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City officials discuss options for emergency generator

Staff reporter

A generator for Marion City Building to be used during emergency power outages remains a priority for Marion City Administrator David Mayfield and other city officials.

A generator to accommodate the city building could cost the city $30,000, Mayfield reported Monday to Marion City Commission.

Mayfield said discussions with city personnel have resulted in the possibility of moving a generator that is on a trailer at the main sewer plant to the city building, and a new generator being purchased for the sewer plant.

The generator is a 1985, 150-amp, 3,500-kilowatt unit which is sufficient size to provide electricity to the city building.

Commissioner Jim Crofoot asked if the sewer plant generator was made available for emergencies, if it also could be used for the Chingawassa Days festival. Mayfield said all options would be researched for the commission to consider.

In other business:

— The commission approved the purchase of a 2001 Chevrolet 1/2-ton, four-wheel drive pickup truck with 69,000 miles as part of the city's truck replacement program. The vehicle will be purchased from the Kansas Highway Patrol fleet in Topeka for $16,375. Equipment reserve funds will be used.

This truck will rotate a 1985 Chevrolet 1/2-ton, two-wheel drive truck with about 130,000 miles out of the city's fleet.

Crofoot asked if there were any two-wheel drive vehicles available, and Mayfield responded there were not.

— A request for annexation of property into city limits was approved by the commission. The property is for the future development of a community center and two-screen movie theatre on Eisenhower Drive. City attorney Dan Baldwin will prepare an ordinance for the annexation.

— The renewal of Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance for city employees was approved. The same benefits will remain in place.

The commission also approved an additional benefit of paying 50 percent of employee's dependent health insurance. The cost is anticipated to be $18,872.

— Warrants for $20,225 and payroll for $24,665 were approved.

— Mayfield reported a clarification of an interest rate for a water treatment plant loan discussed by the commission at a previous meeting. The interest rate, currently at 4.5 percent, will adjust quarterly until the bonds are sold for the project. The consensus of the commission was to issue general obligation bonds for the project instead of revenue bonds.

— City officials will meet with Westar Energy officials regarding the installation of an automatic switch that will activate electrical service on a power line between Marion and Hillsboro.

— The commission approved a resolution regarding city building code violations at the property at 201 N. Freeborn Street. Baldwin said the owner will be notified in writing three days following the publication of the resolution in the Marion County Record, the city's official newspaper.

Thirty days following the second publication, a public hearing may be held, Baldwin said.

— The commission approved the January investment and collateral report and financial statement.

— A 15-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege was held. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.

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