In their meeting on Tuesday, July 7, the Clarion City Council conducted the first reading of an ordinance that would change the speed limit on Madison Ave. near the hospital on the south side of town. The measure calls for the speed limit to be increased from 25 to 35 MPH 400 feet north of the 13th Ave SW corner, near the Meadows parking lot, before the entrance to the clinic. The speed limit would then increase to 45 MPH going out of town by Illinois Seeds (see graphic). City Administrator Clint Middleton noted this action came after considering the matter for a while. He added that Asst. Police Chief Bret Thompson had also been monitoring the area regarding the current speeds drivers use there and feels the increase would be safe.
The council had mixed thoughts on the matter. Councilmember Shayne Hennigar voiced his opposition of increasing the speed limit to 35 MPH in that area, noting that it may endanger older drivers entering and leaving the clinic parking lot. He added that if the speed limit is increased, people will exceed it and drivers will end up going upwards of 45 or 50 MPH there. Councilmember Andy Young said he has only been hearing positive feedback about the increase. The council discussed ideas about putting a speed monitoring device in that area at some point.
In the end, the first reading of the ordinance passed with all councilmembers except Shayne Hennigar voting yes on it. To be adopted, they will conduct two more readings of the ordinance at the next two council meetings. Residents are encouraged to contact a councilmember or city hall to comment on the ordinance.
In other agenda items, a resolution was passed to establish the Small Business Hardship Loan Program. The resolution explains that the goal of the program is “to provide small businesses within the City of Clarion who are facing hardships with a necessary loan to assist in keeping those small businesses solvent during these uncertain times.” The City plans to allocate $25,000.00 for the program with Clarion Economic Development Corporation facilitating it. Middleton said that the moneys used were those previously intended for the cancelled 2020 Iowa’s Ride.
The council approved a pay request for Thompson Electric for the Well Project in the amount of $19,427.50. ISG engineer Kelly Evans also discussed an upcoming pilot study for Clarion’s planned Water Treatment Facility. He noted that the DNR requires a pilot study for the reverse osmosis system that the city plans to use for the facility. The pilot system will be a scaled down version of the full-scale equipment. With Evans’ recommendation, the council elected to go forward with the pilot proposal submitted by Wigen Water Technologies.
In other matters:
-The council tabled a matter pertaining to two lots in the Industrial Park that were not developed. A resolution is proposed that would deed the lots back to the city. The council will address the matter next meeting.
-Chief of Police Steve Terhark and the council welcomed Jennifer Littlejohn as the new Ambulance Director and Police Department officer manager along with Dawn Sherman as a full-time EMT.
