Cory Hawkins and Karen Scott from Aurelia were at the City Council meeting Monday night to say they will be starting up a new business in former Casey’s building. The new business will be called, “NW Iowa Press”. They will be doing screen printing as well as doing business in the clothing and gift shop area of the store. They will, at the end of August, be the new owners of the Hawkeye Lounge.
It doesn’t seem possible that Fall will be here soon. Kim Deichmann came before the Council to speak about the Marcus Fall Festival formally called Kandy Korn Festival. It would be October 14. She was asking to have a street closure at that time.
Moving on to the business where all items under “Consent” would be enacted by one motion unless there was a discussion about a certain item. In addition to approving the City Council Minutes and Bills, there were 13 items on this agenda. (1) Approve Resolution #23-26 “Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Iowa Department of Revenue and the City of Marcus, Iowa, for Participation in the State Setoff Program”. This had to do with tax refund deductions on unpaid water bills when people leave town and their water bills behind. (2) Approve Resolution #23-28, “Resolution Supporting the Submittal of a Grant Application for Funding Through the Iowa Development Authority—Rural Enrichment Grant Program. (3) Approve Resolution #23-29, “Resolution Supporting the Submittal of a Grant Application Through the Iowa Development of Natural Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Projects. (4) Approve Resolution #23-30 “A Resolution Amending the City of Marcus, Iowa Employee Handbook”. (5) Approve Resolution #23-31 “Transfer of Funds”. (6) Approve IMWCA safety policy recommendations. (7) Approve Fall Festival Street Closure. The Council approved Main Street between Cedar and Pine to be blocked off on Saturday Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Marcus Fall Festival. In addition to vendors in the Marcus Community Center, there will be food trucks and boutique trailers parked outside.
(8) Approve Application for Marcus Signage Incentive Grant Program. This involved sign for “59 Grind”. (9) Approve The Hawkeye Lounge, LLC Class C Retail Alcohol License. (10) Approve Mud on Main, LLC Special Class C Retail Alcohol License. (11) Approve Site Services Inc. Asbestos Removal Agreement—this was with removing asbestos at the Golf Course that was not sheet rocked. (12) Approve Certified Testing Services Agreement. (13) Approve Steve Schmillen to Nuisance Committee.
Trail Business was next on the agenda. Again all items would be enacted by one motion unless there was any discussion. There were three items under Trail Business. (1) Approve Resolution #23-32, “Resolution Approving Temporary Trail Easement Agreements Phase 1”. (2) Approve Resolution #23-33, “Resolution Accepting Quit Claim Deed for Certain Real Estate to be Dedicated as Locust Street”. This was the (maybe thought of as an alley or a private drive) street to the east of where Scott Carlson lives that goes south and to the where Julie (Radcliff) Stofferan lives. It will now be considered Locust Street. (3) Approve Resolution #23-34, “Resolution Approving Trail Easement Agreements Phase—1”.
Resolutions and Ordinances were next on the agenda. (1) Approve Resolution #23-27, “Setting a Public Hearing on the Sale of Lot in the Business Park—it was approved for the cost of $14,186.93 by Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, and Frangione but Schmillen abstained. (2) Approve 2nd & waive 3rd reading of Ordinance 358 “An Ordinance Adopting the Code of Ordinances of the City of Marcus, Iowa”.
Dave Christensen spoke to the Council and provided pictures of 61 properties in Marcus with items in the right-of-way—23 were for weeds and mowing. Council voted to have Christensen meet with Planning and Zoning Committee to find a recommendation that specifies just what is allowed on the city right-a-away.
There was discussion on food trucks coming in and parking wherever. Discussion was on drafting an ordinance for food trucks. City Clerk, instead of Christensen, is to continue sending out letters to those who have weeds/mowing that were sited by Christensen. Now that the Golf Course has added value to the City, a bonding attorney will be contacted by City Clerk to see what the City’s bond capacity is.
Doug Dreckman reported that the HWY 143 water intake will be replaced. Ash trees on the list for removal will be started to be cut down.
It was mentioned that the IDOT has started doing locates for the roundabout that was scheduled for Fiscal year 2026. (This is HWY 143 and HWY 3 where an elongated turn lane coming into Marcus was recently installed.)
There was discussion in having cameras at the swimming pool. A concerned citizen spoke on golf carts with young operators as well as more than one person on the cart. Several had been at the swimming pool. Weren’t golf carts in Marcus supposed to be only going to the golf course instead of all over? Brian Flikeid explained that the State has approved golf carts to be wherever but not on a highway. (I would think the owner of a golf cart would be concerned in case something would happen like a serious accident.)
Police Chief Brian Flikeid reported the following: On July 27, 2023, the Marcus Police Department responded to MMCRU School for a report of a Burglary that had occurred during the overnight hours. It was determined that suspects gained entry to the building, stole tools and materials from several contractors working at the school. Also stolen from the school were several Chromebooks and an iPad. This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Marcus Police Department.
On August 3, 2023 at approximately 12:00 p.m., the Marcus Police Department received a complaint of a reckless driver traveling at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles in no passing zones, and nearly causing a car accident. The suspect of this incident was identified by witnesses as Tayler Coombs, 29 years old of George, IA. Officers were not able to immediately locate Coombs or his vehicle. Later at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Marcus Police Department responded to a report that Coombs was pounding on doors and windows and yelling loudly in the 100 block of N Locust St. At this time Officers located and took Coombs into custody. Coombs was booked into the Cherokee County Jail and charged with: Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor and Reckless Driving, a simple misdemeanor.
August 6, 2023-August 8, 2023, Officer Stephens and K9 Vulcan attended the United States Police Canine Association Certification Trials in Le Mars. The K9 and Handler team of Stephens and Vulcan successfully completed the Patrol Dog trails which includes testing in obedience, evidence search, suspect search, apprehension, and handler protection. The K9 team of Stephens and Vulcan also successfully completed their Narcotics Certification Trials earlier this spring.
On August 13, 2023, the Marcus Police Department at 12:30 p.m. responded to Casey’s General Store for a property damage accident that had occurred at that location. Drivers—Jennifer Vrieze of Storm Lake and Jayden Wiltgen of Meriden collided in the parking lot causing damage to each of their vehicles estimated at $6,500.
The Marcus Police Department worked enlisted the assistance of the Division of Criminal Investigations Criminalistics Laboratory to identify what appeared to be home pressed pills in various shapes, colors, and sizes located by Officers and K9 Vulcan during a drug investigation. The DCI Crime Lab confirmed the pills to be Methamphetamine. This case remains under investigation and charges are pending.
The Marcus City Council met in regular meeting in Monday, August 14, 2023 at 5 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council persons present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent: No one.