KALONA

The Kalona City Council met under dark, rainy skies and balmy 61-degree temps Monday night, eager to approve payments, reports, and street closures.

A portion of the Nov. 18 meeting involved looking back.

The council approved the 2023-2024 Urban Renewal Report and 2023-2024 Annual Finance Report, both of which provide auditor-approved records of how the city has spent funds over the previous year. The council also approved a payment of $125,359 to CJ Moyna and Sons for the Vista Park Project, which is nearing completion.

In his Administrator’s Report, Ryan Schlabaugh highlighted a few areas where progress has been made recently. In Southtown, the Vista Park amenities, including the splash pad, have been winterized and put to bed for the season. Paving on F and H Avenues has been completed, and fresh crosswalk lines have been painted where needed. LED lights have been installed at Kalona Valley Apartments and are an improvement.

Another portion of the meeting involved looking forward.

With phase two development of the Incline Grove subdivision underway, more traffic is expected in Southtown. The council approved the first reading of an ordinance adding stop signs at the intersection of Vista Drive and Nutmeg and for northbound traffic on Vista Drive.

The council set a public hearing for Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. for a proposal to take out a $400,000 Sewer Revenue Loan, which would cover the cost of preliminary design and engineering for an upgraded and state-compliant wastewater treatment facility.

“This would get rolled over into the SRF [State Revolving Fund] at the appropriate time, so it’s a zero-interest way to take some pressure off the sewer account,” Schlabaugh noted.

Next on Kalona’s event calendar is Christmas in Kalona, a city-wide day of fun planned for Saturday, Dec. 7. The council approved a partial road closure for C Avenue during the event, the same as last year, which allows attendees to cross the street freely and provides vendor space.

The City is also looking ahead to their next Student-Built housing project, for which property on A Avenue was purchased and prepared at the end of 2023. Schlabaugh noted that four students will assist with the building design beginning in January. The house is expected to be a single-story duplex.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.