The Atlantic City Council is set to meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday (April 18th) in their Chambers, at City Hall. Among the items on their agenda, is a presentation by Nishna Valley YMCA Director Dan Haynes, with regard to upcoming improvements to the YMCA building, and discussion with regard to a possible contribution to the YMCA Iowa West Foundation Grant. A number of improvements at the Y will be financed through the grant. City Administrator John Lund says a contribution from the City, will reflect well on the YMCA’s application to the Foundation. If the Council chooses to make a contribution, Lund says it could appropriate those funds from the Recreation Center Improvement Reserve (YMCA) Fund, for which Local Option Sales Tax and the contribution from AMU are deposited. The fund is expected to close the end of FY2018 with a balance of slightly more than $139,540.

In other business, the Council will hear from Atlantic Chamber Director Bailey Smith, and CADCO Executive Director Russell Joyce, with regard to a working group having been formed to address concerns over the recent loss of several businesses in the downtown district. They are expected to showcase many of the current programs in-place to help recruit new businesses and expanding businesses, as well as some new initiatives and a proposal to jump start entrepreneurial enterprises, including a plan by several independent business leaders, to partner in pledging money to persons looking to start a business in the community. The program, vetted through a local bank, will help business owners by inventory, cover building costs, and more.

The Council will also act on the third and final reading of an Ordinance removing the north/south only STOP signs on Sunnyside Lane, at the intersection with 6th Street. As previously mentioned, the move, if approved after the third reading, is designed to improve traffic flow through the area, in light of the increase in traffic for the ethanol plant.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on approving the Mayor’s appointment of Joyce Jensen to the Board of Adjustment to fill a vacancy, and the re-appointments of Mary Ward and Christina Bateman to the Board of Adjustment. At the beginning of their meeting, the Council will receive a presentation from Dolly Bergman, with regard to the City’s having received a “Tree City USA” award for the 22nd year running. The award ceremony took place April 4th. Bergman has been instrumental to the City’s receiving the honor.