Ann s Park has new caregivers
Staff reporter
Junior Girl Scout Troop 58 of Marion has adopted Ann's Park at Roosevelt and Kellison streets, Marion.
The request was made Monday by the troop at Marion City Commission meeting.
The scouts said they wanted to beautify the park and keep it as a nature park. Plans include building a bench, picnic table, bridge, sandbox, and planting flowers. This summer, they plan to construct a sandbox and swing.
They plan to have fund-raisers to pay for the improvements and didn't want financial assistance from the city. The commission gratefully gave them permission and offered to provide sand and dirt.
The scouts also are looking for other community projects.
Prior to the request, the scouts conducted the flag salute.
In other business:
— Todd Anderson and Chad Lawson, engineers with Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff presented a report on the plans for the city's water plant improvements.
Plans will be completed by April 1 and sent to Kansas Department of Health & Environment for approval. When the plan is approved, a permit will be issued and bids can be obtained for the project.
Anderson said there are two major rules and regulations that must be met through the project — stage one disinfection byproducts rule and enhanced surface water treatment to reduce bacteria and viruses.
Lawson said organic material in water can form byproducts that could cause cancer. Ammonia and chloramines were added to the water to reduce the byproducts. In three to six months, residents will not receive any more letters from the city regarding the quality of the drinking water because the number of byproducts will be eliminated.
Adding ozone is the most effective disinfectant, said Lawson, and will address the blue-green algae concern. Plans also include upgrading filters and the filter backwash system. The ozone system will be the primary disinfectant but the plant will maintain chloramines and ammonia. This backup will be maintained in case the ozone has to be taken off-line.
Treated water is used to backwash filters and has to sit for 30 days in a storage lagoon to remove chlorine before being released to the creek.
If there are sufficient funds after bidding, other projects could include the replacement of 40-year-old chemical feed equipment, a cover over a basin to keep out sunlight and reduce algae, and a generator.
The engineers said the plant is typical for cities the size of Marion that were constructed in the 1960s.
Water production isn't limited by the age of the plant but by the amount of water from Marion Reservoir.
— Les Littlejohn, housing director with Mid-Kansas Community Action program, Inc., asked the commission to consider two housing projects for low to moderate income families. The city would be required to provide a 25 percent in-kind match for grant funds for the two structures. The match could include land, land preparation, demolition, and labor through a vocational class at Marion High School.
The homes will be three bedrooms with one and one-half baths, and will rent for $400 per month. Renters may qualify as first-time homeowners through local, participating banks after a year of renting with positive feedback.
Some duplexes are built but Littlejohn said he preferred single-family homes. Local contractors will be used for the projects.
Two homes have been built in Florence and one in Burns through this program, said Littlejohn. The facilities will be ADA compliant.
Linda Johnson of Marion, the county's representative on the Mid-CAP board of directors, has donated one lot for the project.
Littlejohn said the project would begin in 2008 but there was a possibility of funds being available in 2007 if other counties do not participate.
Mid-CAP serves Marion, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Reno, and Sumner counties.
The commission said it was interested in the project and invited Littlejohn to return when funds are available.
— Per city attorney Dan Baldwin's advice, the commission allowed an exception for Arlene Stika and allowed the utility bill to be put in her name before she paid the past due amount. This will enable her to apply for assistance. She has 45 days to pay the past due account.
Baldwin said typically these issues would not come before the commission but a hearing would be held before the city's electrical appeals board. He suggested that in the future, hearings be held as per ordinance.
— Bud Hannaford, chairman of the cemetery board, presented a report to the commission. A fence was erected between the cemetery and a property owner on the west side of the cemetery, repairs will be made to the entrance pillars, additional computer software was purchased to update cemetery information, and Dale Johnson will serve on the board after the resignation of Bud Pierce.
The board's next meeting is at 10 a.m. April 3 at the city building.
Board members are Hannaford, Forrest Smith, Rosse Case, Jim Cather, Rosalie Schmidtberger, Phyllis Kreutziger, and Johnson.
— Local fire districts will be given an opportunity to bid on the city's pumper fire truck. A new truck was being picked up by Thad Meierhoff and some equipment from the old truck will be needed until the proper equipment for the new truck is delivered.
— Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, reported crews were gaining on the 12.5 electrical line improvement project.
— Marty Fredrickson, street superintendent, reported other new parts were installed on the city's street sweeper.
— Economic development director Jami Williams reported 115 responses to a child-care feasibility study. A new business was discussed with Marion Economic Development Advisory Council, she talked with a housing developer from Herington, conducted research on recycling, and made contact with Bob Brooks regarding townhouses.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot said he did some checking and was told the September I housing development does not have any income restrictions.
The next commission meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
Research published on Record and other weekly newspapers
A University of Kansas graduate student in journalism and a Wichita State University professor of journalism have published material which will be of interest to Marion County Record readers.
Lisa Coble-Krings researched five Kansas weeklies for a master's thesis on community journalism in small towns.
Professor Anderson wrote an article on country correspondents, including the late Marj Nienstedt who wrote the Antelope news.
Coble-Krings is currently the lead web editor for channel 49-ABC news Topeka.
