By Elaine Rassel
Before the Council meeting, a Council person was approached by the owners of 305 E. Railroad Street property in regards to a nuisance fine they had received. They have 30 days to have whatever needs to be done to this property into compliance from the judge’s ruling.
Now onto the Council meeting. Representing Planning and Zoning, Laura Letsche came before the City Council asking that the Zoning Code for fences be amended and also the Code for cul-de-sac lots.
The first reading of Ordinance 350, “An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code of Ordinances of the City of Marcus, Iowa Concerning Cul-De-Sac Lots” was approved by the Council. It was also approved to waive the second and third reading of Ordinance 350.
Then the first reading of Ordinance 351, “An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code of Ordinances of the City of Marcus, Iowa Concerning Fence Proximity to the Property Line” was read and approved. The second and third reading of Ordinance 351 was waived and approved by the Council.
Resolution 21-39, “Resolution Transferring Funds” was approved by the Council.
There was a closed session at the end of the meeting that had been moved up. We went to the meeting room while this closed meeting was in progress. While there, I sat beside a person that lives in the east end of Cedar Street. I asked if it was a rumor or the truth that someone was interested in the house in this end of town that has been a “nuisance” for so long. I was told that someone is going to fix it up. This was great news! This house at one time was beautiful but in the past years, much destruction has been done to the interior. Now it was time to go back to the Council room. The City Attorney was on her way out of the building.
The Urban Renewal Report for fiscal year 2020-2021 was approved. Also approved was the MMCRU School Homecoming Parade for Friday, Sept. 17.
Jeff’s Food class E Liquor License was approved. The KRP Audit Agreement was approved by the Council.
There was much discussion on the yearly updates and keeping the City Code of Ordinances maintained by SIMPCO. Quotes were received from SIMPCO and Simmering-Cory. It was approved to enter into agreement with Simmering-Cory for the City Code of Ordinances updates.
New chairs were approved by the Council for the meeting room and the Meeting Room.
The Mayor’s salary and Council person’s pay were brought up. It was said by one of the Council persons that they were getting enough pay. (Some of the meetings are only a few minutes long are they getting a full hour’s pay??)
The sign across from the Post Office, (The MAC’s electronic sign) will be moved to the side of City Hall. The spot they are on has been sold to the United Bank of Iowa for a new bank building.
The new water valve shut-offs are being installed as of September 14. Plans for a new roof for the Marcus Public Library are still in the making. The IDOT has been contacted as to where the Hwy 3 project that was supposed to have been started awhile back, hasn’t been. According to them, there has been some bidding confusion and rebidding has to be done again. The delay for this project could be into next year.
If you have anything that needs to go_there is a City Wide Clean-up day on October 11. If you aren’t sure what can or cannot be picked up, call City Clerk for an answer.
The Marcus City Council met in Regular session at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021 at 5 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Hansen presiding. Council persons present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, and Frangione. Absent was Klassen.