Details are ironed out for board expansion
Staff reporter
Marion City Commission continues to look at expansion of the city's governing board from a three-member commission to a five-member council.
During Monday's meeting, the commission reviewed and considered various options related to implementing and maintaining changes to the city board.
By consensus, city attorney Dan Baldwin was instructed to develop options for next week's meeting that included a voting mayor, and election qualifications.
Instead of dividing the city by wards, all council members will be at-large.
The first election will establish the council with the top two vote-getters being elected to four-year terms. The next two electors will serve two-year terms.
Mayor Martin Tice will remain in office for a specified amount of time to provide continuity and leadership during the transition period.
It was determined at previous meetings that the commission could adopt the change through a charter ordinance. Residents have an opportunity to protest the change after the charter ordinance is approved.
In other business:
— An ordinance to approve tax abatements for Mid-America Marble of Marion will be considered at the next commission meeting. The manufacturer/retail business qualified for economic development incentives by expanding the business and adding employees.
Other county taxing entities had the opportunity to provide comments to the commission but none were presented.
— Marty Fredrickson, city building inspector, reported progress was being made at a dilapidated house located at 201 N. Freeborn, Marion.
Owners of the property were given a time extension to complete required improvements for the property to become code compliant and avoid demolition. Fredrickson said he met with the owners prior to the meeting and inspected the property. A furnace was being installed and other violations were corrected except for a pressure test of a gas line.
Fredrickson said he was satisfied with the work that had been completed. He said the owners also planned to paint the house, repair a garage, and make other improvements to the property.
Tice instructed Fredrickson to provide a report at the next meeting regarding the remaining items not in compliance.
— A proclamation from Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was read by Tice that recognized Oct. 14-16 as "Helping People with Intellectual Disabilities Days." Knights of Columbus organizations will accept donations for Tootsie Roll candies to raise funds for the cause.
— The September utility billing was approved.
— Warrants for $114,878 were approved with $85,332 paid to Westar Energy.
— Harvey Sanders, public utilities superintendent, reported city crews had trimmed evergreen trees at the cemetery, filled holes on streets caused by sewer and water line repairs, and repaired the city's tornado siren.
— Discussion of county zoning regulations was tabled.
— David Mayfield, city administrator, reported he and Baldwin had been approved to attend a critical incident management course Dec. 11-15, in Alabama that is related to terrorist attacks. There will be no cost incurred by the city for the officials to attend.
The next commission meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
