For the final time in 2023, the Kalona City Council met in regular session on Monday.

In one of the first agenda items, Chad Ellis with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office provided the police report. The month of November saw 89 calls compared to 69 last year. Traffic stops led the way at 48, with two being DUIs.

In the City Administrator Report, Ryan Schlabaugh shared that the site of the next student-built house project will be 502 A. Avenue. Work has been done to get the site up to grade, with tentative plans to start building in the spring of 2024.

The City Report was followed by the swearing-in of Mayor Mark Robe and Council Member Greg Schmidt. New business concluded with the council approving a preliminary application for the Department of Transportation Digital Sign Program.

Mayor Robe spoke at the meeting’s end, commending those who have contributed to the continued success of Kalona. “I wanna thank Matt [Jacoby] and the public works guys for everything they do. You keep the City going day in and day out. What you do is so behind-the-scenes of all the people I think don’t even notice sometimes. Staff, [you are] always above and beyond. You guys without hesitation, you take care of everything. You guys are amazing. Council, [I] can’t say enough about you folks. You always have your eye on the ball and you make the City go the way it should. Thank you for all you do.”

The Kalona City Council will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, January 3.