Managing editor
Members of Marion Youth Advancement Committee and Marion Advancement Campaign may have a better idea for a youth center.
Although no specific details were revealed, city economic development director Doug Kjellin told Marion City Council Monday evening that the groups are looking at another property for a youth center that costs less and would possibly be a better investment.
Information will be presented by the groups to the council at a future meeting, Kjellin said.
Previously, the council had been asked to be the owner of the building in name only, after it was purchased by the groups, to reduce the cost of insurance.
New flag from state Capitol
Alex Case presented a Kansas flag to the council that flew over the state Capitol building. Case was manager of Cottonwood Valley All-Stars, a Babe Ruth team of 13-year-old and younger players that won the state competition and competed in a regional tournament in Burlington, Iowa.
When the team won the state tournament in Ottawa, the flag was presented to the coaches.
“It seems appropriate to give this flag to the city council,” Case said.
The council agreed it would replace the existing Kansas flag in the council room.
Case also thanked the council for allowing two 12-year-old boys to play on the team intended for 13-year-olds. He said that without all of the players’ participation, the team would not have won the state competition.
Safe Routes to School
The Kansas Department of Transportation program of Safe Routes to School moved another step forward when the council certified that utility easements were in place for the project.
Sidewalks will be replaced and constructed in an effort to provide a safe walking and bicycling walkway for children to use to go to Marion Elementary School.
In other business:
- City officials will meet Tuesday with Westar Energy officials regarding the renewal of a contract with the electricity provider. The city’s contract will expire in 2010.
- Bids will be sought for auditing of city books. In the past, Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd was contracted. That contract has expired and the city wants to seek competitive bids from six agencies.
- City Administrator David Mayfield was re-appointed as the city’s voting delegate for the League of Kansas Municipalities annual meeting.
The next council meeting was changed to Sept. 8 because Sept. 7 is Labor Day.