Survey will make a difference in water grant
Residents who complete a survey mailed next week should see an easier impact in their pocketbooks, City of Marion officials said Monday at the weekly commission meeting.
State officials will use the survey to determine the number of residents who meet federal guidelines of "low to moderate income."
If the majority of city residents fall within those guidelines, the city has an excellent chance of receiving a grant to pay a large portion of its water plant improvements.
Without grants, water users bear the entire cost.
"The more grant money we qualify for, the less the rate increase will be," said Dennis Nichols, city administrator. "It's to their benefit to complete the survey honestly and return it promptly."
The water plant improvement project will cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Community Development Block Grants can total $400,000.
Other grants and low-interest loans also could lessen the impact. The survey results will help in those areas, too.
Susan Cooper, city economic development director, said the latest census showed a low-to-moderate-income level of about 46 percent.
"We're almost there," she said.
Income levels vary based on family size. The income limit is $24,750 for one person.
Only wages and Social Security are considered as income, officials said. Investments, leases, and other forms of income aren't counted.
Surveys use an identification number instead of a name, and no city employee will see it. Officials with South Central Kansas Economic Development District will tabulate the responses.
They are due Sept. 20.
SCKEDD will notify the city about which residents didn't respond. They will be contacted in person, Cooper said.
The surveys will be mailed Aug. 28 with city bills. Only residential customers in the city and permanent residents at Marion County Lake will receive the forms.
A self-addressed stamped envelope will be included for return.
This led to a good question from treasurer Linda Holub: What if people stick their city bill and payment in the return envelope?
"It's going somewhere else to be opened," she said. The city will hold onto the envelopes until SCKEDD officials collected them.
Cooper admitted that issue hadn't been considered. The final decision was that she would try to determine envelopes that had checks inside. She would open these, remove the checks, and re-seal the envelope.
"I don't want to open every one of them," she said.
Tree trimming
Tree trimming has taken on added urgency after an incident Saturday, reported Harvey Sanders.
Limbs in the lines caused a live wire to burn out and fall in Central Park, near the flowerbeds.
"If it had been Art in the Park or Old Settlers' Day, somebody would have been killed," Sanders said.
Consequently, his crews are focusing on tree trimming throughout town, until they catch up, he said.
Recreation
Recreation commission member Jeff Cady reported on summer activities. Swim team and baseball and softball teams were at record-high numbers of participants. Improvements continue to be made at the ball fields.
"You did a good job," said Commissioner Larry McLain. "There were a lot of comments on the ball field and the swim team."
Marion-Florence REC director Margo Yates said winter activities usually start in October.
"September's so busy we don't try to fight it," she said.
In other reports:
Marion VFW Auxiliary will donate a flag and flagpole to the city library, librarian Janet Marler reported.
Final architect's inspection of the new library is Aug. 28. "Everything is in good order except the landscaping, and we are looking at ways to deal with that," Nichols said.
Kermit Dirksen resigned as building inspector due to health reasons. "He's done a wonderful job and we hate to see him go," Nichols said. Cooper, Marty Fredrickson, and Sanders will work together to fill the duties.
Fire hydrants are being changed, Fredrickson reported. Two have been installed at Fourth and Willards and at Freeborn and Welch and six more are planned.
Commissioners appointed Bonnie Vinduska to the parks board.
A memo was presented stating that the transfer station meets zoning requirements. It was presented in open session at the request of the county, which plans to buy the station. "The zoning question was answered a long time ago, but they wanted it in the minutes," said Dan Baldwin, city attorney.
Checks totaling $18,028 were approved to pay bills.
The July financial statement is reviewed. Expenses are slightly ahead of budget, but it is expected to level off with the end of swimming pool and recreation operations. "The city's operating expenses compared to budget is satisfactory," Nichols said.
The city did not receive a grant for a new fire truck. About 19,600 cities applied, far more than could be served by the grant, Cooper said.
Commissioners entered a 15-minute executive session for preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property. Included in the session were Baldwin, Cooper, Nichols, and Fredrickson. No action was taken upon return to open session.
