Monday’s City Council open public hearing, “Fiscal Year 2024 Budget” with no written or oral comments, was closed after one minute. The next item on the agenda was approving the Consent Agenda consisting of nine items with one vote. On this Agenda were the City Council Minutes and Bills, Approving Resolution #23-10—“Transfer of Funds”; Approving Resolution #23-11 “A Resolution Adopting the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024”; Approve Resolution #23-12 “Resolution Approving Release of Right to Reversion concerning 708 E. Cedar Street in the City of Marcus, Iowa”; Approve Marcus Community Golf Course Class C Liquor License Outdoor Sales; Approve The Hawkeye Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Sales; Approve Certified Testing Services, Inc. proposal for Clubhouse Project and approval #23-09 “Resolution Approving 28E Agreement Between the Cherokee County, Iowa, the City of Aurelia, Iowa and the City of Marcus, Iowa for the Administration of Medicolegal Death Investigator Services.”
If there are any changes to the aforementioned “Consent” Agenda it must be done before enacting it by one motion. There was one change, that being on the Medicolegal Death Investigator Services. It was motioned and seconded to amend the agenda removing approval of Resolution #23-09, “Resolution Approving 28E Agreement Between the Cherokee County, Iowa, the City of Aurelia, Iowa and the City of Marcus, Iowa for the Administration of Medicolegal Death Investigator Services.” The Consent Agenda was then approved.
Cherokee Regional Medical Center had announced that they will do NO more death investigations after July 1. They don’t have staff available for these around the clock death investigations. The Hospital had said they were done after January 1, 2023 but have agreed to have July1 as their deadline.
Police Chief for Aurelia/Marcus, Brian Flikeid and Deputy Jackie Stephens were interested in this position. Flikeid was a detective with Storm Lake Police Department and had already had death investigation training as well as experience while Stephens is currently in training. Intergovernmental 28E agreements would be needed with both Marcus and Aurelia for him to be able to take on this job. As stated above, Resolution #23-09 was amended by removing the approval.
Matt Dreckman spoke on the streets that needed pot holes, etc. fixed. The winter has not been good for our streets! Ridgeway Street is due for repairs this spring; the intersection of Holmes and Reagan are to be fixed this spring or summer. What will get fixed and what will not get fixed depends on the 2024 budget. They want to leave enough in case there are any emergency repairs.
The water service line inspection is almost completed. The ICAP Risk Control recommendations are being worked on.
The need to plan for repairing the Golf Course Driveway in 2025 was discussed by the mayor. This will be discussed again during the budget process for 2025. Mayor Bunt also spoke on the recommendations that had been made by ICAP Risk Control representative that toured City facilities as far as making them safer. Exit lights at the Community Center as well as at the Library have been installed.
The outside drawing of the Golf Course Clubhouse will be available in a few weeks for a public meeting hosted by the Golf Course Board.
Chief of Police Flikeid spoke on an arrest update and the 28E Agreement for the Death Investigator that is still pending. Brian, Jackie, and Vulcan (dog) attended a Lion’s Club meeting and give a K9 demonstration. The Marcus Police Department is planning on hosting the Attorney General for a conference in April. The new car is in production stages.
The regular meeting of the City Council was held March 13, 2023 at 5 p.m. with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council members present were Ebert, Jenness, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent: Enneking.