The Walnut City Council, Thursday evening, received a petition from citizens opposed to the possible installation of additional stop signs along Antique City Drive. City Clerk Terri Abel said there was a petition with 108 signatures of people who are opposed to the proposal. She said also,  Iowa DOT representative Red Allen, from Atlantic, explained why stop signs should not be used for speed enforcement. The Council then decided to have a speed study conducted on Highway 83 and Antique City Drive, to come up with recommendations for possible stop sign placement. But for now, no action was taken on the addition of any such signs within the City limits.

In other business, the Walnut City Council discussed matters pertaining to signage. One of the issues they’re having is with regard to the billboard along Interstate 80. Abel says the Iowa DOT has planted bushes which have overgrown to the point where they are blocking the sign informing visitors to the State about Iowa’s Antique City. She says since the DOT isn’t too keen on taking care of the overgrowth, the City will have to try and come up with a solution.

One of the options being considered, she says, is raising the sign above the bush level, because it’s difficult to get signage along the interstate in the first place, much less going through the process to move the sign to a better location. City leaders also talked about repairing both “Welcome” signs near the City, and the possible addition of a Welcome sign on the south side of Walnut, but no action was taken.

And, the City has announced three Council seats and the Mayor’s position will be on the ballot for the November 5^th elections. By announcing the open seats, it’s hoped residents will show an interest in running for City government.

(9-a.m. News)