Marion ED director selection one step closer
Mayor wants council to choose director
Marion Mayor Mary Olson again questioned the selection process of a new economic development director.
The council previously approved a committee that was comprised of members of the Marion economic development group, residents, and councilman Gene Winkler as the council representative. The committee was to narrow the field to three candidates and there appeared to be some concerns about whether the committee or the council should make the final decision.
City administrator David Mayfield, who is on the committee with current economic development director Jami Williams, reported there were 12 applicants which were narrowed to eight. During the interviewing process, two withdrew their applications so six interviews were conducted.
Three people then were chosen from that group of six who will be invited to participate in the final assessment process April 21.
The assessors will be USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker and two field representatives from Kansas Department of Commerce.
Mayfield said he would bring the top candidate to the council meeting to be introduced.
Olson reviewed the administrator's job description which stated he could make recommendations for the hiring of department heads but was not solely responsible for making those decisions. She continued that she wondered if the three candidates should be considered by the council.
Winkler said there were eight people participating in the process and everyone was in agreement with the top three candidates.
In other business:
— Incumbent Bill Holdeman and newly-elected councilman Steven Smith were sworn in.
— Holdeman asked Williams if it was ethical for her to send e-mails on election night that supported a candidate. Williams said she didn't think sending them through her private e-mail on her own time was a problem. Holdeman told Williams that she worked for the city "24 hours a day."
— Water lines will need to be replaced and moved on North Cedar Street as part of the street construction project.
— Central Park Improvement Committee accepted a $1,000 donation from Golden Living Center of Marion.
— The council appointed members to the auditorium use committee. Bob Brookens was appointed chairman with Susan Berg as a committee member. Two other committee members may be added at a later date. The terms are for six months to give the committee sufficient time to determine its purpose.
— Police officer Mike Ottensmeier was introduced to the council.
The next council meeting is at 4 p.m. April 21 at the city building.
