Plans for a celebration in Stratford was one of the issues addressed at last Monday’s meeting of the Stratford City Council. Nancy Baker and Chase Haman with the Stratford Community Development Corporation presented information about “Stratford on the Loose” set for Saturday,July 11th. The day will include a parade, bingo, vendor fair, gazebo music and tractor pull. Stratford City Council members approved the closures of Avon Street from Tennyson Avenue to Goldsmith Street and Shakespeare Avenue from the library to Tennyson Avenue starting at 12 noon on July 11th for the day-long celebration.
The Stratford City Council held a short discussion concerning the Care Center lift station. It was noted that city staff is very concerned about the disposal rags from the Stratford Care Center ending up at the lift station, which causes problems to the pump. The council suggested discussing this issue with the administrator of the center to try and get them to stop flushing them. There was also a short discussion with the council concerning the valves at the city lift station. There are nine of them and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources would like the city to get them replaced. It will cost about $31,702 to replace them all so it was discussed to replace them in stages.
In other matters, the Stratford City Council approved the Stratford Early Learning Center donation request for a family pool pass for the May 2,2026 Boots and Bling Adult Gala Fundraiser Event.The date of May 11th was set for the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment hearing. Dan Ostrem was approved to consult city staff in preparation of proper pool maintenance process work . The council declined the MSA Electric Rate Study. A request from Cayden Heck of 918 Highway 175 to trench ground water to a storm sewer drain at the southwest corner of Locust and Highway 175 was approved by the council this week. Payroll increases were approved for the pool concession staff for the upcoming season. A quote will be looked at in replacing fencing at the lagoon in Stratford and will be presented to the council for a future review.