Pickup purchase approved for police department
Land annexed for theater/civic center
Marion Police Department will purchase another four-wheel drive pickup truck for $14,050.
Marion City Commission approved the purchase Monday for a 1999 Dodge 4x4 pickup truck which will be driven by Lt. Dean Keyes, said Michel Soyez, police chief.
Soyez recommended the purchase of a pickup because of its usefulness in the field, and retention of resale value.
It will replace a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria with 94,000 miles.
The purchase was planned through the department's vehicle rotation program. Funds are available and had been previously authorized through the city's five-year capital improvement plan.
The 1995 Ford will be sold if the city does not want it in the fleet.
In other business:
— The commission approved the annexation of 5.1 acres located north of the city's baseball complex on Eisenhower Drive. The land is the proposed site for a two-screen movie theater and community building complex.
— The city is awaiting contact from USDA Rural Development regarding the city's loan and grant for water treatment plant improvements.
City administrator David Mayfield said specific requirements had been met by the city in order to complete the contract.
— Bud Hannaford, chairman of Marion Cemetery Board, reported a privacy fence will be erected between the Troy Dawson and cemetery property. Dawson and the cemetery board will share the expenses.
A new mower was purchased for approximately $6,000 from Deere Trail Inc. of Marion, ice storm cleanup continues, and a plaque has been placed on the avenue of flags.
Hannaford also announced cemetery sexton Dale Johnson was considering retirement. Johnson is willing to work part-time to assist with maintenance of the cemetery.
Board members are Hannaford, Bud Pierce, Jim Cather, Rosse Case, Phyllis Kreutziger, Rosalie Schmidtberger, and Forrest Smith. City representatives are Marty Fredrickson and Becky Makovec.
— An ordinance will be presented at Monday's meeting regarding zoning changes from front yard setbacks in established residential areas.
— The creation of a strategic and comprehensive planning committee was approved.
Mayfield recommended the appointment of himself, mayor Martin Tice, Jim Hefley, Margo Yates, and Jami Williams for one-year terms.
The purpose of the committee will be to update a strategic plan, originated in 1998 by the city and Marion Chamber of Commerce, and the city's comprehensive plan which was adopted in 2000.
The comprehensive plan directly relates to the city's zoning regulations. In the past, the city's planning commission had reviewed the plan on an annual basis.
— Wendy Youk was re-appointed to the Marion Historical Museum Board for another three-year term.
— Warrants for $35,703 and payroll for $23,910 were approved.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
