Marion will upgrade water plant
Marion City Commission said Monday it would proceed with plans to upgrade the city water plant.
Merle Brunner and Ralph Richmond asked commissioners to reconsider and buy treated water from the city of Hillsboro.
Richmond said he had been assured by Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke that the city could handle Marion's needs.
Mayor Eloise Mueller said she had met over the summer with Dalke and Steve Garrett, Hillsboro city manager, to discuss the issue. She read from a memo Garrett sent later, in which he offered to work with the city of Marion to develop cost estimates for the project.
When the issue was studied in more detail by former Marion administrator Dennis Nichols and the city's engineering consultants, it was determined the best option was for Marion to continue with its plans to upgrade its current plant. The upgrade will cost about $710,000.
According to the memo, Hillsboro estimated its planned upgrade costs at $2 million, with the cost to extend a 12-inch line to Marion (from a connecting line the Hillsboro uses to serve Peabody) at $700,000 to $800,000.
David Mayfield, interim city administrator, said city officials visited with Hillsboro officials Friday.
"They can't supply us at this time," he said. While Hillsboro's upgraded plant might be able to meet Marion's needs, it isn't clear that it would be ready by 2004. That year, more stringent water quality standards go into effect for smaller communities, he said.
"If Hillsboro can't guarantee they could provide water to us, what would we do?" Commissioner Larry McLain asked.
Richmond, an official with Rural Water District No. 5, said he would visit with Hillsboro officials to clarify the issue. The water district has a contract to get water from Hillsboro.
MHS, city OSD work
City crews spent most of the past week preparing for Old Settlers' Day.
They received valuable assistance from Marion High School students, who spent much of Thursday pulling weeds and sprucing up the community.
"They asked what they could do to help us get ready for Old Settlers' Day," Harvey Sanders said. "They did a good job."
In a related matter, interim police chief Michel Soyez said the city used several off-duty officers from other departments to assist with traffic control during the Old Settlers' Day parade.
"Even then, a car somehow pulled onto the parade route," he said. "We don't know where it came from."
The car, its embarrassed occupants hiding their faces, entered the route near the end of the parade.
Soyez said officers take security jobs on their days off. For example, Marion officers assist at Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, and are paid by the fair.
"If we're short-handed officers won't go, but they are working on their days off," he said.
Accessory buildings
Commissioners approved revisions to an ordinance governing accessory buildings in residential areas.
The revisions allow metal carports that meet engineering specifications for wind and snow loads and are properly installed according to the city building code.
It was noted that building permits are required for any construction in Marion that exceeds 200 square feet. Permits are $5 and are available at the city building.
Susan Cooper, planning director, said accessory buildings in residential areas aren't to be used for business operations or storage of business equipment.
In other reports:
Commissioners approved an ordinance establishing disconnection and reconnection of delinquent utility accounts.
Commissioners approved $4,750 for drainage work at Ann's Park.
Marty Fredrickson was appointed city building inspector.
