IN FOCUS: 4.2.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Be Weather Aware
Keep an eye on the sky this afternoon and evening. Marion City Hall, Marion Public Library, Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center and other City facilities closed early today, April 2, 2026, in response to the severe weather forecast and to protect public safety. Employees will continue to work remotely. All essential services will continue to be provided.

City Offices will be Closed Tomorrow
Marion City Hall and other City offices will be closed on Friday, April 3. Regular business hours resume on Monday, April 6. Police, Fire and other critical City services will continue to be provided. Garbage and recycling will be collected according to the normal schedule. The Yard Waste Facility will be closed on Friday, April 3. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, both located at 195 35th Street, will maintain normal hours of operation from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. The Marion Public Library will be open on Friday, April 3, but will be closed on Sunday, April 5 and Monday, April 6. Utility payments will be accepted online or via the drive-up drop box located outside the Marion Water Department office at 3050 5th Avenue.

Curbside Yard Waste Collection Resumes April 6
On Monday, April 6, the Public Works Department will resume curbside collection of yard waste. Yard waste must be placed inside a City-issued yard waste cart with a green lid for curbside service. Service is provided weekly from April through November. Marion residents who receive municipal solid waste collection can use the Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility located at 195 35th Street year-round. Residents are also welcome to compost (topsoil) free of charge. Residents should be able to produce their blue card upon request and load it themselves. If you only have a seasonal need for yard waste, consider scheduling a special brush pick-up. These happen on Tuesdays and can be scheduled by calling Public Works at 319-377-6367. The cost is $60 for the first 15 minutes at the curb and $40 for every 15 minutes after.

City Modifies Garbage and Recycling Collection Process to Gain Efficiencies
After months of testing, the City of Marion will officially transition to a new process for curbside garbage and recycling collection beginning on Monday, April 6. The change comes after a year of analysis following its move to automated curbside collection in the fall of 2024. With residents having access to larger receptacles, compaction rates in the split-body trucks were lower than anticipated, resulting in additional trips to the landfill and delays in service. To gain efficiencies, the City is moving away from collecting both garbage and recycling in a single stop, and will begin using single hopper trucks, one collecting garbage and one collecting recycling. This change will not impact rates or collection days for residents. It may result in services being provided at different times throughout the day. Residents are reminded to have their carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/automatedcollection.

Highway 100 Lane Reduction Happening Next Week
Beginning Monday, April 6, Midwest Concrete will close the inside lanes of Highway 100 at the intersection of 44th Street so the turn lanes can be extended. This closure is expected to last two weeks, weather dependent. Please use caution in the area.

CeMar Trail Closure Postponed to April 6
On Monday, April 6, Peterson Contractors will close the CeMar Trail from the Indian Creek Bridge, just west of Menards, to Grand Avenue in association with the CeMar Trail Phase 5 Project. This is the final phase of the CeMar Trail that will connect Uptown Marion with Downtown Cedar Rapids. This closure is expected to last several months, and updates will be provided as work progresses. Trail users are reminded to obey the posted signage and to stay out of the work zone.

2026 CIPP Rehabilitation Project to Begin Soon
The City will be completing a cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation project this summer to maintain and extend the life of the sanitary sewer system. Preliminary work will begin soon, and residents may notice crews from Midwest Vac Pros and Municipal Pipe Tool Company, LLC in the project area. The project will include cleaning and televising existing sanitary sewer lines under Grand Avenue (S 11th Street to east of S 22nd Street, near Ascension Church), A Avenue (S 15th Street to S 22nd Street), S 15th Street (C Avenue to A Avenue), Krumboltz Drive and Dwight Drive. Impacts to traffic in these areas should be minimal and contractors will provide advance notice to directly impacted residents. For additional information, please contact the Engineering Division at 319-743-6340.

Weigh in on the Iowa DOT Public Transit Long Range Plan
The Iowa DOT's Modal Transportation and Systems Planning Bureaus are currently updating the Public Transit Long Range Plan. A public input period is part of this process. View the Draft Public Transit Long Range Plan and provide comments or recommendations for the Draft Public Transit Long Range Plan by April 21.

Friends of the Marion Library Book Sale Happening April 17-19
The Friends of the Marion Library Book Sale is happening April 17-19. The sale on Friday, April 17, from 4-5 p.m. is reserved for Friends members only, but all are welcome to attend on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, from 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, hardcopy books are $3, paperback books are $2, children's books are $2 for hardcopy and paperbacks are $1. On Sunday, a bag of books is $5. The event will be in the Marion Public Library in the Community Room and all proceeds will support the Library. Hope to see you then!

Healthy Kids Day & Marion City Showcase Happening April 18
Make your way to the Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center, 3740 Irish Drive, on Saturday, April 18, for the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day and the Marion City Showcase. Between 9 a.m.-noon, there will be dozens of free, hands-on activities for the entire family to enjoy. Celebrating its 34th anniversary in 2026, Healthy Kids Day® is the Y's national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. It teaches healthy habits, encourages active play and inspires a lifetime love of physical activity. In addition to learning about the five pillars of healthy living, kids will have a chance to get up close to various City vehicles and win prizes. There will also be games and giveaways. All activities are free and open to the public.

Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Flowerbed
The Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Flowerbed programs have been created to promote community pride and invite community members to help maintain City-owned flowerbeds, parks, trails and greenspaces. If you're interested in volunteering, learn more online or call 319-447-3580 to inquire.

Swim Lesson Sign-Up Underway
The Marion Parks and Recreation Department offers Red Cross Swimming Lessons at the Marion Pool, 1835 35th Street. Each session is $45 per child and classes run for two consecutive weeks, Monday-Friday, for 35 minutes each day. Learn more about the lessons and access the link to sign up at www.cityofmarion.org/swimlessons. Spots still remain for 2026.

We're Hiring
If you're looking for a collaborative team where you can learn and grow while making a positive impact in the community, look no further. Current full-time openings include a 911 communications center manager, a police officer and a patron services lead at the library. We're also looking to fill several seasonal openings in our Parks and Recreation Department. Find a full listing of both full and part-time opportunities at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, April 6, Carter Mahon will join Team Marion as our new equipment operator with the Public Works Department. He comes to us from Don Hummer Trucking. Welcome to the team, Carter!

Word on the Street

• What do I do if my yard was damaged by a snow plow this winter?
  We are fortunate to have a great crew that handles city snow removal. Sometimes the conditions are challenging and they catch a bit of grass or sod in the right of way. If your grass or sod was damaged by a City snow plow this winter, let us know and we'll have a crew come by to repair it. For damage next to the street, contact Public Works at [email protected] or by calling 319-377-6367. For damage next to a City trail, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at [email protected] or 319-447-3580. Please be sure to include the address.
  
  
• What is a blue card and how do I get one?
  What is commonly referred to as the "blue card" is the Recycling & Yard Waste User Identification Card. This card is provided to Marion residents to access the Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, both located at 195 35th Street. New cards were issued in conjunction with the transition to automated curbside collection in the fall of 2024 and new residents receive one in their welcome packet when moving to Marion. If you've misplaced yours, you can pick up a card at Marion City Hall (1225 6th Avenue) or the Public Works Facility (202 44th Street). Confirmation of Marion residency (ID or Marion Water Department utility bill) is required.
  
  
• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between March 29-April 2, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2700 block of 29th Avenue. Between April 4-8, the mobile speed vehicle will be located in the 2800 block of 1st Avenue.

Upcoming Events

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

• City Offices Closed, Friday, April 3
• Coffeehouse Nights featuring The Drive-Ins, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, April 3, Lowe Park

• Bingo Night, 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, April 10, Lowe Park

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
• Monthly Coffee Talk with City employees
• Meeting with Bryan Kubik
• Meeting with Brandy Meisheid
• City Council Work Session
• City Council Meeting

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