By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

A dog kennel will be allowed to expand in the 400 block of Forest Street, Marion.

Marion City Council approved a conditional use permit Tuesday for Autumn Hanson to expand her kennel for a dog grooming business.

Planning commission member Gary Lewis told the council Hanson’s business met all of the city zoning regulations.

“She is going above and beyond to make sure she does the right thing,” Lewis said.

A specific number of animals are not spelled out in the city regulations but Lewis assured the council that in the worst-case scenario Hanson would not have any more than 15 dogs at a given time.

Street stress

Marion resident Ruth Herbel, who lives in the 600 block of South Freeborn Street, asked the council to consider adopting a policy for street repairs when a major construction project was under way.

Herbel said she knows the community needs St. Luke Hospital but was concerned about the damage to city streets during the renovation and construction of the facility.

Tax dollars will have to be used to repair the streets caused by the construction company, Herbel said.

Councilman Bill Holdeman agreed. He lives in the 400 block of South Roosevelt Street, also near the hospital renovation.

All agreed it was too late to do anything about it now but would consider a policy in the future.

Other business

• Herbel was appointed to the Marion Planning Commission.
• Discussion or adoption of bylaws for the airport authority board was tabled because the city attorney had not been given a copy of the latest rendition and needed time to review it.
• A liquor license was renewed for Superior Wine and Liquor.
• Administrator David Mayfield was appointed liaison information officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau.
• Police chief Josh Whitwell announced the Night of the Rhino would be Oct. 29, in conjunction with downtown businesses’ Trick or Treat Marion. Officers will be available to meet the public.
• A seat belt check lane is being planned later this month.

The next regular council meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the city building.