Votes at a glance: Clinton council approves plats, property sales, mutual-aid pact and promotions

The Clinton City Council handled multiple routine and project items in a single meeting, approving promotions, plats, mutual-aid agreements and several sales of small city-owned parcels.

Promotions and oaths: Fire Chief Mike McQuishin introduced two promotions in a public oath ceremony. Austin Peterson was promoted to lieutenant and Benjamin (Ben) Johnson to the rank of engineer with the Clinton Fire Department. Both took oaths of office and received pinning from family members; no council vote was required for the swearing-in ceremony.

Alley vacation (first consideration): The council opened and closed a public hearing on the proposed vacation of the north–south alley adjacent to 3129 Garfield Street after a neighbor, Edward Gleason of 3129 Garfield Street, told the council he owns and has maintained the alley area for about 25 years and that the planning commission had recommended vacation. Councilmember Musman moved to consider an ordinance for the first time to vacate the described alley; the council adopted that ordinance on first consideration (further readings are required before final vacation).

Plats and agreements: The council adopted a resolution approving the final plat of Lincoln Way Rail Park Subdivision 2. The council also adopted a resolution approving an umbrella 28E mutual-aid agreement for emergency transportation; a secondary advisory committee arrangement was referenced during consideration.

Property sales: The council adopted resolutions of intent to accept offers and set public hearings on proposed sales of small city-owned parcels: offers of $300 each from Christopher Smith and Daniel Ivory for the northerly and southerly 25-foot strips of 1604 North Third Street were accepted as presented; the council also accepted an offer of $3,000 from Devon Bray for city-owned property at 613 Second Avenue South. Council members said the adjacent owners coordinated for the 1604 North Third Street sales and that the sales may make the lots conforming.

Consent agenda and claims: The council approved the consent agenda and moved to receive, approve and place claims on file by roll-call votes.

Administrative code and building-permit timing: On first consideration the council approved a package of amendments to city code chapters covering commissions and committees, stormwater detention, massage therapy permits, PUD and other zoning and permit provisions. Councilmembers discussed removing a moratorium reference for Comanche Avenue that had expired in 2004 and flagged a possible follow-up on building-permit timelines (permits currently run six months with renewals possible).

Most items on the consent agenda and resolutions were adopted by roll-call vote with no public objections reported at the meeting. Several motions recorded as “second” did not include the seconding member’s name in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (summary of actions taken at the meeting): - Oaths: Austin Peterson — promoted to lieutenant (Clinton Fire Department). No vote required. - Oaths: Benjamin (Ben) Johnson — promoted to engineer (Clinton Fire Department). No vote required. - Alley vacation (3129 Garfield Street): First consideration of ordinance adopted (two additional readings required before final vacation). - Bluff Boulevard reconstruction resolution: Adopted (see separate article). - Lincoln Way Rail Park Subdivision 2 (final plat): Resolution adopted (final plat approval). - 28E umbrella mutual-aid agreement (emergency transportation): Resolution adopted. - Sale offer (1604 North Third Street — northerly 25 ft to Christopher Smith, $300): Resolution of intent adopted and public hearing set. - Sale offer (1604 North Third Street — southerly 25 ft to Daniel Ivory, $300): Resolution of intent adopted and public hearing set. - Sale offer (613 Second Avenue South to Devon Bray, $3,000): Resolution of intent adopted and public hearing set. - City code amendments (multiple chapters; first consideration): Ordinance amendments approved for first consideration; council moved to remove Comanche Avenue moratorium language and discussed building-permit timelines. - Rezoning actions (Liberty Avenue parcels): See separate article — ordinances adopted on final passage.

All routine items and resolutions were presented with roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript; the meeting adjourned to the next scheduled session on Feb. 11, 2025.

Actions listed below correspond to items the council formally moved and voted on during the meeting.