(Atlantic, Iowa) [Updated]– The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday evening held a longer than normal session, as part of their busy agenda. First-off, the Council recognized Adult Services Librarian II Jody Allumbaugh, who began working in the Library in 2013 as a Library Page, working downstairs and in Youth Services. Mayor Grace Garrett said Jody progressed upstairs to Adult Services and has multiple responsibilities.

Mayor Grace Garrett congratulated Jody on her 10 years of service. Library Director Michelle Andersen presented her with a personalized pen and pencil set for her dedicated service.

(Left) Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen presents Jody Allumbaugh (right) w/a personalized pen/pencil set on her work Anniversary.

Next, the Council heard from Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator & 911 Services Director Mike Kennon, who spoke about Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 27th through the 31st. Kennon said Wednesday March 29th at 10-a.m., is the Statewide Tornado Drill.

Kennon says the sirens will be tested this Friday and likely next Friday, also, at Noon on both days, to make sure they are all functioning. The City has over a dozen sirens spread out in the community. Statewide Severe Weather Preparedness/Awareness Weeks are an opportunity to increase awareness of and response to severe weather hazards.  They are scheduled throughout the spring, targeting a time before the spring severe weather “season” typically begins in that state.

Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the tornado drill for your local area, as this is an opportunity to test your communication methods as if it were a real situation. You should note also, when there is a Tornado Warning, once the danger has passed, there will not be an “All-Clear” siren, as was traditionally practiced.

There will only be a siren during a Tornado Warning or if one has been visually confirmed. On a related note, he reminds residents of Cass County, to sign up for Alert Iowa. And, a Storm Spotter training course will be held April12th in the courthouse courtroom, featuring a representative from the National Weather Service in Johnston. Kennon said also, the Dispatch Center (Comm. Center) is currently looking to fill an open position.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed a Resolution setting April 5th for a public hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement and to Borrow money…in a Principal Amount not to exceed $90,000. They also passed a resolution establishing a job description for an Animal Shelter Assistant, Opening a Position, and Setting Compensation for FY 2023.

One of the final matters the Council approved, was agreeing to sell City-owned property at 1310 Chestnut to Jay and Kelsi Eden, in the amount of One-dollar. The house is in serious disrepair, and has foundation issues. The Eden’s intend to take care of the issues and landscaping, to the tune of about $200,000, and then “flip” the property, allowing it to have a higher valuation on the tax rolls.