Reminder: Fall Cleanup Set For October 14
The City of Indianola's Fall Cleanup is coming up on Saturday, October 14, at the Indianola Brush Facility, located at 1800 W Iowa Avenue. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., take advantage of parting ways with electronics, appliances, couches and mattresses that you are no longer using. Only one truckload per address will be accepted. No curbside pick-up is offered.
Please visit our Seasonal Cleanup webpage for more information about what items are accepted for free, what items require payment and what items are not accepted.
Healthiest State Walk Highlights At Indianola Wellness Campus
City of Indianola staff and citizens joined together on Wednesday, October 4, for the Healthiest State Annual Walk at the Indianola Wellness Campus. This yearly event organized by the Healthiest State Initiative is an opportunity to join thousands of other Iowans statewide in walking for 30 minutes.
The City's event, led by IWC Administrative Support Andrea Carlson, saw roughly 30 individuals walk around the building and on sidewalks and trails in nearby neighborhoods.
"Today was super special. This was our first official walk since transferring ownership under the City, and having a lot of our colleagues from other departments was a lot of fun," Carlson said. "We had several members who showed up, are die-hards and they enjoy walking and talking."
Check out photos from the walk and watch a 1-minute video for more highlights and comments from Carlson.
City Earns Seventh Straight GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
For the seventh straight year, the City of Indianola has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its Fiscal Year 24 budget. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents significant achievements collectively by the City.
The City earned the award by compiling a budget presentation document meeting 14 mandatory criteria in four major areas.. While the Finance Department was responsible for the completion of this document, all City departments assisted by working on their respective budgets and department sections.
For more information on current and past budgets, please visit our City Clerk/Finance Department webpage. Please join us in congratulating Finance Director Andy Lent, the City Clerk/Finance Department and all Department Heads for collecting this honor!
Get Ready For Annual Public Safety Open House On October 12
Join the Indianola Police and Fire departments as well as the Warren County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, October 12, for the annual Public Safety Open House! The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and will take place outside City Hall, located at 110 N 1st Street.
Activities include a K9 demonstration, hand painting a squad car, a fire safety trailer and fire extinguisher demo, plus so much more. The Indianola Noon Lion's Club will also grill a freewill donation meal.
Consider being part of this great community event. We'll see you there!
Pickard Park Disc Golf Course Among World's Best In 2023
Did you know that Indianola's Pickard Park is home to one of the top 100 disc golf courses in the world, according to UDisc? Yes... THE WORLD!
Managed and operated by the Indianola Parks & Recreation, the 18-hole course is located just to the east of the Pickard Park shelter and there are no fees to play. Set among rolling hills and native prairie, the course uses woodlands, a small pond and a creek. It's also where the Disc Golf Pro Tour holds the Des Moines Challenge, with next year's event set for July 5-7, 2024, drawing scores of competitiors and visitors to the area.
Learn more about Pickard Park, and shoutout to Indianola Parks & Recreation Director Doug Bylund, the entire department and the various staff, community leaders and volunteers for receiving this incredible distinction!
Complete The Indianola Public Library's Annual Survey
The Indianola Public Library is YOUR library. Tell us what you want to see now and in the future by offering input through an annual survey. It will take you less than 10 minutes and can help make a huge impact on how the library operates. There is even a space for library building comments. We're here to serve you!
Take the survey
Reconstruction Project Updates
The north alley of the Indianola Downtown Square is set to open next week! Contractors are also working on the pedestrian alley between Buxton Street and the west parking lot. The contractor is performing utility work in the west alley and parking lot this fall. This utility work had led to the closure of B Street between Salem Avenue and Ashland Avenue, which is now reopen. Construction on the web parking lot and alley will cease over the winer and reopen to traffic. Next spring, work will continue and wrap up by the summer months.
Utility and pacing work has been completed for a portion of the road on the East Hillcrest Reconstruction Project. Contractors are working on paving operations near the 7th Street intersection and installing sidewalk and trail improvements on various locations. Phase 1 of the project will be completed this fall, and East Hillcrest Avenue will be open to thru traffic during the winter months. Phase 2 will begin in the spring.
Community Development Reports
Curious what building permits were issued last week? How much building value was permitted last month? How many code enforcement cases are active? What developments are underway in I-Town?
The following reports and resources have been made available to the public:
City Council Update
The Indianola City Council met for a study session and regular session on Monday, October 2. The meetings can be viewed online on the City's YouTube channel.
Among the items Council approved during the regular meeting were:
- A special event permit to The Next Mile and Thrive Church for Hillbilly Hike to be held on Saturday, November 4.
- An agreement with MidAmerican Energy for underground electric distribution conversion on Hillcrest Avenue.
- A resolution authorizing final payment and Change Order Number 10, and approving a supplemental contract for the 2022 Infrastructure Project (Boston Avenue).
- The reappointment of Bob Kling to the Indianola Public Arts Commission as well as the appointments of Deidre Hoover to the Board of Adjustments and Justin Noethe to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- First consideration of an ordinance amending sections 15.04 and 17.06 of the City Code for the purpose of increasing the compensation of the Mayor, City Council Members and members and members of the Indianola Municipal Utility Board of Trustees.
Additionally, Indianola Mayor Stephanie Erickson swore in Indianola Police Sgt. Devin Thomas and proclaimed October 8-14, 2023, as "National Fire Prevention Week" as well as October 2023 as "Community Planning Month" in Indianola.
More information about these items and others can be found in the council packet.
Upcoming City Council Meetings
Draft agendas for upcoming City Council meetings can be found at the links below. These are working drafts and are subject to change. Agendas are published on the City's website the Thursday prior to a scheduled Council meeting.
The next regular Council meeting is at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 16. A study session precedes the meeting at 6 p.m. The City Council will meet in special session at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 23.
Employment Opportunities
The City of Indianola is currently hiring for multiple positions, including:
- Library Assistant – Part-time
- Paramedic – Part-time
- Streets Operations Specialist – Full-time
- Water Resource Recovery Operator/Apprentice – Full-time
- Various positions at the Indianola Wellness Campus – Part-time and Full-time
Please visit our website for more information on employment opportunities.