Community Update 2023

  1. September 22, 2023
  2. September 8, 2023
  3. August 25, 2023
  4. August 11, 2023
  5. July 21, 2023
  6. June 23, 2023
  7. June 9, 2023
  8. May 19, 2023
  9. May 5, 2023
  10. April 21, 2023
  11. April 7, 2023
  12. March 24, 2023
  13. March 10, 2023
  14. February 24, 2023
  15. February 10, 2023
  16. January 20, 2023

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Header graphic featuring City of Indianola logo and text that reads Community Update September 22, 2

Cheering for Indianola

We're showing our true colors! City employees are gearing up to cheer the Indianola High School football team to victory tonight vs. Ballard. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.


Group photo of employees wearing Indianola High School school colors ahead of Homecoming 2023.


Indianola Downtown Square South Alley, Parking Lot Now Open

In case you haven't already seen or heard...


The south parking lot and alley on the Indianola Downtown Square is now open!


The Downtown Reconstruction Project began in June 2021 and will be completed next summer. Current phases are working to reconstruct aged utility lines, parking lots and alleys. Many thanks go out to the Indianola City Council, Indianola Municipal Utilities, Warren County Board of Supervisors, Absolute Group, Bolton & Menk, Inc. and Indianola Downtown Square businesses and property owners for their leadership and collaboration in making this project possible for our community.


Watch this 1-minute video to learn more about the completion of the south alley and parking project:


Other Reconstruction Project Updates 

The north alley of the Indianola Downtown Square is set to open in mid-October. Contractors are also working on the pedestrian alley between Buxton Street and the west parking lot. The contractor will perform some utility work in the west alley and parking lot this fall. This utility work has led to the closure of B Street between Salem Avenue and Ashland Avenue. It is anticipated that B Street will reopen by the end of this month. Construction on the west parking lot and alley will cease over the winter and reopen to traffic. Next spring, work will continue and wrap up by the summer months.


Utility and paving work has been completed for a portion of the road on the East Hillcrest Reconstruction Project. Contractors are working near the 7th Street Intersection. 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.

 

Healthiest State Walk Oct. 4 at Indianola Wellness Campus 

Let's join as a community at noon on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, and participate in the Annual Healthiest State Walk at the Indianola Wellness Campus, located at 306 E Scenic Valley Ave. Registration is free, and the Iowa city with the highest percentage of their population registered will claim first place and a $1,000 cash prize to continue encouraging healthy habits.

Register For Walk

Take Advantage of Indianola Wellness Campus’ Special Offer 

The Indianola Wellness Campus' grand opening special offer wraps up Saturday, September 30, where the joiner fee on a membership is waived. Consider taking a tour of the facility and see what the Indianola Wellness Campus has to offer! Learn more about the Indianola Wellness Campus by visiting the website.

City of Indianola Magazine Fall Issue Headed Your Way! 

The fall issue of the City of Indianola Magazine will be delivered to the post office Wednesday, September 27, 2023. The magazine is mailed to all mailing addresses with a 50125 ZIP code. Please contact the postmaster with any delivery issues.


Additional copies will be available at City Hall, the IMU Service Center, Indianola Activity Center, Indianola Public Library and the Indianola Wellness Campus. The magazine can be viewed online at www.indianolaiowa.gov/393/Indianola-Magazine and archived issues at www.indianolaiowa.gov/1059/Magazine-Archive. 


Need Help With Your Dance Moves? We Can Assist! 

Do you have a special event coming up where you'll be (or expected to be) out on the dance floor? Indianola Parks & Recreation can help! Just spend an hour and a half with us for four Tuesday nights, and you'll be ready to show off your moves.


Steph Steveson has been the Parks & Recreation adult dance instructor for years, and she teaches ballroom classics like the Waltz, club favorites like the Swing and Two Step, popular line dances and more. Partners are encourage, fun is guaranteed!


The class will meet from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursdays from October 12 through November 2 at the Indianola Activity Center, located at 2204 W 2nd Ave. Dancers should be ages 18 and up, and the registration fee is $53 for Indianola residents or $58 for non-residents. Call Indianola Parks & Recreation at 515-961-9420 to register by Thursday, October 5. Class is limited to 20 participants.


Reminder: September is Library Card Sign-Up Month 

Do you have a library card? Indianola Mayor Stephanie Erickson has proclaimed September as "Library Card Sign-up Month" in the City of Indianola. Signing up is as simple as completing a short form in-person at the Indianola Public Library, located at 204 North B Street, and providing proof of identity with your current address.


Once you have your card, you can immediately check out materials from any part of the library or sign up for a book box! You can also use your card to access thousands of e-books, audiobooks, videos and comic books on your electronic devices! There are over 300,000 videos and films and over 200,000 digital comics available, all free to borrow with your Indianola Public Library Card!


And while you're at it: Consider joining the library for its Family Pumpkin Painting Drop-In event from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 30. Many thanks to Cortum Farm & Co for donating pumpkins!

 

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:

Building Permit Reports
Monthly Building Permit Reports
Code Enforcement Reports
Current Development Projects Map

City Council Update 

The Indianola City Council met for a study session and regular session on Monday, September 18, 2023. The meetings can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofindianola.

Among the items Council approved during the regular meeting were:

  • Special event permits for Tina Bush Day on September 23 at The Hideout; Public Safety Night at City Hall on October 12; Simpson College's Storm the Night Festival on October 14; and Trunk or Treat the the Indianola Public Library on October 30.
  • Change Orders and Payment Applications for the Downtown Reconstruction Project, Indianola Industrial Park Project, and the Hillcrest Reconstruction Project.
  • The addition of Veterans Day as a recognized and observed paid holiday for City employees.
  • An agreement with Confluence, Inc. to perform a Housing Study and Needs Assessment.

The Indianola City Council also directed staff to work with the City's civil engineer, Snyder & Associates, on an alternative design for the South K Street Reconstruction Project. The design should apply rural design standards using the existing topography, have a 1-foot subbase and 34-foot width with asphalt on top, essential storm drainage and include repairs on the intersection with Highway 92. The design will be presented to the City Council this fall.

Additionally, City Manager Benjamin Reeves shared a presentation of the alternative options during the study session. It can be accessed by clicking on the following link: South K Street Alternative Options Presentation.

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 2. A study session precedes the meeting at 6 p.m.


October 2 Draft Agenda
October 16 Draft Agenda

 

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
  • Various positions at the Indianola Wellness Campus – Part-time and Full-time

Please visit our website for more information on employment opportunities.