was anticipated.
Sports that saw declines were flag football at a 40 percent decrease, swim team four percent, and Old Settlers' Day Run two percent.
Children's Summer Theatre had 28 participants this year and was not offered the previous year.
Basketball teams currently are forming with nine teams from Marion — one team each of fourth grade boys and girls, and sixth grade boys; and two teams each of fifth grade boys and girls, and sixth grade girls.
Teams from out-of-town are Abilene, Brookville, Chase County, Centre, Emporia, Hillsboro, Newton, Peabody, Southeast of Saline, and Valley Center/Benton. McPherson also may participate.
Mayfield had asked REC members to review an outdated policy for use of the baseball complex. Crofoot said there needed to be a policy in place to protect the city's investment.
Richmond and Yates voiced concerns about increasing user fees for the fields by non-Marion teams. Yates reminded the commission that when the policy was written, the city collected all fees and handled all charges for the complex. If additional fees were to be imposed, Yates asked if the city could collect them and not REC.
Both said there would be a decrease in participation from out-of-town teams if fees were increased.
Mayfield said a fee needed to be charged when lights are used for night games. Crofoot asked Sanders the cost for the lights during games. Sanders said he didn't know but would check.
Currently the city and school district share the utility expenses where each entity pays for six months.
REC will review the policy and make suggested changes.
— The commission approved the city's five-year capital plan.
— Two budgeted transfers were approved — $72,500 from the city's electric fund to the general fund for operating expenses, and $87,374 from the electric fund to the bond and interest fund to make the final payment for a street bond.
— Warrants for $17,944 were approved.
— Mayfield reported Angela Lange, assistant city clerk and city treasurer, currently is attending city clerk's school. City clerk Linda Holub also will attend master city clerk classes this week.
— Sanders reported he and Mayfield will attend a meeting Nov. 18 with Westar Electric to discuss electrical rates.
