Water crisis cost $28,000 years ago
The City of Marion's total cost of the water crisis that began June 6 was $28,022.27, City Administrator David Mayfield told city commissioners Monday afternoon.
The city will seek a Community Development Block Urgent Need Grant that would reimburse it for $22,326.62 of these costs.
A public hearing on the grant application has been set at 4:15 p.m. Monday. The city's share under the application would be $5,695.65.
Susan Cooper, the city's economic development director, said the Kansas Interagency Council will conduct hearings about the grants until Oct. 4.
"We're on the list," she said.
Stop-sign poles donated
Mayfield said Kansas Department of Transportation representive had called him and also Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, asking the city for two utility poles to use in creating a new four-way stop at the intersection of U.S. 50 and U.S. 77 in Florence.
Mayfield said he volunteered to give the poles to KDOT, since the state agency was helpful during the water crisis. KDOT's auger truck also broke down Monday, Mayfield said, "so we went down and drilled the holes for them."
Commissioner Larry McLain, presiding in the absence of Mayor Eloise Mueller, said KDOT had been cooperative.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot said that although some people doubted it, KDOT really did have plans to put in the four-way stopbefore a July 24 tragedy in which two teen-age girls were killed at the intersection.
Street improved
Sanders reported that a new culvert had been installed on Country Club Heights Drive. Next up will be curb, gutters and blacktop.
Cooper further reported that a cost-benefit assessment of proposed tax abatements for an assisted-living facility to be built here would have to be conducted. City personnel can make the assessment, which does not have to be made public.
Crofoot said a moratorium announced several weeks ago by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on sales-tax collection at point of delivery of goods may not be worth much. The moratorium means no penalties will be assessed against merchants who do not collect the tax at point of delivery, but the state will start monitoring compliance with the law when the six months are ended.
Margo Yates, director of recreation, said the baseball/softball season is winding down and has gone very well. Marion hosted girls' 10-and-under and 12-and-under softball tourneys.
A new batting cage structure is up at the complex. The swim team had a good season, and "we hosted two home meets," Yates said.
The children's summer theater program did well, and made some money, she said.
Terry Edwards, baseball coordinator, did a great job with the baseball program, Yates said. "The program toed the line," she added.
Plans are being finalized for a winter basketball program for boys and girls in the third through sixth grades.
Commissioners approved a tranfer of $10,000 from the general fund to the bond and interest fund; a transfer of $22,000 from the electric utility fund to the bond and interests fund; and a transfer of $9,029 from the sewer utility to bond and interest fund, all for debt service.
Commissioners approved $104,550 in warrants for payment.
