(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, received a Housing Committee report from several of the Committee’s team leaders. Former City Councilperson Kathy Somers, who Chairs the group, said because of the progress that’s being made by the Committee to address the housing needs, the City is eligible for a $10,000 grant. If the grant is received, the Council will have to follow-up and put the funds to good use, with regard to housing initiatives, etc.

Somers said the 26 member Committee was formed after a task force was established by the Atlantic Community Development Group in November, 2020. She credited long-time Atlantic resident and businessman Bob Camblin with kick starting the initiative because, as he said, “housing is a very important issue.” Somers said the Committee divided into several working groups, each tasked with different aspects of finding ways to fill the housing gap in Atlantic.

The groups included: Land Subcommittee, lead by Christina Bateman; Infill lots, lead by Baily Smith; Home Builder Recruitment, under the Direction of Randy Watts; Housing Rehab Program, lead by Rylea Anderson, and the City-lead initiatives group, under the directive of Heather Santi-Brown. Most of the group leaders were present to a brief description of what they have done so far, and continue to work on accomplishing.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved a joint Airport Road/Bridge rehab project with Cass County, and the plans and specifications for the Bull Creek Improvement Project. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm report said the Army Corps of Engineers threw-in some last minute additions, but the City can still solicit bids for the work and does not need a revised permit. The work includes reshaping the banks of the creek, installing “rock ripples” to allow for the formation of silt to eventually, and naturally raise the stream bed.

Tree removal and trimming along the creek will take place soon, under a separate contract. Sturm said also, a couple of culvert outlets will be fixed, replacing a culvert where the trail crosses Buck Creek, and replacing a portion of the Buck Creek Trail. The project is still coming in at under $500,000, with the bids expected to be received by the first week of March. A public hearing on the project is set for March 16th.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council also set March 16th as the date for a Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation, Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement (and to borrow money) not to exceed a principal amount of $90,000. That’s with regard to the City’s 28-E agreement to support the Cass County Landfill. The Council’s meeting on March 2nd will include a public hearing on the Maximum Tax Dollars.

And the Council approved the renewal and updating of a City Clerk Services Agreement with the City of Marne, extending the services for five-years, with a $150 increase in the fee for each of the five years. Atlantic City Clerk Barb Barrick said the City has been providing City Clerk services to the City of Marne for the past two-years.