Algae cell count below critical level at reservoir
Staff reporter
Marion City Administrator David Mayfield reported Monday during the Marion City Commission meeting the cell count, used to measure the severity of algae at Marion Reservoir, was well below the critical level.
Mayfield read a copy of a letter from Rick Burrelli of Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding a water sample taken two weeks ago from Cottonwood Point.
"The count was 11.2 parts per billion," Mayfield read from the letter, "with over 60 parts per billion being a concern." Mayfield said the city was waiting for a report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The test was conducted to measure Chlorophyll A cell counts in the water sample.
Dan Baldwin, city attorney, said permits are available at the city office for fireworks sales.
The commission took action to approve the May utility billing, a budgeted transfer of $30,000 from the sewer utility fund to the capital improvement fund, and warrants in the amount of $101,619. The large amount was due to a $68,351 payment to Westar Energy.
In other business:
— Airport improvements are near completion, reported Mayfield. New runway lights and beacon have been installed and resurfacing of the runway and striping has been completed.
Taxi-way lights will be installed by city crews next week. APAC, the contractor for the project, will install the tie-downs in the near future which will finish the project.
The project was funded 90 percent by a Kansas Department of Transportation grant through the aviation department.
— Steve Garrett, Hillsboro City Administrator, and Mayfield have agreed on an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant. PEC, Professional Engineering Company, of Wichita will be contacted in the coming week to discuss the study.
The study will be conducted to determine the feasibility of a wholesale water district for the Marion and Hillsboro areas.
— Mayfield reported underground electrical service will be installed at Marion Assisted Living.
— City personnel are preparing the city's budget for 2005. Mayfield said he anticipates completion and presented to the auditors by mid-July. The deadline to submit it to the county is Aug. 15, Mayfield said.
— City crews sprayed for mosquitoes this past Thursday, Mayfield reported, prior to Chingawassa Days festival.
Mayfield said crews will spray as needed.
— Fire chief Thad Meierhoff presented a quarterly report. He said it was "quiet," with three runs in March, six in April, and four in May.
Emergencies were vehicle fires, fuel spills, grass fire, and a vehicle backing over an electrical post at Marion Reservoir.
Meierhoff said he was waiting for a price quote to replace an air pack.
— Police chief Michel Soyez said he, Meierhoff, and city water plant operator Marty Fredrickson will attend a county meeting this week for hazard mitigation planning.
In order to qualify for homeland security grants, the county is required to file a disaster plan with the state. In order to complete the plan, each city must provide a plan. The county is assisting cities with the process, Soyez reported.
Soyez and Meierhoff also will attend a meeting this week regarding the county's new radio system.
— Librarian Janet Marler presented a written report to the commission. There were 3,125 items checked out in May, 156 new books added to the shelves with 78 of those books being gifts to the library.
Funds from the A.J. Coe Memorial to the library will be used to purchase books, Marler said.
Marler also advised the commission of DVDs being stolen from the library. The DVDs are now located behind the check-out desk.
All bills have been turned in to the city office regarding the library's lightning strike, Marler said.
— Harvey Sanders, public utilities director, said city crews were busy this past week preparing for Chingawassa Days. He said he was pleased with the condition of the park with only one sprinkler line being damaged.
— Mayor Martin Tice read a "thank you" note from Sharon Kelsey, chairman of the food vendors for Chingawassa Days.
Kelsey commended Sanders, Christian Pedersen, Don Hess, and the city crew for their help in the park.
The commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
