By Elaine Rassel
Joe Frangione spoke to the City Council about the problem of accidents occurring at the HWY 143 & HWY 3 intersection. The IDOT had been made aware of concerns earlier in the year; however what was supposed to have happened, didn’t. Frangione, as well as MMCRU Superintendent Barkel, the Cherokee County Sheriff, and others are in favor of a petition requesting the IDOT to install a stoplight at the corner of HWY 143 & HWY 3. With all the traffic that goes on this road, they feel a stoplight is the only way to make this junction safe. (There are supposed to be petition papers for those to sign that feel a stoplight would help the situation, placed around businesses in town.)
Mayor Hansen had spoken to the IDOT before the meeting and was informed that the IDOT is going to turn the turn lane from the East but only when they can get contractors to bid on the job.
Out in the Business Park, Ben Erdman has had a camping site but only until January. With wind farms going up as well as other construction, this camping site has had many campers. Erdman was asking to make this a permanent camping site. A five year extension to the current Ordinance exemption was agreed on by the Council. At the December meeting, they will vote on this.
The Council approved Res 21-43, “A Resolution Setting Salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Marcus, Iowa.” Also approved was Res 21-44, “A Resolution Transferring Funds.”
The 2022 health insurance rates were approved.
The Tax Abatement under the Marcus Urban Revitalization Plan was asked for by Daniel Rector. There were no Nayes with Ayes being: Ebert, Jenness, Klassen, and Enneking.
The Council approved The Powder Players, Inc. Snowmobile Club request to mark and maintain a trail system around and into Marcus City limits as long as they post new signs as the old one are faded.
Street Superintendent Doug Dreckman informed the Council that the well pipe had been taken out and a new stainless steel pipe was replacing the old pipe with Jensen Well doing the job. A new sewer pump was approved.
A discussion followed on trading the old John Deere mower and lawn tractor. It was approved to purchase a John Deere lawn tractor on trade with the John Deere mower.
The Public Works Department will be helping Ten Corp when they put up Christmas lights on businesses sometime during the week of Nov. 15.
Police chief Flikeid spoke on his arrests for the past month. The Press Releases are as follows:
On Sept. 29, 2021, Mandy Murray, 40 years old of Marcus was arrested by the Cherokee Police Department on a warrant issued for her arrest by the Marcus Police Department for Domestic Abuse Assault. Murray as booked into the Cherokee County Jail where she was held in lieu of $300 bond.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On Sept. 25, 2021 the Marcus Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault. During the investigation Officers identified the suspect as Jesus De Lira Limon, 22 years old of Sioux Falls. De Lira Limon is accused of engaging in sexual acts by force or against the will of the minor victim. During the investigation the Marcus Police Department was unable to immediately locate De Lira Limon and sought a warrant for his arrest. The Marcus Police Department was assisted by Cherokee Regional Medical Center SANE and CAASA during the course of this investigation.
On October 19, 2021, the Minnehaha County South Dakota Sheriff’s Office located and arrested De Lira Limon on the Marcus Police Department issued arrest warrant; he was detained in the Minnehaha jail.
On October 20, 2021, De Lira Limon was extradited to the Cherokee County Jail by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. De Lira Lion was booked in on his warrant for Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree, a class C felony and was held in lieu of $10,000 bond.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On October 25, 2021, the Marcus Police Department received a report of a missing air compressor from 300 N Maple St. The time frame during which the air compressor went missing is unknown. At the time, it is unknown if the air compressor was stolen or loaned out and not returned. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marcus Police Department.
On November 1, 2021, Christopher Cosgrove, 37 years old of Marcus turned himself in to the Cherokee County Jail on a warrant issued for his arrest. Cosgrove was booked into jail for a Probation Violation, original charge controlled substance violation, a class C felony. Cosgrove was held in lieu of $2,000 bond.
On November 5, 2021, Jason Jorgensen, 39 years old of Remsen was arrested by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant issued for his arrest for a Probation Violation, original charge Child Endangerment which was filed by the Marcus Police Department. Jorgensen was transported to the Cherokee County Jail by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked and held in lieu of $2,000.
The regular meeting of the Marcus City Council was held Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. with Mayor Hansen presiding. Council members present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, and Klassen. Absent was Fragione.