The City of Stratford is in the process of hiring a new deputy city clerk. Last Monday evening, the Stratford City Council approved the deadline for all applications for the position as September 30,2025. The person will take over for Gina Swanson who recently stepped down. Applications can be turned into the City Hall in Stratford.
The Stratford Municipal Pool report for the 2025 season was presented to the city council. Attendance was up from the previous year. The pool was open for 67 days this season. It closed five full days and 4 partial days for weather and staffing. The pool closed most nights at 7 p.m. The payroll expenses were up this year due to an increase in wages. Lesson revenues were down from the previous year due to a lack of lifeguards. There was a week of group lessons and a few sets of private and buddy lessons. The pool management thought that the pool season was difficult with only six lifeguards.
There was an update on the municipal pool leak. Iowa Rural Water Association and Bolton and Menk Engineers were both on site and unable to find the leak. Investigators came up with nothing conclusive to determine the actual location of the leak. The line has several ninety-degree angles, and it was suggested to do an exploratory dig. Stratford officials will be in contact with an engineer and a company with a sewer camera to investigate the location of the leak. Stratford City Council members voted to approve doing an exploratory dig on the deck to find the leak prior to the reopening next season.
Nancy Baker representing the Stratford Community Development Corporation (SCDC) to discuss plans for Trunk or Treat with Katie Kinfella of the Stratford Community Early Learning Center Program. The Trunk or Treat will be held on Friday, October 24 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the Stratford Municipal Pool parking lot. Business and residents that want to participate will decorate their vehicle trunks with the youngsters to trick or treat from trunk to trunk. There will be games for kids enjoy that evening. The corporation is looking at a few grant options for repairs to their buildings. Baker told the council that SCDC is looking at details but would need the city for their participation for the grants. One grant would include a 40 percent match. She also explained that the fitness center still needs a new roof with quotes for the repair now underway. On Sunday, October 12, the SCDC will have church in the park followed by pumpkin decorating from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Stratford City Council accepted all requests from the SCDC at their meeting.
The date of Friday,October 31st will be the date for Trick or Treating in Stratford with the hours from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. The request from Team Iowa Snowmobilers for the 2025-26 winter season for the snowmobile route in the incorporated limits of Stratford was approved by the council. The vendor agreement for those eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for 2025-26 was accepted by Stratford City Council members.