Council approves easements, bank appointment, bond issue, rail operator and multiple grant endorsements

The Clinton City Council on Aug. 12 approved a series of resolutions and ordinances covering utility easements, municipal financing, rail operations and grant endorsements.

The council adopted multiple resolutions authorizing underground electric easement agreements with Interstate Power and Light Company for parcels in the Liberty Square/Old Town area and at specific addresses (Parcel 82-0644-0002 and properties at 750 Tenth Avenue South and 635 Ninth Avenue South). Council discussion during the public hearings focused on whether equipment would be aboveground or underground; staff described the approvals as granting easement rights so the utility can place poles, boxes or other equipment or have room to work in the right-of-way.

The council also approved a resolution appointing UMB Bank NA of West Des Moines, Iowa to serve as paying agent, note registrar and transfer agent and adopted a separate resolution authorizing the issuance of $10,215,000 in general obligation capital loan notes, Series 2025B, including levy of a tax to pay the notes and related certificates. In the roll call for the loan-note resolution, one council member recorded a “no” vote; the ordinance and related authorizations otherwise passed.

Other formal approvals included a joint temporary transit agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation to provide a shuttle service between Clinton Island and Fulton, Illinois while a bridge remains closed, and the formal selection of Burlington Junction Railway to provide third‑party switching and railroad operator services at the Lincoln Way Industrial Rail Park. Burlington Junction representatives introduced their company and committed to safety and local hiring as operations begin.

The council also gave official endorsements for two grant applications: a DOT traffic safety improvement application for a roundabout at 16th Street Northwest and Mill Creek Parkway (the city’s local match was described as $900,000 split across future years in the capital improvement plan) and a Regional Planning Agency (RPA 8) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application for the South Fourteenth Street recreational trail (Bluff to Lincoln Way). City staff said the TAP program allows RPA to borrow funds upfront and that, if awarded, the project would need to be started or completed by 2029; staff estimated a local match of about $400,000.

The council approved the consent agenda (including claims listings) and took second readings of two ordinances: one amending municipal code language on acting city administrator appointments (the body voted to amend the draft to retain certain existing residency and compensation sentences before approving the second reading as amended) and another amending sewer-use charges for certain contract users. The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn to the next meeting on Aug. 26, 2025.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Underground electric easement agreements with Interstate Power and Light Company (Parcel 82-0644-0002; 750 Tenth Avenue South; 635 Ninth Avenue South): Resolutions adopted (roll-call votes recorded; no council opposition noted in the roll calls posted for each item). - Appointment of UMB Bank NA as paying agent/note registrar/transfer agent: Resolution adopted (roll-call approval). - Issuance of $10,215,000 general obligation capital loan notes, Series 2025B: Resolution adopted; roll call showed one “no” vote and the remainder in favor. - Transit agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation (temporary shuttle Clinton Island–Fulton, Ill.): Resolution adopted (DOT will fund this service while the bridge is closed). - Selection of Burlington Junction Railway for third‑party switching at Lincoln Way Industrial Rail Park: Resolution adopted. - Endorsement for 16th Street NW/Mill Creek Parkway roundabout (Iowa DOT 2027 traffic safety program): Resolution adopted; staff said local match is $900,000 split across fiscal years in the CIP. - RPA 8 TAP grant application for South Fourteenth Street Recreational Trail (Bluff to Lincoln Way): Resolution adopted; staff estimate local match ~$400,000 and said project must be started or completed by 2029 if awarded. - Second readings (as amended): Ordinance amending city code on acting city administrator appointments; ordinance amending sewer‑use charges for certain contract users.

Council and staff said additional contract and implementation steps remain for items such as the rail-operator contract and grant agreements; in several cases the approvals were to authorize staff to finalize agreements or submit grant applications rather than to complete final contracts.