City of Clarion

Council ok’s plan to move forward with rental inspections

Published by editor on Wed, 09/15/2021 - 7:22am

At their meeting last Tuesday, September 7, the Clarion City Council discussed a plan to start rental inspections in Clarion and possibly pair that inspector position with a code enforcement position through the city. Middleton noted that the police department who has been short-staffed recently struggles to keep up with code enforcement, and rental inspections have been discussed in the past and are overdue. The council was agreeable to the idea.

More water treatment plant measures at city council

Published by editor on Wed, 08/25/2021 - 6:47am

At their meeting on Tuesday, August 17, the Clarion City Council took up a variety of measures related to the planned water treatment plant again. The first was a public hearing for the submission of a Community Development Block Grant for the project. The required hearing announcements that were read noted that the city is requesting $600,000 in CDBG funds for the project, that is estimated to cost a total of $7.3 million. No public comments were made during the hearing and none had been received previously.

Larry Harrah is new Clarion City Council member

Published by editor on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 7:12am

At last Tuesday’s Clarion City Council meeting, Larry Harrah to the oath of office to install him as Clarion’s newest councilmember. This came about due to Jim Williams recently resigning the position.

City Administrator Clint Middleton explained that, by law, a council seat must be filled in less than 60 days. He added that Harrah was the only person to show interest in the seat after notice was given of it being open.

‘Pocket park’ coming soon to Clarion downtown

Published by editor on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 7:05am

If you’ve traveled up and down Central Avenue in Clarion in the last several months, you’ve noticed the empty space on the 100 block south of the Courthouse. It looks a bit like a missing tooth.

The conspicuous space will soon be filled with a fun little addition to the downtown landscape: a pocket park.

Council appoints Harrah, talks projects

Published by editor on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 7:03am

The first agenda item at the Clarion City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 3 was to approve a resolution appointing a new council member. Jim Williams resigned from his position last meeting. The council approved Larry Harrah to serve the rest of Williams’ term, until the end of this year. City Administrator Clint Middleton noted that Harrah was the only person to submit an application after a notice for the position was previously published in the paper.

City thanks Williams for his council service

Published by editor on Wed, 07/28/2021 - 7:26am

               At the Tuesday, July 20 meeting of the Clarion City Council, a resolution was passed thanking councilperson Jim Williams for his almost four years of service. Last Tuesday’s meeting was Williams’ last as he has now moved to Iowa Falls.

Council talks setbacks again, plans to purchase land in White Fox

Published by editor on Wed, 07/14/2021 - 8:14am

               In a short meeting of the Clarion City Council held on Tuesday July 6, the council revisited the zoning ordinance governing setbacks again. The question regarding setback distance for corner lots is what is behind this discussion. City Administrator Clint Middleton said that he and Public Works Director Jon DeVries surveyed several areas around town and yard setbacks were extremely variable. In the latest version of the ordinance, the rules call for a standard 15 feet minimum front yard across the board.

City council talks water plant and possible downtown project

Published by editor on Wed, 06/23/2021 - 7:03am

At the Tuesday, June 15 Clarion City Council meeting, various agenda items pertained to water projects again. A public hearing was held for an SRF Loan for the water plant. Kelly Evans from ISG Engineering explained that this step is basically a formality since the city hopes to use a USDA loan for the project given that it would have a better interest rate.

Council ok’s city budget amendments

Published by editor on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:34pm

              At the Clarion City Council meeting on Tuesday May 25, a public hearing was held for various amendments to the 2021 fiscal year budget. City Administrator Clint Middleton highlighted some of the amendments including additional engineering service fees for the design of the water plant and removing the building on Central Avenue. He noted that these amount to around $50,000 in extra expenditures. Councilmember Andy Young added that these additions will not affect taxes and said they are basically equivalent to drawing down of the city checking account.

National EMS Week May 16-22

Published by editor on Wed, 05/12/2021 - 8:19am

The Clarion EMS crew is a busy bunch. Clarion Ambulance Director Jennifer Littlejohn said, though they might not respond to calls every single day, they do average around 30 per month. As they work to provide those crucial services, it is a good time to thank that group of mostly volunteers since next week, May 16-22, is National EMS Week.

               NATIONAL EMS WEEK- MAY 16-22

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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