IN FOCUS: 3.27.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

For the Good of the Order

Regional Leaders Prioritize Infrastructure and Growth in Meeting with DOT Commissioner
Earlier this month, a regional delegation, including Mayor AbouAssaly, City staff and representatives from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, met with Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Sally Stutsman to advance the $60 million Tower Terrace Road BUILD project. This shovel-ready initiative is a top priority for Marion, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins and Linn County, with a $25 million federal award decision expected in June 2026. Beyond enhancing safety and providing a critical evacuation route, the project is projected to support 6,000 new jobs and sustain the momentum that brought over 700 new households to Marion last year. The meeting with Commissioner Stutsman also underscored the economic impact of Prospect Meadows and the Miracle League, which drive significant regional hotel and tourism demand. To support this growth, leaders are fast-tracking quality-of-life projects, such as the CeMar Trail and the Lucore Road pedestrian bridge and sidepaths, while adopting new platforms to streamline city operations. By aligning infrastructure with economic drivers, the region is ensuring its physical expansion is matched by efficient, high-quality community service.

Vision to Venture Event for Entrepreneurs Happening April 2
Uptown Marion - A Main Street Iowa Community - is hosting its first-ever Vision to Venture event, designed to connect aspiring and expanding entrepreneurs with the people, organizations and resources that support business success in the district. The event is happening on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 4-6 p.m., with a social hour to follow. The event offers participants a guided tour of Uptown Marion. Attendees will rotate through a series of stops hosted by local experts, commercial lenders, developers and established business owners. Each stop will give participants an opportunity to learn, ask questions and connect with the people, organizations and resources that help businesses start and grow in Uptown Marion. The event is free, but space is limited. Participants must register in advance at Vision to Venture. Vision to Venture is made possible with support from BankIowa, Community Savings Bank, Farmers State Bank and Mediacom.

City Offices will be Closed on April 3
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.

Understanding Property Taxes with Real Life Examples
Earlier this week, Marion City Council held a public hearing on the proposed tax levy rate during a special meeting on March 24. Thank you to those who came to ask questions and share your thoughts. One of the key questions asked by residents was, "Will my City of Marion property taxes go up or down?" The City's tax rate is decreasing by $0.35 but we recognize that it was a reassessment year and valuations have increased for most residents. If your property's assessed value (determined by Linn County) increased by around 9% from 2024 to 2025, your City of Marion property taxes will likely stay about the same. If your property's value went up by less than 9%, you might see a decrease in your taxes. However, if the value increased by more than 9%, you can expect an increase in your taxes.

It's important to remember the City is just one portion of your property tax bill (approximately 38% for those living in Marion Independent or Linn-Mar School Districts). This means even if your City of Marion taxes go down, your overall tax bill could see an increase. Understanding how changing property values, rollback rates and levy rates affect tax bills can be helpful. Here are some real-life examples to illustrate these concepts. For more information regarding the budget or explanation of the property tax mailer, please visit the City's budget page.

CeMar Trail Closure Starting March 30
On Monday, March 30, 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 as part of ongoing efforts 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.

Deadline Approaching - Marion Housing Assistance Grant Applications
The Marion Civil Rights Commission is accepting applications for the Marion Low & Moderate Income Housing Assistance Grant to be awarded in 2026. The Marion City Council has approved up to $20,000 for this grant program. The grant will help non-profits, charitable organizations or other entities interested in assisting low- and moderate-income individuals with programs that address housing instability in the community. The application period will remain open through Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The materials and application form are available at www.cityofmarion.org/LMIgrant.

Adopt-A-Spot Program Accepting Volunteers
The Parks and Recreation Department is expanding its list of adoptable spaces throughout the City as part of its Adopt-A-Spot program. Individuals and groups will be able to adopt select areas in the Marion park system and maintain them from April to November. Volunteers will be responsible for collecting litter in the designated area once per month during this period. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide the necessary personal protective equipment, training and colored garbage bags. The department will also collect the bagged garbage. Each area will have signage installed to recognize the volunteers for their efforts. Learn more online or call 319-447-3580 to inquire.

Adopt-A-Flowerbed Program Also Accepting Volunteers
Marion Parks and Recreation invites you to Adopt-A-Flowerbed and take pride in making our community a more beautiful place to be. This program allows volunteers of all skill levels, ages and group sizes to adopt a flowerbed - with more beds available this season! Volunteers will plant annuals or perennials (provided by the City) and help maintain the flowerbed throughout the growing season. Flowerbeds vary in size, so choose one that fits your group size and a time commitment you're comfortable with. Volunteers will be recognized with a personalized sign in their adopted bed and the option to participate in a friendly end-of-season award contest. 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.

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.

Fireworks & Fireflies Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Generous support from businesses makes many of Marion's events possible. The annual Fireworks & Fireflies event would not be possible without our valued sponsors. As logistical needs grow, so do expenses. We would love to be able to have an even bigger fireworks display in 2026, but we can only do so with additional sponsorship support. Are you part of a business or organization that is in a position to contribute to this signature Marion celebration? Learn more about the opportunities at www.cityofmarion.org/sponsorships. The deadline to participate and receive all sponsor benefits is March 31.

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
Earlier this week, we welcomed two new employees to Team Marion! Hailey Reiff joined us as a communications operator with the Marion Police Department. She was previously with Sedgwick. Connor Cronbaugh also joined the team as our new equipment operator with the Public Works Department. He comes to us from the City of Cedar Rapids. Welcome to the team, Hailey and Connor!

On Monday, March 30, Kyle Goodell will be joining the Marion Police Department as a police officer. He comes to us from the Williamsburg Police Department. We look forward to working with you, Kyle!

Word on the Street

• I saw a headline that said the City sold the former library site for $1, how does that work?
  This type of arrangement is a common economic development tool used to turn underutilized property into long-term community investment. The City is selling the lot for $1 as part of a development agreement that establishes specific requirements and helps make the project financially feasible while ensuring the site is developed in a way that benefits the community. For this project, in exchange for $1, the agreement requires a project that has a minimum taxable value of $18 million.

• If a rebate is given as part of the development agreement, how does that benefit the community?
  The land is currently tax-exempt and not generating revenue for the public. Rather than selling it outright, the City contributes the land as an incentive to achieve a more impactful development and requires the new project to have a minimum taxable value of $18 million, along with completion of construction within a specific timeframe. In this way, the City ensures that the mixed-use development will maximize the value for the community, provide needed housing for Uptown, generate ongoing property tax revenue and include retail space that produces sales tax, helping to grow the community's tax base.

• Is additional parking included as part of the project?
  The plan also includes ample parking on-site for residents and retail customers, with 62 public parking spaces in addition to tenant parking. Also, the developer has committed to working with the City on the Partners in Parking program, an initiative being formalized through the work of the City's Uptown Parking Implementation Task Force that designates certain parking spaces for general public use.

• 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:

• Enchanted Blooms, 6-9 p.m., Friday, March 27, Uptown Marion
• City Council Office Hours, 9-11 a.m., Saturday, March 28, Marion Public Library
• Community Days at the YMCA, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, March 29, Marion YMCA
• City Offices Closed, Friday, April 3
• Coffeehouse Nights featuring The Drive-Ins, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, April 3, 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 Marty Lenss
• Meeting with representatives from United Way
• City Council Special Meeting - CR/LC Solid Waste Agency Tour
• Wake Up Marion meeting
• Meeting with Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer
• Vision to Venture event

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