For the Good of the Order
   Editorial: Marion Keeps Shining
   It was a nice surprise to see
   this editorialfrom the Corridor Business Journal earlier this week . It gives a nod to our reigning Mayor of the Year and Marion’s recent recognition as Community of the Year . The best part is that this success is shared by the community!   
   Central Plaza Project Celebrates Campaign Kick - Off
   On Tuesday evening , the Marion Park & Recreation Foundation hosted a fundraising
   campaign kick - off eventfor the Central Plaza sponsored by Rinderknecht Associates and Uptown Snug . The program included remarks from Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly , Chamber President Jill Ackerman , representatives of Rinderknecht Associates and Al Rowe with the Park & Recreation Foundation . The event celebrated the nearly $850 , 000 raised to date and launched the public phase of the $1 . 3 million fundraising campaign for the project . Attendees were able to learn more about the project and celebrate the impact it will have in Marion and throughout the region . To learn more or get in on the action , visit
   www . cityofmarion . org/parksfoundation
    .
   Lieutenant Zach Bruce Completes Managing Officer Program
   Congratulations to Lieutenant Zace Bruce on his completion of the
   Managing Officer Programthrough the National Fire Academy ( NFA ) . The Managing Officer Program is a nationally renowned program through the NFA in Emmitsburg , Maryland . The multi - year program includes five prerequisite courses and four courses at the NFA in Emmitsburg covering change management , risk reduction and adaptive leadership . The program concludes following a community - based capstone project . Congratulations Lieutenant Bruce on your commitment to excellence by continuing to develop your knowledge , skills and abilities for Marion .
   Celebrating Black History Month
   During last week’s City Council meeting , Mayor AbouAssaly proclaimed February 2024 as Black History Month and encouraged all residents to celebrate diversity in our community , seek out educational opportunities on the history and contributions of African Americans and join our efforts to promote progress toward a society that is more just , peaceful and prosperous for all . The proclamation was then presented to Aaron Doolin with the NAACP . The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide source for black history and culture located in Cedar Rapids . We look forward to joining them in celebrating the completion of their $5 million renovation project later this month . Check out the programs the Marion Public Library has organized to celebrate Black History Month at
   marionpubliclibrary . org
    .
   Marion ICE Happening this Saturday
   The forecast looks perfect for
   Marion ICE
    , happening this Saturday from 4 - 7 p . m . in City Square Park . This free community event features live ice - sculpting demos , hot chocolate and outdoor winter games . Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck will be onsite serving hot ( or iced! ) beverages . Thanks to Iowa Appliance Center and LG Home Appliances for sponsoring this event .
   City of Marion Announces Presidents Day Schedule
   Marion City Hall will be
   closed to the publicon Monday , Feb . 19 for annual cleaning . Other City facilities will be open normal business hours . Garbage and recycling will be collected on Monday and according to the normal schedule for the remainder of the week .
   Marion Civil Rights Commission Accepting Housing Assistance Grant Applications
   The Marion Civil Rights Commission is currently accepting applications for the Marion Low & Moderate Income Housing Assistance Grant to be awarded in 2024 . The Marion City Council has approved up to $62 , 000 to be used for this grant program . The grant will help non - profits , charitable organizations or other entities interested in assisting low - and moderate - income individuals with programs that address housing instability in the community .  The application period will remain open through March 10 , 2024 . The materials and application form are available at
   www . cityofmarion . org/LMIgrant
    .
   Marion Recycling Drop - Off Facility No Longer Accepts Batteries
   The Public Services Department no longer accepts batteries at the Recycling Drop - off Facility on 35th Street , but the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency on County Home Road does . This service is available free of charge for Linn County residents . Follow these
   tipswhen considering the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of batteries .
   Spring Maintenance Happening at Lowe Park
   The Lowe Arts & Environment Center at Lowe Park is currently undergoing spring maintenance .  This week the ductwork is being cleaned and paint touch - ups are in progress .
   Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization ( CMPO ) Seeking Public Input
   The Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization ( CMPO ) is seeking public input on upcoming trail , transit and road projects in the local metro area . The CMPO will be hosting two open houses and an
   online survey
    . At the open houses , the public can learn about projects and provide feedback . The first open house is at the Ladd Library on Feb . 27 , at 5:30 p . m . , 3750 Williams Blvd SW , Cedar Rapids ( accessible by CR Transit routes 8 & 12 ) . The second open house will be at the Hiawatha Public Library on Feb . 29 , at 5:30 p . m . , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha ( accessible by CR Transit route 30 ) . Both open houses will provide the same information and opportunities for feedback – there is no need to attend both . Follow the CMPO on 
   Facebook
    or 
   Instagram
    or visit their 
   website
    for additional information and engagement opportunities .  
   Workday Scheduled at Faulkes Heritage Woods
   The City of Marion and Trees Forever are hosting an educational workday to target invasive species and remove them from the Faulkes Heritage Woodland located at 3220 Tama Street SE in Cedar Rapids .  The workday will be held on Saturday , Feb . 24 , starting at 10 a . m . and volunteers will work for approximately an hour . Staff will lead volunteers into the timber and demonstrate how to identify Japanese Barberry and discuss why it is a threat to our natural environment . The group will then work on removal of this plant in an identified area .  Following the work , the city arborist will guide a short tour using the woodland footpath . Some pruning tools will be available , but you are welcome to  bring your own . The workshop is free and open to all skill levels and interests and will be outdoors , so please dress accordingly for weather conditions . Wear footwear suitable for hiking a dirt path with some occasional vertical ascent . Registration details will be released soon .
   Informational Session for Contractors and Developers Happening February 27
   The City of Marion invites area contractors , builders , developers , architects and realtors to an 
   open house and informational session
    on Tuesday , Feb . 27 , between 7 - 9:30 a . m . at the Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center , 4500 N . 10th St . A light breakfast will be provided . Representatives from City departments and Marion Economic Development Corporation ( MEDCO ) will be on hand to discuss topics that impact those in the building construction industry . Learn about common construction violations , the digital plan review process , updates to stormwater management requirements , changes to the zoning map , possible fee changes , updates to the fire alarm and sprinkler review process and more .  
   Marion State of the City Event Happening March 5
   Using an approach that is forward - looking , people - focused and rooted in partnerships , community leaders are delivering on a vibrant quality of life . Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly will review the challenges and triumphs of 2023 and highlight the projects slated for 2024 and beyond during the 
   30th annual Marion State of the City address .
    His presentation is titled “Setting the Standard . ” The event is planned for Tuesday , March 5 , from 11:30 a . m . - 1 p . m . at the Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids , 1200 Collins Road NE . It is hosted by the City of Marion and supported by local businesses . Reservations are due by Feb . 26 .
   Lowe Park Urban Orchard Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
   The Linn County Master Gardeners , Marion Parks and Recreation Department and Trees Forever are hosting a fruit tree pruning workshop at the Lowe Park Urban Orchard , 4500 N . 10th St .  The workshop will be held on Saturday , March 9 , starting at 10 a . m . and continuing until the work is completed , which was shortly after noon last year . This is a great opportunity to learn pruning techniques or sharpen your skills in pruning . Some pruning tools , like hand pruners and saws , will be available , but if you have pruning tools , please bring them along .  The workshop is free and open to all skill levels and interests . A majority of the workshop will be outdoors , so please dress accordingly for weather conditions the day of the activity . The greenhouse will be open for warming as needed .
   Absentee Ballots Available for PPEL Vote
   Voters in both Marion Independent and Linn - Mar Community School Districts will be heading to the polls for a special election on Tuesday , March 5 , 2024 , to decide whether or not to renew the existing Physical Plant and Equipment Levy ( PPEL ) . PPEL is a voter - approved levy that serves as a revenue source for funding school infrastructure and equipment repairs , purchases and improvements . A mailed absentee ballot can be obtained from the Linn County Auditor’s Office by completing a request form . All ballot requests must be received by the auditor’s office by 5 p . m . on Monday , Feb . 19 . Ballots must be received by the auditor’s office or ballot drop box before the polls close at 8 p . m . on election day to be considered for counting . In - person absentee voting at the auditor’s office will begin during regular business hours on Wednesday , Feb . 14 , and end at 5 p . m . on Monday , March 4 . Voters will need to show a valid ID before casting their ballot . Polls will be open from 7 a . m . to 8 p . m . on election day . Voters can find their polling locations at 
   linncountyelections . org/lookup/
    .
   Marion Parks & Recreation is Hiring!
   It’s never too early to be thinking about summer! Here’s looking at you high school and college students!! Enjoy some fun in the sun working with the Marion Parks and Recreation Department – specifically as a mower , seasonal laborer or pool assistant . Find the specifics and a full list of the open positions with the City of Marion at 
   www . cityofmarion . org/employment
    . Come be part of a winning team!
   Word on the Street
   Why does it appear there’s broken glass on the roadway on several streets?
   It wasn’t glass , it was salt . With snow in the forecast overnight last night into today , Public Services crews pre - treated the primary and secondary routes with rock salt . Iowa weather is an interesting thing and several factors come into play when determining the appropriate response for winter precipitation including air temperature , surface temperature and forecasted accumulation . The pre - treatment helps delay accumulation .
   Can you tell me how the recycling and garbage are taken care of when it appears they go in the same opening on the garbage truck?
   The trucks used by the Public Services Department are dual - compartment trucks . There is a wall dividing the two which is hard to see from the side but easier to see when looking at the back of the truck . The collection compartments are also divided . When facing the side of the truck - recycling goes to the back of the opening and garbage is closer to the front . Each is operated by a different mechanism . When the trucks go to the landfill they empty the garbage in the landfill and drive through the Resource Recovery building to offload the recycling .
   I know Marion uses a split hopper truck to collect garbage and recycling , but occasionally I notice a single hopper truck being used for this purpose . Why is that?
   When curbside garbage/recycling is collected with a single hopper truck , that is the worst - case scenario and the exception to the rule . We resort to using a single hopper truck when we have a truck in need of repair and this is the only option we have to get it collected on time . It is a temporary solution until the other equipment is repaired . If the equipment will be out of commission for more than a day or two , crews will devise a new plan so that the materials stay separated . Crews did encounter some mechanical issues during the January snow storm , but the issues have since been resolved and collections have been business as usual .
   Upcoming Events
   Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
   Saturday , Feb . 17 - City Council Office Hours – 9 - 11 a . m . – Marion Public Library
   Saturday , Feb . 17 – Marion ICE sponsored by Iowa Appliance Center and LG Home Appliances – 4 - 7 p . m . – City Square Park
   Future Council Items
   Here’s an
   overviewof 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:
   Internal meetings
   MEDCO Board meeting
   City Council Work Session
   Time out of the office for Leadership Iowa
   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
    .
   

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