Kalona has major employers and educated residents, council learns

By Mary Zielinski
For a small town with an official population of nearly 2,500, Kalona six employers who alone hire 474 people and population (25 or older) who have college degrees ranging from AA to graduate ones. The statistics were part of an update provided to the city council Monday by Joe Rasso, president, Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) of which Kalona is a member.
Rasso gave a brief overview of what ICAD is and does and how KalonaÕs economic development is part of the larger Iowa City one.
His report listed the six employers as Pleasantview Home, 131; Mid-Prairie School District, 65 teachers (but the district in total has 202 employees); City of Kalona, 25 (including part-time and seasonal); CIVCO Medical Instruments, 178; Slabach Enterprises, 25 and Twin County Dairy, Inc., 50. Results came from surveys sent to employers and, as noted, may not be entirely current figures.
The report also showed that the average median household income, as of 2000, in Kalona was $33,750. However, informal surveys indicate it could be about $9,000 higher. A significant figure was that in 2007 Mid-Prairie High School had a 100 percent student graduation rate.
The report also notes that the average cost of a home in Kalona, for the last two years, is $122,500 and the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $450, and $650 for a three bed-room house.
In other business, the council:

• learned it will need to appoint a new city attorney since Michael Brenneman said he will no longer continue in the position. City Administrator Doug Morgan said he would compile a list of possible candidates for the council to consider. Council member Steve Lafaurie cautioned that the city “probably won’t get the same rates” it had the past;
• learned that the Board of Adjustment will meet at 4:30 p.m. December 29 in the city hall council chambers to discuss a variance for a second story downtown apartment now under construction on B Avenue;
• learned that there have been problems with the 20-year-old computer system for the city’s water plant and that repairs will run “just about $20,000″ said Morgan. He was directed to proceed with getting the system repaired;
• took no action regarding financial aid for the Kalona Historical Village, pending further information;
• approved a resolution to change the street lights in the Kalona Municipal Park’s east lot, now used for commuters. The new lights should make the area better lighted, Morgan noted;
• approved authorizing Morgan to contact the Washington County Zoning Committee regarding an Urban Reserve Area within Kalona’s two-mile jurisdiction