News List | City of Marion, IA

For the Good of the Order

Collaborative Growth Initiative Announced
The City of Marion is a proud partner in the Collaborative Growth Initiative announced today in partnership with the cities of Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. The effort is designed to spur regional growth and help address workforce needs. As Mayor AbouAssaly said in his remarks, “There are no city boundaries at play when it comes to workforce issues. To keep our region strong and vibrant we need the workforce and talent to power our economy. It’s a collaborative effort to move our region forward.

MEDCO Names Mark Seckman as Next President
Marion Economic Development Corp. (MEDCO) announced earlier this week that Mark Seckman has been appointed new president of the organization. Seckman will succeed Nick Glew who had been with MEDCO since 2014, and will begin his role on Sept. 5. Seckman comes to the organization with thirty years of experience in economic development. He began his career with Priority One where he led the organization until 2011. Seckman then transitioned to the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation until 2016. More recently, he served as the senior economic development manager for Alliant Energy where he supported and mentored economic development organizations throughout Eastern Iowa. Welcome aboard, Mark!

Marion Public Library to Celebrate its Grand Opening Tomorrow
The Marion Public Library will host its Grand Opening celebration, presented by Linn Area Credit Union, this Saturday, Aug. 26. The festivities will begin at 8:45 a.m. with a brief program and ribbon-cutting ceremony as the library opens to the public at 9 a.m. Planned activities for the day include a cooking demonstration, storytimes, a library-wide scavenger hunt with giveaways and demonstrations of the library’s MakerSpace technology. All are welcome to attend.

Vote for Marion Public Library
The state-of-the-art Marion Public Library is competing in the Iowa League of Cities People’s All-Star Tournament!! But we need YOUR help! Show this project some love on the Iowa League of Cities’ Facebook page to help us advance to the next round!! The winner will be announced at the League’s Annual Conference in September.

29th Avenue & 8th Avenue Patchwork to be Completed
The pavement patching work on 8th Avenue and 29th Avenue has been substantially completed. Minor work items remain and should be completed in the next several days, including the collection of the traffic control. Both roadways are fully open to traffic. Thank you for your patience during these roadway improvements.

3rd Avenue Reconstruction Continues
Rathje Construction opened the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 22nd Street to traffic on Tuesday. Third Avenue from 22nd Street to just east of the FMI School driveway is open to local and school traffic only. Contractors will continue working on driveway and sidewalk replacements, as well as backfilling and seeding operations in this area over the next few weeks. Third Avenue reconstruction work, including storm sewer installation and pavement removals, will continue over the next few weeks between the FMI driveway and 26th Street.

2023 Sidewalk Ramp Project Continues
For the last 10 years, the City has committed annual funding to provide for the reconstruction of non-compliant sidewalk ramps. Work will occur at various locations throughout the City over the next two months. Construction crews will use parking areas for staging and the work is not expected to impact traffic. In the coming weeks, work will occur along 10th Avenue, 1st Avenue and Grand Avenue.

10th Avenue/Business 151 Resurfacing Continues 
This week, LL Pelling completed the final asphalt surface and granular shoulder on the north half of eastbound 10th Avenue. Work will continue next week with the final pavement marking, shoulder and seeding work.  This project is expected to reach substantial completion by Friday, Sept. 1. 

Council Adopts New Detention Basin Maintenance Agreement and Policy
On Aug. 17, Marion City Council approved an ordinance amending Ch. 274 of the Marion Code of Ordinances regarding Stormwater Management Regulations. The Stormwater Basin and Maintenance Policy requires new subdivision detention basins to meet SUDAS standards. Developers shall enter into a maintenance covenant and permanent easement agreement for wet or dry basins. The agreement shall run with the land and be binding on all future owners.

Clean-up Work Happening along Select Basins
Separate, but related to the item above, the developer is currently working to clear the area surrounding the wet basin on Grand Avenue. Crews are working to clear overgrowth and remove trash and other debris. When completed to City standards, the City will assume ownership and ongoing maintenance. When that happens and before any future improvements are made, the Parks and Recreation Department intends to reach out to the neighborhood for input.

City and School Elections to be Held in November
Various local positions will be on the ballot during the regular city and school election on Nov. 7, 2023. Marion councilmember seats on the ballot include Mayor, At Large, Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3. If interested in running for any of the positions, nomination paperwork must be filed with the Linn County Auditor between Aug. 28 and Sept. 21. To find your polling location, print nomination paperwork or access the voter registration or absentee ballot request forms, please visit www.cityofmarion.org/elections.

Traffic Cameras Installed in Marion; 30-Day Warning Period Underway
Two automated traffic enforcement (ATE) cameras have been installed in the City of Marion to enhance public safety. The stationary cameras are located at two high-traffic intersections, one is located at Highway 100 and East Post Road and the other is installed at Highway 13 and Highway 151. The cameras detect both speeding and red-light violations. The 30-day warning period will expire on Sept. 18, 2023. To view the ATE ordinance and policy, a list of frequently asked questions and the process for contesting a violation, visit www.cityofmarion.org/automatedtrafficenforcement.

Register Your Float for the Fall Into Marion Parade by Sept. 1
The City of Marion is bringing a parade back to Uptown Marion for the first time in four years. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. The theme of the parade celebrates all things fall. Both Marion and Linn-Mar High School marching bands plan to participate, along with a variety of nonprofits and area businesses. Floats are encouraged and prizes will be awarded in a number of categories. Register online at www.cityofmarion.org/fallintomarion by Sept. 1. We look forward to this great celebration of community!

Live Theater Production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Coming to Lowe Park
For the first time ever, the City of Marion is bringing a live theater production to Lowe Park on Sept. 16. This event is produced by Giving Tree Theater and sponsored by Farmers State Bank. A free showing of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater. Attendees should bring chairs and blankets for open lawn seating. Additional showtimes with tickets available for purchase will be held at Giving Tree Theater.

Play resumes for the Kiwanis Miracle League at Prospect Meadows
The Kiwanis Miracle League at Prospect Meadows makes baseball possible for youth in the metro area and surrounding counties – regardless of their abilities. Another six-week season starts tomorrow and 128 players will be taking the field! Community volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players in hitting the ball and moving around the bases. Buddies can be fellow schoolmates, parents, college students, business leaders or anyone who wishes to volunteer their time. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.prospectmeadows.com/miracle-league.

Marion Police Department is Hiring
If you have integrity, common sense and a strong work ethic – we want you on our team! The Marion Police Department is currently hiring entry-level officers. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and advancement opportunities. For those already certified, we offer a hiring bonus and credit for prior continuous law enforcement service. Apply by Sept. 29, 2023. Skills testing is scheduled for Oct. 14. Find all the details at www.cityofmarion.org/employment or connect with a member of the recruitment team.

Word on the Street

This feature of the newsletter provides answers to some of the questions our City Council members are hearing during their office hours at Taube Park.

I’ve seen the plan for the railroad-themed pocket park along the Grant Wood Trail, but what about parking?
The Parks and Recreation Department is working with a consultant on plans for a new pocket park to be located near 31st Street and the Grant Wood Trail that celebrates Marion’s railroad history and features the caboose that is currently being refurbished. They are also in discussions with the American Legion about the possibility of some dedicated parking for the trail in their lot.

Why are there so many signs about photo enforcement in Marion when there are only two stationary cameras?
The signage is in place where the stationary units are installed and at the main entrances into the city for added transparency as the mobile unit will move around. In addition, the Police Department will announce the mobile unit’s location at least 12 hours before enforcement on their social media pages.

How do I request the mobile speed camera in my neighborhood?
Send an email to the Police Department via this form and it will be added to the list.

Upcoming Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion this weekend and next week.

• Friday, Aug. 25 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Terry McCauley – 6-8 p.m. – Uptown Artway
• Saturday, Aug. 26 – Sunrise Yoga – 7:30 a.m. – Lowe Park
• Saturday, Aug. 26 – Marion Farmers Market – 8-11 a.m. – Taube Park
• Saturday, Aug. 26 – Marion Public Library Grand Opening Celebration – 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 26 – Summer ROCK Series featuring Craig Erickson – 7 p.m. – Uptown Artway
• Thursday, Aug. 31 – Uptown Getdown featuring Boot Jack Band – 6-9 p.m. – 7th Avenue between 10th & 12th Streets

Future Project Updates

Here’s a look at the tentative agenda containing a list 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 Tony Baranowski
• Leadership training focused on courageous/difficult conversations
• Police ride-along
• Meeting with Okpara Rice
• Meeting with Karla Twedt-Ball
• Meeting with Anthony Arrington
• Meeting with Zach Bohannon

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