The Clarion City Council met for a regular session on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, with Mayor Heiden presiding. Present were Council members Dave Flurer, Dan Hennigar, Nick McOllough, and Mike Ennis, with Shayne Hennigar absent. Also in attendance were City Attorney Zach Chizek, Public Works Director John DeVries, and Police Chief TerHark, while City Administrator Clint Middleton was absent.
Mayor Heiden called the meeting to order and addressed the council for any conflicts of interest with the agenda, noting one conflict with Council member Dan Hennigar. There was no one from the public to address the council.
The proceedings began with the approval of the consent agenda, including previous meeting minutes, financial reports, licenses, and permits. Sally's Sewing Room and Leah Jean Boutique were approved for signs. Dollar General, Sweet Water, and Yesway were approved for tobacco sales. The Iowa Fireworks Company was approved for fireworks sales. Building permits were granted to the Lockharts for a fence, Austins for a deck, and the Markers for a shed. A new garbage hauler, Speedy Dump, was approved for Clarion as well.
A Public Hearing on the Adoption of Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment was held. The council approved after the brief hearing. The council opened another public hearing, this time concerning the Submission of a CDBG Upper Story Application.
Council member Fleur provided a detailed report on the proposed housing project on North Main Street. The statement emphasized the project's principal goal of providing affordable housing to low-to-moderate-income families. The council endorsed the project as an important step in addressing our local housing challenges.
The meeting continued with discussions on the sale of lots on White Fox and updates on community projects, including bids for an electrical upgrade at the Courthouse. The upgrades will allow Clarion to host more events.
Brittany Howieson, from the Clarion Development Alliance, presented bids and funding agreements for electrical upgrades at the Courthouse. Funding for the project will come from the Clarion Development Alliance and The Wright County Supervisors. Once funds are given to the city for the project, the Clarion Council plans to approve the use of funds from the Motel Hotel Grant for the remainder of the cost.
Councilman Dan Hennigar shared feedback regarding the success of the latest Festival. Howieson shared that the CDA sold 350 wristbands for the children’s inflatables. The next council meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 2, at 5:00 P.M.
