“Leaves.  [Absolute Outdoor Services is] doing a really good job.  The time is just substantially more than what I think anybody bargained for with the amount of stops they’re having to make,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh told the Kalona City Council on Nov. 7 near the start of their regular meeting. 

This is the first year the city has taken on leaf collection, and the number of residents putting their leaves out to the curb for collection is higher than anticipated.  As a result, “our learning curve is steep,” Schlabaugh says. 

“One of the things that we get a lot of calls on is, ‘I’ve had my leaves out for a week,’” he notes.  In order to manage expectations, the city will publicize the leaf pickup schedule going forward.  Everyone living on 6th Street and to the east should have their leaves out at the curb by 8 a.m. on Nov. 14, and the leaves will be collected that week.  For those living on 5th Street and to the west, leaves should be at the curb by 8 a.m. on Nov. 21, and leaves will be collected that week. 

“Let’s say there was a lot less smoke in town,” Mayor Mark Robe said in favor of the leaf pickup.

“I’ve had comments about that too,” remarked council member Jenelle Bender.

Council Actions

With no additional comments received on the city’s proposed amendment to the Code of Ordinance for Golf Carts and UTVs, the council passed the third and final reading of the ordinance.  The city will now go forward with its plan to register golf carts and notify people with ATVs of the state’s registration guidelines.

In its other item of old business, the council approved Pay App No. 2 for TK Concrete regarding the 7th Street and D Avenue sidewalk project.

The City of Kalona is in a growth phase of late, and the council has passed several resolutions regarding plans for subdivisions.  In a special meeting on Oct. 24, the council approved the final Plat for Vista Ridge Subdivision Part 1, Lots 1-15, with delayed trail improvements, and also accepted Public Dedications and Improvements for Vista Ridge Subdivision Lot A – Part 1. 

Also during that special meeting, the council approved a purchase agreement for inclusive playground equipment from GameTime, to be installed in the Kalona City Park by Cunningham Recreation in the spring of 2023. 

At the regular meeting on Monday night, the council continued approving subdivision plans, this time turning attention to Cypress Pointe.  The council approved the Submitted Construction Plans and Specifications for Cypress Pointe, and also approved the subdividers agreement for Cypress Pointe Phase I lots 1 & 2 with Hochstedler Building & Development.