KALONA

The Kalona City Council met Monday night and got straight to work, holding a public hearing for the FY24-25 budget, at which no comments were made, and subsequently approving said budget.

“We have a levy rate that is essentially identical to last budget year [10.37], but due to rollback, taxpayers would have a reduced millage for what their taxes would be on any property in Kalona,” city administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said.

Due to the resignation of city attorney Bill Sueppel effective May 1, the city now faces finding a replacement on short notice. Sueppel, of the Iowa City-based firm Meardon, Sueppel & Downer, has worked with the city for many years; he and his partners are now retiring and disbanding the practice.

Schlabaugh discussed with the council how they should go about finding a new attorney. They determined city staff should narrow the field to candidates that meet their requirements for proximity and expertise, who would then be vetted by the finance committee and given final approval by the council.

“I just think the sooner [the better],” mayor Mark Robe said. “I don’t want to be without an attorney very long.”

The council agreed to commit $26,000 for the creation of a preliminary engineering report by Garden & Associates for the city’s water treatment plants. The scope of work includes evaluation and recommendations for water source (wells vs. rural water), water storage (towers), and water treatment (both north and south plants).

The council acknowledged receipt of two grants the city has been awarded: $400,000 from Enhance Iowa for development of the Southtown Recreation Area, and $186,926.05 from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for flood mitigation at the Yoder property.

The former grant the city was “very fortunate” to receive, as the Enhance Iowa program will be discontinued; with the council’s approval, the city is able to move forward on the next stages of the Southtown Rec project.

The latter grant was less expected, although “wonderful,” as the city applied for it about two years ago. Its receipt means the city must “take a little step back on the RFP and RFQ” for development of the Yoder property, as the city and future developer must know more about what the flood mitigation will entail. The council’s approval means the city can move forward in this process.

The council approved entering a 28E agreement with Washington County Bridge Design Services for design work to be done for a bridge to span from Creekside to the Yoder property. The scope of work is limited to $25,000; the city would like to see two vehicle lanes and a pedestrian bridge over the creek.

At the conclusion of the April 15 meeting, it was noted that hydrant flushing this week may result in residents seeing brown water from their taps.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.