(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic met this (Wednesday) evening, and wrapped-up their business in about 30-minutes. The Council acted to approve the following:

• A permit to close certain streets for the Lighted Christmas Parade on December 2nd. Line-up for the Parade begins at 5-p.m., at 6th and Walnut Streets. The parade gets underway at 6-p.m.
• The 2023 Street Finance Report (as required under the Code of Iowa).
• And, the second reading of an Amended Ordinance regarding a section pertaining to the duties of the City Administrator.

The Council’s amended agenda included the removal for discussion and action,an Order to approve termination of tenancy at 11 Locust Street, in Atlantic.

During his report to the Atlantic City Council, City Administrator John Lund said he’s taking a long Thanksgiving Break to keep his vacation hours where they need to be, but when he returns, he said he would like to schedule a Personnel and Finance Committee meeting to discuss possible fine dining incentives. Lund says “We just have to use TIF [Tax Increment Financing] and LOST (the Local Option Sales Tax] like  a sledge hammer, and make it almost impossible for someone to say ‘no’ to come in here,” with regard to luring in a new restaurant, since “Going around the edges is getting us no where with restaurants,” according to Lund. He says they want something that’s not a classic American dinner food, breakfast food, fast food or Mexican or Chinese [since] we have all that here.”

City Administrator John Lund reports to the Atlantic City Council during their meeting Nov. 15, 2023

John Lund tooted his own horn in saying he spoke with the Iowa League of Cities with regard to his thoughts on the Department of Management’s Property Tax Calculator.  He said the ILC’s Policy Analyst agreed with him, and confirmed he read the law correctly, but he did catch an error he made in entering the calculators, but it still comes full-circle to his original July forecast of $84,200 in the General Fund, and “Property taxes,” he said, “which is not actually a whole lot.” He added the City will be involved in Union negotiations in January, and the City’s Ambulance Service will be meeting with the City in January, “So buckle-up,” he warned the Council, “January is going to be a fun time.”

December will be a busy month, as well, with the Emergency Management Committee wrapping-up business, the Personnel Policy will be sent to Committee, the Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Commission will be meeting, there will be a new council member orientation tentatively set for December 5th, and then of course, there are the holidays.

In Council Committee reports, recent meetings of the Landfill Commission, Library Board, Airport Board and other business was discussed.