City Officials Interview Two Candidates For Vacant Council Seat

The vacant Ward 2 seat on the Glenwood City Council is expected to be filled in February. The seat has been vacant since Craig Florian stepped down from the council on Dec. 31.

Earlier this month, Mayor Ron Kohn, city clerk Amber Farnan and some members of the city council conducted open interview sessions with two Glenwood citizens who have expressed interest in the position - Julie Kalambokidis and Donnie Kates.

The council could make an appointment at its next regular meeting on Feb. 12. The seat will be on the ballot in November’s municipal election.

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At its Jan. 22 meeting, the council tabled taking action on a request from the Southwest Iowa Pickleball Committee. The committee, which has currently raised about $80,000 in donations, grants and pledges to build pickleball courts on the city’s dilapidated tennis court complex on South Vine Street, is requesting a commitment of $10,000 from the city as it pursues additional funds and grants. The pickleball project has a projected price tag of $150,000.

Council member Laurie Smithers, who made the motion to table the matter, said before committing $10,000, she would like to know if the county is committing funds to the project and she would like to get more information on other projects going on in the city The city has agreed to provide $20,000 in “in-kind” funding for tearing up the old tennis courts and providing maintenance on the pickleball courts. Kohn urged the council to make a decision on the committee’s request “in the next few weeks.”