Staff writer
Marion City Council approved the 2013-14 budget Monday with a unanimous vote after no public comment.
The budget includes money for the purchase of three used pieces of equipment and no mill increase.
Council approved a contract for EBH Engineering for their planning of the street improvement project. They will be accepting bids from contractors for street work beginning Sept. 12.
Darin Neufeld of EBH said all the streets on the list could be redone if bids are as low as anticipated.
Fourth and Williams Sts. will be bid out separately to be completed after the old county jail is torn down.
“We want contractors to understand they can’t just tear up three blocks at a time,” Mayor Mary Olson said. “We don’t want streets to be impassible for people trying to get out of their driveways.”
A request for grant funds for the Jex Addition sewer project was also approved. Middlecreek is expected to start work Sept. 9 and is estimated to take nine to 12 weeks. The project includes a new lift station and 8-inch PVC piping.
The council also approved a timeline for the demolition of a structure at 310 S. 1st St., The property owner has until Dec. 5 to remove the dilapidated structure.
Because the owner had agreed the structure needed to be torn down, the public hearing was waived.
Olson congratulated Economic Development Director Roger Holter at Monday’s city council meeting for a job well done. Olson appointed him zoning administrator at the meeting.
Holter will receive $4,000 compensation for the position.
Olson said she is excited for the projects Holter has planned for the city.
The council, at Holter’s request, renewed the city revitalization plan. A sidewalk incentive program was also passed.
The program compensates residents or businesses up to $500 for material to redo damaged sidewalks. The city has up to $3,000 a year to be rewarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
Holter said both projects have been under-utilized in the past.
“I need to go business to business and spread the word,” Holter said. “I also plan on putting them on the city website.”
Bill Johnson resigned from the cemetery board, but will still serve on the park board. Olson asked the board to recommend someone to replace him.