By Elaine Rassel
Monday evening Executive Director of CAEDC, Bill Anderson and Brian Freed, gave an update on CAEDC (Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation) for 2021. CAEDC is a non-profit corporation whose business is to retain and attract businesses to Cherokee County.
Tight labor market and low unemployment has CAEDC increasing the marketing of Cherokee County by using their website as the final landing page. This type of marketing has increased traffic to the website by 50% over last year. This website is for looking at what jobs are available, rental property and building sites.
One of the county’s most valuable assets are our young people. After they return from college, we want them to our area to work.
U.S. Senator Grassley visited MMCRU Industrial Tech Facility and saw what students are doing in this class. U.S. Senator Ernst visited Lopez Foods where she was given an update on the current and potential future production of Lopez Foods. Congressman Randy Feenstra visited with Mid-Sioux Opportunity and the Head Start program. Debi Durham, Director of Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, was in Cherokee for the photo box kickoff. This program uses a portable photo box to help small businesses take professional quality photos for online sales and marketing. CAEDC office has this photo box that is available to be checked out for use by any Cherokee County business.
June 8, 2021 it was announced that the DOT5 Year Plan (Dept. of Transportation) had been approved containing $30 million for road and bridge projects in Cherokee County. June 24, the annual Cherokee County Ag and Industry tour toured Hy-Vee Grocery Store and Distribution Center, Marcus Lumber, Foundation Analytical Laboratory, T & M Cattle Company, and Cherokee County Conservation.
State Representative Dennis Bush, Bill Anderson, members of the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors and CAEDC board members attended “coffees” in Quimby, Meriden, Cleghorn, Larrabee, and Washta where residents could receive updates from those attending.
CAEDC had 23 teams sign up to play in the annual CAEDC Golf Tournament this year.
CAEDC in conjunction with Cherokee County Banks and CML Telephone Cooperative administer the Intermediary Re-Lending Program (Revolving Loan Fund). The IRP is a local funding source with a goal of providing low interest, supplemental loans to assist with business and community development. Priorities include job creation, retention and diversification of the local economy. This fund is administered by the IRP Committee consisting of local leaders who are dedicated to the growth of business in Cherokee County. Since the inception of its lending programs, CAEDC has loaned almost $1.2 million to Cherokee County businesses.
Last but not least _ the Cherokee County Recognition Banquet will be Thursday, February3, 2022 at Aurelia Community Center, 235 Main Street, Aurelia, Ia. Citizens and businesses will be recognized for their contributions throughout the county.
On with the rest of the meeting. The second reading of Ordinance 352, “An Ordinance Adding New Paragraphs to a Subsection of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Marcus, Iowa to Extend Temporary Exceptions the Recreations Parking Prohibition” was approved and it was approved to waive the third reading of Ordinance 352.
“Resolution Naming Depositories”(Res 22-01)_all three Marcus banks) was approved by the Council. The Marcus News was approved as the Official Newspaper.
Res 22-02, “Resolution to set Reimbursement Rate for Employees uses Personal Vehicle for City Business” was approved. Res. 22-02, “A Resolution Transferring Funds” was approved.

Res 22-05, “A Resolution Establishing Compensation for the City Attorney” was approved as was the City Attorney Contract.
Res 22-04, “Setting Time and Place for a public Hearing for the Purpose of soliciting Written and Oral Comments on Maximum Property Tax Dollars” was approved.
Triple-C Pest Control Contract was approved by the Council.
Linda Bindner was approved to the Library Board for term ending in 2025.
Committees , Mayor Pro-Tem, City Attorney, City Clerk, Fire Chief, and Police Chief for 2022 were chosen and approved. (I will list these at the end of this article).
No public works report was given.
The alley that has Grandma’s Garden, Pan Head, and other businesses was discussed. It is in terrible shape and has been for quite some time. Drainage on the alley ends up where it shouldn’t. Councilman Schmillen had a quote for alley repairs from Barkley Asphalt that he gave to the Council.
Dakin Schultz and Shane Tymkowica (with Iowa DOT) met with Mayor Bunt to discuss a roundabout in place of a turning lane at the Intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 143. The Council gave Bunt permission to resend a letter of recommendation for this roundabout to Iowa DOT.
Police Chief Brian Flikeid reported on arrests made and explained First Net Cellular Plan for the Police Dept. The Council approved changing Police Department cellphone service. Also approved was a five-year taser plan for Police Department. Police Chief reported the following: On December 13, 2021 Taylor Edward Olson, 41 years old formerly of Marcus was arrested in Woodbury County on a warrant issued for him by the Marcus Police Department. He is accused of sending text messages and touching a minor within his residence in a manner that was offensive in nature and sexually motivated. He was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where he was booked in on his warrant for: Assault with intent to Commit Sex Abuse,an Aggravated Misdemeanor and Child Endangerment, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.
Olson was held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu or $2,000 bond. The Marcus Police Department was assisted during this investigation by the Department of Human Services and MercyOne Child Advocacy Center.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On December 21, 2021 the Marcus Police Department responded to the 500 block of Ridgeway Dr. along with the Department of Human Services in regard to concerns of narcotics use in the presence of children residing in the home. During the investigation it was determined the home was not a suitable environment for the children resulting in their removal. This investigation is ongoing, criminal charges are pending.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On January 2, 2022 at approximately 1:30 a.m, the Marcus Police Department responded to the 200 block of S Elm St. in regard to an intoxicated subject engaged in a verbal domestic at that location.
Appointments for 2022 City Council Committees January 10, 2022
Mayor Bunt appointed the following for 2022 committees:
Mayor Pro Tem-Conrad Ebert
City Attorney-Alyssa Herbold
City Clerk-Robin Harvey
Fire Chief-Russ Hanson
Police Chief-Brian Flikeid
Water & Sewer Infrastructure-Conrad Ebert, Steve Schmillen, Doug Dreckman
Streets Infrastructure-Conrad Ebert, Steve Schmillen, Matt Dreckman
Park & Pool-Robin Jenness
Community Protection-Pat Bunt & Brian Flikeid
City Crew & Personnel/Equipment-Patrick Bunt & Doug Dreckman
Solid Waste (Landfill)-Patrick Bunt
SIMPCO REPRESENTATIVE-Patrick Bunt
Nuisances-Charissa Frangione
Special Tasks (Library, Community Center, Senior Center)-Beth Enneking & Robin Jenness
The Regular meeting of Marcus City Council was January 10, 2022 at 5 p.m. with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council members present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent: No one.