Marion to interview development applicant
Staff writer
Delaying publication of Marion’s proposed budget was not the only topic discussed at Monday night’s city council meeting.
It also discussed hiring an economic development director.
Developer search
City administrator Brian Wells asked council members whether they were OK with him advertising to fill the developer position, which has been vacant since the resignation three years ago of Randy Collett.
“I was directed to fill the open economic development position,” Wells said,
“but I wanted to make sure I had council approval.”
Application deadline is today. Only one candidate has applied, Wells said.
“The decision to advertise that position was mine,” Mayor Mike Powers told the council. “Under city code and city policy, I have superintending authority over the city, so I just told Brian to go ahead and publish that.”
Council members discussed forming a committee to interview applicants and make a recommendation.
Powers and council member Tim Baxa volunteered. The committee also will include Wells and representatives from Marion Economic Development Inc. and Marion Merchants.
Project grants
In other business, the council heard that the state had approved a grant paying for 90% of a fueling system at Marion Municipal Airport. The city’s share could be around $15,000, plus or minus $1,000.
The council endorsed a bid by librarian Janet Marler to apply for a grant to repair 23-year-old rotting windows at Marion City Library. The city already has paid for temporary repairs.
“The library is one of our neater community features,” Powers said.
Wells told council members that the city had squeaked by in its attempt, costing at least $7,500, to disprove Census Bureau data that it failed to qualify as having a majority of its residents with low and moderate incomes.
This will allow Wells to begin seeking a grant for park improvements. They are likely to include a splash pad for kids, which Powers has identified as a priority.
An informal group led by NF Construction owner Cody Nelson also told council members it was in preliminary stages of proposing to apply for a grant that might pay for architectural and engineering costs to construct a new event center in Marion.
Revised proposals
Council members delayed for two weeks action on a contract with Nisly Brothers to provide private recycling for city residents.
The city wants to reduce the contract term from five years to three.
“I’d like to see the agreement before we approve it,” council member Kevin Burkholder said.
Council members did not need extra time to agree to a new ordinance regarding borrowing, primarily for new water metering equipment and street repairs.
Because of price increases, it will increase the amount of general obligation bonds devoted to meters from $350,000 to $425,000.
The money will come from amounts previously designated for street repairs.
“I really hate that,” Powers said. “I really do.”
The new ordinance, which will be published in next week’s paper, was unanimously approved.
The city has prioritized N. Coble St. and N. Roosevelt St. for reconstruction.
It also plans to install yield signs on east-west cross streets of S. Freeborn St. and S. Roosevelt St. from St. Luke Hospital to Main St.
A temporary $205 sign advertising Art in the Park will replace a metal tourism sign that blew down at the entrance to Marion Reservoir.