The Atlantic City Council will hold its first meeting of JUNE this Wednesday, beginning at 5:30-p.m., in their Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall. First up on their agenda, is the review of a permit request by Wild Willy’s for a Community Fireworks Demonstration scheduled for June 12th. If the permit is approved, the demonstration will take place at the Little League diamonds across from the KJAN Studios on north Olive Street. It’s intended to be a family friendly event, with the possibility of food vendors on site. Wild Willy’s is owned by local business owners, and as such, subject to the Local Option Sales Tax, which benefits the City. City Administrator John Lund says “If residents desire to buy fireworks, we [The City] should encourage them to buy locally.” Under an agreement, the debris afterward, would be cleaned-up by the Boy/Girl Scouts.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on an order with regard to an application for the closing of East 6th Street between Chestnut and Poplar, from 10-a.m. until 12:30-p.m. June 13th, for the benefit of children during a church service. The Council has traditionally allowed requests for street closures that benefit small community events like block parties. City Administrator John Lund says “A closure for a religious event would be similar in nature,” and should be approved.

The Council, Wednesday, is expected to set June 16th as the date for a Public Hearing on the passage of an Ordinance (#1009), that would amend Chapter 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, changing the method of election to runoff elections. John Lund says Atlantic currently has a “plurality-takes-all” system, where someone only needs to get the most votes on the first and only ballot, to win. As such, only 50.01% of the vote is required to become Mayor, a member of the Council, and Park Board. Iowa allows for two types of elections, either the current system, or an alternative where a true majority of voters is required to win. Lund says the benefits of changing to a majority system, include: The winner of the final vote has a genuine mandate to lead the City by a majority of the voters, and can claim their leadership and priorities are what Atlantic wants; and, it prevents a scenario where the Mayor is the plurality winner, not because they are a respected individual in the community, but because they have a devoted base of support and respected candidates divide the vote. In this scenario, according to Lund, someone could become Mayor for four-years that half Atlantic or even a super majority activity opposes.

Lund says the Personnel and Finance Committee reviewed the options during their meeting on May 26th, and unanimously recommends the Council change the election system to a majority, run-off election. In order for a motion to that effect to pass, the Council must first set the date of a public hearing and pass each reading during their meetings on June 16th, July 7th and July 21st. In related business, the Council, Wednesday, will also set June 16th as the date for a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that would change the term for Park Board members from six-years to four-years, which the Park Board favors.

The Council will also act on the setting of wages for 2021 Pool personnel, and, review the contract and bonds for the West 22nd Street Sidewalk Project. Afterward, they will act on passing a Resolution approving the project contract and bonds. John Lund says the FY22 Budget calls for $117,500 to construct the walking path, which was awarded to Henningsen Construction during the Council’s meeting May 19th, and came in under budget, in the amount of $103,904.56.