IN FOCUS: 10.10.25 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Marion Fire Department Recognizes Poster Contest Winners
Each year, the Marion Fire Department hosts a fire safety poster contest for Marion third graders to celebrate Fire Prevention Week. Creating posters is an effective learning tool that teaches children fire safety techniques and practices. It can also help them remember what to do in the event of a fire and be prepared for emergencies. Division Chief Fluharty visited each classroom to recognize the winners. A special congrats goes out to Aspen Meggers-Kirk whose poster received top honors and was named Best in the City! Way to go, Aspen!

Falliday Market is Happening Saturday at Lowe Park
The annual Falliday Market is happening at Lowe Park, 4500 N 10th St., this Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This festive event features nearly 50 vendors, many offering seasonal and holiday-inspired items - from handcrafted décor and delicious treats to fresh greenery, produce and unique gift ideas. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. The event is free and open to the public.

No Change to City Services on Monday
City offices are open and there will be no change to the garbage/recycling and yard waste collection schedule next week due to the federal holiday on Monday.

Central Plaza Water Feature Closing October 13
All good things must come to an end. The Central Plaza water feature will close for the season on Monday, Oct. 13. This will give crews an opportunity to winterize it before colder weather sets in. Look for the water feature and other Marion splash pads to reopen next year around Memorial Day.

Highway 151 & Highway 13 Traffic Signal Cabinet Successfully Replaced
Earlier this week, Price Electric shut down the traffic signals at Highway 151 and Highway 13 to replace the traffic signal cabinet. The work was successfully completed overnight, and the traffic signal was back to normal operation by the morning commute. The Public Works Department would like to thank everyone involved in this coordinated effort, including Price Electric and its subcontractors, Alliant Energy and all the members of Team Marion from various departments who provided assistance.

Crack Sealing Work to Begin October 14
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, crews will begin crack sealing work on 10th Avenue from 35th Street to Highway 13. This project includes filling cracks with hot-pour sealant, emulsion and hot-mix asphalt. The work is expected to last 1-2 days, weather permitting. Temporary lane and intersection closures will shift periodically during this time to allow the work to progress. Upon completion, crews will move to W 8th Avenue from the bridge (near the Boyson Trail) to Lindale Drive, and Lindale Drive from W 8th Avenue to Blairs Ferry Road. Work is expected to last 1 day, weather permitting. Flaggers will provide traffic control, as temporary lane and intersection closures will occur. Please find alternate routes or use caution when in the area.

Obey the Crossing Guards
With the school year well underway, the Marion Police Department would like to remind drivers to obey crossing guards. As a reminder, when a crossing guard has their stop sign held up, they own the intersection. Vehicles must stop until the crossing guard has taken down their sign and cleared the intersection. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in a $210 fine. Please do your part to keep our community safe.

Marion Monster Mash Happening October 25
Something spooky is brewing in Uptown Marion! Join us for the first-ever Marion Monster Mash on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Central Plaza at City Square Park. The Monster Mash will feature pumpkin decorating, parade, spooky stories, face painting and more. Thank you to the event sponsors - Farmers State Bank, Uptown Marion, East Post Pumpkins and KidStrong Cedar Rapids.

Trick-or-Treat on Halloween
Trick-or-treating in Marion takes place on Oct. 31. Those wishing to participate should turn their porch lights on; those choosing not to participate should leave their porch lights off. There is no set start time, but trick-or-treating should conclude by 8 p.m.

Solid Waste Agency Blanket Drive
The Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency, Central Furniture Rescue and Waypoint are partnering to keep people warm this winter. Blankets, hats, gloves and pillows can be dropped off at both Solid Waste Agency locations between now and the end of November, to be donated to support the Cedar Rapids Winter Weather Shelter. Materials collected must be clean and dry. Drop off locations include:

• 1954 County Home Road, Marion (inside the Resource Recovery building); Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• 2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids (inside Building 948); Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon

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 public works fleet supervisor, police officer, library patron services manager, library patron services lead (bookmobile) and an operations/payroll coordinator. Find a full listing of both full and part-time opportunities at https://www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

New Faces in New Places
Brandi Zalaznik is joining Team Marion on Monday, Oct. 13, as our new human resources generalist. She comes to us from Hillcrest Family Services. Congrats, Brandi. We look forward to working with you!

Word on the Street

Upcoming Events

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

• Saturday, Oct. 11 - Falliday Market - 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Lowe Park
• Friday, Oct. 17 - BINGO Night - 6-8:30 p.m. - 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
• Alliant Energy's annual Leadership Roundtable event
• Scheduled time out of the office

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