For the Good of the Order

Thanks to All Involved in a Successful Fireworks and Fireflies Event
Fireworks and Fireflies presented by Conlon Construction was another big success on July 3! Thousands gathered at Lowe Park to enjoy live music, food trucks, kids activities and a grand fireworks finale. An event of this magnitude could not happen without the support of many City departments including Marion Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Administration and Public Works. Special thanks to the City’s event program coordinator, Faith Pladsen, and recreation superintendent, Kelly Willadsen, for skillfully organizing the many details of the event and to the City’s communications manager, Amber Bisinger, for her many contributions in making this year’s event a success. Thanks also, to all of the sponsors, vendors, supporting agencies and volunteers who helped make it possible. It was a great celebration of community!

Take the Aquatics Park Survey
As the City of Marion continues to develop plans for a new aquatic center, City leaders want to understand how much of an investment, if any, taxpayers are willing to make. In partnership with Community Perceptions, every Marion household should receive a survey in the mail this week where confidential feedback will be gathered through a series of questions. The results will help inform the City Council as they determine whether or not to pursue a referendum in November. The survey will close on July 28. Additional information about the proposed aquatics park is available at www.cityofmarion.org/aquaticspark.  

7th Avenue Closed for Uptown Marion Market
Please note, the Uptown Marion Market returns this Saturday, July 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. Seventh Avenue from 10th to 12th Streets will close to traffic from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. A detour will be posted.

Budget Planning for FY27 Underway
Earlier this week, Team Marion launched the annual budget development process for Fiscal Year 2027. The first budget discussion with Marion City Council is happening on Tuesday, July 15, where we’ll be reviewing the City’s financial policies. A series of discussions will occur over the coming months, leading up to our annual budget work session at the end of January. Stay informed by visiting the City’s budget page.

988 Decals Coming Soon
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marion City Council recently approved adding this number to select City vehicles to make the community aware of this mental health resource. Earlier this week, the City accepted a donation from HOPEwalk CR to cover the full cost of the decals and installation. In the coming weeks, this life safety message will be added to 18 vehicles in the City’s Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

Traffic Counts Data Collection
Have you spotted what appears to be hoses stretching across some of our City streets? They're actually used by the Iowa Department of Transportation to perform traffic counts. This data is useful for both economic development and future forecasting for our road network. Please drive normally over them so the data can be collected. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Public Works Department at 319-377-6367.

Pavement Patching Project Continues
The City’s Pavement Patching 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

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 Boyson Road and 6th Avenue projects will begin on July 14. Additionally, Phase 3 of the 29th Avenue project will begin on July 15. These segments will take approximately two to three weeks to complete, weather permitting, and will be closed to traffic. Additional notices will be sent as the project progresses.

Friends of the Marion Public Library Meeting
The annual board meeting for the Friends of the Marion Public Library will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at 5 p.m. Stop by the boardroom, located on the second floor of the Marion Public Library, to learn more about the group and ways you can get involved. Additional information is also available at the Friends of the Marion Public Library website.

Linn County Urban Ag Field Day Open House
The Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and Linn County Master Gardeners are hosting a field day open house at the Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th Street. The event will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Explore the Linn County Master Gardeners urban gardens and learn techniques for your own neighborhood garden. The community is invited to explore the gardens at their own pace or join a scheduled presentation of the individual garden locations. Learn more on the ISU Extension and Outreach website.

Door-to-Door Solicitation Reminders
We’ve received reports of unlicensed solicitors in the area and wanted to remind residents of the process and their rights. A solicitor is any person who goes from place to place soliciting or taking orders for sales. All solicitors, peddlers and transient merchants are required to obtain a license through the City of Marion prior to the first day of any sale, offer for sale or solicitation. If you decide to speak with a solicitor, you should ask to see their identification and City of Marion license. Their City of Marion license is evidence of compliance with all requirements of the Code and will indicate the length of time the license is valid. If the individual is unable to display their license, you should call the Police Department at (319) 377-1511 while they are at your house or in your neighborhood. All peddler, solicitor and transient merchant licenses have time restrictions of 8 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week.

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, July 14, Jack Reynolds will be joining the Marion Public Library as a part-time patron services team member. Jack recently worked as a graduate student in the Student Affairs Division at the University of Illinois. Welcome aboard, Jack.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Now through July 13, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2700 block of 50th Street, southbound. Between July 14-18, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2700 block of 29th Avenue, westbound.

Upcoming Events

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

• Friday, July 11 – Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Merrill J. Miller & Friends – 6-8 p.m. – MOVING INDOORS - Goldfinch Tap + Eatery
• Saturday, July 12 – Sunrise Yoga – 7:30 a.m. – Lowe Park
• Saturday, July 12 – Marion Farmers Market & City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m.– Willowood Park
• Saturday, July 12 – Uptown Marion Market & City Council Office Hours – 8 a.m.-noon – 7th Avenue/Central Plaza at City Square Park
• Saturday, July 12 – Music Under the Moon featuring The Johnny Rogers Show – 7:30 p.m. – Lowe Park
• Tuesday, July 15 – Zumba: Fit Fun at the Park – 6-7 p.m. – Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park
• Thursday, July 17 – Marion Big Band “Swingin’ at Sunset” Concert – 7 p.m. – Central Plaza at City Square 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
• MEDCO Board meeting
• City Council Work Session
• Meeting with Sami Scheetz and Darrin Gage
• City Council Meeting

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