Insurance costs increase for City of Marion
By Eric Clark
Staff Writer
The Marion City Commission dealt with a variety of issues at Monday's meeting, but a discussion regarding the sale of city property between First and Second Street became the focus of the day's events.
Economic Development Supervisor Susan Cooper told the commission that a local business owner expressed interest in purchasing a piece of land that the city owns between First and Second Street facing Water Street. The property runs along the area that is formerly a rail road bed and property that the city obtained with a quit-claim deed. The location is approximately 100 feet wide according to Cooper.
The property was originally sited for a possible nature trail or walking path.
"If this property was to be sold for development purposes, I would anticipate that this may the beginning of other properties similar to this being asked to be purchased for similar use," Cooper said. "Because it's not really development purposes-type property, it might open a can of worms for future use."
The individual who wants to build on the site, is said to believe that there is enough room for his building and easement for the utility lines Cooper said.
"It's kind of a funky piece of property because it's always been a part of the rail road," Cooper said of the angle-shaped property. "Part of the challenge is that it's not very well defined. Even though it's several lots it's a little misleading because the lots are not all useful."
One of the biggest issues pertaining to the discussion of selling lots 43, 45, and 47 was that the commission was unsure whether the city actually owns the property or whether the railroad still possessed some type of ownership rights to the property.
Mayor Eloise Mueller expressed her concern about the possibility of selling the property.
"I would really hate to see someone build there because of the nature trail," Mueller said.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot added his concerns about the matter.
"My biggest concern is that I don't think that (City Attorney) Dan (Baldwin) can sit there and tell us 100 percent that we actually, without a shadow of a doubt, own the property," Crofoot said. "It looks like it has too many negatives."
The commission decided not to take action on the issue, siting other viable options for the owner to explore and the ambiguity surrounding the ownership of the property.
The commission also:
n approved a tax abatement application for Marion Die and Fixture.
n swore in Commissioner Jim Crofoot who was re-elected.
n approved a request from Doug Sharp and Roger Hannaford for permission to burn off grass and vegetation in the Country Club Heights Addition.
A hold harmless agreement is required and the owners agreed to allow monitoring of this burning project by a city fire crew and pay a fee of $75 per hour plus $10 per fireman used for the controlled burn. Fire Chief Thad Meierhoff will give final approval on the day requested to burn.
nat the request of City Administrator David Mayfield, approved appointment of city positions that included: City Administrator David Mayfield, City Clerk Linda Holub, Assistant City Clerk/City Treasure Angela Lange, City Attorney Dan Baldwin, Chief of Police Michel Soyez, Fire Chief Thad Meierhoff, Municipal Judge Bryson Mills, and Court Clerk Linda Holub.
n recognized that the library board has two members whose terms have expired. Margaret Pickering and Jim Bridges are the two members who are stepping down from their respective positions.
The Commission approved the appointment of Dorothy Youk and Gary Ewert to fill the two vacancies.
n approved warrants in the amount of $29,286.62.
