Mayor asks people to spruce up the town
By Eric Clark
Staff Writer
Marion city commissioners continued discussion Monday about a new dog ordinance.
City attorney Dan Baldwin said he would like to discuss the issue of the ordinance this week with Dr. Jessica Lauren, Jim LaBelle, and police chief Michel Soyez before finalizing the written ordinance.
"The vicious dog thing is probably the most open to interpretation," Baldwin said. "If someone feels in danger there is going to be a process. The judge is going to be put on the line to decide (if the dog is considered vicious.) It's going to take some time to see how it's going to work."
An incident occurred last week that involved an officer killing an owner's dog after it charged at him. According to Dean Keyes, the officer who shot the dog, the owners have had previous problems in Hillsboro.
Commissioner Larry McLain voiced his opinion about the dog shooting and about the proposed ordinance.
"They just think they can evade things by moving to our town," said McLain in reference to the family of the destroyed animal. "They bring this stuff into our town. It's not our job to take care of their dogs.
"We've got little children and elderly people walking, we don't need these kind of problems in our town," McLain added.
The proposed ordinance would put a restriction of breeds, specifically dogs that have been known to have vicious tendencies.
"If we're all on the same page that this is a safety issue, it will stand-up to a constitutional challenge," Baldwin said.
The commission tabled the acceptance of the ordinance until Monday's meeting.
The commission also:
n under ordinance No. 1230, authorized the execution of a loan agreement between the city and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to obtain a loan from the Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund to finance improvements to the water plant required by the KDHE.
The amount of the loan is not to exceed $800,000 as per the ordinance.
n heard from David Mayfield, city superintendent, that the city has been tentatively placed on the Marion County Commission agenda for May 12 regarding the mixture of commercial, demolition, and residential waste.
n heard from Mayfield about the designation of banks the city uses during the year.
The city is currently doing business with Central National Bank and Tampa State Bank.
n approved warrants in the amount of $94,688.12.
The reason for the excessive amount according to Mayfield is that the city's insurance premium payment is in the amount of $78,961.00.
n heard from Economic Development Director Susan Cooper about the Kaw Valley Center Motorcycle Ride for Kids held Saturday in Central Park.
Cooper said the event drew more than 100 bikers. She also said she appreciated the city's work in preparation for the event.
"I think these kind of events bring people inside our city and puts us on the map," Cooper said.
n heard from Becky Makovec about the utility billing tie out.
n heard Marion Planning Commission report.
