Coffee alfresco comes to downtown Marion
No street parking allowed in 200 block of Santa Fe
Staff reporter
A downtown Marion business will be able to serve customers on city sidewalks.
Marion City Commission approved a 30-day trial period for The Daily Grind to place 24-inch round tables and chairs along the sidewalks next to their building.
Kim Thompson and Annette Nienstedt asked the commission to consider their request after being denied permission from city officials due to a city ordinance restricting the use of city sidewalks.
A city ordinance requires businesses to obtain permission from the commission for use of city sidewalks.
Thompson said there should be ample space for pedestrians with the small tables and chairs next to the building. She also wanted to encourage teenagers to congregate at her business instead of in the street and other less desirable locations.
The women also asked permission to place a bike rack near the building and an awning on the front of the building.
Police chief Michel Soyez suggested the bike rack be located along Second Street sidewalk instead of Main Street. Thompson said that was her intention.
David Mayfield, city administrator, said there wasn't a problem with an awning.
Following the 30-day period, the commission will assess the request for further consideration. Thompson said the tables only would be outside as long as weather permits.
Parking on Santa Fe
Soyez reported parking along the street on the south side of the 200 block of East Santa Fe Street will no longer be allowed.
Complaints had been received by the police department when vehicles are parked along Santa Fe and in front of the city building.
"The fire department sometimes uses Santa Fe as an alternate route," Soyez said, adding the street needed to be more accessible.
A city parking lot, located west of the Elgin House Apartments was available, Soyez said, for city employees and apartment tenants.
Mayfield suggested restricted parking signs be erected on the north side of Santa Fe in front of the city building.
He noted when an event was taking place in the city building during business hours, there wasn't any parking available for city customers.
Four stalls will be designated as 15-minute parking zones.
In other business:
— Harvey Sanders, public utilities director, reported the owner of property at 1018 E. Denver Street scheduled for a condemnation hearing Oct. 4 has made contact with the city.
The owner has removed trees and painted part of the house.
— Sanders reported the repair of a water leak on Jefferson Street, street lights installed on South Roosevelt, and blacktop hauled for repairs to Eisenhower Drive.
— Warrants in the amount of $104,357 were approved. Westar payment for city electricity was in the amount of $86,801.
— The August financial statement, investment, and collateral report was approved.
— Discussion and review of an ordinance regarding utility billing of landlords for tenant property was put on hold until Monday.
The commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
