The Atlantic City Council held a short session Wednesday evening at City Hall. During their meeting, the Council paid tribute to three City employees for their ongoing years of service.

Mayor Dave Jones (Left) and Atlantic Police Sgt. Spencer Walton

Atlantic Police Sergeant Spencer Walton was given a plaque for his 10-years of outstanding service, and in keeping the community safe. Youth Services Librarian Julie Tjepkes, who has served the Atlantic Public Library for 32-years, and Adult Services Librarian Diane McFadden, who has served for 30-years, were also honored with awards.

Mayor Jones, Diane McFadden and Julie Tjepkes.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed a Resolution “Approving the Transfer of Funds for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018-2019.” City Administrator John Lund updated the Council on the budget, which he said should be ready to go out during the Council’s meeting on February 6th.

He said also, the Fire Chief Mark McNees has spoken with township elders about increasing their contribution to the City of Atlantic for fire protection.  He said also there is a buyer interesting in purchasing the Atlantic Senior Center, which is in need of approximately $36,000 in repairs that would eliminate the Senior Center Funds. Lund suggested the Personnel and Finance Committee meet sometime next week with a representative or two from the buyer’s group to discuss what should be done with the building located across the parking lot from City Hall, and then send their recommendation onto the Council. The roof he said is in serious need of repair.

Lund said also, negotiations with the Public Works Union are “In a good place,” as well as with the Police Union. On a related note, Lund mentioned his concern with regard to “The rhetoric coming out of Des Moines, about more ‘property tax reform.'” He said the last time leaders in Des Moines worked on that form of tax reform, it was “Damaging enough,” and he may slow down in the negotiations, especially if they have tentative agreements, to hold onto them until he knows which direction the city is going on. Right now though, both parties seem to be in agreement with a 5-year contract, but that’s dependent on what the legislature does, and Lund does not want to lock the Unions in until there’s a clearer picture on property tax reform.

In his report, Mayor Dave Jones reminded citizens the “See Click Fix” service is seeing a lot of use, but there are numerous complaints that cannot immediately be resolved due to the legal process, while others are being taken care of as soon as possible, but the person who investigates most complaints, Kris Erickson – the Code Enforcement Officer – is part-time, and she does the best she can with the time she has. The Mayor urges citizens to please be patient.