By Elaine Rassel
Council meeting opened with a public hearing on the Proposed Sale Concerning Real Estate in Marcus Business Park to Ten Corp, Inc. and Clay Leavitt at 5 o’clock p.m. There being no oral or written objections to this, the public hearing closed at 5:02 p.m.
Citizen Matt Freeman spoke to the Council on a sidewalk he has that runs east and west on his property. This portion of sidewalk is damaged and leads to nowhere so he would like to take this part out but leave the section closest to the corner intact. This part of the sidewalk was approved for removal but—the city could ask it to be reinstalled at a later date due to an ordinance on sidewalks.
There were four items under Consent Business that were listed and were enacted by one motion. Other than approving City Council Minutes and Bills, Resolution #23-38—“Transfer of Funds” and Resolution #23-39—“Approving Sale concerning Real Estate in Marcus Business Park to Ten Corp, Inc. and Clay Leavitt”, were also approved. Cost of the Real Estate was $37,179,20.
The health insurance renewal of 3.91% was approved.
Mitchell McDonald has a full time job but the hours have been cut. He lives at Alta, is a Security Guard at Hy-Vee Warehouse and is off work at 4 p.m. He was approved to be a part-time officer pending MIPI Testing. Additional training for him will come out of Police Budget. He will be paid $22.50 an hour.
Ordinances and Resolutions were next on the agenda. (a) Ordinance 359—“An Ordinance for Mobile Food Units” was discussed and approved. (b) The 2nd and 3rd reading of Ordinance 359 were waived. (d) Resolution #23-40, “Resolution to Set Mobile Food Truck Vendor Permit Fees” were as follows: Mobile Food Truck Permit Fees for (1) Calendar year is $150; (2) Up to three-day event is $50; and (3) Single day event is $25.
“Resolution Setting Salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Marcus, Iowa July 2023-June 2023” was approved.
City Clerk Harvey reported to the Council the Annual Finance Report, the Annual Road Use Report, and the IPERS Audit for review. An annual exam will be at City Hall by King Reinsch Prosser on November 14 and 15.
Doug Dreckman (Public Works Superintendent) reported on the water plant that is working okay after electrical adjustments and the new well pump malfunctioned after one month and has been replaced. Trees have been taken down that are in the right of way in preparation for the Walking Trail. While the weather is warm, Christmas lights will be put up.
Mayor Bunt reported on the construction of the new clubhouse at the golf course. City Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving—November 23 and 24.
Police Chief Brian Flikeid reported that he, along with DHS, gave a presentation with stimulated googles and drunk driving at the MMCRU High School. He has FREE gun safety locks available at City Hall. Stop by and get yours and help save a life of someone who can get your gun out.
What is going on in the former Boy Scout basement room? Officer Stephans and her K9 dog, Vulcan, are finding drugs that were hidden. (Yes, the dog did find them!)
Also reported: Police Chief responded to MMCRU High School for a report of several juveniles vaping in the bathroom. This resulted in citations being issued for Possession of Vaping Products.
The Marcus Police Department along with Cherokee County Public Health, Cherokee Regional Medical Center, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Speaker, JR Joy, presented to MMCRU students and the public an educational program about the dangers of Drunk Driving. During this presentation, JR Joy presented his story of drunk driving which left him paralyzed. The Iowa State Patrol presented and displayed a severely damaged vehicle that was the result of a fatal drunk driving accident and the Marcus Police Department educated students using Fatal Vision Googles that simulate intoxication.
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 Responder Critical Incident Debriefing procedure and guidelines. These procedures have been implemented and adopted by all First Responder agencies in the county and will provide a uniform procedure to implement debriefings after critical incidents.
Responded to MMCRU for a report of an assault that had occurred between students. As a result of this incident, a juvenile female was issued a referral to the Juvenile Courts for Assault 5th Degree after she had thrown another student to the ground by the hair.
Partnered with Project Safe Child to provide FREE gun locks to the public in support preventing firearms being accessed by children or other unauthorized persons.
The Regular Meeting of the Marcus City Council was Monday, November 13, 2023 at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council persons present were Schmillen, Jenness, Enneking, and Schmillen. Absent was Frangione.