The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed by a vote of 4-to 3, the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the City’s Code of Ordinance, with regard to “Stop Required” at 22nd and Olive Streets, making the intersection a four-way stop instead of the current, two-way stop.

Prior to passing the Ordinance, the Council City discussed the matter at length. Councilman Richard “Dick” Casady said he’s had people “on both sides of the fence” talk to him, and that he was of the opinion Atlantic has too many stop signs as it is. “I don’t know as it it’ll save any lives,” he said. “It might save some lives. Hopefully it would if we put ’em in.” Casady voted no on the measure.

Councilpersons Pat McCurdy and Linda Hartkopf voted in favor. McCurdy said he had spoken with four people in the affected area, and that “All four of them want it because of the extra traffic from {the new] quarry.” Councilperson Grace Garrett said she conducted her own traffic survey of the area on at least four separate occasions. Garrett said she concluded 22nd & Olive was “Not a safe intersection,” especially when the road is icy, and that a 25 mile per hour speed limit and more signs warning of the impending stop (especially for those coming down the hill), would be necessary, if the four-way stop is implemented.

Those voting in favor of the change include Councilpersons McCurdy, Hartkopf, Brink and Behrens. Casady, Garrett Councilwoman Somers voted no. Mayor Dave Jones said the proposal would include two “Stop ahead” and or “Dangerous Intersection” warning signs in-place well before the intersection.

Tom Cappel and Heather Rudolph cut the sleeves off of Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson’s uniform during the Nov. 4 2020 City Council meeting. (Ric Hanson/photo)

In other business, Dennis Rudolph and his wife Heather, representing Karl Emergency Vehicles, in Des Moines, and Tom Cappel with Deter Motor Company in Atlantic, each bid/donated $200 for the honor of cutting the sleeves off Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The sleeves came with a special pink patch with the Police Department insignia. Afterward, the Chief said there are still approximately 20 patches left to purchase individually for $10 each, or including the sleeves, for the highest bid.

Last week, Governor Kim Reynolds and Senator Joni Ernst each took the opportunity to cut off one of the department’s pink police patches from his uniform, while the two women were in town. Money raised from the sale of the patches will be donated to the Cass County Relay for Life.

The Council received an Annual report from Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen before taking action on passing a Resolution “Obligating funds from the Hotel Whitney Urban Renewal Area Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation TIF (tax increment financed) obligations,” which will be due in the next fiscal year.

The Council held and approved the first reading of an Ordinance vacating a certain City alley, as previously discussed. And, they approved the Fiscal Year 2020 Urban Renewal Report, which details everything related to TIF districts and projects, and must be submitted to the State prior to December 1st.  Toward the end of the meeting, Mayor Dave Jones strongly recommended the public wear mask as much as possible, and maintain a six-foot social distance.

He said healthcare workers, including his daughter-in-law in Ames, are stressed out over the pressure caring for COVID patients puts on those workers, to the point some are considering leaving the profession.