MARION MESSENGER Spring 2018 2 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 3 AUDIT REPORT 4 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 5 CITY ENGINEER RETIRES 6 BUILDING SAFETY Help Select 7 CITY SERVICES the Top 25 Ideas for 8 FIRE SAFETY Marion page 4 10 PARKS & RECREATION 14 City Showcase Planned LIBRARY NEWS 16 to Highlight City Services UPTOWN EVENT CALENDAR Marion Among Best Small Cities in America | page 2 2 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR n Jan. 25, I was honored to deliver my third State of the Marion Ranks Among Best OCity address before an audience of more than 520 attendees. While today Small Cities in America we don’t have a venue in Marion able to rbanization might be the trend for much of the popula- accommodate a crowd of this size, my tion, but not everyone craves the bright lights and crowded hope is that our move to the Cedar Uspaces of the big metropolis. For those who appreciate Rapids Marriott is only temporary with more wiggle room, fewer degrees of separation and shorter Nick AbouAssaly future hotel/event center investments commutes, small-city life can be tough to beat. in Marion. Marion recently landed in the top 10 percent of Best Small I shared just some of the ways Marion is building tre- Cities in America according to WalletHub, and landed in the mendous forward momentum as we work to accommodate number two spot among all communities for lowest housing costs. our fast growing population and provide residents with To determine the best small cities, WalletHub’s analysts compared an unequalled quality of life. I also spoke of the exciting, more than 1,200 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and potentially transformative, projects in the works for the year 100,000 based on 33 key indicators of livability. They range from ahead and beyond. A link to a video of the presentation housing costs to school-system quality to restaurants per capita. and corresponding Annual Report are available at One of the best perks of living in a city with a relatively smaller www.cityofmarion.org. population? Affordability. According to the Economic Policy Marion continues to reach higher and create an Institute, the cost of living for a two-parent, two-child family in exceptional environment for people and businesses. The Hanford, California, for instance, would be nearly 1 percent less unprecedented growth in residential and commercial than the median U.S. household budget of $5,312, compared with development is providing greater opportunities for people 44 percent more for the same family in San Francisco. Even with to achieve their goals in business and in life. a lighter wallet, anyone can enjoy a comparable, or even better, But beyond that, I am inspired by the ways our com- quality of life for much less in a cozy place like Hanford. munity has been energized for good. Marion residents are Only two other Iowa communities, Ankeny and West Des becoming more enthusiastic about their city’s potential and Moines, ranked in the top 10 percent. engaged in shaping its future. And as a community we are collaborating in amazing ways to increase opportunity IN THE KNOW: VOLUNTEER and serve the needs of all residents. Hundreds of people are serving on city boards and commissions, community boards and committees for City Seeks Applicants for community events. From the Arts Council volunteers who Boards and Commissions logged more than 1,000 hours last year, to the high school Do you want to provide input on City policies and help students to who take one day each May to spruce up the shape both the city and its government? Apply to be city’s core, Marion residents are giving their time and talents one of 100+ volunteers that serve on Marion boards to make a difference and impact quality of life in their city. or commissions. I included a call to action in my remarks, and want to Marion residents interested in being considered for a share the same invitation with you. If you’re thinking about position may pick up an application at Marion City Hall, getting more involved, there’s no better time than the pres- Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or download ent. If you are passionate about well-being initiatives, the an application at www.cityofmarion.org. needs of seniors, opportunities for youth or finding ways There are currently openings on the following boards/ commissions: to support small businesses, we want to get you plugged in. • Planning & Zoning Commission Visit www.cityofmarion.org/pluggedin to indicate how you • Historic Preservation Commission would like to make a difference in your community. We will • Construction Code Review Board follow up with opportunities that align with your interests. • Civil Rights Commission Friends, I hope you are as encouraged as I am about the • Zoning Board of Adjustment state of our city and as enthusiastic as I am about its future. Learn more about the openings and the Of course we have much more work to do, but we also have responsibilities associated with each board. much to celebrate. We are all on the same team. Upon review of applications, Mayor AbouAssaly will Let’s keep reaching higher together! recommend appointees to City Council for approval. For more information, call (319) 743-6301. CITY NEWS 3 CITY SHOWCASE PLANNED FOR MAY 5 On Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Marion will host its third City Showcase event in and around City Square Park. City staff will be on hand to visit with residents and share information about upcoming projects. Various City vehicles will be on display and a number of community partners will have a presence. A local balloon artist, face painter and musician will add to the atmosphere; making this a fun, festive activity for the entire family. Come out and connect with the City of Marion on Saturday, May 5 Marion using from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in City Square Park. Learn more as the event GovDeals.com approaches at www.cityofmarion.org. to Sell Surplus Property Hogan-Hansen Releases In December, the City of Marion began Audit Report for FY 2017 using GovDeals.com as its preferred avenue Hogan-Hansen, A Professional Corporation, recently released an audit report for disposing of excess or unneeded City on the City of Marion, Iowa. equipment. GovDeals is a national auction The City’s revenue totaled $48,788,270 for the year ended June 30, 2017, a 6.5 website for government surplus and percent increase from the prior year. The revenue included $23,236,667 in property unclaimed property including furniture, tax and tax increment financing; $5,013,090 in local option sales tax; $5,222,522 vehicles, equipment, office supplies, in other City tax and special assessments; $10,137,443 from charges for service; computers and more. $1,218,824 from operating grants and contributions; $2,460,922 from capital GovDeals functions as an online auction grants and contributions; $851,096 from unrestricted investment earnings; $41,578 site specifically for government surplus. from other general revenue; and a $606,128 gain on disposal of capital assets. Any items posted will remain active for at Expenses for City operations for the year ended June 30, 2017 totaled $42,172,274, least 10 calendar days. Prior to this, the a 2.7 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses included $13,476,176 for City would occasionally hold garage sales public safety, $8,611,779 for public works and $4,276, 781 for culture and or dispose of items through a sealed bid recreation. Also, expenses for business-type activities totaled $8,219,052. process. The new process saves staff time It is the opinion of the auditing firm that the City of Marion’s financial and provides a larger pool of bidders. statements as of June 30, 2017 fairly present the financial position and cash Interested in knowing what’s for sale? Visit flows of the City and were conducted in conformity with generally accepted the Public Notices page at www.cityofmarion. accounting principles. org or check out the GovDeals site at A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor www.govdeals.com/CityofMarionIA. of State, the City Clerk’s office and at www.cityofmarion.org. 4 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 3,000+IDEAS SUBMITTED A 23-member selection committee has been hard at work reviewing over 3,000 ideas that were submitted as part of Marion’s ImagiNEXT community visioning process. Ideas covered Great Job a wide-range of topics from parks and recreation programs, to infrastructure improvements, to a need for private businesses and restaurants. Marion! The committee’s first order of business was to narrow the list for the community vote. The list is now available and community members are invited to vote through early March to help establish the top 25 ideas. From there it is up to the committee to name a final 3-5 ideas for Marion. Those 3-5 ideas will be incorporated into an application to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs to have Marion re-designated as an Iowa Great Place. Designation is given to communities with a strong vision for innovation and desire to enhance the quality of life. The program supports the development of new and existing infrastructure intended to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities for regions in Iowa. Find the latest information at www.marionimaginext.org. COUNTRY INN & SUITES COMING TO MARION IN EARLY 2019 Developers of Squaw Creek Crossing, Ridge, part of the local development Marion’s first large-scale mixed use group behind the project.