County gives tentative support to Eisenhower Street project
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Marion city officials Susan Cooper, Dennis Nichols, and Marty Fredrickson appeared before county commissioners Monday to request the county's support for rebuilding and widening Eisenhower Street. Road and bridge superintendent Gerald Kelsey also was present during the discussion.
The city is applying for a KDOT cost-share grant to fund a large part of the project. The south half of the mile-long street is in city limits; the north half is county road. It is a connecting link between U.S.-56 and K-256.
The grant request is for $825,000. The county's share would be $83,907. The city's share would be $191,021, including curb and guttering and storm drains.
Nichols pointed out that the grant request is likely to be higher than the actual cost. If so, the city and county dollars expended also would be less.
Commissioner Leroy Wetta suggested that it would be much more cost effective to maintain the road in serviceable shape. He said the road could be chipped and sealed every year for five to six thousand dollars.
City officials pointed out that the current 22-foot roadway is quite narrow, especially when two large vehicles pass each other. Fredrickson noted that the edges of the roadway deteriorate and fall off.
The new street would be 30 feet wide.
Commissioners were hesitant to commit to the long-range project which wouldn't begin until 2005.
"This project will take a big bite out the road and bridge budget," Howard Collett noted.
Nichols replied that, if the grant is received, the county wouldn't have to accept it if commissioners felt the money would not be available. He also suggested that, since the work wouldn't begin until July 2005, there would be time to build up funds for that purpose.
Commissioners voted 2-1, with Weltha opposed, to submit a letter of support with the grant application.
Notice of acceptance or rejection will be received sometime this year, Cooper said.
Don Crumrine and Frances Smalley, representing Marion County Improvement District #2, informed commissioners that they are raising water and sewer rates.
The county's bill will go from $650 for 65,000 gallons of water to $850 for 85,000 gallons of water. Residents will pay $20 per month for 1,000 gallons. For every 1,000 gallons over the limit, the rate will increase from $1.98 to $3.25. Sewer rates will be raised from $14 to $16. The increases will show up on October billings.
Smalley pointed out that water rates haven't increased since August 1995, and sewer rates were last raised three years ago. She said the increases are necessary to cover pump repair and replacement costs.
County lake superintendent Dale Snelling noted that the increased costs will be passed on to campers at the lake.
According to a report by Bill Smithhart, the Marion County Household Hazardous Waste mobile collection unit received 151 pounds of waste July 20 during Goessel's cleanup day. Collected were 41 aerosol cans, seven gallons of latex paint, two gallons of flammable liquids, 15 pounds of flammable solids, one auto battery, four pounds of household batteries, 26 gallons of used oil, 20 gallons of used antifreeze, 14 pounds of pesticides, and one pound of corrosive liquid.
Smithhart said Marion County HHW collected about 1,000 pounds less hazardous waste during the past year compared to the previous year.
Commissioners accepted a bid for $11,448.51 from APAC, Wichita, to blacktop the parking lot south of the courthouse, including striping. One other bid was received, from Holland, for $15,876.
Commissioners unanimously supported purchase of $3,500 worth of fireworks for the Labor Day display at the county lake, which will be held if weather permits.
Collett asked Steve Garrett if he could show a cost benefit from the event. Garrett said he would try to determine that and give commissioners a report.
Commissioners met in executive session with Gerald Kelsey for 10 minutes to discuss personnel.
Brad Bartel was approved for re-appointment to the Northview Developmental Services board for a three-year period.
A request for medical leave for an unnamed county employee was granted.
Clerk Carol Maggard reported a cash balance as of June 28 of $9,175,235.09. She is submitting unchanged budget requests for county commissioners and elections. She is requesting $1,000 less for the clerk's budget.
