Storage unit approved for business park
Marion City Council gave verbal approval Monday to allow a storage unit in Marion Business Park.
The unit can only be located in the southwest area of the park, where the lots are undesirable because of size and drainage issues.
Economic development director Jami Williams said she has had two people ask about approved locations for storage units. The person interested in the business park location also owns the storage unit on Upland Road, near Marion County Lake.
The lot would be sold to the individual because he did not meet the criteria for a reduced price or free lot since the only benefit to the city would be property taxes.
Other city-owned properties on South Third Street and West Main Street also could be considered for development of storage units.
In other business:
— The council approved the following bids: Hett Construction, curb and gutter on Denver Street, $17,840; Buckner Construction submitted a bid of $19,244. Construction will begin after July 3 and be completed in two weeks.
Straub International was the low bidder for a 15-foot rotary mower. That bid was $8,900. Deer Trail Implement submitted a bid of $8,998.
— The council accepted a bid of $3,500 from Gale, Grant, Center, and Wilson townships for the city's 1970 fire truck.
— Bids will be solicited for heating and air conditioning at Marion Historical Museum, the overlaying of numerous streets, and trash and recycling services.
Williams had compiled information from a survey regarding city trash service. Of the 143 who responded, 114 were in favor of once a week pickup. She said there only two cities in the state that had twice a week pickup — Ellsworth and Holyrood.
Currently the city is losing money in the refuse department due to increases.
City administrator said there has to be two people on the truck to handle Dumpsters.
Another cost increase is trash bags. Customers receive free bags that end up costing the city $20,000 per year.
— Alex Case of Case and Son Insurance presented a dividend check for $4,172 for the city's worker's compensation insurance.
— A water well renewal was approved with Arnold Boettcher. The 10-year lease allows the city to pump water from Clear Creek if necessary. The lease will pay Boettcher $300 per year.
— A budgeted transfer of $80,000 from the electric utility fund to the equipment reserve fund was approved.
The next council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. June 5 in the city building basement.
