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Marion considers fireworks permit for New Year's Eve

A request to detonate fireworks New Year's Eve on the Cooperative Grain & Supply parking lot was tabled Monday by Marion City Commission.

Dave Hett, organizer of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop on Marion County Courthouse lawn, asked the commission for a fireworks permit. He said a pyrotechnician would purchase and detonate the fireworks.

Hett said he and Tampa State Bank would sponsor the fireworks display which would include five "salutes" or loud flashes of light, followed by a traditional display.

City attorney Dan Baldwin suggested a resolution be drawn for consideration by the commission at the next meeting which is Tuesday.

City administrator David Mayfield suggested Hett and police chief Michel Soyez determine appropriate barriers and personnel to provide public safety during the display.

In other business:

— Representatives from Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, engineers for the city's water treatment plant projects, were told to work out details of the city's contract for water plant improvements with Baldwin.

Some details in the contract which stated design work by the firm for phase one and phase two concerned Baldwin. The city is certain funding for phase one will be feasible but not sure when phase two would be implemented.

Baldwin was concerned about the city paying for design and engineering fees for a plan that might not be implemented for several years. He wanted assurance in writing the design work still would be useable whenever the city decided to construct the additional improvements.

Baldwin said he wanted the commission to understand the contract did not include bid documents for phase two, only the design.

Mayfield said the city was not under any obligation to complete phase two when the design work was completed.

The city has been approved for a loan from Kansas Department of Health and Environment for phase one but still was waiting for approval or denial for a loan and grant from USDA Rural Development.

Additional engineering fees would be expected from the city as the scope of the project changes, Baldwin said. He wanted a clarification from the engineers when the city might expect the additional cost. He said it was more of a budgeting concern.

Tice instructed Baldwin to work with the engineers to adjust the contract to meet the city's and the engineer's approval.

— Mayfield reported contact was made with a representative of Westar Energy regarding a second option when the city renews its contract in 2005.

The second proposal, which would be a municipal pool, would be submitted with the first proposal for the commission to consider. Mayfield said the representative would attend the Feb. 4 meeting.

— Mayor Martin Tice was appointed to serve on Marion Economic Development Advisory board for 2005.

Commissioners take turns serving on the city-appointed board, with Tice's turn in 2005.

— Eloise Mueller, chairman of Marion Economic Development Advisory board presented a year-end report. She reported the board's goals are business recruitment and retention, with focus on the city's business park and industrial park.

The board meets once a month or as needed. The board was formed in 2001 with members Jack Regnier, Rodney Richmond, Steve Wear, Brad Seacat, Nick Nickelson, Casey Case, and a commission member.

Since that time, Seacat has resigned, and Jim Hefley and Andy Hanson have been appointed to serve.

Mueller said a recent project has been the city-wide survey, determining ways to improve existing business and types of businesses to recruit. Results of the survey have been distributed to the appropriate entities, Mueller said.

— Warrants in the amount of $20,417 were approved.

— The commission recessed for a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

City offices will be closed Friday and Monday for the Christmas holiday.

The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

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