Marshall approves aid pact, OATS contract

The Marshall City Council made short work of a scant agenda Tuesday, approving a utility mutual aid agreement and renewing a contract with OATS.

Paul Jensen, general manager for Marshall Municipal Utilities, was on hand Tuesday to explain the proposed mutual aid agreement with the Missouri Public Utilities Alliance.

Jensen said Marshall would pledge to help other MPUA members in times of need and they will do likewise.

A similar agreement is set to expire in February. Jensen said that agreement brought crews from Columbia to Marshall's aid when an ice storm felled power lines in 2002.

City Administrator Charlie Tryban told the council that the time had come to renew the annual contract with OATS Inc.

Tryban said the city owns a 1994 and 1999 Dodge van which it provides to OATS to use for in-town transports. In exchange, OATS maintains and insures the vehicles.

The council voted unanimously to approve both agreements.

In other business, the council confirmed the appointments of Katie Elsea and Jeanne Simonton to the Marshall Public Library Board of Directors.

Marshall resident David Kemm was also present to remind the council that he would once again be leading a litter pickup. The event will be held at 9:30 a.m. March 18.

Contact Chris Post at

marshallhealth@socket.net