For the Good of the Order

Kudos to Jamie Doyle
Congrats are in order for Management Analyst Jamie Doyle who recently achieved the designation of Fire and Emergency Services Analyst (FESA) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. This designation recognizes demonstrated excellence in several areas, including experience, education, professional development and professional contributions, to name a few. There are 21 FESA’s worldwide and this is the first designation in the state of Iowa. Congratulations, Jaime!

Marion Receives Tree City USA Growth Award
The City of Marion was recently honored with the 2024 Tree City USA Growth Award at the 34th Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Marion was one of 25 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA Growth status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have tree planting and maintenance plan. Marion has achieved Tree City USA status consistently since 1993. Congrats to the Urban Forestry Division of our Parks and Recreation Department for their commitment to all things trees for Marion!

City Accepting Hotel/Motel Grant Applications
The City of Marion is now accepting grant applications from any non-profit organization for a project that increases tourism within Marion. The funding source for these grants is the City’s share of taxes collected on overnight stays at hotels and motels within the city. Approximately $50,000 is expected to be available for the competitive grant program in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Applications will be accepted online at www.cityofmarion.org/HotelMotel through May 5, 2025. Award allocations are expected during the June 19, 2025, City Council meeting.

Public Hearings for FY 2026 Budget and Capital Improvement Program (FY 2026-2030) Scheduled for April 17
The Marion City Council will hold public hearings on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and the Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2026-2030 on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Marion City Hall. These hearings offer residents the chance to share their feedback on both the upcoming budget and long-term capital projects. The proposed budget and capital improvement program are available for review on the City’s website.    

5th Avenue Reconstruction Project Update
On Monday, April 14, crews from Rathje Construction will close the intersection of 5th Avenue and 7th Street to begin sanitary sewer work. Fifth Avenue from 6th to 8th Streets, and 7th Street from 4th to 6th Avenue will be closed to thru traffic. Work is expected to take approximately two months, weather permitting. The closure of 5th Avenue from 1st to 4th Streets, and 3rd Street from 3rd to 6th Avenues remains in effect. Additional closures are expected and future notices will be sent as this project progresses.

35th Avenue Trail and Bike Lane Closure
On Monday, April 14, the south side of the trail along 35th Avenue will be closed to complete water main work. In addition, the bike lane will also be closed. The closure is expected to last for one to two weeks, weather permitting. Vehicular traffic will not be impacted.

Indian Creek Trunk Sewer Segment 11 Project Continues
This week, crews from Boomerang Corp completed Phase 1 of the new sanitary sewer installation for the Indian Creek Trunk Sewer Segment 11 project. With this completion, the Boyson Trail was reopened from Boyson Road to the Indian Creek Trail. Work on Phase 2 is underway and is expected to last two months, weather permitting.

Southbound Interstate 380 Ramps at Boyson Road Temporarily Closed
Earlier this week, the exit and entrance ramps of southbound Interstate 380 at Boyson Road (Exit 25) were closed to traffic. This closure is due to the interchange project on Boyson Road and is expected to remain closed through Memorial Day, weather permitting. Detour signs have been posted redirecting traffic to exit at Blairs Ferry Road (Exit 24B). The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits in the work area and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones.

Progress Continues on Belltower Lofts Project
On Monday, City leaders were invited to visit the Belltower Lofts (former Marion Methodist Church) for a first-hand look at the progress. Conlon Construction and High Properties are transforming the former church, built in 1896, into 55 rental units. The project is expected to be completed early next year.

Hydrant Flushing to Begin April 14
Employees of the Marion Water Department plan to begin flushing the water system beginning Monday, April 14, 2025, and will continue through mid-May, if necessary. Flushing typically begins around 8 a.m. and may continue through 2 a.m. To provide residents with a look at the progress, a GIS map has been created to show all 1,985 hydrants within the City and the flushing/inspection status of each hydrant. Find the map at www.cityofmarion.org/hydrantflushing. Flushing hydrants is an important preventive maintenance activity that verifies proper operation of the City’s fire hydrants and ensures adequate water flow will be available if the need for firefighting arises. Flushing also removes sediment that naturally accumulates in water mains.

Online Survey Available to Help Inform Neighborhood Parks Plans
The City of Marion is currently creating plans for three neighborhood parks in Marion as part of future development. They include Willow Park, 990 2^nd Street; the Lucore Road Park Property, 6401 Lucore Road; and the Waterlinn Park Property, east of Mullion Way. On Thursday, April 3, residents were invited to share feedback on the draft concept plans at an open house at Lowe Park. An online survey is now available to capture feedback from those who were unable to attend. Access the survey between now and April 25. This feedback will help the steering committee and design team refine the plans prior to making a final recommendation and presentation to City Council.

Gill Park Playground Update
Last month, the Parks and Recreation Department announced that the Gill Park playground structure for 2-5-year-olds would be closed indefinitely due to safety concerns. The structure is over 20 years old and well beyond its useful life. Crews will begin removing the structure at Gill Park early next week. The swing set and tornado slide will remain available for use. The City is evaluating future playground improvements as part of the long-term planning efforts for Gill Park. To help compensate for the loss of the playground, Recreation staff will be teaming up with the Marion Public Library to provide additional recreation opportunities at Gill Park this year. The department will also be introducing inflatables a couple of times each month to provide engagement for local families.

City Offices will be Closed on April 18
Marion City Hall and other City offices will be closed on Friday, April 18. Regular business hours resume on Monday, April 21. Police, Fire and other critical City services will continue to be provided. Garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected according to the normal schedule. The Public Works building and Yard Waste Facility will be closed on Friday, April 18. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, both located at 195 35th Street, will maintain normal hours of operation from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. The Marion Public Library will closed on Sunday, April 20. Utility payments will be accepted online or via the drive-up drop box located outside the Marion Water Department office at 3050 5th Avenue.

Board and Commission Openings
Do you want to provide input on City policies and help shape both our city and its government? Apply to be one of 100+ volunteers who serve on Marion boards and commissions. There are openings on the Library Board of Trustees, Construction Code Review Board and Marion Arts Council. To be considered, please submit an online application. 

We’re Hiring
The City of Marion is a great place to work! If you’re looking for a highly collaborative team where you can learn and grow while making a positive impact in the community – look no further. We offer competitive pay and a benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, vacation, sick and holiday pay, and more. Current openings include a firefighter, project engineer/manager, accounting associate, chief of police, police officer and 911 communications operator. Learn more about the opportunities at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

• City ordinance requires that pets are kept on leashes. Could you give residents are reminder about this?
  This is the best time of year to get out and enjoy some fresh air, pets included! It’s important to remember that pets MUST be kept on a 6-foot leash in all park areas. This includes the trails and Oak Shade Cemetery, too. As a reminder, pets are not allowed at splash pads or the Marion Pool. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our trails, parks and sidewalks year-round, so pet owners, please do your part and clean up after your pets. Well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome to attend many community events, but it is at the discretion of event organizers (city or private entity) to determine when they are not allowed. 

• I noticed plans for an overlay of the pavement around the Winslow Road bridge. Are there any upcoming plans to replace the bridge?
  The bridge was built in 2000 and is structurally sufficient. Therefore, there are no current plans to replace it. To address wear and tear on the bridge’s surface, an overlay of the pavement will occur. This was determined as the appropriate course of action from our bridge consultant.  

• Are there any updates on the plans for the CeMar Trail south of Highway 100?
  Documentation for the last segment of CeMar Trail was submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). It is scheduled to be bid by the IDOT in June. The timeline for construction will be determined based on the low bidder’s schedule for the season. Additional updates will be shared as the project moves forward.

• What is the status of the Alburnett Road Extension Project?
  This project involves the extension of Alburnett Road from Boyson Road, heading south across Indian Creek, through Willow Park and along 2nd Street to 7th Avenue. This will alleviate traffic congestion along Central Avenue and 10th Street. Design work, property acquisition, utility relocations and environmental clearances are currently underway. The tentative timeline includes letting the project in late 2025 or early 2026 with construction in 2026.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between April 15-18, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 3400 block of McGowan Boulevard, westbound. Then between April 20-23, it will be located in the 5400 block of Kacena Avenue, westbound.

Upcoming Events

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

• Friday, April 11 – BINGO Night at Lowe Park – 6-8:30 p.m. – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
• Wednesday, April 16 – Red Cedar Chamber Music Concert “Crossover Quartet” – 7 p.m. – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
• Friday, April 18 – City Offices Closed

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

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

• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Okpara Rice
• Meeting with Linn County representatives
• City Council Work Session
• Monthly Coffee Talk with City employees
• City Council Meeting
• Offices closed on April 18

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