For the Good of the Order

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 nine area projects/organizations. Those awarded funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year include the Marion Arts Festival, Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Marion Historical Society, EntreFEST 2026, Marion Metro Kiwanis BBQ Rendezvous, Red Cedar Chamber Music, Prospect Meadows, 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.

Marion Public Library’s Book-A-Bike Program
Get outside and enjoy the outdoors with the Marion Public Library’s Book-A-Bike program. This service gives patrons the opportunity to check out one of two bicycles for use within Marion city limits. Borrowers must be 18 years of age or older to check out and use the bikes and must have a library card in good standing. For more information and a full list of guidelines, visit marionpubliclibrary.org/bikes.

Movies on the Move Series Slated to Return to Neighborhood Parks
The Marion Parks and Recreation Department and ImOn Communications are pleased to announce the return of the Movies on the Move series. One Friday per month in June, July and August, an outdoor movie will be shown at select neighborhood parks in Marion. The 2025 season includes:

• Friday, June 27, featuring “The Fall Guy” at Lininger Park, 390 Alburnett Road
• Friday, July 25, featuring “Twisters” at Thomas Park, 343 Marion Boulevard
• Friday, Aug. 22, featuring “Wicked” at Hanna Park, 755 Fairview Drive

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-Sa, 9 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.

2025 Pavement Patching Project Delayed to June 23
With the rainfall earlier this week, the 2025 Pavement Patching Program did not start on June 19 as scheduled. The project will now begin on Monday, June 23. This program is designed to extend the life of existing roadways that are showing signs of deterioration. Four projects are included in this year’s program – 1. 35th Street from Monarch Avenue to 29th Avenue, 2. 29th Avenue from 35th Street to Highland Drive, 3. Boyson Road from the west City limits to Central Avenue and 4. 6th Avenue from 8th Street to 15th Street. By replacing failed panels and reinforcing cracks, the pavement can be salvaged rather than allowing it to continue to deteriorate. Phase 1 of the 35th Street and 29th Avenue projects will begin on June 23. These segments will take approximately three to four weeks to complete, weather permitting, and will reduce to one lane of traffic in each direction.

Vacancies on Linn County Crime Stoppers Board
Linn County Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization that allows residents to report crime, maintain anonymity, and if their information leads to an arrest, could lead to a financial reward. They are focused on facilitating engagement between community members and local law enforcement agencies. The board of directors is comprised of residents from Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion, Mt. Vernon/Lisbon, Robins and Linn County. The City was notified of three vacancies on the board that are reserved for Marion residents. If you have an interest in serving, please complete an application and return to the address listed on the form.

Volunteers Needed for Indian Creek Clean-Up Day
The City of Marion is partnering with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean-up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will remove debris by boat and by foot along the paths of Indian Creek. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that can get dirty and will protect them from moderate hazards. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. A lunch, sponsored by Cargill, will also be offered. Help maintain Indian Creek’s beauty by signing up to volunteer at https://signup.com/go/YBJQFtG.

• Why has 8th Avenue next to the former Methodist Church been closed for so long?
  This closure is due to renovation work on the former church. There is currently a crane on 8th Avenue that is being used to deliver materials and workers to the top of the Belltower Lofts project. The developer is working as diligently as possible to finish the rehabilitation work, but it’s not a fast process. We anticipate the closure continuing through the end of the month and will provide additional updates as necessary.

• When is 35th Avenue going to be hard surfaced east to Highway 13?
  The City is currently working with the County to add additional rock before chip sealing the gravel section. Work is expected to be completed by August, weather permitting.

• What is the timeline for surfacing the CeMar Trail south of Menards?
  This project went to bid through the Iowa Department of Transportation on June 17. Once the low bidder is determined a schedule will be set. Depending on how busy their existing schedule is will determine how much of the project will be completed this year versus next year.

• Does the Police Department periodically patrol the trails?
  Yes. The Marion Police Department routinely conducts trail checks to ensure trail users are being safe and following park rules. This includes ensuring animals are on leashes and observing any unauthorized vehicles such as motorized bikes, scooters or motor vehicles.

• On eastbound Tower Terrace Road, just northeast of Linn-Mar stadium, can a bike exit ramp be added from Tower Terrace Road to access the trail? At this time, this is not currently in a work program, but staff will evaluate priorities to determine where and when it can be addressed. It is not a large enough project to be included in the Capital Improvement Program. It is recommended riders get on the side path (trail) if they wish to go onto the Indian Creek Trail at 10th Street in order to make this transition. An alternative is to continue to ride to Winslow Road and get onto the trail there.

• Can access to the pond at Lowe Park be improved to permit shoreline fishing? What about for Waldo’s Rock?
  Staff recently mowed access points to the Lowe Pond and will do an annual clearing to keep the willows down. With regards to Waldo’s Rock, there is access to the pier. However, with the steep grade around the pond, it is difficult to cut pathways through. It is recommended that residents use the pier around the large rock for fishing.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between Saturday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 25, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 5700-block of Winslow Road, northbound. Between June 27 and July 1, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 700-block of Barrington Parkway, westbound.

Upcoming Events

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

• Friday, June 20 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Casey Klein – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway
• Friday, June 20 – Moonlit Movie Series featuring Inside Out 2 – 7 p.m. – Lowe Park
• Saturday, June 21 – Sunrise Yoga – 7:30 a.m. – Lowe Park
• Saturday, June 21 – Marion Farmers Market – 8-11 a.m. & City Council Office Hours – 9-11 a.m.– Willowood Park
• Saturday, June 21 – Summer Rock Series featuring Street Rad – 7 p.m. – Uptown Artway
• Saturday, June 21 – Picnic on the Prairie presented by the Marion Arts Council featuring Funk Daddies - 7 p.m. - Lowe Park
• Wednesday, June 25 – Downdogs in Uptown – 6-7 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square Park
• Thursday, June 26 – Marion by Moonlight hosted by Farmers State Bank featuring Crazy Delicious – 6-9 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square Park
• Friday, June 27 – Movies on the Move featuring The Fall Guy – 8:30 p.m. – Lininger Park

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 week:

• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Caleb Knutson
• Meeting with Ellie Evans
• Scheduled time out of the office

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