A proposal to create a golf cart/UTV ordinance for the city of Atalissa will be the subject of a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Atalissa City Hall.
Anyone is welcome to attend the hearing on the ordinance, first brought to the attention of the Atalissa City Council in April and later approved by an initial 4-1 vote. City clerk Samantha Parry says the ordinance is similar to other UTV/Golf cart ordinances in surrounding communities and said the ordinance will be officially read at the public hearing, with residents providing input.
Mayor Bob Schmidt said the ordinance is patterned after an ordinance in Wilton and another local community and said the ordinance has been a topic of discussion as well in the past, resurrected earlier this year when council member Tim Dewar brought the question to light.
He said there are residents who use such vehicles in the community already and said adopting the ordinance would make their ride legal. “It’s kind of been an unwritten rule,” the mayor said, noting the city has never been strict on enforcing the law.
He said making golf carts and utility vehicles legal in the community is a step in the right direction on improving the face of Atalissa, which he said needs a shot in the arm to help attract new residents and business to the community. He said the public hearing is just another step toward the possibility of adoping the ordinance, noting the city is following procedure before the vehicles are considered legal in the community.
In other business at the city council meeting on Aug. 17, it was learned the city is looking into finding grants to improve the Atalissa Park in the center of the community on the corner of Cherry and Third Streets, with council member Evan Smock taking on the task. The mayor said there is talk of creating a shelter or picnic area in the park as well.
The city is also looking into the possibility of obtaining a swing set that was used by children in West Liberty’s Kimberly Park with Samantha Schmidt looking into that possibility.
The city also paid $100 for 16 used pole lights and one banner celebrating the holiday season obtained from the city of Primghar.
The council also approved a special event permit for Mike Smith to host a car show in the community at the Atalissa Fire Station this Saturday in a benefit for the department.
The city also reviewed grant pre-scoring applications for the elevator and depot, presented by Mark Heckman of Heckman Farms, which owns both properties in the center of Atalissa. The pre-scoring is the initial evaluation of a “Community Catalyst Grant” sought to restore structures in the community. The Community Catalyst program was initiated in 2018 by the Iowa Economic Development Authority to help create fundamental, positive change in Iowa's downtowns. The grants, $100,000 per community, assist with the redevelopment, remediation or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth and reinvestment. Mayor Schmidt said there are individuals in the community who have shown interest in restoring the former railroad depot building, which has been abandoned for many years, noting it’s in a “vulnerable state” today. He said there is a movement toward creating a not-for-profit organization to help restore the building.
Heckman Farms also owns the nearby elevators to the west of the Depot across Cherry Street, which may also be associated with the grant.
In the police department report, Chief Matt Bower reported issuing a warning to a driver tested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, but the test proved under the limit. A speed trailer was also obtained by the city, providing drivers with the speed they are traveling to the community, hoping to slow down drivers.
The chief said he also received a letter of resignation from part-time officer Harrison Schmidt.