Council proclaims January Human Trafficking Prevention Month; resident urges stronger animal-welfare enforcement

Clinton — The City Council issued a proclamation declaring January 2026 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and heard a public comment calling for stronger animal-welfare enforcement.

Sister Jean read the proclamation describing forced labor and trafficking as local and national problems and Mayor Scott Madison signed the proclamation, urging citizens to report suspicious activity and use the national hotline. "I, Scott Madison, mayor of the city of Clinton, Iowa, do hereby proclaim the month of January 2026 as slavery and human trafficking prevention month," the proclamation reads, and points residents to the national human trafficking hotline.

At the public-comment portion of the meeting, Celeste Robbins, of 2460 Parker Street, disputed online suggestions that the Humane Society discontinued negotiations with the city and cited Iowa Code provisions on local enforcement (including Iowa Code 351.36 and related sections) to argue the city retains legal responsibility to enforce animal laws. "I remain convinced that the only solution that will fully meet the city's ethical and legal obligations is a contract with the Humane Society," Robbins said.

Robbins also told the council she had examples of hoarding and neglect cases she said were not fully addressed because of capacity limits at local animal-welfare providers and urged the city to ensure enforcement continues regardless of contract status.

Outcome: The proclamation was adopted and public comments were noted; council did not take immediate policy action on animal-welfare enforcement at the meeting but received citations and requests for follow-up.