City Council

Clarinda City Council Minutes Wednesday, March 12,2025 Clarinda City Hall – 5:15 p.m. The Clarinda City Council met at Clarinda City Hall on March 12, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. Mayor Craig Hill presided over the meeting with the following Council Members present: Jayne Wilson, Austin Ascherl, Kaley Neal, Kerry Clark and Jamie Shore. Mayor Craig Hill Opened the meeting and asked everyone to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Adopt Agenda Motion by Neal to Adopt the Agenda. Seconded by Wilson. Vote was unanimous. Staff Announcements Library Director Andrew Hoppmann stated the library is offering a new service with Blackstone unlimited, which is an app you download to your phone and sign in with your library card to receive unlimited streaming for 7,000 audio books on demand. The Clarinda and Shenandoah libraries are working together to split the cost for this program. Police Chief Keith Brothers informed the council his officers were involved in a violent incident this week and it resulted in an arrest. Brothers communicated that it required 3 police officers and 3 county deputies to contain the situation. Chief Brothers stated that he understands the police signed up for these types of situations when they became officers. Chief Brothers wanted to let the council know that his officers are very efficient, skilled and adept at what they do. Brothers also stated that our officers are encountering a significant amount of mentally ill that are not being treated with medication, are on illegal drugs, or just have no respect for authority. Chief Brothers would like on record to thank his officers for everything that they do. Consent Agenda Motion by Shore to approve the consent agenda consisting of (a) February 26, 2025, Regular Council Minutes (b) J Bruner’s, Inc. liquor license and (c) February Warrants and February Financial Statements. Seconded by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Discussion/Action Regarding Proposal to Purchase City-Owned Parking Lot Seth Hudson lives at 120 South 15th Street. Hudson is requesting to purchase half the North parking lot at 120 South 15th Street, Parcel #0831176145000. Manager McClarnon took the existing building and land where the parking lot is located to figure the price per square foot at $1.28. McClarnon multiplied the requested 4900 square feet of land with $1.28 to equal roughly $6,300. McClarnon informed Hudson that he would be responsible for the survey fee, abstract fee, legal fees, and costs to obtain a deed. The purchase amount would be around $9,000. McClarnon needs a survey completed to get a legal description for the resolution to set a public hearing date. Once the public hearing date is established and held, the council will be able to sell the property. Motion by Wilson to approve the process of Hudson purchasing half the parking lot North of 120 South 15th Street. Second by Ascherl. Vote was unanimous. Request to Keep Chickens at 602 West Stuart Street Kade Malcom, who lives at 602 West Stuart Street, is requesting to raise chickens at his residence. Mayor Hill stated the Code of Ordinance 55.05 that it is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City except by written consent of the Council or except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations. Mayor Hill stated the last time they approved chickens was for a 4H project. Councilor Clark is concerned about allowing someone to raise chicken’s inside city limits as it could cause an invasion on their neighbor’s property, noise and smell. Motion by Wilson to deny Malcom’s request to raise chickens at his residence. Seconded by Clark. Vote was unanimous. Discussion/Action Regarding Engineering Agreement to Snyder & Associates, Inc. for Engineering Services for Hugh & Maxine Loudon Business Park Manager McClarnon stated this is the next step towards the completion of the infrastructure at the new business park. This agreement is for the design services, bid services, and construction services. Motion by Shore to approve the Engineering Agreement to Snyder & Associates, Inc. for Engineering Services for Hugh & Maxine Loudon Business Park. Seconded by Clark. Vote was unanimous. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Clarinda, Iowa by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges Manager McClarnon proposed a $1 increase on the minimum sewer rate and a 50-cent uptick in the additional per- 1,000-gallons rate, effective May 1st. The proposal would increase the minimum rate from $28 to $29 per month and the per 1,000 gallons rate from $12 to $12.50. Clarinda City Manager McClarnon says the increase is due to the state requirements for borrowing money from the State Revolving Fund for the city's new wastewater treatment plant. McClarnon says the uptick would result in a 1.8% to 1.9% increase in residents' total city bill depending on their usage. “If you use the minimum amount, which is up to 2,000 gallons, you'd see a dollar a month increase in your water and sewer bill and if you use 4,000 gallons--which is actually the average usage for everyone--you'd see a $2 a month increase," McClarnon explained. "At 6,000 gallons it would be (an additional) $3 and at 8,000 gallons it would be (an additional) $4." The proposed increases also include similar upticks in the minimum and per 1,000 gallons rates to $30 and $13, respectively, effective July 1st, 2026, and $31 and $13.50 beginning July 1st, 2027. Over the entire three years, McClarnon says most residents' city bills would increase just over 5%. "If you look at the percentage total for the three years," he said, "it would be 5.42% for the minimum, 5.61% for 4,000 gallons, 6,000 gallons would be 5.68%, and then 5.71% for 8,000 (gallons). McClarnon stated he is not proposing any changes to the water rates. Motion by Ascherl to Approve the First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Clarinda, Iowa by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges. Seconded by Wilson. Roll Call: Aye: Wilson, Ascherl, Neal, Clark, and Shore Nays: None Motion Carried Council Communications Councilor Wilson encouraged everyone to enjoy the beautiful weather. Councilor Ascherl asked Manager McClarnon when bids for the infrastructure at the new business park would be received. Manager McClarnon stated it will be in late October or early November. Councilor Neal thanked the Spirit of the Square committee for getting donations to purchase flowers for the nursing home and thanked Police Chief Brothers and Police Officers for their service. Councilor Clark met with Library Director Andrew Hoppmann to learn about the library budget and progress of the library. Clark attended the beautification meeting and the Hospital Platinum Ball. Manager Communications Manager McClarnon finished up the paperwork for the bond issue and stated that the proceeds are in our bank account. McClarnon also stated that the sale of the airport hangar has taken a lot of time to coordinate the moves, work on improvement projects, and recording the sale with the County Recorder. McClarnon stated that the Lied Center roof was damaged, so we will be receiving estimates to repair. Mayor Communications Mayor Hill attended a dementia training workshop to learn how to deal with someone with dementia. Hill encouraged everyone to attend a workshop. Hill stated that the Page County Jail ground breaking ceremony is on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at 3:30 p.m.. Hill wished everyone a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day. Adjourn Motion by Ascherl to adjourn the meeting at 5:41 p.m. Seconded by Neal. Vote was unanimous. Mayor: Craig Hill Attest: Paula Gray