At Afton City Council meeting Tuesday, the council members met with Dave Peterson of JEO Consulting Group to discuss energy options for the town.
Toni Landers, Afton city clerk, said the city’s current substation is owned by Alliant and rented by the city.
“The current one is outdated, not safe and it’s time for a new one,” Landers said.
Currently, Alliant is building a new substation northwest of Afton, south of Highway 34. Afton council members are weighing out the benefits of making the move with Alliant to the new substation or building their own.
“Right now we are looking at all of the costs and all of our options,” Landers said.
Splash pad update
Landers said about $4,000 is needed to complete Afton’s Splash Pad project. It was proposed to host a “fall fest” in October. Last year’s Fall Fest in Afton featured a Splash for Cash 5K, inflatable bounce houses, games, trivia contest, bingo, barbecue and street dance at TJ’s Restaurant.
Landers said last year’s event raised approximately the current amount needed.
iCash Program
Residents of Afton will now be able to pay their water, sewage and garbage bill with a debit or credit card thanks to a program offered by Iowa League of Cities.
The program, iCash, is intended to help cities better approach the electronic payment acceptance process. Landers said the city has explored options to accept debit and credit cards in the past, but iCash offers the convenience of using a card for payment at a fraction of the price of the other systems.
Currently, the city accepts checks, cash and automatic withdrawal for payments.
“This will just be another option,” Landers said.
In other Afton City Council business:
• Council members approved a resolution to participate in the planning and development programs of Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG).
• Approved closure of the 100 block of E. Kansas St. for That Bar’s bike night on Aug. 8.
• Discussed chapter 185 and how to enforce sidewalk regulations. The council will continue discussion of sidewalk regulations in August.
• Approved a liquor license renewal for TJ’s Restaurant.