(Atlantic, Iowa/updated – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors, Monday evening, accepted with thanks for her nearly three-years of service on the Board, the resignation of Board Member Ashley Hayes, who has accepted a position with SWIPCO, that would put her in a conflict of interest when it comes to her new position on the organization’s Community Development Team.

Parks Board member Ashley Hayes (Center).

Her resignation went into effect at the conclusion of the Board meeting. Parks & Rec Board Chair Jolene Smith…

The Board opted to find a person to fill the seat by appointment, rather then call for a Special Election. The person appointed will only serve until the next election. In 2023, the seat will be filled by election and is for a period of two-years. The Atlantic City Council is expected to accept Hayes’ resignation and approve whomever the Board selects. Resumes for the Parks Board seat will then be accepted from August 18th through the 24th. Persons wishing to serve on the Board must include a letter indicating why they want to fill the vacancy. With whomever the Board appoints, citizens have the right to petition for an election.

In other business, Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen reminded the Board and residents, the last day for swimming at the Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic is August 28th.

Brad Rasmussen presents checks to the Parks & Rec Dept. (8/15/22)

And, Brad Ramussen provided the Parks and Rec Board with a handful of checks. The first was for next year’s youth Art in the Park.

(Carolyn Bruck provided the $50 donation). Brad Rasmussen writes children’s books, and turned over the profits to the Parks and Rec Department.

(He contributed $500 to help defray the cost of the Block Party.) Two other checks totaling $1,000, will be used toward the restoration of the Bandstand at Sunnyside Park.

And, the Board approved updating a study for expanding the Atlantic Sports Complex to include additional soccer space, as long as the cost for the Snyder and Associates’ Engineers study does not exceed $11,150. The last time a study was conducted was at least five-years ago.