Author: City of Decorah

City Of Decorah: Tree City USA Recipient

DES MOINES – The City of Decorah  was recently honored with the 2022 Tree City USA Award at the 32nd Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources April 12th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees,” says state forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your community has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”

Decorah was one of 74 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.

From L-R in the picture: Kayla Lyon, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Scott Timm, Chair of the Decorah Tree Board, Sam Hogenson, Decorah City Forester, and Jeff Goerndt, State Forester.

Media contact: Emma Hanigan, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at 515-249-1732.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Multiple Street and Lane Closures Occurring the Week of April 17^th

Decorah, IA (April 14, 2023) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that there will be several street and lane closures occurring the week of April 17^th. The closures are outlined below:

• Starting the morning of Monday, April 17^th, the intersection of Day Street and Pearl Street will be closed to traffic. The closure is expected to last until Monday, April 24^th. The closure is to allow for the intersection to be re-paved.
• Starting the morning of Monday, April 17^th, a portion of the southbound lane of Washington Street near the intersection of Railroad Avenue will be closed. Traffic will still be able to move through the intersection during construction. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. The closure is to allow for a concrete patch to be repaired.
• Starting at 8 AM on Tuesday, April 18^th, Water Street between Mechanic Street and Mill Street will be closed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. Traffic will be detoured to Heivly Street. The closure is to allow for work to occur on the Vesterheim Commons building.
• Starting on Tuesday, April 18^th, the easternmost northbound lane of College Drive in front of the new Kwik Star site will be closed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. The closure is to allow for construction of utility work associated with the new Kwik Star building.

Residents are encouraged to find alternative routes during these construction projects. The timing of each closure will be dependent on weather conditions and contractor schedules.

Please call the Street Department at 563-382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Yard Waste Site Keys Available at City Hall Starting April 7^th

Decorah, IA (April 4, 2023) – The City of Decorah is announcing that starting on Friday, April 7^th, keys will be available for residents who want to access the City’s Yard Waste Site. Keys must be checked out from City Hall. City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Please note that City Hall will be closing at 11:30 AM on Friday, April 7^th.

The City is expecting to have set open hours for the Yard Waste Site starting sometime within the next few weeks.

As a reminder, any yard waste that is deposited at the Yard Waste Site must originate from within the Decorah City Limits.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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We want to know what you think!

The city of Decorah is participating in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development (CED) unit’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment (RHRA) Program. A local housing steering committee will be participating in an educational session and a strategic planning session with CED specialists to create a vision and an action plan to address housing needs in Decorah.

Gathering your input is an important part of this process your and ideas about housing needs are valuable to the Decorah housing steering committee, so we are inviting you to take a few minutes to complete a brief online survey.

The survey is sponsored by the City of Decorah, the Iowa Finance Authority, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.

Questions? Contact Lorraine Borowski at mayor@decorahia.org

Click Here to start the Survey.

The City of Decorah has partnered with GroupCast Notification System to provide timely communication to residents of Decorah regarding City business such as street information, water issues, and city emergencies.

In order to enhance our ability to accurately deliver that information we kindly request that you create your own contact preference profile using GroupCast website. This allows you to control the ways in which you prefer to be contacted. It also works like a mailbox, giving you a place to review messages you have missed.

In order to utilize this feature simply follow the steps below to create an account through the secure website provided in GroupCast.

Below are the steps to set up your account:

1. Click Here to visit the GroupCast website.
2. Click the Sign Up Now link near the bottom of the page.
3. You will be taken to a screen where you will need to create an account. Enter your name and email address and create a password. Once you review and accept the terms, click Create Account at the bottom of the screen.

[Note: GroupCast has a strict privacy policy and does not sell or distribute your contact information to any 3^rd party.]

4. Check your email. There will be an Account Activation email from GroupCast (noreply@accounts.schoolmessenger.com). This email contains an activation code that is only valid for 24 hours. (If you do not receive an email, be sure to check your junk mail.) You will have to enter this code along with your user name (which is your email address) to activate your account.
5. Once your account is activated, you are ready to select your notification preferences.
6. Simply select the type(s) of notifications you wish to receive and the groups to which you belong.
7. When you are finished making selections, click Save.
8. Follow the instructions to add additional contact information, such as additional email and phone numbers, to your account.

We hope you enjoy the GroupCast system!