Former rail bed needs cleared for hiking trail
Staff reporter
Letters will be issued by the City of Marion to require landowners to remove equipment and debris from the former railroad tracks and right-of-way.
Casey Case asked Marion City Council Monday to have items removed so a fitness trail could continue being developed between South Third and Main streets.
Case reported that the first step in developing the trail was made last winter when an area was cleared by the flood dike on the northwest side of town. The second step was grading the former rail bed and screenings were laid by the city.
A grand opening of the trail is being planned in the spring with Marion City Library being the starting point.
Unfortunately, businesses have been using the former railroad property to park vehicles, and store equipment and materials.
A lease agreement was made between the city and Central Kansas Conservancy for use of the property between the library and Main Street. The city deeded a small area to Flaming's Inc. with the understanding that the city could use that property for an electrical line and trail.
It was determined that the city attorney should send letters to those property owners along that corridor who have items on the proposed trail. Marion Police Department then would enforce the letter, if necessary.
With the letter being sent this month, it should trail committee members sufficient time to prepare that section of trail for the grand opening in April, Case said.
Case said future plans for the trail includes maps, signs, and benches.
Committee members are Case, Mickey Lundy, Pam Bowers, Harry Bennett, Bruce Skiles, Lucas King, and Mark Hall. Bennett is the fund-raising chairman and is planning events.
In other business:
— The council approved a resolution to authorize the sale of $81,000 of bonds for street construction at Country Club Heights. Bid requests were sent to local and area banks with only two banks responding. Farmers Bank & Trust of Great Bend had the lowest interest rate of 4.9 percent and Marion National Bank was 5.5 percent.
The city would begin making bond payments in March 2009.
— The council tabled any action regarding the city's five-year-plan until councilman Stacey Collett could be in attendance.
The council reviewed the plan as presented by city personnel which is a guide that city officials should try to follow.
— Mayor Mary Olson asked councilmen to consider making all committee appointments at the first of the year. Committee members up for re-appointment will be contacted and asked to serve another term.
Economic development director Jami Williams said she should serve in an advisory capacity on the city's planning commission instead of a voting member because she may be biased toward businesses.
Councilman Gene Winkler asked not to be re-appointed to the city's board of zoning appeals because of conflict of interest as a councilman.
— Full-time city employees will receive a $100 Christmas bonus, minus appropriate taxes, as budgeted.
— Funds have been raised for playground equipment at Central Park with $45,000 being raised by the deadline. An additional $30,000 needs to be raised by the end of February.
— A payment of $24,850 to Hett Construction was approved as the building for Arlie's Inc. progresses at the city's industrial park.
— A 15-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege was held with city attorney Dan Baldwin, administrator David Mayfield, and the council. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A 10-minute executive session for personnel was held with Baldwin, Mayfield, Williams, and the council.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A special meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Friday for an executive session for personnel.
The next regular council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the city building.
