(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council during their regular meeting this (Wednesday evening), passed a resolution setting July 3rd, 4th and 5th, from 9-a.m. Until 11-p.m., as the date for the use of fireworks in the City, as outlined within the restrictions of the Code of Iowa, and recently updated by Senate File 303. Fireworks used outside of those dates and times are NOT legal in Iowa.

Councilmen Shawn Sarsfield commented that residents should be respectful of their neighbors and the law. Sarsfield said he’s loved fireworks since he was a kid, but there’s a big difference in how big and loud those visual and audible devices have become since the days of bottle rockets and firecrackers.

Mayor Grace Garrett reminded residents of the safety factor in using fireworks as well.

Atlantic City Council meeting, 6-4-25

Councilman Jim Behrens said his family was listening to loud fireworks near his neighborhood late Tuesday night. Others have commented they’re being set-off too early, and that’s something Behrens warned could have an adverse affect on future personal fireworks use in Atlantic.

On a related note, the Council approved an Order to temporarily close a portion of 10th Street near the Sunnyside Pool to the west entrance of the Cass County Fairgrounds (Near the tennis courts), and the road south of 10th Street leading past the tennis courts and softball field, from 8-a.m. until 10-p.m., for the Parks and Rec Department’s “Freedom Festival,” on July 4th. They also passed an Order to temporarily restrict parking on Palm Street from 7th to the Dead End, extending south of 10th Street, and temporarily restricting parking on 10 Street, extending west 150-feet on both sides of the street, from 6-a.m. July 26th until 6-pm July 27th, for the Cass County Fair.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed (after the 3rd and final readings) of amended ordinances pertaining to:

• Adding a 4-way stop sign at 29th and Palm Streets
• No Parking on 10th  Street, from Locust to the east alley at the north side of the road
• Reducing the Speed Limit on 22nd Street, between Palm & Chestnut Streets, to 35 miles per hour.

And, they passed the first readings of amended ordinances pertaining to:

• City Elections
• A reduction of speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph on Chestnut Street, from 29th St. to the Southern City Limits
• Reducing the speed limit  from 35-to 30 mph on 29th Street, from Chestnut to Palm Streets.
• Reducing the speed limit to 35 mph on 29th Street, from the intersection with Palm St. to a point 800-feet west of the intersection.

An ordinance to reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph on Chestnut Street from 29th to the Southern City Limits failed for lack of a motion and second. That ordinance was tabled during the previous Council meeting. The Atlantic City Council passed resolutions: Adopting the 2025 Building Permit Fee Schedule, and setting stipend compensation for Swim Team Assistant Coach for FY2026.

They also set June 18th at 5:30-p.m., as the date/time for a Public Hearing to amend the FY2025 Budget. In her report to the Council, Mayor Garrett revealed numbers associated with last month’s City-wide clean-up:

And, in the Council Committee reports, Councilman Dana Halder said Cass County Landfill Director Brandi Mericle is leaving her job effective June 26th. The Landfill Commission will begin to search for her replacement to manage the Transfer Station. Mericle has been the Director of the Landfill for several years.