Local news- Press Release
City of Marion Iowa - IN FOCUS 2 23 24 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller 23 February 2024 ( news )
City of Marion , state Iowa ( By Press Release office)
Feb 23,2024
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For the Good of the Order
Congratulations to Firefighter Caiden Michael
Marion’s newest firefighter , Caiden Michael , took his
oath of officeand had his badge pinned during last night’s City Council meeting . He was joined by his family members , peers and the community . Firefighter Michael joined the department last November and is currently assigned to Shift 1 at Fire Station No . 1 . Welcome to Team Marion , Caiden . Stay safe!
Central Plaza Project to Begin
Work will begin on the
Central Plaza Projectin Uptown Marion as early as next week . The project includes the eastern portion of City Square Park and the vacated segment of S . 11th Street . The first noticeable change will be the placement of construction fencing around the park . The construction zone will stretch from 6th Avenue to inside the sidewalk on 7th Avenue and from inside the sidewalk on 10th Street to include 11th Street adjacent to Broad & Main . The Parks and Recreation Department will be removing eight trees within the construction zone that have been stressed since the derecho , identified as a future hazard or have reached maturity . New tree plantings are included as part of the project along with the addition of native perennials to enhance the urban ecosystem . The construction is not expected to impact future Uptown events or everyday business activities . Questions can be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department at 319 - 447 - 3580 . The official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 28 .
Grand Avenue Trail Spur to be Closed Next Week
Beginning on Monday , Feb . 26 , the
Grand Avenue Trail Spurnear Menards will be closed so that trees that were removed as part of the Indian Creek Trunk Sewer Segment 7 Project can be hauled away . This closure is expected to last 4 days and reopen on Friday , March 1 , weather permitting . Trail users are reminded to obey the posted signage and to stay out of the work zone .
Retirement Reception Planned for Amy Geiger
After three years and a successful capital campaign , Amy Geiger is retiring from the Marion Public Library . Amy has spent her 40 - year career in the nonprofit sector , most recently as the library’s foundation director . A retirement reception will be held at the library on Thursday , Feb . 29 , from 4 - 6 p . m . in the Community Room . All are welcome to attend , and refreshments will be provided .
150 Years of Fire Protection in Marion
During this week’s City Council meeting , Chief Fagan announced that 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the Marion Fire Department . The department will be hosting a community celebration to mark the sesquicentennial with an open house at Fire Station No . 1 later this year .
Community Emergency Response Team Concept Introduced
The Marion Fire Department works continuously to help make the community safer and more resilient . Chief Fagan announced a new opportunity to volunteer with the Fire Department without having to go into a burning building . The department is developing a new Community Emergency Response Team or CERT . The CERT team will support preparation and response to large - scale events and risk reduction programs like Stop the Bleed and CPR . More information will be announced to the community later this year on how to volunteer . You can learn more about the concept and see CERT teams in action in this
YouTube video
.
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 .
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 on February 24
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 . It is this Saturday , Feb . 24 , starting at 10 a . m . and volunteers will work for approximately an hour . Staff will demonstrate how to identify Japanese Barberry and discuss why it is a threat to our natural environment . The group will then remove 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 .
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 .
Don’t Miss Marion’s State of the City Event Happening March 5
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 with generous sponsorship support from Alliant Energy , Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation , MidAmerican Energy and Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC . Don’t miss out! Reservations are due by Monday , Feb . 26 .
Marion Parks & Recreation is Hiring!
It’s never too early to be thinking about summer! 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!
Upcoming Events
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:
Saturday , Feb . 24 - City Council Office Hours – 9 - 11 a . m . – Marion Public Library
Saturday , Feb . 24 – Faulkes Heritage Woods Workday – 10 a . m . - 3220 Tama Street SE in Cedar Rapids
Saturday , Feb . 24 – Adult Trivia Night – 6 - 8 p . m . – Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center
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
Collaborative Growth Initiative meeting
Scheduled time out of the office
Meeting with Haifeng Qian and Ben Champ
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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