(Atlantic, Iowa) [updated] – The City Council in Atlantic will hold their regular bi-weekly meeting beginning 5:30-p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 5), in their chambers at City Hall. On the agenda, is an Order to appoint Elaine K. Otte to the vacant, At-Large Council seat created by the election of Grace Garrett as Mayor. Otte will be brought before the Council Wednesday to be confirmed, followed by administering of the Oath of Office.

In other business, the Council will hear from SWIPCO Community Development Director Alexsis Fleener, with regard to the submission of applications for the following:

• A Downtown Housing Grant application by Paul Gude for 300 Chestnut Street. The grant requires a 25% local match provided by the property owner – not the City – and is for a 24-month period.
• and, a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program Grant for 207 Chestnut Street, from Peter Hopley.

Fleener requests the Council support the applications in writing, so that they may be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The Council is expected to pass a Resolution approving the transfer of funds from one the City’s 65 separate funds, for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021-22, which is a routine matter, and “reconciles accurate cost-accounting, while creating transparency on what is being spent in each line item in each fund,” according to City Administrator John Lund.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on passing a Resolution “Establishing the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Fund.” Lund notes legislation expressly forbids the money to be used for debt payments or tax relief of any kind. He says one of the purposes for the funds, is for investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, which would include the Bull Creek restoration/reconstruction project to help eliminate erosion on properties nearest the creek. The cost of the project was budgeted at more than $985,331, which according to Lund, makes the $974,157 from ARPA able to finance 98.87% of the project.

The Council’s final order of business, is to approve the City’s Official Newspaper for legal publications, and the official bank for the City’s checking account.

(Creston, Iowa) – Three people from Creston arrested on court orders, late Monday. Taken into custody for Violation of a No Contact Order, was:

• 38-year-old Lee Ryan Fowler
• 42-year-old Robert Todd Jackson
• and 44-year-old Deanne Michelle Jackson.

All three were being held without bond pending an appearance before the Magistrate. Fowler and Robert Jackson were being held in the Union County Jail. Deanne Jackson was being held in the Adams County Jail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, Monday night, voted to table action on a facility programs/services plan agreement with the Nishna Valley YMCA. At the beginning of the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen and Board member John Krogman mentioned that at recent meeting with YMCA representatives, discussion revolved around the possibility of having a consulting firm conduct a study on factors affecting what projects are most feasible, how much it could cost, and the means to fund those projects.

Rasmussen said the YMCA has proposed splitting the cost the study with Parks & Rec.

That was Board member John Krogman, who made the motion to table any action. City Council Liaison Gerald Brink said one of the things that needs to be addressed before any improvements or additions are made to Park and Rec attractions, is an increase in the Hotel/Motel tax, which some local hotel and bed/breakfast owners have been in opposition to since the tax was first debated.

(That’s Parks Board member Jolene Smith) Additional discussion and possible action on the agreement is expected to be on the agenda for Parks and Rec Board’s regular meeting at 5:15-p.m. On January 17^th. That meeting will be held in the City Council’s Chambers at the City Hall.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests occurred from Dec. 22nd through Jan. 3rd. Most recently, on Monday, Deputies arrested 38-year-old Mandy Marie Knapp on a valid Adams warrant, following a traffic stop. Knapp was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

On Dec. 26th, Adams County Deputies responded to a fight at the Casey’s store in Corning. Upon further investigation, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, of Bridgewater, was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Also during the incident, Gregory Dale Welcher was arrested for Harassment in the 1st Degree, Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct. Welcher was transported to the Adams County Jail. Gonzalez was transported to the Adams County Jail, also, and later released after posting bond.

And, on Dec. 22nd, a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Nicholas Lee Huston, of Grand Island, Nebraska. Huston was taken into custody on numerous arrest warrants from eastern Iowa agencies. He was also charged with Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Huston was also cited for speeding 74 in a 55 zone. He was transported to the Taylor County Jail and held on a $12,300 cash-only bond.