By Elaine Rassel
The Marcus City Council was informed by the Mayor that the water plant, that is 70 years old, needs to be updated. This matter will be discussed in upcoming council meetings.
All of the items under “Consent” Agenda were enacted by one motion. Other that approving City Council Minutes and Bills, there were only four other items listed: Approving Resolution #23-37 “Transfer of Funds”; Approving Resolution #23-38, “A Resolution Adopting the City of Marcus, Iowa Safety Manual”; Approving Jeff’s Food Inc. Class E Retail Alcohol License and Approve Application for Marcus Signage/Facade Program—Pizza Ranch.
As ICAP doesn’t carry builders risk insurance, Smith Insurance, represented by Tim Holmes, gave the Council an Auto Owners Policy to review that was for builder’s risk for the Clubhouse (future Clubhouse at Golf Course). This policy would be only for the construction process. The policy from Smith Insurance was approved.
The Marcus Community Golf Club was represented by Tim Holmes who spoke to the Council on a Golf Club Silent Auction & Golf Cart Raffle to be held November 11 at the Marcus Community Center. It was approved to auction off any things that would be considered property of the City of Marcus—however, this included but not limited to the bar and with proceeds collected for the City.
“Mobile Food Trucks” was up for discussion again. The draft of Ordinance 359, “Mobile Food Trucks” was presented and discussed. At the November meeting, revisions will be made and presented for approval.
There was a September 29 meeting with Planning & Zoning held with City Attorney Herbold and Dave Christensen (Code Enforcement) that City Clerk, Robin Harvey updated the Council on. The topic item discussed was “items in the right of way”. Planning & Zoning Committee will not be amending the code to specify allowable items in the right of way. However, the City has the authority to remove any items placed in the right of way without notice. What are these items? Items that would be considered a nuisance is when the line of sight for cross traffic is blocked. Instead of Dave Christensen notifying property owners when this is the case, Robin will notify the property owners.
Approved was Res #23-39, “Resolution Declaring Declaration of Gift”. Also approved was Res #23-40, “Setting Time and Place for Public Hearing on sale of lot in Business Lot”.
The Mayor invited any interested Council members to tour the water plant. City Clerk Robin Harvey will be at training Oct. 17-Oct 19 and the City Hall will be closed those days. Residential Trick or Treating is Oct. 31. (NO times were mentioned). Usually, right after school is out, the kids go to places in the business district. Residents really don’t expect any callers until after 5 p.m.
Make this a safe Halloween. If you don’t see a light on, that person doesn’t want to have anything to do with Halloween—so don’t stop off. Watch were you are walking and wear clothes that are reflective if you are out after dark—cars don’t always see little people. Really, it is always better to have an older person or parent with the kids—there always seems to be older kids that take advantage of the little ones and make off with their bag of goodies. Don’t call after 8 p.m.—call it a day and make sure an older person checks your bag of goodies. (Remember, the more you eat of these, your dentist will love you!)
Open burning is October 15-Nov. 15. Once again, no times were mentioned. However, hours to burn in the past have been from SUNRISE to SUNSET. While burning, the fire should be ATTENDED and not left to “smother” all night. Yard refuse is to be burnt in your own yard and NOT on streets, sidewalks, or in alleys. When burning, take into consideration the “weather” factor of wind. (Our local fire department is busy enough without answering a call because of a careless burner.) Another factor is if someone in the neighborhood is on oxygen. There are some people who burn with the wind away from their residence but not from their neighbor’s. Just because you might like the smell of burning leaves, perhaps your neighbor doesn’t. We are reminded that Marcus provides a place west of town where people can haul their yard wastes and avoid the problems caused by burning.
Public Works, Doug Dreckman updated the Council on the water plant after the old pump malfunctioned on Saturday, September 30. The water tower was being drained due to a broken valve. Then the number one well went down, which required the city to switch to the backup well. This led to the water main failing. Saturday morning a boil advisory for drinking, meaning water for cooking, pets or brushing teeth had to be boiled before use, preparing or cooking food. Public Health Manager Kayla Mayer said coliforms—bacteria found in waste—were the main contamination concern for the water. This causes illness like E. coli. Residents were to avoid using water from a fridge or tap, even with home filters. Whenever water systems lose pressure due to the potential bacterial contamination, cities must issue the water ban.
By late Saturday afternoon, water was running, but residents had to boil their water until bacterial tests returned. A new pump has been installed and everything is running well again. While this was being worked on, galvanized pipe was replaced in the well with all stainless steel. It was mentioned that Hy-Vee’s Cherokee warehouse came with 3 pellets of water and left them off at the Fire Station for residents who needed water during the hours they couldn’t get Marcus water. We thank Hy-Vee for bringing over drinking water for the Marcus residents.
Restrooms at the pool and park will be winterized. Trees along the cemetery need to be cut down for the Spring Trail construction.
Police chief Brian Flikeid reported a county wide critical incident debriefing standard procedure has been completed. Marcus police department, Cherokee County and public Health will have a wrecked car from drunk driving parked at the High School.
The Council was asked to consider gifting Cherokee County the Ford Taurus since they wrecked a vehicle and are looking for a new one. The County’s intentions are to give it to the YES Center after they get their new vehicle.
Police Chief Brian Flikeid reported the following: On April 9, 2023, the Marcus Police
Department executed a search warrant at 302 N Maple St., regarding controlled substances and paraphernalia discovered during a disturbance at the location. During the search, controlled substances including methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription pills and unknown home press pills of various shapes and colors were seized. Officers also located and seized several drug paraphernalia items.
The Marcus Police Department enlisted the assistance of the Iowa division of Criminal Investigations Criminalistics Laboratory for the purpose of identifying the unknown home pressed pills. The Crime lab later determined the pills to be methamphetamine.
As a result of this incident and findings reported by the Crime Lab, the Marcus Police Department filed additional charges that were sent to warrant.
On September 11, 2022, Hunter Bentz was again arrested on the warrant issued for his arrest for: Possession of Marijuana, a serious misdemeanor and Possession of drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
On September 16, 2023, Melony Jackson, 48 years old of Marcus was arrested on the warrant issued for her arrest for: Prohibited Acts, an aggravated misdemeanor; Possession of Methamphetamine, a serious misdemeanor; and Possession of Drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
On September 16, 2023, Matthew Mulder, 38 years old of Marcus was arrested on the warrant issued for his arrest for: Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd Offense, a class D felony; Prohibited Acts, an aggravated misdemeanor; and Possession of drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
The Marcus Police department was assisted during this incident and ongoing investigation by K9 Vulcan, (dog) the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Criminalistics Laboratory.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
The Marcus Police Department was joined by Cherokee County Public Health, Cherokee Regional Medical Center, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office before and during the MMCRU football game on October 6, 2023 providing students with insight in the dangers of drunk driving. This presentation included a mock car crash located at Grace Methodist Church as well as an educational booth inside the football game with Fatal Vision Goggles.
The Marcus Police Department coordinated with Cherokee County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Cherokee Public Health, Cherokee Regional Medical Center, Cherokee County Emergency Management and Cherokee Sheriff’s Office on the development of a First Responders Critical Incident Debriefing procedure and guidelines that will be available to all First Responders countywide. These guidelines create a uniform procedure to implement debriefings after critical incidents.
On October 4, 2023, the Marcus Police Department executed a search warrant in the 300 block of N Elm Street regarding ongoing complaints of a mother and child engaging in the use of marijuana. During the search warrant, several vaping products, including a vape product that tested positive for marijuana, was seized. This investigation is on going and the Department of Health and Human Services is assisting.
On October 4, 2023, the Marcus Police Department responded to the Marcus Fairgrounds for a report of two High School aged students driving recklessly and damaging the grassy area of the Fairgrounds by doing burnouts and donuts (on the west side of Fairgrounds). This aggressive and reckless driving resulted in one vehicle tipping on to its side resulting in damage to the vehicle. Both drivers were cited for Reckless Driving. Additional charges are pending once damages and repair costs to the Fairgrounds are determined.
The Regular meeting of the Marcus City Council was October 9, 2023 at 5 p.m. with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council members present were Ebert, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent was Jenness and Enneking.