Michael D. Barkalow

The Marion State of the City 2024 address reports on the city's significant progress and outlines its future strategic direction. Key focus areas include enhancing community engagement, improving quality of life through investments in libraries, schools, housing, parks, and emergency services, and managing physical growth with high design standards. The city emphasizes transparency, accountability, and strong collaborative partnerships to achieve its vision of being the best place in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business.

The event, a State of the City address, featured acknowledgments to the League of Women Voters of Linn County, its volunteers, and various event sponsors. The Mayor's son introduced the Mayor, highlighting his commitment to service, dedication to family, and philosophy of going the extra step. The Mayor's address focused on the city's progress, adopting a brand to be the best place in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business, and embracing a Resolute Standard of Excellence referred to as the 'Marion Way.' Key accomplishments cited include population growth, quality of life improvements, and significant investments in community amenities such as award-winning facilities (fire station, sports facilities, library, amphitheater, YMCA/Rec Center) and infrastructure improvements like streets, trails, and parks. The underlying philosophy emphasized is serving people and providing opportunities, with active implementation of community-driven plans.

Key discussions during the meeting included a presentation from the Marion Leadership in Action Class regarding their request for matching funds up to $20,000 for the purchase of up to two Winter Lights igloos, with ensuing debate on placement and policy development for temporary structures. The consent agenda covered personnel actions such as resignations and reappointments to various commissions and boards, approval of liquor licenses, authorization of payments, setting dates for public hearings regarding development agreements, and approvals related to public safety training facilities and fire services agreements. Under the regular agenda, a public hearing and subsequent approval were granted for a development agreement with McGrath Automotive Group, Inc. Final consideration and approval were given to two ordinances: one amending zoning regulations for the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and another amending zoning regulations concerning auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs). Other department discussions focused on proposed changes to commercial business fire inspection fees, concluding with a consensus to start with a flat fee of $300 while researching tiered options. A scheduled discussion on the Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule was removed from the agenda.

The City Council meeting included several key discussions and actions. The session opened with proclamations recognizing Councilmember Randy Strnad for his years of service and declaring Human Rights Month. Presentations covered the status update of the Stormwater Master Plan: Operations & Maintenance Plan and a proposed update to Parks and Recreation Fees, where specific concerns regarding family passes and pavilion rentals were raised. The consent agenda approved numerous items, including liquor license renewals, mayoral appointments for Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem roles for 2026 and 2027, monthly reports, payments totaling over $1.8 million, setting a public hearing for a park pavilion naming, Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget Transfers, updates to the Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan, renewal of a lease agreement for WaterLinn Park, acceptance of playground replacement and reconstruction projects, and approval of agreements and change orders related to various road projects including the Alburnett Road Extension and Marion Blvd Bridge Approach & Deck Repair Project. The Council also set a public hearing for a Future Land Use Map amendment and rezoning request, and approved a final plat. A subsequent consent agenda, with the Mayor's abstention, approved contract amendments related to the CDBG-DR program and final plats for two new additions. Under the regular agenda, a public hearing and subsequent approval of a Development Agreement with Squaw Creek Crossing, Inc. took place. Other department discussions focused on the FY 26-27 Capital Improvement Program budget, where staff presented debt capacity projections and discussions occurred about moving projects like the Gill Park Playground Replacement and City Hall Parking Lot Repairs to recommended status. Further discussion addressed the Reforestation Plan, including financial models and the potential use of volunteers. Updates were provided on recycling and yard waste utilization following the implementation of automated collections, with requests for staff to examine leaf pickup scenarios. Finally, direction was given regarding existing brick streets, with Council indicating support for specific sections but raising cost considerations.

The City Council meeting included a presentation regarding the Winter Lights Program by the 2025-2026 Marion Leadership in Action Class. The Consent Agenda covered routine administrative matters such as approving minutes from previous meetings, accepting resignations from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Library Board, approving liquor licenses (new and renewals), and confirming several reappointments to various city commissions and boards. Financial actions included approving payments totaling $4,480,173.61 and approving resolutions regarding a development agreement with Squaw Creek Crossing, Inc., an amended agreement with the City Manager, and an additional incentive for a wellness program. Public Safety resolutions involved approving the completion of a live burn training structure and an updated agreement with Marion Township for Fire and Emergency Services. Parks matters included approving the project calendar for the Marion Disaster Recovery Tree Project. Public Works addressed change orders and acceptance of the 8th Avenue Bridge Repair and Boyson Trail Improvement Project, acceptance of the Indian Creek Trunk Sewer Segment 11 Improvements Project, and referral of petitions regarding speed limit signs and flashing beacons to the Traffic Advisory Committee. A second Consent Agenda, with the Mayor's abstention, addressed a liquor license renewal and a payment for the Oak Shade Cemetery Crypt Wall Project, as well as accepting the Highway 13 and Highway 151 Traffic Signal Cabinet Replacement Project. The Regular Agenda included a public hearing and resolution approving a Development Agreement with McGrath Automotive Group, Inc. Final consideration was given to ordinances amending zoning regulations concerning the Zoning Board of Adjustment and auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs). Other discussions involved direction on commercial business fire inspection fees and the Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule.