Marion signs agreement with Hillsboro
Staff reporter
Marion City Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement Monday with the City of Hillsboro.
The agreement will enable the cities to apply for a grant to conduct a feasibility study for a public wholesale water district.
Commissioner Larry McLain asked if the engineer hired to conduct the study would be independent from the two cities. David Mayfield, city administrator, assured McLain there is a list of engineers that both cities could review that would be independent.
The City of Hillsboro approved the agreement at its council meeting Feb. 17.
Representatives of Tri-County Telephone told the commission upgrades have been completed for better Internet service.
"We think we've got all of the bugs out of it," said Phil Brockmeier, TCT representative. Being one of the additional Internet service providers in the city, problems existed with interference from the other carriers.
"We were being overrun by the existing carrier," said Scott Bank, marketing manager with TCT. "We've completely reconfigured the system and are working on a different frequency (from the other carrier and the wireless network at the schools)."
Mayfield, Michel Soyez, police chief, and Janet Marler, librarian, said their Internet services had improved. The initial problems experienced by city personnel seemed to be corrected.
According to the representatives, a toll free number for technical support is available for TCT customers.
In other business:
— The general contractor for the assisted living project has moved in the office trailer at the Eisenhower site. The process should continue to progress as planned, said city officials.
— Commission approved a proclamation for National FFA (Future Farmers of America) week. FFA members Becky Tharp, Sarah Regier, and Molly Holub made the presentation with Mark Meyer, the organization's adviser.
— Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, submitted a written report to the commission.
— Marler submitted a written report to the commission.
— Applications are being accepted for the position of water plant operator. Mayfield said he was looking for an applicant with operator certification. He plans to complete the hiring process in the coming weeks.
— Warrants in the amount of $20,358 and payroll in the amount of $21,178 were approved.
Commission also approved the January financial statement, and investment and collateral report.
The commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday at the city building.
