City Council

Clarinda City Council Minutes Wednesday, December 13, 2023 City Hall – 5 p.m. The Clarinda City Council met at City Hall on December 13,2023, at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Craig Hill presided over the meeting with the following Council Members present: Jeff McCall, Austin Ascherl, Kaley Neal, and James Shore. 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. Staff Announcements Police Chief Brothers informed the council that the Clarinda Police Department is fully staffed. Brothers said they have a long way before being fully operational due to one officer being on medical leave and the newest officer will be attending the Iowa Police Academy starting in January, 2024. Brothers stated that July 1, 2024 is the target to be fully operational. Brothers wished the council Happy Holidays. Councilor Shore entered the meeting at 5:02 p.m. Consent Agenda Councilor Neal made a motion to Approve the Consent Agenda consisting of (a) November 8,2023 Regular Council Minutes. (b) Clarinda Country Club liquor license, J’s Pizza & Steak House liquor license, and Puffs & More cigarette license. (c) November Warrants and November Financial Statements. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Lied Center Annual Report Lied Center Director, Carson Riedel, presented the Council with the Lied Center Annual Report. The Lied Center had 55,983 people check into the Lied Center in 2023. There were multiple improvement projects completed at the center, in the parks and at the pool. Riedel is working on new playground equipment for Kiwanis Park to be completed by June 1, 2023. Reidel thanked all the city departments and outside entities for helping with the success of the Lied Recreation Center and the Parks. Discussion/Action Regarding Gym Floor Replacement at Lied Recreation Center Lied Center Director Carson Riedel requested funding for replacement of the gym floor at the Lied Recreation Center. Riedel stated that he received an anonymous donation of $100,000.00 to help pay for gym floor replacement. Riedel received a quote of $175,663.00 from FieldTurf. Reidel stated that he will apply for grants and other donations to help cover the remaining balance. Councilor Neal made a motion to approve replacing the Gym Floor at Lied Recreation Center. Seconded by Shore. Vote was unanimous. Discussion/Action Regarding Addition of a Flagpole at Clarinda Park Clarinda Resident, Andrew Higgins, asked permission from the council to add a Flagpole in the city park between center field and the scoreboard on Clarinda Municipal Field. Higgins stated that the money has been raised to pay for the project. Councilor McCall made a motion to Approve Addition of a Flagpole at Clarinda City Park. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Action Regarding Airport Manager’s Agreement for 2024-2025 Councilor Ascherl made a Motion to Approve Airport Manager Milo Berry’s Agreement for 2024-2025. Seconded by McCall. Vote was unanimous. Action Regarding Letter of Support for Construction of Dog Park at Schenck’s Lake Manager McClarnon was approached by the CYC Board requesting to add a dog park at Schenck’s Lake. They applied for a grant and need a letter of support from the City of Clarinda. Councilor Shore made a Motion to Approve Letter of Support for Construction of Dog Park at Schenck’s Lake. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Discussion/Action Regarding Contributions for IDM Project The Institute for Decision Making (IDM) at the University of Northern Iowa proposes to assist the community of Clarinda, Iowa in the development of a 5 to10 year community-wide strategic plan. The process and plan will bring multiple community organizations together to form a shared vision for Clarinda, develop goals to achieve the vision and mobilize long-term commitment from implementing organizations. The total cost is $9,966.00 plus travel costs not to exceed $2,820.00 and they are asking the City of Clarinda for funding for no more than $6,786.00. Councilor Neal made a motion to Approve Funding for IDM Project for no more than $6,786.00. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Action Regarding Resolution Authorizing Submittal of Airport 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan Councilor Ascherl made a motion to Approve Resolution #2077 Authorizing Submittal of Airport 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Seconded by McCall. Roll Call: Aye: McCall, Ascherl, Neal, and Shore Nay: None Motion Carried. Discussion Regarding Appointment for City Council Vacancy Todd Reed submitted a letter of interest for the open seat appointment for the City Council Vacancy. Reed explained to the City Council his reasons for wanting to be appointed to the open City Council position. Action Regarding Resolution to Fill Vacancy on City Council by Appointment Councilor McCall made a motion to Approve Resolution #2078, Appointing Todd Reed to fill the City Council Vacancy created by the resignation of Matt Ridge. Seconded by Ascherl. Roll Call: Aye: McCall, Ascherl, Neal, and Shore Nay: None Motion Carried. Administer Oath of Office to Council Members Mayor Hill administered the Oath of Office to Council Members Austin Ascherl, Kaley Neal, Mike Allbaugh, Sr., and Todd Reed. Council Communications Councilor Ascherl brought residents’ concerns about 12 th Street parking causing interference with farm or agriculture vehicles access. Ascherl congratulated the successful day of Spirit on the Square. Councilor McCall congratulated the new council members and thanked everyone for all the support he received during his years of service. Manager Communications Manager McClarnon thanked Councilor McCall for his 16 years + 1 month of service and appreciated all the support he gave over the years. McClarnon congratulated Mike Allbaugh and Todd Reed and welcomed them to the council. McClarnon will start working on the FY2025 budget next week. Mayor Communications Mayor Hill would like to congratulate all the new and old council members and for their dedication to the community. Teresa Hill would like to thank everyone for their help with the success of Spirit on the Square. Hill thanked Jeff McCall for his years of service and being a mentor. Hill wished everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year and will see everyone back after the first of the year. Adjourn Motion by McCall to adjourn the meeting at 5:47 p.m. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Mayor: Craig Hill Attest: Paula Gray