City Council

Clarinda City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Lied Public Library – 5 p.m. The Clarinda City Council met at the Lied Public Library on January 25,2023 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Craig Hill presided at the meeting with the following Council Members present: Jeff McCall, Austin Ascherl, Kaley Neal, Jamie Shore, and Matt Ridge. Mayor Craig Hill asked for all to recite the Pledge of Allegiance Adopt Agenda Motion by McCall to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Public Comment Clarinda Resident Connie Richardson brought her support to the council to strengthen the proposed ordinance pertaining to Animal protection control. Richardson shared she was attacked in her driveway by 2 dogs running at large. Richardson wants everyone to feel safe walking on the walking trail, sidewalks, boulevards, and in their own yards and driveways. Clarinda Resident Colleen Strong asked the council two questions. The first question Strong wanted to know is if she was attacked by a dog running at large does the Iowa Stand Your Ground law protect her if she is forced to protect herself or her property. Strong’s second question was why City Ordinances are not upheld in the court system. Consent Agenda Councilor Ascherl made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the (a) January 11,2023, Regular Council Minutes, (b) Alcohol Licenses for J Bruner’s. Seconded by Neal. Vote was unanimous. Economic Development Annual Report CEDC Executive Director Amy McQueen presented the Clarinda Economic Development Corporation 2022 year-end report. McQueen gave an overview of the accomplishments, which included completing and selling the third affordable home and receiving from the city three more lots for future housing. CEDC provided new business owners Shore Motor Company, Main Street Designs, and Dr. Tony Ewigman with revolving Loans and assisted Grandmas House Daycare with Rural Market Child Care Study. McQueen is continuing to speak with State leaders on utilizing the state-owned grounds. McQueen continues to serve on multiple boards and attend conferences. McQueen stated CEDC 2023 goals are Marketing vacant facilities, creating a plan for an industrial/business park, business recruitment, supporting existing industry and broadband internet expansion. Animal Control Ordinance Clarinda Resident John Millhone brought his concerns to the council about ordinance 55.02 Animal neglect. Millhone would like this ordinance to be reviewed and strengthened with harsher penalties. Millhone did not see adding the new leash ordinance necessary but encouraged the city to enforce the existing ordinances more strictly for at-large and vicious animals. Millhone also asked that less court cases be dismissed by the City of Clarinda. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Animal Protection Control. Manager McClarnon presented the revised ordinance to include dogs are required to be either confined by a fence or a leash when they are not in their owner’s home. Motion by McCall to approve the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Animal Protection Control. Seconded by Ascherl. Roll Call vote: Aye: McCall, Ascherl, Neal, Ridge, and Shore Nay: None Motion carried. Appoint Anthony Card to Clarinda Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Roger Williams requested approval to appoint Anthony Card to Clarinda Volunteer Fire Department. Motion by Shore to approve the appointment of Anthony Card to Clarinda Volunteer Fire Department. Seconded by Ridge. Vote was unanimous. Discuss/Approve Request for Removal of Liquidated Damages from the Glenn Miller Avenue Improvements Motion by McCall to deny Omni Engineering request that Snyder & Associates remove some or all the liquidated damages from the Glenn Miller Avenue Improvements Project. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Budget Workshop Manager McClarnon recapped the last budget workshop for the proposed FY 2024 Budget. McClarnon reported The Iowa Department of Revenue thinks they made a mistake on the rollback percentage, and we could see legislation coming up where they potentially could lower the residential rollback amount to 54%. McClarnon explained that if this would happen it would be approximately $117,000 in lost revenue. Manager McClarnon will provide the finalized budget for approval at the next meeting on February 8. Manager Communications Manager McClarnon reported there were four bids received for the rec trail project. Bluffs Paving and Utility Company came in with the lowest bid of $225,249.51, but that the engineer for the project has not yet verified the bid quantities. McClarnon stated the City is working on acquiring two dilapidated properties with the goal of tearing them down. Mayor Communications Mayor Hill invited the community to the Legislative Briefing this Saturday at the Lied Public Library. Mayor Hill would like the community to support the following upcoming events: A’s Banquet, Chamber Banquet, and Glenn Miller Scholarship. Mayor Hill requested the community to please stop using the donation boxes at Fareway and the Airport as a dumping ground. They are for a good cause to donate clothing to people less fortunate. Please utilize the landfill for used furniture and other household items and don’t put it on someone else to dispose of your garbage. Mayor Hill thanked everyone for their comments and appreciated them attending the meeting. Adjourn Motion by Ascherl to adjourn the meeting at 5:52 p.m. Seconded by Neal. Vote was unanimous. Mayor: Attest: Craig Hill Paula Gray