For the Good of the Order

Congratulations Lieutenant Thompson
Yesterday’s City Council meeting began with the promotion of Firefighter Nick Thompson to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Thompson has been with the Marion Fire Department since 2016. He is a certified paramedic, member of Iowa’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 and a credentialed Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Thank you for your service, Nick and congratulations!!

Celebrating Pride Month
This month we celebrate Pride Month. At last night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Nick AbouAssaly read the Pride Month proclamation, encouraging residents to celebrate the diversity of our community, eliminate prejudice and stand for the values of inclusion, equity, fairness and justice for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Mayor Nick has also been invited to share a Pride Day proclamation during CR Pride Fest on July 6.

Experience Modification Factor Drops from 0.65 to 0.56 Lowering Worker’s Compensation Costs
Marion’s experience modification factor dropped from 0.65 to 0.56, decreasing the City’s worker’s compensation premium from $81,687 in FY 24 to $68,762 for FY 25. The City’s experience modification factor demonstrates a solid safety program, a safer work environment and a better claim history when compared to its industry peers. An experience modification factor is a numerical representation of an organization’s claims history. It is the ratio of the costs of an organization’s actual workers’ compensation claims compared to the expected costs for organizations of similar size in the same industry. It can be either above or below the industry average of 1.0. A score above 1.0 means the organization’s claims history is worse than the industry’s average for workers’ compensation insurance while below 1.0 means it is better.

Central Plaza Construction Update
Progress continues on the Central Plaza in City Square Park. In recent weeks, crews have made progress on excavating and pouring the footings for the ice loop. The structural steel for the Depot continues to be delivered and the ice melt and water feature pit pours have also occurred. In the coming weeks, the contractor expects the walls of the ice loop foundation to be poured. They are also working on the layout of the ice loop transmission line and water feature rough-ins are anticipated. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/centralplaza.

Work Begins at the Intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road
Crews began working at the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road this week. This project includes the addition of turn lanes, replacement of the existing traffic signals and the addition of two-way queue detection at the intersection. That means when cars back up into turn lanes, the signs in front will flash to alert oncoming traffic that there are stopped vehicles ahead. The project received an Iowa DOT grant for safety improvements.

Westbound 10th Avenue/Business 151 Resurfacing Begins Monday
On Monday, June 24, LL Pelling will begin Phase 1 of the 2024 10th Avenue/Business 151 resurfacing project. This project will impact westbound traffic on Business 151 between HyVee and Walmart. The first phase is expected to take 4-5 weeks and westbound 10th Avenue/Business 151 traffic will be reduced to one lane. The eastbound stretch of 10^th Avenue/Business 151 will be open to normal traffic during this project. While work is active within an intersection, traffic will not be allowed to cross intersections and roadway detours will be posted. While work is inactive within an intersection, temporary pavement will be placed to allow for crossing through the intersection.

2024 Pavement Patching Project Continues
On Monday, June 24, Eastern Iowa Excavating will begin work on the east crosswalk at 6th Avenue and 9th Street. This project includes a road closure and traffic will be detoured along 7th Avenue from the roundabout at 7th Street and 7th Avenue to 10th Street. Work is expected to last one week, weather permitting.

Marion Police Department Installs Safe Exchange Zone Signage
The Marion Police Department has established a Safe Exchange Zone in front of its facility at 6315 Highway 151 for e-commerce transactions and child custody exchanges. The Safe Exchange Zone consists of two parking spots on the north side of the building, which are clearly marked with signs. The Safe Exchange Zone is available 24 hours a day to anyone and is covered by video surveillance cameras which are recorded and can be monitored by department personnel. Whether using a Safe Exchange Zone or not, the Marion Police Department reminds everyone to be cautious anytime they agree to meet someone they don’t know to conduct an e-commerce transaction.

Marion Public Library Selected as a Host Site for Naloxone Vending Machine
The Marion Public Library is one of seven host sites with a Naloxone vending machine, as part of Linn County’s Naloxone Vending Machine Program. The program, which launched this week, aims to reduce overdose deaths and prevent illnesses and/or infections that may be associated with the injection of substances. The machine is located on the library’s second level near the restrooms, and all items in the machine are available free of charge. More information can be found at marionpubliclibrary.org/news.

Council Awards $50,000 in Hotel/Motel Grant Funding
The City of Marion collects a 7 percent room tax on overnight stays at hotels and motels in the community. Each year, a portion of the funds are then redistributed through a grant application process to organizations that work to increase tourism in Marion. City staff, City Council representatives and residents review the applications, determine recommended funding allocations and make a recommendation to the City Council for use of the funds. Earlier this week, Marion City Council awarded $50,000 to seven area projects/organizations. Those awarded funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year include the Marion Arts Festival, Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Marion Historical Society, Marion Metro Kiwanis BBQ Rendezvous, Red Cedar Chamber Music, Indian Creek Nature Center and YENKO Spark in the Park Cultural Festival. Thanks to each of these groups for the many ways they contribute to our quality of life.

Rules Surrounding Consumer Fireworks Usage in Marion
As Independence Day approaches, we want to remind residents of the rules surrounding the purchase and use of consumer-grade fireworks within city limits. This time of year, consumer fireworks are allowed in Marion only on July 4, from noon to 11 p.m. Fireworks may be purchased and used only by persons 18 or older, and only with the property owner’s permission. Fireworks may NOT be used in public parks. Any other dates and times are authorized by permit only. The use of fireworks outside of the designated dates and times is considered a nuisance. Property owners allowing fireworks to be discharged on their property outside of the established dates/times may be subject to citation for a municipal infraction. The fees for a municipal infraction are $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent infraction. Residents can report fireworks usage outside of the permissible dates by calling the Marion Police Department's non-emergency line at 319-377-1511. 

Heat Relief Locations for Marion Residents
As temperatures rise, the Marion Fire Department encourages residents to check on neighbors, family members and friends who are especially vulnerable to high heat indices due to age, medical or other conditions. Anyone seeking a break from the heat is welcome at any of the following air-conditioned heat relief locations in Marion. Each location is available the following days and times during periods of extreme temperatures:

• Marion Public Library, 1101 6th Avenue, Marion [M-Th, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., F-Sa, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Su, 1-5 p.m.]
• Thomas Park Safe Room, 343 Marion Boulevard, Marion [M-F, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.]
• Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th Street, Marion [M-F, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.]
• Marion City Hall Lobby, 1225 6th Avenue, Marion [M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.]
• Marion Police Department Lobby, 6315 Highway 151, Marion [M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.]

A list of other Linn County heat relief centers is available through Linn County Emergency Management or may be obtained by calling 2-1-1.

Civil Rights Commission Partners to Commemorate 60^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the African American Museum of Iowa is hosting a “Let’s Talk” event with author Dr. Dave Markward on Tuesday, July 2, from 6-7:30 p.m. Autographed copies of Dr. Markward’s book From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America will be available for purchase. This event is sponsored by the Marion Civil Rights Commission, along with other local civil rights agencies. The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.

New Faces in New Places
Kaleb Healey will be joining the Marion Police Department on Monday, June 24, as a police officer. Kaleb graduated from the Maricopa County Law Enforcement Training Academy earlier this year and worked for the Glendale Police Department. We look forward to the contributions he will make as part of our team. Welcome, Kaleb!

Word on the Street

Here are some of the questions we’ve received since last week’s IN FOCUS update.

• What is the status of closing the paving gap along the Indian Creek Trail?
  Initially, the Parks and Recreation Department planned to handle the paving internally. However, upon surveying the area, it was discovered the project is more complex than a simple overlay. The proximity to the creek presented challenges with bank stabilization, and there is an upcoming project involving an underpass to the 8th Avenue bridge. Given the increased construction and financial complexities, the plan now is to include the project in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and hire a contractor to perform this work. In addition to the paving, the project will now include the 8th Avenue bridge repairs and bank stabilization efforts, ensuring that donated funds from the Linn County Trails Association are used effectively and that we provide a safe, durable trail for pedestrians. Our team has been in communication with the Linn County Trails Association regarding this project.

Upcoming Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:

• Friday, June 21 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Anji Kat – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway
• Friday, June 21 – Movies on the Move featuring Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – 8:30 p.m. – Hanna Park
• Saturday, June 22 – Sunrise Yoga – 7:30 a.m. – Lowe Park
• Saturday, June 22 – Marion Farmers Market – 8-11 a.m. – Taube Park
• Thursday, June 27 – Marion by Moonlight featuring Retro Rockits – 6-9 p.m. – Lowe Park

Future Council Items

Here’s an overview of several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead.

On the Docket

The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:

• Internal meetings
• Meeting with James Klein
• Meeting with Dave Parmley
• Scheduled time out of the office

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