The Marcus Police Department has received multiple calls from citizens pertaining to Scams, Golf Cart and ATV/UTV violations. Refer to the conclusion of this article, where the Marcus Police Department has reported on these violations.
The HOURS for open burning are SUNRISE to SUNSET beginning April 15 and extending to May 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 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.
Now on to the April meeting. The open public hearing “Fiscal Year 2024 Budget” was opened and the Council was told of the change from last month’s approved Fiscal Year 2024 Budget of the reduction of $1,328 in Emergency Funds revenue. There were no oral or written objections and two minutes later, the public hearing was closed.
All items under “Consent” Agenda were enacted by one motion unless there was a request made prior to the time the Council voted on the motion. Items on the “Consent” agenda were #23-09 “Resolution Approving 28E Agreement Between the Cherokee County, Iowa, the City of Aurelia, Iowa and the City of Marcus, Iowa for the Administration of Medicolegal Death Investigator Services”. Approving Resolution #23-14 “A Resolution Adopting the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024”; Approve Resolution #23-15 “Transfer of Funds”; Approve Resolution #23-16 “Setting Time & Place for a Public Hearing for the purpose of Soliciting Written & Oral Comments on the City’s 2023 Budget Amendments”; Approving The Hawkeye Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Sales; Approving ICAP Recommendations; Approve Marcus Trail color Walk/Run 5K; and Approving the applying for 180 day Gambling License for Clubhouse Raffle.
Sand Seed had donated CDs that have now matured. The Council was asked by Mayor Bunt to consider using these at the request of Chuck Sand to be used on the trail and Golf Course clubhouse. Motion made and seconded to not spend these funds on clubhouse or trail. Then a motion was made and seconded to reinvest these matured CDs within our approved banks at the best rate available as general funds.
There was a motion made and seconded to approve amending the budget.
Mayor Bunt advised the Council that Moville was advertising for Multi-City Inspector to start around July 1.
A citizen request for a pickle ball court was brought up. Suggested to contact Cleghorn and asked about using their old tennis courts.
Testing on Holmes Street has been received stating that it doesn’t meet specifications to be poured again. So, until the official report comes back, all repair work will be put on hold.
A Council member spoke on a citizen’s concerns about some kids that have been climbing the Community Center’s fence.
Robin (City Clerk) will be gone April 18-April 21 for training in Des Moines.
Public Works reported: Streets are being cleaned, filling potholes, cleaning up the park and picking up sticks from yards. Water has been restored at the park. Hydrants will be flushed the week of April 17 that could cause low water pressure and discolored water.
The recycling dumpsters on Railroad Street were discussed. It seems that as soon as they are emptied, they are full again. Mayor suggested that they be dumped two times a week or else putting what would be in these dumpsters—doing recycling weekly at homes.
The Police Report is as follows: The new police vehicle is in Cherokee and going to Des Moines to have equipment installed. (According to the March 2023 bill report, the cost of this vehicle was $43,215.50). The Ford Taurus is broken down but after it is fixed, it will be sold to another city or government agency.
On April 9, 2023 the Marcus Police Department, along with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the 300 block of N. Maple St. regarding a domestic disturbance at that location. It was reported that a male subject was under the influence and was braking items in the residence and attempting to fight other occupants.
Hunter Bentz, 24 years old of Marcus is accused of breaking several items within the home as well as assaulting another adult in the home by striking and biting them causing a bodily injury.
While on the scene, responding officer also detected and observed evidence of controlled substance usage in the home. Officers secured the home and a search warrant was obtained. During the execution of the Search Warrant, K9 Vulcan (dog) was deployed to assist in the search. During the search Officers located and seized controlled substances including methamphetamine, marijuana, and several prescription pills. Officers also located and seized several drug paraphernalia items.
Bentz was charged with: Assault Causing Bodily Injury, serious misdemeanor and Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, a serious misdemeanor.
Bentz was held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu of $300 bond. Additional arrests and charges related to the execution of the search warrant are pending.
The Marcus Police Department was assisted during this arrest and execution of the search warrant by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation; all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.
The Marcus Police Department has received multiple calls from citizens reporting a variety of different scams. These scams include callers identifying themselves as law enforcement and reporting their Social Security Number was used during the commission of a crime on the Texas/Mexico border. These callers often attempt to obtain person information such as your Social Security number to later steal your identity. Other versions of this scam have to callers threatening immediate arrest if a payment is not made.
In another popular scam, callers will identify themselves as a grandchild, attorney representing a grandchild or bail bonds person. The callers often report that their grandchild has been wrongly jailed and in need of bail money. Callers will often attempt to get the victim to purchase gift cards and provide the number, send money via Western Union, or even get cash to be mailed or even picked up by the scammer.
Other popular scams include Publishers Clearing House, Medicare scams and Final Expense Insurance Scams.
The Marcus Police Department would like to offer the following tips:

1. Take a pause. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prey on victims’ emotions.
2. Verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and family before sending money.
3. If the caller purports to be a bail bonds person or attorney, ask where the relative is being held and contact the facility directly.
4. If the caller purports to be a law enforcement officer, get the exact agency name, hang up, and call that department directly.
5. Be suspicious of anyone who calls unexpectedly asking to be sent money or provided information such as your Social Security Number.
6. Never send cash through the mail.
7. Never purchase pre-paid debit cards or gift cards for the purpose of transferring money.
8. Ask a question that only the real family member would know the answer to, such as “what was the name of your first pet?”
9. Set Facebook and other social media settings to private to limit information available to scammers, such as the names of relatives.
10. If something does not seem right, it probably is not. Before proceeding call local law enforcement for assistance of advise.
    With the weather warming up, we have seen an increase in golf cart and ATV/UTV sightings. With this increase of sightings, the Marcus Police Department has already received numerous complaints pertaining to the operation of golf carts and ATVs/UTVs on city streets in a manner in violation of city ordinance and state laws. These complaints include; subjects not following the rules of the road, driving in a reckless manner, unlicensed drivers, and child drivers.
    As a result of several complaints and a few near tragic incidents, the Marcus Police Department would like to remind citizens of some highlights of our city ordinances and relevant state laws.
11. Golf Carts may be operated upon the streets of the City of Marcus by persons sixteen (16) hears of age or older. Recent State Law changes require those operating an ATV/UTV on the streets be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
12. Operators of Golf Carts and ATV/UTVs must follow all traffic laws. This includes but it not limited to obeying stop and yield signs, speed limits and signaling turns.
13. Occupancy, including the driver, may not exceed the maximum intended by design of the vehicle.
14. Operation shall not be upon any City Street which is a primary road extension through the City, (HWY 143, HWY 3). However, operation may cross such primary road extension.
15. Recreational vehicles operated upon city streets shall be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag or proper motor vehicle lighting if conditions warrant and at all times during operation shall have adequate breaks.
16. Operation on City streets may only occur between sunrise and sunset unless properly equipped with functioning headlights and taillights.
17. The owner or operator of any vehicle operated upon the city streets withing the City limits of the City of Marcus, Iowa must maintain and provide current proof of financial responsibility in accordance with Section 321.20B of the code of Iowa or equivalent coverage.
18. Please refer to the City of Marcus Ordinances and State of Iowa Code for a complete list of requirements.
    The Marcus Police Department would also like to encourage you to call if you see violations of this or any other law or ordinance. Effective policing requires police departments to partner with citizens to keep our town safe.
    The regular meeting of the City Council was April 10, 2023 at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers with Mayor Bunt presiding. Council members present were: Ebert, Jenness, Enneking, Schmillen, and Frangione. Absent: None.