IN FOCUS: 8.7.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller

Remembering Kay Lammers
The City of Marion extends condolences to the family and friends of former Councilmember Kay Lammers. Ms. Lammers passed away on July 31, 2026, following a brief illness. Kay cared deeply about the community and served as the Ward 3 representative from 1996 to 2011. We sincerely appreciate her 15 years of public service and the impact that she had on our community. A gathering of friends and family will be held at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Cedar Rapids from 3-4:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2026.

Marion Finishes 3rd in the Corridor Corporate Games
The City of Marion was proud to participate in the Corridor Corporate Games again this year. The games are an opportunity for team building, networking and friendly competition among other like-sized businesses in the Corridor. Organizations earn points through employee participation, performance and volunteering. Team Marion participated in 22 different events this year and placed 3rd overall in our division. Way to go Team Marion!

Vote for the Central Plaza at City Square Park
The Central Plaza and ice loop at City Square Park is competing in the Iowa League of Cities People's All-Star Tournament and we need YOUR help! Show this project some love on the Iowa League of Cities' Facebook page to help us advance to the next round. The winner will be announced at the League's Annual Conference in September.

BerganKDV Releases City's Audit Report
BerganKDV recently released the FY 2025 audit report for the City of Marion, which was presented to City Council earlier this week. The report includes an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion an entity can receive. This indicates that Marion's financial statements are presented fairly and accurately, in all material respects, in accordance with accounting principles accepted nationwide. The report also notes one finding, classified as a material weakness. This type of finding is not uncommon for local governments, particularly when transitioning to a new auditor. During FY 2025, the City transitioned auditors, and a separate CPA firm assisted with preparation of the financial statements. This change resulted in additional review and scrutiny of the financial reporting process. Staff have reviewed the finding with City Council and are taking appropriate steps to address it as part of the City's ongoing commitment to sound financial management, transparency and continuous improvement. View the financial highlights and a summary of the report on the Auditor of State's website, in the City Clerk's office or at www.cityofmarion.org.

7th Avenue to Close Saturday Morning for the Uptown Marion Market
The Uptown Marion Market and Youth Entrepreneur Fair return this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to Noon on 7th Avenue. Localized road closures will be in place to accommodate the event. Two blocks of 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets will close at 6 a.m. on Saturday for vendor move-in and will remain closed until 1 p.m. to accommodate move-out. Detours will be posted. Parking is available on-street surrounding the event and in the six City-owned lots within the district.

CeMar Trail Project Update
Peterson Contractors recently completed construction of the bridges in the fifth and final phase of the CeMar Trail project. They are now working on paving the trail sections. The project remains on schedule, with the goal of completing the remaining trail work and opening the trail to the public in late September. As construction continues, we would like to remind the public that this is an active construction site. Given the nature of the work, it is imperative that trail users observe the posted closures and stay out of the construction zone.

Marion Boulevard Construction Continues
On Monday, Aug. 10, Boulder Contracting will complete Stage 1 on the Marion Boulevard Bridge Approach and Deck Repair Project and begin Stage 2. During the second stage of construction, the inside lanes of Marion Boulevard between Blairs Ferry Road and 1st Street will be closed to traffic. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. The traffic signal at 1st Street will remain off during construction. The intersection will continue to operate as a right-in, right-out-only configuration. Please follow the posted signage. This work is expected to last six weeks, weather permitting.

Next Phase of Asphalt Overlay Program to Begin Monday
Mobilization #4 of the 2026 Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Resurfacing Project is expected to wrap up next week. Beginning Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, LL Pelling will begin work on Mobilization #5 of the 2026 HMA Resurfacing Project. Mobilization #5 includes 35th Street from 7th Avenue to Jonquil Court and 35th Street from 3rd Avenue to Grant Wood Trail. These sections of roadway will be reduced to one-way traffic starting with the northbound lanes. During the first phase, southbound traffic will remain open. Flaggers will be present to assist local traffic during working hours. This work is expected to take up to two weeks to complete, weather permitting. Additional notices will be sent as the project progresses to the opposite side of the roadway.

Pavement Repairs Happening at the 35th Street/Tower Terrace Road Roundabout
The Public Works Department is completing pavement patches at the 35th Street/Tower Terrace Road roundabout. Currently, the southbound lane of Lucore Road is closed at the roundabout. It is expected to reopen on Monday, Aug. 10, and then crews will close both the northbound and southbound lanes of 35th Street, south of the Tower Terrace Road roundabout, to complete pavement repairs. This project is expected to last approximately two weeks, weather permitting. Northbound traffic will be detoured via 29th Avenue and southbound traffic will be detoured via Tower Terrace Road.

Concrete Patching Happening Next Week on 29th Avenue and 35th Street
Beginning early next week, Cedar Falls Construction will begin replacing partial-depth concrete patches on 29th Avenue and 35th Street that were part of last season's Pavement Patching Project. During construction, one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. As work progresses, the work zones and associated traffic control will shift throughout the project area. Weather permitting, the repairs are anticipated to be completed within two weeks.

Road Construction Updates
Stay up-to-date on these and other projects by subscribing to the Public Works Project Newsletter. Here's a look at the latest.

Volunteers Needed for Indian Creek Clean Up Day
The City of Marion is teaming up with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean-up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. Help maintain Indian Creek's beauty by signing up to volunteer at signup.com/go/NOBMLAL.

Marion Sustainability Fair Happening on August 29
Join us at the first-ever Marion Sustainability Fair on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lowe Park and explore practical ways to make a positive impact on the environment. Connect with local organizations, discover resources that support sustainable living and learn easy ways to reduce waste and care for our community. Enjoy giveaways, yard games and food trucks while you find ideas to use at home and learn more about local sustainability efforts. We hope to see you there!

End of Season Hours for the Marion Pool
All good things must come to an end. The Marion Pool will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 30. From Aug. 24-28, the pool will be closed. On Aug. 29-30, lap swim will be offered from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and open swim will occur from 1-5 p.m. Thank you for a great summer!

Fall Into Marion Parade Returns to Uptown Marion
For the fourth year, the City of Marion is pleased to host the Fall Into Marion Parade sponsored by Farmers State Bank. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. in Uptown Marion. This year's theme leans into America's 250th anniversary and celebrates the red, white and blue. Area residents, nonprofits and businesses are invited to be part of the fun. Floats are encouraged and prizes will be awarded. To sign up to participate, please visit www.cityofmarion.org/fallintomarion and register online by Sept. 4. Day-of entries will not be accepted. Registration is $40 for for-profit organizations and $1 for all others. We look forward to a great celebration of community!

Call for Artists - Utility Box Art
Make your mark on Marion and apply to bring vibrant, nature-inspired public art to the utility boxes in City Square Park. The City is seeking artists or artist teams interested in designing original artwork for three vinyl-wrapped utility boxes in Uptown Marion along 7th Avenue in City Square Park. The selected artist or team will create site-responsive designs that are visually engaging and appropriate for a public audience of all ages. The project's theme is biophilic design - artwork that connects people to nature, promotes health and wellness and encourages active living. This public art initiative is led by the Marion Arts Council. Learn more and apply at www.cityofmarion.org. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2026.

Kudos to Team Marion
We always love it when our residents take the time to share their appreciation. This note was sent to me earlier this week: "I would also like you to know that as a new resident I have asked many questions to various City of Marion departments. Every person I have talked to has been very kind and respectful. I'm still adjusting to Marion and how everything is done, and I am just trying to be a good citizen. Your open communication with residents goes above and beyond and so do the employees. Thank you all for making this huge transition for me a little easier. I appreciate you all." Many thanks to the various employees of Team Marion for their outstanding service to our residents.

New Faces in New Places
On Monday, Aug. 10, Gabe Hansen will join Team Marion as our new equipment operator with the Public Works Department. He comes to us from Target. Welcome to the team, Gabe!