Landlords may not be responsible for tenants' bills
Marion City Commission was told during a meeting July 6 it will need to review and revise the city's current policy regarding the billing of unpaid utilities to landlords.
Senate bill 328, which went into effect July 1, will require cities to reevaluate policies regarding landlords being responsible for tenants' utility bills.
Currently, the city notifies landlords when tenants are past due on their city bills and holds the landlord responsible for paying any bills that are due before the service can be reconnected in the next tenant's name.
The new Senate bill states cities cannot hold landlords responsible for tenants' sewer and water bills. However, the city can maintain the policy for electricity.
Dan Baldwin, city attorney, presented the information and suggested Gary Carlson, the city's liaison with local landlords, be informed of the changes.
Baldwin said the Kansas League of Municipalities suggests utilities be the responsibility of the tenant, not the landlord.
"When we did this (made the policy), we were trying to find a way to make it fair for everyone," Crofoot said.
The commission tabled action until a future date.
Police chief Michel Soyez reported concerns his department had regarding the sale and discharge of fireworks within the city limits.
Several complaints were filed, reported Soyez, regarding fireworks being discharged after 11 p.m., the time the ordinance allowed, discharged toward vehicles on public streets, and aerial fireworks.
Soyez suggested restricting aerial displays or restricting displays to a designated area. He also noted a local fireworks stand was selling items that were not allowed, such as Roman candles.
"This year was wet," commented Soyez. "But what about other years when it's dry?"
Soyez and Baldwin will review the ordinance and make recommended changes to the commission.
In other business, the commission approved a contract with Professional Engineering Consultants of Wichita, not to exceed $25,000, to provide a water plant feasibility study per a Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant.
The study will provide information regarding the feasibility of one plant providing water service to Marion and Hillsboro.
Hillsboro and Marion cities will share 50 percent of the costs and the grant will cover the other 50 percent.
Bids were approved for improvements in the 100 block of Washington Street. APAC was awarded the bid for four inches of hot mix asphalt for a total of $11,580.
Hett Construction was awarded the bid for curb and guttering in the amount of $16,334, bringing the total cost of the project to $27,914.
Work is expected to being within the next four weeks. Residents will pay for the improvements through a special assessment on their properties.
The commission approved warrants in the amount of $21,214.
Public utility superintendent Harvey Sanders reported some city residents were without electricity early Tuesday morning due to the severe thunderstorm.
Most of the outages were temporary with one outage lasting two hours. City crews went out at 2:30 a.m., Sanders said, to repair lines and replace a broken power pole at Garfield and Cleveland streets.
Sanders also reported the streets have been sprayed for weeds, including Marion Business Park and airport. All sidewalks on Main Street and one block off Main Street also were sprayed.
The airport project will be completed with the installation of taxiway lights and a final inspection. Crews are working at the baseball complex to prepare for the state tournaments later in July.
Haywood to meet
with veterans in July
Richard Haywood, Veterans' Service Representative for the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs will be at the health department from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Prior to the meeting, call the Emporia office at 620-342-3347 so that all files will be available.
