Marion Marble & Granite receives grant to update business years ago
Sports reporter
Marion City Council approved a $5,000 business grant to Chris Meierhoff of Marion Marble & Granite Monday at its meeting.
Economic development director Jami Williams reported Meierhoff wanted to upgrade to a new computer system to run his business, instead of doing everything by hand. She said it would not happen without the grant, which was approved by the grant committee, 3-1. Williams said Meierhoff has hired a full-time employee to begin March 1. The council approved the grant by a 4-0 vote with member Stacey Collett abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
Marion City Council heard a presentation from brokerage firm Truenorth Companies L.C. Monday about a possible new insurance plan. Instead, the council opted to stay with its current plan which is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Mayor Martin Tice said it was not the best timing for the new plan because the current one does not end until Feb. 28. He said he was not ready to personally commit, but would keep his options open with possible future discussions.
The premium per city employee currently is $338.38, but will increase to $375.16 March 1 when the new plan takes effect. City administrator David Mayfield told the council the budget called for a 30 percent increase in insurance premiums for this year.
The council unanimously decided to keep the co-pay for health insurance the same as last year.
The council approved a $7,000 appropriation to Marion Chamber of Commerce by a vote of 5-0. Mayfield said the city budgeted for the amount.
With one 5-0 vote the council approved the 2006 fourth quarter financial statement, the December investment and collateral report and the December financial statement. City clerk Angela Lange reported the city spent just 67 percent of its 2006 budget.
In a 5-0 vote, Marion resident Bud Hannaford was re-appointed by the council as Marion Museum Board President. His term will be for three years.
All budget transfers were approved by a unanimous vote.
Lange announced the figures for city warrants and payroll. The board unanimously approved $84,280.92 in warrants of which $46,622 was a cash carry-over from Marion City Library and $26,009.51 in payroll.
— Marion Die and Fixture and Mid-America Marble were both approved for a tax abatement renewal.
— The city approved ordinance number 1272, a franchise agreement with AT&T, with a 5-0 vote. A 20-year contract that came to an end this year was set at an interest rate of 2.02 percent. The new contract will be for two years and then automatically renew each year thereafter if no action is taken at a new rate of 3 percent.
— A contract between the city and Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff regarding Safe Routes to Schools was approved 5-0. The city will be reimbursed up to $14,500 through a grant for the program, but Williams said it would not end up costing that much.
