The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the closure of certain city streets along with parking restrictions that will be in effect from 6-a.m. Sunday, July 21st through 2-a.m Monday, July 22nd, for the upcoming RAGBRAI event that will bring thousands of bicyclists and their support vehicles into town. We mentioned the streets that will be affected, earlier this week online and on the air (but the list can be found at the end of this story if you missed it).

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson said additional temporary street closings or parking restrictions would be implemented on an as-needed basis. The Council also approved an Engineering Agreement with Snyder & Associates, for the Atlantic Animal Shelter Building addition. Funds for the addition, which will allow cats to be held in separate quarters from dogs, was made possible through a gift of $135,000 from the estate of Ms. Lorene Eppelsheimer. She specifically requested the new addition be built in accordance with her wishes. The addition will be 18-by 36-feet, or 648-square feet in all. Estimates are that the engineering and project management costs will run $120,350. The balance of the funds will be used for additional cat cages and comforts for the cats.

In other business, following a public hearing, the Council passed a Resolution that allows the final property process to proceed with regard to 411 Walnut Street (The Atlantic Senior Center). During their meeting June 5th, the Council accepted a bid of $55,445 from the Elks Club for the purchase of the facility.

In his report to the Council, Mayor Dave Jones said there were four reported grass clipping notices issued to residents, who allowed their clippings to be tossed on city streets by mowers. Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson said the notices went to four new offenders. If those persons repeat their actions, they will receive a citation.

During the Public/Council Forum, Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson said there were about 40 complaints with regard to fireworks from June 15th through Monday of this week. There was no indication any citations were issued.

Councilman Dana Halder commented that the Massena City Council is looking into having a Splash Pad built near their ball fields. Halder said “We’re putting up more playground equipment on the west side of [The] Schildberg [Recreation Area]. I would really like to see the Parks and Rec Department focus on a Splash Pad. We have playground equipment all over this town. And we have people asking and begging for a Splash Pad. We can draw people from other towns that are going to buy gas when they get here…” and when they are ready to leave, can get something to eat at a local restaurant.

Halder said “We need to re-focus on some things here, and let’s get doing some things people are asking for.” Councilman Chris Jimerson agreed. Mayor Dave Jones said the Parks and Rec is working on it, but it will probably take a bond issue to approve it. Jimerson said his fear is that they will probably try to attach a new pool to any plans. The City Administrator will talk to Interim Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen about bringing the matter up to the Parks Board again (It was brought up in previous discussions this year, but the parks board wanted to focus on other areas).

And Councilman Chris Jimerson addressed concerns by some Atlantic residents that the tornado sirens didn’t go off Tuesday afternoon. He explained that in years past, when the National Weather Service issued a Tornado warning, it was for the entire county. Over the past few years, they changed to a “Polygon” formula, that narrows down the area and direction of a severe storm, so it doesn’t panic the entire county. He said the theory is, if you continually warn somebody to go to the basement, pretty soon people will ignore it.

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Here are the approved Street Closures for RAGBRAI, effective 6-a.m. Sunday thru 2-a.m. Monday:

• Chestnut Street from the Court House Driveway access (in the 700 block) to 2nd Street, to allow set-up of a stage and vendor access).
• 6th Street from Locust to Walnut (The entry point to the entertainment area, bike parking, and vendors)
• Poplar Street from 7th to 5th (for bike parking & portable restrooms)
• 7th Street, from Poplar to Walnut (which will serve as the entertainment area and crowd area, while the bands play).
• 10th St., at the intersection with 7th, for eastbound traffic (only at the peak times for riders getting to, and leaving, Atlantic).
• 14th Street, from Olive to Plum Streets (On Monday, July 22nd, while the riders are leaving town).

The order to temporarily restrict parking those days will affect:

• 10th, from 7th to Olive, on the north side.
• Palm, from 9th to 10th, on the west side.
• E. Mahogany at 9th Street, north & west sides.
• W. Mahogany at 10th St., west side.
• Ed Podolak Drive, from Linn to Olive, north side.
• Linn Street, from 10th to Ed Podolak Drive, east & west sides.
• 14th Street, by the Heritage House, south side.
• Olive Street & Roosevelt Drive, 100-feet north on the east side.
• and, 10th and Olive, one-half block in all directions.