Location may change for OSD parade line-up
Marion Kiwanis Club is considering a different location for participants in the Old Settlers' Day parade to line up.
Marion Police Chief Soyez reported Monday to Marion City Commission the possibility of a change from Jex Addition (Grant, Cleveland, Garfield, and Arbor streets) to Walnut Street.
Side streets and parking lots also could be utilized, Soyez said.
Soyez said he attended a Kiwanis board meeting Friday to discuss options with board members.
A number of years ago, the parade line-up had been on Walnut Street but was moved to Jex Addition due to street improvements during the time of the event.
Soyez said his concern was safety. Parade participants have to cross a set of railroad tracks at the beginning of the parade route. He also was concerned about increased traffic on parade day on the back route to and from Jex Addition with an unmarked railroad crossing.
The Kiwanis board will make the final decision at their December board meeting.
Soyez also reported his department received grant funds to purchase two in-car cameras. The $6,662 grant is through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program. The city will receive $5,958 and will match it 10 percent or $662.
A new police officer has been hired. James Parmley began work for the city this past Friday, Soyez said. Parmley is part-time certified and will begin school at the law enforcement academy in Hutchinson in January. He has worked part-time for the department.
The police department will begin providing vehicle identification number verifications for those who purchase a vehicle out-of-state. Previously the Marion County Sheriff's Department provided the service but discontinued it.
In other business:
— David Mayfield, city administrator, reported two city vehicles were involved in two separate accidents this past week. Both were results of other drivers failing to yield.
There were no injuries and minor damages to the vehicles.
— Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, reported he attended a recent KMEA (Kansas Municipal Energy Agency) meeting. The city was accepted by the board at the meeting and is officially a member of the organization.
Sanders said Central Park has been winterized and all water turned off until spring. Christmas decorations are being displayed, hydrants were flushed, and sewer problems were corrected.
— Mayfield reported he will attend the Marion Economic Development Advisory Board meeting. He also will attend a meeting with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding an update on the blue algae at Marion Reservoir.
— Linda Holub, city clerk, is attending Municipal City Clerks School in Wichita this week. This is her third and final year for the training and she will become certified.
— City offices will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) for Veterans Day observance.
