Marion council asked to contribute toward auditorium stage floor

The Marion City Council was updated on auditorium renovations at it Oct. 4 meeting and was also asked to help with the stage floor.

Todd Heitschmidt, representing Marion Advancement Cam?paign, a non-profit organization spearheading the project, said a lot of work has been done.

Carpeting has been ordered and soon painting and lighting will be completed, he said.

Courtney Geis, who did the initial renovation designs, will be reviewing colors and making recommendations on the interior in the near future.

Project manager Gene Winkler and Heitschmidt asked the city for assistance with the auditorium stage.

?The floor on the stage is in bad shape,? Heitschmidt told the council. ?If the city were willing to sand that off and put a nice coat of black lacquer, similar to what is in the new school auditorium, that would be a big help.?

Mayor Mary Olson said she didn?t think the cost would be prohibitive. The council asked City Administrator David Mayfield and Marty Fredrick?son, building inspector, to look into it.

Heitschmidt said The Lumberyard in Hillsboro donated more than $1,000 in materials for the project.

The council was invited to stop by the auditorium and see the work that has been done toward making the facility useable for more public functions.

In other business, the council:

? learned the mosquito sprayer is being used manually after certain parts broke down.

? asked Fredrickson when crack sealing on streets would begin. Fredrickson said he needs to finish work at the water plant before moving on to streets, but estimated it would be in October.

? heard from Police Chief Josh Whitwell that his officers have been working more accidents and thefts in recent weeks. In addition, Whitwell said Marion is hosting a taser instruction class this week.

? heard the Free Flight event held Saturday and Sunday at Marion Municipal Airport was successful, according to Doug Kjellin, director of the city?s economic development.

? heard from Mayfield that Hillsboro and Marion are entering into a joint venture regarding the costs associated with zebra mussels in the respective water systems. Mayfield said the two towns will also split costs for cleaning their water towers and engineers/divers to combat the mussel problem.

? asked Mayfield to find out the status on sending letters to residents with poorly kept properties in the city.

? approved an ordinance adopting the new flood maps for the city of Marion.

? approved a resolution establishing the Marion Municipal Airport Board and appointing Ty Zeiner, Skip Sieger and Dick McLinden as three of the five members.

? went into an executive session for attorney-client privilege.

More from Hillsboro Free Press
County looking to new firm for less expensive justice center
The Marion County Commis?sion Monday asked a Wichita company, Law Kingdon Inc.,...
Read More