There were two Public Hearings previous to the Iowa DOT presentation. At 5:50 the Public Hearing on “Public Hearing for the Purposed of Soliciting Written and Oral Comments on the City’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2023” was opened. There being no oral or written comments, the Public Hearing on this was exited. Then the Council approved Resolution #22-13, “Resolution Adopting Budget Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023.”
Just a few minutes later, the Public Hearing Resolution #22-14, “Resolution Amending the Current Budget” was opened with no oral or written comments on Resolution #22-14, so this Public Hearing was exited. The Council approved Resolution #22-14, “Resolution Amending the Current Budget.”
Now it was time for the Iowa DOT to update the Marcus City Council on DOT’S plans for the intersection of Highway 143 and Highway 3. Iowa DOT was represented by Shane Tymkowicz and Dakin Schultz with Dakin Schultz giving a power-point presentation (on the back wall).
The 4-way stop sign to control the intersection was discussed. A stop light will not be the answer and furthermore if a stop light were to be installed, it would be the City of Marcus’s responsibility to keep it maintained as well as regulated.
The official Right Turn Lane was discussed as well as the Offset Right Turn Lane. The letter Mayor Bunt had sent to the DOT dated January 12, 2022 was shown on the presentation. There is going to be an extended right turn lane installed in late August. The company doing this work is at another job site and late August was the first they would be able to come. Land had to be gotten from those businesses where the turn lane would be starting. (Guest House was one of the businesses.) The cost of this extended right turn lane could be in the $400,000 bracket.
There were pictures shown on other round-about’s that the Mayor’s letter had requested with six points discussed. Dakin explained that recommendation from the City Council to DOT to consider adding the round-about in DOT’S next 5-year plan (in 2028) and that there would be no cost to Marcus for the round-about or the turning lane at that time.
(The City Council plans to have a Resolution passed expressing the consent for a round-about at the April 11 meeting. DOT was asked to look at Highway 143 as it is in need of resurfacing. This project is on the DOT list but lack of money makes this resurfacing not a priority road to work on at this time.)
Another presentation from DOT was on “Operations Create Safety” with pictures.
Their last presentation was “What’s Next”? This had ten points. (1) City Council decision (2) DOT Project Review (3) Funding Approval (4) Agreement with City (5) Form a project management TEAM (6) Start design (7) Public input MEETINGS (8) Adjust Design as needed (9) ROW and (10) Construction.
Next on the agenda was Matt Dreckman representing the Royal’s Youth Board. Permission was asked to put shading overhead in the west ball field. The Council approved this request but wanted to be updated on what type of shading they were planning on getting.
Resolution #22-15, “Transfer of Funds” was approved by the Council.
Resolution #22-16, “A Resolution Setting Salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Marcus, Iowa February 2022-June 2022 was approved by the Council
The Council approved the Marcus Community Golf Course Class C Liquor License with Sunday and Outdoor Sales.
The Barkley Asphalt Contract for FY23 was approved. The Thrasher Foundation Repair Contract for FY23 was approved. They are going to fix Regan Street rather than tear it all up (they don’t just fix walls!)
It was approved to purchase a 2024 O’Halloran International truck (dump) at a cost of $162,265.00.
The request from MAC (Marcus Action Club) to purchase playground tiles was approved.
The Lining Sewers project would require an engineer if the cost of the project would be over $57,000. Doing a few lines at a time would be more costly than if doing it all at once. Council will do more research as far as the costs are concerned.
City Clerk advised the Council that she is working with Simering-Cory to update the City Code. Council will receive the changes when they are ready. State Auditor has been citing cities that have been using public funds for donations to non-profit organizations. Public Funds are to be used for Public Purposes like Economic Development purposes.
Placement of “no parking” signs is under Police Ordinances. On Holmes Street, there needs to be signs as there are times when vehicles can’t get through because of the congestion. This will be looked into.
Public Works will look into water drainage complaint in the alley between Cedar and Spruce Street mainly from Linn to Walnut Street.
Police Chief Brian Flikeid reported he is getting quotes for a new police vehicle for FY23. His Police Report is as follows:
On February 24, 2022 at approximately 1:00 p.m., the Marcus Police Department responded to 305 E. Highland, Marcus in regard to a domestic assault occurring at that location. On arrival Officers were unable to make contact with the occupants of the residence, found the residence to be secured and as a result breached the door to gain entry. Once inside Officers located the victim and suspect.
Later Officers executed a search warrant at the residence seizing electronics including interior and exterior security cameras.
As a result of this incident, Officers arrested Joshua Weber, 35 years old of Marcus. Weber is accused of assaulting his live-in girlfriend causing bodily injury and preventing her from leaving the residence. Weber was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor and False Imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor. Weber was held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bond.
The Marcus Police Depart. was assisted in this incident by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation, all subjects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
On March 1, 2022, Dustin Hansen, 37 years old formerly of Marcus was arrested on warrants issued for his arrest by the Marcus Police Department. Hansen’s warrants stem from a September, 2021 search of his residence. During this search Officers located methamphetamine, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia.
Hansen was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on his warrants for:
Possession or Methamphetamine, a serious misdemeanor. Unlawful Possession or a Prescription Drug, serious misdemeanor. And, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, simple misdemeanor.
The Marcus Police Depart. was assisted in this incident by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation, all subjects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
On March 3, 2022 at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Marcus Police Department executed a search warrant in the 100 block of N Ash St., Marcus. During the execution of this warrant Officers located and seized marijuana, marijuana wax, drug paraphernalia and packaging materials. This investigation is ongoing and charges are expected.
On March 3, 2022, Josey Meyer, 29 years old was arrested on a warrant for a mittimus to serve 2 years in the Iowa Department of Corrections. This mittimus was issued after Meyer’s probation was revoked on an original charge of Child Endangerment filed by the Marcus Police Department.