March 28, 2024

Creston mayor resigns

Arkansas-bound Gary Lybarger resigns as Creston Mayor

Mayor Gary Lybarger announced his resignation Tuesday evening during Creston City Council’s regular meeting.

“An opportunity has arisen in my life ... effective the 30th of April ... I turn in my resignation as the mayor of Creston,” said Lybarger.

In 2015, Lybarger defeated then incumbent Warren Woods by 45 votes to become Creston’s mayor in 2016. Prior to that, he served as Creston’s city building inspector for 12 years. During his 2015 campaign, Lybarger said his top priorities as mayor would be lowering property taxes and finding long-term solutions to city street repairs.

“I hope you stay on track getting the streets cleaned up in this town,” said Lybarger.

Lybarger, whose term was set to expire Dec. 31, encouraged the council to continue doing the best they can for the citizens of Creston.

Mayor Pro-Tem Rich Madison will fill the role starting May 1.

Lybarger, who turns 73 in June, is retiring and moving to Arkansas.

Fireworks

During public forum, Larry Wynn, 900 S. Oak St., spoke in opposition of a fireworks permit application, council agenda item no. 5, requested by Brandon Vonk, 900 S. Walnut St.

“I don’t know what was being shot in the evening over there, but part of it was like a bomb going off or a cannon going off,” said Wynn. “It’s a good thing I’m not a veteran of some war somewhere ... because it’d probably give me a heart attack.”

Wynn said the “so-called bombs” have gone off for the past three years. He suggested the firework display move to Rainbow Park, Bill Sears Complex or the Creston Community High School track, before urging the council to put an end to it all together.

“I don’t think any of you people would appreciate getting awakened out of bed or thrown out of your bed when these bombs go off. I just hope you put a stop to this. Please,” said Wynn.

Vonk then clarified for the council that he is not setting off bombs, but rather the same fireworks he sets off for Creston’s Fourth of July firework show at McKinley Lake.

“I can understand Larry’s plea with this ... I have talked to several neighbors now because of last years complaints,” said Vonk.

Vonk said one neighbor was “aggravated” because she did not know it was going to happen and asked Vonk to bring her a notice so that she is aware of the date and time, and can watch the display.

“They are not bombs. I am a veteran. I did serve. I did get blown up, so I know what bombs are,” said Vonk.

Vonk said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provides a “size chart” that determines the size and legal distance of the fireworks he can legally use.

“We only shoot a 6-inch down there (McKinley Lake) because of the clearance to the houses that are on the side of the lake,” said Vonk. “By the law, I can shoot closer to 12s or 16s (inches) there because I have the clearance, but I don’t do it because I don’t want to disrupt everybody that bad.”

Vonk, who legally shoots scheduled firework shows at McKinley Park, occasional private parties and for an annual gathering for family and friends on his eight-acre property, said he can’t control others who may shoot off fireworks illegally.

In an effort to encourage a discussion among the council, Ward 3 Representative Gabe Carroll made a motion to approve Vonk’s firework permit application for an event scheduled between 4 and 10:45 p.m. July 6 at Vonk’s residence. The motion failed due to a lack of a second motion.

In other city business, the council:

• approved a conditional use permit for Andrew Lewandowsky to construct a commercial shop/residence building at 204 N. Cedar St., based on the recommendation of Creston Planning and Zoning Commission.

• approved the payment of $2,500 to Iowa Economic Development for a downtown assessment visit, which would include an intense, two or three person onsite study of Creston’s Uptown, a public presentation and a 20-page report of the findings.

• approved a temporary committee to study and review the addition of a property maintenance ordinance.

• approved a request from Sabrena Utley-Giza to close the entrance to the circle drive in McKinley Park from noon to 5 p.m. April 27 for the Autism Awareness Charity Walk and Games.

• approved the necessity and fixing a date for a public hearing 6 p.m. June 4, on the matter of adoption of a proposed 2019 Creston Urban Revitalization Plan.

• approved the adoption of guidelines for small cell facilities.

• approved a $5,000 request from the hotel-motel fund by the Creston Park and Recreation Board for promotion of summer events.

• approved a request by Mu and Bethany Beyyette, 507 S. Vine St., to keep livestock (three ducks) within Creston city limits per Section 55.21.

• approved the request by the Creston Sesquicentennial Advisory Committee to place the “Gandy Dancer Sculpture” in front of the northwest corner of the Restored Depot.

• approved pay application No. 1 for $135,699.85 to Feldhacker Contracting, LLC, for work completed on the Creston Street Improvement project.

• approved partial payment No. 5 for $320,791.25 and change order No. 5 for $18,427, to C.L. Carroll Co., Inc., for work completed on Waste Water Treatment Facility Improvements project.