Won’t support spending plan until long list of priorities are addressed
Managing editor
Marion Mayor Mary Olson presented a laundry list of items Monday that she wanted the City Council to consider before passing its 2010 budget.
Among Olson’s items were downtown revitalization, possible establishment of water districts to replace lines, a new program for sidewalk replacement, review of use of city-owned properties, a five-year plan for the police department, a plan to increase museum use, and additional money for the city planning commission.
A proposed budget, with input from the council at previous meetings, was prepared for publication without these items.
The city is required to approve a budget by the end of August, and with a 10-day notice required for public hearings, city officials thought it was imperative that the council hold its hearing as soon as possible.
If any changes are made to the budget which increases the mill levy, the budget will have to be republished and another hearing held, all within the required time.
Olson also reported Monday that she and Public Works Director Harvey Sanders had attended a meeting with the park board and Todd Heitschmidt, who had volunteered at a previous meeting to assist the park board in planning how the city should spend $50,000 received from the Paul Brooker Trust.
Olson said she would not approve a final budget that didn’t include some of the items from her list.
Suggestions from that meeting included an electrical plan, updating or replacement of bathrooms and a gazebo, street maintenance, hiring an events coordinator, and determining the location of large additional electrical outlets to serve large tents.
Sanders said most of the improvements could not be accomplished until after events planned in September.
Council members Gene Winkler and Stacey Collett did not attend the meeting.
Grant application approved
The city will seek a $103,000 grant for water line replacement on the south side of town.
The project could cost as much as $205,400. City Administrator David Mayfield said the city had a good chance of receiving the Community Development Block Grant if it offered a 50 percent match.
Street not ready for traffic
Even though North Cedar Street looks as if it’s finished, it isn’t. Contractors told city officials that work will continue in intersections and drives in coming weeks.
Residents had expressed a desire to use the street but contractors have until Sept. 5 to complete the project. Originally, street overlaying was to have been completed by the end of July, but adding two blocks to the project extended the deadline 45 days.
“It will be nice when it gets done,” Mayfield said.
New brush truck delivered
Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier reported a 2009 brush truck was delivered and would be available in a few weeks after a bed was installed.
Parking changed
Diagonal parking on the east side of the 100 block of South Second Street, adjacent to Liberty Park, will be replaced by parallel parking, as recommended by Police Chief Josh Whitwell. When vehicles are parked diagonally on both sides of the street, traffic is confined to a narrow lane.
Fredrickson leaves museum board
The council accepted the resignation of Street Superintendent Marty Fredrickson from Marion Historical Museum board of directors.