Plans are made to demolish house
A dilapidated house at Denver and Freeborn will be demolished.
Marty Fredrickson, city building inspector, reported Monday to Marion City Commission he had inspected the property at 1018 Denver.
The property owner was required to make necessary improvements by Jan. 1 to avoid condemnation by the city.
Some improvements had been made but the owner had not yet contacted the commission or city personnel regarding his intentions to make the required improvements.
A letter was sent to the owner, Donald Marques, requesting him to appear at Monday's commission meeting. The owner did not appear.
Fredrickson said an electrical panel was installed, bare wires were covered, and new fixtures and furnace were installed.
Plumbing was not replaced and the carport was not repaired, Fredrickson said.
Mayfield said an employee of Atmos Energy had pressure-tested the gas line and determined the line needed to be replaced.
City attorney Dan Baldwin said he was concerned about the new interior items that had been installed in the dilapidated structure.
Prior to demolition, he suggested the city remove and store valuable property.
Jim Davis, local heating and air conditioning contractor, said he had installed a new furnace in the residence and had not yet received full payment from the customer. He said he wanted to remove the furnace prior to demolition.
A public notice should be published in the newspaper regarding the city's intentions, Baldwin suggested. A draft will be presented at the next commission meeting.
In other business:
— The commission approved the purchase of a utility grapple for $1,497 from Deer Trail Implement, Inc. The scoop-type piece of equipment attaches to the front of a skid loader
Mayfield said Deer Trail Implement loaned the piece of equipment to the city to assist with debris removal. He added it would cost about the same for the city to purchase the equipment as it would to lease it.
The price included a government discount of $316.
— Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance premiums for city employees will increase 31 percent when the city's contract is up for renewal in April.
A 30 percent increase had been budgeted. City officials are reviewing other options.
The reason for the increase was due to the increase of the average age of city employees.
— A row of cedar trees on city property south of the swimming pool may be removed. Damage to the trees occurred as a result of the ice storm. A branch had fallen on a residence. No damage had occurred but in order for city crews to reach the tree for removal, other trees have to be removed.
"These trees are three rows deep," Mayfield said. It is assumed the trees served as a wind break but are in "bad shape" and need attention.
Mayor Martin Tice said he would like to table any decisions until the next meeting.
— The city's quarterly financial statement, December investment, collateral, and financial statements were approved.
— Warrants were approved for $39,819, and payroll in the amount of $29,565.
— Janet Marler, city librarian, presented statistics for the library. During 2004, there were 3,000 items checked-out from the library. There are 22,652 total books and materials.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
