Beyond that, City Administrator David Mayfield said the facility's builder, Bob Brooks, wanted commissioners advised that he probably will build two duplexes of 1,500 square feet each facing Eisenhower Street.

Brooks said he also is looking into adding on a facility to accommodate alzheimer patients.

Mayfield reported he has been notified by Dale Yager, grant specialist for Rural Development that Marion has been approved for a $1.19 million loan and a $500,000 grant to upgrade the water plant to meet Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, and implement ozone treatment.

Mayfield said current water rates are sufficient to meet anticipated annual loan payments of $64,000.

Commissioners said they will look at bond rates and bond prepayment alternatives on the water plant.

The commissioners approved the Westar electrical contract presented to them last week with Mayor Martin Tice noting, "It's the only deal in town right now."

Tice wondered last week whether the contract would allow Marion to sign on with a wind generation farm rumored to be built soon in the southern part of the county.

City Attorney Dan Baldwin said he had checked the Westar contract, and it is exclusive. "You are expected to purchase all you require from them.

"Their position toward a wind farm would seem to be only if it's for their benefit."

Commissioner Jim Crofoot moved to accept the contract. After a small pause Tice had to second the motion although Commissioner Larry McLain joined in to make it 3-0.

McLain had not liked provisions that would pay for Westar's line losses of electricity.

Public Works Director Harvey Sanders said February 25 will be the shut-off date for free city pick-up of tree limbs. The tree dump then also will be closed until regular hours resume March 1.

Sanders said limb pick-up in the cemetary still isn't done because of muddy conditions there.

Mayfield said he was notified by Senator Brownback's office that Marion has been approved by for a Homeland Security grant to purchase $7,000 worth of smoke detectors for the fire department to distribute to residents in need such as the elderly and single parents. The distribution also can include rural areas.

Three different insurance companies addressed the commissioners on plans their companies might provide for city employees.

Tim Oglesby of Blue Cross Blue Shield said he was able to cut a 31 percent increase over rates his company provided the city last year in half by re-entering health profiles of the group instead of going on only an age-gender basis.

He took a $16,900 increase down to a $7,963 increase.

Dan Reagan of Colonial Insurance outlined a plan that would put payments into a fund savings with a state bank in Illinois which employees actually would write checks on for claims.

Mike Storrer, McGinnis Group representative, said he would act as a benifits consultant brokerage to get the city the best options.

The latter two representatives said they could give names of satisfied customers within 50 miles of Marion after getting permission from customers to avoid violation of confidentiality.

The commissioners said they aren't ready for any decision on insurance yet.

The commissioners approved the January billing tie out with Clerk Becky Makovec noting that payments received had required adjustmet of bad debt total.

The commissioners approved an emergency response plan for electrical outages during extended periods of time. Mayfield said it provided for using community resources such as the ministerial alliance helping through church calling trees to identify elderly persons who might need rides to shelters.

They also approved an emergency operations center plan changing the primary EOC from the fire and police department building to the City Office Building and the secondary EOC from the Marion County Courthouse to the Marion Fire and Police Department.

Mayfield said investigation into getting a natural gas fueled generator is ongoing.

Marion was not selected to receive grants from the Office of Domestic Preparedness for fire department equipment or from the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation for museum air contioning, heating and new windows.

Mayfield said funds had ben pulled from the capital plan in anticipation of the Union Pacific grant, but would be put back in for doing the museum work next year.

The commissioners approved a resolution that begins the condemnaton process for a house at 201 North Freeborn. Building Inspector Marty Fredrickson said owners of property had been advised that codes require the home be liveable, but after painting, there has been no more activity there for six months.

Fredrickson said to pass inspection the home must have broken windows replaced, plumbing repaired or replaced, exposed wiring taken care of, the heating system replaced, a cistern filled in, and the structural integrity of the garage improved.

The commissioners approved paying warrants for $16,648.34.