Marion Industrial Park could be site of jail project
Marion City Council is considering options regarding providing land to Marion County for a new jail facility.
Marion County Commission Chairman Dan Holub asked the council Monday to consider negotiations of 5.5 acres at the city's industrial park.
City administrator David Mayfield said he did not want the developed portion of the industrial park to be used for the jail facility but was open to using the undeveloped area along Kellison and Roosevelt streets.
Holub said the acreage was needed for the facility, even if the original plan of a judicial center within the jail structure is not constructed. Sufficient area around the site would be needed for future expansion, Holub said.
The county is considering the construction of a building for a new jail, sheriff's office, court room, judicial offices, and communications. Future security issues would have to be addressed if the judicial offices were to remain at the courthouse, Holub said.
Councilman Bill Holdeman asked if Marion Police Department also could be housed within the facility. Holub responded that anything was possible.
City economic development director Jami Williams suggested if the city donates $70,000-$100,000 worth of land to the county for the project, maybe the county could pay for the infrastructure.
"I think this is the best situation we've had in a long time," councilman Jerry Kline said.
Mayfield asked if the county would be willing to provide office space to the police department in trade for land. Holub said it might.
Councilman Stacey Collett asked if the land was donated or purchased by the city. The response was the land was purchased.
"Is it right to give away land paid by taxpayers?" Collett asked.
Holdeman said it was a plus all the way around. Councilman Gene Winkler said it would it be a great location for the facility.
Holub assured the council there wouldn't be barbed wire around the building and it wouldn't look like a jail.
Mayor Martin Tice said it appeared the council was in favor of negotiating with the county.
In other law enforcement news, Holdeman said he has had "a lot" of people ask him why the police chief is not located at the police department. With that being said, Holdeman made a motion to move the chief from the city building to the police department.
Winkler asked where the chief's office would be located within the building. Holdeman responded there could be some "reconfiguring" to make it work.
Marion Police Chief Michel Soyez said the evidence room originally was 190 square feet but now was 130 square feet.
Collett asked if the evidence room had to be within the same building as the police department. Soyez said he wasn't sure. Collett asked if city-owned hangar space at Marion Municipal Airport could be used. Concerns were expressed regarding security issues.
Tice asked Holdeman who "these concerned people" were. Holdeman responded they were "just people" and did not want to divulge names.
"People want somebody at the station," Holdeman said.
Soyez said it would increase the possibility of somebody being at the station but with his office there, it was no guarantee there would always be an officer available.
"Right now, we have one office, one squad room, an interview room, and an evidence room," Soyez said.
He said the building could be expanded to the east.
Kline asked if a loft could be constructed for evidence. Soyez said he wasn't sure and questioned accessibility.
Soyez continued that the building could be expanded 40 feet to the east that would still allow parking access for Jerry Cady Agency employees.
The 720-square foot addition could be used as an evidence room and would not require finishing work which would save money. The evidence room then could be converted to an office.
Collett asked if the Kan-STEP grant program could be used. Soyez said he didn't know.
Collett added that the fire department also was short on space.
Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier agreed.
"We've had to pull out a fire truck to have our meetings," Regnier said.
Soyez said with the addition, the fire department could have an additional bay for a vehicle and an expanded meeting room.
Winkler said the council needed to wait to make any decisions until the jail project is determined.
Following the discussion, Holdeman withdrew the motion.
