(Clarion, IA) – The Clarion City Council met on Tuesday, June 4th at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Heiden led the meeting with council members Dave Flurer, Dan Hennigar, Nick McOllough, and Mike Ennis. Shayne Hennigar was absent. Also present were City Administrator Clint Middleton, Attorney Zach Chizek, Public Works Director DeVries, and Police Chief TerHark.
Two citizens, Darl Abbas, and Jim Dorn, addressed the council with liability concerns related to children fishing and swimming in the retention pond at White Fox Landing.
Abbas and Dorn expressed concern over the safety of the children swimming in the water and wondered if the residents would be held responsible if a child were to become hurt or worse. Residents would not have liability for accidents, according to Middleton. He then informed Abbas and Dorn of the pond landowner and suggested residents contact them for a resolution.
Middleton added that the city would be interested in putting up signs to discourage public fishing and swimming. Further discussion revealed that most of the kids fishing at the pond “are not problematic”, but stomping through private property and not cleaning up after themselves is a problem.
Mayor Heiden then welcomed representatives from the Clarion Parks Board. He admitted that he was initially against their latest project, turning the Gazebo Park’s nonworking fountain into a flower garden, but thanked the board for their vision and hard work. Ali Disney and Mikayla Walker expressed their gratitude to the Mayor and mentioned that the garden's appearance will only improve as the flowers continue to grow.
The consent agenda was then approved without issue. Building permits were granted for Anderson’s garage addition, Boothby’s fence, and Hansen’s ramps. Road closures were granted for Chappy’s on Main and the Fire department. Brother's Market and Crowe's received liquor and tobacco licenses.
The council moved forward with a brief public hearing for the FY24 budget amendment. With no public comments, the hearing was closed, and Resolution 24-21, approving the budget amendment, was passed.
The focus shifted to the Water Treatment Plant project. The council approved a $206,150.00 pay request for Peterson Construction. The project manager provided a detailed update, highlighting significant progress, including HVAC installations, electrical work, and concrete flooring. He assured that the project remains on track.
Several public hearings were scheduled:
Public hearing for the sale of lots in White Fox Landing South (Resolution 24-24)
Expanded Clarion Urban Renewal Area (Resolution 24-25)
Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment (Resolution 24-22), necessary for the "Upper Story Housing" grant application and
CDBG Upper Story Application (Resolution 24-23)
City Administrator Middleton mentioned that the next council meeting would be kept brief due to his absence.
The council went into a closed session to discuss employee wages and benefits. The meeting adjourned after their brief discussion that did not end in action. The next City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at 5:00 pm.
