City of Marion considers future street improvements
List of proposed streets reviewed
Staff reporter
A bond to pay for street improvements is being considered by Marion City Commission.
David Mayfield, city administrator, proposed a list of streets for repair, overlay, curbs, and/or gutters.
Streets on the list were:
— Eisenhower from U.S.-256 to Kellison; curb, gutter, storm drains, replace street.
— Streets around the courthouse; remove brick, replace streets.
— North Cedar from Main to Sherman; replace curb, gutter, remove brick, replace street.
— South Cedar from Main to Welch; remove brick, replace street.
— 700 block of Nickerson; install curb, gutter, replace street.
— Walnut from Washington to city limits; remove brick, replace street.
— Weldon from Cedar to Thorp; replace street.
— Thorp from Main to Weldon; replace curb, gutter, and street.
— South Third from Main to city limits; replace street.
— 100 block of Locust; remove brick, replace street.
— Maple from Cedar to dead-end; install curb, gutter, replace street.
— Tanglewood and Nickerson; replace street.
— Hudson from Cedar to Elm; replace street.
— Billings; replace street.
— 1400 and 1500 blocks of Lawrence; replace street.
— Locust from Sherman to Hudson; replace street.
— Highland from Cedar to Freeborn; install curb, gutter, replace street.
— Elm from Sherman to Hudson; replace street.
— Jex Addition; overlay.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot asked if there would be any merit in using bricks still on some streets and putting overlay materials on top. Marty Fredrickson, street superintendent, said the city has had "pretty good luck" putting overlay on bricks.
Mayfield also reported the city had two petitions for street improvements at Country Club Heights and in the 700 block of Nickerson Street.
Mayor Martin Tice instructed Mayfield to provide cost estimates to the commission for the project. Crofoot also requested a colored map that located proposed improvements.
Mayfield also was instructed to contact Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub regarding the county's plans to overlay South Third Street.
Mayfield said he had contacted county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet regarding the project but Herzet said he wasn't sure if the county was going to do the project.
In other business:
— The commission approved a renewal of health insurance for city employees with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The premium is a 2.2 percent increase from last year. Mayfield said 30 percent had been budgeted.
Prior to the decision, Tim Oglesby, the insurance company representative, commented that he was concerned about the commission considering a second bid from another insurance carrier after his bid had been revealed. He reported his agency was standing by the original bid.
— City officials will seek additional bids for a new street sweeper. Fredrickson reported the city's 16-year-old sweeper was in need of repair to a drive train and parts were difficult to locate. If parts could be found, repairs could cost $7,000.
— An addendum was approved to the city's water sales contract with Marion County Improvement District #2 that supplies water to Marion County Park & Lake. The contract was expanded from 20 years to 40.
The change was a requirement for the city's application for grant and loan funds for improvements at the city's water treatment plant. The contract needed to be the same length of time as the loan.
The original contract with the improvement district was signed in 1993 and had provisions for an annual review to increase rates as the city's costs increased.
— Justin Youk of Marion was awarded the bid for mowing the city's airport grounds. Youk's bid of $565 per mowing for three years was lower than a second bid from GB&K Mowing Service that had a bid of $570 for the first year, and $600 for the second and third years.
— Economic development director Jami Williams reported she had received 79 responses to the city's day-care feasibility study, was working with someone from Wichita who was interested in the city's housing incentives, and could receive assistance with some economic development training expenses from Marion County Economic Development Council if she doesn't receive a grant from KEDA (Kansas Economic Development Association).
— The commission approved employee merit raises and appointed Mayfield as the person responsible for the city's budget per the city auditors request. Mayfield also reported the city "came out in good shape" with the audit.
— A transfer of $100,000 was approved from the electric utility fund to capital improvement fund for future curb and gutter repairs. Also approved were weekly warrants and bi-monthly payroll.
— A 15-minute executive session was requested by Mayfield for attorney-client privilege. Williams and city attorney Dan Baldwin were attendance.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
A 15-minute executive session also was requested by Mayfield to discuss personnel.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
