Clinton City Council approves $4.048 million sewer loan notes, property sales, façade grant, clerk appointment and fireworks ordinance

The Clinton City Council on June 10 authorized a $4,048,000 taxable sewer revenue capital loan note issue, approved the sale or intent-to-sell several city-owned properties, set up a state-funded downtown façade-improvement contract, appointed Krista Atkinson as city clerk, and adopted a revised fireworks ordinance.

The loan notes were first approved with a typographical error in the amount; the council later voted to amend the resolution to correct the amount to $4,048,000 and directed staff to update the resolution language. Council members also approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter a loan and disbursement agreement with the Iowa Finance Authority related to the sewer capital notes.

Why it matters: the loan provides financing for sewer capital needs; the façade and CDBG actions use state and federal-community-development funds to support downtown building renovations; the property dispositions and demolition listings affect the city's inventory of blighted or underused parcels; and the fireworks ordinance changes how and when fireworks are regulated within the city.

Most important actions and details

- Sewer loan notes: The council adopted a resolution authorizing issuance and securing payment of taxable sewer revenue capital loan notes, series 2025, and corrected a typographical amount to $4,048,000. The resolution references the Iowa Code authority for municipal revenue obligations and an agreement with the Iowa Finance Authority.

- Sale of 428 Eleventh Avenue South: The council adopted a resolution authorizing the sale of city-owned property at 428 Eleventh Avenue South to Jason Marcus for $100. Council member Musman introduced the resolution and said the buyer will demolish the structure; the agreed demolition deadline was extended to the end of the year as part of the sale agreement.

- Other property actions: The council adopted resolutions of intent or set hearings for the proposed sale of several city parcels, including 721 South Sixth Street (offer from Busy B Property, $100) and 935 Eleventh Avenue South (offer from Chris Frazier, $500). The council also placed multiple properties on the city's demolition or stimulation lists, including 534 Second Avenue South, 437 Ninth Avenue South, 1806 Comanche Avenue South and 750 Tenth Avenue South.

- Downtown façade and CDBG contract: The council established a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program contract and acknowledgment form with the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the 2025 downtown revitalization façade-improvement project. The city will work with the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) and an architect identified in the meeting as Paul Newman (architect) to finalize designs for the Ankeny Building / 220 Fifth Avenue South. City staff said construction activity is likely to appear in spring of the following year, though staff said they will try to accelerate timelines when possible.

- Appointment of city clerk: The council appointed Krista Atkinson as city clerk for the City of Clinton. Council members noted Atkinson has been performing clerk duties and recently completed required certification coursework; she will follow recurring training and certification requirements through League of Cities programming.

- Advisory appointments procedure: The council considered an ordinance amending city code section 30.62(c) on advisory appointments committee interview requirements and voted to move the ordinance forward for consideration. Council members discussed whether a courtesy phone call to applicants should be standardized; they agreed such calls are appropriate but debated whether to codify the practice in the ordinance.

- Fireworks ordinance: The council voted to waive the two-prior-readings requirement under Iowa Code section 380.3 and placed an ordinance amending city code sections 95.16 and 95.17 and adding section 95.19 (pertaining to fireworks) on final passage; the ordinance passed on the council vote taken at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Resolution: Issuance of taxable sewer revenue capital loan notes, series 2025 — Motion adopted; subsequent motion to correct the amount to $4,048,000 and direct staff to revise the resolution language — Motion adopted.

- Resolution: Sale of 428 Eleventh Avenue South to Jason Marcus for $100 — Motion adopted. Demolition deadline set by agreement; council discussed allowing until year-end for demolition.

- Resolution of intent: Proposed sale of 721 South Sixth Street (Busy B Property, $100) — Motion adopted (set public hearing).

- Resolution of intent: Proposed sale of 935 Eleventh Avenue South (Chris Frazier, $500) — Motion adopted (set public hearing).

- Resolution: Place 534 Second Avenue South on the city rms stimulation list — Motion adopted.

- Resolutions: Place 437 Ninth Avenue South, 1806 Comanche Avenue South and 750 Tenth Avenue South on the demolition list — Motions adopted.

- Resolution: Establish public hearing and administrative contract for 220 Fifth Avenue South (Ankeny Building) façade-improvement grant with ECIA — Motion adopted.

- Resolution: Authorize mayor to sign 2025 CDBG downtown revitalization façade-improvement contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority — Motion adopted.

- Resolution: Appoint Krista Atkinson as city clerk — Motion adopted.

- Ordinance: Amend advisory appointments committee interview requirements (city code —30.62(c)) — Council moved to consider and the measure was advanced for consideration.

- Ordinance: Amend city code sections 95.16 and 95.17 and add 95.19 (fireworks) — Council waived two prior readings under Iowa Code —380.3 and adopted the ordinance.

What council members said and next steps

Council members repeatedly instructed staff to ensure resolution language was accurate after a typographical error was discovered in the loan amount. On the façade project, staff (and ECIA) said design work is underway and owners will be contacted; staff cautioned that, depending on schedule, construction may not start until the following spring. On property sales that involve demolition, council members discussed extended timelines to allow buyers time to remove structures and to ensure taxes and title issues are cleared before close.

The council set a public hearing on the Ankeny Building façade grant and retained staff and ECIA to continue design and public-notice work. Staff was directed to update the loan-note resolution language to reflect the corrected amount.

Ending note

The council adjourned to its next meeting scheduled at 5 p.m. on June 24, 2025.