IN FOCUS: 10.24.25 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Congratulations to Gage Miskimen on Forty Under 40 Recognition
Team Marion is fortunate to have several young leaders who are doing amazing things. Please join us in congratulating Councilmember Gage Miskimen on being selected as one of the Corridor Business Journal's Forty Under 40 honorees this year. Gage and the Class of 2025 were recognized at an event on Thursday evening. Thank you, Gage, for all you do to make Marion the best place to raise a family and grow a business. Congratulations on this great honor!!

Marion Receives Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Award
The City of Marion and Shive-Hattery, Inc. were recently honored with the 2025 Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Award for our new Public Works Facility. This award celebrates projects that demonstrate outstanding efforts to reduce energy use for new construction, building additions or major renovations. The facility achieved a 66 percent annual energy savings compared to the Commercial New Construction (CNC) program baseline. The award was presented at the 2025 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Iowa Convention in Des Moines late last month. Congrats to all for this commitment to energy efficiency!

National Community Survey for Marion Underway
This fall, the City of Marion is inviting residents to participate in The National Community Survey™ (NCS™). A random, scientific sample of 3,000 households in Marion has been selected to participate in The NCS™. If you received an invitation to participate, please do so! A paper copy of the survey with a self-addressed stamped envelope will be forthcoming for those in the random sample. The data gathered will inform the City's Strategic Plan and the budget process. To provide all residents with the opportunity to weigh in, an online link to The NCS™ will be shared next month.

Marion Fire Participates in Rope Rescue Training
This week, members of the Marion Fire Department participated in a 40-hour Rope Rescue Level 1 course, instructed by the The REACT Center. This training covers critical skills such as equipment selection and inspection, incident size-up, victim management, knots and anchors, mechanical advantage systems, rope ascents and descents and patient packaging. The team honed their skills at the Public Safety Training Center, the water tower near 35th Street and 35th Avenue and various other places throughout Marion. Keep reaching higher, MFD!

Marion Police Department Hosting Coloring Contest
The Marion Police Department is hosting a coloring contest to coincide with Halloween festivities. Children up to the age of 8 can choose from one of the coloring sheets featuring Officer Daubs or K9 Taj. A panel of judges will select one winner from each age category (0-2, 3-5 and 6-8) who will have the opportunity to host a 1-hour birthday party at the Marion Police Department. Completed coloring sheets are due on or before Friday, Nov. 7.

8th Avenue Bridge Repair and Boyson Trail Improvement Work Continues
Construction crews have finished paving the Boyson Trail from the Grant Wood Trail to the pedestrian bridge over Dry Creek and are working on restoration. Given the nature of the work, it is imperative that trail users observe the posted closures and stay out of the construction zone.

Earlier this week, construction crews began work to repair the W 8th Avenue Bridge over Indian Creek. The work includes repairing the bridge deck, handrails and piers. During the duration of the bridge work, westbound traffic will be maintained on the bridge while eastbound traffic will be closed west of the bridge. Resident and business access will remain open during this closure. A detour will be posted directing eastbound traffic to Blairs Ferry Road and Marion Boulevard. The bridge work is expected to take 3-4 weeks, weather permitting.

Marion Monster Mash Happening this Saturday
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, a costume 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.

Uptown Marion Spooktacular Happening this Saturday
Step into the spirit of the season with the Uptown Marion Spooktacular, a free community event that brings a touch of Halloween magic to your favorite Uptown spots. Participating locations include Goldfinch Tap + Eatery, Frydae, Uptown Snug, BarTini's, The Eat Shop and the hip-stir. Enjoy haunted stories crafted by Linn-Mar Venture Academics creative writing students, along with wickedly good food and BOOs from local businesses, during their normal business hours on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Spooktacular is a partnership between Linn-Mar Venture Academics creative writing students and Uptown Marion, A Main Street Iowa District. It's sure to be a frightfully fun evening in Uptown!

Community Days Happening this Sunday
The City of Marion and Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center have partnered to offer Community Days, a new opportunity for Marion residents to experience the YMCA at a special one-day rate. On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Marion YMCA, located at 3740 Irish Drive, will open its doors to give community members full access to its facilities. Community Day rates are $10 for youth, $20 for adults and $35 for families. Waivers will be required at check-in if not already on file. Join in on the fun from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Sunday.

Trick-or-Treat at City Facilities on October 31
Princesses, superheroes, ghosts and goblins are invited to include a stop at Marion City Hall and the Marion Police Department in their Halloween plans. Trick-or-treat with the Marion Police Department (6315 Hwy 151) from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes to collect candy, see a squad car up close and pick up a coloring sheet for the Police Department's coloring contest. The festivities will continue at Marion City Hall (1225 6th Ave) from 3-5 p.m. Participants will collect candy and other treats from staff on both floors at Marion City Hall. Some visitors from the Marion Police and Fire Departments as well as Marion Parks and Recreation will also be part of the fun!

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, 911 communications operator, library patron services manager and library patron services lead (bookmobile). Find a full listing of both full and part-time opportunities at https://www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

Word on the Street

• I noticed there are holiday decorations being installed in the Uptown Artway, isn't it a little soon?
  We agree it is early for holiday decorations, but we have a lot to accomplish. Each year, our Parks and Recreation Department puts up nearly 100,000 lights throughout the city. At the same time, they are conducting winterization operations and preparing the Central Plaza at City Square Park for winter activities.

• I'm excited about the tree plantings in the City right-of-way, but why don't you use larger stock to ensure survival?
  Though they may look small and delicate, staff are intentional in choosing smaller tree stock. Urban trees face more stress and human impact than those in natural areas, and smaller trees tend to adapt faster, require less water and experience fewer root issues leading to longer lifespans. Smaller trees are also resilient, and their flexibility helps them handle snow and winter elements more common in the Midwest. Each tree is planted with a protective tube and fiberglass stake for support and movement. While heavy snow may cause some leaning, the impact is minimal and staff perform spring walk-throughs to make any necessary adjustments. Young trees along 44th Street north of 29th Avenue and Winslow Road north of Tower Terrace are now entering their second or third winter. With survival rates above 80%, we continue to emphasize smaller tree plantings in public areas.

• Is there any update on the property located at Lindale Drive north of Blairs Ferry Road?
  City Council approved a preliminary plat for the Lindale Commercial Park Addition, which would divide the property into seven separate lots. The property is zoned BR - Regional Business, allowing any permitted use with that zoning district - including restaurants, retail, personal service, office and mixed-use buildings allowing for residential on the upper stories. At this time, a final plat including an architectural design and site layout has not been submitted for review and consideration. The property owner has permission to install water and sewer on the property, as well as driveway accesses.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between Oct. 23-27, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2100 block of 50th Street. Then, between Oct. 29-Nov. 3, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 5700 block of Lucore Road.

Upcoming Events

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

• Saturday, Oct. 25 - Marion Monster Mash - 11 a.m.-3 p.m. - Central Plaza at City Square Park
• Saturday, Oct. 25 - Uptown Marion Spooktacular at Participating Businesses - Uptown Marion
• Sunday, Oct. 26 - YMCA Community Day - 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center
• Friday, Oct. 31 - Trick-or-Treat at the Marion Police Department - 1-3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 31 - Trick-or-Treat at Marion City Hall - 3-5 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 7 - Coffeehouse Night featuring The High Crest - 7-8:30 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
• Meeting with Andy Sullivan
• Meeting with Kevin Platz
• Mayors Roundtable event
• Trick-or-Treat at City Hall

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