For the Good of the Order
Retirement Reception Happening Today for Fire Chief Debra Krebill
After nearly 31 years with the Marion Fire Department, Chief Debra Krebill has done it all. She’s served as a paramedic, pump operator, fire investigator and more. She’s also spent time educating the public about fire safety and prevention. Making life safer for Marion families has been a focus throughout her career. A retirement reception will take place this afternoon, April 22, from 2-4 p.m. to thank Krebill for her years of public service. It will be held at Fire Station No. 1, 100 Irish Drive, Marion. A brief program is planned for 3 p.m. Thank you, Chief, for your unwavering commitment to Marion and your 30+ years of public service. We are deeply grateful.
Marion Assigned Aa1 Bond Rating
The City is undertaking the issuance of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2022A for the purpose of various city improvements, including streets, sidewalks, parks and the continued construction of the Library. To maximize the marketability of the bonds, the City participated in a credit rating review with Moody’s, one of the three credit rating agencies for governments. Following the review, the City's outstanding credit rating of Aa1 was assigned. Moody’s defines obligations in the Aa category to be of “high quality” and “subject to very low credit risk.” This rating, according to Moody’s is thanks in part to the City's "sound financial operations with healthy fund balance." Aa1 is the second-highest possible rating. This is great news for our community and a testament to the strong commitment to fiscal stewardship of Team Marion’s appointed and elected officials.
Outdoor Aquatic Center Update Provided to Council
Marion Parks and Recreation Director Seth Staashelm provided City Council with a status update on the proposed outdoor aquatic center during Tuesday’s City Council work session. He provided three scenarios, each with different cost estimates and space requirements. As the Gazette reported, City Council favored Concepts A and B. Concept A includes a wave pool and Concept B does not but leaves room for expansion. Next, staff will work with the consultant to develop a funding plan to bring back to Council for their review. In addition, they will begin working on site planning, the end of life plan for Willowood Pool as well as public outreach. The project is still in the planning stages and will likely go to the community for a vote. Learn more and read the Outdoor Aquatic Center Feasibility Study final report at www.cityofmarion.org/aquaticstudy.
Former Church Purchased by Conlon Construction
The Pentecostal Church of Cedar Rapids (formerly Marion Methodist Church) located at the corner of 12th Street and 8th Avenue was significantly damaged in the 2020 derecho and has been uninhabited since. Earlier this week, it was purchased by Conlon Construction of Dubuque. There are currently no plans other than to secure the property from further damage and to allow time for the new buyer to fully assess the building condition and potential future uses of the property. The property is part of the Uptown Commercial National Register Historic District. The Gothic-style structure constructed in 1896 has arched windows and doorways and a 100-foot-tall bell tower with four spires and circular windows at the apex. It is one of the most prominent structures on the Marion skyline. It served as a Methodist church until 2019 when it was purchased by the First Pentecostal Church of Cedar Rapids. The City welcomes the new buyer and is excited to work with them in preserving this architecturally-significant building and important part of Marion’s history. Thank you to Mayor AbouAssaly for his passion and persistence in protecting this historic landmark.
Progress Continues on CeMar Trail and Decorative Railing over Marion Boulevard
Work continues on the multi-phase CeMar Trail project and the installation of a new pedestrian bridge over 7th Avenue. Once completed, the CeMar Trail will serve as a direct bicycle and pedestrian connection from Downtown Cedar Rapids to Uptown Marion. Crews have made significant progress on the installation of the decorative railing that spans Marion Boulevard. Once the bridge is complete and the project is accepted by the Iowa DOT, the artistic towers that complement the railing will be added.
Hydrant Flushing Underway; View Progress through Interactive Map
Flushing hydrants is an important preventive maintenance activity that verifies the 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. This week, the City’s GIS Data Analyst launched an interactive map to provide a real-time look at the Water Department’s progress. As of this morning, staff members had flushed 444 of the 1868 hydrants.
Marion Named Tree City USA Growth Award Recipient
The City of Marion was recently honored with the 2021 Tree City USA Growth Award at the 31st Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on April 12, 2022, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Marion was one of 16 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA Growth status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, provide education and public relations; partnerships; planning and management; and tree planting and maintenance in their communities. Marion has achieved Tree City USA status consistently since 1993. Kudos to the Urban Forestry Division of the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Tree Board for their leadership in this effort.
Plan to Attend YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day and Marion’s City Showcase on April 30
This year, the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will be held in conjunction with Marion’s City Showcase. Between 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 30, there will be dozens of free, hands-on activities for the entire family to enjoy at the Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center, 3701 Irish Drive. Kids will have a chance to get up close to various City vehicles, watch a K9 demonstration and win prizes. There will also be games, storytime, fitness demonstrations and giveaways. The first 100 attendees will have the opportunity to take home a 3-gallon tree. My family and I look forward to being part of the fun and hope to meet several of you that day.
New Faces in New Places
Please help welcome Tyler Steepleton to Team Marion. Tyler will be joining us on Monday, April 25 as an equipment operator with the Public Services Department. He previously worked for Delaney Concrete Contracting as an equipment operator. Congrats, Tyler! We’re excited for you to join the team.
Future Project Updates
Here’s a look at the tentative agenda containing a list of several items that will be coming before City Council in the weeks ahead.
On the Docket
The following are a few major activities on my calendar for the coming week:
- Meeting with Karmin McShane from the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency
- City Council special work session to discuss sanitary sewer
- Meeting with representatives from Green State Credit Union
- Wastewater agreement discussion with the cities of Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha
- Meeting with Mayor AbouAssaly, Cedar Rapids Mayor O’Donnell and Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz
Original source can be found here.
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