Way-finding signs revealed at City Council meeting

(Above) Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb and At-Large City Councilman Mike Callanan reveal the first of approximately 25  way-finding signs that will be placed around Clear Lake.  -Reporter photo

By Alli Weaver

Visitors come from across the country to visit Clear Lake, but often have trouble finding their way to the local landmarks, according to Clear Lake City Council members. However, a new improvement will guide visitors to their destination.

At the regular Clear Lake City Council meeting on June 19, Mayor Nelson Crabb and At-Large Councilman Mike Callanan revealed the first of about 25 way-finding signs that will be placed around Clear Lake to improve the visitor experience.

The signs will indicate the direction of major Clear Lake landmarks, including the lake and beach, the Surf Ballroom, and downtown.

This project has been in the works for about 10 years, according to city council members.

“Mayor Crabb has been pushing for this for as long as I can remember,” said Callanan.

Scott Flory, the City Administrator, and Laurie Lietz, previous Chamber President, applied for the Iowa Great Places Grant about three years ago, which was finally received this year, allowing for the proper funds to implement the signage that is so needed.

With the city’s many missions, including the street resurfacing project, the sanitary and storm sewer rehabilitation project, and many other efforts to improve the town’s infrastructure and experience, the city funds have been placed elsewhere. However, this grant is intended specifically for the way-finding signs,

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allowing for the improvement without the expenses.

“We wouldn’t have that grant if it wasn’t for your expertise and input,” Crabb said to Flory.

Flory and Callanan shared anecdotes of visitors coming to various gas stations and other businesses asking “where’s the lake?” and the city council agreed that this was a necessary improvement in the wellbeing of the city.

Other business during Monday’s meeting included payments for the Water Treatment Plant Chlorine Building Improvement Project, Veterans Memorial Golf Course Stormwater and Parking Lot Improvement Project, the 2016 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project, and the Main Avenue Brick Paver Sidewalk Project, the implementation of a mobile public safety records management system for the police department, and the announcement of the start of the interview process for the open police officer position.

There are 12 or 13 candidates still in the running for the police officer position.

Tri State Paving was chosen as the contractor for the second phase of the 2018 Street Resurfacing Project in the amount of $1,770,075.31, and the project will begin in the Spring after the project on East Main is complete.

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