City council ponders purchase of Internet domain name
Mike Fruechting gave a sales pitch to Marion City Council Monday evening in an effort to sell the marionks.com domain name to the city.
Fruechting said he purchased the domain name 10 years ago and developed a web site about Marion. He said he spent his own time and money on the site with the ultimate goal being the city purchase it. His asking price Monday evening was $5,000.
The city had approached Fruechting seven years ago in an effort to purchase the domain name. City administrator David Mayfield did not have the information available for the council regarding the conditions of the offer at that time.
Fruechting said he also owned two other domain names — marionks.org and marionks.net. If the city were to purchase marionks.com, he would give them the others.
Marionks.com is the first name that comes up when a search engine is used for Marion.
Mayfield said funds for the purchase could come from the economic development fund. Economic development director Jami Williams said she had a line item for $1,000 if Fruechting wanted to be paid $1,000 per year for five years.
A decision was tabled until the next council meeting.
In other business:
— The council approved changing the city's ordinance to charge one-half of the cost of a transformer for all new commercial construction.
Councilman Stacey Collett made the recommendation to the council based on customers paying for new sewer and water hook-ups.
Councilman Bill Holdeman opposed the motion and Mayor Martin Tice abstained.
— Tourism coordinator Margo Yates reported that the city's tourism committee had several projects planned.
The committee wanted deer feeders placed on the city's hiking and biking trail, will try to capitalize on eagle population, is working with Marion City Library to create new postcards, and will continue to promote the concrete rhinoceros.
A familiarization or FAM tour is being planned for those who work with the public as store clerks and wait staff. Yates said the tour will assist those employees in directing visitors to sites and stores within the community.
Yates reported the committee continues to work with Marion County Economic Development Council and will assist at the Sports, Boat, and Travel Show this weekend in Wichita.
The council also will have a booth at a conference at Fort Riley.
— Holdeman asked the council to consider changing the city's policy regarding snow removal but when it came down to specific changes, none were made.
Holdeman said he had heard complaints about the streets when the city had a sleet storm last month. The city's policy instructs city crews to remove snow when four inches or more has fallen.
"It's an eyeball perception issue," Holdeman said.
Collett said he, too, had had complaints but figures this is the first real winter Marion has had in a while and people just weren't used to driving in the weather.
Holdeman suggested city crews clear streets before there is much traffic.
City administrator David Mayfield said city crews treat streets during the day when a storm is predicted.
"We've only budgeted a certain number of overtime hours per year," Mayfield said.
Public utilities director Harvey Sanders explained that it doesn't serve any purpose for the city to treat the streets if it still sleeting and below 20 degrees. He said he also was concerned about using too much overtime for one storm because there could be more and he would find his department over budget.
Sanders continued that the city was different from the state because when snow is plowed, it has to be removed from the streets.
Councilman Jerry Kline said he thought the policy was OK and also was concerned about budget constraints.
— The council approved, with Kline opposing, Holdeman's recommendation to have a city logo on all city vehicles.
— The city will use Purple Wave Auction to sell the city's refuse truck online. City clerk Angela Lange said other cities have used the auction service with success. There is no cost to the city and the buyer would pay a 10 percent buyer's fee.
— A payment of $194,689 to Walters Morgan Construction for the water treatment plant project was approved.
— A budgeted $1,000 appropriation to Communities in Schools of Marion County was approved.
— The council approved the expense of having Relay for Life flyers inserted and mailed in city bills.
— Rob Hartley of Marion requested a city-owned parking area for tractor-trailers. Hartley said he is one of 10-15 residents who drive semis and needs a place to park.
Tice suggested Hartley visit with city officials to determine a satisfactory location.
— In a written report, Mayfield reported he and Williams will attend the Sports, Boat, and Travel Show Friday at Wichita and work the Marion County Economic Development booth, he will attend training regarding Kansas open meetings and open records acts in Abilene, and he and Williams will attend a legislative meeting Tuesday in Topeka.
— A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26, prior to the regular council meeting, regarding a nuisance property at 127 Billings.
The next council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the city building.
