KALONA

Kim Droz-Leaton had been quietly keeping chickens for years without incident. Then she shared her love of Americanas and guineafowl with readers of The News, and days after the May 16 issue came out, she had notices from the City of Kalona in her mailbox, asking for details.

Droz-Leaton’s property is “probably as ag of a property as you’re going to have within the city limits of Kalona that isn’t designated ag,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh told the city council Monday night, when Droz-Leaton’s chicken application was up for approval.

“To be honest with you, I thought that it was ag,” council member Greg Schmidt said.

“So did we,” Droz-Leaton replied.

As her property, flanked by cornfields, falls into a narrow band along Highway 1 zoned C-1 commercial, the city requires the chicken application, but “the application is for more chickens than what our permit allows,” Schlabaugh said.

The council was in favor of Droz-Leaton’s hobby hens, although they were concerned about the flock being contained and not growing any larger.

Should the flock expand, “You may have to eat one,” council member Jenelle Bender said.

“It happens,” Droz-Leaton said.

The council approved an exception for Droz-Leaton, noting that other exceptions to the city’s chicken ordinance would be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Council discussion

Without taking official action, the council discussed renegotiating the 28E agreement with the City of Riverside regarding the sharing of building inspector Dave Tornow. Kalona’s need for Tornow has increased, so the city would like to share him less than the 35% specified in the current 28E agreement. The council agreed that a new agreement should be drafted that would bill Riverside $90/hour for Tornow’s services as a building inspector.

The council also discussed the city’s consultation with Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius on the posted speed limits on 133rd and Nutmeg, near the Southtown subdivision. The speed limit is currently not posted, thus 55 mph, but 45 feels more appropriate (35 “feels like a turtle,” Schlabaugh noted). Once data is obtained to support it, the council will consider an updated ordinance establishing a 45-mph speed limit from Hwy 1 to Richmond.

Council action

The council approved Pay App #2 for CJ Moyna & Sons LLC in the amount of $368,253.30 for the Vista Park Project. The council approved a change order of $50,337.75 for the same.

The council approved the renewal of Karen Stalter’s term of appointment to the Library Board of Trustees from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2030, at the recommendation of the library board’s president.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.