Kalona Bakery, Trick-or-Treat, and golf cart regulation reviewed

Posted 9/13/22

The Golf Cart and UTV Permit Ordinance was once again up for discussion at the Kalona City Council’s Work Session on Sept. 7.   City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh presented his …

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Kalona Bakery, Trick-or-Treat, and golf cart regulation reviewed

Posted

The Golf Cart and UTV Permit Ordinance was once again up for discussion at the Kalona City Council’s Work Session on Sept. 7.  City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh presented his office’s recommendations and sought direction from the Council.

Schlabaugh recommended that golf carts be registered “in the same form and fashion that we do now, but with one difference.”  He proposed that the initial registration of a golf cart with the City would require a one-time $25 fee; after that, annual renewals would be required, but without charge.  Renewals could also be submitted online, eliminating the need to visit City Hall. 

For currently registered golf carts, renewal would be required by March 1, 2023 to avoid incurring late fees. 

Only residents who reside within Kalona city limits, verifiable by ID, are eligible to register golf carts for use on city streets.  ATVS would still not be permitted, and UTV use would be regulated by the State of Iowa.

The council took no action but will prepare to finalize the ordinance and set a Public Meeting for such.

Mobile Home Park, Kalona Bakery, Southtown Trails, Student-Built Remodel

During the Council’s Regular Meeting following the Work Session, the City Administrator reviewed the status of several projects of interest.

Meadowbrook Mobile Home Park is under new ownership, which has caused some confusion for residents.  Public meetings are expected in October to clarify new rules and regulations; it is expected that all residents will have to sign new leases.  Schlabaugh noted that the City does not have the authority to regulate lot rental rates.

The City is working on a grant application to the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program, conducted by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, for the Kalona Bakery building.  “I think [it] will help one of the last hurdles, hopefully, that we have, and that is to make it more of a build-to-suit facility and take some of the unknowns out of it,” Schlabaugh said.  Sarah Grunewaldt, the former Executive Director for Main Street Washington, has agreed to help with the grant writing.

During a special meeting on Aug. 24, the Council approved a Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) grant application for $1.45 million with a $225,000 match.  The grant would fund the Southtown North Ridge Trail, which includes a trailhead, dog park, playground, naturescape, and more than 1.6 miles of trails.  Schlabaugh announced that the City is one of six applicants that have been selected to give a 10-minute presentation to the WCRF on Sept. 14.

The Student-Built Home Remodel project is in its final stages, and the house at 721 6th Street is set to be turned over to Hayley Hershberger, Kalona Realty, Inc, on Sept. 12.  The listing price will be $180,000; the City will break even on the project.  “My gut tells me it isn’t going to be out very long before we get some offers,” Schlabaugh told the Council.

New Business, Trick-or-Treat

In the Business portion of the Wednesday night meeting, the Council set a Public Hearing for Sept. 19, 2022, at 7 p.m. for amending R-3 (multi-family) Side and Rear Setbacks. 

The Council passed two resolutions to waive the right to review the Plat of Survey for Paul D. and Rose Mary Beachy.  Two properties, between 4 and 6 acres in size, would be split, separating the owners’ homes and businesses.

Before going into Closed Session, the Council set the City’s Trick-Or-Treat Night for Oct. 31.