City hears report on watershed project
Staff reporter
Peggy Blackman presented an annual report Monday for Marion Reservoir watershed project to Marion City Commission.
Blackman provided a copy of the report to the commission for review. The report is a requirement of Kansas Department of Health & Environment to demonstrate how grant funds are used.
The report included newspaper articles of activities related to the 200-square-mile project area at the reservoir.
Blackman stated erosion was being addressed with the need for cities and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work together to provide rip-rap in areas of concern. Buffers also are being reestablished between shorelines and crops to reduce erosion.
She anticipates $100,000 in grant funding will be provided next year from KDHE. The grant typically concludes within two years but an extension may be sought.
In other business:
— The commission approved a KDHE permit for a change in water treatment. An upgrade that is being planned will bring the city into compliance but before making those changes, a permit must be approved by the commission and KDHE.
— Marty Fredrickson, city street superintendent, reported crews worked at the city's baseball complex in preparation for games. Guard rails were obtained from the U.S.-77 construction project and will be used by the city at the baseball complex.
— Police chief Michel Soyez reported his department had been concentrating on citing residents violating the city's inoperable vehicle ordinance.
As a result of 15 letters sent to violators, 12 became compliant, and he anticipates the remaining three will become compliant.
Forty violations have been addressed since the first of the year, Soyez reported.
— Mutual fire aid agreements were approved between the City of Marion and Marion Fire Districts #1, which is the Durham area, and #2, which is the Goessel area.
— A budgeted transfer of $58,080 was approved from the city's water utility fund to the capital improvement fund for water plant improvements.
— The commission approved the February investment and collateral report, and financial statement.
— Warrants for $50,945 and payroll for $26,219 were approved.
— The commission recessed to a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel with city administrator David Mayfield, city attorney Dan Baldwin, and fire department representative Mike Regnier. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— The commission recessed to a 15-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege with Mayfield and Baldwin. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
