Managing editor
Marion airport will now be known as Marion Municipal Airport Baxter Field.
Marion City Council approved the recommendation Monday submitted by the airport authority board.
A re-dedication ceremony is planned Tuesday at the airport to celebrate the airport office and pilot’s lounge, made possible by a donation from the Pearl Baxter estate. Tuesday is also the 65th anniversary of the Flying Farmers organization.
The new building will be called Baxter Flight Center.
Roosevelt Street
The 100 block of South Roosevelt Street is deteriorating, partly because of heavy equipment that the contractor for the St. Luke Hospital renovation project has required.
The corner of Main and Roosevelt streets also is the intersection where the hospital’s MRI truck turns.
Hett Construction can replace the 100 block of South Roosevelt from Main Street for $23,104, which will include 7-inch concrete pavement.
The council approved the project for the proposed price.
Water evaluation
The council was not as eager to commit city funds for a contract for engineering services for water treatment evaluation of zebra mussels.
There were four parts to the proposed contract with Phase I being engineering services for a pilot study, which could not exceed $25,000, City Administrator Doug Kjellin said. Additional phases of the construction engineering could cost $200,000 to $300,000 with the city paying 34 percent of the bill and Hillsboro paying the remainder.
“We obtained proposals but not bids because we don’t know for sure what we’re going to do to mitigate the zebra mussels,” Kjellin said.
Ozone treatment takes care of the mussels that make it to the city’s water supply but there are mussels attached to the water intake at the reservoir. Eventually, the mussels could block the pipes, Kjellin said.
Two more Kansas lakes have been identified with zebra mussels, which provides an opportunity for collaborating for state funds, Kjellin said.
The expense would have to be included in the city’s 2012 budget.
After numerous questions from Olson, the council tabled a decision until the next meeting.
In other business:
- An amendment was approved for Ordinance 1326 pertaining to structures damaged by fire, increasing the amount or percentage held for cleanup from $5,000 or 10 percent per home to $7,500 or 20 percent.
- The city received a dividend check from EMC Insurance Company for $4,962.
The next council meeting will be 4:30 p.m. May 31 in the city building.