Plans approved for Liberty Park additions
Marion City Commission approved improvements to Liberty Park at Second and Main streets.
Mike Regnier asked permission for the construction of a 12x12-foot gazebo, and planting trees on the vacant lot. The improvements will be made in memory of Jack Regnier, Mike's father.
In other business:
— The commission took information under advisement regarding improvements to five blocks of Main Street.
Eloise Mueller of Marion, represented a committee of business owners and residents who would like curb, gutter, and sidewalks replaced, light fixtures with underground electrical lines, benches, and matching flower planters and trash containers.
Cost estimates for lights were $1,707 per fixture. Approximately 40 fixtures would be required.
David Mayfield, city administrator, said a grant through Kansas Department of Transportation's TEA (Transportation Enhancement Act) may be feasible which was the same grant the city was awarded for the library project.
"The city would be required to have an engineering study," Mayfield said, at an approximate cost of $70,000-$80,000. The cost cannot be reimbursed to the city through the grant.
The grant application is due Nov. 5, which makes it impossible to apply this year.
Approximate costs for the complete project could be $514,000 plus the engineering study. With a 20 percent match from KDOT, the city's portion could be approximately $200,000, which would include the engineering study.
Mayor Martin Tice said the city needed to look at all streets and prioritize the order of repair or replacement.
— Shane and Angel Kline applied for and received the city's first house grant through the incentive program.
The Bucks for Building program will award the Klines various incentives for building a new house in Marion. The city will give the Klines $1,000 cash.
— Various burglaries and theft cases have been solved, reported police chief Michel Soyez. As a result of the police work, nearly 200 hours of overtime were logged by officers that resulted in $4,000 of overtime being paid.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
