Council wants to wait until a full council meets Feb. 21

By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Wanting to review more information about job descriptions, Marion City Council tabled discussion and a decision Monday regarding a revamped economic development position that could include tourism duties.

Doug Kjellin vacated the original economic development position when he accepted the appointment as city administrator in December when David Mayfield retired. Since that time, Kjellin said he hasn’t had time to give needed attention to city economic development.

Councilman Jerry Kline was not at Monday’s meeting, which prompted Bill Holdeman to make a motion to table the issue until there was a full council because he didn’t think there was a hurry to fill it. Mayor Mary Olson seconded the motion but Steve Smith and Chris Meierhoff disagreed, tying the vote 2-2 and negating the motion.

Olson asked if the council needed to plan a special meeting to discuss the issue. Kjellin said Marion Economic Development Council has been concerned about the position being filled.

“I think we need to have someone in place to follow through,” Meierhoff said. “We can’t sit back all of the time.”

Smith said he agreed and it will be an arduous task to hire someone for the position.

“We need to develop the description,” he said, continuing that economic development could be part time with the person assuming other responsibilities, filling out a full-time position.

When Holdeman said he wasn’t sure what an economic development person did. Kjellin responded that the money the city obtained for dredging of the sewer pond and making airport improvements were obtained because of him being the city developer.

Kjellin continued that there needed to be someone in the position who would available during regular business hours.

Smith suggested that MEDI talked to the council instead of putting pressure on Kjellin to fill the position.

“We’re going through a change and we’re developing the position as fast as we can,” Smith said.

However, he said he realized the city might miss opportunities while the position is vacant.

In the end, the council decided to wait until the next regular council meeting, Feb. 21, to discuss the issue or make any decisions.

Earlier in the meeting, Kjellin asked the council to authorize up to $10,000 — two months’ salary of the vacant economic development position — to hire tree trimmers to remove trees and brush from the levee as required by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The council agreed but wanted Kjellin to seek bids.