Fund-raising begins for new playground equipment
Staff reporter
A group of volunteers received permission Monday from Marion City Council to begin fund-raising efforts and replace playground equipment at Central Park.
Becky Makovec, a city employee and a volunteer, said the group had checked into the cost purchasing new equipment and disposing of the old.
The group's goal is to raise $75,000 for the equipment. Makovec showed a picture of a piece of equipment that may be considered and said that particular piece was $40,000 plus installation and ground covering.
"I want to see the entire community participate in this project," she said.
City clerk Angela Lange and a volunteer for the cause said she had done some research. She contacted the City of Hoxie which is similar in size to Marion. That community raised $80,000 with the city giving them a matching portion.
"We're not asking for any money from the city," Makovec said. "We want to try to raise this on our own."
Councilman Jerry Kline made the motion to allow the group to proceed with Stacey Collett seconding; the motion carried 4-0. Councilman Bill Holdeman was on vacation and absent from the meeting.
Makovec said if the equipment was ordered by the end of November, the group could save $14,000, but she wasn't sure if that would be sufficient time to raise the necessary funds.
In other business:
— The three councilman and mayor had a split vote of 2-2 when deciding whether to install two, four-inch thick concrete sidewalks and steps at Liberty Park, downtown Marion. The design and estimate for the work from Hett Construction of Marion was $6,015. The proposal included the removal of a brick sidewalk and it being replaced with concrete.
Mayor Mary Olson said she hadn't considered concrete being used for the sidewalk and thought the project would be less expensive.
She also would like to have volunteers do some of the work, if possible.
Olson asked the matter be tabled until the next meeting.
Discussion was heard that a brick sidewalk was more slick than concrete when wet or icy and was easier to maintain.
Collett made a motion to accept the proposal, Winkler seconded. The motion failed, 2-2 with Kline and Olson voting against.
Olson then asked for a motion to table the decision until the next meeting. Kline made the motion, Kline seconded; the motion carried 4-0.
— Lange asked the council to consider shortening the open office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lange said office personnel needed more time in the morning to prepare for customers and being open at 8 a.m. did not allow that.
The council approved the change on a trial basis. City office personnel will continue to work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. days.
— The council approved a payment of $14,800 to Hett Construction of Marion for a building that will be constructed and leased to Cardie Oil Company at the Marion industrial park. Ralph Kreutziger of Hett Construction said the building will be delivered Oct. 5.
— The city administrator was re-appointed as the voting delegate at the annual League of Kansas Municipalities conference.
— Through the consent agenda the council approved a liquor license for Superior Wine & Liquor, a plumbing license for William E. Valentine of Commercial Mechanical Inc. of Wichita, and the final payment of $26,780 to Flaming Metal Systems for completion of the city's spec building at the industrial park.
— The council held a 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege with city attorney Dan Baldwin in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the city building.
