The Atlantic City Council this (Wednesday) evening, passed three Resolutions dealing with a Vision Iowa grant, Ash Street Extension Infrastructure Improvements, and a loan agreement providing for the issuance of $4.66-million in General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds.

City Administrator John Lund said the City’s Park and Recreation Board was notified by the State that the City could not spend money on the playground or ADA accessible fishing pier for the Schildberg Recreation Area. Accordingly, the City and County need to amend their resolutions committing matching funds for the Vision Iowa Grant.  The City’s portion of the matching funds amounts to $100,000. The County did its part, last Friday. Atlantic Parks & Rec Dept. Assistant Director Seth Staashelm said the grant application package was submitted on-time to Vision Iowa, and they have a presentation scheduled before the Board to explain the project, next Wednesday.

With regard to the Ash Street Improvement portion of the agenda, John Lund said that involves Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for private subdivision development. Marty Boose, of Boose Building Construction, L.C., authorized completion of the 2015 Ash Street Extension Subdivision, and the dedication of 66-feet platted Right-of-Way in front of Street Lots 65-68 and 109-110 in the Nishna Hills Addition. The City simply needed to accept the road work and utility extensions in order for them to officially being considered part of the public right-of-way.

And, the Resolution for issuance of bonds, is simply another legal step, and standard procedure the City must go through, according to Lund, in order to engage in the open market for the sale of bonds. Chip Schultz, Senior Vice President of Public Finance with UMB Bank, said the Resolution simply finances the interest rates and other issues. Funds from the bonds will be delivered to the City on May 19th. That will establish escrow for calling-in and refunding the Series 2011 bonds that are due in 2019 through 2026. It also funds the so-called “New money” projects, such as those involving library, street and storm water improvements, along with police and fire equipment. The City is taking advantage of historically low interest rates and borrowing now, to pay off a higher interest loan in 2019. The move should save the City about $80,000 in interest.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, set May 18th as the date for a Public Hearing on an Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. John Lund says in March 2015, the Council approved a budget for management of the cash the City received and spends for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. The City needs to reconcile any changes made where they stepped outside the budget boundaries, and must due so during the month of May, in order to comply with State law. Among the budget changes that have been made, is: The purchase of a fire truck; Approximately $4-million in revenue from increased sales and gas tax and new bond proceeds; New traffic signals; Higher library salaries and City Attorney fees.

The Council also approved the appointment of Judd Meneely to the Atlantic Municipal Utilities Board. He succeeds Larry Turner who has retired from the Board. They also approved an order for a Parade Permit in advance of the May 21st, for the Ba-da Ba-da Bing Bang Military Vehicle Rally.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office released details on two Wednesday arrests.

Adams County Deputies arrested James Kermit Cook of Greenfield on an Adams County Warrant for two counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse.  Cook was taken to the Adams County Jail and held on $10,000 cash only bond.

Also Wednesday Adams County Deputies arrested Durrell Hayes of Creston on an Adams County Warrant issued by the Creston Police Department for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense.  Haynes posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

(Updated) — Atlantic Fire and Rescue along with Medivac ambulance was called to the scene of a tractor rollover about three-miles south of Atlantic near 620th and Keystone Road, Wed. afternoon. The call about the accident near 60686 620th (Olive St.), came in at around 4:12-p.m. Law enforcement on the scene reported a man (identified as Ben Nevins) was partially trapped under the fender of the tractor, but was conscious and breathing. He was able to free one of his legs by the time authorities arrived.

Authorities said Nevins had been mowing a lawn using a medium-size tractor equipped with a belly mower. When the tractor entered a ditch, it rolled onto its side.  As it began to roll, Nevins tried to jump clear, but the tractor rolled onto his leg just above the ankle. He was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital to be checked for injuries and treatment, as necessary.

According to reports, personnel from a tiling company working nearby, used their backhoe to lift the tractor off of Nevins.

Sheriff’s deputies in Cass County arrested two people on drug charges this week. On Monday, 35-year old Tabitha Lynette Clark, of Atlantic, turned herself in at the Cass County Jail on a Sheriff’s Office warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth. Clark was booked at the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $10,000 bond. On Tuesday, 27-year old Kasandra Rose Mesa, of Madison, SD, was arrested on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant on felony charges that include Use of Minor in Drug Trade, and Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine. Mesa was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $20,000 bond.

An incident of apparent road rage late this (Wednesday) morning in Red Oak resulted in an arrest. Red Oak Police say 38-year old James Donald Watkins, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, following the incident that took place between Watkins and another driver. Watkins was charged with simple assault and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A man from western Iowa has been arrested on preliminary attempted murder and kidnapping charges after authorities say he tied a cinder block to his ex-girlfriend and tossed her into the Spring River in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. Sharp County (AR) sheriff’s detective Jimmy Bennett tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that 45-year-old Jerry Dean Clark of Glenwood,  was being held in the Sharp County jail on a $250,000 bond.

Court documents say Clark kidnapped 44-year-old Kathryn Lynn Jones at a Days Inn Hotel on April 20th. Bennett says that after Jones emerged from the river, Clark tied her to a tree and hit her. She freed herself and floated 2 miles downstream before calling for medical attention at a residence. Clark will face formal charges in Sharp County, AR, Circuit Court, on May 12th.

Gov. Terry E. Branstad today (Wednesday) ordered all flags on the Capitol Complex to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6th, in observance of the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony which is to be held at 10-a.m. on Friday, May 6th, at the Oran Pape State Office Building of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, on the Capitol Complex.

Flags at the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial, located at the Oran Pape State Office Building, will be flown at half-staff the week of May 16-20, 2016, in honor of National Peace Officer Week.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the Capitol Complex.  Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.