For the Good of the Order

Hughes Named Reach Higher! Award Recipient
The Reach Higher! Awards recognize City employees who exemplify excellence and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to service. Please join me in congratulating John Hughes as the recipient of the Winter 2025 Reach Higher! Award. John is a contracted services supervisor with the Public Works Department, but his impact is felt throughout the organization. John has demonstrated outstanding dedication and productivity in supporting the library over the past few months. He has gone above and beyond to tackle facility issues, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for all. Even during the demanding winter months, he balanced these responsibilities with the City’s weather response, plowing roads and handling additional tasks to keep residents safe. No matter the challenge, John steps in with problem-solving skills, efficiency and a positive attitude. His commitment has made a meaningful impact on both the library and the City as a whole. Congrats, John – keep up the good work!

City Celebrates its 911 Communications Operators
In 1994, President William J. Clinton signed Presidential Proclamation 6667, declaring the second week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. This week is a time to celebrate and thank telecommunications employees who serve our communities, residents and first responders. The Public Safety Communications Center is housed within the Marion Police Department and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by nine communication operators and one supervisor. They are responsible for answering 911 calls and other requests for service. On average, they answered approximately 3,000 calls per month in 2024, with about 29 percent of those necessitating a police, fire or medical response. The safety of our first responders is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of the information they obtain and they are a vital piece of the Marion public safety network. Thank you to our 911 Communications Center team! The communications center accepts applications on an ongoing basis and anyone interested in applying can visit the City’s website for more information.

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.

City and Community Leaders to Celebrate Central Plaza Ribbon Cutting on May 7
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Wednesday, May 7, at 4 p.m. in City Square Park to mark the completion of the Central Plaza. The project grew out of the ImagiNEXT community visioning process. The improvements will activate the park year-round by providing flexible space for daily outdoor use and special events. Work began in March 2024 and the project will achieve substantial completion later this month. The art sculpture is currently in production and will be installed in June and the grand opening of the ice-skating loop is slated for early December. With construction beginning on the Broad and Main on 6th building adjacent to the Central Plaza, the southeast portion of the park and former 11th Street right-of-way will remain under construction for staging and site access. As such, the commemorative brick pavers will not be installed until Broad and Main on 6th is completed.

Moody’s Assigns Aa1 Rating to City of Marion’s General Obligation Bonds
Moody’s Investors Service has assigned an Aa1 bond rating to the City of Marion’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025A. The Aa1 rating is just one rating lower than the highest bond rating possible and ensures that the City is securing the lowest possible borrowing costs for long-term capital needs. General Obligation Bond Series 2025A will be used for various capital improvement projects including the annual hot mix asphalt (HMA) road resurfacing program, a tractor-drawn aerial fire truck, Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center roof replacement, City Hall generator, cemetery crypt wall repair, City Hall reorganization and 31st Street sidewalk extension by Taube Park.

Additionally, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned an Aa3 bond rating to the City’s Annual Appropriation General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025B.  General Obligation Bond Series 2025B will finance economic development incentive grants related to the Broad & Main urban renewal project, as well as refinance a developer’s agreement for the previously completed 6th Avenue Improvements project. These strong bond ratings reflect the City of Marion’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and its ongoing dedication to enhancing the community through thoughtful investment in infrastructure and economic development.

Lowe Building Hours Change
Effective Monday, April 28 the hours of the Lowe Arts & Environment Center will change. The facility will be open to walk-in traffic Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This change allows for greater access to the building and its rotating art exhibits, as well as improved convenience for park users. It also creates better alignment with recreation staff availability. Residents are encouraged to stop by and explore everything the facility offers. 

YMCA Healthy Kids Day & Marion City Showcase Happening April 26
Make your way to the Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center, 3740 Irish Drive, on Saturday, April 26, for the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day and the Marion City Showcase. Between 9 a.m.-noon, there will be dozens of free, hands-on activities for the entire family to enjoy. Before the event, a family fun run will take participants on a one-mile route from the YMCA to Lowe Park and back. The walk/run begins at 8:45 a.m. Celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2025, Healthy Kids Day® is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. It teaches healthy habits, encourages active play and inspires a lifetime love of physical activity. In addition to learning about the five pillars of healthy living, kids will have a chance to get up close to various City vehicles and win prizes. There will also be games and giveaways. All activities are free and open to the public.

New Licensing Process for Mobile Food Trucks
Earlier this month, Council approved new regulations regarding the licensing of mobile food units. The new regulations will ensure safety compliance and help protect our brick/mortar businesses while still allowing mobile food units to thrive. If you are hosting an upcoming event or have an interest in operating a mobile food unit within Marion, learn more and apply online at www.cityofmarion.org/licensing.

Hydrant Flushing
Hydrant flushing is underway! Employees of the Marion Water Department began flushing the water system this week and will continue through mid-May, if necessary. Flushing typically begins around 8 a.m. and may continue through 2 a.m. 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. 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

Visit Marion Public Library’s Volunteer Fair
Our library is a vibrant space for creativity, learning and connection – and we’re looking for volunteers to support our mission! Join library staff on Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m. for a volunteer fair that highlights all the ways you can get involved with the library. Whether you have a passion for literacy, the arts, technology or overall community engagement, there's a volunteer role waiting for you. Visit marionpubliclibrary.org/volunteerfair to learn more.

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 are due by May 5.

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.

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, Planning and Zoning Commission, 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.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between April 20-23, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle 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 18 – City Offices Closed
• Saturday, April 26 – Healthy Kids Day & Marion City Showcase – 9 a.m.-noon – Marion YMCA

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 Steve Neighbor
• Meeting with Iowa American Water Company
• Linn-Mar Crisis Committee meeting
• Venture Academics Advisory Committee meeting
• YPN board meeting

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