(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic met this (Tuesday) evening. During their session, they heard a proposal from Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue and Wild Wayne’s Fireworks owner Jason O’Brien, to move the 4th of July fireworks show to the Labor Day weekend. This year’s 4th of July fireworks show was postponed to Sept. 2nd, due to the weather on the 4th. “By all accounts, the event was a huge success” Houge said, and just a few things that could be tweaked for the next fireworks show.
Afterward, Hogue and O’Brien discussed making the show more of an event than just a display. As with this year’s show, there would be live music, a beer garden run by the Little League and much, much more. The sponsor’s of the Sept. 2nd show were pleased with the attendance and reaction from the public, and most are anxious to make it happen again. If the fireworks show is moved to Labor Day, Saturday, next year, and years to come, it would mean the City could direct more effort into supporting the Exira Fireworks show, and they could reciprocate when it comes to Atlantic’s show. No action was taken during the Council’s meeting. It will be discussed more at a later date.
The Atlantic City Council also received an update from Splash Pad Fundraising group representative Jeremy Butler, who said to date, they have “$257,906 in the bank,” for the $600,000 project, with more funds coming in, including $21,000 who people who have pledged to donate directly from their retirement account. There are $18, 500 in signed pledges for 2024, he said, from companies and individuals who have exceeded their charitable giving this year, and who wish to have their donation submitted after January 1st, for next year’s tax purposes. With those funds, the total is $297, 906, Butler said, with other funds in the works, that would bring them over the $300,000 “hump,” that opens the door to certain, larger grants.
In other business, the Council approved closing certain streets for the 4-p.m. Oct. 14, 2023 Annual Fireman’s Parade, and set Halloween City-wide Trick or Treating in Atlantic for October 31st, from 5-until 7-p.m. Downtown Trick or Treating will be from 3:30-until 5-p.m.
The Council approved and adopted a Resolution “Approving and Adopting a Revenue Purpose Statement for the Use or Expenditure of Revenues, from a Natural Gas Franchise Fee.” The resolution stipulates the revenue may be used for property tax abatements, building permit fee abatements, and the abatement of other fees for property damaged by a disaster, as defined in the Code of Iowa.
The Council passed the third and final reading of an Ordinance pertaining to the Mayor and City Council’s compensation (as previously reported). Mayor Grace Garrett reminded the public that the new Council Compensation is effective Jan. 1, 2024, and the Mayor’s goes into effect after the next Mayoral Election.
The Atlantic City Council passed the second reading (& waiving of the rules), followed by the third reading of an Ordinance pertaining to the creation of a Parks and Rec Advisory Commission, which was amended to clarify the initial terms of the Commission as being “staggered, with two members serving for 2-years, and three members serving for 1-year. Appointments to the initial terms shall be 2-years for all members.”
Mayor Garrett said, if you have any interest in serving on the Parks and Rec Advisory Commission, “Please bring a letter of interest to City Hall in a sealed envelope. The deadline for accepting letters is Friday, Oct. 6th, at 4:30-p.m.” Garrett said your letter should indicate “Your contact information. Why you want to serve on the Commission, and any experience you have working with Parks, or volunteer experience.” A decision who will serve on the Commission will come after a lengthy process, with no actual timeline at this point, on when the Commission will become active.
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