For the Good of the Order

Mayor Nick AbouAssaly Honored as Forty Under 40 Alumnus of the Year
Please join in congratulating Mayor Nick AbouAssaly on his selection as Forty Under 40 Alumnus of the Year. The Corridor Business Journal chooses a previous Forty Under 40 honoree who has achieved outstanding professional success and made a significant impact on the community. Congratulations to Mayor Nick on being this year’s honoree. We thank you for all you do for Marion and the region!

One Week Remains to Order Trees as part of Native Tree Right-of-Way Enrichment Pilot
Don’t miss out! Marion residents have until Friday, Sept. 23 (while supplies last) to request free right-of-way trees. The City has partnered with Monarch Research to provide residents and landowners with up to three, 3-gallon trees to plant in the right-of-way adjacent to their property. The pilot is limited to the first 250 property owners who register by Sept. 23. With a successful pilot, the initiative will expand next year. Learn more about the effort, find a listing of the tree species available and submit your reservation today! 

Vote for Marion Fire Department Headquarters for the People’s Choice All-Star Award
We've made it to the Final Four in the Iowa League of Cities People’s All-Star Tournament!! Click on this link to give the new headquarters for the Marion Fire Department some love and help move us to the finals!! Marion has been an All-Star Community for four of the last five years - let's keep the streak alive!! PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS UPDATE WE ARE IN LAST PLACE ☹.

Marion Public Library Construction Update
This past week the Library Board of Trustees and City Council had a joint meeting to discuss the progress on the Marion Public Library construction project. Four critical items were identified that are standing in the way of the library opening. These include sink shrouds, interior railing, exterior railing, and access and security software/hardware installation. After multiple meetings with construction partners this week, there are several alternative temporary solutions being sought and implemented to remedy these deficiencies. As soon as these items are resolved, the Library Board of Trustees will be able to discuss the opening date for the building.

Marion Messenger & Play by Play Now Available
The Fall 2022 Marion Messenger and Play by Play insert hit mailboxes earlier this week. Find a full line-up of events to take us into the winter months. The Messenger also features policy updates, development plans and other important reminders. The publication is delivered to every household in the 52302 ZIP code and additional copies are available for pick-up at City facilities and the Chamber Welcome Center. 

7^th Avenue Streetscape Update
Progress continues on the 7^th Avenue Reconstruction and Streetscape Project. Here’s a look at the latest project update that was issued on Sept. 14, 2022.

MEDCO Development & Industry Tour a Success
Earlier this week, Deputy City Manager Kim Downs and I had the opportunity to participate in the popular MEDCO Development & Industry Tour. The tour included stops at various new development projects including the Marion Independent School District Sports Facility, Lebeda Mattress Factory, Victory Gymnastics Training Center and Broad & Main on 7^th. You could feel the positive energy in the air. What an exciting time to be in Marion!

Marion Tree Board Receives $10,000 Community Forestry Grant
In other exciting news, the Marion Tree Board received news that they were selected as a recipient of the Community Forestry Grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The $10,000 grant will be used to purchase trees and planting materials to replace right-of-way trees that were lost in the derecho or as a result of the emerald ash borer. Thank you Tree Board and Iowa DNR! 

Fall Into Marion – Oktoberfest and More
Twenty-seven Iowa brewers will feature samples from a wide variety of styles at the inaugural Oktoberfest event happening in Marion this Saturday. The event will run from noon – 3 p.m. with special VIP ticket access beginning at 11 a.m. Attendees will also enjoy live music and traditional German games. Music entertainment will be held in City Square Park and feature polka sounds from Lyle Beaver and the Brass Notes at 11 a.m., and acoustic country by Boot Jack Duo at 1 p.m. Tickets are $40 and will help to support winter lights in Marion. A limited number will be available at the door. Those wishing to enjoy the music and the atmosphere are welcome to do so at no cost.  

Then next weekend, enjoy Dueling Pianos on Friday, Sept. 23, the Fall Marion Market, a Dog Fashion Show and Tailgate in the Park on Saturday and a Classic Car Show & Shine on Sunday. Visit www.cityofmarion.org for event details.

NFPA Fire Prevention Kits Donated
Special thanks to our local State Farm Insurance agents Jerry Green and Lindsay Lange along with State Farm Adjuster Emili Grissom, who donated 300 Fire Prevention Kits to help the Marion Fire Department promote fire safety and awareness this October during Fire Prevention Month. This year’s theme is "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape." The department plans to distribute them at their booth next Saturday, Sept. 24 during the Fall Marion Market.

New Faces in New Places
Please help welcome Tracy Pridie to Team Marion. Tracy will be joining us on Monday, Sept. 19 as an accounting associate with our Finance Department. She’s coming from Circle Computer Resources as an accounts payable supervisor. Congrats, Tracy - we’re excited for you to join the team!

Cathryn Tyree will be our new communications operator with the Marion Police Department. She comes from Jones County Sheriff’s Office as a Certified 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator. Congrats, Cathryn! We look forward to you starting with us!

Martin Hepker is joining Team Marion as a part-time building supervisor with our Parks and Recreation Department. Martin has worked as a building maintenance technician with Rockwell International. Welcome to the team, Martin!

Word on the Street

This feature provides answers to some of the questions our City Council members are hearing:

Why are there so many road construction projects happening all at once?
Whether it is underground utility work, rehabilitation of existing streets, improvements to handle increased traffic volumes or new construction - road construction projects are a necessity for our growing city. Generally, the weather is favorable to complete road construction projects in Iowa between April and early November. With this limited construction window, multiple projects must occur simultaneously to ensure completion before winter sets in. Additionally, it is important to provide some schedule flexibility to the contractors in order to secure competitive bids on projects. While we understand the inconvenience, progress is being made on several of the short-term closures and they are expected to open soon. If you’re interested in specific updates, check out the Engineering Department’s Project Newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Get out and enjoy some of the community events that are happening this weekend:

Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Joseph Valenti – 5-7 p.m. – Uptown Artway

Saturday, Sept. 17
Oktoberfest – noon-3 p.m. – 7^th Avenue & City Square Park
Iowa vs. Nevada on the Jumbotron – 6:30 p.m. – Uptown Artway

Tuesday, Sept. 20
Red Cedar Chamber Music presents: FRESH FOLK – noon – Uptown Artway
Movie on the Move featuring Back to the Future – 8 p.m. – Hanna Park

Future Project Updates

Here’s a look at the tentative agendacontaining 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:

• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant
• Meeting with Prospect Meadows
• MEDCO board meeting
• Meeting regarding the redevelopment of the old Library site
• Meeting with Mayor AbouAssaly and Okpara Rice
• Meeting with Curt Heideman
• Meeting with John Armon

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