By Elaine Rassel
Consent items acted on one motion. Swearing in of Mayor Bunt and Jenness, Whited, and Edwards. Official Newspaper was Marcus News. City Clerk is Harvey. City Attorney is Herbold.
Mayor Bunt appointed the following appointments to 2024 committees:

1. Water and Sewer Infrastructure-Conrad Ebert & Steve Schmillen & Doug Dreckman
2. Streets Infrastructure-Conrad Ebert & Steve Schmillen & Matt Dreckman
3. Park & Pool-Robin Jenness & Matt Dreckman
4. Community Protection-Gary Edwards & Brian Flikeid
5. City Crew & Personnel/Equipment-Austin Whited & Steve Schmillen & Doug Dreckman
6. Solid Waste-Tanner Cronin
7. Simpco Representative-Patrick Bunt
8. Nuisances-Steve Schmillen & Gary Edwards
9. Golf Course-Conrad Ebert & Robin Jenness & Pat Bunt
10. Special Tasks (Library, Community Center, Senior Center)-Austin Whited & Robin Jenness
    Other Appointments were:
    Mayor Pro-Tem—Conrad Ebert
    City Attorney—Alyssa Herbold
    City Clerk—Robin Harvey
    Fire Chief—Russ Hanson
    Police Chief—Brian Flikeid
    Due to weather conditions, Michael Washburn from McClure Engineering was unable to attend and will come to the February 12th meeting.
    Matt Dreckman took up most of meeting with following:
    Removal of Ash Trees will start no earlier than the fall of 2024. Public works can continue to cut down smaller Ash Trees as time allows before Schwebach comes. Schwebach Tree Service are removing Ash Trees regardless of health condition in the parking and park. Discussed also the need for a tiller for all the reseeding Public Works does and the increase of reseeding to come with the tree removals (was approved).
    Matt Dreckman gave the Council the Public Works report, large tree branches from the Christmas Day Ice Storm have been picked up and now they will go back and pick up the smaller branches when the snow uncovers them.
    Brian Flikeid, reported he is investigating two child abuse cases, has has been nominated as the President of Safe Center of Iowa Board, a Steering Committee through the Iowa Attorney General’s office.
    The Marcus Police Department in a joint investigation with the Department of Health & Human Services and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report or Child Abuse. This case stems from a report made to the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services after infant child presented to the hospital with significant internal injuries. Anyone with information relevant to this incident is asked to contact the Marcus Police Department. The Marcus Police Department would also like to remind citizens that gossip and rumors often interferes with efforts to follow legitimate leads. Rumors and gossip can also result in the persecution of those rumored to be involved.
    Chief Brian Flikeid over the course of the past year has participated in a steering committee aimed at improving the response to sex assaults state wide. The steering committee made up of Legislators, Medical Professionals, Attorneys, Advocates, and Law Enforcement was tasked with examining all aspects of a reported sex assault including but not limited to reporting, sexual assault forensic exams, police investigations, victim advocacy, crime victim services and the prosecution of offenders. As a result of this examination of sexual assault services the S.A.F.E Center of Iowa non-profit was created to further strengthen Iowa’s response to reported Sex Assaults statewide with a strong focus on rural Iowa. During the December 2023 board meeting Chief Flikeid was elected President of the Board.
    The Marcus Police Department responded with the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services to a report of possible narcotics use in the presence of a child. This investigation is still pending.
    The Marcus Police Department obtained an arrest warrant on a subject who had filed a false report. At the time of this report this warrant has not been served. Details of this incident will be provided post arrest.