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Alton council adopts tree ordinance, approves sale, flood repairs and several finance reports
Summary
At its Oct. 15 meeting the Alton City Council adopted Ordinance 901 updating the city tree code, approved Resolution 24-29 to dispose of city property, accepted multiple FY24 financial reports and authorized purchase of replacement transformers damaged in recent flooding.
The Alton City Council on Oct. 15 adopted changes to the city’s tree ordinance, approved the sale of city-owned real estate, accepted several fiscal reports for fiscal year 2024 and authorized replacement of transformers damaged in recent flooding.
Mayor Dan Vande Griend called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members Frederes, Kleinhesselink, Mulder and Plathe were present; Council Member Jorgensen was absent. The council first approved its agenda, the Sept. 10 meeting minutes, the financial reports and the monthly bills by recorded motions (all carried with “Ayes 4”). The council then reviewed an accounts‑payable ledger showing total vendor payments of $605,732.06.
At 6:16 p.m. Mayor Vande Griend opened a public hearing on the sale of city-owned property. No written or oral comments were received, and the hearing was closed at 6:20 p.m. The council then adopted Resolution 24-29 “to dispose of certain city owned real estate.” Council Member Mulder introduced the resolution and Frederes seconded; Mulder, Frederes, Plathe and Kleinhesselink voted aye and the mayor declared the resolution adopted.
Dale Oltmans, the city clerk/administrator, presented an employee benefits package submitted by Drew Heying. A motion by Mulder, seconded by Plathe, to approve the package carried (Ayes 4).
On the ordinances and code change, Council Member Mulder introduced Ordinance 901, which amends the provisions of the City of Alton Code of Ordinances pertaining to trees. The council voted to waive additional readings and adopted Ordinance 901 on final passage with Mulder, Plathe, Frederes and Kleinhesselink voting aye and Jorgensen absent; the mayor signed the ordinance.
The council also reviewed and accepted several fiscal reports for Fiscal Year 2024. Oltmans presented the Annual City Street Finance Report and the FY24 Annual Finance Report; motions to accept each report were approved (Ayes 4). The Annual Urban Renewal Report was presented and accepted as submitted.
Oltmans updated the council on 2024 flood projects and the city’s coordination with FEMA and Iowa Homeland Security. He reported that some transformers in the city’s inventory were damaged by the flood and reviewed a quote from Wesco to replace the recommended units. The council approved the purchase of replacement transformers on a motion by Mulder, second by Frederes (Ayes 4).
Council members discussed parks planning and reached consensus to obtain pricing for soccer goals and to work with Orange City to have field lines painted next spring. The council also discussed the upcoming retirement of public works employee Pete Vande Poppe and instructed staff to review the Public Works Worker job description to determine whether to hire full‑time or part‑time replacement staff.
In other business Oltmans, the city’s representative on the Early Childhood Development 28E, reported that Orange City Daycare’s transition to operations under the Crittenton Center is progressing, with additional staff hiring, training and installation of cameras and new security systems; the EDC attorney is drafting updated bylaws.
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. following a motion by Kleinhesselink and second by Mulder.
