KALONA

The Kalona City Council’s agenda was longer than usual on Monday, Aug. 5, as it had been three weeks since the council’s last meeting, and five weeks since they last met in person, thanks to severe weather.

The council elected to amend the city’s chicken permit, increasing the number of chickens allowed from four to six. Prompting the change was the fact that chicks “come in a six-pack,” leaving backyard hen keepers with the dilemma of what to do with two spares. Those with existing chicken permits will be allowed to increase their flock to six.

The city has been awarded a $100,000 Community Catalyst Building Remediation grant by the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the city-owned (in partnership with KCTC) Kalona Bakery building located at 209 5th Street. The council accepted the grant, which will allow plans to go forward with a buyer and developer who have shared a vision for the property with the city. The Kalona Bakery building has been vacant since suffering fire damage in June 2016.

Kalona Food Pantry

City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh brought the idea of establishing a permanent food pantry in Kalona before the council. City staff have already given this idea some thought and propose running the pantry out of one of the city’s three bays at 2285 133rd Street, where Washington County Ambulance’s District 2 station is located.

The city would convert the bay to a stand-alone pantry and would work with Feed the Kids, local school districts, and HACAP to staff and stock the pantry. They would also seek grant funding, including from the DNR, to furnish the space with needed shelving, freezers, and coolers.

“It’s going to be a big mix of a lot of different entities to make it work,” Schlabaugh said.

Council member Joe Schmidt wondered if the Southtown location would be accessible to those in need of the pantry. Schlabaugh said that using the bay as a starter location would allow the city to test the concept with minimal investment and the pantry could be relocated later if necessary.

“I think we can make it work, and I do truly believe that the need is there,” Schlabaugh said.

The council did not object to the city going forward with crafting a budget and funding plan for a food pantry.

Cemetery Columbarium

Schlabaugh also brought before the council the idea of purchasing columbarium for the city’s Sharon Hill and Nutmeg cemeteries. The two-sided, 48-vault columbarium – structures with niches for urns – would be placed in quiet areas of the cemeteries where the city has not sold plots.

“We are seeing more cremations,” Schlabaugh said, but admitted that whether that trend will result in demand for columbarium niches is unknown. He proposed the city start with one monument at Sharon Hill Cemetery, complete with a walkway, retaining wall, and benches, before considering adding more.

The council agreed with the city’s direction; Schlabaugh will work on a funding plan and visual renderings to show the council at a future date.

Horseshoe Gravel Bike Race

Caleb Wilson, race director for the Kalona Horseshoe Gravel Bike Race that took place in May, reported to the council on the success of the race. He said that as a “grassroots” first-time event, the 206 registered racers “blew our expectations.”

“We did have a lot of participation from multiple states. . . Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, just all over,” Wilson said. “People loved Kalona. Their experience here was great. We got nothing but extremely positive feedback about that, and particularly the Historical Village.”

Organizers had hoped for at least 50 participants in order to breakeven; because they exceeded this, they were able to donate $1,000 from the proceeds to the Kalona Historical Village, which hosted the event.

Wilson also noted that 18 kids raced, an usually high number for the Iowa Gravel Series, thanks to CIVCO, which covered all but $10 of youth race fees.

Washington County was “incredibly helpful to work with” and Wilson said they “couldn’t ask for better support” when it came to ease of permitting, providing signage, and ensuring safety on the gravel road course.

Council member Jenelle Bender, who volunteered at the event, said there was a “fair atmosphere” at the Historical Village, where families gathered to support their racers. Local lodging filled up for the weekend, and the event drew many first-time racers.

Wilson said he hopes to direct the Kalona Horseshoe Gravel Bike Race again in 2025, although dates have not been selected.

Council Action

In other council action, the council approved the hiring of Nicholas Hull as Public Works General Laborer. “I think he will be a great addition to our staff and comes with a wealth of knowledge and good work history,” Schlabaugh said. Hull is retired military and will begin full-time employment in September.

The council approved first reading of an ordinance amending no parking on the south side of H Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street to increase safety around the school.

The council approved Alliant Energy utility work on E Avenue, where the energy company is burying lines and removing poles.

The council approved the temporary closing of 4th Street for the Aug. 17 Kalona Car Show between B and C Avenues so that food vendors can be consolidated for the evening.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, August 19 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.