(Marion, IA) -- The City of Marion plans to appoint its new Ward 1 city council member. The city says it will take applications to fill the seat, which will be vacant after City Council Member Colette Atkins retires at the end of March. Applications will be accepted until noon on Thursday, March 30th. Applications can be sent to the city clerk at Marion City Hall, 1225 6th Avenue, or emailed to cityclerk@cityofmarion.org. The appointee will serve the remainder of Atkins' term through the end of the year. Voters will get the chance re-elect that person or elect a new city council member in November.