The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday passed on the third and final readings, of two amended Ordinances, and acted on three Resolutions. The Council approved by a vote of 5-to 1, with Councilperson Linda Hartkopf absent, setting the speed limit on 1,650-feet of Sunnyside Lane at 35-miles per hour, from 2,000-feet south of 10^th Street, where the speed limit is 25, to 22^nd Street. Councilperson Ashley Hayes was the lone No vote.

The Council also approved an amended Ordinance that repeals and replaces a chapter pertaining to Trees, with a New Tree Ordinance to be located under Chapter 155, entitled “Trees.” The change also reflects the shifting of the City Forester position from Parks and Rec Director to Street Superintendent, and clarifies the authority of the Forester.

Prior to a vote adopting the City’s updated Comprehensive Plan, the Council heard from Susie Pellett, of Atlantic. Pellett questioned if there was enough publicity, and input from the public. Alexis Fleener, with SWIPCO (The Southwest Iowa Planning Council), said there were focus group and related meetings. Pellett then asked if those meetings were “advertised,” so the public was aware. Fleener said they sent out invitations after input was derived from the City, of which groups should attend those meetings. E-mails were then distributed to those groups. Fleener then mentioned a community survey that was sent out seeking input on the Comprehensive Plan. She said those are included in the Plan, which is a public document available for review.

A copy of the Comprehensive Plan is available on the City of Atlantic website: (www.atlanticiowa.com/atlantic) or on this PDF link: City of Atlantic Comprehensive Plan 2018. The City’s Comprehensive Plan was last updated in December, 2002. SWIPCO updated the Plan, which was tweaked by the Planning and Zoning Commission and then recommended to the full Council for approval. Councilman Jimerson suggested portions of the plan be reviewed and updated annually, instead of the normal, every 10-years. Fleener that there are sections, such as housing, that can be discussed and revised as necessary, but she and Mayor Dave Jones said there are some limitations on what can be adjusted.

In other news, the Atlantic City Council approved, by a vote of 5-to 1, “Adopting [a] Reservation Fee Schedule for City Park Facilities.” Councilman Chris Jimerson was the lone No vote. The fees would be waived for official City sponsored and partnered events. Under the fee schedule, reservations for the City’s Shelters would be $20 from 8-a.m. To 2-p.m., $20 from 3-p.m. To 9-p.m., or a full-day for $35. Picnic tables will be rented out in the same fashion as shelter reservations. The cost for six tables is $20, 12 tables $35. Tables will be picked up and returned by the renter. Without a reservation, the shelters are available on a first-come first-served basis.

And, the Council approved a Resolution “Obligating funds from the Whitney TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Urban Renewal Area Fund for Annual Appropriation Payment,”  with regard to the Council approved TIF agreement with the Whitney Group for improvements to the Whitney Inn in 2016. This is the first year the City is eligible to capture the taxes paid by the Whitney Group using TIF. Afterward, they will be an annual feature on the Council’s agenda until the $750,000 maximum is paid-off, or 20-years expire – whichever comes first.