[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617345,"mediaKeyId","2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac","parentId",2842361,"title","Council votes to adjourn to exempt session on collective bargaining","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",4851000,"endMs",4893000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=4851&end=4893","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_4851000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617345/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Council-votes-to-adjourn-to-exempt-session-on-collective-bargaining","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617345-ffcfc3edd522c9bcf0c2691dd74d819e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194397&Signature=NusWwPcHyV5GAO5vWGTJP2-Dl9Ccs5UOjRSAtSMtO1yY32YBa-SBbPLUhGQ86Vmzxuo-pupPzbRqjPVeFntc~zi9odPgmv9tLbufFAZha28zKHAj0nQ27remAAeR0-eQU9hphjAwc~5~zsYNeyok0TkDKjc6d88YTR5zhNsdQ5eJe7yMzhDhpP0gZ618a2a-V3LVDlcENwCQwV17iT6yExaea9UtLdXfFw-AaHPCHjWcshxwkGhkn2INYGA0cyMe0i-foMyNhEts55ugS2p14wsmQ2dCP0AcCf0NhuIgr49mPcZ3JpEScA~GmAKhBKDcXAT749ukLZeMU6BaUufOrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion","date","2025-04-02T00:07:41.033Z","article","At the close of the April 1 work session, the City Council moved to adjourn to an exempt session to discuss collective bargaining as permitted under Iowa law.

Mayor Pro Tem moved to \"adjourn to exempt session regarding collective bargaining as permitted under section 20.173 of the code of Iowa.\" The motion was seconded and the city attorney confirmed the proposed subject matter was appropriate under Iowa Code section 20.173. On a roll-call vote the council recorded \"yes\" votes from the following members: Johnson, Harper, Miskeman, Menser, Brant and Sternak. The motion carried and the public meeting was adjourned into exempt session.

The motion and roll call were procedural; no substance of the exempt session was discussed in open session nor was any public action taken at the work session regarding bargaining terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","YouTube - City Council - Audio/Presentation - 4.1.25","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council voted unanimously to enter an exempt session to discuss collective bargaining under Iowa Code section 20.173; roll-call votes were recorded and the legal basis was confirmed by counsel.","taxTitle","Marion City, Linn County, Iowa","taxId",55360,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617350,"Council previewed design-standards stop, Native Oasis code and zoning housekeeping amendments",191,4118000,4309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=4118&end=4309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_4118000.jpg","/articles/6617350/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Council-previewed-design-standards-stop-Native-Oasis-code-and-zoning-housekeeping-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617350-c4358834b5fcb96e4dcbf523d2619cc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194397&Signature=NcnxSOa-WtdNQvH34Le-3sMPK6lGab3BLAV~x0ovVMXryTxxolE0o6c5SsXivesrgAM~ThtrMHOCz3YhAy~DH69MM69u2HZB5pO~HWYFUIeZpmUFOCKfy9toBXfV5SMvZErqkBQgqMtGznaHS5ZUpFkDf8ra6PXS7jupOMGAWzTcrMiW~uKU8Y2iJ1nd2REltCrN5joodqOoV2k~84NXg6Vr~UQ4aPlc2O6TQroqWxxHpyvLJy0UlrnqS74yAeGT8SUFcjEs-mdH7Xy~nzOOftVPoWMBIw9YME3T6Qp~Yf5qPIszCFJ7CXeN8ejVQVUar6enyCFHXrA2sYy13ADlzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning and staff briefed the council on April 1 about several code and planning items that will move through the city process in coming weeks, including an added council review for design standards, a permanent “Native Oasis” allowance for intentional plantings on private property and two housekeeping zoning amendments.

Kim (staff member) and Seth (staff member) told council the city will host a presentation from RDG (neighborhood park master plan and design-standards updates) and that the council will have an extra stop in the review process so members can provide feedback on proposed design and use standards before the Planning and Zoning Commission completes its recommendation. \"We wanted to make sure we had that extra stop with council to get that feedback,\" Seth said.

Seth also described the Native Oasis ordinance (originating from a NoMoMae opportunity) that will allow residents to install intentional native plantings on private property; staff said the parks department will review applications and that the city will produce a list of permitted species and restrictions (noxious weeds excluded). \"It's going to be a permanent process that the parks department will review,\" Seth said; council asked staff to ensure the plant list is available when the ordinance is adopted.

Nicole (planning staff) described two housekeeping zoning changes: removing a 5,000-square-foot minimum in the definition of \"retail sales, small\" so that smaller uptown retailers are unambiguously included, and restoring sidewalk-cafe accessory-use entries to the Central Corridor use table (U1, U2 and UTC1) after they were inadvertently omitted during a recodification. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended the housekeeping changes 6–0 at its March meeting, Nicole said; staff will ask council to waive second and third readings on Thursday to expedite adoption.

No formal votes were taken at the work session on these items; staff asked council to attend the presentations and be prepared to provide direction. The items will next appear before council and the Planning and Zoning Commission according to the posted schedule.","City staff previewed an extra council review step for updated design standards tied to the moratorium, a Native Oasis ordinance to allow intentional private native plantings in rights-of-way, and two zoning housekeeping amendments restoring sidewalk-cafe allowances and removing an outdated retail-size definition.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617355,"Marion Water Department outlines near-term projects, elevated-tower bids and lead service-line work",626,2853000,3479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=2853&end=3479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","/articles/6617355/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-Water-Department-outlines-near-term-projects-elevated-tower-bids-and-lead-service-line-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617355-0cbea2dc2d10e9c8538ab15022e28551/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194397&Signature=XPJPcubonlPurKhFsmhquks2wwHyJG2S7iBC31-YeFTl22uRVioQ3D1m4r6ybnpHTgm0EYW3XlXjRCQZEnqSuWPEeZchjH2~H90uzAOCnv8SKVGPp5Wx20pAP4JX3nVzz0j0WcEu4kT9GbNiwM8IuKJp8gRf3DTgE7tf519KuP84GJ~x5ORCvwo5H09PND8P8WT4W15jO8R3irF5Fm5DB1UO23asDMNEBRRVT3A2Q25VzWzWcjx27QUulVjbebWzGqCU7dDHZFucss-OIP6Ry~duE9JN4Z5XUSbYH9NpR-510k6WCfrsR~Hjbhm9auh8eTdPmOctzFeuv8rWaLCgKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion Water Department on April 1 briefed the City Council on a larger-than-normal fiscal year budget driven by construction of a new elevated water tower, ongoing mains work, and a small draw from cash reserves to balance the coming year.

Todd Steigerwald, general manager of the Marion Water Department, said the department increased its budget to about $9.3 million for the coming year — up from a typical range around $6–6.5 million — largely because of the planned tower on Lucore Road. \"We increased it up to almost 9,300,000.0. We did have to pull 2,400,000.0 from our, cash reserves to balance our budget for the coming fiscal year,\" Steigerwald said.

Steigerwald said the department received multiple bids for the tower and split the project into two scopes. He said two qualified contractors emerged as the low bidders: Caldwell for a 2026 completion option and Gerard for a reduced 2027-cost alternative, with one low bid near $3.6 million compared with an engineer's estimate of about $5 million. He said staff visited tower projects built by the contractors to evaluate quality and timing and will ask the water board to award a contract at its next board meeting.

The department described other projects: water-main replacements tied to street reconstructions, a Grand Avenue bid award imminent, phase work funded in part by an ARPA allocation of roughly $600,000 for a prior project, and new equipment purchases (a pickup truck, skid steer and UTV) planned in the next fiscal year.

Steigerwald also discussed lead service-line work and compliance steps. The department has completed an inventory and identified roughly 57 lead service lines that require replacement over a multi-year program. \"It is about a 10 to 13 year program to replace all of those,\" he said, adding Marion's mineralized water means it has not experienced lead-level problems but must comply with federal requirements and inventory replacements.

Steigerwald previewed a proposed minimum-bill rate increase of roughly 3% and said the city would hold a public hearing on June 10; he outlined the customer impact using the city's billing cycle: for a minimum two-month bill at 400 cubic feet or less, the increase would be approximately $0.21 per two-month cycle; for a higher average user (1,200 cubic feet) the change would be about $0.73 per two-month bill.

The water department also noted annual operations beginning April 14 (fire hydrant flushing), an upcoming consumer confidence report and completed work on a new storage building for equipment. Council discussion included questions about where the new tower will improve pressure and serve future growth; Steigerwald said the Lucore Road tower will raise pressure for east-side customers and support future northern expansion.

No council vote was taken on the tower or rates at the April 1 work session; staff will bring specific contract awards and rate hearings to appropriate meetings.","The Marion Water Department reported a larger-than-usual budget tied to construction of an elevated water tower, described two competitive bids for the tower, announced an estimated inventory of 57 lead service lines and previewed a June 10 public hearing on a proposed minimum-rate increase.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617360,"Marion Chamber reports membership growth, new welcome center and advocacy push for aquatic center",1391,1454000,2845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=1454&end=2845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_1454000.jpg","/articles/6617360/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-Chamber-reports-membership-growth-new-welcome-center-and-advocacy-push-for-aquatic-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617360-df9c71910557b7e09d5d7b6233a064eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194397&Signature=oqyqvQxwjmurbfBs3NsooL7FI9G3PHB~KTyTLY9nzc23gmfIfH1rUOjgjkluz9K20Aaa8qkGESLdN5lL4UYA6nyjeoYThZivqifd4OLhfJcFD23R4bvGBxdIk-JVPoiep4whXJNzhk2I1G3KuoYPtZRADCD2jenCnB4YifWt1oWJL8ZlcBrdodqPTu1YvvHfzPct9DFmn~USO06AXKoJSE4jctqsFuRUv7p7SqCyzhJ6XivXYEg8EJ7nEo8CWZd4mrcCbjxSmf8KIYh9Yqif3FDYdeSnhWIhoQAmUvOxetAsyYKDB4EIxAKjoOQgqFcZNKRyug7pTBnAHYnreZCrmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Marion Chamber of Commerce reported membership gains, a remodeled welcome center and new programming at the April 1 City Council work session, and they outlined an advocacy campaign in support of a proposed municipal aquatic center.

Jill (Chamber representative) told council the chamber added 32 new members in 2024, hired three staff members including a membership specialist and a Main Street director, and completed 55 professional development and networking events last year. \"We added Tammy Peck who is a part time membership specialist,\" Jill said while reviewing staffing changes.

The chamber also described a refresh of its Uptown welcome center, new merchandise and expanded Saturday hours; staff reported a 225% increase in sales comparing January–March 2024 to January–March 2025. Jill said the chamber will publish a new community brochure in 2026 and redesign tourism outreach such as coupon sheets and a community champion program for frontline businesses.

On advocacy, the chamber said it will run a multi-tiered campaign in support of a proposed aquatic center, which chamber staff and board members described as an ImaginEx initiative aimed at expanding recreation and workforce attractiveness. \"Our main goal here is just to increase non dues income,\" Jill said, noting sponsorship revenues help keep member dues affordable.

Council members asked about member retention and vacancy of storefronts in Uptown Marion; the chamber said retention challenges typically occur in the first two years of membership and that the organization conducts outreach and member mixers to raise retention rates. Jill said the chamber is coordinating with economic development partners to recruit businesses and reduce empty storefronts.

The chamber invited council to a ribbon-cutting and open house for its new welcome center on April 10. The presentation was informational; no council action was taken at the work session.","The Marion Chamber told council it added dozens of members, redesigned its welcome center and is launching an advocacy campaign in support of a proposed aquatic center; staff hires and events also featured in the update.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617364,"Trees Forever and Marion outline long-running urban reforestation partnership and youth planting program",221,1122000,1343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=1122&end=1343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_1122000.jpg","/articles/6617364/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Trees-Forever-and-Marion-outline-long-running-urban-reforestation-partnership-and-youth-planting-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617364-cd3734ac706c934e4539a7a0b17e9dff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194398&Signature=Iv6MICwV5X8ViL5D7IPw6TFwVoOEzj3~L7gkTJBtM51ou8aRAArbX2KeFiE78Muod0MKZ6dLvs0H2Qqf3OqxGZOPD2MBj1rKFgeLATDeSBSdQVhMFvgjKOZzCdgDT2f4pkrVzt7tJilQMURQhfO5Tlny66YOttai-eNplfL4YNgflKNsTw5oiQwGPQpZokvZUbBII7LQAp-ZIkQenPuqRSkWXkbJ3e6cimx753V35OVAGR18C55-zob1PmtSM5JKspWgB55jhAVVWMCXDOIelUH18iaXkzIdeUvzGaR2c7PQOMUcA540yOZqGug9zTc1L14Zzld7guhuHisFB6lBPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trees Forever staff and city officials on April 1 highlighted a long-running urban reforestation partnership that has yielded thousands of trees in Marion and will continue this spring with new plantings and youth workforce development.

Molly Stolke, of Trees Forever, told the council the organization — founded in Marion in 1989 and now operating across several states — has completed nearly 100 projects in Marion over 34 years, delivering about $330,000 in grants and $377,000 in local match that resulted in more than 6,230 planted trees and 75 seedlings. \"In the last 34 years, we've engaged with over 2,600 volunteers just here in Marion,\" Stolke said.

Stolke described the 2024 Growing Futures program, which hired 14 local youth (ages 14–18) to plant 200 trees in Marion and provided professional-development training. She said the program delivered two volunteer planting dates that drew 45 volunteers contributing 192 hours. \"We planted 200 trees and we did professional development such as vehicle maintenance, financial information,\" she said.

City staff noted the council adopted an urban reforestation plan last September. Mike (staff member) told council that right-of-way plantings will be a visible component of the plan and that the city and Trees Forever would strengthen partnerships and pursue new planting collaborations this spring and summer.

Stolke described Trees Forever's post-planting commitments: the Growing Futures crew waters new trees weekly for one year and Trees Forever warranties plantings for a year, replacing trees that fail in that window. \"We take care of it for a year,\" she said. Volunteers and residents have engaged with crews while planting, Stolke added, and the group plans a volunteer planting event in Marion on May 22, 2025.

Council members thanked Trees Forever for continued work, noted the importance of rebuilding canopy after the derecho, and welcomed Marion remaining the organization's headquarters. No formal council action was taken; the presentation was informational.","Trees Forever reported to the City Council on its decades-long partnership with Marion, including a Growing Futures youth crew that planted 200 trees in 2024 and a 2025 plan of additional right-of-way plantings and volunteer events.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617370,"Marion YMCA, city prepare amendment to agreement as facility strains parking and demand",0,1865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac&start=1865&end=1865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842361-c3b4a324d748a71726f18c86d7a324ac/thumbnail_1865000.jpg","/articles/6617370/Marion-City/Linn-County/Iowa/Marion-YMCA-city-prepare-amendment-to-agreement-as-facility-strains-parking-and-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617370-6a33780570594f5dc566158f02000842/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194398&Signature=P7uqgL9g2PjNx9bAU9M0KAjf-o-vnr0XU-1vJ2wRuaw--jQ8WebwwsG8CRWVs4WNMsiuH4HEX8F3bfwJfG57X9fueKAdKbOjK8~K6lCzlcVt4otkjWFyj~7ontXUlczPYN~dO9uaX1b9N4ciPyTSOdzOc2CXYfYg18bESeD-fJezsYPQ3881fg6gxYaiIZWH0bfmXi~uDI4Reo4OKjCLiI--zcP1FLlEvDynT6JSGvdwAQOST-Gs-0L8cJNebhys-Zn8caf0PS14kAViewFDEJJz4PCM283eO1IOwMgJLf4rsUVznbzbMwk4Vchqap0l0bRDyDO35~BrswrEzLYrZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion YMCA and city staff told the City Council on April 1 that an amendment to the existing memorandum of agreement will appear on the council agenda this week to address heavy facility use, parking stress and program access.

City staff framed the amendment as a capacity-management measure tied to a formal amendment to the MOU that will be presented to council. The YMCA and city representatives described several concrete changes in the proposed amendment: suspending routine public guest-pass sales, extending a resident discount, adding a $5 track pass for Marion residents and piloting a monthly “community family day” for nonmembers.

Bob Carlson, president and CEO of the YMCA, said membership surged after the new facility opened and that parking has become constrained. \"Our parking is very stressed at the building,\" Carlson said. He told council that the association-wide decision was to stop selling walk-in guest passes to the general public because unrestricted guest access strained capacity.

Dale Emerson, branch executive director at the Marion YMCA, reviewed branch participation numbers and programs. Emerson said the branch had more than 9,400 members and that youth and adult sports programs — including more than 1,200 children in youth basketball last season — put routine pressure on gym and parking capacity. \"Gym space is, far and few between, and we can always use more of it,\" Emerson said.

Seth (staff member) told the council the amendment would extend the 10% resident discount for five additional years, formalize a track pass similar to the pickleball pass and establish a community family day likely scheduled on a Sunday for Marion residents to use the facility without full membership. He said the amendment had been reviewed through subcommittee and would be on the council consent agenda for Thursday.

The YMCA also emphasized scholarship programs and access: Carlson said the association offers financial assistance and that \"we scholarship about a million dollars worth of folks last year in all of our branches.\" YMCA leaders said guest passes can still be arranged through branch executives for visitors with a specific need, but general on-the-spot guest sales will not resume.

Council members praised the partnership and discussed next steps. Several members said they regard the amendment as part of managing shared resources and thanked YMCA staff for coordination. Seth said staff will continue to pursue complementary solutions, including looking at parking options and summer program locations with city staff and the parks and rec team.

The council will consider the proposed first amendment to the MOU on the consent agenda at the next regular meeting; council action had not occurred at the April 1 work session.","The Marion YMCA told the City Council it is amending its memorandum of agreement with the city to formalize changes including limiting guest passes, extending resident discounts and introducing a paid track pass to manage heavy use and parking constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes to adjourn to exempt session on collective bargaining

Council previewed design-standards stop, Native Oasis code and zoning housekeeping amendments

Marion Water Department outlines near-term projects, elevated-tower bids and lead service-line work

Marion Chamber reports membership growth, new welcome center and advocacy push for aquatic center

Trees Forever and Marion outline long-running urban reforestation partnership and youth planting program

Marion YMCA, city prepare amendment to agreement as facility strains parking and demand