City urges all to wear face masks

By John Butters
Posted 8/5/20

Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh will contact local entities to encourage them to support the use of masks and social distancing within the city to stem local contagion from the COVID-19 …

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City urges all to wear face masks

Posted

Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh will contact local entities to encourage them to support the use of masks and social distancing within the city to stem local contagion from the COVID-19 virus.

The action was suggested by council member Joe Schmidt following a mayoral proclamation from Mark Robe that underscored the city’s commitment to the use of masks in public.

Robe read the proclamation at Monday’s council meeting. The proclamation does not have the authority of a municipal ordinance but is rather a statement of administrative intention.

Schmidt said he was in favor of putting more “teeth” into council action but understood there were members of the community that would be opposed to mandates.

Council members agreed that masks provide a good safeguard against COVID-19 transmission but were also aware that businesses wished to avoid offending customers with restrictive policies.

Schmidt suggested that the city administrator’s communication could include the observation that, because Kalona is a tourist destination, some visitors might come from areas with a more severe outbreak of the COVID virus and possess a greater risk of infection.

In other business, council members approved a Shiloh water tower temporary easement for city access purposes between CJ Moyna and the city of Kalona and a Shiloh Water Tower Transfer Agreement that provides the city with clear ownership of the tower.

At the July 20 meeting, city council members approved a number of resolutions related to real estate developments.

A public hearing was conducted on a rezoning ordinance that reclassified 126 A Ave. from M-2 heavy industrial to R-3 multi-family. 

Final reading will not be held till the current owner shows legal documentation of road easements of the private road owned by Meadow Brook Mobile Home Park.

Council gave the recommendation to begin formal 28-E discussions with Washington County Conservation for potential options for the public lands at Southtown.

The council assigned the council members on the park board to handle these discussions. The council members were Joe Schmidt, and Craig Spitzer.

Resolution 2020-O was approved, a resolution adopting changes to Section 10, in the City of Kalona Personnel Manual.

In Section 10, under Leave, a policy will be added for parental leave, for maternity and paternity.

Council made the recommendation to change the amount of time proposed, to six weeks maternity leave, and three weeks of paternity leave.

The council passed Resolution 2020-P, a resolution setting date for Public Hearing for 7 p.m., Aug. 17 regarding the Kalona Southtown Urban Renewal Area, and on Urban Renewal Plan and Project.

Council approved Resolution 2020-Q, a resolution waiving the city of Kalona’s right under Iowa law and city ordinance to review the parcel split that is located within two miles of city limits in Washington County. The property is owned by Floyd Helmuth.

It also approved Resolution 2020-R, a resolution waiving the city of Kalona’s right under Iowa law and city ordinance to review the parcel split that is located within two miles of the city limits in Washington County, property is owned by John E. and Janice Wallerich.