Matching funds required for city business grants
Staff reporter
Marion City Council approved guidelines Monday for city grants to businesses.
City economic development director Jami Williams presented information to the council that was proposed by Marion Economic Development Advisory Board.
Applications for grants would require a match from the applicant — 25 percent for a $500 to $2,500 grant, and 50 percent for $2,501 to $5,000.
Grant recipients would be encouraged to use local contractors and would agree to follow the set guidelines.
In other business:
— City customers soon will be able to use credit cards to pay city bills. Currently the city accepts cash, checks, and money orders but not credit cards.
City clerk Angela Lange said there were two ways the city could provide this service — the customer could pay for it or the city could.
She said there were 50 to 100 customers each month who ask if the city accepts credit cards.
The council approved the proposal where the customer will pay a 3.49 percent users' fee.
— A budgeted transfer of $52,000 from the general fund to the bond and interest fund was approved. The funds will be used to make a bond payment for the industrial park.
— The council approved $50 for a city Relay for Life team. The council previously donated $200 to the relay.
— Councilman Stacey Collett had previously requested a provision where the council could discuss vouchers in open session instead of coming in prior to meetings to review and approve.
Lange said the council could approve an appropriations ordinance that would allow the council to sign one document instead of each voucher. This also would allow the council to review the vouchers prior to the meeting and discuss issues during the meeting.
The council approved the ordinance. Lange said the ordinance does not need to be published in the official newspaper before being implemented.
— City administrator David Mayfield reported the city has begun advertising for bids for construction at the city's water treatment plant.
— Councilman Gene Winkler asked Harvey Sanders, public utilities superintendent, if electrical pedestals in Central Park could be moved. Vendors are south of the electrical outlets and run extension cords which cause problems. Sanders said it would be more cost effective to install more rather than move the existing pedestals.
— Councilman Bill Holdeman said he was concerned about the amount of money being spent by the electrical department for materials. Sanders said transformers were ordered for businesses that have recently expanded. There also are some in storage to be used as reserves.
Holdeman also asked if the council could pre-approve expenditures. It was explained to him that all expenses within the budget do not require prior approval from the council.
He also asked about the progress and cost of the 12.5 electrical line. Mayfield said $15,000 per year has been set aside for the upgrade and will continue until the line is completed.
If a contractor were to do the work, the cost could be $200,000, said Mayfield.
— Williams reported she had been contacted by prospective businesses and provided assistance. She said the city can have access to land north of Butler Community College of Marion for a day care center.
— A 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege was called with Williams, Mayfield, Sanders, and Baldwin in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A 15-minute executive session was requested by Holdeman to discuss personnel with Mayfield in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. June 19 in the city building basement.
