Pay raises of no more than 3% were approved by the Kalona City Council in a Zoom meeting July 6.

The salaries of city employees, effective July 6, on the city’s matrix for pay increases were: Keaton Redlinger, street supt., 6 years, $47,020; Devon Young, cemetery laborer, 3 years, $36,410; Matt Jacoby, public works supt., 9 years, $57,967; Sarah Etheredge, city clerk, 4 years, $48,547; Rachel Gilliam, deputy city clerk, 2 years, $37,093; Ryan Schlabaugh, city administrator, 10 years, $82,157; Trevor Sherping, library director, 1 year, $44,000 (no raise); Olivia Kahler, asst. library director,  3 years, $40,732 (no raise); Jenny Riddle, circulation librarian, 2 years, $36,185.

The  council approved the contract with the Washington County Ambulance Service for the North Ambulance garage at 2285 133rd Street with the city paying not more than $22,500.  Wellman and (potentially) Riverside have also agreed to the $22,500 funding.

Shiloh had provided the city with a 90 ft. x 60 ft.  maintenance building with one bay to be converted into an ambulance substation. Plans call for space for two ambulances with the county paying for the ambulances and staffing.

In his report to the council, Schlabaugh said that a portion of 5th street south from J Avenue will be milled out and overlayed with asphalt, the Intersection of B and 6th will be repaired in concrete and approach sidewalk repair in the northeast corner, and F Circle Street repair and addition of two ADA compliant approaches.

  Schlabaugh noted that Roman Kiefer from ISU is doing  GIS mapping of the city cemeteries and city infrastructure (water valves, storm sewer intakes, etc.).

Schlabaugh also noted that things are going well at the city swimming pool. He also gave “kudos” to  city employees who volunteer their time to help with the food pantries held at the city maintenance shed and other projects.

Other action

In other action, the council:

•Approved change order No. 1 for DeLong Construction for $5,277 for decrease regarding the 12 Street reconstruction project.

•Approved change order No. 2 for Maxwell Construction for $3,537.50 for increase regarding the H Avenue water main replacement (6th & 7th Street).

•Accepted the 12 Street reconstruction and H Avenue water main projects.

•Approved Class C beer permit and Sunday sales for  Westside Petro.

•Approved a chicken permit for 313 D Avenue.

•Approved contract with CJ Moyna  for construction of water main loop for water service on former Shiloh property to provide services in Richmond and along 133rd Street.

•Approved partial split for Jerry Rediger property south of Kalona.

•Agreed to waive right to review plat for Oak Acres Minor Subdivision for Noah & Linda Kemp.

•Approved three contracts for English River Watershed projects in Iowa County.

•Accepted a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning board for the rezoning of property at 126 A Avenue, owned by Water for Life, from M-2 to R-3 and set a public hearing for  7 p.m. July 20.

  •Delayed a decision as to when the council meetings will resume in person in council chambers.

Kalona City Council Monday evening, in a zoom meeting,  directed City Administrator to craft a letter of support, with no financial support, for the National Advanced Drivers Simulator automated vehicles to travel rural roads with a stop in Kalona in front of the Library.