ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER
Financial and recreational reports dominated the Marion City Commission meeting Monday.
Among them was the good news that $2,000 of $4,000 the city had budgeted for radios for the volunteer fire department was paid instead by a grant through the Federal Cooperative Assistance Act.
The grant was part of $179,000 granted statewide to organize, train, and equip fire departments in rural areas, according to Casey McCoy, Kansas Forest Service rural fire coordinator.
After weeks of repair work, Marty Fredrickson, street superintendent, told commissioners the swimming pool was being filled Monday with completion expected that night. Chemicals would be added then, he said.
Fredrickson also was placing picnic tables in Marion received from the Corps of Engineers at Marion Reservoir from among 40 being replaced. He expected Hillsboro and other cities to receive tables too.
He said tables in Marion might include three or four in Central Park, eight at the baseball diamond and two or three at Ann’s Park.
Don Jolley, recreation director, reported a thriving and growing recreation program with 297 participants registering for summer baseball and softball alone.
He said summer dance club and theater programs may have to go through some rescheduling because of work to complete the air conditioning system in the City Auditorium.
Sixth-grade basketball is proving popular enough to develop a league that will include neighboring communities like McPherson, Jolley said.
A golfing program, Camp Wood program, swimming lessons and lifeguard program continue under the rec program.
Jolley said he has been developing a resolution for the commissioners to create a proper recreation commission which he would like to see in operation soon.
Jolley announced that baseball coaches appointed for merchant-sponsored teams are David Hett for Seacat True Value, ages 5-6, Dan Baldwin for Tampa State Bank, ages 5-6, Casey Case for both HRK, ages 5-6, and Case & Son, ages 9-10, David Richmond for Marion Manufacturing,ages 7-8, Doug Regnier for Ampride,ages 7-8, Grant Thierolf for Marion Auto Supply, ages 9-10, Mike Jeffrey for Mike’s Service, ages 11-12, Steve Smith for Marion National Bank, ages 13-15, and Ray Bina for Marion Co. Eagles, ages 16-18.
Girls’ softball coaches are Chris Meierhoff for Western Associates, ages 5-6, Kathy Meierhoff for Marion Pharmacy, ages 5-6, Russ Cain for Carlson Grocery, ages 7-8, Doug Heerey for Webster Auto, ages 7-8, Mary Rogers for the Marion County Record, ages 9-10, Rodney Richmond for Marion Lumber, ages 11-12, James Schroeder for Hannaford Abstract, ages 13-14, and Troy and Mike Moore for Central National Bank, ages 15-16.
The coach for boys’ softball, ages 16-18, is Chance Maynard.
After reviewing the city’s property insurance, City Administrator Dennis Nichols recommended the commission increase insurance to cover some properties at replacement cost instead of adjusted cash value.
For instance, he noted that the actual cash value of the city building is $635,784 versus a replacement cost of $939,505.
Nichols said this would mean the city would have to come up with more than $300,000 to replace the building above insurance if it were destroyed.
After an item by item review of property insurance, Nichols thought $608,902 should be added to bring items to replacement cost for additional premium of $1,492.
The commissioners approved the action 3-0.
The commission approved providing swimming pool season passes for full-time city employees, fire department volunteers and emergency medical service volunteers for 2001.
The commission approved a resolution presented by Development Director Susan Cooper to return injured employees to work in whatever capacity they are able to serve in to both reduce workers’ compensation costs, and benefit employees.
Nichols presented information that showed the city operating within budget for April and within its investment and collateral guidelines for April.
The commissioners approved reports for both 3-0.
The commissioners approved warrants for $22,755.42 and a payroll of $21,718.
The next commission meeting was postponed to Tuesday, May, 29, because of the Memorial Day holiday.
