Marion braces for costly new standards at water plant
Staff writer
The proposed new dog ordinance is not yet ready for action, Mayor Eloise Mueller said at Monday afternoon's Marion City Commission meeting.
It will be on the city agenda for the next commission meeting, at 4 p.m. Monday, she said.
City Attorney Dan Baldwin said the breed-specific portions of the new ordinance are "80 percent of what Hillsboro had" on its books.
Former Marion resident Jeff Harris, now of Salina, complained that no notification was given to him or any of his family about the street name changes made at a recent commission meeting.
The name changes were made in the Harris Heights Addition, developed by Harris's father, Gerry Harris, a former Marion mayor, automobile dealer, and developer.
Gerry Harris had named the streets in the addition after his children. With much of the Harris Heights area now in the city's industrial park, the city felt different names would be more appropriate for possible industrial development sites.
Gerry Harris now reportedly lives in Florida. Jeff Harris said no one asked his dad how he felt about the name changes, or notified or consulted him about them.
Jeff Harris said Monday he was "not here to beat on anybody," but said his family was "part of the town" for a long time.
He said his dad worked for the city, trying to make it better. Jeff Harris said he hoped the city would try to retain some recognition of his father and the Harris name in that area.
He suggested naming of a small park, perhaps, or hanging a plaque of recognition.
"I'm not asking anyone to wear egg," he said. "I still call Marion home."
Mayor Mueller said the city commission would discuss the matter.
The area continues to be called Harris Heights on the city plat.
City Administrator David Mayfield assured the commission that a grant for airport improvement has been received, and is ready when the city needs to proceed.
The grant period runs from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, Mayfield said. Bids will be solicited next year. The grant is approximately $90,000. It will be for creation of more parking space for planes, resurfacing of runways and other improvements.
Janet and Doug Marler represented Marion at the Kansas Sampler Festival in Independence last weekend.
The tourism report also included the following:
— SUSAN BERG said the visitors' map and guide needs to be reworked soon. The supply is running low, and the depot/new library site is not included in the current guide.
In other economic development news, she said that department has:
— Reviewed the proposed dog ordinance.
— Had a weekly staff meeting.
— Contacted prospective businesses.
— Continued work on the Marion Die & Fixture tax abatement and expansion plans.
— Attended a Chingawassa Days committee meeting.
— Continued work on an assisted-living facility.
— Met with a group interested in a community business venture.
— Contacted local businesses.
— Helped a local business to relocate.
— Picked up new signs for the business park and industrial park.
Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, reported on cleanup week, last week, and said some of the cleanup work is still ongoing this week.
His department also has worked on the swimming pool; a meter blew up when struck by lightning; and "we've just been busy," he said.
Police Chief Michel Soyez said he had just received a letter from the federal Department of Justice. It invites law enforcement agencies to apply for grants under the Homeland Security Overtime Program.
The program, just begun, will provide $60 million for U.S. police agencies, Soyez said.
Marion is in the smallest population base, and there would be a maximum of $25,000 available for an overtime grant for the MPD.
It would be a 25-percent match, with the federal government paying 75 percent of the costs.
Soyez said he will apply for one of the grants, but there will be lots of competition for them.
Some of the things it would cover include training, or new activities aimed at handling terrorism, new community policing programs, and other matters.
Mayor Mueller announced that Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburg will be in Marion at 2:30 p.m. Friday, promoting his Kids Voting Kansas program.
Thornburg will be at the courthouse, and all business people are invited to come and hear his presentation.
The K-12 program, which Thornburg has touted for many years, is designed to eliminate voter apathy and make sure, if possible, that people vote when they become of age.
In other matters, the commission:
— Approved the April utility billing monthly tie-out.
— Approved warrants for $34,936.41 and payroll in the amount of $23,678.54.
The commission will meet again at 4 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
