The Indianola City Council met in regular session Monday, discussing animal control in the City of Indianola.

City Manager Jake Meshke discussed during the meeting that the city has been exploring options with both the ARL of Iowa and Kiya Koda Humane Society to assist law enforcement with non-vicious dogs, with the Kiya Koda board indicating they were not to be considered for animal control service in the current format.

The council voted to give notice of 60 days to terminate the contract with Kiya Koda, but the motion failed in a 3-2 vote citing if the city gives notice with no contract to replace the services in place, there could be a gap. The council gave direction to city staff to begin contract negotiations with ARL and potentially have a special meeting to give Kiya Koda notice, or approve a contract with ARL.

The council also approved an official policy for the conduct of future city council appointments, which shall include a requirement that each participating council member’s vote be made public during the open session in which the election is held during the appointment process, and a policy regarding the discussion of the appointment outside of meetings and not in closed session.

The council also approved a bid of approximately $1.2 million from Cornerstone Commercial Contractors for the Downtown Facade Revitalization Program, received the Indianola Police Department annual report, approved the final plat for Pickard Commerce Park Plat 1, and site plans for New Era Homes and Pickard Lot 12 before going into closed session to discuss litigation.