City earmarks lots for county justice center
Staff reporter
Five acres in the city's industrial park were officially allocated for a new county justice center.
Councilman Stacey Collett told Marion City Council Monday evening that Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub had requested the council take official action regarding the possibility of the county building a jail complex in the southeast part of Marion Industrial Park.
Previously when the council had discussed the topic, all were in favor but no motion was made to approve the transaction.
Marion Police Department also could be located in the facility, Collett said.
The jail/judicial complex could be built if county residents approve a bond issue in the April election.
The current jail facility is outdated and out of compliance with state and federal guidelines.
New anticipated security requirements will make it difficult for the current courtroom and office area, now located on the third floor of the courthouse, to be compliant.
The council unanimously approved the land transaction.
In other business:
— The council rejected two bids for a new tractor mower and instructed city employees to obtain bids for used equipment.
Street superintendent Marty Fredrickson provided two bids for the mowers from Straub International for $30,600 and Deer Trail Implement, Inc. for $33,580. The bid from Straub included an allowance for the trade-in of two Jubilee mowers.
Fredrickson explained that the 1967 John Deere 4010 tractor mower was used to mow the dike, the industrial park, and the business park. The city had owned it for 10 years.
Public utilities director Harvey Sanders said the problem with the older mower was the power take off. Numerous repairs have been made on the mower, with the most recent totaling more than $5,000.
Councilman Jerry Kline commented that the trade amount for the two older tractors was too low and said they were "vintage" or collector's items.
"This seems like a lot of money for a mower," Kline said, and asked the number of hours the mowers are used.
Fredrickson responded he wasn't sure. The city is required to mow the dike two times a year and then the commercial parks are mowed as needed.
Collett commented the mowers probably are used only four months out of the year.
Councilman Gene Winkler asked if there were used tractor mowers available.
Sanders responded that the John Deere was purchased used and has had considerable repairs. A new mower would not have repair issues that a used mower could have and would last longer.
During the public forum, Darvin Markley suggested the antique tractors be sold through the Internet.
— A payment of $187,488 to Walters Morgan Construction Company was approved for improvements to the city's water treatment plant.
Kline said the project was 30 percent completed.
— The council also approved the first payment of $13,000 to Flaming Metal Systems, Inc. for construction of a speculation building at Marion Industrial Park.
Councilman Bill Holdeman said he would rather wait to construct the building until there was someone to occupy it. Collett said metal buildings are easy to adjust to meet individual business needs. Tice said the building was going to be as generic as possible.
Kline said the council had already approved the project.
The council approved it 4-1 with Holdeman voting against.
— A housing incentive grant was approved for a house built by Mike Regnier on Denver Street. The house has been purchased and the new owner will qualify for the incentives when the home is occupied.
— A plumbing license was approved for renewal for General Air Plumbing of McPherson.
The next council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the city building.
