(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council’s agenda is packed this Wednesday evening. City Administrator John Lund says “This is the big Budget meeting,” so the agenda packet for the Council is bigger than normal. The meeting takes place at 5:30-p.m. in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, in Atlantic.

First-up, is a presentation by Dolly Bergmann on the City being designated once again as “Tree City USA. It includes a signing of a related proclamation by Mayor Grace Garrett. Next-up is a Public Hearing at 6-p.m. on the Status of Funded Activities for the CDBG-CV Project, and what Lund says is needed as part of the “red tape” required of the CDBG CV program. The project is being funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The Council will then review and act on, make a recommendation to committee, or reject a bid for 1014/1016 3rd Street Place. Dexter Dodson, with the Atlantic High School, has placed a bid to build a single-family home on the lot, using students in the Building Trades Program. If the bid is accepted, it will be sent to the City Attorney to draw-up the paperwork for the sale. In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on an Order to Approve an Agreement with Fusebox Marketing for website design & development, website hosting, security, & site health, website enhancement plan and photography and video services. The agreement is with regard to the re-launching of the City website, which is currently not user friends, and makes basic tasks exceptionally time consuming. The contract amount of $12,350, John Lund says, is considerably less than was budgeted for in the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Progress fund for website updating.

Then the Budget discussion begins. It includes a Public Hearing on the proposed, FINAL, Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for the City of Atlantic, and a resolution adopting the FY24 Budget, which totals $14,794,803…an increase of 4.36% ($618,676) from the FY 2023 Budget ($14,176,127). Under the Budget, the City’s combined property tax levy will increase from $16.56/$1,000 to $16.79/$1,000, which Lund says is “To favorably position to the City if the State Senate’s version of property tax reform is implemented.” The Legislature has yet to come to an agreement on the State’s Budget that they can forward to the Governor for her signature, but Lund says the budget must be adopted before the legislative session ends. While the outcome is unknown at this time, “this budget,” Lund said, “will proceed on the idea that the current system will remain in place.”

The budget includes a seven-percent increase in compensation to all City employees, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing unionized employees to see this benefit. No increases to existing, non-utility fees are proposed. The final budget must be certified by the County Auditor and submitted to the State, by April 30, 2023. There will also be a public hearing, Wednesday, on the adoption of the City’s FY2024 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), followed by action on a resolution adopting the CIP, which amounts to $21.926-million, of which $8.375-million is financed by new debt.  John Lund says that’s a reduction in debt funding by $1.625-million and over $3.54-million in total capital improvements required.

Other Atlantic City Council business includes action on passing resolutions; Adopting wages for Seasonal Parks & Recreation Pool Employees for the 2023 Season; Setting salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Atlantic for the FY beginning July 1, 2023 and continuing through June 30, 2024; and, a resolution approving the sale of City-owned real estate (1410 Chestnut), following  a public hearing on the matter; and, a Resolution Designating the distribution of sales tax revenues to various funds for specific purposes. The Council will hold the third & final reading of an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, by removing a chapter pertaining to “Peddlers, solicitors, mobile food vendors and transient merchants,” and establishing a new chapter entitled “Mobile Food Vendors,” as previously mentioned in our newscasts/posts.

Other matters include an amended Sewer Service Charge Ordinance, which phases-in increases over a two-year period, beginning July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2025. Current charges for the wastewater utility have not changed in nearly 10-years, according to Lund. The new rates fall inline with the increased Consumer Price Index and increased construction costs. Effective July 1, 2023, the minimum charge (under 3,000 gallons) would be $30, with gallons in excess of 3,000, $6.00. There is a one-dollar increase each of the following years (2024- & 25) of one-dollar per year, to a final rate of $32/<3,000-gallons, and $6.25/>3,000-gallons.

And finally, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will hold public hearings on the Dissolution of the Community Promotion Commission and Cable Television Commission.

Check out the agenda here:

Click to access April192023CityCouncilMeeting.pdf

(Red Oak, Iowa) -A Public Hearing is set to take place 5:30-p.m. Tuesday in Red Oak, with regard to the proposed FY23/24 Montgomery County Budget. The hearing serves as part of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting, which normally takes place at 8:30-a.m., Tuesdays. The budget calls for proposed tax rates of 8.14979/$1,000 taxable valuation for Urban Areas, and 12.72979/$1,000 taxable valuation, for Rural Areas.

The hearing will be followed by a Resolution adopting the FY 24 Budget. Additional business during the meeting includes action on a resolutions approving; Elected Officials’ Compensation, effective July 1, 2023; and, an Opiod Settlement Agreement; Destruction of Noxious Weeds.

The Board will also act to approve of additional heavy gauge Cato cable, needed for the approved ARPA funding network upgrade, in the amount of $1,500.  The meeting is accessible by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86185141628. Or by dial-in at: +1 312 626 6799 (Meeting ID 861 8514 1628).

If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

(Bettendorf,Iowa) – The operator of a tow truck who was assisting with a broken down bus, was struck and killed early this (Monday) morning, in far eastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrols the unidentified accident victim was not in the tow truck when they were hit by a 2015 Jeep Patriot SUV. The accident happened on westbound I-80 at mile marker 302, a little after 2-a.m. The drivers the of Jeep and disabled bus were also not immediately identified.

The accident remains under investigation, and charges are pending.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the nation’s largest state gatherings of agricultural education students is getting underway at Iowa State University. Scott Johnson, executive director of the Iowa F-F-A Association, says it’s gratifying to see how membership in the organization has continued growing in recent years, and this 95th annual Iowa F-F-A Leadership Conference at I-S-U’s Hilton Coliseum promises to be the biggest yet. “I think we could be expecting an attendance record here for our conference this year,” Johnson says. “I don’t know if 7,000 is possible, but I think we’re in striking distance of that, and that would be around 200 more than our previous attendance record, which was set in 2019.”

F-F-A members can range in age from 12 to 21 and the statewide membership numbers recently reached a milestone, which Johnson says they’ll tout during the event. “We’re really excited to welcome 258 of our 260 FFA chapters, based on our online registration numbers,” Johnson says. “The 19,000 members actually represents record membership that we just set about a month ago and we’ll recognize the 19,000th member on stage as part of the conference on Tuesday.”

While there’s a focus on farming, Johnson says the organization makes a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. He says the conference provides ag-ed students the chance to take part in a wide range of career development and leadership skills-building events. “We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 different competitive events in a variety of structures, some things that are speaking-based, some things that are skills attainment, assessment and judging-based,” Johnson says. “What we would consider non-competitive events involves a career show that’s coordinated by the Iowa FFA Foundation. Some FFA chapters in attendance will go on tours.”

The conference opened Sunday in Ames and will conclude Tuesday night. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Splash Pad Committee has officially launched its fundraising efforts, with $66,000 already committed. Fundraising Committee member Ali Pieken reports the Splash Pad committee was formed in late 2022 to spearhead the funding piece of the community-desired Splash Pad. Since then, all involved parties have been working hard to get the project to this point – funding. The Splash Pad will cost roughly $600,000, which will need to be raised through donations and possible grant funding.

Pieken says “There are many moving pieces involved with a project of this size and our committee wanted to ensure the right organizational systems were in place before starting to fundraiser, in an official capacity.” The committee is currently in the process of presenting to local groups, such as the Rotary Club, to make them aware of the project and scale, and also meeting with local businesses including 1St Whitney Bank and Ziegler in hopes to gain early momentum.

Ali said also, “We have had a great response from the public thus far. Many people within the community, including myself, are eager to see progress and this fundraising launch serves as a huge step forward. Any other business, club, or individual interested in a private presentation is encouraged to contact a committee member personally or email the group at atlanticiowasplashpad@gmail.com.”

The fundraising committee of volunteers include John Krogman, Jeremy Butler, Ali Pieken, Mallory Robinson, Bailey Smith, Jen McEntaffer, Jeff Christensen and Wyatt Adderton. Pieken says “We understand this is a busy time of the year as we enter into planting season, graduations and summer activities. Our goal is to have project updates and ways to donate easily accessible through our new website at atlanticiowasplashpad.com.” The Splash Pad fundraising committee has accepted the help of another local volunteer group, SHIFT ATL to aid with administrative duties and lend their 501c3 designation to the efforts. All donations are tax deductible and a tax exempt donation letter will be provided for gifts of $250 or greater.

Computer renditions of the proposed Splash Pad in Atlantic

Ways to donate:

• Checks: Payable to City of Atlantic (Splash Pad on memo) can be dropped off at City Hall during business hours. Payable to SHIFT ATL (Splash Pad on memo) can be dropped off at the Chamber during business hours or left in the outdoor dropbox.
• Venmo @shiftatl – Splash pad in comments with mailing address
• Online: You can donate directly from our website (through SHIFT ATL) by using your credit card or PayPal account. The website is atlanticiowasplashpad.com.

If you or your business are interested in supporting this project at a sponsorship level, donations over $10,000 include the opportunity to purchase a specific water feature on the pad and have your name, family name or business on the feature. “Generosity of business owners and community members are the reason projects like this get done in smaller towns like Atlantic. Our committee aims to be creative with fundraising efforts and we felt this could be a special opportunity for larger donors to be remembered in this way,“ said Pieken.

“The fundraising committee will be looking for support outside of monetary donations as well. We plan to organize a family-friendly fundraising event for early summer and would love the help of volunteers when the time comes to share about that.” shared Mallory Robinson. “You can also join us in being a splash pad advocate by having postcards and flyers at your place of business and by sharing our updates and progress with your friends and family. It will take a community-team effort and we believe Atlantic is up for the challenge!” Robinson added.
The committee encourages anyone wanting to view more rendering photos, read updates, learn about upcoming events, view donation tracker, volunteer or simply ask questions to please contact the committee or the email listed above.

Details will also be posted on the Facebook page @atlanticiowasplashpad.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that has cleared the Iowa House unanimously may protect officers in Iowa police and sheriff’s departments from faulty products — and it may help an Iowa company that makes body armor. R-M-A in Centerville was formed by a retired police officer who also served as a Marine. Representative Austin Harris of Moulton toured the company about a month ago.

“They were telling us about the challenges they were facing in terms of competition from countries like China and Russia,” Harris says. “….There’s this Chinese company that had stolen their intellectual property, was re-manufacturing their product, even with their logo on it.” Harris says the ballistic plate inside the Chinese imitation is made with cheap, low quality steel that does not adequately protect those who are wearing it. The bill would require Iowa law enforcement agencies using tax dollars to buy body armor, like ballistic vests, to purchase products that meet the standards of the National institute of Justice.

“The National Institute of Justice is a research agency at the Department of Justice,” Harris says, “and this manufacturer (in Centerville) but all the other manufacturers in the United States of this kind of armament do meet that certification standard.” Law enforcement agencies have to replace bullet proof vests periodically, as the gear has an expiration date.

Experts at the National Research Institute of Justice say most standard body armor that’s properly stored and cared for has a five-year life span.

(Audubon, Iowa) -The regular monthly meeting of the Audubon School takes place 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Boardroom. Some highlighted agenda items include:

• Approving the FY24 School Budget for Certification
• Setting the date and time for a Hearing on Amending the FY 23 Budget
• Approving the official last day of school and list of graduates.
• Approval also, of: A Phone System Upgrade, and, certain Change Orders.

The full agenda can be found in the following link:

1. April Agenda

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – A Public Hearing is set to take place Monday evening with regard to the proposed 2023-24 Exira-EHK School District Budget. The Hearing kicks-off the Exira-EHK School Board meeting, and takes place in the High School Conference Room beginning at 5:30-p.m., with action on approving the Budget a bit later on in the meeting.

Other highlights of the meeting include action on a Resolution authorizing the Redemption of General Obligation School Bonds (Series 2018), Approving a 1st Amendment to the Escrow Agent Agreement, and Levying of a Tax for FY2024 (re: Redemption of the aforementioned bonds). The Board will also act on approving the Proposed Budget, and setting the date and time for a 2022-23 Budget Amendment Hearing.

The full agenda can be found HERE.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The School Board for the Griswold Community School District will meet at 5:30-p.m. Monday to hold a Public Hearing on the 2023-24 Griswold CSD Budget. That will be followed by the Board’s Regular Meeting, and at 7-p.m. an expected closed-session with regard to an Expulsion Hearing. Both agendas are as follows:

5:30 p.m. – 2023-2024 Budget Hearing

• Call Hearing To Order

• Presentation Of 2023-2024 Budget

• Public Input

• Close Hearing

Regular Meeting

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor March Recipient

– Select April Recipient

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

7:00 p.m. – Expulsion Hearing

• Call Hearing To Order

• Welcome And Delegations

• Approval Of Agenda

• Roll Call Vote To Go Into Closed Session Under Section 21.5.1E – “To Conduct A Hearing

To Determine Whether To Expel A Student”

• Roll Call Vote To Return to Open Session

• Roll Call Vote To Go Into Closed Session Under Section 21.5.1.C – “To Discuss Strategy

With Counsel In Matters That Are Presently In Litigation Or Where Litigation Is Imminent, Where Its Disclosure Would Be Likely To Prejudice Or Disadvantage The Position Of The The Governmental Body In That Litigation”

• Roll Call Vote To Return To Open Session

• Motion To Approve Or Deny Request From Administration To Expel A Student And/Or

Set Other Disciplinary Action

• Adjourn

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A regular meeting of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will take place 5:15-p.m. Monday, April 17, 2023, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Their agenda (as follows) is pretty light:

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda*

Public Communications Comments or questions from visitors (3 minute limit)

Approval of Minutes*

March 20th, 2023

Review of March/April Bills and March Financials – Barb

Director’s Report-

• Training/certifications update
• Park Party date change
• Sunnyside pool project update (waterslide, mural, and pool building painting)
• Mollett Park project update

Next Regular Meeting Date: May 15^th, 2023 at 5:15 pm at City Hall Council Chambers