Staff writer
The details appear to now be known regarding the Brooker Trust.
At a previous Marion City Council meeting, it was divulged when the city accepted a $50,000 check nearly 10 years ago from former resident Paul Brooker, the city was agreeing to renaming Central Park to Brooker Park with another check for $50,000 for park improvements.
Negotiations ensued in an effort to obtain the additional money, not having to repay the first gift, and maybe not rename the park.
City administrator David Mayfield said he had talked with a trust officer and the trust requires a plaque in the park which renames the park.
The trust will be liquidated after the first of the year and a decision will have to be made.
Councilman Stacey Collett asked if East Park on Thorp Street near Marion Elementary School could be renamed Brooker Park. Mayfield said he didn’t ask the trust officer if that was a possibility.
“When the trust was drawn, Central Park probably was the only park,” Mayfield said.
A resolution would need to be approved by the city, renaming the park on paper with a plaque installed somewhere in the park.
Mayor Mary Olson asked Mayfield to prepare a resolution for the next meeting and contact the park board for input.
In other business:
- Three other entities and the city expressed concerns about the Florence electrical junction at a meeting that included Westar Energy, Kansas Power Pool, and other electrical organizations and companies. Even though Westar Energy claims outages were the city’s fault, it was proved at this meeting that other cities were having the same issues as Marion. An automated switch gear is to be installed at Florence to remedy the situation.
- Brad Seacat, owner of Seacat Do-it-Best Hardware, asked the council for an extension on a $5,000 city-based grant. He was given the grant to expand his lumber business but has not been able to obtain county approval to participate in the county’s neighborhood revitalization program. The council agreed to table the decision until Seacat is notified of the county’s final decision.
- City utility residential customers can receive $10 credits on their city bills by displaying Christmas lights. Participants need to contact the city to receive the discount.
- Full-time city employees each will receive a $100 bonus again this year.
- Marion resident Al Ash was appointed to Marion Planning Commission.
- Olson read proclamations for American Education Week and National Family Week.
- A 15-minute executive session was held to discuss personnel with police chief Josh Whitwell, city attorney Dan Baldwin, and Mayfield in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
- A 10-minute executive session was held to discuss trade secrets with economic development director Doug Kjellin and Mayfield in attendance. Baldwin had already left the meeting.
The next council meeting is at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the city building.