Government Notes: Planning continues ahead of bond vote for Marion aquatic center

Planning continues on the project to replace Marion's 38-year-old swimming pool at Willowood Park with a new multi-million-dollar aquatic center on a 24-acre site near Highway 100 and 31st Street.

The fate of the new development is months off yet. The public will decide in a Nov. 4 bond referendum whether the project will become reality. Current estimates for the cost to buy the land, build an aquatic center, and redevelop Willowood Park is $39 million. Parks Director Seth Staashelm told The Gazette when all planning is done, that cost will likely be lower.

Staashelm gave the Marion City Council an update on the project's planning last Tuesday. He told the council that the aging Willowood pool will operate until the new facility is open, provided the bond passes.

If the bond passes Willowood will be redeveloped into a city park. That could include a trail extension into the park, which is not part of the bond referendum, Staashelm noted.

Among the amenities eyed for the aquatic center is a pickleball court. Such a court has not been considered at Willowood due to potential noise the sport might generate and the fact that the park is in a residential area.

Council member Grant Harper told Staashelm that he would like to see some information about any risk involved in continuing to use the Willowood pool should the bond issue fail, and include what would be needed to continue its safe operation.

Staashelm told the council that the referendum language will be drafted in July. He told The Gazette his department will continue seeking public input on both projects in the coming months.

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Last year the city council approved terms to purchase 24 acres to build a new aquatic center. The purchase is contingent on the city obtaining funding through a bond referendum in November. If the referendum fails, the city will be reimbursed the $1 million principal put into escrow, with the property owner receiving earned interest to hold the land, according to city documents.

Council members unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Atlas LP Company, LLC and Atlas Building Company LC to purchase land just north of Highway 100, near the intersection of 31st Street and Munier Road.

Linn Board of Supervisors elects new chair, vice chair

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The Linn County Board of Supervisors named Brandy Z. Meisheid chair and Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt vice chair for 2025 during a meeting last week.

The change in officers followed the announcement Feb. 17 that Supervisor Ben Rogers plans to resign, effective April 1. Rogers had been serving as chair, and Meisheid was vice chair.

Meisheid represents District 3. She was elected to the Board of Supervisors during the November 2024 election. Meisheid replaced outgoing Supervisor Louis J. Zumbach who did not seek re-election. District 3 includes Alburnett, Bertram, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Lisbon, Mount Vernon, Marion, Palo, Prairieburg, Robins, Springville, Walker, and a large section of unincorporated Linn County.

Supervisor Running-Marquardt represents District 1. She was elected to the Board of Supervisors during the November 2022 election. District 1 represents the Westside of Cedar Rapids, the cities of Ely, Fairfax, and part of Walford, the village of Western, and unincorporated areas in southern Linn County.

A committee of three Linn County elected officials decided Friday it will pursue an appointment to fill Rogers’ seat on the board. Applications will be accepted in March, following a 14-day period during which Linn County residents can submit a petition for a special election.

Iowa City schools to develop Mercer Park fields for softball program

The Iowa City Community School District plans to develop Iowa City’s Mercer Park fields in an estimated $3.3 million project that will move the City High softball program to the park.

The school district will have exclusive use of fields 1 and 4, and be in charge of maintenance for the next 25 years in exchange for an annual $5,000 payment to the city that will be used for further developments at the park.

The other two fields at the park will continue to be managed by the city. The city plans to contribute $711,000 to the estimated $3.3 million project for improvements to the park entrance, central paths, trails and the concession building.

Hy-Vee announces North Liberty Centennial Park sponsorship

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Hy-Vee plans to spend $750,000 to have the naming rights to North Liberty’s Centennial Center and Amphitheater for the next 15 years.

The $750,000 will be distributed to North Liberty over the course of 15 years with an annual $50,000 contribution. The city council will formally vote on the partnership at its meeting Tuesday.

“This investment in our community enhances our ability to provide dynamic spaces for entertainment, recreation and connection,” North Liberty Mayor Chris Hoffman said in a news release. “Hy-Vee’s support reflects its ongoing commitment to giving back to local communities, and we’re excited for the countless memories that will be made here by residents and visitors alike.”

The Centennial Center is part of a $16 million four-phase construction project to reimagine North Liberty’s Centennial Park. The park project is being funded through a mix of city funds, state and federal grants, and donations.

The city partnered with Community Foundations of Johnson County to establish a non-endowed fund to accept grants and gifts. Individuals and business donors have contributed to the fund.

North Liberty has received grants from the state, community organizations and has put American Rescue Plan Act funding toward the project. The city also has committed $6.5 million to Centennial Park.

Construction on the first phase of the expansion — which will cost $7.27 million — has already begin. It will include a 13,000-square-foot event center, known as Centennial Center, and a 2,700-square-foot amphitheater.

When it’s complete, the project also will include a splash pad, open air pavilion and honor garden. The park’s event center will be available for weddings, business receptions and family reunions.

The city is already booking events for Centennial Center throughout 2025-2026.

Marion subcommittee will make trash, recycling recommendations

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The Marion City Council is appointing a subcommittee to represent the city in dealing with the future closure of the landfill north of Marion at County Home Road and Highway 13.

"The Agency has indicated that the landfill may reach its capacity earlier than the original 2044 date. The Landfill Subcommittee would work with staff in reviewing information related to refuse and recycling services and develop any necessary recommendations for the full City Council’s future considerations," Marion City Manager Ryan Waller told The Gazette.

An update report on the landfill at the Marion City Council's work session last Tuesday confirmed that the landfill may reach capacity sooner.

"The final landfill cell is projected to be full in February 2037," Joe Horaney, communications director for the Solid Waste Agency told the council. That is about seven years earlier than planned, but a year longer than predictions made last year.

Once landfill is full, the landfill's compost site "will operate as transfer station until June 30, 2044," Horaney said.

Horaney said in a report last year, “Other landfills (in Iowa) still have capacity at their locations, anywhere from 30 to some have 100 years of airspace left.”

The landfill timetable was reduced after the 2021 derecho damage produced 80 percent more waste landfilled than in the previous year. Population growth is also a factor.

Horaney also said Tuesday that most of the landfill's tipping fees will increase July 1, by $2 per ton. A few increases will be higher, like commercial recycling will jump $15 per ton to $115, citing contamination as a major issue with that type of waste. Also, commercial hazardous materials processing rates depending on the material will rise 5 percent.

Iowa City Council hosts listening post Tuesday

The public is invited to join Iowa City Council members at their next community listening post, Feb. 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library, Room A, 123 S. Linn St.

Council listening posts provide opportunities for the community to engage with city leaders on topics that are important to them in an informal setting. Two members attend each event and report back to the entire council on what they have heard from the community during their discussion. All residents are encouraged to stop by to discuss any issue. No formal agenda or presentation is planned.

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