Atkins council approves routine permits, lot split and staffing search agreement

At its regular meeting the Atkins City Council approved a series of routine resolutions: a street-closure permit for Atkins Presbyterian Church’s event on Sept. 29; a minor boundary change splitting Lot 13 in Stone Ridge into Parcels A and B to allow a duplex; a search agreement with Express Employment Group to assist with recruitment; and an upgrade to outdoor warning-system control units to be cost-shared with Benton County emergency management, Shellsburg and Urbana.

The street-closure resolution authorizes closing Second Street from Main Avenue west of the alley from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 29 and specifies that emergency services will be notified and barricades provided. The boundary-change resolution was discussed at length; staff explained that current city code allows developers flexibility when plats are created but that a formal boundary-split resolution remains required under existing code. Council members suggested the Planning & Zoning commission consider code updates to streamline future splits.

Council approved a contract with Express Employment Group for executive-search services and set a follow-up meeting with the firm next week; meeting dates were transcribed as Oct. 1 and a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. The council also approved control-system upgrades for outdoor warning units; the transcript lists the project cost as '$7,564 195' and says the jurisdictions will split the cost evenly. Council members noted Shellsburg and Urbana support the upgrades.

All four agenda items were approved by roll call (transcribed affirmatives recorded for Jim Kan, David fer, Trevor Dy, EJ Bell and Samantha Peterson). The meeting record shows the mayor was absent. The council scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.