After a total of 25 minutes of executive sessions, Marion City Council approved an incentive package Monday evening to Spur Ridge Veterinarian Clinic to relocate from Florence to Batt Industrial Park of Marion.

The veterinary clinic is owned by Brandon Kraus and had been located in Florence for several years.

The incentive package included the waiving of hook-up fees for electricity, water, and sewer; city would provide two culverts for ingress/egress off Industrial Road; city would provide assistance for site preparation; and the city would donate 20 tons of screenings for pad preparation.

An administrative lot split also was approved for a 5,000 square foot building.

The proposed site would be located on the east side of the main street in the industrial park, more than 600 feet south of U.S.-56.

In a written memo prepared by city economic development director Doug Kjellin, even though the use of the property would predominantly be for agricultural services, other benefits would be provided to the community with three employees, clientele coming from all areas of the county, the value of new construction and progress in the industrial park, and additional pet services for Marion residents.

In other business:

• A mutual aid agreement was renewed for another three years. The agreement will allow city employees to assist other entities in case of disaster and those entities will assist Marion if the need arises.
• Contractor licenses approved for 2009 were Mel Flaming of Flaming Metal Systems, Jason Vogel of Simpson & Associates, Gerald Wiens, Dusty Hett, Dave Hett of Hett Construction, and Jake Wiebe of Wiebe Siding and Remodeling.
• Electric licenses were approved for Steve Kaye of Kaye Electric Inc., Tina Montonye of Elcon Services Inc., Jim Davis, Gilbert Suderman of Elcon Services Inc., Harvey Sanders, Glen Waggoner of Hedlund Electric Inc., Jeff Ledy of Herington Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Rick Lowe of A&H Electrical Inc.
• Plumbing licenses were issued for Anthony Schafers, Jame Carr, Merle Flaming of Flaming’s Plumbing, Karl Schaffer of Eagle Plumbing, Heating & Air, Lester W. Funk of Funk’s Supply Inc., Jeffy Ledy of Herington Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Matthew Hiebert of Jost Plumbing, Don Druse, Jeff Inlow, Dale Peck, and DuWayne Suffield.
• Schwan’s Home Service Inc. received a vendor’s license.
• Cereal malt beverage licenses were approved for Pizza Hut, Cooperative Grain and Supply/Ampride, Casey’s Genearl Store, Carlsons’ Grocery, and SherBowl Lanes.
• A class A private club license was approved for Marion VFW Post 6958.