Marcus City Council opened their monthly meeting with a Public Hearing on Proposed Sale of Real Estate in Country View Subdivision-First Addition to Ronald and JoAnn Erickson. There were no verbal or written comments received, so Public Hearing was closed. Resolution #22-37, “Resolution Approving Sale and Purchase Agreement Concerning Real Estate in Country View Subdivision-First Addition to Ronald and JoAnn Erickson Trust” was approved by the City Council. (This lot is west of Tom Bindner’s home.)
The next ten items on the agenda are listed under “Consent Business” and instead of motioning and approving each item, the Consent Business is enacted by one motion. There is no separate discussion on any one item unless there is a request made before the Council votes on this one motion.
These items are: 1. Approve City Council Minutes. 2. Approve Bills. 3 Approve Resolution #22-38, “Resolution Supporting the Submittal of a Grant Application through Destination Iowa for Funding for Iowa Economic Development”. 4. Approve Resolution #22-39 “Setting Salaries—Library” (This was for $20 an hour for the Librarian.) 5. Approve Resolution #22-40 “Transfer of Funds”. 6. Approve Marcus Community Action Club (MAC) Class C Liquor License. 7. Approve City of Marcus Return-To-Work Policy Temporary Modified Assignment and 8. Approve City Return-To-Work Agreement. (This Agreement is one that cities now have to have and Marcus added it to their policies.) 9. Approve the hiring of Library Director Dallas Carey. 10. Approve the Wellmark Foundation Grant Agreement. These 10 items were approved by the City Council after being enacted by one motion.
It was approved to park on the north side of Highland Street during school activities while the school is under construction.
Discussed was to commit with Moville for a shared Nuisance Inspector with the cost up to $6,500 in FY23 (billable services). Once position is established, Agreement 28E will follow.
Discussed were swimming pool hours and closing earlier due to not much attendance. This issue will be tabled until next spring before the swimming pool is opened for 2023.
Public Works Department reported the city employees have been busy as this is Fair week. Council was given an update on lead inspection on water service lines that DNR requires by October 2024. As of this writing, Marcus hasn’t received any opportunities for funding that are available for the lead inspection.
One of the employees almost tipped the lawn mower while mowing the south ditch on Holmes Street (street where Marcus Veterinary Clinic is located). It was discussed that this ditch with be seeded with brome grass before any action is taken as far as filling the ditch in.
Water restriction is in effect as the company cleaning the inside of the water tower has arrived and is supposed to begin their job on August 2. The water tower will need to be drained for approximately three weeks. The City of Marcus is implementing outdoor water restrictions August 2 through August 19 for businesses and homes in order to prevent overworking the well pump.
Even numbered addresses are encouraged to water on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Odd-numbered addresses are encouraged to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. There is to be NO WATERING on Mondays. If these restrictions are not followed or weather conditions don’t improve, then there will be a full watering ban put into place.
Chief of Police, Brian Flikeid spoke to the Council about a mobile unit called “M-CAT” that has professionals to assist on location where mental health issues are present.
He spoke on the Marcus Police Department having a K9 Fundraiser. A K9 is a dog used by Police for several reasons. With the support of the community, the Marcus Police Department will be adding a K9 unit to the department. K9 units have become an important tool utilized by the Police to combat crime. The cost associated with outfitting a K9 unit is significant as it requires specialty equipment, additional training and added insurance cost. These costs are not traditionally funded through government or tax payer money. Therefore the Police Department is asking assistance from the community in order to raise funds to place a K9 unit into service.
The addition of a K9 unit to the Marcus Police Department will be beneficial in multiple ways including but not limited to (1) canines detect and locate illicit drugs. (2) Canines serve as a visible deterrent. (3) Canines track criminals who have fled the scene. (4) Canines search for missing children or elderly persons. (5) Canines provide protection and assistance with officer safety in the event of sudden attack.
Donations to the K9 program can be made in person to Marcus City Hall or by mail to City of Marcus PO Box 542 Marcus, IA 51035 If you need more information on this K9 program you can phone (712) 376-4618 OR Cell # (712) 261-3056 OR Email: mpd1830@midlands.net OR go to Marcus Police Department on Facebook.
On July 20, 2022 during the evening hours, a hit and run accident occurred in the west alley of the 300 block of N Main St. behind the Old Panhead. This accident resulted in property damage to a vehicle, however, the offending vehicle left the scene and failed to report the accident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marcus Police Department.
Also reported was the following: On July 27, 2022 the Marcus Police Department executed a search warrant in the 100 block of E Amherst in regard to an investigation into the use of controlled substances at that location. During the execution of the search warrant, Officers seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia. As a result of this investigation, the following subjects were arrested: (1) Joe Strahmann, 44 years old of Marcus. Joe Strahmann was charged with Prohibited Acts, an aggravated misdemeanor, possession of Marijuana on Certain Real Property, a serious misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
(2) Paula Strahmann, 49 years old of Marcus was charged with Prohibited Acts, an aggravated misdemeanor. Both were transported to the Cherokee County Jail and held in lieu of $2,000 bond. Criminal charges are merely and accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On August 7, 2022 at approximately 7:00 p.m. Marissa Hageman, 29 years old of Marcus was taken into custody on a warrant issued for her arrest. Hageman’s warrant was issued on charges filed by the Marcus Police Department for Child Endangerment and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Hageman is accused of exposing or causing her child to be exposed to methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia in her residence in the 500 block of Ridgeway Dr. Hageman was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where she was booked in on the warrant issued for her arrest and held in lieu of $2,300 bond.
The Marcus Police Department was assisted during this investigation by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
On August 8, 2022 Lillie Thompson, 54 years old of Larrabee was arrested on a warrant issued for her arrest by the Marcus Police Department. Thompson, a former Pizza Ranch employee is accused of using her position in the company to commit an internal theft. Thompson was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where she was booked in on her warrant for Theft 4th Degree, a serious misdemeanor. Thompson was held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bond. Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
The Marcus City Council met in regular meeting on August 8, 2022 at 5 p.m. with Mayor Pat Bunt presiding. Council members present were Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent: No one.