For the Good of the Order
CeMar Trail Ribbon Cutting
Today community leaders from both Marion and Cedar Rapids gathered to celebrate the newly-constructed gateway bridge over Marion Boulevard. The ceremony marked the official opening of the CeMar Trail segment that begins near the roundabout at 7th Avenue and 7th Street and travels west on the reconstructed railroad bridge over Indian Creek and into Thomas Park. The bridge features a decorative railing designed by local artist Cara Briggs Farmer of Synergy Metalworks. Artistic columns will be added after the Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration accept the project. Not only is the bridge a vital link for pedestrian traffic between Cedar Rapids and Marion, but it also creates an east/west trail connection by way of the Grant Wood Trail. Congrats to all who shared the vision so many years ago and helped see it through to completion.
Trail Repairs
High temperatures and heavy rainfall have impacted sections of our trail system in recent weeks, but the Parks and Recreation Department is happy to report that all segments of the Grant Wood and Boyson Trails have reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. If you’ll be in the area this holiday weekend, get out and enjoy our beautiful network of trails. Thank you for your patience during these short-term closures.
Remembering Peg Pierce
The City of Marion extends its condolences to the family of Peg Pierce. Peg passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the age of 88. Peg is credited with establishing the Marion Girls Softball league in 1984. It wasn't an easy endeavor, but Peg was determined to make it happen. For the next 30 years, she spent countless hours directing the league and watching "her girls" play. The complex was named in her honor on the 10th anniversary of the league. Peg surely made a lasting impact on generations of girls and the Marion community. The family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m.
July 4 Holiday Hours
Marion City Hall and other City offices will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, July 5. Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day all week. Collection will take place Tuesday through Saturday instead. The Yard Waste Drop-off Facility and Recycling Drop-off Center will maintain their normal hours of operation on Saturday, July 2. Both will be closed on Monday, July 4. The Marion Pool will be open its normal hours of operation through the weekend. It will be open from 1-5 p.m. on Monday, July 4. The Marion Public Library will be closed on Monday, July 4 and will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, July 5.
Fireworks Rules
Just a reminder… the use of consumer fireworks is only allowed in Marion on July 4 from noon to 11 p.m. Fireworks may be purchased and used only by persons 18 years of age or older, and only with the property owner’s permission. Fireworks may NOT be used in public parks. Any other dates and times are authorized by permit only. The use of fireworks outside of the designated dates and times is considered a nuisance in Marion’s code. Property owners allowing fireworks to be discharged on their property outside of the established dates/times may be subject to citation for a municipal infraction. The fees for a municipal infraction are $750 for the first infraction and $1,000 for each subsequent infraction. Residents can report fireworks usage outside of the permissible dates by calling the Marion Police Department's non-emergency line at 319-377-1511.
City-Wide Rezoning to Continue
The City is preparing to complete the city-wide update of the Marion zoning map. Former City Council Wards 1 and 3 will move through the approval process beginning with a public hearing at the Aug. 9, 2022 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Former City Council Wards 2 and 4 were updated in the summer of 2021. The proposed zoning map updates reflect both current land uses as well as the goals and objectives of the Marion Comprehensive Plan. For project information and updates please visit www.cityofmarion.org/zoningmapupdate.
Workforce Housing Tax Credit Application Submitted
Marion City Council held a special meeting this week to review a request from 1227 8th Avenue LLC to provide an initial financial commitment and a resolution of support for a Workforce Housing Tax Credit application. The project, adjacent to the historic portion of the former Methodist Church, proposes 58 market-rate apartment units. While the project renderings illustrate very specific design components (renderings may be viewed online), the project must go through the full zoning, design review and approval process. A submittal to the City to begin the formal review process has not been made.
Transit Meeting Update
We had a productive meeting with our transit partners from Cedar Rapids, Horizons, Linn County and the State. Using community and rider survey data we are working together to develop route options for the City Council to consider as part of the FY 24 budget process.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Marion city government is comprised of several departments, all of which are interconnected in various ways. It was great to receive this note from Firefighter Ian Cruse over the weekend as he shared his thanks and appreciation for a member of our team: “I just wanted to take a minute and express my appreciation for the work that City Shop does, specifically Tony from City Shop. When responding to a vehicle accident, we experienced a mechanical failure (cooling system hose rupture) on one of our fire engines that forced us to shut the fire engine down at the scene. After working through AJ and John Hughes, Tony came to the scene, assessed the broken down fire engine, was able to work with our firefighter who remained on scene (Ryan Pfiffner) to get the fire engine to City Shop, and repair the fire engine so that we could get it back in service within a very short period of time. We were prepared to make do with another fire engine that is out of service for repairs, but did not need to because of Tony's quick work. Everyone is quick to criticize but I feel that we should also be quick to give credit to those who go above and beyond to keep the wheels turning and Tony is one of those people who goes above and beyond.”
New Faces in New Places
We have several new faces who will be joining Team Marion in the next week. First, Angie Tharp will be joining us on Tuesday, July 5 as an accounting associate in the Finance Department. She most recently owned and managed Tharp Design. We’re excited to have her to join the team! Jenna Silver will be joining us as the administrative assistant for City Hall based out of the City Manager’s Office. Her first day on the job will be Wednesday, July 6. She comes from the Department of Justice where she was most recently an information receptionist. Congrats, Jenna! Ani Stevens will begin her role as a part-time patron services member with the Marion Public Library. She’s coming from Marion High School. Welcome to the team, Ani!
We’d also like to congratulate Jake Spors on being promoted to Utility II with the Parks and Recreation Department. Jake started as a parks seasonal employee and transitioned to full-time in July 2020. Keep up the great work, Jake!
Word on the Street
This feature of the newsletter helps answer some of the frequently asked questions we’re hearing.
- What are the plans for reopening S. 11th Street, between the new Marion Public Library and the old one?
There is a long-range master plan that does include the creation of a plaza in this block that would connect to the Central and North plazas that are under development. However, nothing is designed or programmed just yet. As far as more immediate plans for reopening S. 11th Street, there’s still enough construction/moving activity that warrants it remaining closed. We continue to meet regularly with the contractors and will keep an eye on the level of activity. When we have a clear date, we will be sure to communicate via our normal communication outlets (i.e. social media, IN FOCUS, press releases, etc).
It’s shaping up to be another festive weekend in Marion. Here’s a quick look at the free events that are scheduled in City spaces this weekend:
Friday, July 1
Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Joel Sires & Jacob Lampman – 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 2
No Sunrise Yoga this week due to the holiday
Marion Farmers Market & City Council Office Hours – Taube Park – 8-11 a.m.
Sunday, July 3
Fireworks & Fireflies – Lowe Park – 6-10:30 p.m.
Future Project Updates
Here’s a look at the tentative agenda containing a list of several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead.
On the Docket
The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:
- Offices closed on July 4 in observance of the holiday
- Regularly scheduled internal meetings
- City Council Work Session
- City Council Meeting
- Monthly Coffee Talk with City employees
Source: https://www.cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/7125/17
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