Marion County Council cancels called meeting

Though Marion County officials had called a meeting for Aug. 19, they have cancelled that meeting. During the Aug. 12 meeting, council members voted to try to sell the Marion County-owned property along U.S. Highway 76 near the corner of its juncture with Main Street.

County Council members agreed unanimously that the old county jail that sits on the property has to be demolished, too. They also agreed to allow County Administrator Tim Harper the chance to sell the property, with the stipulation that the building comes down. County Attorney Chuck McLain and Harper will write the ordinance to take such action and have it ready for a public hearing and the necessary three readings by council.

For a few years now, Harper said, truckers have used the property, next to Williamson’s BBQ, for parking their rigs. Council had previously bid out the demolition of the building, but would have kept the land. That low-bid offer to demolish the jail was never signed, Harper said, so council members again have to take action on the building and property.

Council members discussed the issues with retaining the building, such as it having lead-based paint, and their liability for the property before again coming to the conclusion that destroying the building and selling the property is what is needed.

Do we anticipate needing that property, County Council Chairman John Q. Atkinson Jr. chairman asked the council members. We are going to grow, Troy said, thinking that keeping the land would be beneficial to the county. “It’s an eyesore … I don’t believe we’re going to find anyone to tackle that jail,” Elista Smith said.

Harper said he did not believe he could find any grants that would help the county tear down the building and felt that selling the property was the best thing to do. Once it’s sold, he reminded council, the property would be in the city and fall under the city’s appearance ordinances.

“It’s a good size piece of property,” he said. Council agreed to Harper’s contention to “put it out there and see what bites you get … we have the right to refuse an offer …” Council approved a motion to demolish the building then a motion to rebid the demolition died for lack of a second. Following more discussion, council approved the move to take offers on the property, with the stipulation the jail is to be torn down.

In other business, Harper told council members that in the coming weeks county officials would begin working on constructing an appearance ordinance. The appearance ordinance will deal with vacated buildings being kept up and maintained, he explained, saying this would be different from the county’s beautification committee but that the two could work together. Following an executive session to discuss personnel and economic development, the meeting adjourned.

The next regular council meeting is at 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 in City Hall.