The Atlantic City Council held a shorter than normal session Wednesday evening, due to some items on the agenda being tabled or withdrawn entirely. During the meeting, the Council adopted the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. City Administrator Doug Harris reminded the Council the budget as submitted amounts to $9,373, 546 (9-million 373-thousand 546 dollars). He said that would generate a 32-cent tax increase or 1.8-percent over the last Fiscal Year.

The Atlantic City Council holds their meeting in the Senior Center while renovations are under way at City Hall.

After adopting the Budget, the Council set  March 12th at 5:30-p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the budget. After the hearing, the Council may decrease the budget, but cannot increase it. And, because the budget must be filed with the State and County Auditor’s Office by March 15th, the Council will hold back-to-back Wednesday meetings on March 5th and 12th instead the 5th and 19th as would normally be the case.

In other business, Doug Harris recommended the Council table action on approving a Resolution accepting Public Improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said the final bills for the plant are in, and it turns out Hawkins Construction owes the City $5,361 net. Harris said before the City settles with the Contractor, they still have leverage with liquidated damage it could assess, and/or go after the Performance Bond.

The issue the City has with the company was over the matter of defective work on the blower building caused by settling ground, which was due to improper compaction of fill materials. In his report to the Council Harris said he has held discussions with CGI Communications, Inc. in Rochester, NY. (www.cgi.com). The discussion centers around a proposal to add a video feature to the City, Chamber and CADCO websites.

It’s meant to showcase Atlantic to visitors, help retain and attract residents and businesses. The National League of Cities is promoting the feature, and about one-dozen towns in Iowa are looking into signing-on. Harris said there would be no cost to the City. There would be two or three one-minute video clips highlighting education, housing and recreational opportunities.

Harris said he’s expecting a call from CGI next week to continue discussions.