The Atlantic City Council managed to get through their packed agenda in about an hour, Wednesday evening. Following separate public hearings, the Council unanimously passed Resolutions. Among them:

1. Authorizing Third-Quarter Budget Transfers (a standard practice)
2. Agreeing to apply for financial assistance to USDA Rural Development for a grant to purchase 25 units of 1 1/2-inch diameter fire hose, at $110 per unit. If approved, the USDA will cover 35% of the costs, or nearly $963. The City’s Fire Equipment Reserve fund will provide almost required match of nearly $1,788.
3. The Council passed a Resolution Authorizing an application to be filed with the Rural Iowa Housing Assessment Grant Program, and agreed to commit matching funds in the amount of $5,000, for housing data to be compiled, and for an ISU Extension and Outreach Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop.
4. They passed a Resolution for the Appointment of Bob Camblin as Housing Committee Chair and Committee members.
5. A Resolution Declaring the Bull Creek Restoration Project a Community Priority.” The deadline to apply for federally funded local projects, including Bull Creek, is April 16th.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved an application from SHIFT ATL for a Rural Innovation Grant. The organization has proposed a project that would partner SHIFT ATL with the City and Atlantic School District, to rehab a City acquired property at 1310 Chestnut Street. The grant funds would pay for the materials to build a garage on the property. High school tech class students would furnish the labor to build the garage, as part of the coursework.

The Council passed by votes of 6-to 1, the First Reading of Ordinances calling for a limit of 24-hours to remove snow from sidewalks and the moving of vehicles so plows can clear the streets. Pat McCurdy, who owns rental properties, objected because he felt it wouldn’t give his renters enough time to clear their sidewalk. The current Ordinance allows 72 hours to clear sidewalks and move vehicles after the snowfall ends.  And, the Council approved a request from Mike Klocke, with Massena Telephone Company, to begin the process of installing fiber optic line on parts of Atlantic’s east side, and they approved a bid of $215,422 from Henningsen Construction, for construction of the Atlantic Animal Shelter building addition.