(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday (March 20), reviewed bids for construction of the Atlantic Splashpad, and awarded a contract for the project to the Henley Group, LLC, in Muscatine. Their bid was $552,084, which was below the engineer’s estimated cost of $611,328, or $59,244 less than expected.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm said the Henley Group has completed four similar projects, with other such projects under contract. The company came highly recommended when their references were checked-out. Sturm said they plan on getting construction underway beginning this Summer, with complete by the end of the Summer.

Mayor Garrett hugs City Clerk Barb Barrick

In other business, Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett presented City Clerk Barb Barrick with a plaque for her service to the City. Barrick’s last day is Friday. She has accepted a position with the City of Huxley. The Council tabled a Resolution approving a professional services agreement with Barrick, that would temporarily provide City Clerk Consulting Services to the City.

The Council, upon recommendation by the City’s Personnel & Finance Committee, approved the appointment of Rich Tupper as Acting City Clerk.

Rich Tupper sworn-in as Acting City Clerk

The Council also passed an Order to Adopt a Memorandum or Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Nishna Valley YMCA, for 2024 management of the Sunnyside Pool, and a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the AFSME Council 61, with regard to City Employees represented by the Union. They tabled, however, a contract extension with Retail Coach, until a City-proposed renewal fee can be presented to the retail recruiter for their approval. Retail Coach had proposed a $15,000 contracted for their services, with $10,000 up-front.

The City proposes the $15,000 be broken into three payments: $5,000 up-front, $5,000 after a three-month review, and the last payment after a six-month review.