Government Notes: Marion seeks feedback on proposed aquatic center project

The city of Marion is once again seeking residents’ feedback on a proposed aquatics center project.

Marion officials have been exploring potential pathways toward replacing the Marion Pool at Willowood Park, primarily through the development of a new aquatic center between 31st and 34th streets south of Munier Road.

The city now is seeking to assess citizens’ interest and preferred improvements ahead of a formal vote on whether to go to voters and pursue a ballot referendum to fund the project. Overall costs and tax impacts will depend on the final scope of the project.

The base project calls for the creation of a new aquatics center with a recreation pool, lazy river, lap pool and other amenities. Citizens also can submit feedback on several alternatives, such as the addition of open-air pavilion or pickleball courts near the aquatics center.

Research firm Community Perceptions is working with the city to gather citizens’ feedback through a physical mailer sent last week linking to an online survey. Those results will be compiled to inform future City Council discussion on the topic.

Residents have until July 28 to respond online or by mail using a unique survey code located on their mailer. Those interested in obtaining additional surveys for other adults in their household should call the Marion Parks and Recreation Department at 319-447-3580.

Boyson Road bridge, I-380 ramps in Hiawatha close Monday

The Boyson Road bridge over Interstate 380 will close Monday, and remain closed for 20 working days. All four ramps connecting I-380 and Boyson Road also will be closed.

The Iowa Department of Transportation project is working on connecting the ends of the segment to the Center Point intersection and to the roundabout at 12th Avenue, according to a news release from the City of Hiawatha.

The northbound ramp intersection also will be completed. At the end of the 20-day closure period, the northbound exit ramp will reopen, but the northbound entrance ramp will remain closed for a couple weeks longer, the release states.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the DOT’s 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).

Applications open for Linn County Economic & Community Development funds

Applications are now open for $100,000 to be allocated to area organizations through Linn County’s Economic & Community Development Fund.

The annual funds are allocated through a competitive grant process to organizations with a Linn County presence whose work benefits county residents.

Applications for programmatic and capital projects will have priority over requests for operating support with additional preference given to applications that accomplish the following:

Applications materials and additional information are available on the Linn County website, and all applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

Linn-Mar offers bus driver sign-on bonus

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The Linn-Mar Community School District is offering new bus drivers a sign-on bonus of between $500 to $2,000, based on previous experience.

New bus drivers without a CDL — a driver’s license required to operate commercial motor vehicles, including buses — will receive a $500 bonus.

New drivers who hold a valid Class A or B CDL are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus. And new bus drivers who hold a valid Class A or B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements are eligible for a $2,000 sign-on bonus.

The Linn-Mar school board approved the sign-on bonuses in a meeting last week.

Eastern Iowa school districts are seeing improved staffing levels for school bus drivers five years after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but shortages persist.

“Coming into this year was probably the best position we’ve been in since COVID-19, but as the year’s gone on, there’s not as many candidates out there,” Brian Cruise, Linn-Mar’s transportation manager, told The Gazette in May.

“School buses really are not hard to drive. It’s one hurdle we deal with — trying to instill confidence in people to consider driving a bus,” Cruise said.

Clear Creek Amana teacher named Iowa Family Consumer Sciences Educator of the Year

Clear Creek Amana High School teacher Megan Overholster was named the Iowa Family & Consumer Sciences Educator of the Year by the Iowa Family & Consumer Sciences Educators Association.

The honor recognizes Overholster’s outstanding dedication to her students, passion for Family & Consumer Sciences and Career & Technical Education and leadership at the school, regional and state level, according to a press release from the district.

Overholster creates real-world, hands-on learning experiences for Clear Creek Amana students. She founded the high school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter and secured a $75,000 grant to support students pursing child development credentials.

Iowa City launches arts and crafts exchange pop-up events

The city of Iowa City, in partnership with Dreamwell Theatre, is hosting a series of free craft supplies exchange events.

Community members are asked to drop off new or gently used craft and school supplies at a series of donation events. The supplies will be available for pick up at a later date.

Accepted donations include craft supplies such as yarn, paintbrushes, fabrics, notebooks and paper. Additionally, upcycling items such as egg cartons or paper bags also will be accepted.

Supplies can be donated at these dates and places:

Free supplies can be picked up at these dates and places:

Coralville City Council approves goat grazing permit

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The Coralville City Council approved a permit request, as required by city code, for split hoof goat grazing on a two-acre property near the Universal Unitarian Society.

The targeted goat grazing will aim to reduce the number of invasive species — including Bush Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive and Garlic Mustard — in the area. The grazing will seek to decrease density of shrubbery where other maintenance methods have been deemed impractical.

Falcon Farm Co. will be responsible for taking care of the goats, as well as installing a portable electric fence, that will keep the goats on the property. The work is expected to take 9-15 days, with a proposed start date of July 14.

The start date is subject to goat availability, though the project will aim to be completed in August at the latest.

Johnson County launches online permit portal

Johnson County is launching a new online portal for development and building permit applications Monday.

The new platform will make it easier for residents, business owners, contractors and others to submit building permit and development applications as well as wastewater system applications. The public also can use the portal to upload plans, schedule inspections, pay fees and track project status. Code complaints also can be submitted through the platform.

Using the portal will require registration, which is free. Anyone can establish an account by visiting www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/pds and clicking on the “Apply Online” button, then select “My Account” from the menu options at the top of the next website. The new platform is supported by Citizenserve software.

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