Local News

The Clear Lake Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend a zoning change for the Sunset School Building to the City Council. 
    The Council, acting on a request from the Clear Lake School Board, had asked the P&Z to consider changing the zoning of the former elementary school from “Public” zoning to “RM-12” Low Density, Multi-Family Residential District.   An RM-12 zone accommodates single-family, duplex and multi-family uses and other provisional uses, according to the city’s zoning regulations.
    The School Board and City Council noted the majority of surrounding properties in the area are zoned RM-12, so the change would be in keeping with the neighborhood.  In making its request, the Board felt the current Public zoning classification was too limiting and has made sale of the property difficult.  School Board President Tom Lovell told the P&Z the District spends approximately $50,000 per year to maintain the vacant building.
    The School Board has accepted a $200,000 bid from Life-Line Resources to purchase the building.  However, that sale is contingent upon obtaining proper zoning for the counseling service.  In its request to the city, the School Board noted the zoning change is needed for the sale of the building to any buyer, not just Life-Line, which some neighbors have opposed.  Life-Line is a Des Moines based company which counsels at-risk children. According to Life-Line counselor Mark Doebel, of Clear Lake, some 35 students in the Clear Lake School District are currently being served by Life-Line.  The school district refers students and their families to the service.
    The RM-12 zoning would not automatically allow Life-Line to operate in the building.  The service would need to make application to the Board of Adjustment for a Conditional Use Permit.
    Bonnie Hall, a resident of the Sunset School neighborhood,  pointedly spoke in opposition of the zoning change, telling the P&Z Commission that she believes the city should be pursuing options for the site.  However, P&Z Commission Chairman Dennis Fitzgerald said the city was asked by the School Board if it was interested in the property and it is not.
    In other business Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission  also recommended approval of a proposed development at 1525 South Shore Drive.  Mark Minard is pursuing a two-story, eight-unit lakefront condominium project with two four-stall garages in the Lakefront Mixed-Use (LMU) Zone.  The property was most  recently used as an annex of the Heartland Inn at 1525 South Shore Drive.  Minard’s father, Joe, owns the Heartland Inn. 
    The P&Z recommendation has now been forwarded to the City Council, which will review the plans and vote on the site plan.

The Clear Lake City Council has set Sept. 28 as the bid letting date for its new fire station.  A public hearing on the bids will follow on Oct. 4, with possible approval of a contract and bonds on Oct. 18.
    The completion date for the estimated $2.3 million project is November-December 2011. 
    Monday night Sam Bontrager, of the architectural firm Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., provided a review of the building plans and updates to the Council.  Bontrager said he expects at least four contractors to bid on the project and believes the fall start will provide favorable bids.  He has estimated the project cost at $2.25 million.
    “I have been talking with a couple of contractors who are excited about the timing of this project,” Bontrager told Council Representative Shane Cooney in response to Cooney’s question about the October start.
    City officials expect underground utility work on 2nd Avenue North will be done in early October, clearing the way for site work to begin on the fire station.  The new station will be built near the corner of North 8th Street and 2nd Avenue North.  The timeline for the project includes slab work and utilities for the 17,350 square foot two-story building to be done this fall, with a goal of enclosing the structure so that work can continue through the winter months.  The new station will feature four sets of double bays for fire apparatus, as well as three ambulance bays.
    In the wake of bids which came in more than $1 million higher than estimates for a fire station at the Mason City Municipal Airport last week, Bontrager tried to alleviate Council members’ concerns about the bidding climate. 
    “We have to compare apples to apples and we are in the range of our estimate based on square footage,” said Bontrager.  He said two of three fire station projects he prepared last year came in 20 percent under the estimate; the other bid came in at the estimated price. 
    The Clear Lake Fire Department is also trying to keep costs down by reusing shelving, sinks and other fixtures from its current fire station in the new facility.

Applications accepted until 5 p.m. Aug. 26, at City Hall

Interested in serving on the Clear Lake City Council?
    If so, the city wants to hear from you.
    The Council decided Monday night to fill the At-Large Council seat vacated last week by Jon Monson by appointment.  Monson, who was elected in November 2009, submitted a letter to Mayor Nelson Crabb and Council Aug. 3, saying he officially resigned his office as At-large Council Member for personal and health-related issues.
    The city is now accepting applications for the Council seat.  Interested persons should submit application by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 15 N. 6th St.  in order to be considered by the Council for the appointment.  A tentative schedule would have Council members meeting with applicants in closed session at a special meeting slated for Monday, Aug. 30.  The Council’s choice to fill the position could be announced at its Tuesday, Sept. 7, meeting.  It is anticipated that person could take the oath of office that night and will serve until the next regular city election on Nov. 8, 2011.
    City Council members said they believe they will be facing important decisions in the coming weeks and would prefer to proceed with a full Council. 
    If within 14 days from the appointment of a new Council member a petition requesting a special election to fill the vacancy is filed, a special election would be held, with that term expiring Jan. 1, 2014.  An estimated 155 signatures would be needed on a petition.  The cost of a special election is estimated at $5,500.

The Clear Lake Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall.
    Among the agenda items is a request for a zoning change for the former Sunset School property.  The City Council voted 5-0 to forward a request from the Clear Lake School Board  to the Planning and Zoning Commission, asking that the zoning where its former elementary school is located be changed from “Public” to an “RM-12” Low Density, Multi-Family Residential District.  An RM-12 zone accommodates single-family, duplex and multi-family uses and other provisional uses, according to the city’s zoning regulations.
    The School Board has accepted a $200,000 bid from Life-Line Resources to purchase the building.  If the zoning change is approved by the P&Z and the sale to Life-Line moves forward, Life-Line must make application to the Board of Adjustment for a Conditional Use Permit. 
    In other business Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission will also review proposed development at 1525 South Shore Drive.  Mark Minard is pursuing a project in the Lakefront Mixed-Use (LMU) Zone. 

Clear Lake voters overwhelmingly approved a $2.3 million bond issue to finance a new Clear Lake fire station.
    Twenty-three percent of the city’s 5,828 voters went to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 3, in support of the firefighters’ proposal for an all masonry station to be built on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and North 8th Street.  The final vote tally was 1,071 (78 percent) in favor of the measure and 298 (22 percent) opposed.  The bond issue needed 60 percent approval to pass.
     “We offer a sincere ‘thank you’ to the entire community of Clear Lake for their overwhelming support,” said Billy Krefft, public information officer for the CLFD.  “It is obvious to the Clear Lake Fire Department that the City of Clear Lake is unanimously in favor of and behind the project. We will continue to conduct ourselves with integrity during the next phases of this project and will inform citizens of developments along the way.”
    Krefft said the next step for the project is the distribution of architectural plans and specifications requesting bids for the construction.
    “We anticipate selection of a general contractor in late September, with construction beginning in early November and completion of construction in November of 2011,” he said.
    The new 16,000 square foot fire station will allow fire trucks to enter traffic on 8th Street and ambulances will respond onto 2nd Avenue North.  Fire trucks will be able to return into the station more safely from 6th Street at the rear of the building. They will do so without needing to backup into the station and hold up traffic with the safety and visibility issues the department has at its current facility at City Hall.
    The new station will feature four bays for fire trucks and three ambulance bays, allowing all equipment to be stored at one site, rather than the multiple buildings currently used.   It will also include housing for EMT staff and a training tower.
    “The CLFD will continue to provide great service to the community of Clear Lake 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” added Krefft.

The Clear Lake  Independent Telephone Company was among three North Iowa telecommunications companies which will receive more than $36 million in federal grants and loans to increase rural Internet access.  The three are among four Iowa awards announced Aug. 4 by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
    Funded through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the grants and loans provide funding for expanded broadband service in rural areas to create jobs and stimulate economic development.
    The Clear Lake Independent Telephone Company was awarded $7.91 million.  Other awards were: $19.63 million to the Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association, Lake Mills; $8.55 million to Farmer’s Mutual Telephone Co./OmniTel Communications, Nora Springs; and $8.33 million Hospers Telephone Exchange Inc. of Hospers in Northwest Iowa.
    In early July, President Obama announced 66 Recovery Act broadband projects nationwide, including almost $19 million for Farmer’s Telephone Co. of Riceville (OmniTel).  Vilsack said Wednesday, “These projects will create jobs building these networks, and the completed systems will provide a platform for rural economic growth for years to come.”
    The $7.9 million award to Clear Lake Independent Telephone Co. Inc. will create a fiber-to-the-home network that will bring services to previously unserved households. The project stands to benefit about 2,000 people and 20 businesses, the USDA reported.
    Tom Lovell, general manager and vice president of Clear Lake Telephone, said the grant-loan enables the company to provide state-of-the-art communications to rural areas where broadband service would not have been otherwise financially feasible.

RAGBRAI group extends thanks with Aug. 15 party

The Steering Committee for RAGBRAI in Clear Lake is inviting everyone who supported the event to a celebration party on Sunday, Aug. 15, at the Surf Ballroom. 
    “We want everyone who gave their time, energy, services, or financial donation to be included in this celebration,” said Diane Thompson, general chairman of RAGBRAI in Clear Lake.  “So many people in the community and from nearby communities contributed to make this a special day and we want to include all of them.”
    Hundreds of people supported the event by serving on committees, preparing the shuttles, recreating City Park into the primary entertainment arena, barricading streets and alleys, preparing food, setting up the arch, welcoming and entertaining our guests, securing the Bike Route, directing traffic, working at the campgrounds and downtown, helping with the entertainment, hosting bikers, and many other things. 
    Donations and in-kind gifts were generously given, sponsors chose to supplement funding for various segments of the event, some businesses stayed open long hours on July 27 to accommodate our guests, and some retailers helped the event by selling Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirts and bicycle pins, noted Thompson.
    “Over 1,000 Clear Lake and area residents turned July 27 into the perfect RAGBRAI experience,” she added.  “As a 31-year RAGBRAI veteran told Dave Theiss, ‘The only thing warmer than the weather is the welcome you have given us.’”
    On Sunday, Aug. 15, the Steering Committee wants to say thank you to those who supported local plans by getting involved. 
    “We invite them to a party at The Surf for a fun evening.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.  A program will begin at 6 p.m. and Bob & the Beachcombers will return for a concert from 7-9 p.m.  Bob & the Beachcombers are returning to Clear Lake after a fantastic performance at the Beach Party on July 27.   The celebration will also include refreshments and some surprises.”  Thompson added, “When our committee started planning the event in February, we pledged to give our profit to the community.  What better way to start that process than hosting a party to thank everyone who helped to make July 27 such a great day!”

Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb announced Tuesday that first term At-Large City Council Representative Jon Monson has submitted his resignation, effective immediately.
    “This is not a decision taken lightly, but one necessary for personal and health-related issues,” Monson wrote in a letter submitted Tuesday to Mayor Crabb. 
    Monson continued, saying he very much enjoyed his time on the Council and appreciated those who supported him in the election.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this way.”
    Monson was a narrow winner in the November 2009 At-Large race, which also included former City Council representatives Rod Pump and Ned Wicker. Monson, who is employed by Glen’s Tire in Clear Lake, earned 36 percent of the vote to edge Pump with 34 and Wicker with 29 percent.
    Crabb said he will discuss protocol for selecting Monson’s replacement with City Attorney Charles Biebesheimer.

Family, tradition and fun drive riders to ride RAGBRAI

    Wave after wave of bicyclists rolled into Clear Lake Tuesday, anxious to jump in the lake, lay beneath a shade tree and relax after riding 51 miles from Algona on day three of the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.
    With the temperature already past 90 by noon, riders were torn between what they should do first.  Relax in City Park and listen to the music on the VFW stage, or jump right into the fun at a Beach Party at City Beach?
    “It’s a fantastic day!” said local RAGBRAI Chairman Diane Thompson.  “We’ve got so much planned; we’re excited to have all these guests see Clear Lake.” Thompson did not have an official number of the riders who rolled into town as early as 7 a.m. and continued throughout the afternoon.  She knew that 20,000 were reported at Storm Lake, the first overnight stop on the 2010 route.  She expected many one day riders to choose the Clear Lake stop because it comes in the middle of the two shortest days of riding.  Wednesday morning riders were off on a 52 mile ride to Charles City.  “Our ice is melting a little too quickly, but other than that things are going extremely well,” said Thompson as she watched the masses arrive at City Park.

The heat was on!

The heat, combined with high humidity, took its toll on a number of riders.  By 3 p.m. the Clear Lake Fire Department’s Command Trailer at City Park had helped about 30 persons with minor medical issues; one was transported to Mercy Medical Center, according to CLFD Public Information Officer Billy Krefft.
    The Roling family, of Adel, Iowa were among those sidelined a little early by the heat.  Michelle, her husband Shawn, and three children have ridden at least one day of RAGBRAI for the past five years.  The two oldest children, Alex (14) and Shade (11) suffer from Cystic Fibrosis and wear T-shirts to trumpet their  cause.  “We always have a blast.  It’s a great family thing to do,” said Michelle.  “People are encouraging and supportive. We laugh a lot and encourage each other.  It’s become a real family tradition for us.”

Firefighter pride

Clear Lake firefighters were pleased and proud to welcome firefighters from throughout the United States to the site of their new fire station. Among those taking advantage of the hospitality was a 45-member New York team.
    Dawn Moran said she met her husband, Mike, on RAGBRAI in 1991.  This was Mike’s 20th year riding, while Dawn was on her 21st consecutive RAGBRAI.  In addition to the camaraderie of firefighters, the ride is a family affair for Dawn.  Her sisters Carol, of Seattle, and Debra from San Diego and Marie, of Swisher, Iowa were on the ride.  Her fourth sister, Wanda from Ventura, Calif., couldn’t ride this year, but her son was along.  “It’s something when all five Strilich girls from Cedar Rapids can ride,” said Dawn.  “There’s a lot of nostalgia for us coming home.  The people of Iowa are so generous and open-hearted.”
    The Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Association provided a shower and a meal to the bikers who are firefighter families camping behind the Fire Museum. They expected to host about 200.

Now that’s a bake sale!

RAGBRAI Chairman Diane Thompson said she was concerned that today’s strict regulations surrounding the preparation of food for sale would prohibit some civic organizations and churches from becoming RAGBRAI vendors.  But the United Methodist Church proved her wrong.  To coin a phrase, that group took lemons and made lemon pie.  And blueberry pie and pecan pie and apple pie.  And many more.
    Marcia Grabinski and Bobbi Bendickson simply called upon church members to donate their freezers for use by the church.  Once six freezers were brought to the church basement, five, two and one-half to three hour baking sessions were planned during which members turned out 283 homemade pies.  They were baked and then stored on the church premises from May to the Fourth of July.  Tuesday the 1,700 pieces of pie were going quickly.
    Among those enjoying pie was Steve Bryant, of Austin, Texas.  “There’s so many good things about RAGBRAI, but the food-- especially the pork-- and now pie, rank right up there with the friendly Iowans,” he said.  RAGBRAI served as a chance for his friends, who have previously taken part in an Austin to Anchorage, Alaska ride for cancer awareness, to gather in the center of the country to ride.  “I’ve never spent much time in Iowa, so this is a great way to see the state,” he said.

Family gatherings

RAGBRAI’s stop in Clear Lake was also the impetus for the Findley family to gather from all parts of the country.  Three generations of the Findley family were busy Monday decorating Cindy’s acreage along County Road B-35, just outside of Clear Lake, in anticipation of welcoming RAGBRAI riders.  The fourth generation played as their parents created signs, hung fabric from the barn and trees and swept out the machine shed for a Tuesday night bash. Kirk Findley, of Venice, Calif., joked that since he met his wife in a “spin class,” he thought it fitting they ride a tandem on at least one leg of RAGBRAI.  Kirk was an experienced RAGBRAI rider, while Dana, an assistant principal in the Beverly Hills School District, was riding for the first time.
    Kirk and Dano, along with niece Kaylee Anderson rode the Algona to Clear Lake leg, while the remainder of the family offered riders a shady place to rest, cool water and other treats, including Helen Findley’s chocolate chip cookies.  Helen, daughters Cindy and Paula Linnevold, niece Robin Frost, and a few family friends spent a full day cooking 1,100 cookies.  Proceeds from their sale were earmarked for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Haitian Relief.
    “RAGBRAI celebrates all that is great about Iowa, so we thought it was fitting to give to an organization which preserves Iowa,” said Cindy.  “And getting together like this reminds us of how blessed and fortunate we are,” added her sister, Nicki Anderson.

The Schultz Family Foundation Charitable Trust has presented the City of Clear Lake with a $7,000 gift to fund brick pavers at the new Surf Plaza park.  The area is currently under construction just west of the Surf Ballroom, on property most recently known as Nelson Amoco.
    Fred B. Schultz calls the project a perfect way to memorialize his parents, the late A.W. and Jane Schultz, and his brother, Steve, in the community which meant so much to them and the remainder of the family.  Although Fred and his sisters, Sara Schultz Nelson and Amy Schultz Grier, have moved from Clear Lake, he said they continue to value the years they spent here as youngsters.
    A.W. “Dutch” Schultz brought his family to Clear Lake through his involvement with Zeidler Concrete.  Fred’s chosen career path also involved concrete-- specifically making the machines which produce concrete pavers.  The city will use brick pavers created by one of Schultz’s machines for the Surf Plaza walks.  A few bricks will be personalized to memorialize the Schultz’s.
    “It is extremely pleasing to come back to this community and see the way it is growing and prospering,” said Fred.  “It is very exciting to see so many ideas coming to fruition.”
    He also expressed his thanks to the city, and specifically Council representative Mike Callanan, who he worked with early on to make the donation, as well as the cooperation of Dean Snyder Construction, general contractor for the project.
    The park project is part of a multi-phase redevelopment plan for the area surrounding the Surf Ballroom.   RDG Crose Gardner & Shukert of Omaha, Neb. created a plan for the area which also includes  a gateway to the famous ballroom from Highway 18 and enhancement of Buddy Holly Place.
    The park, which will have a record theme, represents the first phase of the project.  The city is still seeking funding for the centerpiece of the park, a tall structure representative of a record player spindle with three records on top.  That feature would provide an  interactive musical fun for guests. 
    Schultz challenged city leaders to keep pursuing enhancements for the park and pledged his company would give the first $1,000 for the centerpiece feature.

Go to www.clearlakeragbrai.com

What you can expect in Clear Lake on July 27

The Clear Lake RAGBRAI® Committee, led by Chair Diane Thompson, prepared the following information in an effort to answer the questions residents may have about RAGBRAI’s overnight stay in Clear Lake Tuesday.  Please take a few minutes to read the descriptions, instructions and tips.  If you still have questions or concerns, contact Diane Thompson at 357-3015.

First of all, expect...

A good time
    RAGBRAI is a unique event where we have a chance to show off our community and to have a lot of fun.  Those who get involved will be glad they participated.  Our guests come with enthusiasm and energy and a desire to meet people and see Clear Lake while they are here.  It’s a fantastic day for Clear Lake, our guests, our residents, and our volunteers.  Everyone who wants to have a good time will have a good time.

Lots of questions
    All of our guests will have questions about directions, available local services, food, entertainment, schedules, shuttles, etc.   If you know the answer, that’s great.  If you don’t know the answer as it applies to July 27, please tell them to go to one of our Information Centers (at Main Campgrounds and at the Chamber) to get the best answer.  Our Information Committee will have the most updated information. 
Cell phone service
    Service might be hampered on July 27.  Extra towers are being brought to Clear Lake, but the concentration of bodies and phones might cause some problems.  Just like everything else, plan around an anticipated inconvenience.

Gas
    Hundreds of support vehicles will be coming to Clear Lake the morning of July 27 and many will be at gas stations.  It would be smart to not wait until Tuesday to fill your vehicle with gas.  Also, if you think you want to get gas at a local gas station for your boat, it would be advisable to do that before Tuesday. 

Ice
    Chances are that you will not be able to buy ice in Clear Lake on July 27.  If you think you will need ice, buy it on Monday.

Groceries
    Many bikers bring support vehicles whose drivers buy groceries immediately upon getting to town.  Certain items will be in short supply.  Besides that, getting to the grocery stores will be difficult with all the extra traffic.  Best advice -- Go grocery shopping on Monday.

City Pool
    The Clear Lake Aquatic Center will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 27.  Cost for admission on July 27 will be $5 for everyone, including those who have a season ticket.  If crowds are large, the management will break the swim time into shorter segments and the pool will be emptied of people and then the next group can enter.  The pool may also be closed temporarily for a short time for cleaning purposes if necessary.  Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Surf’s Up!: Help welcome our guests

Law Enforcement
    The Clear Lake Police Department will patrol the City as usual on July 27, with the exception of the downtown area.   RAGBRAI is bringing 30 law enforcement officers from surrounding areas to assist the Police Department. They will be concentrated in the downtown area.  The RAGBRAI Committee is paying for those officers.   State Highway Patrol will be traveling with RAGBRAI and will have officers in Clear Lake while RAGBRAI riders are in town.

General Traffic
    Cars – It will be crazy.  If you don’t need to drive, don’t drive.  If you need to drive, leave early and plan your route according to the RAGBRAI maps which will be available to the public on July 21 or can be seen on www.clearlakeragbrai.com. 
    Bikes (local) – A great way to travel in town, but please stay off the Official Bike Route to avoid accidents. 
    Motorcycles – see Car
    Rollerblades – see Bikes
    Golf Carts – Only official RAGBRAI golf carts will be allowed on City streets on July 27.

North/South Travel
in Clear Lake
    There will be only three ways to get from the South side of Main Avenue to the North side of Main Avenue.
    •Drive through Ventura (but you will be slowed down if driving on the Official Route – B-35).
    •Drive between Exits 193 and 194 on I-35.
    •Drive on 8th Street at Main Avenue.  These lights will be flashing red all day and night so all north/south traffic on 8th Street will need to stop.  Bikes crossing on Main Avenue will not stop, so the wait at that corner could be long.  Security will be handling traffic at that corner from 9 a.m. until  after midnight.  I-35 route will most likely be much quicker than crossing Main at 8th Street, especially between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Official Bike Route Activity – Welcoming our Guests
    Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. everyone in Clear Lake is encouraged to be near the Official Bike Route at any location and yell a welcome to the bikers.  They love that – and everyone will have a good time.  You might want to bring a lawn chair and some water.   Another location to get involved with welcoming the guests is the Welcome Arch at Touristville Park on South Shore Drive with parking on South 2nd Street and South 3rd Street.
    Everyone is encouraged to wear the Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt to show support for having our guests in town.  Bring crazy hats, noise makers, crazy stuff – remember the theme “Surf’s Up” – and have fun.  Here’s some precautions to make it a safer day:
    •One of the primary goals is making the route safe for the bikes and bikers – and we also want our pets and children to be safe.    As much as you think Fido would like to watch the festivities, it’s going to be hot and we don’t want anything to happen if Fido unexpectedly gets loose.  Please keep pets away from the route.
    •If you have small children with you, please do not let them in the street.  
    •While the bikers look as if they are having a great time, it is best not to try to join them.  Riding en masse is not easy and anyone without that experience will most likely get hurt or cause someone else to get hurt.  If you want to meet the bikers, consider going downtown and meeting them there.

Parking
    Suggested parking for those wanting to be downtown is the Industrial Park.  Shuttles will bring you to/from downtown.  There is no charge for shuttle rides, but donations are welcome.

Downtown
    Most streets will be blocked off. 
    No coolers or beverages can be brought into the downtown area.
    Shuttle terminal is at Main Avenue and 8th Street.
    An Information Center will be located at the Chamber office from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 27.
    Smoking will be discouraged in the downtown area on July 27.

City Park
    Beverage Garden – The area will be open at noon and serve until 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  There will be a $5 cover charge, however there is no cover charge for those wearing a registered rider wristband or a Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt.  No minors will be allowed in the Beverage Garden.  All beverages are $3.  No beverages can be brought into the Beverage Garden and no beverages may be taken out.  Food is available in the streets surrounding the park and may be brought into the Beverage Garden. 
    CLB&T Family Park – The north side of City Park will be the Clear Lake Bank & Trust sponsored Family Park.  Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted in this area of the park.  All beverages are $3.  No beverages can be brought into the Beverage Garden and no beverages may be taken out.  Food is available in the streets surrounding the park and may be brought into the Beverage Garden.  After 5:30 p.m. a $5 cover charge will be charged, however there is no cover charge for those wearing a registered rider wristband or a Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt or children under 60-inches tall accompanied by an adult.
    No animals will be allowed in City Park except for guide dogs.

Shuttle Buses
    NIACOG has very generously provided all of their buses, drivers, and fuel for this event so that we can provide transportation all around town on July 27.  CLTel is sponsoring the shuttle program on July 27.
    Six routes will be available to the residents of Clear Lake and our RAGBRAI guests.  Maps will be available to the public on July 21 and are on www.clearlakeragbrai.com.  There will be no charge for the shuttles, but donations would be appreciated.   Routes are one-way and will be long, so plan ahead.   There will be some specific bus stops, but it’s ok to just stand by the curb on a route and wave a shuttle to you.
    The Shuttle Terminal will be at the Charlie Brown/Sue Casa parking lot at Main Avenue and 8th Street.  All shuttle buses with the exception of the Fieldstone Shuttle will run through this terminal. 

Clear Lake
RAGBRAI T-Shirts
    Wear a Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt for special deals and to show our guests that you are glad they have come to Clear Lake!  You can buy them at Uncorked, Ace Hardware, CLB&T, MBT (Highway 18), and the Chamber office until Thursday, July 22.  After July 22, T-shirts will only be available only at the Chamber office.  Shirts are available in sizes Youth S-L and Adult S-XXL for $15 each.
    All volunteers on July 26-28 are asked to wear the Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt while they are volunteering to show support for the RAGBRAI event in the community.   Everyone is encouraged to wear the Clear Lake RAGBRAI T-shirt on July 27.  RAGBRAI suggests that each Overnight Town depletes their T-shirt stock prior to RAGBRAI because dated shirts don’t sell well.  Therefore, if you wait until the last minute, most likely shirts won’t be available for the event.  It is suggested that everyone buys their T-shirts as early as possible.

RAGBRAI©
    The word RAGBRAI is a copyrighted and cannot be used without the permission of the Des Moines Register.  If it is used on signs and other ways, RAGBRAI has the right to remove the signs, etc.

Signage
    Signs will be everywhere.  Signs do not need the RAGBRAI committee approval, however, if the sign is inappropriate or uses the name RAGBRAI, it will probably be removed.  Anyone planning on using signs needs to get permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be placed.  The owner of that property has the right to remove the sign if they want to.  Signs along County roads need County approval.  If signs are placed without approval, they will be removed.  Residents are under no obligation to agree to have signs in their yard.   It would be appropriate for anyone requesting a place for signs to give their name, phone number, and a design (including size) for the sign.

Traffic and other information

Main Avenue
    Main Avenue will be closed from the lake to 20th Street from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until Wednesday mid-morning.  Main Avenue from 8th Street to 20th Street is the Official Bike Route and then serves as the exit route, as well.  All side streets to Main will be barricaded and no local transportation other than official RAGBRAI bikes will be allowed on Main Avenue while it is closed.  Main Avenue will be patrolled by Security throughout the day.
    Garbage pickup will be on Wednesday as usual.  Absolute Waste will pick up Main Avenue on the last run of the day.  Garbage can be put to the curb as usual.

South Shore Drive (City) – North of Pit Stop
    South Shore Drive in the city limits will be closed from 27th Avenue South to City Park.  It will be closed from 9 a.m. until after the bikers have arrived in town – about 6:30 p.m. It is suggested that South Shore Drive residents park on a nearby east/west street if possible, but for those who cannot, it is suggested that you leave your homes before 9 a.m. and return after 6 p.m. on Tuesday for easiest travel.
    It is strongly suggested that no one tries to use South Shore Drive between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., but security will patrol South Shore Drive to assist those needing to leave home for emergency purposes during that time. 
    No local transportation of any kind will be allowed on South Shore Drive except those directly affected by the Bike Route.   Those South Shore Drive residents leaving home between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for emergency purposes must drive in a northerly direction and must exit at the first east intersection; no vehicles may travel in the southbound lane. No one other than area residents may enter South Shore Drive.
    Bike traffic will not be stopped for vehicles.  It is advised that vehicles could wait for very long periods of time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
    The Green shuttle will travel northbound on South Shore Drive beginning about 9 a.m. and until after midnight.  Stand on the curb and flag the shuttle down.  
USE OF SHUTTLES IS ENCOURAGED.

Pine Tree Park area and area South of Pit Stop and North of 27th Avenue
    South Shore Drive in the city limits will be closed from 27th Avenue South to City Park.  It will be closed from 9 a.m. until after the bikers have arrived in town – about 6:30 p.m. It is suggested that residents in this area needing to leave home in the morning should leave before 9 a.m. and return after 6 p.m. to avoid bike traffic on South Shore Drive. It is strongly suggested that no one tries to use South Shore Drive between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 
    For those living west of South Shore Drive and needing to leave the area for emergency reasons between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., please drive to the intersection of South Lakeview Drive and South Shore Drive (at The Pit Stop) and wait for a security volunteer to assist you as you enter South Shore Drive and travel in a northerly direction.   Bike traffic will not be stopped for vehicles.   It is advised that vehicles could wait for very long periods of time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and therefore should leave before 9 a.m. and return after 6 p.m.
    For those living east of South Shore Drive and needing to leave the area for emergency reasons, please drive to South Shore Drive and wait for a security volunteer to assist you as you enter South Shore Drive.  Those residents leaving home between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for emergency purposes must drive in a northerly direction and must exit at the first east intersection; no vehicles may travel in the southbound lane.
    No local transportation of any kind will be allowed on South Shore Drive except those directly affected by the Bike Route.  No one other than area residents may enter South Shore Drive from 9 a.m. until the bikers have all arrived at approximately 6:30 p.m.
    The Green shuttle will travel northbound on South Shore Drive beginning about 9 a.m. and until after midnight.  Stand on the curb and flag the shuttle down.  
USE OF SHUTTLE IS ENCOURAGED.

South Shore Drive (County)
    No road closings will occur past the State Park, but be advised that between B-35 and 27th Avenue South, this road will be the Official Bike Route and will be heavily congested with bicycles. 
    Even though South Shore Drive west of B-35 is not the Official Route, it will be the road chosen by some bicyclists and therefore will be heavily congested.  It is highly suggested that anyone wishing to drive on South Shore Drive past State Park should drive in a westerly direction to avoid getting in the bicycle traffic.  The hills and corners in that area will prohibit passing the bicycles. It is also suggested that everyone avoid driving at all between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the heaviest concentration of bikes will occur.
    The Green shuttle will travel on South Shore Drive beginning about 9 a.m. and until after midnight.  It will go west and east from State Park to Tanglefoot – and then to the downtown terminal on South Shore Drive from 27th Avenue South.  Stand on the curb and flag the shuttle down.  The Green shuttle can be taken from the terminal back to this area.

Streets adjacent to the South yard of the High School, 1st Avenue North, North 16th Street
    1st Avenue North will be closed at 20th Street (bike route).  North 16th Street will be closed at Main Avenue (bike route).  All residents living on these streets in this area are asked to leave the area at the corner of  2nd Avenue North and  North 15th Street.  That corner will be manned from early morning until evening.  All vehicles leaving the area will be given ID to get back into the area.  Only vehicles with this identification or official RAGBRAI Vehicle ID will be allowed to get into this area.  By limiting vehicles entering the area, we can prevent gawkers from driving in an parking in driveways to go look at the campgrounds.
    There will be a shower unit in the street by the Middle School Parking lot for the campers at the west end of the school yard, but traffic can move around those units. 
    No Parking signs will be placed on the south side of 1st Avenue North.  RAGBRAI Parking Only signs will be placed on the north side of 1st Avenue North.   By limiting parking on 1st Avenue North during the day, the streets can keep open for residential use.

DOWNTOWN AREA
Road Closings – July 27 at 3 a.m. to July 28 mid-morning
NO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED ON CLOSED STREETS EXCEPT RAGBRAI VEHICLES.
•Main Avenue will be closed from 8th Street to the lake.
•North/South 4th and 5th Streets and adjacent alleys will be closed at Main Avenue.
•3rd Street will be closed from 1st Ave. S. to 1st Ave. N.
•South Shore Drive will be closed to City Park.
•North Shore Drive  will be closed from 1st Ave. N. to the alley.
•South Lakeview Drive (beach loop) will be closed.
•North Lakeview Drive will be closed from 1st Ave. North to 4th Ave. N.
•All streets around City Park will be closed.
Beginning on Monday afternoon, July 26, no parking will be allowed on Main or streets surrounding City Park.
Parking
    It will be difficult to park near the downtown area.   It is suggested that cars park in the Industrial Park area and passengers be picked up by the shuttles driving through that area from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. on Wednesday.    Shuttles can get taken back to that area from the terminal at 8th Street and Main Avenue.  (Purple shuttle)
Alcohol
    Street and alley entrances to the downtown area will be barricaded and will have a security volunteer posted.  No coolers or any type of beverages can be brought into the downtown area and no beverages can be taken out.   Containers will be available at the entrance/exit points to empty bottles or cans.  Volunteer security will not be responsible for coolers left at barricades. Inside the downtown area, alcohol may be purchased at bars or in the RAGBRAI Beverage Garden.  ID will be required for entering Beverage Garden. Beverages purchased at bars may leave that property, but may not be taken into the Beverage Garden or taken out of the downtown area.  No beverages may be taken into or out of the Beverage Garden. Alcohol will be discouraged at the Verizon Friends & Family Beach Party at City Beach. Alcohol will not be allowed in the CLB&T Family Park in City Park.
Non-alcoholic Beverages
    No beverages can be brought into the downtown area or taken out of the downtown area. No beverages may be taken into or out of the Beverage Garden or the CLB&T Family Park.  Non-alcoholic beverages may be purchased in the CLB&T Family Park.

Friday, July 23, is the final day to pre-register to vote in the Aug. 3, 2010 Clear Lake Bond Election.  That election is on the question of issuing $2.3 million municipal bonds to build a new fire station.
    The office of the Cerro Gordo County Auditor will be open an extra half hour -- until 5 p.m. -- on that date for eligible electors who wish to pre-register in person.  Completed voter registrations may be mailed to the county auditor, but must be either received by the above deadline or postmarked on/before Monday, July 19, in order to be valid for this election.
    If you have voted or registered to vote within the past four years, then you need not re-register unless you have changed residences from one county to another.  If you have changed addresses within the same county where you are currently registered to vote, then you may change your voter registration address anytime before the election or at your new polling place on Election Day.
    Iowa law now allows eligible persons to register and vote at the polls on Election Day.  An Election Day registrant must provide acceptable proof of identity and current residency in the precinct.
    Persons with questions regarding voter registration or polling sites for the Clear Lake Bond Election may contact the office of the Cerro Gordo County Auditor at (641)421-3041.  Additional election and voter registration information can be seen at the following website: www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us.

Further discussion of a  proposed zoning ordinance change was pulled from the Clear Lake City Council agenda Tuesday, July 6, on the advice of the city’s attoney.
    City Attorney Charlie Biebesheimer informed City Administrator Scott Flory and Council member that, in his opinion, a notice of the proposed changes to the definition of “public” zoned areas should have been mailed to every parcel of property abutting a “P-Public Zoned” property. 
    Prior to the meeting, city staff had sent notices to properties in the Sunset School area, which is zoned public.  The sale of that property by the School District to an organization which works with at-risk students has been included in the discussion to re-word the public zoning definition.  However, the city attorney advised the city to send out additional notices to property owners adjacent to any city parking lots, county maintenance sheds, city beach, any city parks, city hall, the post office or schools.  All of those spaces are zoned public.
    Under the current definition of public zoning, only operations run by the federal, state, city governments or the Clear Lake Community School District can locate in public zoned areas.  The City Council favored (5-0) expanding the wording of public zoning to include those that offer educational instruction or counseling services.  However, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously returned the proposal from the City Council, saying it recommended no change in the wording at this time.