(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council approved the first reading of several ordinances amending speed regulations.
Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue stated that the ordinances will change the speed limits on sections of Palm Street and West 29th Street.
Chief Hogue explained the reasons for the speed limit reduction.
City Councilwoman Elaine Otte suggested the City look into what it would take to get sidewalks installed in that area.
In other action, the City Council approved the appointments of Alisha Wagner to the Board of Adjustment and Steve Wallingford to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The Council denied a request from the owners of 201 East 6th Street to have chickens as City Code bans livestock in City Limits.
The Council approved an order to close selected streets on Saturday, August 9th for AtlanticFest starting at 5:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. The requested streets to be closed include Chestnut Street from 2nd Street to 7th Street; 6th Street from Walnut to Chestnut and from Chestnut to Poplar. 5th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east of alley before the post office. 5th Street from Chestnut to Poplar. 4th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east right before the alley. 4th Street from Chestnut toe Poplar. 3rd Street from Walnut to Poplar.
The Council approved a resolution setting supplemental pay and benefit schedules for Street and Wastewater Department employees. City Administrator John Lund explained the Street and Wastewater Departments in Atlantic have decided to leave the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and operate as non-union entities. To preserve existing pay levels from the former union contract, the City Council adopted Resolution #32-25 on April 16, 2025, setting salaries for fiscal year 2025–2026. Although wages were addressed, union members noted that the contract included additional benefits. On April 30, 2025, the City’s Personnel & Finance Committee agreed to transfer those additional benefits through a separate resolution and to eventually incorporate them into the Personnel Handbook. It also allows departments to vote on whether to follow the Handbook or the resolution in the event of a conflict, with unresolved issues referable to the Committee.
The Council approved a resolution setting Compensation and review authority for the part-time police secretary dispatcher position.
The Atlantic City Council approved a resolution of support for Vision Atlantic Workforce Housing Tax Credit Application. Resolution #39-25 expresses the City of Atlantic’s official support for Vision Atlantic’s application to Iowa’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program. This state program, which replaced the Housing Enterprise Zone Program in 2014, incentivizes housing development—especially in distressed and small communities—through tax credits and rebates. Vision Atlantic plans to build ten workforce housing units in the Camblin Hills subdivision. To qualify, the developer must meet specific criteria, including cost caps, unit minimums, and the requirement for at least $25,000 in local matching funds per unit. Atlantic’s local contribution, as defined in a December 18, 2024 development agreement, will be provided through Tax Increment Finance (TIF) rebates. Legal review by the City’s Finance Attorney led to an amendment clarifying this contribution. The resolution is a necessary part of the application process to secure state tax credits of up to 20% for projects in small cities like Atlantic.
The council approved a resolution ratifying bond purchase agreement, providing the issuance of General obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2025B and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same. Resolution #40-25 ratifies the Bond Purchase Agreement for the issuance of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2025B, totaling $4.2 million. These funds will support street improvements, as well as ambulance and police equipment. This action follows the earlier approval of Resolution #34-25 on May 16, 2024, which authorized the sale of bonds and approved the purchase agreement.
