Library ready for open house
"The books have been moved and everything is going well," librarian Janet Marler told Marion City Commission members Monday.
She made her quarterly report during the weekly meeting of the commission.
It will be a busy week for the library staff and board.
Sunday will be opening day of the newly renovated library.
The public is invited to attend, at 101 Library Street, from 7 to 9 p.m.
A dinner will precede the opening from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for major donors and other invited guests. More than 300 reservations have been made for the dinner.
KDOT officials will be present. The grant which renovated the former depot into a library came through KDOT.
Also, dignitaries from the state library board will be present. "It's good for the town, and good for the library," commented Librarian Marler.
Commissioner Larry McLain said he highly commends Marler and library board members for their good work. Mayor Eloise Mueller and Commissioner Jim Crofoot agreed.
Marion City Library has new hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Mayor Eloise Mueller, questioned by a member of the press after the 4:30 adjournment, said there had been some misunderstanding on the story in last week's newspaper about city funds.
Mueller said "the city doesn't want to take over," she said the library board, for example, would have just as much freedom as now. "The city would approve vouchers," she said.
Mueller said no decision had been made, and it was not voted on. "But I see no reason why we need so many bank accounts." She said all the bookkeeping could be done by the city clerk's office, saving the city and various boards the cost of maintaining separate accounts and separate bookkeeping. "It would save the boards the expense of paying for separate bookkeeping, the city could provide that service through the city treasurer."
"We could save that expense," Mueller said, "but so far we haven't done anything. Nothing has changed."
Susan Cooper made a report on economic development. The assisted living project needs only one more investor, she said. "We expect an announcement soon."
She will meet with school district, hospital board, and county commission in regard to the revitalization plan and make a report next week.
Street Superintendent Marty Fredrickson said the crew continues to work on routine projects. The 200 block of South Coble has been "ripped up" and will re-surfaced this week by Apex Construction.
A few minor problems have been noted with the lift station in Batt Industrial Park. They are under warranty, he said.
Utility Superintendent Harvey Sanders said the electrical crew is working on the 12.5 heavy duty line. Transformers were scheduled to be shifting on Tuesday.
Sanders said the capacity of the city water plant is one million gallons daily, "Today we used 600,000 and still have tonight" he told the commission Monday.
"We can't gain on it," Sanders said. The city has been selling more water than can be treated. He will put on two more crews of two men each, which will "rob the other crews" such as the street and electrical departments
"It takes three shifts on weekends, jut to keep up" Sanders noted. "It slows down the work in our other departments."
The commission was told that funds may be available for a "Geometric Improvement Grant" for Eisenhower Drive.
KDOT has the potential of approving such a grant which would "enhance significantly the income, employment, sales receipts, and land values" of the area.
The program requires 25 percent local funding for the grant.
The commission approved of making application, up to Kellison Street, and hopes the county will participate north of Kellison.
The city also approved "up to $5,000" for up front engineering costs.
Some of the area would include curb and guttering, and some sidewalks, city administrator Dennis Nichols said.
If approved, the grant would be for fiscal year 2006 (July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006).
The application due date is Aug. 1 of this year.
Nichols said sufficient funds are available now to pay for up front engineering in the application.
Police Chief David Mayfield gave his report, covered in another article in this issue of the newspaper.
Warrants in the amount of $172,845.54 were approved as presented by treasurer Linda Holub.
The meeting started at 4 p.m. and was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
