Residents reminded to report electrical problems
Harvey Sanders, City of Marion Public Utilities Director reminded customers Monday during the Marion City Commission meeting to report electrical problems when they occur.
"We had a situation where somebody could have been killed," Sanders said, referring to an unreported, downed electrical line early Sunday morning which resulted in customers being without electricity.
A strong thunderstorm with high winds hit Marion late Saturday night, raining most of the night and causing minor damage to trees.
Sanders said they did not receive many reports of customers without electricity or downed lines until the crews were out taking care of one call. While the crews were out on another call, they discovered a "live wire" along a pole and on the ground.
"We're very thankful no one was injured or killed," Sanders commented. He added they appreciated the city having bucket trucks for such situations.
Sanders reported underground service has been installed at the assisted living facility and new lights are being installed at the airport.
City administrator David Mayfield informed the commission the city was ready to proceed with improvements to the 100 block of Washington Street.
A petition for improvements was signed by residents and turned in to the city last year.
Mayfield said the city's policy when a petition is received for street improvements is to hold the petition until funds are available for the improvements.
More than 51 percent of the property owners in the 100 block of Washington signed the petition, agreeing to pay the costs for curb, gutter, and paving of the street.
Mayfield said funds are available in the city's special highway fund. It was in the capital improvement budget for 2005 or 2006.
Commissioner Jim Crofoot asked Mayfield if the property owners had recently been contacted regarding the improvements since it had been a while since the petition was signed and presented. Mayfield agreed to contact the owners before proceeding.
The city's application for a grant and loan with USDA Rural Development is still being processed, Mayfield said. Mayfield had contacted Dale Yager, the grant and loan administrator with rural development. Yager told Mayfield the entity had not received the engineer's report but the project was placed on the development's internal funding memo list.
The city's engineer told Mayfield it was probably favorable for the city to be on the list.
The funds will be used for water plant upgrades as required by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The commission approved the May investment and collateral report, and financial statement. The commission also approved budget transfers of $15,728, $10,000, and $10,053 from the utility fund to the bond and interest fund for bond payment.
Mayfield reported the city has received credit cards for staff use.
Police chief Michel Soyez reported Lt. Dean Keyes has completed and passed a firearms class which will permit him to instruct firearms classes for officers. Keyes will have to be decertified on a continuing basis, Soyez added.
Warrants in the amount of $28,815 and payroll in the amount of $26,753 were approved.
The city commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
