Fund-raising efforts continue for playground
Group plans fall festival Oct. 20 at Central Park
Staff reporter
Plans continue to progress regarding fund-raising efforts to purchase new playground equipment at Central Park.
Volunteer Becky Makovec told Marion City Council Monday that a fall festival was planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Central Park. Games, snacks, hayrack rides, pony rides, and maybe even a petting zoo are planned that day as an effort to get the Marion community involved and raising money to purchase new equipment for children at the park.
Another concept the committee is considering is selling bricks, similar to Marion City Library, with the intention of constructing a small patio near the playground equipment. A minimum order of 25 bricks has to be placed. If there is not enough interest in the bricks, the committee will consider another means to raise money.
A limestone and bronze plaque also is being considered to recognize donors of the project.
Cookies will be sold at Art in the Park Saturday and the committee will have a float in the Old Settlers' Day parade.
A goal of $40,000 by the end of November has been set with an ultimate goal of $75,000 being raised.
The council unanimously approved the activities planned at the park.
The group wants to replace outdated, potentially dangerous wooden equipment with a safe, modern playground.
In other business:
— The council approved a concrete sidewalk to the gazebo at Liberty Park but remained undecided about replacing a brick sidewalk at the front of the park near Main Street.
Mayor Mary Olson and councilman Jerry Kline said they liked the brick sidewalk. Olson noted there was a way to make concrete look like brick. Councilman Gene Winkler asked what the cost would be to repair the brick.
Public works director Harvey Sanders said the problem with brick was its slick surface, particularly when it's wet or has snow or ice on it.
Councilman Stacey Collett suggested a brick edge around a concrete sidewalk.
The council approved a bid from Hett Construction of Marion for $2,770 for a sidewalk to the gazebo and will make a decision at a later meeting about the other sidewalk.
— The council approved a Christmas parade sponsored by Marion Chamber of Commerce. The parade will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 25 on Main Street.
Chamber representative Melissa Parmley asked if Santa's house could be located at Liberty Park. Sanders said it could not because of the underground sprinkler system. Parmley asked if electricity will be installed at the gazebo at Liberty Park by November. Sanders said it would. Photographs with Santa will be taken at Liberty Park.
A letter will be sent to Kansas Department of Transportation regarding the street/highway being closed for the parade.
— The council accepted the resignation of city administrator David Mayfield from Marion County Economic Development Council. No explanation was given and no new appointment was made.
— The Charlie Foust memorial will be placed near the new shelter house at the city's baseball complex. A concrete pad will be poured and Jack Boese will build a rock pedestal.
— Casey Case of Marion has submitted bids for baseball tournaments.
— Residents who did not return a city survey regarding income information may be notified by city officials. To date, 61 percent of the surveys have been returned with 318 households that did not.
— A 10-minute executive session was called to discuss personnel with the council, city administrator, city attorney, and police chief. An additional 10 minutes was called.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— An executive session for attorney-client privilege was called for 15 minutes with the council, city attorney, city administrator, and city economic development director. Another 10-minute session was called.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A third executive session was called for 15 minutes to discuss trade secrets with the council, city attorney, city administrator, and city economic development director.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next city council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the city building.
