Managing editor
Marion City Council approved an interlocal cooperation agreement Monday with the City of Hillsboro to mitigate zebra mussels at Marion Reservoir.
The purpose of the agreement is to explore options to assure the cities’ water supply intake source is not compromised by the infestation of the mussels.
The pilot study and design engineering will not exceed a total of $100,000. Hillsboro would pay 66 percent and Marion 34 percent of the costs, based on the average number of gallons of water produced by each city between 2006 and 2010.
City attorney Dan Baldwin, who is also the city attorney for Hillsboro, said he anticipated Hillsboro City Council would approve the agreement at a meeting Tuesday.
Sewer lines in Jex Addition
The council approved checking into the possibility of applying for a Community Development Block Grant to replace sewer lines in Jex Addition. Administrator Doug Kjellin said it would include 1,400 linear feet or four blocks of sewer line replacement.
The area was determined after an inspection, he said. There is $30,000 set aside in this year’s budget for sewer line replacement. Kjellin estimates it could cost $120,000 to $150,000 to replace the lines. The grant would be a 50 percent matching grant. Additional funds could come from a revolving loan, he said.
PRIDE is returning
After a 20-year hiatus, PRIDE will return to Marion. Organizer Diana Costello asked the council to approve a resolution of support for the program, which the council approved.
Costello serves as president of the organization with Margaret Wilson serving as secretary, Sally Hannaford is treasurer, and Pam Bowers, Janice Thomas, and Karen Regnier are volunteers.
In other business:
- A two-year tax exemption was approved for equipment at Marion Die and Fixture. The abated amount would be $8,600 per year.
- An open house and dedication of the new airport building will be May 24, in conjunction with the 65th anniversary of the Flying Farmers organization. More details will follow as plans are made.
- Christian Pedersen and Doug Kjellin will replace Harvey Sanders and David Mayfield as directors on the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency board.
- Ruth Herbel’s appointment on the city’s planning commission was amended to be a one-year term instead of three years.
- A contractor license was approved for Continental Siding Supply.
The next council meeting will be 4:30 p.m. March 7 in the city council chambers.