River Valley

The City of Lansing is requesting citizen participation in its upcoming Municipal Code Revision. City officials are working with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission in conducting an overall update to the Lansing City Code to bring it more in line with modern day City operations and situations in order to provide greater clarity.

Those who have suggestions for updates to the City Code are asked to submit their proposals - in writing only -  via one of the following three ways: by email at lansingcodeupdate@gmail.com, by mail to Lansing City Hall, P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA 52151, or by leaving them in the drop-box located outside the Lansing City Hall location at 201 John Street in Lansing. Proposals will be taken until April 16.
 

The City of New Albin was one of the 37 Iowa communities that will soon be greener thanks to grants from Alliant Energy’s Branching Out program. Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. This year’s funds will help communities plant trees to replace those destroyed by the 2020 derecho, other storms or the emerald ash borer.

The City of New Albin received $1,797 in Branching Out grant funding. The funding will be used to diversify the city’s tree canopy and replace trees lost to storms or disease.

These grants provided a total of $206,000 in assistance this year. Derecho-affected communities applied for grants up to $10,000 to fund new trees that will save energy and improve the environment. Non-derecho communities were eligible for grants up to $5,000.

by Alexis Johnson

The Lansing City Council held its regular meeting Monday, March 15. The meeting centered around the consent agenda, a public hearing, PeopleService update, Parks Board update and the City Clerk’s update.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from March 1, 2021 and Park and Recreation minutes from March 8, 2021. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

The public hearing regarding Resolution #948, adopting the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, started at 7:06 p.m. and ended at 7:33 p.m. After minimal discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution #948.

PeopleService report included an update explaining that infrastructure and equipment held up well with the colder temperatures over the past month. In April, PeopleService plans to flush the City water pipes when warmer weather occurs.

Nature lovers are needed to help maintain and plant trees throughout Iowa and Illinois; volunteers can sign up now for virtual training through Trees Forever’s TreeKeepers classes. The course is designed for people who want to become more knowledgeable about urban tree planting and care and will empower attendees to become effective environmental volunteers.

The next class series will be held Tuesday evenings in March. This three-class series will take place March 16, 23 and 30 from 6 - 8 p.m.

“Trees help our communities in so many ways - from cleaning our air, soil and water to providing beauty and a sense of home,” said Patty Reisinger, Trees Forever Field Coordinator. “When you take care of a tree, you’re also taking care of your community, and TreeKeepers gives you the knowledge and opportunity to do just that!”

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, March 1. The meeting discussion centered around the consent agenda, an open public hearing, citizens’ concerns and the City Clerk’s report.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from February 15, payment of claims, Parks Board minutes from February 7, and liquor license renewal for Shep’s Riverside Bar & Grill. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

An open public hearing for maximum property tax dollars started at 7:03 p.m. and ended at 7:05 p.m. to review and consider Resolution #947 approving fiscal year 2022 maximum property tax dollars, with no public comments read or heard. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution.

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 is continuing to seek entries for its scholarship contest for local art students in ninth through 12th grades. Patriotic students in ninth through 12th grades with a passion for art are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

Students will compete with other student artists from across the nation for a chance to win one of 10 national scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $15,000 scholarship.

To request entry forms or for additional information about the contest email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, February 15. Discussion centered around the consent agenda, PeopleService update and committee reports.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from February 1, 2021. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

PeopleService provided an update noting that a radium test of the City water well was recently sent in, and it came back with a reading in the safe zone. A motion was made and seconded to approve the PeopleService update.

Do you have a great business idea? Is your current business planning to expand services or add a new product line?  Do you have a piece of equipment you wish you could purchase for your business?

Main Street Lansing is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Lansing Main Street district. The Open 4 Business contest, launched in 2015, is an opportunity for businesses located within a state-designated Main Street district to compete for a chance to win up to $28,000 in grant funds to assist with a business development or expansion project that will help them grow their business.

Kee High School Student Council is holding a second blood drive this school year to help offset the critical need for blood in the local area. The money earned from each blood drive is dedicated for scholarship funds for Kee High School students.

The next Kee High School Blood Drive is scheduled for Friday, February 26 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Kee High School gym in Lansing. To make an appointment to give blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call Allison Fitzwater at 563-538-4201, ext. 111.