City may seek grant aid for help with water situation
Susan Cooper, economic development director for the City of Marion, told city commissioners at their Monday afternoon meeting that the city can apply for a grant because of the June water crisis involving blue-green algae on the surface of Marion Reservoir.
It would be an 80-20 grant, under which the city would be reimbursed for 80 percent of the costs it incurred because of the water situation last month.
City administrator David Mayfield said, "If we get it, it'll go right back into our water plant fund."
A Community Development Block Grant also may be available to help pay for water-plant improvements the city plans to make soon, Cooper said. She and an engineer are working on this.
Also, no-interest loans for businesses may be available from Flint Hills Rural Electrical Cooperative Association. Contact Cooper for more information on this.
Several people are excited about the possibility of creating a Marion Arts Council, Cooper said. They might have an art gallery at the historic Elgin Apartments building here. Jim and Jackie Strawn of Hutchinson own the Elgin.
An arts council, and a gallery, would be good for the community and good for tourism, the Strawns and others involved in this effort believe, Cooper said.
Librarian Janet Marler said the architects had revisited Marion City Library to fix outside lights and light fixtures that were falling down.
Also, a new landscaper has been hired to improve the lawn area and grounds around the library at South Third and Library streets.
Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, said his people had repaired three water leaks that day (Monday).
Commissioners on Monday passed three ordinances: to raise the mill levy for the library to eight mills and attach the ordinance to the budget; to adopt the 2003 Standard Traffic Offense code book issued by the Kansas League of Municipalities; and to adopt the 2003 Uniform Public Offense Code issued by the KLM.
Mayfield said the latter code deals with misdemeanors.
The city's June financial statement, investment and collateral report, and quarterly financial statement were approved.
The license for D&J Liquor Store, Marion, was approved for renewal.
The commission approved Mayfield's request for transfer of $68,411.67 from the capital improvement fund to the bond and interest fund for debt service.
The $68,411.67, Mayfield explained, constituted excess funds from the bond revenue for Marion Industrial Park improvements.
"We are required to apply this revenue to the debt within 18 months after the project was completed," he said, adding that the 18-month period is about to end.
The commission approved warrants totaling $13,523.54.
