By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A proposed ordinance that would have added stipulations for operation and storage of demolition derby cars in town died Monday when Marion city council took no action.

The proposed ordinance, originally requested by mayor Todd Heitschmidt, would have limited where and how many derby cars could be stored in town and required owners to pay $25 to register them. It would also have limited running or working on the cars to daytime hours.

A motion to approve the proposed ordinance, made by council member Jerry Kline, died for lack of a second.

Heitschmidt was absent from the meeting due to illness. Council member John Wheeler was appointed temporary vice-mayor in Heitschmidt’s absence, leaving three council members present.

Solar power might be coming to Marion. Council member John Wheeler reported Kansas Power Pool is discussing installation of solar panels in participating cities.

“Solar’s coming a long way,” Wheeler said. “It’s not quite there, but it’s time to learn a little more about it.”

Council members agreed to have Wheeler talk further with KPP about the project.

Council members heard a report from Ashlee Gann, director of Families and Children Together. FACT works with the county’s ministerial alliance and other government bodies to provide information and referrals throughout the county.

Council members voted unanimously to provide $1,000 for FACT’s operation.

A proposed housing addition on N. Coble St. will go to the city’s planning and zoning department for platting after council members voted to name it Coble Addition.

Council members first decided to pursue the housing addition in December when the city got a $150,000 grant from Kansas Housing Resources. It will provide five $25,000 grants to qualifying middle-income families to build houses along the east side of Coble St. north of Sherman St.

Council members also decided to not renew the city’s membership in Kansas Municipal Energy Agency because it is a duplication of services and costs.