A public hearing will be held Wednesday evening in Atlantic, with regard to the plans, specifications, and form of contract for street and alley improvements, in Atlantic. Iowa Code requires a public hearing to be held before the City enters into a contract with a construction company. The hearing takes place during a meeting of the Atlantic City Council, which begins at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall.

City Administrator John Lund says Henningsen Construction was the low bidder for the projects, in the amount of $1.13-million, which Lund says was well below the $1.58-million the City had budgeted for. He says Henningsen was able to bid lower than expected, due to the fact their asphalt plant would be located near Atlantic this summer for their other major projects, and because of the continued low oil prices. Oil is used in the Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) process. The savings, according to Lund, will permit the City to easily accommodate any change orders, and will be carried over into the 2017 Capital Improvement Plan.

In other business, City Administrator John Lund will provide the Council with a report on a Highway 71 Speed Study. The Iowa DOT conducted the study, and determined that which people are speeding on Highway 71 in the City limits, the lack of major accidents does not justify changing the posted speed limits.

Lund will also report on the Tax Abatement Program that was approved by the Council in the Fall of 2014. The Council’s meeting will conclude with a closed session per Iowa Code, to discuss matter presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent, and where its disclosure would likely prejudice or disadvantage the position of the City.