(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and City Administrator John Lund, Wednesday, dispelled rumors the City is discussing the annexation of an area northwest of Atlantic. At the start of the City Council’s meeting, Jones said “The City is not annexing [anything.” During the Public Comment period at the end of the meeting, Nathan Berg, owner of Berg Electric, asked what many in the audience were wanting to know, what discussions are going on, if any.

(Mayor Jones said he only found out about the matter earlier in the day, Wednesday.)

The issue of annexation was brought up in City Administrator John Lund’s agenda notes, both ahead of the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on Monday, and in the City’s Council’s packet ahead of today’s (Wednesday’s) session. In both cases, it was with regard to 60365 Glacier Road, and in reference to a Resolution the Council approved 6-to 1 Wednesday, granting permission to connect to the City’s Sanitary Sewer System at that location. John Lund said annexation was included in the agenda notes, but it was for historical reference, and never discussed in Monday’s meeting.

Councilman Pat McCurdy said any discussion about annexation should have taken place years ago, when Mahle hooked-up to City Water and Sewer, but now it’s too late. John Lund agreed.

Lund said the City’s Comprehensive Plan doesn’t even mention the City expanding its boundaries. The sewer and water connections in the area on Glacier Road that was mentioned, will be paid for by the property owner, and not the citizens of Atlantic. In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved a request by Produce in the Park (PIP) organizers, to extend the closure of 6th Street, from Chestnut to Poplar, through Oct. 14th. The street will be closed for the event on Thursday’s at the downtown City Park. PIP was set to end on Sept. 30th.

The Council also approved a change order pertaining to the Downtown Revitalization Project, in the amount of $5,065, and is with regard building improvements previously mentioned on KJAN News and on our News page at kjan.com. The Council also appointed At Large Councilperson Grace Garrett to the Beautification Committee, which has been dormant since the addition of banners and street signs they had requested, were implemented a few years ago.