Demolition delayed; dance approved

In other business Monday, council members voted to extend the timeline on repairing a dilapidated house and to approve a street dance and beer garden on Old Settlers Day.

Loomis house

Neither Justin nor Ashley Loomis, who live in a dilapidated house still deeded to their father and without electric or water service, showed up Monday to give council members a timeline for repairing the property.

The house was condemned June 13, but the Loomises were told they could make repairs as long as they provided the city a plan and a timeline to have the repairs finished.

No timeline has been submitted.

Code inspector James Masters gave council members photos showing that Justin Loomis was making progress, but mostly in removal of debris.

“I’ve had no contact with Justin Loomis whatsoever,” Masters said. “I sent out a message to him this morning.”

“We do have some progress?” Costello asked.

“Yes, he has made some progress,” Masters answered.

Zach Strella, surrogate for city attorney Brian Bina, said council members could extend or not extend the time Loomis must received to present a repair timeline.

Herbel moved to extend the time by 30 days because “he is trying.”

The extension was approved 4-1 with Mayfield opposed.

Sept. 24 street dance

Johsie Reid of J.R. Hatters asked council members for permission to stage a street dance with a beer garden on Main St. between 2nd and 3rd Sts. the evening of Old Settlers Day, Sept. 24.

Costello suggest that with Labor Day and Old Settlers Day already in September, the dance might better be scheduled for a different weekend.

“We could have three events,” he said. “Why compress it to two?”

Costello also expressed concern that a survey of businesses by community enrichment director Margo Yates found that 11 of 28 businesses surveyed were opposed to the plan.

“That’s pretty substantial opposition within the business community,” Costello said.

But Reid said: “We just thought it would be something new and see if it works. It it doesn’t work, we won’t do it again.”

Council members voted 4-1 to approve with Costello opposed.

New city administrator

As a final piece of business, newly hired city administrator Mark Skiles told council members about his impressionis of Marion.

Skiles said he had spent the day talking to employees.

“I’m glad to be here,” he said. “I like what I see. I really haven’t had as much time as I’d like to drive around.”