Government Notes: Marion launches automated garbage collection today

Marion’s change to automated curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste begins today. Solid waste will now be collected in the City-issued standardized carts by equipment operators in trucks equipped with mechanical arms.

In June, the Marion City Council approved a $1.8 million contract with North Carolina-based Toter to automate the process of collecting solid waste using a mechanical arm and standardized carts. City officials say this creates a more sustainable and efficient service.

“This is a highly anticipated day for both our residents and members of Team Marion,” Deputy City Manager Kim Downs said in a news release. “This initiative is years in the making and touches nearly every Marion household. We ask for patience and a little bit of grace as we begin this new process.”

In 2022, the city hired SCS Engineers to conduct a waste study examining how waste was collected, the efficiency of routes, what services the city could add and current facilities. At the time, each of Marion’s waste collectors slung cans from 400 to more than 500 houses every weekday.

The news release reminds residents to have their wheeled carts placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. The imprinted serial number should face the street, and the wheels of the cart should face the home. Carts must have three feet of space between them to allow room for the mechanical arm. They also should be positioned three feet from parked cars, fire hydrants, light poles, street signs or low-hanging trees.

As part of the transition, roughly 14.5 percent of all households will have a new collection day, the release states. This was communicated to those impacted via mail. Find a link to a map to verify your route at www.cityofmarion.org/automatedcollection.

Groundbreaking for Prairie Summit YMCA

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The College Community School District is breaking ground on a new YMCA Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m., adjacent to Prairie Heights Elementary School, 190 76th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids.

Voters in the College Community district last fall approved a $43 million bond referendum to fund the construction of a swimming pool and wellness center that the YMCA will operate.

“After more than two decades of discussions, this project will finally bring a much needed pool and recreation complex to the Prairie community,” Superintendent Doug Wheeler said in a news release. “It will not only enhance our competitive swimming program but also provide curricular and recreational opportunities for students of all grades. In partnership with the YMCA, this facility also will provide year-round, multigenerational wellness services to our community.”

The YMCA will include both competition and recreation pools, which will serve as the home venue for Prairie swim teams and offer aquatic opportunities for younger students.

The facility also will feature locker rooms, two competition wood courts, a turf area, a walking track, cardio and fitness space and two multiuse fitness classrooms.

The collaboration with the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area will ensure the district-owned facility are managed to serve both school needs and the broader community.

The city of Cedar Rapids also is a partner in the project, committing between $2.5 to $3 million to the project for public infrastructure improvements and support of the indoor walking track.

Construction is expected to begin this fall with completion projected for spring 2026.

Cedar Rapids leaf pickup to begin Oct. 28

Leaf pickup begins Cedar Rapids on Monday, Oct. 28, and runs through Thursday, Dec. 6.

Leaf vacuum trucks will be in the southeast and northeast quadrants will be on Mondays and Tuesdays in alternating weeks. They’ll be in the southwest and northwest quadrants on Wednesdays and Thursdays in alternating weeks.

For example: On Oct. 28 and 29, leaves will be picked up in the southeast quadrant. On Oct. 30 and 31, leaves will be picked up in the southwest quadrant.

The following week, leaves will be picked up Nov. 4 and 5 in the northeast quadrant and on Nov. 6 and 7 in the northwest quadrant.

And then the southeast/southwest quadrants follow the next week.

The leaf pickup calendar is at https://CityofCR.com/Leaf. Residents also can call the Solid Waste and Recycling Division at (319) 286-5897 to determine their collection day.

Residents also can sign up for text and email alerts on leaf collection days at https://CRNewsNow.com or through the Mobile CR app at https://CityofCR.com/App.

Iowa City forum will discuss police policies, practices

Iowa City’s Community Police Review Board will host a community forum to hear the public’s views on Iowa City Police Department's policies, practices and procedures.

The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, inside Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St.

Additional information about the Community Police Review Board is available online at icgov.org.

DNR stocking trout across the state this fall

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Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.

Eastern Iowa trout stockings are planned for:

The fall community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a night crawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners, such as a Panther Martin or Mepps, can result in a catch.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.

Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

Johnson County announces winners of ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

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The Johnson County Auditor’s office has announced the winning designs for its 2024 “I Voted” sticker contest.

Johnson County residents Sara Alward, 43, won the adult division and Cameron Johnson, 11, won the youth division.

There were more than 50 designs submitted across the two categories. The contest allowed for digital designs or hand-drawn or painted designs.

The top five designs from each category were selected by a panel of Johnson County employees.

From there, the public was able to vote on their favorite design through the auditor’s website. More than 1,4000 votes were cast during the voting period.

The stickers will be given to voters who participate in the Nov. 5 General Election.

Iowa City Hall sidewalk, parking lot to temporarily close

Iowa City City Hall will have limited access beginning today and likely through November to allow for maintenance at City Hall.

The north portion of the Washington Street sidewalk will be closed from City Hall’s main entrance to Van Buren Street.

The front entrance will be accessible from the west ramp. Utility and Mediacom drop boxes near the east parking lot will only be accessible on foot.

The east parking lot also will be closed, though the entrance near the Housing Authority will stay open.

Additionally, parking spots in front of the building will not be available on weekdays. The spots will be available Saturday mornings for the farmers market.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Megan Woolard and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.