Clinton City Council approves multiple ordinances, resolutions and schedules hearings; several items set for future action

The Clinton City Council on Sept. 23 approved several ordinances and resolutions, set a hearing on one property sale and postponed action on a separate nuisance property, voting unanimously on the items recorded at the meeting.

Council members approved minutes from the Sept. 9 committee and special council meetings and then moved through a number of legislative and administrative items. Actions included first consideration of an ordinance amending the city code to change the speed limit on a portion of Second Avenue South, adoption of an amended 28E agreement for joint emergency communications services, the removal of traffic signals at three South Second Street intersections in favor of stop control, final passage of an alley conveyance ordinance, approval of a design-services contract for the Glover/Lubbers fountain project, and adoption of a four-year rental inspection program with an associated fee schedule and administration plan. The council also set a public hearing on an offer of $300 for 655 First Avenue North and voted to postpone action on a large nuisance property until Oct. 14 for further legal review and staff reporting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (regular committee of the whole and special council meetings of 09/09/2025, approved as published 09/23/2025): motion passed by roll call (all voting members present recorded as "Yes").

- Ordinance (first consideration): amending Chapter 84 (traffic schedules) to change the speed limit on a portion of Second Avenue South between Randy Drive and South 30th Street — motion and second; roll call recorded unanimous "Yes" on first consideration.

- Resolution: set public hearing on the city’s intent to accept an offer from Veil and Sodgrass Hansen in the amount of $300 for 655 First Avenue North — motion adopted by roll call (unanimous "Yes").

- Resolution: approve amended 28E agreement for joint emergency communications services between the City of Clinton, the cities of Camanche and DeWitt, Clinton County and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office — amendment added language establishing management control (the sheriff) to meet Iowa Code requirements; resolution adopted (unanimous "Yes").

- Resolution: authorize removal of signalization at three intersections along South Second Street (at Third Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South and Seventh Avenue South) and implement permanent stop controls (two-way stops at Third and Fourth, four-way stop at Seventh); resolution adopted (unanimous "Yes").

- Ordinance (waiver of prior readings and final passage): conveyance of a 16.5-foot by 60-foot portion of the north-south alley in Block 7, Elijah Buell’s Addition (plat B on file with city clerk) — council waived two prior readings under Iowa Code Sec. 380.3 and adopted the conveyance ordinance (required three-quarter vote to waive readings passed; final passage adopted by roll call).

- Ordinance (third/final consideration): amendments to City Code chapter 155 (fire/property registration and inspection related ordinance) — discussion clarified that property owners who register in person at the fire station would not need to refill all paperwork annually if nothing has changed; ordinance advanced and roll call recorded "Yes" votes.

- Resolution: approve registration and inspection fee schedule related to the rental/property registration program — adopted by roll call (unanimous "Yes").

- Resolution: approve administration plan for the four-year rental inspection program — adopted by roll call (unanimous "Yes").

- Resolution: accept bid and award contract to Claring Associates P.C. for Glover’s (Lubbers) fountain design services project — adopted by roll call (unanimous "Yes").

- Motion: postpone action on the large nuisance property on Fourth Street to Oct. 14 pending a legal report and more detailed council staff report — motion to postpone adopted by roll call (unanimous "Yes").

Context and why it matters

Taken together, the items advance several near-term public works and public-safety changes in Clinton: traffic-control adjustments on South Second Street; an updated multi-jurisdictional 28E agreement to satisfy Iowa Code requirements for management control of the communications center; and contracting for design work to restore the historic riverfront fountain. The adopted rental-inspection program and fee schedule establish the framework and funding for multi-year inspections of rental housing.

Council procedural notes

Several items required special procedural steps. The alley conveyance ordinance proceeded after the council voted to waive two prior readings under Iowa Code Section 380.3 (the waiver received the necessary three-quarter vote). A special meeting was scheduled to consider a previously omitted claims listing so vendor payments can be processed. The council also postponed the nuisance-property action to allow staff and legal counsel to prepare more detailed documentation for members.

What the record shows (no interpretation beyond transcript)

The vote records in the meeting transcript show roll calls with each council member answering "Yes" for the listed motions and resolutions. Staff described the technical change added to the 28E agreement (a management-control clause assigning management control to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office) and explained that the rental-inspection fee and administration plan include a late-cancellation fee with an appeals process. The Glover’s/Lubbers fountain design award was presented after council discussion and passed by roll call.

Provenance (transcript excerpts)

"Council member Detterman. Thank your honor. Approve minutes of the regular city council committee to the whole and special city council council meetings of 09/09/2025. They'd be approved as published on 09/23/2025." (topicintro)

"I'll make a motion to postpone until October 14. Pending legal ex, counsel report legal explanation." (topfinish)