IN FOCUS: 12.12.25 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Marion Leadership in Action Class Tours City Facilities
On Thursday, Public Works served as the first stop on City Government Day for the local business leaders participating in the Chamber's Marion Leadership in Action program. I was honored to spend the lunch hour with the group and provided an overview of City government and major projects. The group then got a behind-the-scenes look at the new Public Works Facility, the Marion Police Department and the headquarters for the Marion Fire Department. Marion's future is looking bright!

Marion Partners for Incident Command System Training
Earlier this week, the City of Marion, Linn County Public Health, and individuals from HACAP, Linn County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, invested their time in incident management training. Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS-300) training is part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and provides the framework and tools for effective incident management using real-life scenarios. This partnership made it possible to host the training here in Marion and hone our skills collectively as a team. It is all part of our commitment to a safe community!

Kudos to Marion Parks and Recreation for Installing Holiday Magic
Marion Parks and Recreation makes Marion shine... literally! This small but mighty team has installed nearly 100,000 lights (40,000 in the Uptown Artway alone) in Uptown Marion - from roundabout to roundabout and all points in between! They turn their attention to winter lights in October and are able to celebrate a job well done during Christmas in the Park each year. Congratulations to everyone involved in creating such a magical scene!

Local Warming Centers Available
During periods of extreme cold, Marion City Hall, Marion Public Library, Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, Thomas Park Safe Room and the Marion Police Department lobby are available for use as warming centers in Marion. Warming centers are facilities where people can temporarily go during periods of extreme temperatures to get out of dangerous weather conditions. Few services are provided beyond what is normally available in that building during their normal operational hours. A full list of all locations in Linn County has been compiled by Linn County Emergency Management.

Sign Up to Receive Text or Email Alerts
The City of Marion has launched a new text and email alert program to provide updates on important things like garbage delays, winter storm parking alerts, upcoming events and more. By visiting www.cityofmarion.org/text, residents and anyone interested can sign up for updates from the City of Marion.

13th Avenue Lane Reduction Happening Next Week
Beginning Monday, Dec. 15, Boomerang Corp will reduce 13th Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets to one lane of traffic. Westbound traffic will need to yield to eastbound traffic. This closure is expected to last 2 days and is associated with the Marion Sanitary Trunk Sewer Projects 4 & 5.

Nominate a Stand-Out Volunteer for the Community Impact Award
Have you nominated someone for the Morris F. Neighbor Community Impact Award presented by the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the City of Marion? Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2026. Community Impact Award nominees may be an individual, couple or organization whose volunteerism, outstanding service and dedication have impacted the Marion community. The honoree will be announced by Mayor AbouAssaly during the Marion State of the City event in March. Visit marioncc.org/community-impact-award to access the nomination form.

Prescription Drug Dropbox Discontinued at Marion Police Department
The Marion Police Department will no longer accept expired or unwanted prescription drugs from residents. The dropbox has been removed from the front parking lot. This service has been on hold for several years and the department decided to officially discontinue the service. Residents are encouraged to check with their local pharmacy for prescription drug drop-off options.

Reminder of Schedule Change for December City Council Meetings
Renovation work is coming soon to Marion City Hall. Part of the project includes a refresh of the Council Chambers where City Council meetings are held. To prepare for the renovation work, the City Council meetings scheduled for December will be consolidated. The regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, will be combined with the Tuesday, Dec. 16, meeting at 4 p.m. The Tuesday meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Marion City Hall, 1225 6th Avenue, and are also available to stream live online. Agendas, minutes and video recordings are available on the City's meeting portal.

Snow and Ice Removal Reminders
Winter has arrived. As a reminder, property owners are required to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Per city ordinance, snow and ice shall be cleared within 36 hours after the snow or ice stops falling. The entire sidewalk along the property must be cleared, including any corners leading into the street. If the snow/ice is not removed in a timely manner and a complaint is received, the City will clear the sidewalk. The resulting charges will be 85 cents per square foot, plus a $125 administrative fee. Questions or concerns about snow removal on sidewalks can be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department at (319) 447-3580.

Board and Commission Openings
Do you want to provide input on City policies and help shape our city and its government? Apply to be one of 100+ volunteers who serve on Marion boards and commissions. There are openings on the Arts Council, Civil Service Commission, Civil Rights Commission, Construction Code Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Library Board, Park Board and Planning & Zoning Commission. To be considered, please submit an online application.

Marion Police Department is Hiring
If you have integrity, common sense and a strong work ethic - we want you on our team! The Marion Police Department is now hiring entry-level police officers. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and career advancement opportunities. Already certified? We offer up to a $15,000 hiring bonus and credit given for prior continuous law enforcement experience. Learn more and apply at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, Dec. 15, Ryan Lovejoy will be joining the Marion Police Department as a police officer. He comes to us from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. We look forward to working with you, Ryan!

Word on the Street

• Can you provide an update on the status of the proposed aquatics park?
  Last fall, Marion City Council voted 6-1 to hold off on putting the proposed outdoor aquatics park on the November ballot. Council members cited the overall project cost, a compressed timeline and survey results showing less than 60% support for the possible bond referendum as reasons for the decision. Staff are working with the resident-appointed steering committee to discuss next steps and create an updated timeline associated with replacing the aging Marion Pool at Willowood Park. If this project were to receive City Council approval, it would proceed to a community vote.

• The new ice loop is a fun wintertime amenity, how does it work?
  The Ice Loop in City Square Park (1001 7th Avenue) is open and available for use daily during normal park hours; just bring your own skates. Scheduled operating hours are Thursday/Friday - 5-10 p.m., Saturday - noon-10 p.m. and Sunday - noon-6 p.m. This is when admission is charged, ice skates will be available to rent and additional services like ice resurfacing, outdoor heaters and concessions are offered. It is important to note that extreme temperatures and weather patterns can impact this schedule. For real-time updates, check the Marion Parks & Recreation Facebook page, call the Weather Hotline (319-200-1274), or sign up for text alerts at www.cityofmarion.org/text.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between Dec. 11-15, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 5400 block of Kacena Avenue. Between Dec. 17-21, the mobile speed vehicle will be located in the 2100 block of 10th Avenue.

Upcoming Events

Here's a look at what's happening in Marion:

• Friday, Dec. 12 - Bingo Night - 6-8:30 p.m. - Lowe Park
• Saturday, Dec. 13 - City Council Office Hours - 9-11 a.m. - Marion Public Library
• Saturday, Dec. 20 - City Council Office Hours - 9-11 a.m. - Marion Public Library

Future Council Items

Here's an overview 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 Aaron-Marie Thoms
• Meeting with Mark Seckman
• MEDCO Board meeting
• Meeting with Brandy Meisheid
• City Council meeting

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