by Mari Radtke
A public hearing was held at the Marcus City Council meeting on Monday June 9 at 7:30am. The question for residents was if the council should access low-cost interim financing for the new well and water treatment plant. No comments on the matter were received. Council approved authorizing water revenue bonds not to exceed $235,000. The accepted a loan for $230,441 to cash flow the initial stages of the designing and planning the construction of a new deep well and water treatment plant. The second reading of the water rate ordinance also met with approval. A third and final reading will be held in July.
Fenton Street repairs and the four bids were discussed. None were below the threshhold Council wanted. One was priced way out of range. Two met with some consideration. Council approved the concrete replacement only by Vander Pol Excavating for $58,940. They will also do some sewer work. City staff will do some demolition and removal with the assistance of Schmillen Construction. Steve Schmillen abstained from the vote. Vander Pol shared their availability to do the job. It was either late May, now moot, or early August. Council has asked that that availability be negotiated to avoid a conflict with Marcus Fair traffic and the start of school.
Joe Schlenger presented an update by MEDCO’s activities and goals. He explained the city economic development group has no funding stream, owns a few pieces of Main Street property and is focused on bringing residents and businesses to the community. They sometimes purchase property and find occupants and asked for $10,000 to fulfill its mission. Council approved the request.
Some discussion was held about mowing ROW and private property along the trail. It appears there is some confusion with a few property owners on the trail that the permanent easement for the trail does not change the responsibility to care for the ROW, mowing. The city is responsible to maintain the trail itself, not adjacent ground.