The regular Clarion City Council meeting, held March 17, was a little irregular as the meeting was held via teleconference due to concerns over COVID-19. All council members were on the call except for Shayne Hennigar.
The council approved two pay requests for Thompson Electric Company for work done on the well project. One request was for $3,990 and the other was for $2,380.60. They also approved two resolutions pertaining to the planned water main project. The first was to sign paperwork and receive the CDBG grant. Clarion was approved for up to $600,000 in grant monies for the project. The other resolution was for grant administration services with Simmering-Cory. A request to purchase amenities for the pool was also discussed and okayed. These would include basketball hoops, a lily pad and improvements to the climbing wall.
The various city departments discussed how they are responding to the coronavirus concerns. City administrator Clint Middleton said that City Hall is closed to the public. All business is being done by phone and via the dropbox outside the building. Police chief Steve TerHark noted that his officers are taking precautions such as keeping their distance during traffic stops and encounters with citizens. Tiffon Willey, ambulance director, said her staff is prepared with masks and gowns for any infectious disease. All departments agreed that they are following directives given by Wright County Public Health and the state. Mayor Duane Asbe and several councilmembers thanked the city staff for their hard work during this difficult period. Later in the meeting, councilperson Andy Young brought up the prospect of the city looking at its funds with the possibility of finding a way to help businesses who may be struggling during shutdowns. Nothing was decided during the meeting as the matter would need to be discussed by the finance committee.
Middleton briefly discussed the 2020 Census. He explained that they had planned a campaign to raise more awareness of the upcoming census and its importance. However, since the census was mailed out much earlier than they had been told it would, they were not able to publicize it much. And since most of their planned census-promoting activities were to happen at public events or with school children, they will not be able to enact those plans. Middleton said he will still work with media to publicize it.
A resolution approving EMT training agreements with Ana Juarez, Stacia Grandgeorge and Michellynn Reiter was passed. The council also okayed the option of prorated payback for the training that EMTs receive if they don’t complete two years of service.
In other business, ISG engineer Amanda Thomas was introduced to the council. Thomas will be the new engineer that the city works with for projects as former engineer Nick Buse moved on to another area.
At the end of the meeting, the council went into closed session, per Iowa code, to discuss the purchase or sale of real estate.
