Community Update 2023

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

September 8, 2023 

 

New Emergency Protocol Enables Warren County 911 Dispatch to Better Aid the Public 

A new medical protocol system will be implemented by the Warren County Communications Center that enables dispatchers to accurately assess each medical emergency and send the best possible response. The training that dispatchers received allows them to provide potential lifesaving instructions over the phone to callers while relaying information to the first responders so that they are better prepared to assist the patient upon arrival. It is important for the public to know emergency personnel have been dispatched to the emergency prior to additional questions or instructions. 

Indianola Fire Department EMS Captain Aaron Payette is certified in this system and will audit every call for quality assurance to ensure the right protocols are followed. Fire Training Captain Aaron Hurt is currently the medical director for the county and has been instrumental in getting this system implemented.  

Indianola Welcomes Aaron Young As Communications Manager

The City of Indianola is proud to announce Aaron Young as its first communications manager, a new role that will lead the city’s internal and external communication efforts, community relations outreach and overall marketing initiatives.  

“We are so excited to have Aaron Young join our team. The City of Indianola has so much positive momentum with great things happening at every level,” said Indianola City Manager Benjamin Reeves. “I know Aaron will do an exceptional job sharing our community’s story and its vision for the future.”  

In this position, Young will implement comprehensive communication plans across various platforms, projects and priorities. Among his duties include managing the city’s website, social media accounts and brand materials, distributing accurate and timely information to the public, serving as a liaison to local and national media outlets and collaborating with city departments, boards and commissions to streamline communication strategies for enhanced alignment, consistency and engagement.  

“I am incredibly humbled and truly honored to join the City of Indianola and lead its communication efforts,” said Young. “Effective, transparent communication is essential and deserving to all residents, businesses and visitors. I look forward to serving Indianola by connecting citizens with the information that impacts their quality of life, sharing our city’s stories to new heights in innovative ways and cultivating relationships throughout the community.”  

An award-winning journalist and marketing professional, Young, 31, brings a decade of combined experience in journalism, communications, public relations and content strategy. He spent five years as a digital editor and reporter for the Des Moines Register, three years as a communications specialist with the West Des Moines Community Schools and the past two years as a project manager at Bing Bang, a full-service marketing agency in Waukee. Young also serves as a board member with the Urbandale Schools and Alumni Foundation.    

Additionally, Young is no stranger to the Indianola community. He grew up in both Indianola and Urbandale and is a Simpson College graduate. While at Simpson, Young was an all-conference pitcher for the Storm baseball team and covered Indianola High School athletics as a sports reporter for the Indianola Record-Herald. He received a bachelor’s degree in integrated marketing communications.  

 Young and his wife, Megan, live in Norwalk and have one daughter, Tatum.  

 Young began his role on Sept. 5, 2023.

Fitness Challenge to Commemorate 9/11 

The Indianola Wellness Campus is currently hosting a fitness challenge for members to climb 343 flights of stairs to commemorate the 343 men and women of the New York Fire Department who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001. Several members of the Indianola Fire Department have participated in the challenge. You can participate in the final climb at 7 AM on Monday, September 11 at the Indianola Wellness Campus, located at 306 E Scenic Valley Avenue. Are you up for the challenge?  

Additionally, flags will be flown at half-staff on Monday to commemorate 9/11.  

Reconstruction Project Updates 

The Square Reconstruction Project is in the final phases, with the south parking lot and alley anticipated to open in mid-September and the north alley 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 parking lot this fall. The reconstruction of the west parking lot will be done next spring.  

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.  

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!  

Indianola Fire Department Employee Update 

EMTs and Paramedics in the Indianola Fire Department are dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients. They achieve this goal by completing continuing education, participating in hands-on training, and getting additional certifications. Austin Van Wyk recently passed the National Registry EMT at Paramedic Level test (NREMT-P) and will then take the practical. Mark Butcher recently passed the Mercy College of Health Science's curriculum for paramedics.  

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 in regular session on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/cityofindianolaiowa 

Among the items Council approved were:  

  • The issuance of special event permits for Wine, Witches and Brews on October 27, Indianola High School Homecoming Parade on September 21, and West Hill Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest on September 29, 2023 
  • The purchase of a front-end loader for the Public Works Department 
  • A major site plan for an expansion to an automobile sales area for DeYarman Ford, located at 2406 N Jefferson Way 

More information on these items and others can be found in the council packet

Upcoming Council Meetings

Draft agendas for the upcoming Council meetings can be found at the link below. These are working drafts and are subject to change. Agendas are published on the City's website the Thursday prior to a scheduled City Council meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 18. A study session precedes the meeting at 6 p.m.  

September 18 Draft Agenda (PDF)

October 2 Draft Agenda (PDF)


Public Hearing 

Public hearings are opportunities for the public to speak in front of Council on a specific agenda item. The following public hearings have been scheduled. 

  • Public hearing on September 18, 2023, at 7 PM regarding an application for a right-of-way vacation and conveyance of an alley between the north side of the 1000 block of East Salem Avenue and the south side of 1000/1100 block of East Ashland Avenue.

Employment Opportunities

The City of Indianola is currently hiring for multiple positions, including: 

  • Library Assistant – Part-time 
  • Paramedic – Part-time 
  • Police Patrol Officer – Full-time 
  • Streets Operations Specialist – Full-time  
  • Streets Superintendent – Full-time 
  • Various Positions at the Indianola Wellness Campus– Part-time and Full-time  

Please visit our website for more information on employment opportunities.