For the Good of the Order

Tielebein Honored with “Spirit of Marion” Award
This week we celebrated Public Service Recognition Week. One of the highlights of the week includes naming the recipient of the Paul Draper "Spirit of Marion" Award. The four quarterly “Reach Higher!” Award recipients were eligible for the honor, and they included Lori Hockett in the Public Works Department, Alex Greene in the Police Department, Matt Tielebein with the Public Works Department and John Hughes also with Public Works. They should all be very proud, as I know I am of their contributions to our team.

The winner was then determined by a vote of City employees and City Council members. I’m proud to announce that the 2025 Paul Draper “Spirit of Marion” Award has been awarded to Matt Tielebein, solid waste and recycling manager for the Public Works Department. He spearheaded the transition of the City’s manual waste collection process to automated garbage, recycling and yard waste collection. Matt’s leadership, problem-solving skills and commitment to excellence made this project a success. Congratulations Matt! We're lucky to have you on our team!

Smith, Christensen and Ulatowski Graduate from Law Enforcement Academy
Please join us in welcoming three of the newest members of the Marion Police Department. Officers Laramie Smith #231, Kale Christensen #233 and Keily Ulatowski #234, graduated from the 16-week Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on April 25. They will now embark on their 16-week field training program before heading into their solo patrol duties. Congratulations Laramie, Kale and Keily, and welcome to the team!

Kudos to Curtis Sutcliffe
Congrats are in order for Battalion Chief Curtis Sutcliffe who recently achieved the designation of Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. This designation recognizes the skillset necessary to orchestrate the delivery of top-notch emergency medical services and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing emergency environment. Curtis is the only CEMSO in the State of Iowa and adds to his designation of Fire Officer (FO). Congratulations, Curtis! Thank you for reaching higher!

Latest Edition of the Marion Messenger Now Available
The latest edition of the Marion Messenger is making its way to a mailbox near you. It is filled with important information and reminders for residents. Find project information, upcoming event details and more in this quarterly newsletter, which is delivered to every Marion household with a 52302 ZIP code. This issue also includes the Pride & Pack insert from Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Schools.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Celebrates Marion Milestone
2025 marks five years for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at the Marion Public Library, with over 50,000 books given away to local children. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library promotes early reading habits and encourages an appreciation for literacy among children. Children ages 0 to 5 who live in the 52302 ZIP code are eligible to receive a free book by mail each month. Learn more and register through the Friends of the Marion Public Library website.

Asphalt Overlay Program Continues
Work on the 2025 Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Resurfacing Project continues. This project includes milling existing street surfaces, full-depth patchwork and resurfacing of streets. Closures for 25th Avenue from Indian Creek Road to 27th Street, 8th Avenue from 6th to 10th Streets, and Twixt Town Road from Collins Road Square Mall to Marion Boulevard continue next week. During this time, 25th Avenue will be closed to through traffic. Eighth Avenue traffic will be detoured using 7th Avenue and 10th Street. Twixt Town Road will be detoured using Collins Road and Marion Boulevard. 

Starting Monday, May 12, crews from LL Pelling will begin work on Winslow Road from Huntington Hill Drive to Foxborough Drive, as well as Meadowview Drive from East Post Road to S 15th Street. During this time, Winslow Road and Meadowview Drive will be closed to through traffic. Work is expected to last two weeks, weather permitting. 

Marion Arts Festival Road Closures
The Marion Arts Festival returns to Uptown Marion on Saturday, May 17. Seventh Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets will close at 7 a.m. on Friday, May 16, for vendor move-in and will remain closed until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Detours will be posted. In addition, rolling road closures will be in place for the Marion Arts Festival half marathon and 5K races that begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these closures.

Linn County Master Gardeners Plant Sale This Weekend
The Linn County Master Gardeners are hosting their annual plant sale at the Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th Street, this weekend. The sale will be held on Friday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 10, from 8 a.m.-noon. Shop their selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables and native plants. All of the plants are locally grown in the Lowe Park greenhouse or the homes of Master Gardeners. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser in memory of Charlene Woeste will support educational programming throughout Linn County.

Migratory Bird and Arbor Day Celebration Happening on Saturday
Marion’s Migratory Bird and Arbor Day Celebration is planned for Saturday, May 10, at Thomas Park from noon to 3 p.m. The event will provide resources to help keep birds and our environment healthy and thriving. Activities include guided bird hikes, tree climbing demonstrations, a live raptor presentation, a monarch biotent with live butterflies, informational displays, handcrafted wood items for sale and make-and-take crafts. Visit www.cityofmarion.org/birdfriendly for the full schedule of events.

Board and Commission Openings
Do you want to provide input on City policies and help shape 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, Civil Rights Commission, Construction Code Review Board and Marion Arts Council. To be considered, please submit an online application. 

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, May 12, Laura Dennison will join us as a communications operator with the Marion Police Department. She was previously with the North Las Vegas Police Department. Welcome to the team, Laura!

We’d also like to welcome Taylor Chittick back to Team Marion as our new project engineer. He previously spent three summers with us as an engineering tech intern and, most recently, worked for Anderson Bogert. Welcome back, Taylor!

• Have plans been submitted for the development of the northeast corner of Lindale Drive and Blairs Ferry Road?
  A preliminary plat has been submitted for the site, which typically shows utilities, lot lines and infrastructure such as driveways. The plat is scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, May 13. It will then be reviewed by the City Council. The preliminary plat process does not contemplate what will be located on the site.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between May 10-14, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 1400 block of 10th Street, southbound. Then, between May 16-20, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 1500 block of 50th Street, northbound.

Upcoming Events

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

• Friday, May 10 – Linn County Master Gardeners Plant Sale - 4-8 p.m. – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
• Saturday, May 10 – Marion Farmers Market and City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m. – Willowood Park
• Saturday, May 10 – Linn County Master Gardeners Plant Sale – 8 a.m.- noon – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
• Saturday, May 10 – Migratory Bird & Arbor Day Celebration – noon - 3 p.m. – Thomas 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 weeks:

• Internal meetings
• Monthly Coffee Talk with City employees
• Meeting with Coe College representatives
• Meeting with Linda Langston
• Cedar Rapids State of the City event
• Drake University 2025 Leading Others alumni panel

Sign up to receive this weekly newsletter and other updates from the City of Marion directly in your inbox by visiting www.cityofmarion.org/enotify.