KALONA

As thunder rumbled and rain pelted windows Monday night, Kalona City Council members met via conference call from their individual safe spaces. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said that about a dozen people were currently seeking shelter in the Community Center at the 7 o’clock hour at which the council met.

Given the need for a quick virtual meeting amid severe weather, a few items requiring in-person exchanges were stricken from the July 15 agenda.

In the City Administrator’s report, Schlabaugh noted progress at the Southtown Recreation Area is going well. Playground equipment has been installed and “it looks terrific,” and in the next couple of weeks rules and regulations for the dog parks will be worked out.

Over at City Park, the Field C ballfield is being resurfaced with material provided by the University of Iowa and “it looks great,” and two new sets of cornhole bags are getting good use and being handled responsibly.

Schlabaugh also noted that he and Jack Pope, City Engineer, will be meeting with Kwik Star later in the week.

Council Action

The council recognized receipt of $61,972.13 in quarterly municipal grant funds from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. The city will send the foundation a letter of appreciation.

The council approved a door-to-door sales permit for Paulius Bareisis for Southwestern Advantage Learning Systems. Bereisis seeks to sell educational products with the help of students in the summer.

“He’ll do a good job here,” Schlabaugh said. “Very personable.”

The city does not receive many applications for door-to-door sales permits; Schlabaugh said this is maybe the first they’ve had in five years.

The council approved a Letter of Understanding for the 2023-2024 audit with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. The services the firm will provide meet state requirements; the council acknowledged the scope of work to be completed.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.