City of Marion recently issued the following announcement.
For the Good of the Order
Redistricting Maps Submitted
Redistricting maps were sent to the Secretary of State and Linn County Auditor’s office following the public hearing and subsequent approval by the City Council. The new maps will affect the next City election. The City of Marion will still have four City Council wards, each represented by a City Council member. The new maps create 18 voting precincts, an increase of four over the previous ward/precinct map. The new maps will be used until the completion of the 2030 US Census, at which time they will be updated if needed to reflect population change.
Snow Removal Stats
Winter arrived with force this year. While every snowfall is different, the City of Marion’s Public Services Department has always strived to maintain an eight-hour service level anytime we receive 2-4 inches of snow. This means they work to have every street cleared within eight hours of the snow subsiding. Crews were out clearing snow the evening of Dec. 29, 2021 and continued snow removal operations every day up until the morning of Jan. 3, 2022. Throughout the holiday break, 700 hours of overtime were logged for snow removal operations. Mechanical issues included breakdowns of multiple mainline trucks. Many equipment operators were going on four or five hours of sleep, showing significant dedication to make up for staffing shortages and equipment failures. Public Services is currently monitoring contracted salt deliveries. There has been a delay this year due to a lack of logistics and trucking support. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.
Water Department Submits ARPA Application
As a follow-up to an inquiry during this week’s City Council Work Session, I wanted to let you know that the Marion Water Department has applied for $5.18 million of ARPA funds through Linn County’s ARPA application process. The request is for a 1 million gallon elevated water tower on the northern side of Marion to increase existing water pressure and extend the water main to the intersection of Highway 13 and County Home Road to serve the existing facilities in this area. If money is awarded for this project, design work would occur this fall with a spring letting in 2023 and anticipated completion at the end of 2024.
Central Plaza Design
City Council approved the scope of work and design services contract with RDG Planning and Design at the Dec. 21 City Council meeting. Since that time an internal Technical Review Committee has been established and is scheduled to meet on Jan. 19. The next steps will include developing a steering committee, which would include City Council members and community stakeholders, similar to the Streetscape Steering Committee.
Next Steps for Public Services Facility
In 2019, construction began on a new Public Services Facility, north of Highway 100 and west of 44th Street. The structure was affected by the derecho and demolition was delayed to allow experts time to evaluate the site. All site inspections have been completed, and the City is ready to proceed with demolition. This week, a meeting occurred with representatives of the Public Services Department, the design team from Shive Hattery, and construction manager Conlon Construction. The team is working to finalize demolition packages, review current facility designs and formulate a schedule of improvements for consideration. It is anticipated that bid packages will be presented to City Council in February 2022, with preliminary schedules and programming to follow.
City ARPA Survey Results
This fall, the City used an online survey tool to capture input on the proposed use and effective distribution of more than $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds. The survey presented all eligible use categories that Marion qualifies for and asked respondents to rate the importance of each category. We had 257 people respond to the survey, the vast majority (93%) being homeowners. The results show strong support for all five categories, with improvements to water infrastructure and sanitary sewer upgrades receiving the most support (95% and 94% respectively). Non-profit and impacted industry assistance programs received 86% support, housing assistance for qualified homeowners or renters received 73% support and 70% of respondents were in favor of transit service improvements.
Marion’s State of the City Event Now Set for March
Given the latest increase in virus activity and a strong desire to hold an in-person event in 2022, Marion’s State of the City event is being postponed until Thursday, March 10, at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored on March 10. Marion Mayor Nicolas AbouAssaly will review the challenges and triumphs of 2021 and highlight the progress anticipated in 2022 and beyond during his State of the City address entitled, “Progress Ahead.” Reservations for the luncheon are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10 and may be purchased online via the Linn County League of Women Voters website at www.lwvlinncounty.org/lwvlc-marion-soc.
Marion Fire Department Receives Donation
Marion Fire Department wishes to thank former Councilwoman Mary Lou Pazour for her generous donation of four Liberty Lift devices to assist our EMTs and paramedics with providing lift assists to persons who cannot get up on their own. The devices will provide greater ease and less strain on the patient, as well as the medics.
Kudos
Four members of the Marion Police Department were honored with life-saving awards on Tuesday. Investigator Nikki Hotz was recognized for administering CPR while working as part of the bomb squad at a University of Iowa football game. Officers Brian Davis and Mitch Walser were honored for administering CPR to a heart attack victim at a Linn-Mar football game. Officer Reagan Kurfman was recognized for administering CPR to an unresponsive male during a call for service. We thank them for their prompt, life-giving actions and commitment to their profession.
Future Project Updates
There are a number of items that will be coming before City Council in the weeks ahead. Here’s a look at the tentative agenda.
On the Docket
The following are a few major activities coming up next week:
- Final week of lunches with the Marion Fire Department
- Monthly meeting with Linn-Mar and Marion Independent Superintendents
- Meeting with ImOn to discuss the cable franchise agreement
- Meeting with City of Cedar Rapids to discuss wastewater agreement
- Various meetings with residents and community partners
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up