The Volga City Council held a regular council meeting on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 601 Washington Street (library side). Mayor Elaine Follon called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members Crystal Nicholson, Alex Fettkether, Darren Nading, Tom Whittle, and Parker Klingman answered Roll Call. George Duff, Kim Hurley, Ann Duff, Bethany Klingman, Rhonda Fry, Megan McDonald, Mike Howard, and Noah Hofrichter, Origin Design were also in attendance.
Public Comments: Pothole maintenance was discussed.
Updates on 2024 Focus Areas:
Transportation Infrastructure:
Washington Street project:The project has received approvals necessary to move on to the obtaining of Temporary Construction Easements for affected intersection properties. Paperwork has been prepared by the City Attorney and cna be delivered by the clerk or council.
Oak Street Bridge project: Noah Hofrichter, reviewed the City Bridge Fund program that accepted the Oak Street Bridge as a project. He reviewed the local match requirements, timeline, engineering costs required, and reviewed the feasibility study and preliminary study to determine next steps. No action was taken.
Motion by Whittle to move the Water Pressure Project update agenda item. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Hofrichter and Council discussed the project status and the need for a change order at the Well House.. Motion by Nicholson to approve Payment No. 17 in the amount of $61,155.81 for Ray’s Excavating for Council consideration of payment for work completed in October. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Community Beautification:Motion by Klingman to table follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans. Second by Nading. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Real estate discussion: Tom Klingman and Bethany Klingman updated Council on sales prospects for the building and VCTC Board members support for potential city ownership if debt is paid off. Follon discussed research into area opera house purposes and operations, local efforts for debt relief, and proposed management structure. Motion by Nicholson to approve additional research into monthly maintenance budget items, rental, governing board structure, insurance, and additional maintenance fund costs. Council will hold a public meeting at the December 9 meeting to gather input from the community regarding city ownership. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Klingman to direct the City Attorney to develop a resolution with policy governing when the City accepts offered real estate to prevent dumping of unwanted property and ensure that property donated to the city is property the city is willing to accept. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Klingman to direct the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance regarding city owned property being used for commercial purposes as either a landlord or as an operating entity itself. Second by Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Nicholson to direct the City Attorney to prepare a policy for the city establishing terms for a terms of lease of city property for commercial use such as nature and type of business that city owned property would be leased for by broad categories like gathering space, retail food and beverage, special events, business incubator or other categories, including consideration to restrictions that prevent the city from carrying operation costs like utilities and insurance on leased property. Second Fettkether. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Recreation: McDonald reported that volunteers would be appreciated to help prepare the Christmas lights and decorations.
Department Updates:
Public Works: Motion by Whittle to table the Equipment Lease Agreement as approved by Resolution 2023-29. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council discussed potholes. Public Works will apply gravel to potholes when weather forecast does not include rain, as the rain washes out the gravel.
Council reviewed bids received to remove the barn/shed at 500 Washington Street to accept or reject any and all bids received. Motion by Nicholson to accept Heitman for a price of $6050.00. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Administration: Motion by Fettkether to set a Public Hearing for 6:58pm on December 9, 2024 to consider amending the current FY 25 Budget. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Whittle to table the First Reading of Ordinance #173: Alliant Energy Franchise Renewal. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Fettkether to approve the First Reading of Ordinance #174: FIREWORKS CODE UPDATE. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fettkether, Nicholson, Nading, Whittle, Klingman. Nays: none. First Reading of Ordinance #174 was approved. Motion by Nading to waive the three readings of Ordinance #174. Second by Fettkether. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fettkether, Nicholson, Nading, Whittle, Klingman. Nays: none. Three readings of Ordinance #174 were waived and the Ordinance was approved.
Emergency Services: Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2024-30: A Resolution for the City of Volga, Clayton County, Iowa to enter into a 28E Agreement with Sperry Township within Clayton County, Iowa for Emergency Response Services. Motion by Klingman to approve Resolution 2024-30. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fettkether, Nicholson, Nading, Whittle, Klingman. Nays: none. Resolution 2024-30 was approved.
Library Planning Committee: Council discussed City side items yet to be completed, including the front door with utility drop box, main meeting room, and handicap parking options.
Clayton County Development Group: Follon discussed community representation and participation at quarterly meetings to brainstorm ideas for contacts to be made.
The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-October 2024, 4) Bank Reconciliation-October 2024, and 5) Monthly Budget Report. Motion by Klingman to approve the Consent Agenda. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Delinquent Utilities were discussed.
Motion by Whittle to adjourn. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:13pm.
Comments