The Regular meeting of the City Council was at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 11 with Mayor Hansen presiding.
Public Hearing on “Proposed Restrictive Sale of Abandoned Property at 708 E. Cedar Street in City of Marcus, Iowa” was over and done with quickly as there were no oral or written comments. This property had at one time been in beautiful shape but over the years, renters had trashed it. The town sold it for $1 to Gary and Connie Edwards.
A minute later, the Public Hearing was exited and the Council went on to approve Res 21-41, “Resolution Approving Proposed Restrictive Sale of Abandoned Property at 708 E. Cedar Street in the City of Marcus.” Res 21-41, “Resolution Transferring Funds” was approved by the Council.
JB Bar “N Grill Class C Liquor License was approved.
Mid-American was approved to run a power line off a street light for the Chamber Christmas tree lights.
Public Works employee, Doug Dreckman informed the Council with estimates for repairing a broken sewer pump vs. replacing it with a new pump. (This was in the $11,000 cost frame.) The pump is used for minimal overflow and not considered an emergency situation. A warranty was brought up as well as installation cost that had the Council wanting to learn more about this before they decided to either rebuild the pump or replace it with a new pump. They were shown a sewer pump maintenance agreement but the Council didn’t think it was suited for the needs of Marcus.
There is a water tower pipe that has come up with holes in it. Jensen Well will replace it in a few weeks.
Open Burning will be Oct. 15-Nov. 15. The HOURS for open burning are SUNRISE to SUNSET beginning Oct. 15 and extending to Nov. 15. While burning, the fire should be attended-no fire should be allowed left to “smother” all night. All disposal of landscape waste during open burning must be on the premises which EXCLUDE alleys, city side walks or parking area (between sidewalk and street).
Our fire department is busy enough without being called to a fire due to a careless person burning. When burning, take into consideration the “weather” factor—WIND. Another factor is your neighbor. There are some people who burn with the smoke away from their residence, but not from their neighbor’s. We are reminded there is still the “city landfill” west of town where people having access to hauling out their yard wastes can leave them off and avoid the problems caused by burning. The gate is open 24 hours for those wishing to use the landfill area as long as they abide by the posted rules as to what can be left off. NO garbage bags are allowed. Take the bags back with you.
City Clerk Robin Harvey will be gone Oct. 20 Oct. 22 to Des Moines for a Clerk Conference.
A concerned citizen has asked why only part of Linn Street (going around the curve from Railroad Street) was black topped and not the rest (south) of the Linn Street. Maybe the Covid money could be used for this. (More people should speak up on issues that are questionable like this person did.)
Trick or Treating DOWN TOWN will be Friday, Oct. 29. Trick or Treating for House to House will be Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (If there are no lights on, that means that household is not participating in trick or treating, so don’t knock the door down!) Bigger kids, don’t grab a little kid’s bag of goodies that he/she went to get_get your own. (This has happened and the youngster ends up with nothing as the big kids go off laughing.)
Chief of Police, Brian Flikeid reported the received two LIFEPAK CR2 Defibrillators through a grant. This grant training re-supplies patient pads, and manufacture support that will be available for the next eight years.
Police Report: On Sept. 19, 2021, the Marcus Police Department arrested Blaine Wicks, 18 years old of Marcus. Wicks was taken into custody on a warrant issued for his arrest issued by the Marcus Police Department for_Harboring a Runaway, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Wicks is accused of providing aid, support and shelter to a minor runaway to assist them in remaining away from home against the wishes of the child’s parent or guardian for a period of approximately 48 hours.
Wicks was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Cherokee County Jail where he was booked in on his warrant and held in lieu of $2,000 bond.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On October 8, 2021, Christopher Willson, 32 years old of Holstein, IA was served with warrants issued for his arrest by the Marcus Police Department for: Possession with intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, a class B felony. Failure to Affix Tax Stamp, a class D Felony.
Willson’s charges stem from a July 13, 2021 traffic stop, vehicle impoundment and subsequent execution of a search warrant on the vehicle utilized by Willson. During the execution of this search warrant, officers located methamphetamine with an approximately street value of $2,500_a digital scale, packaging materials and drug paraphernalia.
Willson was who was being held in the Ida County Jail on unrelated charges, was served these warrants and held in lieu of an additional $25,000 bond and extradition to Cherokee County.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
Council members present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, Klassen, and Frangione. Absent: No one.