The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening (Dec. 20th), paid recognition to a couple of members of the AHS Trojans Cross Country team, Taylor McCreedy and Jalen Petersen. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers asked Coach Dan Vargason to talk about their performances

He said McCreedy and Petersen were the two State qualifiers. There were 35 runners-up for the program. Petersen, a junior finished in 67th place on the boys side, while Taylor, who is a freshman, finished 20th on the girls side. He says they have a good program coming back next season.

In other business, the Council discussed with Snyder and Associates Engineers’ Dave Sturm, the Community Beautification Project, as proposed by ISU intern Matt Iekel. A Beautification Committee proposed Snyder’s handle the technical aspects of executing the project. Sturm said the agreement as proposed, would include “Way-finding” signage, a Clocktower, and a fountain at the northwest corner of 7th and Olive, along with corridor lighting pole modifications and banners.

Snyders’ services would include a preliminary design, Iowa DOT coordination and permits, final design, bid, and obtaining competitive quotes and construction services.
Altogether, the bill would come to $39,000. Councilman Dana Halder said he and Councilman Gerald Brink have been left out of the loop on the scope of the project, and were both on the Beautification Committee, and nothing has been pared down from the original plan or discussed to a consensus.

He said there’s no reason to spend $39,000 on some of the things City crews can do, and that the Clock Tower had been removed from the project. He said also there are some issues with the lot at 7th and Olive that need to be addressed, including the need for a survey team to come out and determine property lines. Halder said there needs to be some meetings on what really needs to take place and discussion on who will be responsible for the mowing, leaves and weeds.

Nick Harris, who is on the Beautification Committee, said he welcomes the Council to attend their meetings, and work with the Committee and Snyder’s Tim Teig, to revise the plans and clarify the action to be taken.

In other business, the Council approved, by a vote of 4-to 2 (with Councilperson Ashely Hayes absent), the awarding of a contract to Howery Construction in the amount of $98, 350 for work on the concrete 1,300-foot long, eight-foot wide AMU Wellfield Trail Head Project. AMU will utilize the City’s access to a Tranportation Alternatives Program Grant (TAP grant), to help fund the construction. Councilmen Jimerson and Casady voted against the award.

Michelle Andersen

The Council was also introduced to new Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen. She spoke about her background and plans and family. Andersen said she’s from north central Iowa, and was the library director most recently at SteamBoat Rock. Prior to that, she’s had experience at two academic libraries as well as serving on the Outreach Board for a community about the size of Atlantic, in UpState New York. She had extensive board and administrative experience. Her husband and three of their four children will move to Atlantic. Her oldest sign wishes to finish his academic activities at his current school.

And, the Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Dave Jones by City Clerk Barb Barrick. Jones then administered the Oath to Councilpersons Somers, Casady and Brink, all of whom won re-election this past November.